Abstract:
The present invention features an electronic component system. The electronic component system can be a computer system. The system includes a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system enables information to be communicated wirelessly between separate components of the system. The wireless communication system includes a dongle. The dongle has an antenna for transmitting and/or receiving information and an electrical connector for mating engagement with an electrical connector on at least one of the separate devices. The wireless communication system can utilize bluetooth wireless communication technology.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to a wireless communication system, and more particularly to a wireless communication system that utilizes a dongle secured to an electronic device to transmit or receive data. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Many electronic systems are composed of separate components electrically coupled together by cabling. Examples of component electronics systems include audio and video equipment, computer systems, and some appliances. Computers, typically, consist of several different electronic devices coupled together to form a computing system. A typical computer consists of a central unit, housing a microprocessor, and a number of additional components connected by cables to the central unit. Examples of additional components include: a monitor, a printer, a mouse, a keyboard, a scanner or speakers. Typically, each component has its own cable to connect the component to the central unit so that power or data may be transferred between the components. Thus, the greater the number of components, the greater the number of cables routed amongst the components of the system. 
   Routing numerous cables between electronic components increases the complexity of assembling a component system. For example, routing cables between the various components of an audio/video system, appliances or computer system can be a confusing and difficult task for the typical consumer. Cables also make it difficult to move components once the system is connected. Additionally, a large number of cables routed about the various components can make the system look cluttered and unattractive. 
   Wireless systems have been used to transmit data between some components of an electronic system, such as a remote control for a television. However, these systems typically require the components be in direct line-of-sight or utilize an obtrusive antenna system, thus adding to desktop clutter. 
   Thus, it would be advantageous to have an unobtrusive wireless communication system that could allow information to be communicated wirelessly between the components of an electronics system, or at least reduce the number of cables normally used to connect the various components of an electronic system. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention features an electronic component system having a plurality of separate devices, of which at least one of the devices has an electrical connector. The system also includes a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system enables information to be communicated wirelessly between separate devices. The wireless communication system includes a dongle. The dongle has an antenna for transmitting or receiving information and a second electrical connector for mating engagement with the electrical connector on at least one of the devices. The wireless communication system may utilize bluetooth technology. 
   According to another aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication system for a computer is featured. The wireless communication system includes a dongle and a transceiver. The dongle has an electrical connector and an antenna. The transceiver is electrically coupled to a central processor and the dongle. The wireless communication system may utilize bluetooth technology. 
   According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is featured of communicating information wirelessly between components of a computer system. The method includes the step of coupling a first communication dongle to a first component of a computer system, the first communication dongle having an antenna to transmit and receive information. The method may also include the step of coupling a second communication dongle to a second component of a computer system, the second communication dongle having an antenna to receive information. The method may also include the step of disposing a transceiver in the first communication dongle. 
   According to another aspect of the present invention, a computer system is featured. The computer system has a central unit, an external device, and a wireless communication system for communicating information between the central unit and the external device. The central unit has an enclosure with an electrical connector and a processor. The wireless communication system includes a dongle. The dongle has an antenna for transmitting and receiving information and an electrical connector for mating engagement with the electrical connector on the central unit. The wireless communication system also has a data transceiver electrically coupled to the communication dongle. The wireless communication system may utilize bluetooth technology. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and: 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a computer system, according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a communication dongle; 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of a communication dongle with internal components marked by dashed lines; 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the communication dongle of  FIG. 3  with internal components marked by dashed lines; 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a communication dongle with internal components marked by dashed lines; 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of the communication dongle of  FIG. 5  with internal components marked by dashed lines; 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a communication dongle with internal components marked by dashed lines; 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a communication dongle with internal components marked by dashed lines; 
       FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a wireless communication system for a computer with internal components marked by dashed lines; 
       FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a wireless communication system for a computer with internal components marked by dashed lines; 
       FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a wireless communication system for a computer with internal components marked by dashed lines; 
       FIG. 12  is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a wireless communication system for a computer with internal components marked by dashed lines; and 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a computer system utilizing a wireless communication system, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring generally to  FIG. 1 , a block diagram is illustrated depicting an exemplary computer system, generally designated by the reference numeral  20 . Computer  20  may be any of a variety of different types, such as a workstation, a desktop computer, or a notebook computer. In the illustrated embodiment, a processor  22  controls the operation of the computer  20 . Computer  20  includes a power supply  24  to supply electrical power to various components of system  20 . 
