WO2001084288A1

WO2001084288A1 - Computer having separate input/output box

Info

Publication number: WO2001084288A1
Application number: PCT/KR2000/000410
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jae Ha Lee
Original assignee: Jae Ha Lee
Priority date: 2000-05-01
Filing date: 2000-05-01
Publication date: 2001-11-08
Also published as: AU4320100A

Abstract

A computer having a separate input and output box is disclosed. The computer according to the present invention includes drives for writing and reading a data on a data storing medium, an input and output box having a certain user interface apparatus and separated from a body, a cable having a certain length and connected between the input and output box and the body for supplying a power and a data from the body, and a body which does not include the components of the input and output box.

Description

COMPUTER HAVING SEPARATE INPUT/OUTPUT BOX

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a computer having a separate input and output box, and in particular to a computer having a separate input and output box which is capable of separating the input and output box from a computer body, in which a drive, a keyboard, a mouse, button, etc. are integrally provided for inputting and outputting data.

2. Description of the Background Art

Generally, in a computer main body, there are provided a floppy disk drive, a CD drive, a control card for various external peripherals, a power ON/OFF and reset button, a main board, a hard disk, a modem, etc. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an example of a conventional computer. Of which,

Figure 1 illustrates a state that a computer main body 20 and a monitor 30 are installed on a table 10.

In the above-described conventional computer, it is possible to easily install and deinstall the input and output box on the floppy and CD drives. In this case, the area and spaces of the table 10 are not effectively used.

Therefore, in order to effectively use the area and spaces of the table 10, the main body 20 is installed below the table 10 for thereby increasing the efficiency of the use of the area and spaces of the table 10.

However, in this case, it is hard to install or deinstall the input and output box from the main body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a computer having a separate input and output box which overcomes the aforementioned problems encountered in the background art.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a computer having a separate input and output box which are capable of separating the input and output box and functions which are often handled by a user from a main body by integrating the input and output box, which are capable of inputting and outputting the data, and the functions.

To achieve the above objects, there is provided a computer having a separate input and output box which includes an input and output box separated from a main body of the computer and including various drives and apparatuses for a power supply, a data reading and writing operation, and a computer control, a cable connected between the input and output box and the main body for a power supply and data communication between the input and output box and the main body, and a main body connected with the input and output box by the cable and including elements except for the elements provided in the input and output box.

The input and output box includes open portions into which drives are inserted, an insertion guide for guiding the insertion of the drives, and a terminal support port including a plurality of ports connected with a power and data input and output terminal of the drives and connecting the power and data input and output terminal of the drives with the cable.

The input and output box includes protrusions for preventing an escape of the drives when the drives are inserted into the open portions, and a groove formed on a lateral surface of the drive for being engaged with the protrusions. The input and output box includes a sliding prevention portion for absorbing any mechanical vibrations and preventing a sliding due to an externally applied force, an indication and button portion for indicating an operation state of the computer and applying an instruction such as a power ON/OFF and reset instruction etc., and keyboard and mouse jacks for connecting the keyboard and the mouse.

Additional advantages, objects and features of the invention will become more apparent from the description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

Figures 1 and 2 are views illustrating a conventional computer; Figure 3 is a view illustrating a computer having a separate input and output box according to the present invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating the input and output box of Figure

3;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an engagement of an input and output box;

Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating a port extension according to the present invention; and

Figure 7 is a view illustrating the construction of a computer having a separate input and output box according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in Figure 3, in a main body 100, there are provided a main board, a hard disk, a RAM, a video card, a modem, etc. for thereby performing various operations and storing data.

In addition, a control card is installed therein for various peripherals. In order to additionally install an internal type apparatus, there are provided a few slot terminals. On a front panel of the main body 100, a cable connection port 110 is provided for thereby implementing an input and output of a power to the input and output box and data. A predetermined number of slot opening ports 120, 130 and 140 are provided for externally connecting the slot terminals.

In the input and output box 300, there are provided a data input and output apparatus of a data from the computer main body 100, namely, a floppy disk drive

310 and a CD drive 320, an indication and button unit 303 for indicating the operation state of the computer and applying a power supply state and reset instruction, and keyboard and mouse jacks 304 and 305 for connecting a keyboard 400 and a mouse 500. Therefore, the size of the main body 100 is decreased by the volume or size of the input and output box 300. In this case, the cable 200 performs a power supply and a data transmission and receiving operation between the main body 100 and the input and output box 300.

