3com Corporation

Karch Polgar

Mark S Smith

Vladimir Paredes

A wireless PC card for use in facilitating radio communications by a host computer in the context of a wireless computer network. The wireless PC card includes a housing conforming to a Type II PCMCIA form factor and having first and second extending portions which cooperatively define a recess configured and arranged to accommodate two RJ-type connector bodies of a Type III PC card. By virtue of its configuration and arrangement, the recess permits both the wireless PC card and a Type III PC card to simultaneously reside in a single Type III PC card slot of the host computer. Additionally, the recess is configured and arranged to permit removal of the Type III PC card from the Type III PC card slot, without also necessitating removal of the wireless PC card. Disposed within the housing are electronic circuitry and two antennae in communication with the electronic circuitry. One of each of the antennae is disposed in a respective extending portion. The extending portions of the housing facilitate the separation of the antennae that is necessary to optimal performance of the wireless PC card. Additionally, the plastic construction of the housing contributes to the durability and longevity of the antennae. Finally, a PCMCIA standard 68-socket connector in electrical communication with the electrical circuitry serves to physically and electrically connect the wireless PC card to the host computer.

Wireless PC card

A combination PC card for use in facilitating communication between a host computer and a remote device. The combination PC card includes two RJ-type connectors, an RJ-11 connector and an RJ-45 connector, centered at a front edge of the combination PC card. The connector bodies are integral with a housing of the combination PC card and are arranged and configured to be received in a corresponding recess defined by a Type II PC card when the combination PC card and the Type II PC card simultaneously reside in a PC card slot of the host computer. The positioning and configuration of the connector bodies permits the combination PC card to be removed from the PC card slot without also necessitating the removal of the other PC card residing in the PC card slot. The combination PC card additionally includes an analog modem connected to the RJ-11 connector, and a network interface card connected to the RJ-45 connector. The analog modem and network interface card are electrically connected to the host computer by way of a PCMCIA standard 68-socket connector, which also physically connects the combination PC card to the host computer.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Karch Polgar