1232 results about "Expansion card" patented technology

A riser card module includes a frame body, a carrier plate connected to the frame body for abutment against first surfaces of positioning plates of fixing brackets of expansion cards, a riser card disposed on the frame body and having a plurality of expansion slots for insertion therein of the expansion cards, respectively, and a limiting unit rotatable relative to the carrier plate about an axial direction which is perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the carrier plate for abutment against second surfaces of the positioning plates of the fixing brackets of the expansion cards so as to restrict movement of the expansion cards relative to the riser card.

In conjunction with a wiring in a house carrying data network signal, a modular outlet comprising of a base module and interface module. The base module connects to the wiring and attached to a wall. The interface module provides a data unit connection. The interface module is mechanically attached to the base module and electrically connected thereto. The wiring may also carry basic service signal such as telephone, electrical power and cable television (CATV). In such a case, the outlet will provide the relevant connectivity either as part of the base module or as part of the interface module. Both proprietary and industry standard interfaces can be used to interconnect the module. Furthermore, a standard computer expansion card (such as PCI, PCMCIA and alike) may be used as interface module.

The present invention discloses a PCI-Express multimode expansion card comprising a PCI-Express interface port for insertion into a PCI-Express slot of a motherboard, a PCI-Express expansion port, a USB expansion port, and a jumper circuit connecting the PCI-Express interface port and the two expansion ports. The PCI-Express expansion port provides expandability by allowing the attachment of a PCI-Express interfaced peripheral device, and the USB expansion port provides expandability by allowing the attachment of a USB-interfaced peripheral device. As such, a single PCI-Express multimode expansion card inserted into a PCI-Express slot configured on the motherboard can be used to attach two peripheral devices with different interface, thereby achieving the function of multimode expansion.

The utility of portable computer hosts, such as PDAs (or handhelds), is enhanced by methods and apparatus for removable expansion cards having application specific circuitry, a second-level-removable memory, and optional I / O, in a number of illustrative embodiments. In addition to providing greater expansion utility in a compact and low profile industrial design, the present invention permits memory configuration versatility for application specific expansion cards, permitting easy user field selection and upgrades of the memory used in conjunction with the expansion card. Finally, from a system perspective, the present invention enables increased parallelism and functionality previously not available to portable computer devices.

A computing device that allows for a flexible allocation of bandwidth among peripheral devices using a peripheral bus is disclosed. The computing device includes a peripheral bus and at least two slots. The computing device may be used with a single peripheral card or multiple peripheral cards. In a multi-card configuration the invention allows the bandwidth on the peripheral bus to be shared by all the cards. In a single-card configuration, the computing device allows available bandwidth on the peripheral bus to be used by a single card. The device is particularly useful with PCI express compliant expansion cards, such as graphics adapters.

An integrated controller for the detection and operation of both PC Cards, smart cards and passive smart card adapter cards. In one aspect, the invention detects the presence of standard expansion cards or passive smart card adapters by utilizing the reserved detection and voltage selection signal area defined by the PC Card specification. In another aspect, the invention provides an integrated controller that includes logic to operate either a standard expansion card or a passive smart card adapter by reassigning certain PC Card signal lines to operate a standard expansion card or a passive smart card adapter, thereby eliminating the need to provide pins in addition to those defined by the PC Card specification.

The utility of portable computer hosts, such as PDAs (or hand-helds), is enhanced by methods and apparatus for removable expansion cards having application specific circuitry, a second-level-removable memory, and optional I / O, in a number of illustrative embodiments. In addition to providing greater expansion utility in a compact and low profile industrial design, the present invention permits memory configuration versatility for application specific expansion cards, permitting easy user field selection and upgrades of the memory used in conjunction with the expansion card. Finally, from a system perspective, the present invention enables increased parallelism and functionality previously not available to portable computer devices.

