Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-05
2001-06-12
Picard, Leo P. (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
36, C439S638000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06246575
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
Known notebook computers may include different components to provide users with a variety of functional and performance characteristics. Sometimes the computer has a bay able to receive modular components interchangeably, such as a disk or a battery. Sometimes the computer may be attached to a multimedia base or inserted into a docking station.
SUMMARY
In general, in one aspect, the invention features a modular computer including a portable computer module providing a first set of performance characteristics. The modular computer further includes an expansion module reversibly coupled to an exterior surface of the portable computer module to provide, in combination therewith, a second set of performance characteristics. The modular computer further includes a docking module reversibly couplable both to the portable computer module singly and to the portable computer module when combined with the expansion module to provide, in combination therewith, a third set of performance characteristics.
Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The second set of performance characteristics may include multimedia capabilities, enhanced sound production, increased memory capacity, faster computing speed, and extending battery capability. The third set of performance characteristics may include an enlarged keyboard, an enlarged monitor, a higher resolution monitor, an enlarged pointing device, an enlarged speaker, an enhanced fidelity speaker, a printer, a scanner, and network interface capabilities.
In general, in one aspect, the invention features a modular computer including a portable computer module, a multimedia module reversibly couplable to an exterior surface of the portable computer module to provide multimedia capabilities thereto, and a docking module reversibly couplable both to the portable computer module singly and to the portable computer module when combined with the multimedia module to provide desktop capabilities thereto.
Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The portable computer module may include an external disk drive, an internal disk drive, a pointing device interchangeable without tools, a battery, and a battery handle. The multimedia module may include a CD ROM drive, a speaker, a MIDI/game port and a battery. The docking module may include an alternating current (AC) power supply, a network interface card, a keyboard, a monitor, a pointing device, a printer, a scanner, a speaker, and an adaptor for reversibly adapting the docking module for coupling to the portable computer module singly or in combination with the multimedia module.
In general, in one aspect, the invention features a method of altering the features of a portable computer including providing a portable computer having a first set of features, operatively coupling the portable computer to a transportable base wherein the coupling provides a second set of features, and operatively connecting the portable computer singly or in combination with the transportable base to a stationary base, wherein the connecting provides a third set of features.
Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The second set of features may include a CD ROM drive, a speaker, a MIDI/game port and a battery. The third set of features may include a network interface card, an alternating current (AC) power supply, a keyboard, a monitor, a pointing device, a speaker, a printer, a scanner, and an adaptor for reversibly adapting the stationary base for coupling to the portable computer singly or in combination with the transportable base.
In general, in one aspect, the invention features a device for coupling a computer component with a docking station including an adaptor member, an expansion connector slot operatively coupled to the adaptor member, and an expansion connector post operatively coupled to the adaptor member. The slot and the post are electrically interconnected and configured to operatively mate a computer component and a docking station having incompatible expansion connectors.
Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The computer component may be a portable computer, an expansion base, and a portable computer coupled to an expansion base. The adaptor may be reversibly engaged with the docking station. The slot and the post may mate with an expansion connector post on the docking station and an expansion connector slot on the computer component, respectively. The computer component may include a portable computer.
In general, in one aspect, the invention features a method of coupling a computer component with a docking station, the computer component and the docking station having incompatible expansion connectors. The method includes interposing between the computer component and the docking station an adaptor, the adaptor having an expansion connector slot and an expansion connector post operatively coupled thereto, the slot and the post electrically interconnected and configured to operatively mate the computer component and the docking station via the incompatible expansion connectors.
Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The computer component may be a portable computer, an expansion base, and a portable computer coupled to an expansion base. The adaptor may be reversibly engaged with the docking station. The slot and the post may mate with an expansion connector post on the docking station and an expansion slot on the computer component, respectively. The computer component may be a portable computer.
In general, in one aspect, the invention features a modular computer including a portable computer module providing a first set of capabilities, the portable computer module having a downward facing expansion connector slot. The modular computer further includes a multimedia module reversibly couplable to an exterior surface of the portable computer module to provide multimedia capabilities thereto, the multimedia module having an upward facing expansion connector post and a rearward facing expansion connector slot, the upward facing expansion connector post engageable with the downward facing expansion connector slot of the portable computer module. The modular computer further includes a docking module reversibly couplable to the portable computer module when combined with the multimedia module to provide desktop capabilities thereto, the docking module having a forward facing expansion connector post engageable with the rearward facing expansion connector slot of the multimedia module. The modular computer further including an adaptor reversibly couplable to the docking module to adapt the docking module for coupling to the portable computer module to provide destop capabilities thereto, the adaptor having a rearward facing expansion connector slot and an upward facing expansion connector post engageable with the forward facing expansion connector post of the docking module and the downward facing expansion connector slot of the portable computer module, respectively.
Advantages that may be realized with the invention include one or more of the following. The modular computer provides users a high degree of flexibility with regard to size, weight, function, and performance characteristics. A user may configure the computer to meet his or her needs. Multiple users, having different needs, may use the same computer configured in a variety of ways. Because the docking module accepts all configurations of the modular computer, desktop capabilities can be provided in each of these configurations.
Other advantages and features will become apparent from the following description, and from the claims.
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Digital Computers, Digital HiN
Barrus Jeffrey C.
Moore Paul M.
Perkins Dean P.
Chang Yean-Hsi
Compaq Computer Corporation
Picard Leo P.
Sharp Comfort & Merrett P.C.
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