   Processor  22  utilizes programming to control the operation of the computer system  20 . Memory is coupled to processor  22  to store and facilitate execution of the programming. In the illustrated embodiment, processor  22  is coupled to a hard drive  26  and RAM  28 . Computer system  20  can include additional components, such as a disk drive, a tape drive or some other memory storage device. Non-volatile memory can also include read only memory (ROM), such as an EPROM, to be used in conjunction with RAM  26 . A variety of memory modules, such as DIMMs, DRAMs, SDRAMs, SRAMs, etc. can be utilized for a given device or application. 
   Various components of computer  20  may be coupled to processor  22 , depending upon the desired functions of computer  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, a user interface  30  is coupled to processor  22 . Examples of user interface  30  include a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, buttons, switches, a light pen, or a voice recognition system. A display  32  is coupled to processor  22 . Examples of display  32  include a computer monitor, a television screen, or an audio speaker. A peripheral device  34 , such as a printer or a scanner, also can be coupled to the processor  22 . Additionally, processor  22  may be coupled to an external communication system  36 , such as a network or telephone system. 
   In the illustrated embodiment, a data transmitter/receiver  38 , or transceiver, is used to enable wireless communication between the various remote components of computer system  20  and its central unit  40  containing processor  22 , e.g., the main processor unit of a personal computer. As a transmitter, transceiver  38  converts data into electromagnetic waves. As a receiver, transceiver  38  converts electromagnetic waves into data. In the illustrated embodiment, central unit  40  includes processor  22 , power supply  24 , hard drive  26 , RAM  28 , and data transceiver  38 . 
   Referring generally to  FIG. 2 , an exemplary embodiment is featured of a communication dongle  42  housing data transceiver  38 . Communication dongle  42  is disposed on the exterior of an enclosure. Communication dongle  42  has a main body  44  and a connector portion  46 . In the exemplary embodiment, data transceiver  38  is disposed within main body  44 . Connector portion  46  is used to couple data transceiver  38  to central unit  40 . In the exemplary embodiment, main body  44  and connector portion  46  form an integrated unit, the weight of which is supported entirely by the connection between the connector portion  46  and the external electrical connector. Consequently, it is preferable to manufacture the dongle in a small form, low in weight. 
   Main body  44  can be comprised of a variety of materials. In the exemplary embodiment, main body  44  is comprised of a moldable plastic. A recess  48  is formed in main body  48  to provide a gripping surface for installing and removing communication dongle  42  from central unit  40 . 
   Referring generally to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the exemplary embodiment of data transceiver  38  within communication dongle  42  utilizes an integrated circuit (IC)  50  mounted on a circuit board  52 . Circuit board  52  electrically couples IC  50  to an antenna  54  and to an electrical connector  56 . Electrical connector  56 , in turn, couples IC  50  to central unit  40 . Electrical connector  56  also secures communication dongle  42  to central unit  40 . 
   In the exemplary embodiment, computer system  20  utilizes “bluetooth” technology. Bluetooth is an always-operating short-range radio that is a cross-industry standard for wireless communications. In this embodiment, IC  50  and circuit board  52  are designed to transfer information received via antenna  54  to processor  22  and to transmit information over antenna  54  under the direction of processor  22 . The configuration of IC  50  and board  52  depends on the specific wireless technology implemented. For example, data transceiver  38  can utilize a non-bluetooth technology, such as a standard radio frequency (RF) transmitter and receiver. 
   In the exemplary embodiment, electrical connector  56  is a universal serial bus (USB) connector. USB is an external bus standard. A USB system can connect as many as 127 peripheral devices simultaneously, such as a mouse, a keyboard, a printer, video equipment, and a scanner. A USB system also is able to support “Plug and Play.” Plug and Play is an industry standard architecture for a 32-bit bus. Additionally, USB allows a system to be hot pluggable, i.e., a USB device can be installed or removed without turning off the system power. 
