Dell USA L P

Dell Computer Corporation

Erica J Scholder

Timothy M Radloff

Karl M Steffes

Gilberto Hernandez

Clint H O'Connor

Robert H Garrett

Stephen C Cook

La Vaughn F Watts, Jr

David Lyle Moss

Pearce R Jones

John A Jeffries

Ralph Remsburg

Doug Dewey

Tim Radloff

Kevin Troy

Greg Ellis

Doug Thompson

A communication apparatus including a wireless communication device, a network interface device and a receptacle assembly body. A data transfer portion is attached to the receptacle assembly body. The data transfer portion is electrically connected to the network interface device. A wireless communication portion is attached to receptacle assembly body. The wireless communication portion is electrically connected to the wireless communication device. A single receptacle assembly can be used to separately interconnect a plurality of types of communication devices to an electronic device in a space efficient and cost effective manner.

Wireless communication apparatus

A control module includes a control module having a body and a jack portion extending from the body for being received in a mating receptacle. The jack portion carries a plurality of contacts. A wireless communication portion is attached to the body. A switch portion is attached to the body. The switch portion is electrically connected to at least a portion of the contacts. A single receptacle assembly can be used to separately interconnect a plurality of types of communication devices to an electronic device in a space efficient and cost-effective manner.

A computer in which an expansion card cage assembly is mounted in the computer chassis. The expansion card cage assembly includes a wall extending parallel to the chassis wall, a riser card mounted relative to the wall of the cage assembly and having a connector adapted to engage the connector of the motherboard, and at least one expansion card connected to the riser card. A lever is provided on the cage assembly wall and is adapted to engage the chassis wall to quick-detachably connect the cage assembly to the chassis.

Computer having an expansion card cage assembly

A computer having a retention module connected to the circuit board of the module for receiving a cartridge containing a microprocessor. The retention module has a base member for mounting to the chassis, and a retention member formed integrally with the base member for receiving a nut for engaging a post on the chassis to mechanically connect the retention module to the chassis. The retention member retains the nut and aligns the nut with the post when the retention module is placed on the chassis prior to the nut being threadedly connected to the post.

Method and apparatus for mounting a microprocessor module in a computer

A computer system includes a chassis and a support member mounted on the chassis. A heat sink is mounted on the support member. A resilient retainer is captively mounted on the heat sink and a fastener member is captively supported by the resilient retainer and removably secured to the support member. The retainer is a continuous strip of resilient material including fastener guide members and a fastener retention member. The fastener guide members include a first guide member aligned with a second guide member. The fastener retention member includes a slot aligned with the fastener guide members. Gripping members are provided to snap into engagement with the heat sink. The fastener member extends through the guides and the retention member and engages the support member.

Heat sink fastener retention apparatus and method for computer systems

A computer in which a microprocessor module is disposed in the computer chassis and is cooled by a heat sink disposed in a heat exchange relation to the microprocessor. A fan is disposed in the chassis and adapted to induce air flow, and a shroud is connected to the heat sink and encloses the heat sink for directing the air through the heat sink for removing heat from the heat sink.

Computer with an improved internal cooling system

Apparatus for securing a computer cover to a computer chassis. In a preferred embodiment, a computer cover and computer chassis include a latching mechanism with components attached to each. The cover includes a button and a stop located adjacent to the button. The chassis includes a leaf spring so that, when the cover is closed onto the chassis, the leaf spring engages with the stop, thereby securing the cover to the chassis. Likewise, whenever the button is being depressed, such as by a user, the button pushes the leaf spring away from the stop. As a result, the leaf spring is no longer engaged to the stop and the cover can be easily opened from the chassis.

Computer cabinet latching mechanism

A receptacle for completing an electrical circuit between first and second devices, such as an electronic button and an interface circuit. The receptacle comprises a column moveable within a structure defining a channel having first and second ends, the column includes an electrically conductive contact engageable by the first device at the first channel end. An electrical terminal is spaced from the column at a second channel end, the electrical terminal being electrically connectable to the second device. A connector is electrically connected to the contact and extends within the channel toward the terminal, such that upon engagement of the contact by the first device, the connector electrically engages the terminal, thereby completing the electrical circuit between the devices. A second electrically conductive contact is located within the channel adjacent the column which is engageable by the first device. A second terminal is spaced from the column at the second channel end, the second terminal being electrically connectable to the second device and also being connectable to the second electrically conductive contact by a ground spring arrangement.