In this case, each apparatus mounted in the input and output box 300 may be connected to a slot extended to the outside via the cable connection port 110 of the main body 100 or the slot opening ports 120, 130 and 140. The connection between each apparatus mounted in the input and output box 300 and the main body 100 is implemented based on a 1:1 connection. Figure 4 is an exploded view illustrating the input and output box 300. On its front panel, open portions 301 and 302 are formed for thereby inserting the drive(for example, the engaging state of the CD drive), so that the CD drive 320 is inserted into the open portions 301 and 302. At this time, the CD drive 320 is guided by an insertion guide 306 formed inside the open portions 301 and 302, namely, the inner lateral side of the input and output box 300.

After the CD drive 320 is inserted, protrusions 307 and 307' are formed on an inn er lateral portion of the input and output box 300 for preventing an escape of the CD drive 320, and a groove 321 is formed on an outer lateral surface 321 of the CD drive 320. Therefore, the protrusions 307 and 307' are engaged in the groove 321 for thereby preventing an escape of the CD drive 320.

A screw engaging hole 308 is formed on a rear side of the input and output box 300 and is engaged with a terminal support portion 330. On the terminal support portion 330, there are provided the input and output terminal and indication and button portion 303, ports 331, 333, 335, 336 and 337 for connecting the keyboard and mouse jacks 304 and 305 with the cable 200, power terminals 332 and 334 for supplying a power. The ports 331, 333, 335, 336 and 337 and the power terminals 332 and 334 are connected by the cable 200.

The terminal support portion 330 is formed on a PCB substrate and is connected with the cable 200 based on a wiring pattern and is engaged with the input and output box 300 by the screw engaging hole 338.

Figure 5 is a view illustrating the state that the terminal support portion 330 is engaged with the input and output box 300.

As shown therein, in the input and output box 300, the floppy disk drive 310, the CD drive, the indication and button portion 303, and the keyboard and mouse jacks 304 and 305 are mounted. In its rear side, a cable connection port 339 is formed to be connected with the cable 200. In the case of the CD drive 320, the input and output terminal may be directly connected with the port 333 formed on the terminal support portion 330. In the case of the floppy disk drive 310, the length of the same is short. Therefore, the same is connected to the port 331 using the post extension port 340 as shown in Figure 6.

Namely, the port 341 connected with the input and output terminal of the floppy disk drive 310 is formed on one side, and the port 343 is formed on the other side to be connected with the port 331 formed on the terminal support port 330.

The ports 341 and 343 are extended by the support port 342 having a predetermined length(from the input and output terminal of the floppy disk drive 310 to the port 331 of the terminal support portion 330).

The indication and button portion 303 and the keyboard and mouse jacks 304 and 305 are connected with the jack 335 of the terminal support portion 330 and the keyboard and mouse ports 336 and 337.

A sliding prevention portion 309 is formed on the bottom surface of the input and output box 300 in order to absorb any mechanical vibration and a sliding of the system for thereby absorbing any mechanical vibrations occurring during the operation of the drives 310 and 320, removing errors during the data reading and writing operation and enhancing the durability of the drives 310 and 320.

If the computer is installed on a desk, it is possible to prevent any sliding by a force applied when inserting a disk into the drive.

Figures 7 and 8 are views illustrating another embodiment of the input and output box according to the present invention. As shown therein, there are provided a floppy disk drive 310 of figure 3, a CD drive 320, keyboard and mouse jacks 304 and 305, a telephone unit 510, an audio unit 520, an electric outlet connection unit 450, a communication connection portion 470, an ear-phone, and a head-phone jack. More in detail, there are provided a dial pad 421 installed at a front portion of the input and output box 300 for a telephone call, various keys 422, 423, 424 and 425 for controlling the functions of an audio system, for example, radio, a display unit 410 for displaying a dialing state of a telephone and an operation state of an audio system, speakers 430 and 440 for a telephone communication, an electric outlet connection unit 450 for supplying power to the electrical appliances, an earphone or head-phone jack 460 for connecting with a mouse piece and receiver of the telephone set for an audio listening and telephone communication, and a communication connection portion 470 for connecting with a telephone set or other communication units.

The display unit 410 displays a dialing state of a telephone number, a telephone call receiving state, an on/off state of an audio, a channel selection state, etc., and the key input unit 420 includes a dial pad 421, and various keys 422, 423,

424, and 425 for audio on/off and channel and volume up/down operations.

The communication connection portion 470 incudes a modular jack for connecting a telephone set or a modem.

