U.S. patent application number 09/173561 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-09 for portable computer for infrared data communication.
Invention is credited to KIM, JAE-WOOK.
Application Number | 20010013077 09/173561 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 19522987 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010013077 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM, JAE-WOOK |
August 9, 2001 |
PORTABLE COMPUTER FOR INFRARED DATA COMMUNICATION
Abstract
A portable computer with infrared data communication
capabilities is disclosed. The computer has an infrared transceiver
capable of enlarging the data sending/receiving angle and reliably
performing radio data communication with another electronic
appliance. The computer also has a selection circuit capable of
activating all light elements during a data sending operation or
selecting one active light receiving element from a plurality of
light receiving elements during a data receiving operation, thus
performing a reliable infrared data communication. In the computer,
an opening is formed on an outside edge of the display body. Both
an infrared data sending unit, consisting of at least one light
element, and an infrared data receiving unit, consisting of at
least one light receiving element, are commonly carried on a
circuit board set in the opening of the display body.
Inventors: |
KIM, JAE-WOOK; (KYUNGGI-DO,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROBERT E. BUSHNELL
ATTORNEY-AT-LAW
1522 K STREET, N.W.
SUITE 300
WASHINGTON
DC
200051202
|
Family ID: |
19522987 |
Appl. No.: |
09/173561 |
Filed: |
October 16, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
710/300 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1656 20130101;
G06F 1/1616 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
710/101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 013/00; G06F
001/16; H05K 007/00; H05K 005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 17, 1997 |
KR |
97-53475 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A computer apparatus with infrared data communication
capabilities, comprising: a main body of a computer apparatus, said
main body forming an aperture of a predetermined size on an outer
edge of said main body; a first circuit board being installed in
said main body; a second circuit board being installed in the
aperture and being electrically coupled to said first circuit
board; an infrared data sending unit including a plurality of light
sending elements, said data sending unit being installed on said
second circuit board and being oriented to be directed toward the
aperture when said second circuit board is mounted in the aperture;
an infrared data receiving unit including a plurality of light
receiving elements, said data receiving unit being installed on
said second circuit board and being oriented to be directed toward
the aperture when said second circuit board is mounted in the
aperture; and a window unit being mounted at the aperture and
enclosing the aperture, said window unit allowing infrared light to
pass through said window unit.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said infrared data sending
unit further comprises: a first light sending element unit
including a first set of five light sending elements, said first
set of five light sending elements being regularly arranged around
a first center on said second circuit board to be spaced out at
regular intervals with mounting points on said second circuit board
being spaced apart from said first center at equal distances, said
first set of five light sending elements being among said plurality
of light sending elements; and a second light sending element unit
including a second set of five light sending elements, said second
set of five light sending elements being regularly arranged around
a second center on said second circuit board to be spaced out at
regular intervals with mounting points on said second circuit board
being spaced apart from said second center at equal distances, said
second center being spaced apart from said first center, and said
second set of five light sending elements being among said
plurality of light sending elements.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said infrared data receiving
unit further comprises: a first light receiving element unit
including a first set of three light receiving elements, said first
set of three light receiving elements being arranged around a third
center on said second circuit board with mounting points on said
second circuit board being spaced apart from said third center at
equal distances, said first set of three light receiving elements
being among said plurality of light receiving elements; and a
second light receiving element unit including a second set of two
light receiving elements, said second set of two light receiving
elements being arranged around a fourth center on said second
circuit board with mounting points on said second circuit board
being spaced apart from said fourth center at equal distances, said
fourth center being spaced apart from said third center by a
distance, and said second set of two light receiving elements being
among said plurality of light receiving elements.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of light
sending elements are selected from dual in-line pin types of light
sending elements.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of light
receiving elements are selected from surface mount types of light
receiving elements.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second circuit board is
installed in the aperture to be parallel to said outside edge of
said main body.
