PC card configuration

• US 6,447,306 B1
• Filed: 02/28/2001
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: 3Com Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Polgar, Karch, Smith, Mark S., Paredes, Vladimir
• Primary Examiner(s): Ta, Tho D.
• Application Number:
  US09/795,505
• Publication Number:
  US 20020119683A1
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 439/76.1, 439/676, 439/638, 439/639, 439/946, 439/946.2, 439/945, 361/737, 361/686, 361/785
• US Class Current: 439/76.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/64 Means for preventing incorrect coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/62 Sliding engagements with one side only, e.g. modular jack coupling devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5692 Selection among different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0273 having extensions for peripherals, e.g. LAN, antennas details of antennas H01Q1/2275
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/946 Memory card cartridge

Abstract

A combination PC card for use in facilitating communication between a host computer and a remote device. The combination PC card includes two RJ-type connectors, an RJ-11 connector and an RJ-45 connector, centered at a front edge of the combination PC card. The connector bodies are integral with a housing of the combination PC card and are arranged and configured to be received in a corresponding recess defined by a Type II PC card when the combination PC card and the Type II PC card simultaneously reside in a PC card slot of the host computer. The positioning and configuration of the connector bodies permits the combination PC card to be removed from the PC card slot without also necessitating the removal of the other PC card residing in the PC card slot. The combination PC card additionally includes an analog modem connected to the RJ-11 connector, and a network interface card connected to the RJ-45 connector. The analog modem and network interface card are electrically connected to the host computer by way of a PCMCIA standard 68-socket connector, which also physically connects the combination PC card to the host computer.

Claims

1. A peripheral device adapted to be electrically and physically received by a lot in a host device and capable of facilitating communication between host device and a communication system, the device comprising:

(a) a main housing having a main portion with a width conforming substantially to the PCMCIA standard, and a height conforming substantially to the PCMCIA Type II standard;

(b) at least one connector receptacle formed within a connector body disposed integrally within the main housing, the connector body having a height greater than the Type II standard, and being shaped so as to be capable of being at least partially received within a recess formed in a second device electrically received within a slot adjacent to the peripheral device;

(c) electronic circuitry substantially disposed within said main housing and being in electrical communication with electrical contacts disposed within the receptacle; and

(d) means for physically and electrically connecting the peripheral device to the host device.

2. The combination PC card as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one connector comprises at least one RJ-type connector.

3. The combination PC card as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one connector comprises two RJ-type connectors.

4. The combination PC card as recited in claim 1, wherein said connector body is centered in a front edge of the combination PC card.

5. The combination PC card as recited in claim 1, wherein said connector body is formed integrally with said main housing.

6. The combination PC card as recited in claim 1, wherein said second form factor comprises a PCMCIA Type III form factor.

7. The combination PC card as recited in claim 1, wherein said third form factor comprises a PCMCIA Type III form factor.

8. The combination PC card as recited in claim 1, wherein said first form factor and said third form factor are the same.

9. The combination PC card as recited in claim 1, wherein said electronic circuitry comprises an analog modem.

10. The combination PC card as recited in claim 1, wherein said electronic circuitry comprises a network interface card.

11. The combination PC card as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for physically and electrically connecting the combination PC card to the host computer comprises a PCMCIA standard sixty eight socket connector in electrical communication with said electronic circuitry.

12. For use in conjunction with a host computer including a PC card slot, a combination PC card for facilitating communication between the host computer and a remote device, the combination PC card conforming to a first form factor and comprising:

(a) a housing;

(b) at least one connector, said at least one connector including a connector body configured and arranged so that when said connector body is at least partially received in a corresponding recess defined by another PC card conforming to a second form factor different from the first form factor of the combination PC card, the combination PC card and the another PC card collectively conform to a third form factor compatible with the PC card slot;

(c) electronic circuitry substantially disposed within said housing and being in communication with said at least one connector; and

(d) means for physically and electrically connecting the combination PC card to the host computer.

