Abstract: A portable electronic means including a body and a display portion which is openably and closably mounted with respect to the body, and an electronic device battery. The portable electronic means further includes a pair of hinges (opening-and-closing portions) for openably and closably mounting the display portion to the body, with a battery being mechanically and electrically mounted between the pair of hinges so as to be removable therefrom. The electronic means makes it possible to eliminate all the factors that prevent a reduction in the thickness of the electronic device due to the use of an externally mounting type battery, and has a display portion capable of being opened and closed with respect to its body by more than 180 degrees.

Abstract: An ergonomic workstation design is provided, incorporating an integrated flat screen monitor. Desirably, the monitor can be horizontally translated along tracks to adjust the relative position of the monitor for comfortable viewing. Furthermore, the disclosed flat screen monitor can be folded into a closed position where the viewing area is protected and the workstation is made more compact, while the desk area is clean and uncluttered. Moreover, compartments are provided for conveniently storing input devices such as keyboards when the workstation is not in use. Finally, the workstation is designed on several levels with hinged compartments openable for convenient service access.

Abstract: A user interactive decorative array for providing a more friendly computing environment through the use of computer accessories revolving around a common theme. The array comprises a collection of elements all having artistic indicia of a common theme selectable by the computer user. Preferably, the array comprises a mouse house for storage of a computer mouse, a mouse pad, an artistic backdrop, a wrist pad and mouse pals. The appearance of the elements is configured in accordance with the common theme selected by the computer user. Additionally, children can play with individual components of the array in order to enhance their computing experience.

Abstract: A portable computer includes a base portion having a hard disc drive bay formed therein and defined by first and second support surfaces. A hard disc drive is mounted on the first support surface of the bay. The drive has a first height and the bay has a second height, greater than the first height. A spacer is provided to engage surface portions of the hard disc drive and also to engage the second support surface of the bay for limiting flexing of the hard disc drive in response to an impact shock acting on the portable computer.

Abstract: A computer system includes a motherboard mounted in a chassis. An EMI shield member is mounted on the motherboard. A processor module is connected to the motherboard and has peripheral edge contact with the EMI shield member. A cap member is mounted on the processor module and is engaged with the EMI shield member. A heat sink is connected to the cap member. A heat pipe has a first end attached to the cap member and a second end attached to the heat sink. A fan is mounted in the chassis adjacent the heat sink for drawing cooling air across the heat sink.

Abstract: A heat sink having a pressure gradient includes a heat sink base plate. Individual fins extend from the base plate and have variable spacing. First adjacent fins form a high pressure zone at a first end of the heat sink, wherein the first adjacent fins are separated by a first distance therebetween. Second adjacent fins form a low pressure zone at a second end of the heat sink, opposite the first end, wherein the second adjacent fins are separated by a second distance, greater than the first distance.

Abstract: A portable computer, provided with an apparatus capable of easily mounting a small size camera to a display panel hinged to the main body of a portable computer, is disclosed. The portable computer has a camera designed for inputting picture information into the portable computer, a camera receiving body and a camera receiving room. The camera receiving body is hinged to the upper portion of the display panel at a position opposite to the hinge portion of the display panel in order to fold the main body and the display panel. The camera receiving room is defined in the camera receiving body in such a manner that a lens of the camera is exposed to the exterior of the portable computer through a hole formed on the camera receiving body at a desired position.

Abstract: A multi-configuration modular computer that can be configured to be different types of personal computers or associated computer devices is disclosed. The multi-configuration modular computer comprises a display module, a keyboard and pointer device module, a motherboard and power module, and an expansion module. By selecting and combining different modules, the multi-configuration modular computer can be configured to be a LCD display monitor, a pen-based computer, a terminal, a network personal computer, a sub-notebook computer, a notebook computer or a desktop computer.

Abstract: A docking station for a first portable computer and also for a second portable computer, where second portable computer is wider than the first portable computer. The docking station has a base plate and a width variation guide pair, which is compressible to accommodate the width of the second portable computer. The guide pair is not compressible to accommodate the width of the first portable computer.

Abstract: In a locking mechanism for a portable computer having a main base panel and a display panel pivotally mounted on the base panel, a latch frame is installed to be capable of moving inside the display panel, a plurality of latches are formed on the latch frame at a predetermined interval and one end portion thereof protrudes from the front surface of the display panel, and a latch slide knob operatively connected to the latch frame for concurrently operating the latches. The latches insert into and are locked by latch grooves formed at positions corresponding to the latches on the upper surface of the base panel. Since a plurality of latches are provided and elastic forces are applied by double springs, the display panel of the portable computer is kept stable with respect to the main base panel and is not easily opened by external impacts.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention provide for coupling an accessory device to a back face of a handheld computer while electrically connecting to the handheld computer through a communications or output port. In one embodiment, the accessory device "piggy-backs" on the handheld computer so that the accessory device and handheld computer form a portable combination. An insertion coupling may be used to detachably secure the accessory device with the handheld computer. The insertion coupling used with embodiments of the invention is preferably a snap-in coupling having one or more biased members. The biased members may be contracted to engage an aperture on a back face of the handled computer. When released, the biased members secure the accessory device to the handheld computer.

