Patents by Inventor Michele Bovio
Michele Bovio has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20020181199Abstract: A docking unit for a portable computer has a wedge-shaped. As a result, a portable computer, which has been installed on the docking unit, is inclined toward the user. This places the keyboard of the portable computer at a more comfortable angle for typing. Thus, the portable computer's keyboard remains usable even when it is installed on the docking unit. Moreover, the wedge-shape need not substantially raise the height of the keyboards since the leading edge is relatively thin, keeping the computer's keyboard as a comfortable height.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2002Publication date: December 5, 2002Inventors: Michele Bovio, Allan Scott Baucom
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Patent number: 6456488Abstract: A portable notebook computer having a thickness of only one inch is obtained by provision of a computer housing containing a keyboard assembly and a motherboard positioned directly below the keyboard assembly, the keyboard assembly and the motherboard thereby defining a region in the enclosure. The other components comprising the computer; i.e. a hard disk drive, a PCMCIA option slot, a trackball assembly, and a DC to DC convertor, are positioned in an adjacent and generally co-planar relationship with this region. A battery housing is mounted externally on the computer housing for supplying electrical power to the computer.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2001Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.P.Inventors: Mark J. Foster, Michele Bovio
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Publication number: 20020114131Abstract: A portable computer has pivotally connected base and display screen lid housings and is provided with a generally wedge-shaped auxiliary component housing which is releasably latchable to the bottom of the base housing and extends across only a rear underside portion of the base housing. The attached auxiliary housing representatively carries a CD/DVD media drive unit and a floppy disk drive unit, operatively couples them to various computer components in the base housing, and is configured to rearwardly and upwardly tilt he base housing keyboard at a predetermined comfortable typing angle when the base housing is placed atop a horizontal work surface such as a desktop.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2002Publication date: August 22, 2002Inventors: Daniel V. Forlenza, Jitender K. Kanjiram, Robert C. Frame, Michele Bovio
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Patent number: 6426871Abstract: A portable notebook computer having a thickness of only one inch is obtained by provision of a computer housing containing a keyboard assembly and a motherboard positioned directly below the keyboard assembly, the keyboard assembly and the motherboard thereby defining a region in the enclosure. The other components comprising the computer; i.e. a hard disk drive, a PCMCIA option slot, a trackball assembly, and a DC to DC convertor, are positioned in an adjacent and generally co-planar relationship with this region. A battery housing is mounted externally on the computer housing for supplying electrical power to the computer.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2001Date of Patent: July 30, 2002Assignee: Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.P.Inventors: Mark J. Foster, Michele Bovio
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Patent number: 6424524Abstract: A docking unit for a portable computer has a wedge-shaped. As a result, a portable computer, which has been installed on the docking unit, is inclined toward the user. This places the keyboard of the portable computer at a more comfortable angle for typing. Thus, the portable computer's keyboard remains usable even when it is installed on the docking unit. Moreover, the wedge-shape need not substantially raise the height of the keyboards since the leading edge is relatively thin, keeping the computer's keyboard as a comfortable height.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1998Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignee: Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.P.Inventors: Michele Bovio, Allan Scott Baucom
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Patent number: 6392880Abstract: A portable computer has pivotally connected base and display screen lid housings and is provided with a generally wedge-shaped auxiliary component housing which is releasably latchable to the bottom of the base housing and extends across only a rear underside portion of the base housing. The attached auxiliary housing representatively carries a CD/DVD media drive unit and a floppy disk drive unit, operatively couples them to various computer components in the base housing, and is configured to rearwardly and upwardly tilt he base housing keyboard at a predetermined comfortable typing angle when the base housing is placed atop a horizontal work surface such as a desktop.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 1999Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Assignee: Compaq Computer CorporationInventors: Daniel V. Forlenza, Jitender K. Kanjiram, Robert C. Frame, Michele Bovio
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Publication number: 20020044408Abstract: An electronic device, such as a portable computer, incorporates a removable cover. The cover is readily removed without tools and provides access to a variety of components that may require servicing, substitution, component upgrades, etc. The component cover utilizes a variety of retention features that provide stability while permitting easy attachment and opening of the cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2001Publication date: April 18, 2002Inventors: Ronald E. DeLuga, David A. Hulsebosch, Michele Bovio
