초록 ▼

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

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.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A modular personal computer system, comprising:a first housing having a plurality of exterior sides, said housing configured for a notebook computer;a motherboard;a central processing unit (CPU) carried by said motherboard;said first housing configured to form one or more

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A modular personal computer system, comprising:a first housing having a plurality of exterior sides, said housing configured for a notebook computer;a motherboard;a central processing unit (CPU) carried by said motherboard;said first housing configured to form one or more interior cavities sized and shaped to form one or more predetermined bays configured to receive and enclose at least a portion of correspondingly sized and shaped modules inside said interior cavities;a first electrical connector carried in an interior portion of each of said one or more interior cavities, said first electrical connector electrically coupled to said motherboard;a module adapted to be received in said one or more interior cavities, said module comprising a second housing for housing a plurality of heterogenous devices, one of said heterogenous devices electrically coupled a second electrical connector carried by said second housing, said second electrical connector being configured to mate with said first electrical connector when said second housing is inserted into said one or more cavities;means for detecting which of said heterogenous devices is connected to said second connector and configuring said modular personal computer in accordance with that device,means for enabling said second housing to be removed without opening said first housing.