GB2453887A

GB2453887A - Computer Storage Method and Apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2453887A
Application number: GB0901260A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Brett
Original assignee: Research Machines PLC
Current assignee: Research Machines PLC
Priority date: 2005-07-18
Filing date: 2005-07-18
Publication date: 2009-04-22
Anticipated expiration: 2025-07-18
Also published as: GB0514663D0; GB0901260D0; GB2428521A; GB2453887B; GB2428521B

Abstract

A trolley 10 for supporting a stack of computers, the trolley comprising at least one support 13 for receiving the lowermost of a stack of computers, an electrical connector 14 integral with said support 13 for mating with a complimentary electrical connector provided on the lower surface of a received computer, an electrical power supply controller coupled to said electrical connector 14 and arranged in use to be coupled to a source of electrical power to charge the computers while in the stack. The controller comprising a means for detecting the number of computers in the stack and for setting the output current and/or voltage supplied to the electrical connector 14 in dependence upon the number of computers in the stack.

Description

Computer Storage Method and Apparatus The present invention relates to a computer storage method and apparatus.

There are a number of fields in which computers are used in relatively large numbers and where the computers must be transported from one location to the next. Chief amongst these is the education sector, for example primary and secondary schools, where an education establishment is pmvided with one or a small number of sets of computers that are used by a larger number of classes. Rather than have classrooms dedicated to computer use, it is preferable to be able to transport a set of computers between classrooms depending upon the particular needs at any given time. The need for mobility tends to dictate that portable or notebook computers be used in these situations.

A typical notebook computer has a screen block and a keyboard block, with a hinge arrangement joining the two block together to allow the computer to be opened and closed. The computer is provided with a power supply socket which is connected to a power supply lead to power the computer and/or charge a battery of the computer.

Other sockets are provided to facilitate data input to and output from the computer. A school might purchase a simple trolley on which the notebook computers can be stacked to facilitate transport between classrooms.

Arrangements of the type described in the previous paragraphs present a number of disadvantages and hazards. Firstly, a stack of computers on a trolley will not necessarily be stable, and there is a danger that computers will fall off the trolley causing injury and/or damage to the computers. Secondly, a high stack of computers risks damage to the computers at the bottom of the stack due to the weight from above.

Thirdly, in order to charge the computers, the computers must be individually connected to respective charging leads. For a relatively large stack of computers, the resulting tangle of leads will be both an annoyance and a hazard. The alternative is to remove the computers from the trolley and charge them separately, e.g. at the pupils' desks. This 30394753-I will in turn generate its own problems, not least of which is the need to provide a power point at every desk.

Arrangements for storing computers and computer devices are described in: US5,8 14968, US2003/01 11245, US2004/0139571, US6,008,621.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least mitigate the disadvantages noted in above. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for allowing computers to be safely stacked whilst allowing the stack of computers to be charged via a single power lead.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a trolley for supporting a stack of computers, the trolley comprising: at least one support for receiving the lowermost of a stack of computers; an electrical connector integral with said support for mating with a complimentary electrical connector provided on the lower surface of a received computer; an electrical power supply controller coupled to said electrical connector and arranged in use to be coupled to a source of electrical power, the controller comprising means for detecting the number of computers in the stack and for setting the output current and/or voltage supplied to the electrical connector in dependence upon the number of computers in the stack.

Preferably, said support is substantially V-shape in cross section for supporting a computer also having a substantially V-shape cross-section.

The trolley may comprise two or more supports, each having a corresponding electrical connector. The electrical power supply controller may be arranged to set the output current and/or voltage supplied to all electrical connectors.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of charging a plurality of computers, the method comprising: 30394753-I placing the computers in a stack, such that electrical connectors on the upper and lower surfaces of each computer mate with the connectors of any computer above or below the computer in the stack; interrogating the computers in the stack via said electrical connectors to determine the number of computers in the stack; and providing power to the computers via said electrical connectors with a current/or voltage dependent upon the number of computers.

Preferably, the method of interrogating the computers in the stack via said electrical connectors to determine the number of computers in the stack comprises measuring a resistance value at an electrical connector of one of the computers in the stack. More preferably, the computer is the lowermost computer in the stack.

For a better understanding of the present invention and in order to show how the same may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a notebook computer embodying the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a trolley for supporting stacks of computers of the type illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates a stack of computers on the trolley of Figure 2; Figure 4 illustrates a stack of computers; Figure 5 illustrates schematically connectors of the computer of Figure 1; and Figure 6 illustrates schematically a resistor network formed by connectors of a plurality of computers.

By way of example, a stackable, robust computer with storage/transport trolley for school classroom use will now be described. The computer might be thought of as a portable or notebook computer, with the significant distinction that its keyboard and screen parts are arranged at a fixed angle to one another, i.e. they are not articulated.

Such a notebook style computer is illustrated in Figure 1, identified by reference numeral 1, where the keyboard is identified by reference numeral 2, the screen by reference numeral 3, and an integral pointing device by reference numeral 4. To 30394753-1 prevent the need for cables to be attached during use, the computer features both wireless networking technology and a battery capable of powering the computer throughout the school day.