7. A computer apparatus with infrared data communication
capabilities, comprising: a main body of a computer apparatus; a
first circuit board being installed in said main body; a video
display conveying varying visual information to a user, said video
display forming an aperture of a predetermined size on an outer
edge of said video display, said video display being coupled to
said main body; a second circuit board being installed in the
aperture and being electrically coupled to said first circuit
board; an infrared data sending unit including a plurality of light
sending elements, said data sending unit being installed on said
second circuit board and being oriented to be directed toward the
aperture when said second circuit board is mounted in the aperture;
an infrared data receiving unit including a plurality of light
receiving elements, said data receiving unit being installed on
said second circuit board and being oriented to be directed toward
the aperture when said second circuit board is mounted in the
aperture; and a window unit being mounted at the aperture and
enclosing the aperture, said window unit allowing infrared light to
pass through said window unit.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said plurality of light
sending elements corresponds to one light sending element.
9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said plurality of light
receiving elements corresponds to one light receiving element.
10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said plurality of light
receiving elements corresponds to one light receiving element.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said one light sending
element and said one light receiving element are included in one
multipurpose unit.
12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said infrared data sending
unit further comprises: a first light sending element unit
including a first set of light sending elements, said first set of
light sending elements being regularly arranged around a first
center on said second circuit board to be spaced out at regular
intervals with mounting points on said second circuit board being
spaced apart from said first center at equal distances, said first
set of light sending elements being among said plurality of light
sending elements; and a second light sending element unit including
a second set of light sending elements, said second set of light
sending elements being regularly arranged around a second center on
said second circuit board to be spaced out at regular intervals
with mounting points on said second circuit board being spaced
apart from said second center at equal distances, said second
center being spaced apart from said first center, and said second
set of light sending elements being among said plurality of light
sending elements.
13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said infrared data receiving
unit further comprises: a first light receiving element unit
including a first set of light receiving elements, said first set
of light receiving elements being arranged around a third center on
said second circuit board with mounting points on said second
circuit board being spaced apart from said third center at equal
distances, said first set of light receiving elements being among
said plurality of light receiving elements; and a second light
receiving element unit including a second set of light receiving
elements, said second set of light receiving elements being
arranged around a fourth center on said second circuit board with
mounting points on said second circuit board being spaced apart
from said fourth center at equal distances, said fourth center
being spaced apart from said third center by a distance, and said
second set of light receiving elements being among said plurality
of light receiving elements.
14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said plurality of light
sending elements are selected from dual in-line pin types of light
sending elements.
15. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said plurality of light
receiving elements are selected from surface mount types of light
receiving elements.
16. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said second circuit board is
installed in the aperture to be parallel to said outside edge of
said video display.
17. A computer apparatus with infrared data communication
capabilities, comprising: a main body of a computer apparatus, said
main body forming an aperture of a predetermined size on an outer
edge of said main body; a first circuit board being installed in
said main body; a second circuit board being installed in the
aperture and being electrically coupled to said first circuit
board; and an infrared data transceiver unit including a plurality
of light sending elements and a plurality of light receiving
elements, said infrared data transceiver unit being installed on
said second circuit board and being oriented to be directed toward
the aperture when said second circuit board is mounted in the
aperture.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said infrared data
transceiver unit further comprises: a light sending element unit
including said plurality of light sending elements, said plurality
of light sending elements being regularly arranged around a first
center on said second circuit board to be spaced out at regular
intervals with mounting points on said second circuit board being
spaced apart from said first center at equal distances; and a light
receiving element unit including said plurality of light receiving
elements, said plurality of light receiving elements being arranged
around a second center on said second circuit board with mounting
points on said second circuit board being spaced apart from said
second center at equal distances, said second center being spaced
apart from said first center by a distance.
19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said infrared data
transceiver unit further comprises: a light sending element unit
including said plurality of light sending elements, said plurality
of light sending elements being arranged on said second circuit
board; and a light receiving element unit including said plurality
of light receiving elements, said plurality of light receiving
elements being arranged on said second circuit board.
