Multi-functional device for a computer

• US 7,254,015 B2
• Filed: 01/15/2004
• Issued: 08/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2004
• 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: Hoffer, Cary J., Yin, Memphis-Zhihong
• Primary Examiner(s): Gandhi; Jayprakash
• Assistant Examiner(s): WRIGHT, INGRID D
• Application Number:
  US10/758,380
• Publication Number:
  US 20050157458A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,300 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683, 361/686, 361/693, 361/681
• US Class Current: 361/679.55
• 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 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• 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 1/1686 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 multi-functional device for a computer has a first set of functions when the multi-functional device is inserted into the computer and a second set of functions when removed from the computer.

Claims

1. A computer, comprising:

an internal device bay with an electrical connector disposed therein; and

a multifunctional device insertable in the internal device bay and connectable to the electrical connector;

and wherein;

the multi-functional device has a first set of functions when the multi-functional device is inserted into the internal device bay and connected to the electrical connector and a second set of functions when removed from the internal device bay; and

the multi functional device comprises at least one of a still image camera, a video camera, a video recorder, a digital camcorder, a television, and a radio.

2. A computer, comprising:

an internal device bay with an electrical connector disposed therein; and

a multi-functional device insertable in the internal device bay and connectable to the electrical connector;

and wherein;

the multifunctional device has a first set of functions when the multi-functional device is inserted into the internal device bay and connected to the electrical connector and a second set of functions when removed from the internal device bay;

when the multi-functional device is inserted into the internal device bay and connected to the electrical connector, the multifunctional device has a side that is accessible externally of the computer in accordance with at least part of the first set of functions;

interface elements are exposed on the externally accessible side for controlling functions of the multi functional device (1) when the multifunctional device is inserted into the internal device bay and (2) when the multi-functional device is removed from the internal device bay; and

the interface elements comprise at least one of a volume control dial, a headphone jack and a tuner knob.

3. A multi-functional device that can be connected to a personal electronic system internal device bay and an electrical connector accessible within the internal device bay, comprising:

a body insertable at least partially into the internal device bay of the personal electronic system;

a mating electrical connector adapted to connect to the electrical connector of the personal electronic system upon inserting the multifunctional device into the internal device bay; and

at least one of a still capturing device, a video image capturing device, a television and a radio;

and wherein;

the multi-functional device operates in a first functional capacity when inserted at least partially into the internal device bay and connected to the electrical connector; and

the multi-functional device operates in a second functional capacity when removed from the personal electronic system.

4. A method for using a multi functional device, comprising:

electrically connecting the multi-functional device to a personal electronic system by inserting the multi-functional device at least partially into an internal device bay of the personal electronic system;

operating the multi-functional device in a first functional capacity when the multifunctional device is inserted in the internal device bay of the personal electronic system;

electrically disconnecting the device from the personal electronic system by removing the device from the internal device bay of the personal electronic system; and

operating the multifunctional device in a second functional capacity when the multi-functional device is removed from the personal electronic system;

and wherein;

the multi-functional device comprises at least one device for capturing digital still images, digital video, a television, and a radio.

5. A computer, comprising:

a display screen;

an internal device bay with an electrical connector disposed therein; and

a camera insertable in and at least partially fully enclosed within the internal device hay and connectable to the electrical connector and having a camera lens;

and wherein;

the camera has a first set of functions when the camera is inserted into the internal device bay and connected to the electrical connector and a second set of functions when removed from the internal device bay;

the first set of functions includes transferring captured image content to the computer; and

the second set of functions includes capturing image content through the camera lens.

6. A computer as defined in claim 5, wherein the camera comprises a still image camera.

7. A computer as defined in claim 5, wherein the camera comprises a video camera.

8. A computer as defined in claim 5, wherein the camera comprises a digital camcorder.

9. A computer, comprising:

a display screen;

an internal device bay with an electrical connector disposed therein; and

a video device insertable in and at least partially fully enclosed within the internal device bay and connectable to the electrical connector and having a display screen;

and wherein;

the video device has a first set of functions when the video device is inserted into the internal device bay and connected to the electrical connector and a second set of functions when removed from the internal device bay;

the first set of functions includes playing video content through the display screen of the computer; and

the second set of functions includes playing the video content through the display screen of the video device.

10. A computer as defined in claim 9, wherein the video device comprises a DVD player and a storage media aperture through which a DVD disk containing the video content can he inserted into the DVD player.

11. A computer as defined in claim 9, wherein:

the video device comprises a television;

the first set of functions includes playing televised content through the display screen of the computer; and

the second set of functions includes playing the televised content through the display screen of the video device.

12. A computer, comprising:

a display;

an internal device bay with an electrical connector disposed therein; and

a video capture device insertable in and at least partially fully enclosed within the internal device bay and connectable to the electrical connector arid having a display;

and wherein;

the video capture device has a first set of functions when the video capture device is inserted into the internal device bay and connected to the electrical connector and a second set of functions when removed from the internal device bay;

the first set of functions includes playing video content through the display of the computer; and

the second set of functions includes playing the video content through the display of the video capture device.

13. A camera that can he connected to a personal electronic system having an internal device bay and an electrical connector accessible within the internal device bay, comprising;

a body insertable at least partially into and at least partially fully enclosed within the internal device bay of the personal electronic system;

a mating electrical connector adapted to connect to the electrical connector of the personal electronic system upon inserting the camera into the internal device bay; and

a camera lens;

and wherein;

the camera operates in a first functional capacity when inserted at least partially into the internal device bay and connected to the electrical connector;

the camera operates in a second functional capacity when removed from the personal electronic system;

the first set of functions includes transferring captured image content to the personal electronic system; and

the second set of functions eludes capturing image content through the camera lens.

14. A camera as defined in claim 13, further comprising, a still image camera.

15. A camera as defined in claim 13, further comprising a video camera.

16. A camera as defined in claim 13, further comprising a digital camcorder.

17. A video device that can be connected to a personal electronic system having an internal device bay, an electrical connector accessible within the internal device bay and a display screen, comprising:

a body insertable at least partially into and at least partially fully enclosed within the internal device bay of the personal electronic system;

a mating electrical connector adapted to connect to the electrical connector of the personal electronic system upon inserting;

the video device into the internal device bay; and

a display screen;

and wherein;

the video device operates in a first functional capacity when inserted at least partially into the internal device bay and connected to the electrical connector;

the video device operates in a second functional capacity when removed from the personal electronic system;

the first set of functions includes playing video content through the display screen of the personal electronic system; and

the second set of functions includes playing the video content throng the display screen of the video device.

18. A video device as defined in claim 17, further comprising:

a DVD player; and

a storage media aperture through which a DVD disk containing the video content can be inserted into the DVD player.

19. A video device as defined in claim 17, further comprising:

a game player;

and wherein;

the first set of functions includes playing game content through the display screen of the personal electronic system; and

the second set of functions includes playing the game content through the display screen of the video device.

20. A video device as defined in claim 17, further comprising:

a television;

and wherein;

the first set of functions includes playing televised content through the display screen of the personal electronic system; and

the second set of functions includes playing the televised content through the display screen of the video device.