Abstract: A personal computer housed desk comprising a desk body including a plurality of desk forming members such as a top panel, a back plate panel, a leg or a side plate panel and a personal computer body comprising personal computer function units including at least a central processing unit and a random access memory to perform an arithmetic and logic operation and a cabinet containing the personal computer function units and at least one the desk forming members having a cavity or hollow space serving as the cabinet for the personal computer body whereby at least one of the personal computer function units is housed within the cavity in the desk forming member.

Abstract: A housing of a personal computer is provided with a pack holding portion for alternatively holding a CD-ROM drive or a floppy disk drive. The pack holding portion is defined by a recess opening in the bottom and side walls of the housing, and a loading port of an optional part holding portion for holding an expansion memory, opens in a base plate of the pack holding portion. The loading port is closed by a removable metallic cover.

Abstract: An apparatus for limiting the viewing angle of a display (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD)) of an electronic device including a housing for housing the LCD, includes a pivoting device coupled to the housing, and a plurality of retractable flaps movable between first and second positions and respectively coupled to the pivoting device. The plurality of retractable flaps are for limiting a viewing angle of the LCD when the flaps are moved from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: An electronic system, such as a computer, having a housing with a door opening into an interior of the housing. An insertion mechanism is mounted on the door and includes a handle provided on an exterior side of the door and a driver portion provided on an interior side. The driver portion includes a rotatable latch driver attached to the handle and a rotatable latch follower engaging the latch driver through a set of gears. A movable mount is slideably mounted onto the door and a circuit board assembly is mounted onto the movable mount. After the door of the housing is closed, rotation of the handle causes rotation of the latch driver, which, in turn, causes rotation of the latch follower. The latch driver and follower engage the movable mount such that their rotation causes forward movement of the movable mount and the circuit board assembly.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a notebook computer has an ejecting unit which elastically pushes a latch up to a certain height. The ejecting unit includes an elastic member installed at a main base panel of the notebook computer and an ejector for pushing the latch up due to the elastic member when a display panel is to be opened. Thus, the notebook computer can be easily opened and closed and also the external appearance of the notebook computer looks more aesthetically pleasing.

Abstract: The computer housing of a modular computer device includes a rectangular housing body-having a front panel formed with at least one module receiving opening, a side door mounted pivotally on the housing body and operable so as to close and open an open lateral side of the housing body, and a connector unit disposed in the housing body and having at least one electrical connecting set registered with a corresponding module receiving opening. A computer main board is mounted on an inner surface of the side door and is connected electrically to the connector unit. At least one computer peripheral module has a module housing that is disposed slidably and removably in a corresponding module receiving opening and that has a rear side provided with a module connector set. The module connector set engages mechanically and electrically an aligned corresponding electrical connecting set of the connector unit to establish electrical connection between the computer peripheral module and the computer main board.

Abstract: A unique cabinet mounted I/O assembly adapted for integration into a control system which allows a block I/O assembly to be mounted in both sides of the cabinet allowing a blind fit of power and signal connections insuring that power will be provided to the block I/O assembly before any application of signals thereto. and preventing any mismatching of I/O units to wrong processor blocks in the cabinet by a color matching scheme.

Abstract: A portable electronic apparatus has a housing and a frame incorporated within the housing. A lower half of the housing has a bottom wall and first wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The first wall defines a first receptacle for containing a first functional component in said lower half. The frame has a second wall opposing the first wall. The second wall defines a second receptacle for containing a second functional component within said frame. The second wall further defines a third receptacle for containing a third functional component within the lower half along with the first wall.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus has a housing with a peripheral wall. The peripheral wall has a lock hole in which a lock device is detachably engaged. A receptacle is formed in the housing. The receptacle has an insertion hole formed in the peripheral wall of the housing. The receptacle removably receives a functional component through the insertion hole. A lock member is disposed within the housing. The lock member is movable between a locked position where the lock member is advanced to the receptacle and irremovably locks the functional component in the receptacle and a lock release position where the lock member retreats from the receptacle and unlocks the functional component. The lock member has a first engaging hole which is continuous with the lock hole when the lock member is moved to the locked position and a second engaging hole which is continuous with the lock hole when the lock member is moved to the lock release position.