20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said plurality of light
sending elements and said plurality of light receiving elements are
included in one multipurpose unit.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application makes reference to, incorporates the same
herein, and claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119
from an application entitled portable Computer For Infrared Data
Communication earlier filed in the Korean Industrial Property
Office on Oct. 17, 1997, and there duly assigned Serial No.
97-53475, a copy of which is annexed hereto.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to a portable computer with
infrared data communication capabilities, and more particularly to
a portable computer provided with an infrared transceiver capable
of reliably performing radio data communication with other
electronic devices.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] As well known to those skilled in the art, several
techniques have been developed and proposed to allow users to more
effectively use electronic devices. Particularly, developments in
radio communication techniques allow a variety of electronic
devices to perform radio data communication with other electronic
devices, thus allowing such radio communication to be generalized
in daily life.
[0006] Due to such improved and generalized radio communication
techniques, computers perform data communication with each other,
their accessories or portable data terminals. Such radio
communication is advantageous in that it somewhat effectively
eliminates known problems experienced in communication through
wire.
[0007] Computer systems are information handling systems that are
utilized by many individuals and businesses today. A computer
system can be defined as a microcomputer that includes a central
processing unit (CPU), a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a
display monitor, a keyboard, a mouse or other input device such as
a trackball, a floppy diskette drive, a compact disc-read only
memory (CD-ROM) drive, a modem, a hard disk storage device, and a
printer. Typically, a computer system's main board, which is a
printed circuit board known as a motherboard, is used to
electrically connect these components together. Portable computers
are often referred to as laptop, notebook, or subnotebook
computers.
[0008] An example of such radio communication techniques used with
computers is an infrared transceiver capable of allowing computers
to perform radio data communication according to the provisions of
Infrared Developers Association (IrDA). The Infrared Developers
Association (IrDA) is a group of representatives from
computer-related companies. The Infrared Developers Association was
formed to develop a standard set of specifications enabling a
computer system to utilize infrared signals in lieu of cables in
order to communicate with other computer systems and also with
peripherals such as printers. On Jun. 30, 1994 the IrDA approved
the original specification known as IrDA Version 1.0. Since that
time, additional specifications have been approved.
[0009] In order to perform such radio data communication according
to the provisions of IrDA, the data sending/receiving module of
such a transceiver, connected to related circuits of computers, has
to be exteriorly installed on the computers. The infrared rays,
used in the data communication according to the provisions of IrDA,
is radiated linearly due to their characteristics. The radio data
communication between two electronic appliances, having such
infrared transceivers, is thus exclusively performed when the data
sending/receiving modules of the two appliances have to be
positioned opposite to each other. In order to perform an effective
radio data communication between electronic appliances using such
infrared transceivers, it is necessary to limit the distance
between the data sending/receiving modules of the appliances within
a short distance. It is also necessary to position the data
sending/receiving module of one appliance within an angular region
inclined from the data sending/receiving module of another
appliance at an angle of about 15 degrees upwardly, downwardly,
leftwardly or rightwardly.
[0010] The data sending/receiving module of such an infrared
transceiver is typically positioned on the rear or side wall of an
electronic appliance in a vertical direction. Therefore, when an
electronic appliance, having such a vertically positioned data
sending/receiving module, is used for performing infrared data
communication with another appliance having the same type of
transceiver, the infrared data communication between the two data
sending/receiving modules is free from any trouble caused by an
angular position of the two appliances. However, when the modules
of the infrared transceivers are placed on positions remarkably
diverged from reference positions to the left or right, it is
almost impossible to match the data sending/receiving modules of
electronic appliances within an effective data communication
region. Therefore, the known infrared transceivers are not
effectively used with electronic appliances used in offices where
it is almost impossible to match the direction of the data
sending/receiving modules of the appliances or limit the distance
between the modules.
[0011] Particularly, due to the above problems experienced in known
infrared transceivers, it is very difficult to match the direction
of the data sending/receiving modules of electronic appliances or
set the distance between the modules in the case of desktop or
portable computers. Such portable computers are widely used in
recent days in place of desktop computers due to their portability
and are classified into laptop computers, notebook computers and
palmtop computers. Such desktop or portable computers, provided
with infrared transceivers, are typically used while being laid on
conference tables or desks. Therefore, when it is necessary to send
or receive data between a main computer and a plurality of desktop
or portable computers, the desktop or portable computers, laid on
tables or desks arranged along several rows, may fail to
effectively perform infrared data communication with the main
computer.
