Compaq Computer Corporation, Inc.

Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.p.

Kevin W Mundt

Troy Anthony Della Fiora

Randall L Hess

William R Dorr

David B Potter

Stacy L Wolff

Kevin L Massaro

Earl W Moore

Mark S Tracy

Philip Leveridge

Chris F Felcman

Gordon J Stannis

James J Ganthier

Neil L Condra

George K Korinsky

Thomas Mitchell

Sam D Blackwell

Drew D Granzow

Carrie Bader

Thomas C Kreiner

D Stephen Goodrich

Ken Reddix

Ian Kung

By Michael Moore, Legal Representative

By Sandra Moore, Legal Representative

Kevin G Moore, Deceased

A computer system includes a frame for attaching a plurality of electronic components including a predetermined electronic component. A cover for covering the electronic components is provided along with a mask having an opening. The mask is disposed between the frame and the cover so that a mask opening allows access to the predetermined electronic component while masking other electronic components. The cover includes an access cover panel that is released using a single button and pivoted for removal from the frame. The one-piece access cover panel is fabricated from a single piece of plastic and includes alignment tabs, pivot tabs, and snaps for attaching the access cover panel with the cover. Additionally, a metal shield is attached to the access cover panel for simultaneously shielding the predetermined electronic component when attaching the access cover panel to the cover. The metal shield reduces electromagnetic interference (&ldquo;EMI&rdquo;). Advantageously, a method for accessing an electronic component attached to a frame in a computer is provided.

CPU easy access panels

A housing for a central processing unit including a body capable of supporting and enclosing the central processing unit. The body has a front side including an upper portion and a lower portion. A first decorative faceplate is for detachably engaging with at least a portion of the upper portion of the front side of the body. A first-faceplate-quick-connect-device extends from the first decorative faceplate for readily attaching and removing the first decorative faceplate to the body. Also described herein is a housing for a central processing unit including a body capable of supporting and enclosing the central processing unit. The body has a front side including an upper portion and a lower portion. A first decorative faceplate is detachably engagable with at least a portion of the upper portion of the front side of the body. A second decorative faceplate is for detachably engaging with at least a portion of the lower portion of the front side of the body. A second-faceplate-quick-connect-device is disposed on the body for readily attaching and removing the second decorative faceplate to the body. Also described herein is a single decorative faceplate having a quick connect device for readily securing and removing to a computer housing.

Readily attachable and removable faceplates for a computer housing

A drive bay opening in the front bezel portion of a tower type computer CPU unit is provided with a swing-out plastic access door. The door is pivotable between a closed position and a full open stop position in which it is outwardly pivoted more than ninety degrees away from its closed position. A specially designed concealed, break-away hinge structure removably interconnects the access door and front bezel portion and includes a pair of hinge arms projecting outwardly from the door and molded integrally therewith. Outer end tabs in the hinge arms have apertures therein that rotatably receive hinge pins within recessed pocket areas in the bezel. In the event that the access door is forcibly pivoted outwardly beyond its full open stop position, separate disconnect pins disposed laterally outwardly of the hinge pins act as cams that torsionally deflect the hinge tabs out of engagement with the hinge pins. AS a result, the door simply pops off the bezel without damaging either the door, the hinge structure or the bezel. The hinge arm tabs of the separated, undamaged access door may subsequently be snapped back onto the hinge pins with chamfered edge portions of the tabs initially engaging domed portions of the hinge pins to torsionally deflect the tabs in a manner facilitating their reconnection to the hinge pins on the bezel.

Pivotable computer access door structure having concealed, Break-away

A computer system including a monitor which mechanically and electrically receives a peripheral device such as a camera. A top surface of the monitor includes a recessed portion into which the peripheral device mounts. A pair of tabs in the recessed portion engage recesses in the peripheral device securely affixing the peripheral device to the monitor. The monitor also includes an electrical connector that automatically mates with a connector on the peripheral device when the peripheral device is mounted in the recessed portion of the monitor, thereby establishing electrical connectivity between the peripheral device and the computer system. The mounting arrangement securely affixes the peripheral device and obviates the need for the user to connect the peripheral device to the computer by way of an external cable.

Universal mount for computer peripheral device

A user interface of simplifying selection of speaker volume level and power conservation level in a computer system. An icon is presented for setting the speaker volume which includes a bar graph of relative speaker volume. By depressing left or right arrow keys the graph moves and the volume level of the speaker is changed. By depressing the down arrow key when setting the volume level, the speaker is beeped to allow for a level check during the setting process. A series of icons are used to indicate and select power conservation level. Each icon includes a battery with a faucet attached to the side of the battery. Different water flow rates indicate the various conservation levels. A human figure is located adjacent the faucet to indicate the user-customerized conservation level.

User interface for easily setting computer speaker volume and power

A drive bay opening in the front bezel portion of a tower type computer CPU unit is provided with a swing-out plastic access door. The door is pivotable between a closed position and a full open stop position in which it is outwardly pivoted more than ninety degrees away from its closed position. A specially designed concealed, break-away hinge structure removably interconnects the access door and front bezel portion and includes a pair of hinge arms projecting outwardly from the door and molded integrally therewith. Outer end tabs in the hinge arms have apertures therein that rotatably receive domed hinge pins within recesses in the bezel. In the event that the access door is forcibly pivoted outwardly beyond its full open stop position the domed hinge pins act as cams that torsionally deflect the hinge tabs out of engagement therewith. As a result, the door simply pops off the bezel without damaging either the door, the hinge structure or the bezel. The hinge arm tabs of the separated, undamaged access door may subsequently be snapped back onto the domed pins, with chamfered edge portions of the tabs initially engaging the domed portions of the pins to torsionally deflect the tabs in a manner facilitating their reconnection to the hinge pins on the bezel.

Pivotable computer access door structure having concealed, break-away

A coupling is configured to hold detachably a speaker on a computer component by a gravitational force acting on the speaker. The coupling may be a pocket on the component and a flange on the speaker. The coupling may include vertically aligned projecting elements on the component and corresponding receptacles on the speaker. The coupling may be hidden after the speaker has been mounted. To attach the speaker it is held near the component and then lowered with respect to the coupling mechanism to reach a position where the speaker is fixed relative to the component by a gravitational force.

Attaching a speaker to a computer component

Multimedia personal computer with integrated monitor

Computer input pen

Notebook personal computer

A computer systems which combines the capabilities of both notepad and notebook computers. The main housing includes an liquid crystal display display with a digitizer input to be used as the display in all modes and the input device when used with a stylus in notepad mode. Also located in the main housing are a floppy disk drive, a hard disk drive, an optional modem unit, batteries, and the electronics of the computer. The main housing contains a recessed portion for receiving a detachable keyboard. The keyboard includes a pivoting, mating extension which is received in the recess so that the keyboard is retained in the recess during storage conditions and in some cases of use, where the housing acts as a partial keyboard support to allow angling of the keyboard. The keyboard contains pivoting legs so that the keyboard can be used remotely from the main housing and yet be angled. The main housing contains a pivoting portion which can operate as a stand when the computer is being operated with the keyboard, so that the display is properly angled for viewing by the user. The pivoting portion can also be pivoted to a position generally parallel with the main housing, but having a portion extending past the housing to act as a handle.

Combined notepad and notebook computer

Portable computer

Personal notebook computer with an integrated trackball

Growing community of inventors

Spring, TX, United States of America

Kevin W Mundt