A controller includes a plurality of readers for reading an associated plurality of expansion cards and for controlling operation of such expansion cards, wherein at least one of the plurality of readers is a flash media reader. A method for controlling the operation of at least one expansion card with an integrated controller having a plurality of readers includes detecting the presence of at least one expansion card, and enabling a selected reader of the integrated controller associated with at least one expansion card. Another method of writing data to read only memory in an integrated controller includes unlocking the read only memory, writing information into the read only memory, and locking the read only memory to prevent otherwise unintentional or unauthorized writing to the read only memory is also provided.

A method and system for expanding the number of memory modules that can be coupled to a motherboard such as a server blade is presented. A stack of multiple Dual In-line Memory Modules (DIMMs) is formed using novel double-connector-edge DIMMs, which each have connector pins on their opposite edges. Alternatively, the double-connector-edge DIMM is used to couple the motherboard to a memory expansion card that has multiple single-edge pinned DIMMs coupled in a “daisy-chain.”

Embodiments of the present invention provide for a noise-reducing blower structure in which a fan-housing is disposed on an expansion card and juxtaposed to a heat sink. The heat sink is disposed on the expansion card and resides within a rigid frame above a processing unit chip. A fan that circulates air is disposed on the expansion card within the fan-housing. A duct is disposed on the expansion card, covering the heat sink and the fan-housing, and the duct is mechanically separated from the fan-housing for reducing vibration noises. By placement of the fan next to the heat sink, and not on top of it, the fan can be made larger to thereby rotate at slower speeds.

A space-conscious system utilizes a low profile expansion card for providing a physical and electrical interface between a larger scale board, such as a motherboard, and an external component. The expansion card is mounted in a perpendicular orientation relative to the larger scale board, despite dimensional limitations with regard to such an orientation. The expansion card includes an input / output circuit board and a “signal-conduction extender” for enabling coupling to an external wall of the housing in which the expansion card and larger scale board are contained. In one possible embodiment, the housing is compatible with the 1U standard, the expansion card is an Ethernet card, and there is an adapter board at the front wall of the housing for routing connections from the expansion card to an exposed port. The invention allows a number of the expansion cards to be mounted in parallel within the same container.

Methods and systems for providing network-based games to otherwise non-networked devices are provided herein. A network server may provide video game execution and rendering capabilities in accordance with video game software on the server, and may transcode video game output into a media stream for sending to a remotely located media player in use by a user playing the video game. The transcoded media stream is in a format displayable by the media player. The media player may include an expansion card providing wireless network access to the media player for communication with the network gaming server, and may further relay the transcoded media stream received from the network gaming server to the media player, as well as relay user input from a game controller back to the network gaming server. Alternatively, the game controller may communicate directly with the network gaming server.

An expansion card is provided that allows resources allocated to the expansion card to be shared with a different card. The expansion card comprises a coupling device that couples the expansion card to a data processing system. The expansion card also includes an identifier data structure that when queried by the data processing system, identifies the expansion card as a resource sharing expansion card. The data processing system reallocates one or more resources allocated to the expansion card to a different card coupled to the data processing system.

The disclosed embodiments relate to an expansion card support mechanism. In certain embodiments, a tool-free, chassis mountable arm comprising a support end and a card-configurable mount to orient the support end over an expansion card within a chassis, wherein the chassis mountable arm is adapted to bias the expansion card. In other embodiments, a system has a card support mechanism configurable for at least one electronics card. The card support mechanism has a chassis with at least one tool-free mounting mechanism, and an arm rotatably coupled to the chassis, wherein the arm comprises a card retention end springably engageable against a peripheral portion of the at least one electronics card.

An expansion card retention assembly (100) is provided. The retention assembly includes an expansion frame (11) and a latching device (12). The expansion frame includes an expansion seat (111), and the expansion seat is configured for receiving an expansion card (20) therein. The latching device is positioned adjacent to one end portion of the expansion frame. The latching device includes a mounted member (14), a locking member (13), and a spring member. The mounted member is fixed relatively to the expansion frame. The locking member is operable to rotate away from the mounted member, so as to abut against an expansion card bracket of the expansion card toward the expansion seat of the expansion frame. The spring member is mounted between the mounted member and the locking member to bias the locking member away from the mounted member.