[0012] Exemplars of recent efforts in the art include U.S. Pat. No.
5,812,371 for an Orientation-adjustable Infrared Transceiver Used
in a Notebook Type Computer issued to Chen et al., U.S. Pat. No.
5,808,769 for a Combination Diffused and Directed Infrared
Transceiver issued to Kerklaan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,781,405 for
an Electronic Device Having a Rotatably Mounted Infrared Device
with a Pair of Pegs Fitting into a Pair of Holes issued to Vossler,
and U.S. Pat. No. 5,781,177 for a Combined High-speed and Low-speed
Infrared Transceiver on Computer Display Panel Housing issued to
Helot et al.
[0013] While these recent efforts provide advantages, I note that
they fail to adequately address how a portable computer can be
provided with an infrared transceiver capable of efficiently and
reliably performing radio data communication with other electronic
devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in
mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object
of the present invention is to provide a portable computer, which
is provided with an infrared transceiver capable of enlarging the
data sending/receiving angle and reliably performing radio data
communication with another electronic appliance.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
portable computer, which is provided with a selection circuit
capable of activating all light elements during a data sending
operation of the computer or selecting one active light receiving
element from a plurality of light receiving elements during a data
receiving operation of the computer, thus performing a reliable
infrared data communication.
[0016] In order to accomplish the above object, the present
invention provides a portable computer for infrared data
communication, comprising: a main body having a main board; a
display body hinged to an edge of the main body and having a
display panel, the display panel being opposed to a top surface of
the main body when the main body is covered with the display body;
an opening having a predetermined size and configuration and formed
on an outside edge of the display body; at least one circuit board
set in the opening and electrically connected to the main board; an
infrared data sending unit comprising at least one light element,
the data sending unit being carried on the circuit board to be
directed toward the opening when the circuit board is set in the
opening; an infrared data receiving unit comprising at least one
light receiving element, the data receiving unit being carried on
the circuit board to be directed toward the opening when the
circuit board is set in the opening; and a transparent window set
on the opening, thus closing the opening while allowing light to
pass through.
[0017] To achieve these and other objects in accordance with the
principles of the present invention, as embodied and broadly
described, the present invention provides a computer apparatus with
infrared data communication capabilities, comprising: a main body
of a computer apparatus, said main body forming an aperture of a
predetermined size on an outer edge of said main body; a first
circuit board being installed in said main body; a second circuit
board being installed in the aperture and being electrically
coupled to said first circuit board; an infrared data sending unit
including a plurality of light sending elements, said data sending
unit being installed on said second circuit board and being
oriented to be directed toward the aperture when said second
circuit board is mounted in the aperture; an infrared data
receiving unit including a plurality of light receiving elements,
said data receiving unit being installed on said second circuit
board and being oriented to be directed toward the aperture when
said second circuit board is mounted in the aperture; and a window
unit being mounted at the aperture and enclosing the aperture, said
window unit allowing infrared light to pass through said window
unit.
[0018] To achieve these and other objects in accordance with the
principles of the present invention, as embodied and broadly
described, the present invention provides a computer apparatus with
infrared data communication capabilities, comprising: a main body
of a computer apparatus; a first circuit board being installed in
said main body; a video display conveying varying visual
information to a user, said video display forming an aperture of a
predetermined size on an outer edge of said video display, said
video display being coupled to said main body; a second circuit
board being is installed in the aperture and being electrically
coupled to said first circuit board; an infrared data sending unit
including a plurality of light sending elements, said data sending
unit being installed on said second circuit board and being
oriented to be directed toward the aperture when said second
circuit board is mounted in the aperture; an infrared data
receiving unit including a plurality of light receiving elements,
said data receiving unit being installed on said second circuit
board and being oriented to be directed toward the aperture when
said second circuit board is mounted in the aperture; and a window
unit being mounted at the aperture and enclosing the aperture, said
window unit allowing infrared light to pass through said window
unit.