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Publication number: 20020030969Abstract: A portable notebook computer having a thickness of only one inch is obtained by provision of a computer housing containing a keyboard assembly and a motherboard positioned directly below the keyboard assembly, the keyboard assembly and the motherboard thereby defining a region in the enclosure. The other components comprising the computer; i.e. a hard disk drive, a PCMCIA option slot, a trackball assembly, and a DC to DC convertor, are positioned in an adjacent and generally co-planar relationship with this region. A battery housing is mounted externally on the computer housing for supplying electrical power to the computer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2001Publication date: March 14, 2002Inventors: Mark J. Foster, Michele Bovio
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Publication number: 20020007530Abstract: The hinge system for a portable computer for pivotably securing a top cover to a base unit includes a first base unit hinge member for mounting to the base unit. The first base unit hinge member has proximal and distal mounting portions which are angled relative to each other. The proximal and distal mounting portions are each securable to a surface of the base unit for distributing stress exerted on the base unit by the first base unit hinge member. A first pivoting top cover hinge assembly is secured to the first base unit hinge member. The first top cover hinge assembly mounts to the top cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2001Publication date: January 24, 2002Inventors: Michele Bovio, Jitender Kanjiram
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Publication number: 20010043457Abstract: A portable notebook computer having a thickness of only one inch is obtained by provision of a computer housing containing a keyboard assembly and a motherboard positioned directly below the keyboard assembly, the keyboard assembly and the motherboard thereby defining a region in the enclosure. The other components comprising the computer; i.e. a hard disk drive, a PCMCIA option slot, a trackball assembly, and a DC to DC convertor, are positioned in an adjacent and generally co-planar relationship with this region. A battery housing is mounted externally on the computer housing for supplying electrical power to the computer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2001Publication date: November 22, 2001Inventors: Mark J. Foster, Michele Bovio
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Patent number: 6307740Abstract: A portable notebook computer having a thickness of only one inch is obtained by provision of a computer housing containing a keyboard assembly and a motherboard positioned directly below the keyboard assembly, the keyboard assembly and the motherboard thereby defining a region in the enclosure. The other components comprising the computer; i.e. a hard disk drive, a PCMCIA option slot, a trackball assembly, and a DC to DC convertor, are positioned in an adjacent and generally co-planar relationship with this region. A battery housing is mounted externally on the computer housing for supplying electrical power to the computer.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2000Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.P.Inventors: Mark J. Foster, Michele Bovio
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Publication number: 20010004801Abstract: A technique for reducing the height of a portable computer by reducing the effective number of housing walls across the height relates specifically to the system height over the battery slot. An enclosure of the portable computer, and specifically, a wall of the enclosure in the computer's battery slot is interwoven with a wall of the battery pack housing. The effect of the invention is that the total height of the portable computer measured through the portable computer's battery slot is reduced by the thickness of one of these walls. In one implementation, there is a reduction in the system's height of over a millimeter.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2001Publication date: June 28, 2001Inventors: Michele Bovio, Robert Frame
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Patent number: 6224996Abstract: A technique for reducing the height of a portable computer by reducing the effective number of housing walls across the height relates specifically to the system height over the battery slot. An enclosure of the portable computer, and specifically, a wall of the enclosure in the computer's battery slot is interwoven with a wall of the battery pack housing. The effect of the invention is that the total height of the portable computer measured through the portable computer's battery slot is reduced by the thickness of one of these walls. In one implementation, there is a reduction in the system's height of over a millimeter.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1998Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: Compaq Computer CorporationInventors: Michele Bovio, Robert Frame
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Patent number: 6202256Abstract: The hinge system for a portable computer for pivotably securing a top cover to a base unit includes a first base unit hinge member for mounting to the base unit. The first base unit hinge member has proximal and distal mounting portions which are angled relative to each other. The proximal and distal mounting portions are each securable to a surface of the base unit for distributing stress exerted on the base unit by the first base unit hinge member. A first pivoting top cover hinge assembly is secured to the first base unit hinge member. The first top cover hinge assembly mounts to the top cover.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1998Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Assignee: Compaq Computer CorporationInventors: Michele Bovio, Jitender Kanjiram
