Computer system expansion device adaptable for internal and external use
View Patent ↗Systems and apparatus for providing supplemental functionality to a computer system with an expansion card adaptable for both internal and external coupling to the computer system. An expansion card has a bracket for internally coupling to a host computer and a housing for external coupling to a host computer. The expansion card may receive power from the host computer via an edge connector when internally coupled and through a power adapter via a power port when externally coupled. The expansion card may further receive data from the host computer via the edge connector when internally coupled and through an external bus when externally coupled. When externally coupled, the expansion card is mounted within a housing that may be mounted to an outside surface of a computer rack to preserve space within the rack.
1. An apparatus for providing supplemental functionality to a computer system, wherein the computer system includes an internal power supply and at least one internal bus coupled to receive power from the internal power supply when internally coupled to the computer system, and when externally coupled to the computer system, the apparatus comprising:
an expansion card including an edge connector for receiving power from the internal power supply through the internal bus when the expansion card is internally coupled to the computer system, wherein the expansion card includes a power port for receiving power from a further power supply that is external to the computer system when the expansion card is externally coupled to the computer system; and
a housing configured to receive the expansion card when the expansion card is externally coupled to the computer system.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising the further power supply.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a removable mounting bracket configured to secure the expansion card to the computer system when the expansion card is internally coupled to the computer system.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises:
a case having opposing vertical walls adjoining a top horizontal surface; and
a bottom plate, wherein when the housing is assembled, the bottom plate being adjacent to the vertical walls opposite the top horizontal surface such that the expansion card is disposed in a space created between the top horizontal surface, the bottom plate, and the opposing vertical walls.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the housing further comprises at least one aperture in the case for connecting an external connector to a connector on the expansion card within the housing.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the housing further comprises means for securing the housing to a computer rack.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the means for securing the housing to the computer rack comprises at least one aperture in the bottom plate configured for receiving a threaded fastener.
8. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the case further comprises tabs adjacent to at least two opposing vertical walls for slidably receiving the bottom plate.
9. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the housing further comprises a spacer for maintaining separation between the expansion card and the housing and a fastener for securing the expansion card within the housing.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the expansion card receives data from the computer system via the edge connector when the expansion card is internally coupled to the computer system and wherein the expansion card receives the data from the computer system via a separate data interface when the expansion card is externally coupled to the computer system.
11. A multi-mode apparatus for providing supplemental functionality to a computer system, wherein the apparatus is operable in a first mode in which the apparatus is installed internally within the computer system, wherein the apparatus in the first mode receives power from an internal power supply provided by the computer system, and wherein the apparatus is operable in at least a second mode in which the apparatus is disposed externally to the computer system and receives power from a further power supply that is external to the computer system, the apparatus comprising an expansion card characterized by a first data interface for receiving data and power from the computer system when the expansion card is installed within the computer system and a second data interface for exchanging data with the computer system when the expansion card is disposed externally to the computer system, wherein the expansion card includes a power port for receiving power from the further power supply.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:
the external power supply;
an expansion card edge connector for receiving power when the card is internally coupled to the computer system, wherein the first data interface comprises the expansion card edge connector; and
a housing configured to receive the expansion card when the expansion card is externally disposed to the computer system.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the second data interface comprises one of a USB, an IEEE 1394, and a SCSI connector.
14. The apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising a removable mounting bracket configured to secure the expansion card to the computer system when the expansion card is internally coupled to the computer system.
15. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the housing comprises:
a case having opposing vertical walls adjoining a top horizontal surface; and
a bottom plate, wherein when the housing is assembled, the bottom plate being adjacent to the vertical walls opposite the top horizontal surface such that the expansion card is disposed in a space created between the top horizontal surface, the bottom plate, and the opposing vertical walls.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the housing further comprises a plurality of apertures in the bottom plate for receiving a threaded fastener for securing the housing to a computer rack and configured according to the EIA-310 specification for a standard computer rack mounting hole pattern.
17. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the case further comprises tabs adjacent to at least two opposing vertical walls for slidably receiving the bottom plate.
18. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the housing further comprises a spacer for maintaining separation between the expansion card and the housing and a fastener for securing the expansion card within the housing.
19. A computer system with supplemental functionality provided by an expansion card when the expansion card is internally coupled to the computer system and when the expansion card is externally coupled to the computer system, the system comprising:
the expansion card, powered by a first power supply provided by the computer system, and characterized by an edge connector for receiving power from the first power supply when the expansion card is internally coupled to the computer system, wherein the expansion card includes a power port for receiving power from a second power supply external to the computer system when the expansion card is externally coupled to the computer system;
a mounting bracket configured to secure the expansion card to the computer system when the expansion card is internally coupled to the computer system;
a housing configured to receive the expansion card when the expansion card is externally coupled to the computer system, the housing including
a case characterized by opposing vertical walls adjoining a top horizontal surface, and
a bottom plate, wherein when the housing is assembled, the bottom plate being adjacent to the vertical walls opposite the top horizontal surface such that the expansion card is disposed in a space created between the top horizontal surface, the bottom plate, and the opposing vertical walls; and
the second power supply, configured to provide power to the power port when the expansion card is externally coupled to the computer system.
20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the expansion card receives data from the computer system via the edge connector when the expansion card is internally coupled to the computer system and wherein the expansion card receives the data from the computer system via a separate data interface when the expansion card is externally coupled to the computer system.