Abstract: A wireless LAN provided for mitigating the effects of signal fading that results from multipath propagation. The wireless LAN includes a number of portable clients that, in one embodiment, may be notebook computers. An access point, or hub, couples the clients to a wired network and/or to each other. Multipath effects are mitigated in one embodiment by continually varying the radiation pattern of a transmitting antenna system associated with the access point. In one alternative embodiment, the radiation pattern of a receiving antenna system is continually varied. Numerous approaches are provided to continually varying the radiation pattern of the respective antenna system, including, but not limited to, switching between two or more antennas in an array, adjusting the physical positioning of a single or multiple antennas, adjusting the effective length of the antenna, and adjusting the respective gain and/or phase of each of one or more of the signals coupled to antennas in an array.

Abstract: A computer includes a body having a PC card slot formed therein. A headphone module includes a carrier removably mounted in the slot. A retractor member is mounted on the carrier. A flexible cord is extendibly and retractably connected to the retractor member. The cord includes at least one headphone connected to a first cord end and a connector connected to a second cord end opposite the first end. A headphone receptacle is provided on the carrier.

Abstract: A system and method for power management of a computer with a vapor-cooled processor is disclosed. A dual mode cooling system for an information handling system includes a heat exchanger for receiving heat generated by the information handling system. The system further includes a condenser in communication with the heat exchanger such that the heat received at the heat exchanger is transferred to the condenser. The heat exchanger and the condenser are able to selectively operate in an active cooling mode and a passive cooling mode.

Abstract: In a wireless LAN, a technique for mitigating the effects of signal fading that results from multipath propagation. The wireless LAN includes a number of portable clients that, in one embodiment, may be notebook computers. An access point, or hub, couples the clients to a wired network and/or to each other. Multipath effects are mitigated in one embodiment by continually varying the radiation pattern of a transmitting antenna system associated with the access point. In one embodiment, the radiation pattern of a receiving antenna system is continually varied. Numerous approaches are provided to continually vary the radiation pattern of the respective antenna system, including, but not limited to, switching between two or more antennas in an array, adjusting the physical positioning of a single or multiple antennas, adjusting the effective length of the antenna, and adjusting the respective gain and/or phase of each of one or more of the signals coupled to antennas in an array.

Abstract: The invention relates to a disc drive system which includes cushioning material positioned between the interior of disc drive housing and a disc drive. Such a system advantageously provides a removable disc drive system which isolates shocks from the disc drive. The disc drive system includes a housing bottom, a mounting plate coupled to the housing bottom, and a disc drive coupled to the mounting plate via cushioning pieces.

Abstract: A chassis has a module bay and a module is movably mounted to extend from and retract into the bay. A latch is mounted on the module and includes a movable portion mounted to extend from and retract into the module. A catch member is mounted on the latch and is actuated by the movable portion of the latch to extend into engagement with the chassis in response to the movable portion being retracted into the module.

Abstract: A computer includes a body having a module bay formed therein. A module is removably mounted in the bay. A latch actuator is mounted on the module for movement between a first position and a second position. A first movable catch member extends from a first surface of the module into engagement with the body of the computer and a second movable catch member extends from a second surface of the module into engagement with the body of the computer. A first flexible member interconnects the first catch member and the latch actuator. A second flexible member interconnects the second catch member and the latch actuator. As a result, movement of the latch actuator from the first position to the second position, moves the first and second flexible members and retracts the first and second catch members out of engagement with the body of the computer.

Abstract: A computer includes a first enclosure and a second enclosure pivotally attached to the first enclosure. The second enclosure is pivotable between a first position and a second position with respect to the first enclosure. An interconnect circuit has a first routing portion attached to the first enclosure, a second routing portion attached to the second enclosure and a spanning portion extending between the first and the second routing portions. A shielding member substantially surrounds the spanning portion of the interconnect circuit. A first conductive member has a curled portion attached to the shielding member and a tail portion electrically connected to a reference voltage member. The adverse affects associated with violating preferred design rules at the spanning portion of the interconnect circuit are reduced.

Abstract: A computer including a microprocessor, an input coupled to provide input to the microprocessor, a mass storage coupled to the microprocessor and a memory coupled to the microprocessor to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor. A heat pipe including spaced apart condenser regions and an evaporator region disposed between the condenser regions is provided. The evaporator region is positioned adjacent the microprocessor. A first heat dissipating device is attached to the heat pipe adjacent to a first one of the condenser regions. A second heat dissipating device is attached to the heat pipe adjacent to a second one of the condenser regions. The second heat dissipating device is of a different type than the first heat dissipating device. The reliability and effectiveness of the cooling apparatus are greatly increased through the use of a heat pipe having two condenser regions that are attached to different types of heat dissipating bodies.

