Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-25
2001-08-28
Picard, Leo P. (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S724000, C439S160000, C360S098010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06282086
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates generally to receptacles for card devices. In particular, the invention relates to an arrangement of two receptacles in a portable computer for receiving one or two card devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Portable computers are currently available in a variety of forms including, for example, hand-held personal computers (H/PCs) and palm-sized personal computer (P/PC). Such portable computers are gaining popularity among computer users who increasingly use these computers on the move. The benefits provided by such portable computers have often led to users employing these portable computers in many aspects of their personal and business lives.
An important benefit associated with portable computers is the increased mobility afforded to the user. Computer users are now able to do word processing, check e-mails, perform electronic scheduling, update contact databases, and compose electronic spreadsheets, all on the move. A recent growth area in the computer market has thus been in powerful portable computers which provide many of these mobile-related features.
Traditionally, a trade-off between size and power has existed in the field of computer technology. However, the evolution of computer technology has reached a point today such that small computer devices can now offer powerful functions. Nevertheless, despite the miniaturization of cutting-edge portable computers entering the consumer market these days, there will always be a new need for new smaller portable computers to meet a new requirement. Since different computer users may have different needs, today's portable computer must also be expandable. The portable computer industry is therefore adapting a trend towards incorporating commonly used features and functions, i.e. base features and functions, into a basic portable computer, and providing expansion features and functions in an auxiliary fashion.
In order to provide auxiliary features and functions to a portable computer, it is common to package hardware and software into external devices or peripherals. An interface is then provided for connecting these external devices to a portable computer. Popular forms of external device include card devices, such as Compact Flash (CF) cards and Personal Computer (PC) cards. Card receptacles, also known as card slots, are often included in portable computers for receiving and connecting these card devices so that the features or functions provided by the card devices are offered to the user of the portable computer.
A drawback of providing receptacles in portable computers for receiving card devices is the necessary use of space taken up in the portable computer. Sometimes, a portable computer may have two card receptacles so that, for example, one receptacle can receive a storage card and the other card receptacle can receive a modem card. The two card receptacles may be of the same type, such as two PC card slots, or more commonly of different types, such as one PC card slot and one CF card slot.
The HP 620 LX hand-portable computer available from Hewlett-Packard, USA, includes a PC card slot or receptacle on one side of the unit and a CF card slot or receptacle on the other side of the unit. The space occupied by these card receptacles in the HP 620 LX is relatively large compared to the total space occupied by the unit. A user who does not require the expansion options provided by the receptacles is therefore burdened by an unnecessarily large unit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided an arrangement in a portable computer of a first receptacle for receiving a card device and a second receptacle for receiving a card device. The first and second card receptacles are coupled to allow displacement of the receptacles relative to each other, between a first configuration in which the receptacles are substantially nested and a second configuration in which the receptacles are substantially stacked, whereby the arrangement of receptacles moves from the first configuration to the second configuration in order to receive a card device in the first receptacle.
Preferably, the first and second card receptacles are also pivotally coupled to allow rotation of the receptacles relative to each other in order to receive a card device in the second receptacle.
Ideally, the second card receptacle is for receiving a relatively small card, such as a CF card, and the first card receptacle is for receiving a relatively larger card, such as a PC card.
According to another aspect, the present invention provides a system of card device receptacles in a portable computer for receiving multiple card devices so as to meet the need for minimizing the tradeoff between extensibility and space in the portable computer. The system may achieve this through the use of multiple sized receptacles for receiving card devices. Preferably, a system having two differently sized receptacles is coupled to form an arrangement of nesting receptacles, with the larger receptacle disposed within the portable computer and absent any card device in the larger receptacle. The smaller receptacle is also capable of being displaced away from the portable computer. When the smaller receptacle is displaced, the larger receptacle is capable of receiving a card device. The displaced smaller receptacle is also coupled so that it remains adjacent to the larger receptacle to form a stack of receptacles.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5262926 (1993-11-01), Hall
patent: 6064566 (2000-05-01), Agata et al.
patent: 6102721 (2000-08-01), Seto et al.
patent: 6118668 (2000-09-01), Scholder et al.
Loh Philip Kwok Nan
Tan Yeow Paul
Woon Tai Woon
Duong Hung Van
Hewlett--Packard Company
Picard Leo P.
LandOfFree
Card device receptacles does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Card device receptacles, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Card device receptacles will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2544546