Wireless PC card

• US 6,577,500 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2001
• Issued: 06/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company), Valtrus Innovations Limited (f/k/a Dolya Holdco 9 Limited) (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: 3Com Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Paredes, Vladimir, Polgar, Karch, Smith, Mark S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Datskovsky, Michael
• Application Number:
  US09/795,506
• Publication Number:
  US 20020118508A1
• Time in Patent Office: 832 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683, 361/686, 361/684, 361/737, 361/783, 361/801, 361/820, 361/728-732, 361/785, 439/79, 439/76.1, 439/676, 439/638, 439/639, 439/946, 439/946.2, 439/945, 439/94, 439/101, 235/382, 235/441, 235/492, 235/444, 235/380, 235/375, 235/379, 273/498.B, 273/435
• US Class Current: 361/679.4
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0256 of interchangeable modules or receptacles therefor, e.g. cartridge mechanisms

Abstract

A wireless PC card for use in facilitating radio communications by a host computer in the context of a wireless computer network. The wireless PC card includes a housing conforming to a Type II PCMCIA form factor and having first and second extending portions which cooperatively define a recess configured and arranged to accommodate two RJ-type connector bodies of a Type III PC card. By virtue of its configuration and arrangement, the recess permits both the wireless PC card and a Type III PC card to simultaneously reside in a single Type III PC card slot of the host computer. Additionally, the recess is configured and arranged to permit removal of the Type III PC card from the Type III PC card slot, without also necessitating removal of the wireless PC card. Disposed within the housing are electronic circuitry and two antennae in communication with the electronic circuitry. One of each of the antennae is disposed in a respective extending portion. The extending portions of the housing facilitate the separation of the antennae that is necessary to optimal performance of the wireless PC card. Additionally, the plastic construction of the housing contributes to the durability and longevity of the antennae. Finally, a PCMCIA standard 68-socket connector in electrical communication with the electrical circuitry serves to physically and electrically connect the wireless PC card to the host computer.

Claims

1. A peripheral device adapted to be electrically and physically received by a slot in a host device, the peripheral device comprising:

(a) a main housing defining at least one recess, the at least one recess sized and shaped so to at least partially receive a portion of an outer housing of a second peripheral device residing in an adjacent slot position of the host device;

(b) electronic circuitry substantially disposed within said main housing;

(c) means for physically and electrically connecting the peripheral device to the host device when the peripheral is received within the slot; and

(d) at least one antenna disposed in the main housing and electrically coupled to the electronic circuitry.

2. The peripheral device as recited in claim 1, wherein the peripheral device and the second peripheral device together define a thickness substantially similar to that defined by a Type III PCMCIA form factor when both devices are positioned adjacent to one another in the host device.

3. The peripheral device as recited in claim 1, wherein said main housing substantially conforms to a Type II PCMCIA form factor.

4. The peripheral device as recited in claim 1, wherein said main housing comprises first and second extending portions, said first and second extending portions cooperatively defining said recess.

5. The peripheral device as recited in claim 4, wherein the at least one antenna is substantially disposed in at least one of the extending portions.

6. The peripheral device as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for physically and electrically connecting the peripheral device to the host device comprises a PCMCIA electrical connector in electrical communication with said electronic circuitry.

7. For use in conjunction with a host computer including a PC card slot, a wireless PC card for facilitating communication between the host computer and a remote device, the wireless PC card comprising:

(a) a housing defining a recess configured and arranged so that when said recess receives a portion of a connector body of another PC card, the wireless PC card and the another PC card collectively define a geometry compatible with the PC card slot;

(b) two antennae disposed substantially within said housing on opposite sides of said recess;

(c) electronic circuitry substantially disposed within said housing and being in communication with said two antennae; and

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

8. The wireless PC card as recited in claim 7, wherein said recess is arranged and configured such that when the wireless PC card and the another PC card simultaneously reside in the PC card slot, said recess allows the another PC card to be removed from the PC card slot without requiring removal of the wireless PC card.

9. The wireless PC card as recited in claim 7, wherein said geometry comprises a PCMCIA form factor.

10. The wireless PC card as recited in claim 9, wherein said PCMCIA form factor comprises a Type III form factor.

11. The wireless PC card as recited in claim 7, wherein said housing substantially conforms to a PCMCIA Type II form factor.

12. The wireless PC card as recited in claim 7, wherein said housing comprises first and second extending portions, said first and second extending portions cooperatively defining said recess.

13. The wireless PC card as recited in claim 12, wherein one of said antennae is substantially disposed in said first extending portion and another of said antennae is substantially disposed in said second extending portion.

14. The wireless PC card as recited in claim 7, wherein said means for physically and electrically connecting the wireless PC card to the host computer comprises a standard PCMCIA sixty eight socket connector in electrical communication with said electronic circuitry.

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

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

(b) a wireless PC card, said wireless PC card being received in said PC card slot, and said wireless PC card comprising;

(i) a housing defining a recess configured and arranged so that when said recess receives a portion of a connector body of another PC card, the wireless PC card and the another PC card collectively define a geometry compatible with said PC card slot;

(ii) antennae disposed substantially within said housing on opposite sides of said recess;

(iii) electronic circuitry substantially disposed within said housing and being in communication with said antennae; and

(iv) means for connecting the wireless PC card to the client computer.

16. The computer system as recited in claim 15, wherein said PC card slot has a configuration consistent with a PCMCIA Type III form factor.

17. The computer system as recited in claim 15, wherein said geometry comprises a PCMCIA form factor.

18. The computer system as recited in claim 17, wherein said PCMCIA form factor comprises a Type III form factor.

19. The computer system as recited in claim 15, wherein said recess is arranged and configured such that when the wireless PC card and the another PC card simultaneously reside in said PC card slot, said recess allows the another PC card to be removed from said PC card slot without requiring removal of the wireless PC card.

20. The computer system as recited in claim 15, wherein said housing substantially conforms to a PCMCIA Type II form factor.

21. The wireless PC card as recited in claim 15, wherein said housing comprises first and second extending portions, said first and second extending portions cooperatively defining said recess.

22. The wireless PC card as recited in claim 21, wherein one of said antennae is substantially disposed in said first extending portion and another of said antennae is substantially disposed in said second extending portion.

23. A Type II wireless PC card for use in facilitating radio communication between a host computer including a Type III PC card slot, and a remote device, the Type II wireless PC card comprising:

(a) a housing including first and second extending portions which cooperatively define a recess;

(b) first and second antennae disposed in said first extending portion and said second extending portion, respectively;

(c) electronic circuitry substantially disposed within said housing and being in communication with said first and second antennae; and

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

24. The Type II wireless PC card as recited in claim 23, further comprising a pair of visual indicators, one of said visual indicators being in communication with said first antenna and being substantially disposed in said first extending portion, and another of said visual indicators being in communication with said second antenna and being substantially disposed in said second extending portion.

25. The Type II wireless PC card as recited in claim 23, wherein said recess is configured and arranged so that when said recess receives a portion of a connector body of a Type III PC card, the wireless Type II PC card and the Type III PC card collectively conforn to a Type II form factor.

26. The Type II wireless PC card as recited in claim 23, wherein said recess is configured and arranged so that at least a portion of a connector body of a Type III PC card is interposed between said first antenna and said second antenna when the wireless Type II PC card and the Type III PC card are simultaneously received in the Type III PC card slot, respectively.