Robust customizable computer processing system

• US 7,242,574 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2003
• Issued: 07/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ATD Ventures, LLC
• Original Assignee: Jason A. Sullivan
• Inventors: Sullivan, Jason A.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHANG, YEAN HSI
• Application Number:
  US10/692,005
• Publication Number:
  US 20040136167A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,357 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679, 361/681, 361/683
• 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 1/1613 for portable computers cooling arrangements therefor G06F1/203; constructional details or arrangements for pocket calculators, electronic agendas or books G06F15/0216; constructional details of portable telephone sets: with several bodies H04M1/0202
• 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 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/20 Cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/03 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/04 Metal casings

Abstract

The present invention features a robust customizable computing system comprising: a processing control unit; an external object; and means for operably connecting the processing control unit to the external object, the processing control unit introducing intelligence into the external object, thus causing the external object to perform smart functions. The processing control unit preferably comprises: (a) an encasement module comprising a main support chassis having a plurality of wall supports and a plurality of junction centers containing means for supporting a computer component therein, a dynamic back plane that provides support for connecting peripheral and other computing components directly to a system bus without requiring an interface, means for enclosing the main support chassis and providing access to an interior portion of the encasement module; (b) one or more computer processing components disposed within the junction centers of the encasement module; and (c) means for cooling the interior portion of the encasement module.

Claims

1. A robust customizable computing system comprising:

a processing control unit having a non-peripheral based encasement and an electrical printed circuit board configuration that comprises multiple interconnected boards, wherein the non-peripheral based encasement comprises a main support chassis having a plurality of wall supports coupled to a plurality of junction centers, said plurality of junction centers comprising board receiving channels that are configured to receive at least a portion of one or more of said multiple interconnected boards;

an external object; and

means for operably connecting said processing control unit to said external object, said processing control unit introducing intelligence into said external object and causing said external object to perform smart functions.

2. The robust customizable computer processing system of claim 1, wherein said processing control unit further comprises:

a dynamic back plane that provides support for connecting peripheral and other computing components directly to a system bus without requiring an interface, wherein said dynamic back plane is coupled to at least two of said plurality of junction centers;

means for enclosing said main support chassis and providing access to an interior portion of said non-peripheral based encasement;

one or more computer processing components disposed within said junction centers of said non-peripheral based encasement; and

means for cooling said interior portion of said non-peripheral based encasement.

3. The robust customizable computing system of claim 1, wherein said means for operably connecting comprises means for physically coupling said processing control unit to said external object, such that said processing control unit functions as a load bearing component.

4. The robust customizable computing system of claim 1, further comprising at least one other processing control unit operably connected to said external object.

5. The robust customizable computing system of claim 1, wherein said processing control unit comprises a load bearing structure.

6. The robust customizable computing system of claim 1, wherein said means for operably connecting comprises a direct connection via a universal port formed in a dynamic back plane of said non-peripheral based encasement.

7. The robust customizable computing system of claim 1, wherein said means for operably connecting comprises a wired connection that connects to a port of said processing control unit.

8. The robust customizable computing system of claim 1, wherein said means for operably connecting comprises a wireless connection.

9. The robust customizable computing system of claim 1, wherein said means for operably connecting comprises means for engaging the external object.

10. The robust customizable computing system of claim 9, wherein said means for engaging an external object comprises a slide receiver formed on said processing control unit that functions to receive a matching insert located on the external object.

11. The robust customizable computing system of claim 9, wherein said external object comprises a workstation computer having snap-on peripheral devices that operably connect to said processing control unit.

12. The robust customizable computing system of claim 1, wherein said external object is selected from the group consisting of any object, system, device, apparatus, component, structure, component of a structure, item of manufacture, and inanimate object.

13. The robust customizable computing system of claim 1, wherein said external object comprises circuitry, such that said processing control unit operably connects to said circuitry.

14. The robust customizable computing system of claim 1, wherein said electrical printed circuit board configuration of said processing control unit is a tri-board.

15. A robust customizable computing system comprising:

an external object;

a processing control unit having a non-peripheral based encasement and an electrical printed circuit board configuration that comprises multiple interconnected boards, wherein the non-peripheral based encasement comprises a main support chassis having a plurality of wall supports coupled to a plurality of junction centers, said plurality of junction centers comprising board receiving channels that are configured to receive at least a portion of one or more of said multiple interconnected boards, wherein one of said interconnected boards is directly and transversely coupled to another of said interconnected boards, and wherein the processing control unit is configured to physically support said external object or a component of said external object; and

means for operably connecting said processing control unit to said external object, said processing control unit introducing intelligence into said external object and causing said external object to perform smart functions.

16. A method for introducing intelligence into an external object and enabling smart functions therein, said method comprising:

obtaining an external object;

operably connecting a processing control unit to said external object, said processing control unit having a non-peripheral based encasement and an electrical printed circuit board configuration that comprises multiple interconnected boards, wherein the non-peripheral based encasement comprises a main support chassis having a plurality of wall supports coupled to a plurality of junction centers, said plurality of junction centers comprising board receiving channels;

using said board receiving channels to receive at least a portion of one or more of said multiple interconnected boards; and

initiating one or more computing functions within said processing control unit to cause said external object to perform smart functions.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said non-peripherals based encasement comprises:

one or more plates removably coupled to said main support chassis for providing access to an interior portion of said non-peripheral based encasement;

one or more processing components removably disposed within said non-peripheral based encasement; and

means for cooling said non-peripheral based encasement and dissipating heat to the surrounding ambient air.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said encasement is substantially cubical in shape, such that said encasement further comprises:

first and second end plates removably coupled to said main support chassis and comprising a plurality of ventilation ports;

a dynamic back plane removably coupled to said main support chassis; and

said electrical printed circuit board configuration removably secured within said encasement module.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein said electrical printed circuit board configuration is a tri-board electrical printed circuit board configuration.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising directly and transversely coupling one of said multiple interconnected boards with another of said multiple interconnected boards.