System and method for converting alternating current into direct current

• US 6,556,431 B1
• Filed: 10/06/1999
• Issued: 04/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Ozias, Orin M., Bentley, Thomas L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUONG, HUNG V
• Application Number:
  US09/413,560
• Time in Patent Office: 1,301 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683, 361/684, 361/686, 361/736, 361/681, 295/92, 294/011, 324/372-373, 248/118, 395/227, 395/575, 395/652, 714/23
• US Class Current: 361/679.41
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips

Abstract

A system and method for converting alternating current into direct current are disclosed. The system and method allow an electronic device to employ an AC adapter while limiting the sacrificing of valuable component space and minimizing the risk of component harm resulting from the AC adapter'"'"'s operation. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include an electronic device containing at least one electronic component designed to operate on direct current. The system may also include a stand coupled to the electronic device and supporting the electronic device in a viewable orientation. Within the stand may be located an alternating current adapter that is conductively coupled to the at least one electronic component.

Claims

1. A computer system, comprising:

a monitor containing at least one electronic component designed to operate on direct current;

a monitor stand coupled to the monitor and supporting the monitor in a viewable orientation, the monitor stand space apart from an associated computer system component, the computer system component including a processor; and

an alternating current adapter located within the monitor stand, the alternating current adapter conductively coupled to the at least one electronic component.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the monitor comprises a flat panel display.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the alternating current adapter comprises:

a single input for receiving alternating current; and

a single output for providing direct current to the at least one electronic device.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a shielding element surrounding the alternating current adapter disposed within the monitor stand, the shielding element operable to limit electromagnetic radiation.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a metallic shielding element at least partially surrounding the alternating current adapter.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the associated computer system component futher comprises:

a processor communicatively coupled to the monitor; and

a keyboard communicatively coupled to the processor.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the monitor stand comprises extruded plastic and defines an adapter slot, and wherein the alternating current adapter is located within the adapter slot.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a connection cable conductively coupling the alternating current adapter to the at least one electronic device.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the connection cable extends from an exit hole formed in the stand and into an access hole formed in a housing component of the monitor.

10. A method for converting alternating current into direct current for use in a computer system having a monitor containing at least one electronic component designed to operate on direct current, comprising the steps of:

placing an alternating current adapter at a desired location within a monitor stand coupled to the monitor, the monitor stand spaced apart from an associated computer system component including a processor;

conductively coupling the alternating current adapter to the at least one electronic component;

supplying the alternating current adapter with alternating current; and

converting the alternating current into direct current with the alternating current adapter, the direct current for use by the at least one electronic component.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the supplying step comprises plugging the alternating current adapter into a wall outlet.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of regulating voltage supplied to the at least one electronic device with the alternating current device.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the monitor comprises a flat panel display.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

forming an adapter slot within the monitor stand; and

placing the alternating current adapter in the adapter slot.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of forming the monitor stand from extruded plastic.

16. A method for converting alternating current into direct current for an electronic device that contains at least one electronic component designed to operate on direct current, comprising the steps of:

attaching a monitor stand to the electronic device, the stand operable to support the electronic device and the stand spaced apart from an associated computer system component including a processor;

placing an alternating current adapter within the monitor stand;

conductively coupling an output of the alternating current adapter to the at least one electronic component;

providing alternating current to the alternating current adapter;

converting the alternating current into direct current with the alternating current adapter; and

providing the direct current to the at least one electronic component.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of forming the monitor stand from extruded plastic.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of regulating voltage supplied to the at least one electronic component with the alternating current adapter.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of providing alternating current to the alternating current adapter comprises plugging the alternating current adapter into a wall outlet.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of placing a metallic shielding element on the alternating current adapter to shield the at least one electronic component from heat created by the alternating current adapter.