Patent ID: 6327141
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A computer apparatus with infrared data communication capabilities, comprising:a computer device having a housing, an exterior of said housing forming an aperture of a predetermined size on an outer edge of said housing;a first circuit board being installed in said housing;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 positioned adjacent to a first location to form a first grouping of 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 positioned outside of and away from said first grouping of elements and positioned adjacent to a second location spaced apart from the first location, 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;a window unit being mounted at the aperture and enclosing the aperture, said window unit allowing infrared light to pass through said window unit; anda selection unit selecting one light receiving element from among said plurality of light receiving elements during a data receiving operation of said computer apparatus, said one selected light receiving unit receiving the data, and said selection unit activating all of said light sending elements during a data sending operation of said computer apparatus, all of said activated light sending elements sending the data;said infrared data sending unit further comprising: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; anda 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.