Zenith Data Systems Corporation

Packard Bell Nec

Nec Corporation

Zenith Electronics Corporation

Peter A Ojeda

Eric D Fuhs

John P Wagner

Elisa E Zappacosta

Wayne L Griffin

Timothy A Bonardi

William C Hallowell

Bruce Wang

Robert R Turnbull

John F Czech

William R Cubbage

Anton R Poole

Irving M Drucker

Russell S Uithoven

Brian E Manser

Robert A Kohtz

Upal Sengupta

Rodman S Brahman

David L Plangger

Larry A Sparling

Norman D Stobert

Guoming Frank Wu

Larry D Bailey

Frank W Guoming

Russell M Niedzielski

Larry L Jeffery

Daniel R Carter

An external flexible bay system includes an external flexible bay, a modular battery pack and a modular disk drive. The external flexible bay is adapted to receive either the modular battery pack or the modular disk drive to facilitate use of such devices with a portable PC. The external flexible bay includes a parallel port which enables an external I/O device, such as a printer, to be connected thereto. The external flexible bay contains circuitry to automatically sense whether a printer is connected and to determine whether a modular battery pack or modular disk drive has been inserted therein. In order to ensure proper configuration, the external flexible bay includes a mode switch for selecting between a floppy mode and a printer mode.

External modular bay for housing I/O devices

A flexible multimedia presentation system is configured to be releasably secured to a portable personal computer to provide additional features, such as a PCMCIA interface, a port replicator and other options. The system is configured to enable the unit to be rather easily transported as a unit. A retractable handle is provided which further facilitates transport of the unit. In order to provide enhanced flexibility of the flexible multimedia presentation system, the system includes a PCMCIA interface, as well as replicates the various I/O ports on the rear of the portable personal computer. By replicating the I/O ports on the portable personal computer, external I/O devices, such as an external monitor, keyboard, mouse and printer can be used when the portable personal computer is docked to the flexible multimedia presentation system. In the event that the personal computer is turned off; or the personal is not docked to the system; or the power supply within the system is unavailable, the various data, address and control signals in the flexible multimedia system are disconnected to prevent any loss of data or any damage to the personal computer and the flexible multimedia system.

Apparatus and method for automatically disconnecting address and data

A locking system for a computer or computer accessory housing not only secures the housing but also secures any PCMCIA cards installed in PCMCIA slots in the housing. In particular, the computer or accessory housing is configured with two side-by-side PCMCIA slots. One or more keyhole slots are disposed between the two PCMCIA for receiving a cylindrical lock assembly, such as a Kensington lock assembly. The spacing between the side-by-side PCMCIA slots is selected such that the cylindrical lock assembly is secured to the keyholes, the lock assembly partially blocks the PCMCIA slot openings and thus prevents removal of any PCMCIA cards from the computer or accessory housing. In order to provide additional security, one keyhole may be formed to depend from an interior metal chassis while a corresponding keyhole is formed from the cover which prevents removal of the cards as well as removal of the housing cover. The configuration of the lock assembly enables not only the computer or computer housing to be secured but any PCMCIA cards installed within the slots to be secured as well rather quickly and easily without the need to remove the PCMCIA cards.

Peripheral card locking device

A modular portable personal computer includes one or more flexible bays accessible from the front surface of the computer. One or more of the flexible bays may be configured as a dual functional bay to enable the bay to interchangeably receive different modular devices, such as a modular floppy disk drive or a modular battery pack. With such a configuration, the modular floppy disk drive can be removed for portable operation and an additional battery pack installed to provide increased electrical power to the portable personal computer during portable operation. The portable personal computer is also provided with a plurality of cavities formed in a bottom surface. These cavities allow for various upgrades to be made without opening the computer housing. For example, a modular hard disk drive cavity is provided on the bottom side of the personal computer. The modular hard disk drive cavity is adapted to receive a modular hard disk drive which can be relatively easily removed and installed without opening the computer housing. In addition, a cavity may be provided which is closed by an access cover which includes one or more standard in-line memory module (SIMM) sockets to enable additional SIMMS to be added without opening the computer housing. The CPU in the modular portable personal computer can also be rather easily and quickly replaced. In particular, a cavity is formed in the bottom of the portable personal computer and carries an electrical connector that is electrically connected to the mother board. A CPU mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) is adapted to be received in the cavity. A mating connector is provided on the PCB to enable the CPU to be connected to the motherboard. An access panel provides access to the cavity to enable the CPU to be replaced without the need to open the computer housing.

Modular portable personal computer having bays to receive

A portable presentation system includes a portable personal computer with a removable LCD and a stand assembly for carrying the LCD in a detached position to enable the LCD to be viewed when detached from the portable personal computer. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the LCD display is formed with a hinge which enables the viewing angle of the display to be fully adjustable in both a detached and attached position. The LCD display system also includes a latching mechanism which enables the display to be latched to the computer housing in all positions, thus preventing inadvertent removal and perhaps damage to the display. The stand assembly includes a base for carrying the LCD in a detached position and enabling the LCD display to be latched thereto in all viewing angle positions while enabling the viewing angle to be varied. The stand also includes a connector that is adapted to mate with a connector on the LCD display. The connector on the stand assembly is connected to a cable, which, in turn, is connected to an adapter assembly. The adapter assembly is adapted to be latched to the portable personal computer and includes a connector for mating with a corresponding connector on the portable personal computer.

Removable LCD and stand assembly

A modular portable personal computer includes one or more flexible bays accessible from the front surface of the computer. One or more of the flexible bays may be configured as a dual functional bay to enable the bay to interchangeably receive different modular devices, such as a modular floppy disk drive or a modular battery pack. With such a configuration, the modular floppy disk drive can be removed for portable operation and an additional battery pack installed to provide increased electrical power to the portable personal computer during portable operation. The portable personal computer is also provided with a plurality of cavities formed in a bottom surface. These cavities allow for various upgrades to be made without opening the computer housing. For example, a modular hard disk drive cavity is provided on the bottom side of the personal computer. The modular hard disk drive cavity is adapted to receive a modular hard disk drive which can be relatively easily removed and installed without opening the computer housing. In addition, a cavity may be provided which is closed by an access cover which includes one or more standard in-line memory module (SIMM) sockets to enable additional SIMMs to be added without opening the computer housing. The CPU in the modular portable personal computer can also be rather easily and quickly replaced. In particular, a cavity is formed in the bottom of the portable personal computer and carries an electrical connector that is electrically connected to the mother board. A CPU mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) is adapted to be received in the cavity. A mating connector is provided on the PCB to enable the CPU to be connected to the motherboard. An access panel provides access to the cavity to enable the CPU to be replaced without the need to open the computer housing.

Modular portable personal computer

An adjustable keyboard assembly for a portable personal computer includes a keyboard, split along a predetermined breakline defining two keyboard sections, removable from the portable personal computer. In order to facilitate angular positioning of the keyboard sections as well as removal of the keyboard sections from the portable personal computer housing, the keyboard sections are mechanically coupled together, for example, with a hinge at one end of the breakline. Such a configuration enables the relative angular positions of the keyboard sections to be custom positioned by the individual user for maximum adjustability in accordance with the user's preference both on and removed from the portable personal computer housing. Unlike other known keyboards, the keyboard, in accordance with the present invention, is formed in standard QWERTY format so as not to require retraining of users.

Growing community of inventors

Mundelein, IL, United States of America

Peter A Ojeda