Retractable platform with wireless electrical interface

• US 6,542,358 B1
• Filed: 10/31/2000
• Issued: 04/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: 3Com Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Lo Forte, Steven, Evans, John, Kunz, Ryan A., Price, Tim Urry
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEA EDMONDS, LISA S
• Application Number:
  US09/703,203
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 361/686, 361/737, 361/736, 361/752, 361/753, 439/74, 439/131, 439/638, 439/945, 439/946
• US Class Current: 361/679.4
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0273 having extensions for peripherals, e.g. LAN, antennas details of antennas H01Q1/2275

Abstract

A retractable platform allows communication to be established with an electronic device, such as a computer expansion card. The retractable platform is preferably slidably attached to the electronic device and retractable platform includes a wireless interface that allows the communication between the platform and the electronic device to be established. The wireless interface may use an optical coupling, inductive coupling, capacitive coupling or other suitable wireless or non-mechanical interface to allow communication between the retractable platform and the electronic device. Advantageously, the retractable platform can be removed and replaced, which virtually eliminates breakage, and it allows the platform to be easily repaired, replaced, upgraded, and the like. The retractable platform can also include electronic circuitry and other suitable components that process or condition the incoming and outgoing signal.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a communication card including an upper surface and a lower surface;

a printed circuit board at least partially disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface of the communication card;

a retractable platform movably attached to the communication card, the retractable platform movable between a first position and a second position, the retractable platform including circuitry relating to the operation of the communication card; and

a wireless interface that allows communication between the retractable platform and the communication card.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to process communication signals being transmitted to the communication card.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to protect the communication card from damage.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless interface only allows communication between the retractable platform and the communication card when the retractable platform is in the first position.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless interface includes an optical coupling between the retractable platform and the communication card.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the optical coupling uses IR light to communicate between the retractable platform and the communication card.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless interface includes an inductive coupling between the retractable platform and the communication card.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless interface includes a capacitive coupling between the retractable platform and the communication card.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retractable platform and the communication card are electrically isolated except for the wireless interface between the retractable platform and the communication card.

10. An apparatus comprising:

a communication card including an upper surface and a lower surface;

a printed circuit board at least partially disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface of the communication card;

a retractable platform movably attached to the communication card, the retractable platform movable between a first position and a second position, the retractable platform including DAA circuitry; and

a wireless interface that allows communication between the retractable platform and the communication card.

11. A retractable platform that allows communication to be established with an electronic device, the electronic device including a guide that allows the retractable platform to be extended and retracted relative to the electronic device, the retractable platform comprising:

a main body;

an arm attached to the main body, the arm being sized and configured to slidably attach the main body to the guide of the electronic device;

a wireless interface that allows communication between the retractable platform and the electronic device; and

circuitry disposed on the main body, the circuitry relating to the communication between the retractable platform and the electronic device.

12. The retractable platform of claim 11, wherein the circuitry is configured to process communication signals being transmitted to the electronic device.

13. The retractable platform of claim 11, wherein the circuitry is configured to protect the electronic device from damage.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the wireless interface only allows communication between the retractable platform and the electronic device.

15. A communication card that permits communication to be established with an external source, the communication card comprising:

a housing;

a printed circuit board disposed within the housing;

a retractable platform that is movable relative to the housing, the retractable platform movable between a first position and a second position, the retractable platform including circuitry relating to the operation of the communication card; and

a wireless interface including a first portion attached to the retractable platform and a second portion attached to the printed circuit board, the wireless interface permitting communication to be established between the retractable platform and the printed circuit board.

16. The communication card of claim 15, wherein the wireless interface includes an optical coupling between the retractable platform and the printed circuit board.

17. The communication card of claim 15, wherein the wireless interface includes an inductive coupling between the retractable platform and the printed circuit board.

18. The communication card of claim 15, wherein the wireless interface includes a capacitive coupling between the retractable platform and the printed circuit board.

19. The communication card of claim 15, wherein the retractable platform and the printed circuit board are electrically isolated except for the wireless interface that permits communication to be established between the retractable platform and the printed circuit board.

20. The communications card of claim 15, wherein the wireless interface allows communication between the retractable platform and the communication card only when the retractable platform is in the first position.

21. A communications card for use in communicating with a host device, comprising:

a card housing;

a printed circuit board disposed within the card housing;

a retractable platform movably attached to the printed circuit board, the platform movable between a retracted position and an extended position, the platform including circuitry relating to the operation of the communications card; and

a wireless optical interface capable of transmitting information between the platform and the printed circuit board, wherein the optical interface is configured to enable communication between the platform and the printed circuit board when the platform is in the extended position.

22. A communications card as defined in claim 21, wherein the optical interface communicates via infrared radiation.

23. A communications card as defined in claim 21, wherein the retractable platform further comprises an aperture configured to receive a media connector plug.

24. A communications card as defined in claim 21, wherein the circuitry is configured to process communication signals being transmitted to the communications card.

25. A communications card as defined in claim 21, wherein the circuitry is configured to protect the communications card from damage.

26. A communications card as defined in claim 21, wherein the circuitry comprises DAA circuitry.