Receptacle for touch memory button

A mouse computer input peripheral device includes a window area integrally constructed within the mouse and positioned at an area on the mouse upon which a user normally places a finger in operating the mouse. The mouse further includes an illuminating device and a light sensitive detection device for providing a user signature signal representative of the characteristics of the ridge and valley pattern of the fingerprint of a finger placed upon the window area. The signature signal is transmitted to the BIOS within the computer system in which the mouse is operating and compared with one or more stored patterns which have previously been authorized for access to the computer system. When the user's signature signal is compared with and matches one of the stored and approved signature signals, the system is enabled and the user is granted access.

Mouse with security feature

A flexible I/O port configuration and connector labeling scheme for a computer chassis. An I/O shield that includes connector cutouts specific to a system motherboard is attached to the system motherboard. The motherboard to which the I/O shield is attached may be installed in a generic chassis that includes cutouts for 'standard' connectors, such as VGA, keyboard, audio and mouse connectors, as well as a flexible I/O cutout for receiving custom connectors, such as USB and network connectors. Any connector cutout or portion of a cutout provided in the chassis through which a connector does not extend is filled by the I/O shield. In another aspect, an I/O labeling strip on which are printed icons for identifying the various connectors is press-fit onto the chassis, such that the strip can be easily removed and replaced. Each strip is provided with an alignment code that corresponds to an alignment code stamped on the I/O shield and visible through an unused or partially used cutout of the chassis such that, when the strip is properly positioned relative to the chassis, the codes are also aligned with one another.

Flexible I/O port configuration and connector labeling scheme for

A computer system, or other electronic device, having two parts that are easily attached and quickly detached. One of the parts has a plurality of stakes projecting from one surface thereof, and the other part has a plurality of through openings for receiving the stakes, and a plurality of slots extending adjacent the stakes. The stakes are formed over the other part adjacent the openings to attach the second part to the first part, and a blade can be inserted in the slots to force the second part away from the first part and break the stakes to quickly detach the parts.

Computer system having quick-detachable recyclable parts and method

A method and apparatus for simultaneously coupling a heat sink to an electrical device and reducing electromagnetic interference caused by the heat sink being coupled to the electrical device. A mother board, as used in an electronic circuit, is situated so that an electrical pad is located proximate to a socket for receiving the electrical device. The electrical device is placed inside the socket, and further has the heat sink thermally coupled to a top surface thereof. The heat sink serves to dissipate any heat radiating from the electrical device into a surrounding air mass. A heat sink clip physically and electrically engages with the heat sink and physically engages with the socket, thereby securing the heat sink to the device and the device to the socket. The heat sink clip also includes a tab that, when the clip is engaged with the heat sink, is in electrical contact with the pad, which in turn is in contact with a ground power supply. As a result, any electromagnetic interference ('EMI') radiation emitting from the electrical device is dissipated through the clip and into the pad, and from there to the ground power supply.

Computer system with heat sink having an integrated grounding tab

A mouse pointing device and a method of providing movement data and position data with a mouse pointing device. The device comprises: (1) a mouse body adapted to traverse a substantially planar surface, (2) a mouse movement tracking mechanism, coupled to the mouse body, for producing movement data regarding movement of the mouse body relative to the substantially planar surface and (3) a user position tracking mechanism, having a substantially planar mechanism surface occupying a portion of a surface of the mouse body, for producing contact data regarding contact between the mechanism surface and a user, the contact data including location data regarding a location of a contact point, on a plane of the mechanism surface, between the mechanism surface and the user.

Mouse pointing device having integrated touchpad

A computer, or other similar type of electronic device including a chassis, and a power supply mounted in the chassis is disclosed. One or more hooks are provided on one of the walls of the chassis and one or more corresponding walls of the power supply so that the power supply can be placed in the chassis and moved relative to the chassis to engage the hooks and secure the power supply in the chassis against movement in a first plane. A single screw is provided for engaging the chassis and the power supply for securing the power supply against movement in a plane perpendicular to the first plane. A tab on a wall of the chassis guides the power supply.

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Erica J Scholder