Abstract:
A mounting frame adapted to mount an I/O device to a compactPCI-based computer includes an outer case member and an inner case member fixed together to define therebetween an interior space for accommodating and retaining the I/O device therein so as to form a modularized I/O system. The I/O module that is formed by fixing the I/O device between the inner case member and the outer case member is secured to the computer casing by means of a suitable device and electrically connected to an interface card arranged in the computer to define an easy-to-replace and easy-to-install modularized structure.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a mounting frame for an input/output (I/O) device, and more particularly to a mounting frame for mounting the input/output device to a CompactPCI-based industrial computer, CompactPCI being a registered trademark of the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Besides the desktop-sized and notebook-sized personal computers that have been widely used in homes, schools and offices, the so-called industrial computers have also been widely used in the industry. Due to the severe environment that may be encountered in the industry, the industrial computers are designed to be more durable and more protected against the poor environment. In addition, the industrial computer also needs a more compact design. In other words, the industrial computer takes a smaller space. Currently, there are different specifications and standards for the industrial computers among which the so-called “CompactPCI” specifies a PCI-based computer system that is compatible with interface cards of PCI (peripheral component interconnect) specification, such as analog-to-digital converter card, digital control card, timer or counter, and relay control cards. 
     Due to the trend that the development of both the computer hardware and software are being in a graphics-based fashion to provide a more user-friendly computer environment and to help the user to operate the computer, the display device or I/O device of the computer system has to have the capability to display graphically in order to provide graphic output. Most industrial computer systems, however, are not equipped with built-in display or I/O device that is capable of displaying graphically or to provide graphic input/output function. Thus, an external graphics-based I/O device is needed in performing a graphic-fashioned I/O operation, such as a mouse or a touch pad. It is, however, sometimes not possible for an industrial computer to be connected with an external I/O device, due to the physical limitations imposed by the environment where the computer is located. Furthermore, externally connecting an I/O device to the computer may also be very inconvenient and the portability of the industrial computer may be lost. 
     On the other hand, some of the industrial computer systems and/or related electronic equipment have a built-in display device or I/O device, yet such a built-in display device or I/O device is usually of a proprietary construction which is difficult in maintenance and repairing. Sometimes in case of damage of parts of the device, due to the proprietary construction, the device may even need to be completely replaced. Furthermore, such a proprietary construction also has problems in upgrading the capability of the device, such as to upgrade the resolution, brightness and/or color of the display in order to meet a more severe requirement. 
     Thus, it is desirable to a provide a mounting structure for mounting an I/O device to a CompactPCI-based industrial computer and in particular a mounting structure for mounting an I/O device, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) and touch pad, to an industrial computer of the CompactPCI specification, so as to solve the problems discussed above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefor, an object of the present invention is to provide a mounting structure for mounting an I/O device to a CompactPCI-based computer so that no connection with external I/O device is needed and the problems associated with connecting an external I/O device to the computer are completely eliminated. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a modularized I/O system adapted to be mounted to a CompactPCI-based computer so that the upgrading, maintenance and replacement of the I/O device may be facilitated. 
     To achieve the above objects, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a mounting structure adapted to mount an I/O device to a CompactPCI-based computer. The mounting structure comprises (1) an outer case member comprising a substantially U-shaped body, having a bottom and two opposite and spaced side walls extending from the bottom to define therebetween a first interior space, the bottom having a user observing window formed thereon; (2) an inner case member sized to be snugly accommodated in the first interior space of the outer case member and fixed therein with first securing means, the inner case member comprising a substantially U-shaped body, having a bottom and two opposite and space side walls extending from the bottom to define therebetween a second interior space adapted to receive and hold therein the I/O device which comprises a user interface, the I/O device being fixed in the second interior space with second securing means in such a way to have the user interface of the I/O device corresponding to and observable through the user observing window of the outer case member so that a modularized I/O system is defined by the I/O device received in the inner case member which is in turn accommodated in the outer case member; and (3) anchoring means adapted to secure the I/O module to the CompactPCI-based computer. 
     To further understand the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, as well as the attached drawings, wherein: 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a CompactPCI-based computer in which an I/O device mounting structure in accordance with the present invention is incorporated to mount an I/O module to the casing of the computer-sized, PCI-based computer; 
     FIG. 2 is also a perspective view of the CompactPCI-based computer, showing the condition where the I/O module is detached from the computer casing: 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the I/O module in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the I/O module in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the I/O module in accordance with the present invention which is observed from the back side thereof; and 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an I/O module constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention in which a display interface card is directly connected to the I/O module. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein a CompactPCI-based computer  10  is shown, the computer  10  in the embodiment illustrated is the so-called CompactPCI industrial computer. The computer  10  comprises a casing  12  having at least a top wall  14  and a bottom wall  16  defining therebetween a space in which parts of the computer  10  are fixed, including a main board assembly  18  and the associated connectors  20  and  22  and a power supply  23 . 
     In accordance with the present invention, in the space between the top wall  14  and the bottom wall  16  of the casing  12 , an I/O module  24  is mounted. The I/O module  24  is fixed to the front side of the computer casing  12  by means of suitable fasteners, such as screws, in a releasable manner. This will be further described hereinafter. The I/O module  24  comprises cables  26 ,  28  and  30  for connection with the computer  10  to provide signal/data and power transmission therebetween. 
