Portable computer having multiport bay

Abstract

A portable computer having an external bay with a multiport connector. The portable computer comprises a base coupled to a display module. The display module has a backcover with a bay area for receiving a variety of electronic device modules.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A component for a portable computer, comprising: 
 a display-mountable electronic module adapted to mount in a receptacle on a backside of a display panel, wherein the display-mountable electronic module comprises a multiport connector adapted to engage a mating multiport connector disposed within the receptacle.    
     
     
         2 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the multiport connector comprises a universal serial bus (USB) connector.  
     
     
         3 . The component of  claim 2 , wherein the USB connector comprises a plurality of conductive pads.  
     
     
         4 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the display-mountable electronic module comprises a secondary component receptacle adapted to receive another electronic module.  
     
     
         5 . The component of  claim 4 , comprising a video camera module disposed within the secondary component receptacle.  
     
     
         6 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the display-mountable electronic module comprises a biometrics reader module.  
     
     
         7 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the display-mountable electronic module comprises a wireless communications module.  
     
     
         8 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the display-mountable electronic module comprises a plurality of retention features adapted to secure the display-mountable electronic module into the receptacle, wherein the plurality of retention features include a hook member and a tab member.  
     
     
         9 . The component of  claim 1 , wherein the display-mountable electronic module comprises a plurality of retention features adapted to secure the display-mountable electronic module into the receptacle along at least three sides of the display panel, wherein the at least three sides include the backside.  
     
     
         10 . A method of manufacturing an electronic device, comprising: 
 forming a receptacle in a backside of a display panel;    mounting a multiport connector in the receptacle; and    providing a retention mechanism to secure an electronic component in the receptacle, such that a mating multiport connector of the electronic component can engage the multiport connector.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein forming the receptacle comprises positioning the receptacle along at least three sides of the display panel, the at least three sides including the backside.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein mounting the multiport connector comprises positioning a plurality of conductive pads in the receptacle.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein mounting the multiport connector comprises wiring a universal serial bus (USB) interface to the multiport connector.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , comprising coupling the display panel to a component housing having a processor.  
     
     
         15 . A method of manufacturing a portable computer, comprising: 
 connecting a multiport connector in a receptacle in a backside of a display panel, wherein the receptacle is adapted to receive an electronic device having a mating multiport connector.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein connecting the multiport connector comprises wiring the multiport connector to circuitry disposed within a base of the portable computer, the base being hingedly coupled to the display panel.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein connecting the multiport connector comprises wiring the multiport connector to a universal serial bus (USB) interface.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein connecting the multiport connector comprises assembling components of the display panel.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein connecting the multiport connector comprises assembling components of the portable computer.  
     
     
         20 . A method of operating a portable computer, comprising: 
 communicating data through first and second multiport connectors mated with one another, the first multiport connector being disposed in a receptacle on a backside of a display panel, and the second multiport connector being disposed on a device mounted in the receptacle.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein communicating data comprises exchanging data via a universal serial bus (USB) interface.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein communicating data comprises transmitting data between the device and circuitry within a base of the portable computer, wherein the base is hingedly coupled to the display panel.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein communicating data comprises gathering video data from the device.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein communicating data comprises gathering biometric data from the device.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein communicating data comprises processing wireless communications between the device and a peripheral component.  
     
     
         26 . A method of using a portable computer, comprising: 
 selectively inserting one component of a plurality of electronic components into a receptacle on a backside of a display panel, such that a multiport connector in the receptacle engages a mating multiport connector on the one component.    
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein selectively inserting the one component comprises mounting a video camera to transmit video data through the multiport connector and the mating multiport connector.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein selectively inserting the one component comprises mounting an antennae to enable wireless communications between the electronic component and a peripheral device.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein selectively inserting the one component comprises mounting a biometrics reader.