The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 24, 2002
Filed:
Sep. 10, 1999
Juei-Chi Wang, Taipei, TW;
Tsang-Lung Lin, Taipei, TW;
Ching-Sung Yeh, Taipei, TW;
Chen-Lun Sun, Taipei, TW;
ASUSTek Computer Inc., Taipei, TW;
Abstract
An external expansion apparatus for a portable computer is provided. The expansion apparatus is detachably connected via a cable to the portable computer for providing functional expansion for the portable computer when connected to the portable computer. The expansion apparatus includes a box body having a plurality of accommodating rooms. Each of the plurality of the rooms is for accommodating one of detachable expansion units of different types. The expansion apparatus also includes a communication control circuit for controlling the communication between the portable computer. In particular, because each of the plurality of expansion units is formed a module, the expansion apparatus can provides users with multiple choices and a great degree of convenience for the functional expansion of the portable computer. In the invention, one of the inserted expansion units can be a data storage device, or a modem, or an optical-disk drive device, etc. The expansion apparatus further includes an optical-disk playing system. When one of the inserted expansion units is an optical-disk drive device, the optical-disk playing system can be directly broadcast on an optical-disk placed within the optical-disk playing device, regardless of whether the expansion apparatus is connected to the portable computer.