     With particular reference to FIGS. 3,  4  and  5 , wherein the I/O module  24  in accordance with the present invention is shown, the I/O module  24  comprises a first, outer case member  32  and a second, inner case member  34  which are mounted together to retain an I/O device  36  therebetween so as to define a modularized I/O structure. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer case member  32  comprises a body having a substantially U-shaped cross section which comprises a bottom  38  and two opposite and spaced side walls  39  extending from the bottom  38  to define therebetween an interior space for accommodating the inner case member  34  therein. Preferably, the side walls  39  are formed in such a way to completely surround the circumference of the bottom  38  as shown in the drawings so as to completely cover the circumference of the inner case member  34  accommodated in the interior space of the outer case member  32 . 
     The inner case member  34  also comprises a body of U-shaped cross section, having a bottom  40  and two opposite and space side walls  42  extending from the bottom  40  to define therebetween an interior space to accommodate the I/O device  36  therein. Preferably, the size of the I/O device  36  is substantially corresponding to that of the interior space of the inner case member  34  so as to allow the I/O device  36  to be received in the inner case member  34  preferably in a snug manner and the play therebetween is small. 
     The I/O device  36  may comprise any suitable display device which is capable to display graphics and text (characters and digits). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the I/O device  36  comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) element  44  with a touch pad function so that the user of the computer  10  may provide input signals to the computer  10  by touching a user interface of the LCD element  44  which may be the display surface of the LCD element  44 , this being the touch pad function. The LCD element  44  is fixed in a casing  46 . 
     The cables  26 ,  28  and  30  which are mentioned previously to connect the I/O module  24  to the computer  10  are actually connected to the LCD element  44  to provide the signal/data and power transmission between the LCD element  44  and the computer  10 . 
     Such an LCD device is available in the market and is well known to those skilled in the arts of computer and display so that no further detail is needed herein. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the casing  46  of the I/O device  36  is positioned on the bottom  40  and between the side walls  42  of the inner case member  34  so as to have the LCD element  44  face the bottom  38  of the outer case member  32 . To provide the computer user with a visual access to the LCD element  44 , the bottom  38  of the outer case member  32  is formed with an observing window  48  which may simply comprise an opening. Alternatively, a light-transmitting film or cover plate (not shown) may be arranged within the window  48  to protect the LCD element  44 . 
     The inner case member  34  may be provided with securing means to secure the I/O device  36  therein. In the embodiment illustrated, the securing means comprises a plurality of holes  50  (see FIG. 5) formed on the bottom  40  of the inner case member  34  through which screws  52  extend to engage threaded holes formed on the casing  46  of the I/O device  36  so as to securely hold the I/O device  36  in the inner case member  34 . 
     Further, the outer case member  32  may also be provided with securing means to secure the inner case member  34  therein. In the embodiment illustrated, the securing means of the outer case member  32  comprises a plurality of holes  54  (see FIG. 3) formed on the two side walls  39  of the outer case member  32  and corresponding holes  56  provided on the side walls  42  of the inner case member  34  so that screws  58  may extend both holes  54  and  56  to secure the inner case member  34  in the outer case member  32 . If desired, the casing  46  of the I/O device  36  may be provided with threaded holes  60  that correspond to the holes  56  on the inner case member  34  to be engaged by the screws  58  for further securing the I/O device  36  in the inner and outer case members  32  and  34 . 
     The bottom  40  of the inner case member  34  is provided with several openings or cutouts  62 ,  64  and  66  for respectively receiving the cables  26 ,  28  and  30  that connect to the LCD element  44  to extend therethrough. 
     Although it is described to use screws  52  and  58  to secure the I/O device  36  and the inner and outer case members  34  and  32  together for forming the I/O module  24  of the present invention, yet it is quite obvious that other means may also be used to secure these parts together, such as guide rails or support frames together with suitable fasteners. 
     Moreover, to secure the I/O module  24  to the computer casing  12 , the I/O device mounting structure in accordance with the present invention further comprises anchoring means for fixing the I/O module  24  to the computer  10 . As shown in the drawings, the anchoring means comprises a flange  68  formed on each of the two side walls  39  of the outer case member  32 , and sideways extending therefrom in directions opposite to each other. Each of the flanges  68  has at least one hole, preferably a plurality of holes  70 , formed thereon to receive screws therein so as to be secured to the computer casing  12  or other computer parts inside the casing  12 , as shown in FIG.  1 . However, it should be noted that there are a variety of alternative ways for securing the I/O module  24  to the computer casing  12  which are known to those skilled in the art. 
     As is known to those having ordinary skill in the computer art, a display interface card, such as the so-called VGA card, is usually provided in the computer to serve as the interface between the computer and the display device. In the embodiment of the present invention that is illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, the display interface card (not shown) is arranged inside the computer casing  12  and is connected to the I/O module  24  of the present invention by means of the cables  26 ,  28  and  30 . Alternatively and as shown in FIG. 6 which illustrates a second embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the I/O module  24  comprises a display interface card  72  directly mounted thereto, preferably fixed to the bottom  40  of the inner case member  34  so that when the I/O module  24  is mounted to the computer casing  12 , the display interface card  72  is positioned into the computer casing  12  and shielded and protected thereby. Such an arrangement allows the elimination or reduction of the length of the cables  26 ,  28  and  30  so that a more efficient management of the interior space of the CompactPCI-based computer  10  may be achieved. 
     Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described to illustrate the present invention, it is apparent that changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the scope of the invention which is intended to be limited only by the appended claims.