Electrical connectors – Preformed panel circuit arrangement – e.g. – pcb – icm – dip,... – With provision to conduct electricity from panel circuit to...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-05
2001-02-20
Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Preformed panel circuit arrangement, e.g., pcb, icm, dip,...
With provision to conduct electricity from panel circuit to...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06190182
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to computers. More particularly, it pertains to an expansion device for a portable computer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of computers becomes more prevalent every day. In particular, the use of portable computers has increased as people become more reliant on using a computer everywhere they travel. Furthermore, the size of computer devices has decreased while simultaneously the capabilities per unit volume has increased. As a result, computer manufacturers face many design challenges in creating a smaller, more powerful computer.
The design challenges for portable computers require that the computer be light weight, by today's standards, and yet remain as powerful as some desktop computers. One approach to expanding the capability of a computer, while maintaining or reducing the weight of the device, is to incorporate removable devices into the system which expand the number of functions and the computing capacity of the computer.
Each computer manufacturer often has its own unique approach to their computer product. As a result, there is little interchangeability between many computer accessories and devices. Although they have generally not significantly increased in price over the past several years, computers are nonetheless a major purchase for most consumers. Thus, without standardization, consumers must choose which computer manufacturer from whom they wish to buy their computer and all of the accessories.
As consumers buy and use computers for wider and more diverse applications, a computer user must be able to customize the capabilities of their computer in accordance with their individual needs. Furthermore, computer users' needs may change over the lifetime of the computer. However, each computer manufacturer may not provide the diversity in devices necessary for customizing a computer for a particular user. Therefore, it would be advantageous if a computer user could customize their computer after its purchase using a wide variety of accessories and devices from multiple sources of computer manufacturers.
One device computer users have employed to customize their computers is a PC (Personal Computer) card. The PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) standard was created in order to provide a standardized, more stream lined approach to the interchangability of PC cards. The standard establishes a credit-card-size package which can be plugged into a 68-pin host adapter socket built into the computer. Each package maintains the same slot width and depth, but the thickness of each card can differ. The PCMCIA developed three different slot thicknesses which include Type I, Type II, and Type III. The three current different slot thicknesses are: Type I=3.3 mm, Type II=5.0 mm, and Type III=10.5 mm.
The PCMCIA standard was developed by several different computer manufacturers. The single standard provides for uniformity in PC cards. When computer manufacturers comply with the design requirements of the PCMCIA standard, computer users can purchase a wider variety of products for use with their computer, regardless of the computer manufacturer, due to the interchangability of the products. PC cards in compliance with the PCMCIA standard are independent of the operating system or devices; the peripheral cards can be plugged into a PC, Mac, Newton, or future generation computers.
While PC cards have advanced computer capabilities, software programs continue to require additional power and storage. Accordingly, what is needed is a way to expand computer capabilities while accommodating current weight restrictions. What is further needed is a way to implement the expansion in current devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A first expansion card has a connector that directly connects with a connector on a second expansion card. The connector couples the two cards such that they are insertable into a connector bay having a predetermined thickness. The two expansion cards are connected such that the overall thickness is equivalent to or thinner than a Type III PC card.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an expansion device has a first expansion card interconnected with a second expansion card. The first expansion card and the second expansion card are insertable within a single PCMCIA connector bay. The first expansion card and the second expansion card may have the same footprint, or the second expansion card may be smaller than the first expansion card. The first expansion card can conform with the physical requirements of the PCMCIA, and can conform with the electrical architecture set out by the PCMCIA. For any type of PCMCIA card, the physical footprint of the PC card is 85 mm by 55 mm.
In one embodiment, the expansion cards are interconnected by pins and apertures which are formed integral within each of the expansion cards. In another embodiment, the expansion cards are interconnected by a connection device of which the female portion occurs on the first card and the male portion occurs on the expansion card. In yet another embodiment, the first expansion card can be used either in conjunction with the second expansion card, or the first expansion card can be used alone in the connector bay. Alternatively, the expansion cards can be interconnected by mating topology of the card bodies.
In addition to the interconnection device between the first expansion card and the second expansion card discussed above, the expansion cards are also provided with grounding members. The grounding members, in one embodiment comprising grounding pins and respective grounding apertures, provide additional physical structure to the interconnection between the two expansion cards. The grounding members also can provide a way to electrically ground the second expansion card to the first expansion card. For increased stability, the grounding members can be placed in the four comers of the expansion cards.
Pertaining to another aspect of the invention, the first expansion card has a first connector, a second expansion card has a second connector, and the two expansion cards are connected at the connector. The expansion card can have an additional connector for attaching an external device, such as an antenna. An adaptor is also mounted within the first expansion card for mating with media transmission lines. The adaptor may include a standard RJ- 11 or an RJ-45 modular plug, or other suitable devices. The first expansion card further includes an interface for communicating with a computer.
Another aspect of the invention includes an expanded portable computer. The computer has an expansion device where two expansion cards are interconnected and then inserted into a single PCMCIA connector bay. In one embodiment, the connector bay is a Type III PCMCIA connector bay. Alternatively, one single expansion card could be inserted into the PCMCIA connector bay for use as an expansion device.
The expansion device provides a convenient way to expand the capabilities of a computer without significantly adding to the weight of the computer. The expansion device does not detract from the portability of the portable computer. Furthermore, the expansion device can be used in current PCMCIA connector bays. Economically advantageous, the expansion device only requires one interface, such as a 68-pin connector and eliminates redundant circuitry of using two expansion cards.
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Burnett Robert J.
Liebenow Frank W.
Cool Kenneth J.
Gateway 2000 Inc.
Prasad Chaudrika
Schwegman Lundberg Woessner & Kluth P.A.
Sircus Brian
LandOfFree
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