Portable computer having multiport bay

• US 6,788,529 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2002
• Issued: 09/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Ruch, Mark, Prestigomo, Phillip, Bovio, Michele, Homer, Steven S., DeLuga, Ronald E.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEA EDMONDS, LISA S
• Application Number:
  US10/126,327
• Publication Number:
  US 20030198009A1
• Time in Patent Office: 872 Days
• Field of Search: 361/674-686, 312/223.1, 312/223.2, 439/620, 439/676, 439/76.1, 439/856, 439/83, 439/629, 301/756, 301/741, 301/754
• US Class Current: 361/679.27
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1698 the I/O peripheral being a sending/receiving arrangement to establish a cordless communication link, e.g. radio or infrared link, integrated cellular phone details of antennas disposed inside a computer H01Q1/2266

Abstract

A portable computer having an external bay with a multiport connector. The portable computer comprises a base coupled to a display module. The display module has a backcover with a bay area for receiving a variety of electronic device modules.

Claims

1. A portable computer system, comprising:

a display panel having a display and a backcover with an exterior surface generally parallel with the display; and

a USB connector disposed to form a connection along the exterior surface.

2. The portable computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the USB connector comprises an eight pin connector.

3. The portable computer system as recited in claim 2, wherein the USB connector comprises a plurality of contact pads.

4. The portable computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the USB connector comprises a plurality of contact pads.

5. The portable computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the USB connector is disposed in a panel bay having a module connection feature.

6. The portable computer system as recited in claim 5, further comprising a module releasably mounted to the module connection feature.

7. The portable computer system as recited in claim 6, wherein the USB connector comprises a plurality of contact pads.

8. The portable computer system as recited in claim 7, wherein the module comprises electronics coupled to the USB connector via a plurality of protrusions that contact the plurality of contact pads when the module is mounted to the module connection feature.

9. The portable computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein the panel bay extends to an upper corner of the display panel when the display panel is in a normal viewing position.

10. The portable computer system as recited in claim 8, further comprising a base having a keyboard, the display panel being hingedly connected to the base.

11. The portable computer system as recited in claim 10, wherein the module comprises a Bluetooth module.

12. The portable computer system as recited in claim 10, wherein the module comprises a 802.11 standard wireless module.

13. The portable computer system as recited in claim 10, wherein the module comprises a biometrics reader module.

14. The portable computer system as recited in claim 10, wherein the module comprises a video camera.

15. The portable computer system as recited in claim 10, wherein the module comprises an antennae.

16. A portable computer system, comprising:

a base;

a display panel coupled to the base; and

a multiport connector disposed on a backside of the display panel.

17. The portable computer system as recited in claim 16, wherein the multiport connector comprises a USB connector.

18. The portable computer system as recited in claim 16, wherein the base comprises a keyboard.

19. The portable computer system as recited in claim 16, wherein the display panel is hingedly connected to the base.

20. The portable computer system as recited in claim 17, wherein the USB connector comprises an eight pin connector.

21. The portable computer system as recited in claim 16, wherein the multicontact connector comprises a plurality of conductive pads.

22. The portable computer system as recited in claim 21, further comprising a module having a plurality of extended electrical contacts arranged to contact the plurality of conductive pads.

23. The portable computer system as recited in claim 22, wherein the module further comprises a mechanical retention feature to releasably secure the module to the backside of the display panel.

24. A computer system, comprising:

a portable computer having a display panel and a plurality of interchangeable electronic modules, wherein each of the interchangeable modules is connectable to a connector disposed along a backcover of the display panel.

25. The computer system as recited in claim 24, wherein the connector comprises a USB connector.

26. The computer system as recited in claim 24, wherein the plurality of interchangeable modules vary in thickness measured along a line perpendicular to the backcover.

27. The computer system as recited in claim 24, wherein the plurality of interchangeable electronic modules comprise a communications module.

28. The computer system as recited in claim 24, wherein the plurality of interchangeable electronic modules comprise a wireless communications device.

29. The computer system as recited in claim 24, wherein the plurality of interchangeable electronic modules comprise a biometrics reader.

30. The computer system as recited in claim 24, wherein the plurality of interchangeable electronic modules comprise a video camera.