   Antenna  54  is configured for the technology used, bluetooth, standard RF, or some other technology. For clarity, antenna  54  is not shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   Referring generally to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , communication dongle  42  can be configured in a variety of different shapes, sizes and orientations. In the illustrated embodiment, communication dongle  42  is configured so that main body  44  and connector portion  46  are at a right angle to each other. Thus, for example, rather than extending outward from central unit  40 , main body  44  can be positioned so that it extends along the side of central unit  40 . 
   Referring generally to  FIG. 7 , rather than a USB port, a serial port, or some other communication standard port, can be used to couple processor  22  to data transceiver  38 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 , system  20  utilizes a communication dongle  58  connected to central unit  40  by a serial connector  60 . Serial connector  60  couples IC  50  to central unit  40 . The connector portion  46  includes two screws  62  that thread into a corresponding connector on central unit  40  to secure communication dongle  58  to the central unit  40 . 
   Referring generally to  FIG. 8 , a portion of data transceiver  38  can be disposed within central unit  40 . For example, IC  50  and circuit board  52  can be disposed within central unit  40 . In the illustrated embodiment, an antenna  54  is disposed within a communication dongle  64 . Antenna connector  66  secures communication dongle  64  to central unit  40 . Furthermore, the antenna connector  66  couples antenna  54  to central unit  40 , and IC  50 . 
   Referring generally to  FIG. 9 , communication dongle  42 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , is secured to a USB connector  68  on a side  70  of central unit  40 . Side  70  can be any of the sides of central unit  40 , such as the front, back, left, right, or top. In the illustrated embodiment, main body  44  extends directly outward from side  70 . 
   Referring generally to  FIG. 10 , communication dongle  42 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , is similarly secured to central unit  40 . In this embodiment, main body  44  extends downward along side  70 . However, main body  44  also can be oriented to extend upward along side  70 . 
   Referring generally to  FIG. 11 , communication dongle  58 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , is secured to central unit  40 . Dongle  58  is secured by threading screws  62  of serial connector  60  into a corresponding serial connector  72  on side  70  of central unit  40 . 
   Referring generally to  FIG. 12 , communication dongle  64 , as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , is secured to central unit  40  by inserting antenna connector  66  into a corresponding antenna connector  74  on side  70  of central unit  40 . Antenna connectors  66  and  74  couple antenna  54  to central unit  40 , and IC  50  disposed therein. 
   Referring generally to  FIG. 13 , a communication dongle can be used to enable one component of a computer system  78  to communicate wirelessly with another component of the system. System  78  illustrates a few of the variety of different configurations of components and devices that can be used in a wireless computer system. Some or all of the devices can use a communication dongle, while other devices can be hard wired or use a different device to communicate wirelessly. 
   In the illustrated embodiment, a communication dongle  80  is coupled to a central unit  40  to enable central unit  40  to communicate wirelessly with several peripheral devices. Communication dongle  80  can be any of the embodiments of a communication dongle described above or otherwise designed for a given application. Preferably, the wireless communication system utilizes bluetooth technology. 
   In the illustrated embodiment, communication dongle  80  also is used with a printer  82  to enable printer  82  to communicate with the central unit  40 . Printer  82  can use communication dongle  80  to communicate with other peripheral devices. System  78  also includes a scanner  84 . In this embodiment, scanner  84  uses an antenna wire  86 , rather than a communication dongle  80 , to communicate wirelessly with communication dongle  80  of central unit  40 . System  78  also includes a keyboard  88 . In the illustrated embodiment, keyboard  88  is designed for wireless communication with central unit  40  via bluetooth technology. However, the wireless communication elements of keyboard  88  are built into keyboard  88 , therefore, there are no external communication components, such as communication dongle  80  or antenna wire  86 . System  78  also includes a monitor  90 . In the illustrated embodiment, monitor  90  is hardwired to central unit  40 . However, monitor  90  also can be wirelessly coupled to central unit  40  with a communication dongle. 
   It will be understood that the foregoing description is of preferred embodiments of this invention, and that the invention is not limited to the specific forms shown. Additionally, use of the terms “first” and “second” throughout this document is for aiding in description of the overall system, and should not be construed as requiring a specific orientation or arrangement of components. These and other modifications may be made in the design and arrangement of the elements without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.