Abstract: A signal communication structure for communicating signals between a base and a display of an electronic device, the base and display being connected in an axially hinged connection includes an axial member formed from a flexible material and includes a communication line for signal communication with the axial member adapted to flex about the axially hinged connection between the base and the display. The axial member also includes a plurality of appendage members connected to and extending from the axial member. The appendage members include a communication line coupled to the communication line of the axial member for signal communication between the plurality of appendage members via the axial member.

Abstract: A portable computer includes a base and a top pivotally mounted on the base for movement between an open position and a closed position. An LCD panel is mounted in the top and the top includes opposed sides having fastener access openings for securing the LCD panel. A bezel includes snap tabs for attaching the bezel to the top, and for covering the fastener access openings. A releasable latch is mounted in the top adjacent the LCD panel for securing the top to the base in the closed position, and for releasing the top from the base for movement to the open position. A spring member is molded into the latch for resiliently mounting a latch in the top.

Abstract: A portable computer includes a chassis having a heat producing electronic component mounted therein. A heat sink is mounted in the chassis adjacent the component. A heat pipe has a first end rotatably connected to the heat sink and extends to a second end engaged with the component. The heat pipe is rotatable so as to move the second end into and out of engagement with the component.

Abstract: A portable computer according to which a processor is disposed in a chassis. A module housing is provided for insertion into and removal from, the chassis and contains a fan for flowing air from the processor, through the module housing and externally of the housing to cool the processor.

Abstract: A system for electrically coupling an electromagnetic shield to a voltage reference such as a ground plane. The system includes a voltage reference and a multi conductor connector having a plurality of conductors. The conductors of the multiconductor connector are electrically coupled to the voltage reference. The system also includes an electromagnetic shield and an extension, such as a tab, electrically coupled to the electromagnetic shield. The extension has a first portion that is inserted into an opening of the multiconductor connector to electrically contact the conductors of the multiconductor connector to electrically couple the electromagnetic shield to the voltage reference.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing heat dissipation and electromagnetic shielding for an integrated circuit, such as a CPU, in a computer system includes a first surface thermally coupling the apparatus to an integrated circuit (IC). The apparatus, including the first surface, is of a material, such as some alloys of beryllium copper, with a yield strength of at least 80,000 pounds per square inch and with a thermal conductivity of at least 220 watts/meter*degree (Kelvin). The material is electrically conductive.

Abstract: A portable computer and a docking assembly for the computer according to which improved cooling is provided for the computer. To this end, an air flow path is established in the computer chassis that extends from an inlet formed in the chassis, through the chassis, and out an outlet formed in the chassis. In the undocked mode of the computer, ambient air is passed into the chassis and in the flow path to remove heat from the chassis. When the computer is docked to a docking device, cool air from the docking device is passed into the computer chassis and in the flow path to remove heat from the chassis.

Abstract: The apparatus permits non-disruptive addition and removal of PCMCIA modules from a host device. The host device includes a signal bus connected to mating pins of the card header. The card header has a three-sided frame into which a module is inserted. A switch disposed on an edge of the header is responsive to insertion and de-insertion of the module. The length of the mating pins vary where selected mating pins of the card header have a first length for detecting substantially complete insertion and partial de-insertion of the module, and pins of a second length for applying bus signals to the module. Pins of a third length facilitate applying electrical power to the module. The computer is responsive to the switch and the mating pins such that the signal bus is deactivated to prevent corruption of the bus signals when the switch detects insertion of the module. The signal bus remains deactivated until the module is in communication with pins of a first length, whereupon the signal bus is then reactivated.

Abstract: A mounting assembly to attach an radio frequency antenna to a housing of a communication device for removably securing the antenna to the communication device, the assembly includes an antenna and a circular base member extending from the antenna. The assembly allows for the quick and easy detachment of the antenna from the device without the use of tools. The communication device to which the antenna assembly is attached has a generally tubular shaped opening defining a communication device housing having a circular cross-section for removably receiving the circular base member. The housing includes an outside face, an inside face, and a recessed locking slot extending from the outside face towards the inside face.