Device Interface Module

Abstract

A computer, such as a portable computer, can include a removable interface module. The module can contain a device having a computer interface. The device can be a radio or a fiber optic communications device, for example. The use of such a module can facilitate repair and reconfiguration of the portable computer in the field. Such computers can be used by military personnel, police, emergency medical personnel, fire fighters, and the like.

1 . A system comprising:
 a host computer having a device bay;   a first circuit contained within the host computer and configured to route LAN signals inside of the host computer;   a second circuit configured to route the LAN signals out of the host computer to a complimentary docking connector of the device bay;   a device bay module within the device bay;   a router board within the device bay module to which the LAN signals are routed from the complimentary docking connector;   a third circuit within the device bay module to which the LAN signals are routed from the router board; and   wherein the LAN signals facilitate communication between the host computer and the module.   
     
     
         2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the module comprises a computer interface that is configured to facilitate communication of at least one device with the computer; and   wherein the computer interface is selected from the list comprising:
 a PCI interface; 
 a USB interface; 
 an RS232 serial interface; 
 an RS422 serial interface; 
 a SATA interface; 
 an RS485 serial interface; and 
 an IEEE 1394 interface. 
   
     
     
         3 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the module comprises a plurality of computer interfaces that are configured to facilitate communication of at least one device with the computer; and   wherein the computer interfaces comprise:
 a PCI interface; 
 a USB interface; 
 an RS232 serial interface; 
 an RS422 serial interface; 
 a SATA interface; 
 an RS485 serial interface; and 
 an IEEE 1394 interface. 
   
     
     
         4 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first circuit comprises an Ethernet board. 
     
     
         5 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the second circuit comprises a CN43 connector. 
     
     
         6 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the third circuit comprises a mini PCI module. 
     
     
         7 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the module comprises a radio. 
     
     
         8 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the module is contained within the computer. 
     
     
         9 . The system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the CN43 connector has a pin out that includes:
 Pin 80 is 12V;   Pin 73 is 5V;   Pin 61 is LAN Pin 3;   Pin 63 is LAN Pin 2;   Pin 65 is LAN Pin 1;   Pin 66 is LAN Pin 6; and   Pin 2 is Ground.   
     
     
         10 . A method comprising:
 routing LAN signals inside of a host computer;   routing LAN signals out of the host computer;   routing the LAN signals from the complimentary docking connector to a router board in a device bay module within the device bay;   routing the LAN signals from the router board to a module within the device bay module; and   wherein the LAN signals facilitate communication between the host computer and the module.   
     
     
         11 . The system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein:
 the module comprises a computer interface that is configured to facilitate communication of at least one device with the computer; and   wherein the computer interface is selected from the list comprising:
 a PCI interface; 
 a USB interface; 
 an RS232 serial interface; 
 an RS422 serial interface; 
 a SATA interface; 
 an RS485 serial interface; and 
 an IEEE 1394 interface. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein:
 the module comprises a plurality of computer interfaces that are configured to facilitate communication of at least one device with the computer; and   wherein the computer interfaces comprise:
 a PCI interface; 
 a USB interface; 
 an RS232 serial interface; 
 an RS422 serial interface; 
 a SATA interface; 
 an RS485 serial interface; and 
 an IEEE 1394 interface. 
   
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein routing LAN signals inside of the host computer comprises routing LAN signals inside of the host computer via Ethernet. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein routing LAN signals out of the host computer comprises routing the LAN signals through a CN43 connector and out of the host computer to a complimentary docking connector of a device bay. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the module comprises a mini PCI module. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the module comprises a radio. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein at least a portion of the module is contained within the computer. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the CN43 connector has a pin out that includes:
 Pin 80 is 12V;   Pin 73 is 5V;   Pin 61 is LAN Pin 3;   Pin 63 is LAN Pin 2;   Pin 65 is LAN Pin 1;   Pin 66 is LAN Pin 6; and   Pin 2 is Ground.   
     
     
         19 . A system comprising:
 a host computer having a device bay;   a module configured to attach to and communicate with a computer, the module comprising a plurality of computer interfaces that are configured to facilitate communication of at least one device with the computer; and   wherein the computer interfaces comprise:
 a PCI interface; 
 a USB interface; 
 an RS232 serial interface; 
 an RS422 serial interface; 
 a SATA interface; 
 an RS485 serial interface; and 
 an IEEE 1394 interface. 
   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 an Ethernet board contained within the host computer and configured to route LAN signals inside of the host computer via Ethernet;   a CN43 connector configured to route the LAN signals out of the host computer to a complimentary docking connector of the device bay;   a device bay module within the device bay;   a router board within the device bay module to which the LAN signals are routed from the complimentary docking connector;   a mini PCI module within the device bay module to which the LAN signals are routed from the router board; and   wherein the LAN signals facilitate communication between the host computer and the mini PCI module.