Wireless communication apparatus

• US 6,963,757 B1
• Filed: 01/25/2000
• Issued: 11/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Scholder, Erica, Watts, La Vaughn F. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): BEAMER, TEMICA M
• Application Number:
  US09/492,030
• Time in Patent Office: 2,114 Days
• Field of Search: 455/552.1, 455/556.1, 455/557, 455/558, 455/559
• US Class Current: 455/557
• 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 1/1656 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 1/1698 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/183 Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for printed circuit boards, internal connecting means for buses G06F13/409
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/22 by structural association with other equipment or articles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/62 Sliding engagements with one side only, e.g. modular jack coupling devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3816 Mechanical arrangements for accommodating identification devices, e.g. cards or chips; with connectors for programming identification devices

Abstract

A communication apparatus including a wireless communication device, a network interface device and a receptacle assembly body. A data transfer portion is attached to the receptacle assembly body. The data transfer portion is electrically connected to the network interface device. A wireless communication portion is attached to receptacle assembly body. The wireless communication portion is electrically connected to the wireless communication device. A single receptacle assembly can be used to separately interconnect a plurality of types of communication devices to an electronic device in a space efficient and cost effective manner.

Claims

1. A receptacle assembly, comprising:

a body used for connecting a computer to a local area network;

a receptacle, a switch and an illumination device integrated into the body; and

a wireless communication portion attached to body, the wireless communication portion including an antenna connector attached to the body, the switch and the illumination device extending from a face of the body in a viewable position when in use.

2. The receptacle assembly of claim 1 wherein the wireless communication portion includes a substantially integral antenna.

3. The receptacle assembly of claim 1 wherein the wireless communication portion includes a controlled impedance interface.

4. The receptacle assembly of claim 3 wherein the controlled impedance interface is a coaxial-type cable.

5. The receptacle assembly of claim 1 wherein the receptacle includes an RJ45-type receptacle having a plurality of contacts.

6. The receptacle assembly of claim 1 wherein the switch is a manually operable switch.

7. The receptacle assembly of claim 6 wherein the switch is manually movable between a first position and a second position.

8. The receptacle assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of illumination devices attached to the body.

9. The receptacle assembly of claim 8 wherein each one of the illumination devices includes a light emitting diode.

10. The receptacle assembly of claim 8 wherein each one of the illumination devices includes a light conducting member having a cavity therein for receiving a powered illumination device.

11. A communication apparatus, comprising:

a wireless communication device;

a connector coupled to the wireless communications device;

a receptacle assembly body coupled to the connector;

a receptacle, a switch and an illumination device integrated into the body; and

a wireless communication portion attached to receptacle assembly body, the wireless communication portion being electrically connected to the wireless communication device, the switch and the illumination device extending from a face of the body in a viewable position when in use.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the wireless communication device includes a radio and wherein the wireless communication portion includes an antenna attached to the radio.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the switch is a manually operable switch.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the switch is movable between a first position and a second position, the wireless communication device being made inoperable when the switch is moved from the first position toward the second position.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:

a plurality of illumination devices attached to the body.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein each one of the illumination devices includes a light emitting diode electrically connected to the wireless communication device.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein each one of the illumination devices includes a light conducting member including a cavity therein for receiving a powered illumination device.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein each one of the powered illumination devices includes a light emitting diode electrically connected to the wireless communication device.

19. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the wireless communication portion includes a connector electrically connected to the wireless communication device.

20. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:

a controlled impedance interface connected between the wireless communication device and the wireless communication portion.

21. A computer system, comprising:

an enclosure;

a microprocessor mounted in the enclosure;

a storage coupled to the microprocessor;

a wireless communication device electrically connected to the microprocessor;

a connector coupled to the wireless communication device;

a receptacle assembly body coupled to the connector and integrating a receptacle, a switch and an illumination device;

a data transfer portion attached to the receptacle assembly body, the data transfer portion being electrically connected to the network interface device; and

a wireless communication portion attached to receptacle assembly body, the wireless communication portion being electrically connected to the wireless communication device, the switch and the illumination device extending from a face of the receptacle in a viewable position when in use.