Figure 8 is a circuit block diagram illustrating additional functions of Figure 7. As shown therein, in the computer in which disk drives 310 and 320 for writing and reading the data written in the data storing medium and the input and output box 300 having a user-interface apparatus are distanced from the computer body 100 at a certain distance through the cable 200, the input and output box 100 includes an audio unit 520 for outputting the current audio signal through the speaker in accordance with a switching state of the switching unit, a telephone unit

510 for outputting a ring signal through the speaker 440 in accordance with a switching state of the switching unit 540 based on a control of the controller 500 and connecting a call to an opponent when a user requests a call, a switching unit 540 for changing the switching state in accordance with a control of the controller 500 and outputting the output signals of the audio unit 520 and the telephone unit

510 through the speaker 440, and a controller controlling the switching operation of the switching unit 540 for thereby implementing a call through the telephone unit 510 and controlling the switching state of the switching unit in accordance with various key instructions.

In addition, the input and output box 300 further includes a display unit 410 for displaying the operation state of the telephone unit 510 or the audio unit 520, a jack 410 for applying an output of the telephone unit 510 or the audio unit 520 to a headphone, a communication connection port 470 for connecting an output of the telephone unit 510 to other communication apparatuses, and an electric outlet connection unit 450 for supplying the power to the electrical appliance. The operation of the present invention will be explained in detail. When a suer presses an ON key 424 of the control keys of the input and output box 300, the audio unit operates. At this time, the audio unit 520 may be a tuner, cassette, MP3 player, etc. In the present invention, the audio unit 520 is assumed to be a tuner.

The audio unit 520 provided an instruction signal to the controller 500 in accordance with an input signal of the ON key 424 and receives a broadcast signal from an antenna ANT and demodulates and amplifies the signal and outputs to the switching unit 540.

At this time, the audio unit 520 adjusts a channel tuning operation and volume of the broadcast signal in accordance with the inputs of the channel up/down key 422 and the volume up/down key 423.

The controller 500 receives an instruction signal inputted from the audio unit 520 and controls the switching operation of the switching unit 540. At this time, since the instruction signal is an ON key, the speaker 440 is connected with the audio unit 520. In addition, the controller 500 receives a data corresponding to the tuning state of the audio unit 520, namely, a frequency selection state and displays on the display unit 410. In addition, an output of the audio unit 520 is connected with the headphone jack 460.

When the OFF key is inputted, the controller 500 controls the switching unit 540 so that the speaker 440 is connected with an output of the telephone unit 510.

In a state that the output of the audio unit 520 is outputted from the speaker 440, when a ring signal is inputted from the local line, the ring signal detection unit

530 detects the ring signal input and outputs the detected signal to the controller 500.

The controller 500 controls the switching state of the switching unit 540 so that the output of the telephone unit 510 is connected with the speaker, and the ring signal from the telephone unit 510 is outputted through the speaker, so that a user acknowledges the ring signal.

When the user presses the OFF switch of the hook, in the telephone unit 510, a communication is implemented through the microphone 430 and the speaker 440.

In addition, a certain communication device may be used by outputting the output of the telephone unit 510 as an output of the communication connection port

470 using the controller 500.

When the user presses the hook OFF switch to call, the controller 500 controls the switching unit 540 so that the speaker 440 is connected with the telephone unit 510. When the user calls a certain opponent using the dial pad 421 of the input and output box 300, the pressed numbers are outputted to the telephone unit 510 for thereby performing a dialing operation. The dialed number is outputted to the display unit 410 through the controller 500 and is displayed thereon.

Therefore, a telephone call is performed based on the input and output box 300.

The output of the telephone unit 510 may be outputted to the earphone and headphone jack 460 through the controller 500. The input and output box 300 according to the present invention includes an electric outlet connection unit 450. In the case that the input and output box 300 according to the present invention is installed on the desk, the electric outlet is not additionally used. Namely, it is possible to supply the power using he input and output box 300.

In the case that an electrical instrument is connected with the electric outlet connection unit 450, when a user wishes to check whether the power AC is applied or not, the controller 500 turns mon/off the switch 451 and determines whether the power AC is applied to the electric outlet connection unit 450. Namely, when the controller 500 turns on the switch 451, the power is not applied to the electric outlet connection unit 450. In the case that the controller 500 turns off the same, the power applied to the electric outlet connection unit 450 is disconnected.