[0019] To achieve these and other objects in accordance with the
principles of the present invention, as embodied and broadly
described, the present invention provides a computer apparatus with
infrared data communication capabilities, comprising: a main body
of a computer apparatus, said main body forming an aperture of a
predetermined size on an outer edge of said main body; a first
circuit board being installed in said main body; a second circuit
board being installed in the aperture and being electrically
coupled to said first circuit board; and an infrared data
transceiver unit including a plurality of light sending elements
and a plurality of light receiving elements, said infrared data
transceiver unit being installed on said second circuit board and
being oriented to be directed toward the aperture when said second
circuit board is mounted in the aperture.
[0020] The present invention is more specifically described in the
following paragraphs by reference to the drawings attached only by
way of example. Other advantages and features will become apparent
from the following description and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] A more complete appreciation of the present invention, and
many of the attendant advantages thereof, will become readily
apparent as the same becomes better understood by reference to the
following detailed description when considered in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols indicate
the same or similar components, wherein:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable computer with
infrared data communication capabilities, in accordance with the
principles of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a circuit board of the portable
computer of FIG. 1 with an infrared data sending module being
carried on the board, in accordance with the principles of the
present invention;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a circuit board of the portable
computer of FIG. 1 with an infrared data receiving module being
carried on the board, in accordance with the principles of the
present invention;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a circuit board of the portable
computer of FIG. 1 with an infrared data sending/receiving module
being carried on the board, in accordance with the principles of
the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a circuit
board, having the infrared data sending/receiving module and being
installed on the portable computer of FIG. 1, in accordance with
the principles of the present invention; and
[0027] FIG. 6 is a partially broken side view of the portable
computer of FIG. 1, showing a portion with an infrared transceiver
for data communication, in accordance with the principles of the
present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF TILE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] Turn now to FIG. 1, which is a perspective view of a
portable computer with infrared data communication capabilities, in
accordance with the principles of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the portable computer 10 for
infrared data communication of this invention comprises two parts:
a main body 12 and a display body 14. A data input keyboard 16 is
provided on the top surface of the main body 10, while a main board
(not shown) is installed in the body 10. The main board is provided
with a circuit performing infrared data communication. The display
body 14 is hinged to the rear edge of the main body 12 with a
display panel 18 of the body 14 being opposed to the keyboard 16 of
the main body 12 when the main body 12 is covered with the display
body 14. When the display body 14 is opened at an angle, it
displays the data operating process on its display panel 18. The
above display body 14 is also used as a cover for the main body 12.
That is, when the display body 14 is closed on the main body 12,
the display body 14 safely covers the main body 12.
[0029] An infrared transceiver 20 is set on the display body 14 at
a position, for example, the outside edge of the body 14. The above
infrared transceiver 20 is electrically connected to the infrared
data communication circuit of the main body 12, thus transmitting
or receiving data communication infrared rays.
[0030] Turn now to FIG. 2, which is a plan view of a circuit board
of the portable computer of FIG. 1 with an infrared data sending
module being carried on the circuit board, in accordance with the
principles of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the
infrared data sending module 30 comprises a data sending unit which
consists of at least one light element 34 carried on a circuit
board 32. The data sending module 30 comprises two light element
units: first and second light element units 33 and 35. The first
unit 33 consists of five light elements 34, which are regularly and
circularly arranged around a first center 36 on the circuit board
32. That is, the light elements 34 of the first unit 33 are
arranged in a circle while being spaced out at regular intervals
with their mounting points on the board 32 being spaced apart from
the center 36 by the same distance. In the same manner, the second
unit 35 consists of five light elements 34, which are regularly and
circularly arranged around a second center 38 on the circuit board
32. That is, the light elements 34 of the second unit 35 are
arranged in a circle while being spaced out at regular intervals
with their mounting points on the board 32 being spaced apart from
the second center 38 by the same distance.