An expansion card mounting apparatus includes a rear panel (14) defining an opening (16), a mounting frame (20) attached to the rear panel around the opening, a pressing body (30) pivotably mounted to the mounting frame, and two retention members (40) attached to opposite sides of the mounting frame. The mounting frame includes a support plate (22) for supporting an end portion (122) of a slot cover (120) of an expansion card (100). Each retention member defines a retention portion (40B) having a protrusion (44) formed thereon. When the pressing body is pivoted to an engaging position in which the pressing body presses the end portion against the support plate, the protrusion snappingly engages with opposite ends of the pressing body so as to retain the pressing body in said engaging position.

A retaining device (1) for expansion cards (56) each having a slot cover (60) includes a plate (18) having an expansion card seat (24), a pair of locking members (76), a fastener (90) pivotably attached to the expansion card seat. Two locking members respectively are fixed on the expansion card seat. Each locking member includes a resilient arm (80) having a locking body (81). The fastener includes a pressing plate (104) for pressing the slot covers. Two locking arms (112) extend from the pressing plate engaging with corresponding locking bodies. The fastener further includes a handle (118) and two pushing arms (120). When the handle is pressed downwardly, the pushing arms push the resilient arms to cause the locking bodies to disengage from the locking arms, and the pressing plate can thereupon be released from the slot covers of the expansion cards by operation of the handle.

A method and system for expanding the number of memory modules that can be coupled to a motherboard such as a server blade is presented. A stack of multiple Dual In-line Memory Modules (DIMMs) is formed using novel double-connector-edge DIMMs, which each have connector pins on their opposite edges. Alternatively, the double-connector-edge DIMM is used to couple the motherboard to a memory expansion card that has multiple single-edge pinned DIMMs coupled in a “daisy-chain.”

The invention relates to a multi-underwater robot semi-physical simulation system and a control method thereof. The system comprises a visual scene display computer, a virtual environment computer, an electric switching device and an airborne autopilot. The visual scene display computer is in network communication connection with the virtual environment computer; kinematics models and dynamics models of each robot are stored in the virtual environment computer, and various kinds of virtual sensor device information is generated through model computation; the electric switching device switchesa standard cable interface of an expansion card of the virtual environment computer to be an interface capable of conveniently connecting the multi-underwater robot airborne autopilot; the airborne autopilot is a real underwater robot soft hardware control system, and is used for generating the executor control quantity according to own motion planning and closed loop, transmitting the executor control quantity to the virtual environment computer through the electric switching device and transmitting cooperation information to other robots through the virtual environment computer according tomission requirements. The multi-underwater robot semi-physical simulation system and the control method thereof are convenient to expand sensors and device nodes, and the system is excellent in expandability, high in transportability and convenient to configure various kinds of underwater robots.

A technique for processing data packets in a network. Specifically, an expansion card is provided for a computer system. The expansion card is configured to be inserted into a computer system to facilitate network interface functions and security functions. By providing chipsets to perform network interface functions and security functions, on a single expansion card, secured data exchange over a network, such as the Internet, may be facilitated more efficiently.

Apparatus provides a method and system for interfacing expansion cards having different device types to a standard connector. In this manner, the number of different types of connectors is an information handling system is reduced. One embodiment includes a direct path between the card connector and a first bus if the type of device on the expansion card is compatible with the first bus. If the type of device on the expansion card is not compatible with the first bus, then a translation path is provided between the card connector and the first bus. The translation path may include one or more integrated functions that can be selected by the expansion card according to their needs.

A hot-plug control system and method is applied to a computer device, wherein the computer device is provided with a PCI-E (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) bus, at least one PCI-E slot having a power switch and an indicator light, a power control unit and a driver. The hot-plug control system at least includes a signal control module for generating an interrupt signal; a detection module for detecting the status of the PCI-E slot and the power switch corresponding to the PCI-E slot in response to the interrupt signal; a control module for allowing power to be provided to the PCI-E slot and the indicator light corresponding to the PCI-E slot to be illuminated when the detection module detects that a new expansion card has been inserted in the PCI-E slot and the corresponding power switch has been actuated; and a drive module for loading the driver to drive the inserted expansion card. According to the present invention, the PCI-E hot-plug function could be achieved in different kinds of computer devices.