The computer is "ruggedised" through the shock mounting of fragile components and placement of shock-absorbing zones around the perimeter of the housing. In addition, the LCD screen is protected by a transparent, thin but stiff panel to prevent breakage through impacts. The computer is generally free from cables while in use, and intuitive and fast to deploy. A key feature of the computer is that its generally V-shaped cross-section allows it to be placed in a stack of identical computers in such a way that the stack is stable. Typically, 10 to 15 such computers my be placed in a single stack. In order to prevent damage to computers due to the weight of the stack, each computer has a strengthening structure located along the apex and at each corner (above the screen and in fmnt of the keyboard).

To facilitate stacking and transport of computers, a special trolley 10 is provided as shown in Figure 2. The trolley is mounted on castors 11 and has a handle 12. The trolley allows a large number of computers I to be portable within the school and has a locking mechanism (not shown) for securing the PCs to the trolley when not in use.

The particular trolley illustrated in Figure 2 provides for two adjacent computer stacks to be built. For each stack, a generally V- shaped support 13 is provided, this shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the computers.

Referring again to Figure 1, an upper electrical connector 5 is integrated into the apex on the upper surface of the computer 1. This connector 5 is coupled internally within the computer to a battery charger and to power supply circuitry. The upper connector S is also coupled electrically through the computer to a lower electrical connector 6 (see Figure 3) that is integrated into the apex of the lower side of the computer, opposed to the upper connector 5. This arrangement is such that when a computer is placed on top of another computer and correctly located, the lower electrical connector 6 on the top computer mates with the upper electrical connector 5 on the computer beneath. This arrangement is illustrated in Figure 3. Figure 4 similarly illustrates the computer stack, 30394753-I emphasising the structural supports 7 provided at the edges and at the apex of the computers.

Figure 5 illustrates schematically the pin arrangement of the upper and lower electrical connectors 5,6. As well as 19 volt DC and ground pins, "stack+" and "stack-" pins are provided. Considering the lower connector 6, the DC and ground pins are coupled to the battery charger and power supply circuitry 7 of the computer I and to the corresponding pins on the upper connector 5, whilst the "stack+" pin is connected to the "stack+" pin on the upper connector and the "stack-" pin is connected to the corresponding pin on the upper connector. In addition, a fixed value resistor is coupled between the "stack+" and "stack-" pins.

Considering now the trolley 10 (Figure 2), each of the supports 13 is provided at its apex with a connector 14 identical to the upper connector 5 provided on the computers 1. Thus, when a first computer is placed on one of the supports, its lower connector 6 will mate with the connector 14 on the support. The trolley 10 is provided with a power supply (not shown) which is connected to a mains power supply outlet via a cable and plug 15. The power supply supplies a 19 volt DC supply to the corresponding pin of the connector 14. The power supply also grounds the "ground" pin of that connector 14. It will be appreciated that, following the construction of a computer stack on the support, the DC voltage and ground will be coupled through the stack, allowing the computer batteries to be charged through the use of a single cable and plug 15.

A safety mechanism is provided to minimise the consequences of a short-circuit of the contacts. The power supply is current limited to a value dependent on the number of computers in the stack. By default, the power supply is limited to the current requirement of a single computer. The power supply applies a fixed voltage across the "stack+" and "stack-" pins of the electrical connector 14, and measures the current through the resulting resistor network (Figure 6) in order to determine the number of computers in the stack.

30394753-1 It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the above embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention.

30394753-1

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A trolley for supporting a stack of computers, the trolley comprising: at least one support for receiving the lowermost of a stack of computers; an electrical connector integral with said support for mating with a complimentary electrical connector provided on the lower surface of a received computer; an electrical power supply controller coupled to said electrical connector and arranged in use to be coupled to a source of electrical power, the controller comprising meaas for detecting the number of computers in the stack and for setting the output current and/or voltage supplied to the electrical connector in dependence upon the number of computers in the stack.
2. A trolley according to claim 1, wherein said support is substantially V-shape in cross section for supporting a computer also having a substantially V-shape cross-section.
3. A trolley according to claim I or 2 and comprising two or more supports, each having a corresponding electrical connector.
4. A trolley according to claim 3, wherein the electrical power supply controller is arranged to set the output current and/or voltage supplied to all electrical connectors.
5. A method of charging a plurality of computers, the method comprising: placing the computers in a stack, such that electrical connectors on the upper and lower surfaces of each computer mate with the connectors of any computer above or below the computer in the stack; interrogating the computers in the stack via said electrical connectors to determine the number of computers in the stack; and providing power to the computers via said electrical connectors with a current/or voltage dependent upon the number of computers.

30394753-!
6. A method according to claim 5, the step of interrogating the computers in the stack via said electrical connectors to determine the number of computers in the stack comprising measuring a resistance value at an electrical connector of one of the computers in the stack.
7. A method according to claim 6, wherein said one of the computers is the computer is the lowermost computer in the stack.
8. A trolley substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.