In addition, a timer 550 may be provided for determining the ON/OFF time of the power AC. The user sets the ON/OFF time using the timer 550. In this case, the timer 550 continuously counts the time. When a certain time is counted, an output signal is outputted.

Therefore, the controller 500 controls the on/off operation of the switch 451 based on a signal from the timer 550 and determines whether the power is applied to the electric outlet connection unit 450.

Namely, the power may be applied or not applied to the electric outlet connection unit 450 based on a se time for thereby controlling the operation of the connected electrical instrument.

The on/off time of the audio unit 520 is controlled using the timer 550. Figure 9 is a view illustrating an operation state of the present invention.

The body 100 is installed below the table 40 or in the drawer, and the input and output box 300 is installed on the table 40 together with the monitor 600. In the present invention, the size of the body 100 is decreased, and the user may not directly operate. In addition, it is possible to install behind the table 40 or at a certain place.

The size of the input and output box 300 is decreased and may be installed on the table 40. Therefore, it is possible to decrease the installation area of the system for thereby enhancing an efficiency of the use of the space.

In the case that the user exchanges the diskette or the CD, the user does not need to come close to the body 100. Namely, it is possible to easily exchange on the table 40. When using the computer, the user can work at a certain distance from the body 100 and the monitor 600 which generate much electric waves.

Since the input and output box 300 is installed, and the user works at a certain distance from the body 100 and the monitor 600, the user does not need to come close to the body 100 to exchange the disk. In addition, since the body 100 and the monitor 600 are distanced from each other, it is possible to minimize an interference based on an occurrence of the electrical wave.

In the computer having a separated input and output box according to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently use the space of the table. In addition, the input and output box is installed near the user, so that the user can easily exchange the disk, and it is possible to easily check the operation state of the system.

The on/off or reset instruction of the power is controlling using the input and output box, and it is possible to easily control the keyboard and mouse. In addition, the telephone communication, audio listening operation, etc. are easily performed using the input and output box according to the present invention.

Since the user works on the computer at a certain distance from the body and the monitor which generate much electrical waves, the user does not receive any harmful electrical waves, and it is possible to minimize an interference due to the electrical waves between the body and the monitor.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as recited in the accompanying claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A computer having a separate input and output box, comprising: drives for writing and reading a data on a data storing medium; an input and output box having a certain user interface apparatus and separated from a body; a cable having a certain length and connected between the input and output box and the body for supplying a power and a data from the body; and a body which does not includes the components of the input and output box.

2. A computer of claim 1, wherein said input and output box includes: opening portions for receiving the drives therein; an insertion guide for guiding the drives and receiving the same therein; and a terminal support portion in which each port is installed for a connection with the power and data input and output terminals of the drives for connecting the power and data input and output terminals of the drives with the cable.

3. A computer of claim 2, wherein said input and output box includes detaching protrusions at an inner lateral portion for preventing an escape in a state that the drive is inserted, and a detaching groove formed at a lateral portion of the drive for being engaged by the detaching protrusions.

4. A computer of claim 2, wherein said input and output box includes: a buffering and slide prevention portion for absorbing a mechanical vibration and preventing any slide due to an external force; a display and button portion for displaying an operation state of the computer and applying a power on/off and reset instruction; and a keyboard and mouse jack for connecting the keyboard and the mouse.

5. In a computer having disk drives for writing and reading a data on a data storing medium and an input and output box having a user interface apparatus which are distanced from a computer body through a cable, a computer having a separate input and output box, comprising: an input and output box including: an audio unit for outputting an audio signal through a speaker in accordance with a switching state of a switching unit; a telephone unit for outputting a ring signal through the speaker in accordance with a switching state of the switching unit based on a control of the controller and implementing a call with a certain opponent when a user requests a call; a switching unit which is switched based on a switching state in accordance with a control of the controller and outputs the outputs of the audio unit and the telephone unit; and a controller for controlling a switching state of the switching unit for implementing a call through the telephone unit and controlling a switching operation of the switching unit in accordance with various key instructions.

6. A computer of claim 5, wherein said input and output box includes: a display unit for displaying the operation states of the telephone unit or the audio unit; a jack for applying an output of the telephone unit or the audio unit to a headphone; a communication connection unit for connecting an output of the telephone unit to another communication apparatus; and a electric outlet connection unit for supplying the power to the electrical apparatus.

7. A computer of claim 6, further comprising a switch for turning on and off the power applied to the electric outlet connection unit.

8. A computer of claim 7, further comprising a timer for turning on and off the switch at a set time.