A spring-biased latching mechanism eliminates the use of brackets and screws to retain expansion cards or electronic circuit boards in computers or similar information handling systems. The spring-biased latching mechanism has a latching member that is cammed out of the path of a computer expansion card as the card is inserted into the computer housing; the latching or retention member may be pushed to a fully retracted or withdrawn position and latched, thus removing the latching member from interference with the expansion card and permitting easy removal of the expansion card. The spring-biased latching member is provided with a groove to provide guidance to the expansion card during insertion and may stabilize the card whenever the latching member is extended to retain the expansion card in position relative to a computer motherboard. Elimination of the screws and brackets prevents any potential damage to the electronics of the computer resultant from dropped screws or bracket contact and any subsequent damage to electronic circuit boards in the computer. The spring-biased latching mechanism also greatly improves the speed of assembly and / or disassembly.

A computing device that allows for a flexible allocation of bandwidth among peripheral devices using a peripheral bus is disclosed. The computing device includes a peripheral bus and at least two slots. The computing device may be used with a single peripheral card or multiple peripheral cards. In a multi-card configuration the invention allows the bandwidth on the peripheral bus to be shared by all the cards. In a single-card configuration, the computing device allows available bandwidth on the peripheral bus to be used by a single card. The device is particularly useful with PCI express compliant expansion cards, such as graphics adapters.

The physical, expandable, customizing, configuring component chassis for laptops, tablets, notebooks, and hybrid notebooks transforms literally. The case is in three main parts: the top, upper lid, the middle, inner cover, and bottom housing. This removable upper lid houses the display screen on the inside and the solar cells on the back of the lid. The next section is the slim, narrow, middle, inner unit which holds the speakers, mouse pads, keyboards, LDC readout, small display screen, motherboards, expansion cards, and controller cards. It is detachable from the top or bottom section of the case forming a diversified case. The bottom of the case has the physical, drawer like, expandable, slidable ends to the right and left of the front of the case and knockout panels, which are for mounting the face of the peripherals. A part of the bottom will be the unique sliding ends, snap-in components mounting to the removable mounting board. The mounting board will be screwed in to be secure. The middle and bottom sections can be separated into a two piece case. This case will be composed of a top lid and either / or middle or bottom section, forming a complete computer housing.

An attachment mechanism for retaining expansion circuit boards in the mounting panel of a computer is disclosed. The attachment mechanism comprises a span extending between two displaced fastener openings on the mounting panel of the computer and depending therefrom a plurality of the fingers or tabs to engage the mounting bracket of the expansion circuit boards. By engaging a plurality of the expansion circuit boards with the fingers or tabs, all of the circuit boards may be clamped and reliably retained in position with substantially uniform force and the use of a minimum number of fasteners. The tabs or fingers extend generally perpendicular to the span of the bracket such that the span of the bracket provides substantial rigidity and insures substantially equal force being exerted by the tabs or fingers onto the mounting brackets of the electronic circuit boards. The use of a minimum number of fasteners shortens the time necessary for assembly and reduces the part count.

A mounting apparatus for securing expansion cards (30) with cover plates (34) to a computer includes a chassis (10), a bracket (40) and a mounting member (50). The chassis includes a rear panel (14). The bracket includes a pair of guiding portions (44) for slidably receiving the mounting member. Each guiding portion defines a locating aperture (446) therein. The mounting member includes a main portion (52) and a pair of operating members (59). The main portion includes a base (58), and first and second sidewalls (53, 54). The second sidewall includes a pair of mounting holes (546). Each operating member includes a protrusion (596) and a fastening portion (598). When the operating members are rotated, the fastening portions engage in the locating apertures, the protrusions engage in the mounting holes, the main portion thereby urges the cover plates. Thus the expansion cards are mounted in the chassis.