13. The combination PC card as recited in claim 12, wherein said connector body is arranged and configured so that when the combination PC card and the another PC card simultaneously reside in the PC card slot, the combination PC card can be removed from the PC card slot without requiring removal of the another PC card.

14. The combination PC card as recited in claim 12, wherein said at least one connector comprises at least one RJ-type connector.

15. The combination PC card as recited in claim 12, wherein said at least one connector comprises two RJ-type connectors.

16. The combination PC card as recited in claim 12, wherein said connector body is centered in a front edge of the combination PC card.

17. The combination PC card as recited in claim 12, wherein said connector body is integral with said housing.

18. The combination PC card as recited in claim 12, wherein said third form factor comprises a PCMCIA Type III form factor.

19. The combination PC card as recited in claim 12, wherein said electronic circuitry comprises an analog modem.

20. The combination PC card as recited in claim 12, wherein said electronic circuitry comprises a network interface card.

21. The combination PC card as recited in claim 12, wherein said means for physically and electrically connecting the combination PC card to the host computer comprises a PCMCIA standard sixty eight socket connector in electrical communication with said electronic circuitry.

22. A computer system configured for communication with a remote device, the computer system comprising:

(a) a host computer including a PC card slot; and

(b) a combination PC card conforming to a first form factor, said combination PC card being received in said PC card slot and comprising;

(i) a housing;

(ii) at least one connector, said at least one connector including a connector body configured and arranged so that when said connector body is at least partially received in a corresponding recess defined by another PC card conforming to a second form factor different from said first form factor of said combination PC card, said combination PC card and the another PC card collectively conform to a third form factor compatible with said PC card slot;

(iii) electronic circuitry substantially disposed within said housing and being in communication with said at least one connector; and

(iv) means for physically and electrically connecting said combination PC card to said host computer.

23. The computer system as recited in claim 22, wherein said connector body is arranged and configured so that when said combination PC card and the another PC card simultaneously reside in said PC card slot, said combination PC card can be removed from said PC card slot without requiring removal of the another PC card.

24. The computer system as recited in claim 22, wherein said first form factor comprises a PCMCIA Type III form factor.

25. The computer system as recited in claim 22, wherein said PC card slot conforms to a PCMCIA Type II form factor.

26. The computer system as recited in claim 22, wherein said first form factor and said third form factor are the same.

27. The computer system as recited in claim 22, wherein said at least one connector comprises at least one RJ-type connector.

28. The computer system as recited in claim 22, wherein said at least one connector comprises two RJ-type connectors.

29. The computer system as recited in claim 22, wherein said connector body is centered in a front edge of said combination PC card.

30. The computer system as recited in claim 22, wherein said electronic circuitry comprises an analog modem.

31. The computer system as recited in claim 22, wherein said electronic circuitry comprises a network interface card.

32. The computer system as recited in claim 22, wherein said host computer comprises a portable computer.

33. The combination PC card as recited in claim 22, wherein said means for physically and electrically connecting the combination PC card to said host computer comprises a PCMCIA standard sixty eight socket connector in electrical communication with said electronic circuitry.

34. A combination PC card, conforming to a Type III form factor, for use in facilitating communication between a host computer including a PC card slot, and a remote device, the combination PC card comprising:

(a) a housing;

(b) at least one RJ-type connector having a connector body centered at a front edge of the combination PC card and being integral with said housing, and said connector body being configured and arranged so that said connector body is at least partially received in a corresponding recess, defined by another PC card conforming to a Type II form factor, when the combination PC card and the another PC card simultaneously reside in the PC card slot;

(c) electronic circuitry substantially disposed within said housing and being in communication with said at least one RJ-type connector; and

(d) means for physically and electrically connecting the combination PC card to the host computer.

35. The combination PC card as recited in claim 34, wherein said at least one RJ-type connector comprises an RJ-11 connector and an RJ-45 connector.

36. The combination PC card as recited in claim 34, wherein said electronic circuitry comprises an analog modem and a network interface card.