Detachable modular computer

• US 7,092,248 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2004
• Issued: 08/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Paul Shu
• Original Assignee: Paul Shu
• Inventors: Shu, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Lea-Edmonds, Lisa
• Application Number:
  US10/767,935
• Publication Number:
  US 20050162822A1
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 361683-686, 361724-727, 312/223.1, 312/223.2
• US Class Current: 361/679.21
• 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 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• 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 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613

Abstract

A computer is formed by two detachable modules that are electrically connected by a separable electrical connector assembly whose two respective socket-plug mating members are mounted on respective opposing mating surfaces of the two modules. The opposing electrical connector members are disposed on the opposing surfaces to be electrically and physically mated when the connectors are aligned and the two mating surfaces are in proximal contact. In some embodiments of the invention, computer functions are physically segmented into functionally differentiated modules (display function, processor function, memory function, etc.). Segmented computer functions are characterized by a measure of a reliability characteristic and segregated into one or another of the separable modules according to the rank order of the reliability characteristic measures. In another embodiment, the segregation is based on the likelihood a component will be upgraded.

Claims

1. A computer assembly, consisting of:

a display module fastening through a posterior panel by N screw holes aligned to said N of flange apertures near said N of the corners of a processor module by said N of screws;

wherein said N is at least four; and

said display module electrically coupling to said processor module through a socket aligned to a first electrical connection socket assembly member to a counterpart connector assembly member;

wherein said display module, includes;

an anterior surface opposite facing said posterior panel;

wherein said posterior panel, includes;

said N of said screw holes; and

said first electrical connection socket assembly;

wherein said anterior surface, includes;

a LCD display panel;

wherein said processor module, includes;

a frontal surface for engaging said posterior panel, and including;

said counterpart connector assembly member;

a first lateral side panel opposite a second lateral side panel;

wherein said first lateral side panel couples to two of said N of said flange apertures near two of said N corners of said processor module; and

where said second lateral side panel couples to the remaining of said N corners.

2. The computer assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said processor module, further comprising:

a processor;

a random access memory; and

a storage memory; and

wherein said processor module further comprises at least one peripheral access port disposed on another outer surface.

3. The computer assembly as set forth in claim 2,

wherein said display module electrically coupling to said processor module, further comprises:

said LCD display electrically coupling to said processor through said first electrical connection socket assembly member electrically coupling to said counterpart connector assembly member.

4. The computer assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said display module is engaged to said processor module through movement in an engagement plain perpendicular to said posterior panel.

5. A modular computer, comprising:

said computer assembly of claim 1;

wherein said processor module has a lower measure of reliability than said display module.

6. The modular computer as set forth in claim 5,

wherein said modular computer comprising:

at least two computer functions segmented into a set of separate functional modules each categorized with a measure of a reliability characteristic;

wherein said processor module includes a first portion of said set of said separate functional modules if said functional module reliability characteristic measure is below a selected limit value; and

wherein said display module includes the remaining portion of said set of said separate functional modules if said functional module reliability characteristic measure is above said selected limit value.