Abstract:
A device connector module. The device connector module includes a device connection mechanism and a housing. The device connection mechanism includes a first port for coupling to an external device and a second port for coupling to a computer system. The housing encasing the device connection mechanism such that the first port and the second port are accessible and wherein the housing is for coupling the device connector module to a device connector module receptacle.
Abstract:
A device connector module receptacle. The device connector module receptacle includes a plurality of slots for receiving a plurality of device connector modules. A device connector module includes a device connection mechanism including a first port for coupling to an external device and a second port for coupling to a computer system. A device connector module also includes a housing encasing the device connection mechanism such that the first port and the second port are accessible and wherein the housing is for coupling the device connector module to the device connector module receptacle. The device connector module receptacle is configured for coupling to a chassis of the computer system.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for flexibly mounting variously sized devices in a computer chassis. A front panel includes a first portion that is reserved for a plurality of contiguous openings supporting a plurality of vertically stacked 3½ inch bays. At least one opening is protected by a corresponding knock-out plate. The front panel also includes a second portion that is adjacent to the first portion. The second portion is reserved for a plurality of module acceptors. At least one module acceptor is located adjacent to a corresponding opening and adapted to receive a corresponding module. Additionally, at least one module acceptor includes a first attaching mechanism capable of mating with a second attaching mechanism located on the corresponding module for attaching the corresponding module to the computer chassis. Further, at least one pair of adjacent opening and module acceptor in combination is adapted to receive a front connector panel bracket.
Abstract:
A front panel that can be removed from and installed onto a computer hardware chassis. A computer system housing includes a chassis and a removable front panel that is removably connectable to the chassis. The chassis includes a first locking mechanism, a first structure for engaging and releasing the first locking mechanism, a second locking mechanism and a second structure for engaging and releasing the second locking mechanism. The front panel includes a first mating portion for receipt at the first locking mechanism, wherein the first mating portion is removably engaged with the first locking mechanism, and a second mating portion for receipt at the second locking mechanism, wherein the second mating portion is removably engaged with the second locking mechanism.
Abstract:
A computer housing, removable light pipe device, and method for assembling a computer are disclosed. The computer housing has a drive door assembly and a light pipe. The light pipe is removably coupleable with the drive door assembly.
Abstract:
A front panel that can be removed from and installed onto a computer hardware chassis. A computer system housing includes a chassis and a removable front panel that is removably connectable to the chassis. The chassis includes a first locking mechanism, a first structure for engaging and releasing the first locking mechanism, a second locking mechanism and a second structure for engaging and releasing the second locking mechanism. The front panel includes a first mating portion for receipt at the first locking mechanism, wherein the first mating portion is removably engaged with the first locking mechanism, and a second mating portion for receipt at the second locking mechanism, wherein the second mating portion is removably engaged with the second locking mechanism.
Abstract:
A lower enclosure of a keyboard includes a region forming a cavity to stiffen the lower enclosure and a node support disposed in the cavity to support a node of a circuit in a switch-membrane assembly of the keyboard. With the node support, a plate to support the switch-membrane assembly may be omitted from the keyboard. Thus, the keyboard may be easier and less expensive to manufacture than a keyboard that includes a plate.
Abstract:
A coupler for releasably mounting a computer peripheral device to another device includes a first portion operable to engage the computer peripheral device, and a second portion operable to engage the other device. Or, a computer peripheral device includes a connector for mounting the computer peripheral device to another device. With the coupler, the computer peripheral device may more securely support the other device as compared to one placing the other device on top of the computer peripheral device. Similarly, with the connector, the computer peripheral device may more securely support the other device. Furthermore, with the coupler, connector, or both, one may generate a stack including three or more peripheral devices of a computer system by mounting each additional device to an adjacent device in the stack. Thus, a housing of the computer system may support more peripheral devices.
Abstract:
A computer user interface device is provided, made up of modules having separate sets of user interface features. For instance, a keyboard device has a first module bearing standard alphanumeric and control keys, and a second module, selected from a set of optional modules bearing specialized features such as multimedia controls, communication interfaces, or magnetic media readers. The modules are mechanically coupled together. An electrical interface allows user input signals, such as keystroke signals, to be consolidated on one module, preferably the specialized module, into a single signal stream, for coupling to the computer.
Abstract:
A computer user interface device is provided, made up of modules having separate sets of user interface features. For instance, a keyboard device has a first module bearing standard alphanumeric and control keys, and a second module, selected from a set of optional modules bearing specialized features such as multimedia controls, communication interfaces, or magnetic media readers. The modules are mechanically coupled together. An electrical interface allows user input signals, such as keystroke signals, to be consolidated on one module, preferably the specialized module, into a single signal stream, for coupling to the computer.