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Patent number: 6125034Abstract: A computer having a case has a connection point for a communications line, where the connection point is accessible from outside the case. A socket receives a standard communications hardware card, the hardware card having a first receptacle to electrically connect to circuits of the computer, and the hardware card having a second receptacle to electrically connect to an exterior electrical circuit, the exterior electrical circuit usually being exterior to the case. A mounting means attaches the socket to the computer, the mounting means positioning the socket to facilitate a connection to the second receptacle of the hardware card, the connection located wholly internal to the case. A multi wire connector electrically connects to the second receptacle of the hardware card, and the multi wire connector is located wholly internal to the case.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1997Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Assignee: Digital Equipment CorporationInventors: Michele Bovio, Mark Foster, Robert C. Frame, John H. Mallard
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Patent number: 6046571Abstract: A portable computer docking unit comprises a computer docking bay for receiving a portable computer on the docking unit. The docking unit also has a charging cradle that charges a battery of the portable computer. As a result, even if the battery installed in the portable computer can be charged while the computer is connected to the docking unit, an additional battery can be simultaneously brought to a full state of charge in the charging cradle, thereby providing the user with a backup battery to effectively double the time over which the portable computer can be operated without access to an alternating current power source. Preferably, the charging cradle is located under the computer docking bay. Installation of the portable computer, thus, prevents physical access to the battery in the charging cradle. A latching system is provided for securing the portable computer to the docking bay. This combination of features has the effect of providing security for any battery in the charging cradle.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1998Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Assignee: Digital Equip CorpInventors: Michele Bovio, Allan Scott Baucom
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Patent number: 5918957Abstract: A pivoting door system for a housing of a portable computer includes a first housing hinge member extending downwardly from the housing below the bottom surface of the housing. A door for covering a region at the rear end of the housing is pivotably secured to the first housing hinge member about a hinge axis located below the bottom surface of the housing. The door is able to pivot downwardly to a position against the housing where the door is at an acute angle relative to the bottom surface of the housing to elevate the rear end of the housing. The weight of the housing and computer locks the door in this position.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1998Date of Patent: July 6, 1999Assignee: Digital Equipment CorporationInventors: Michele Bovio, Jitender Kanjiram
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Patent number: 5901035Abstract: A very thin portable computer includes a computer housing for holding electronic components and a battery housing movably mounted external to the computer housing, the battery housing adapted for holding batteries for supplying power to the electronic components. The battery housing is rotatably mounted on the computer housing such that the battery housing rotates between a closed position wherein the battery housing covers the rear side of the computer and an open position wherein the battery housing exposes connectors on the computer housing and elevates the rear side of the computer housing to an angle convenient for typing.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1996Date of Patent: May 4, 1999Assignee: Digital Equipment CorporationInventors: Mark J. Foster, Michele Bovio
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Patent number: 5594617Abstract: A very thin portable computer includes a computer housing for holding electronic components and a battery housing movably mounted external to the computer housing, the battery housing adapted for holding batteries for supplying power to the electronic components. The battery housing is rotatably mounted on the computer housing such that the battery housing rotates between a closed position wherein the battery housing covers the rear side of the computer and an open position wherein the battery housing exposes connectors on the computer housing and elevates the rear side of the computer housing to an angle convenient for typing.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1994Date of Patent: January 14, 1997Assignee: Digital Equipment CorporationInventors: Mark J. Foster, Michele Bovio
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Patent number: 5557500Abstract: A heat dissipating arrangement in a portable computer uses a copper slug disposed between a heat-generating central processing unit (CPU) chip and the underside of a metallic keyboard baseplate. The slug also extends through a copper-plated hole in a printed circuit (PC) board, and is either soldered to the copper plating or press-fit into the hole to enhance heat transfer between the slug and the PC board. Small through-holes extend through the PC board and the copper plating next to the opening. These through-holes connect the copper plating to several layers of etch within the PC board, so that these layers act like fins on a heat sink to increase heat transfer away from the CPU.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1994Date of Patent: September 17, 1996Assignee: Digital Equipment CorporationInventors: Allan S. Baucom, Mark J. Foster, Michele Bovio