[0031] In FIG. 2, the second center 38 is spaced apart from the
first center 36 by a distance. Since the data sending unit
comprises at least one light element 34 as described above, it is
possible for the data sending unit to enlarge its data sending
angle. In the present invention, the light elements 34 are selected
from dual in-line pin (DIP) types of light elements.
[0032] Turn now to FIG. 3, which is a plan view of a circuit board
of the portable computer of FIG. 1 with an infrared data receiving
module being carried on the board, in accordance with the
principles of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the
infrared data receiving module 40 comprises a data receiving unit
which consists of at least one light receiving element 44 carried
on a circuit board 42. The above data receiving module 40 comprises
two light receiving element units: first and second light receiving
element units 43 and 45. The first unit 43 consists of three light
receiving elements 44, which are arranged around a third center 46
on the circuit board 42 with the mounting points of the elements 44
being spaced apart from the center 46 by the same distance.
[0033] In FIG. 3, the second unit 45 consists of two light
receiving elements 44, which are arranged around a fourth center 48
on the circuit board 42 with the mounting points of the elements 44
being spaced apart from the fourth center 48 at equal distances.
The above fourth center 48 is spaced apart from the third center 46
by a distance. Since the data receiving unit comprises at least one
light receiving element 44 as described above, it is possible for
the data receiving unit to enlarge its data receiving angle. In the
present invention, the light receiving elements 44 are selected
from surface mount types of light receiving elements.
[0034] Turn now to FIG. 4, which is a plan view of a circuit board
of the portable computer of FIG. with an infrared data
sending/receiving module being carried on the board, in accordance
with the principles of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4,
the infrared data sending/receiving module 50 comprises both a data
sending unit and a data receiving unit which are commonly carried
on one circuit board 52. The data sending unit comprises a
plurality of light elements 34 carried on the board 52, while the
data receiving unit comprises a plurality of light receiving
elements 44.
[0035] In the module 50 of FIG. 4, the arrangement of the elements
34 and 44 on the board 52 may be variously designed. That is, the
arrangement of the elements 34 and 44 on the board 52 may be
designed in that the light elements 34 are arranged on a side
portion of the board 52 with the light receiving elements 44 being
arranged on the other side portion of the board 52 as shown in FIG.
4. Alternatively, the light elements 34 and the light receiving
elements 44 may be mixedly arranged on the board 52. As a further
alternative, the light elements 34 and the light receiving elements
44 may be produced as mixed elements each of which selectively
emits or receives light. The circuit board 52 has four holes
54.
[0036] In a brief description, the modules, used for sending and/or
receiving data communication infrared rays according to this
invention, may be variously formed as shown in FIGS. 2 through 4.
In addition, the data sending and/or receiving modules of this
invention individually comprise a plurality of light elements 34
and/or light receiving elements 44.
[0037] Turn now to FIG. 5, which is an exploded perspective view
showing a circuit board, having an infrared data sending/receiving
module and being installed on the portable computer of FIG. 1, in
accordance with the principles of the present invention. In
addition, refer to FIGS. 1 through 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the
portable computer 10 for infrared data communication of this
invention comprises two parts: the main body 12 and the display
body 14. The main body 12 has a main board, while the display body
14 is hinged to the rear edge of the main body 12 and has a display
panel 18. The display panel 18 is opposed to the top surface of the
main body 12 when the main body 12 is covered with the display body
14. As shown in FIG. 5, the portable computer 10 has an opening 70
of a predetermined size and configuration formed on the outside
edge ofthe display body 4. An infrared data sending/receiving
module 50, shown in FIG. 5, is set in the opening 70 of the display
body 14.
[0038] The above module 50, electrically connected to the main
board of the body 12, comprises a circuit board 52, at least one
infrared data sending unit and at least one infrared data receiving
unit. The above circuit board 52 is set in the above opening 70
while carrying the data sending and data receiving units. In such a
case, the circuit board 52 is set in the opening 70 to be parallel
to the outside edge of the display body 14. The infrared data
sending unit, comprising at least one light element 34 and used for
sending data to the outside, is carried on the board 52 in a way
such that the unit is directed toward the opening 70 when the board
52 is set in the opening 70. In the same manner, the infrared data
receiving unit, comprising at least one light receiving element 44
and used for receiving data from the outside, is carried on the
board 52 in a way such that the unit is directed toward the opening
70 when the board 52 is set in the opening 70.
[0039] In FIG. 5, the data sending/receiving module 50 comprises
the data sending and data receiving units commonly carried on one
circuit board 52. However, it should be understood that the data
sending/receiving module 50 may be variously produced as described
above. A transparent window 72 is set on the opening 70, thus
protecting the module 50 from the outside.
[0040] In FIG. 5, the module 50 may be set in the opening 70 by
screwing the circuit board 52 to a bracket inside the opening 70.
In such a case, it is preferable to form a plurality of holes 54
for set screws 56 at appropriate positions of the circuit board 52.
Alternatively, the above module 50 may be set in the opening 70 of
the computer 10 using a separate setting member 60. In such a case,
the setting member 60 has a boss 64 at a position corresponding to
each screw hole 54 of the circuit board 52, so that the circuit
board 52 is stably set in the setting member 60 using the set
screws 56. A holed mounting flange 62 is provided at each end of
the setting member 60, thus being fixed to a bracket inside the
opening 70 using set screws 66. Due to the above setting member 60,
it is possible to stably support the circuit board 52 with the
module 50 in the opening 70 of the computer 10.
[0041] Turn now to FIG. 6, which is a partially broken side view of
the portable computer of FIG. 1, showing a portion with an infrared
transceiver for data communication, in accordance with the
principles of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the
infrared transceiver 20 of the portable computer 10 is installed in
the opening 70 which is formed on the outside edge of the display
body 14. In such a case, the data sending and receiving angle "A"
of the transceiver 20 is remarkably enlarged in a way such that the
transceiver 20 effectively sends and receives data within an
angular range allowed by the edge of the display body 14.
[0042] In order to more effectively use such a data
sending/receiving module, comprising both at least one light
element and at least one light receiving element, the infrared data
communication circuit of the portable computer includes a selection
circuit capable of selecting one active light receiving element
during a data receiving operation of the computer. That is, during
a data sending operation of the portable computer, the selection
circuit activates all light elements to emit infrared rays, thus
allowing another electronic appliance to easily and reliably
receive the data communication infrared rays from the computer.
Meanwhile, during a data receiving operation of the portable
computer, the selection circuit selects one active light receiving
element to reliably receive the data communication infrared rays
from another electronic appliance.
[0043] As described above, the present invention provides a
portable computer for infrared data communication. The portable
computer of this invention has an infrared transceiver capable of
enlarging the data sending/receiving angle and reliably performing
radio data communication with another electronic appliance.
Therefore, the portable computer of this invention effectively
performs infrared data communication without being limited by its
place, location, arrangement, or orientation. Particularly, the
invention allows portable computers for educational applications to
be somewhat freely positioned relative to a main computer during
infrared data communication. The portable computer of the present
invention can communicate with other computers, printers, facsimile
machines, scanners, monitors, data input devices such as keyboards,
mouse input units, and trackball input units, storage units such as
hard disk drives, floppy disk drives, and compact disk-read only
memory (CD-ROM) drives, and other types of devices.
[0044] In the portable computer of this invention, a selection
circuit activates all light elements during a data sending
operation of the computer or selects one active light receiving
element from a plurality of light receiving elements during a data
receiving operation of the computer, thus allowing the computer to
perform a reliable infrared data communication.
[0045] While there have been illustrated and described what are
considered to be preferred embodiments of the present invention, it
will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes
and modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted
for elements thereof without departing from the true scope of the
present invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation to the teaching of the present
invention without departing from the central scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited
to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode
contemplated for carrying out the present invention, but that the
present invention includes all embodiments falling within the scope
of the appended claims.
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