Patent Publication Number: US-2013242491-A1

Title: Modular computer systems

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to computers. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Early computers arose in the 1970&#39;s, and since then the landscape of computing has changed dramatically. Since introduction of early computers, ongoing innovation has led to modern computers that are well-designed and highly integrated, and modern laptops and tablets provide mobility in how users interact with a computer. However, modern computers and mobile computer solutions are so highly integrated that they are difficult and expensive to repair and/or modify as needed, thus necessitating continued improvement in the art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the principle of the invention, a module computer system consists of a self-contained base module that includes a network of operatively coupled interface connectors including peripheral interface connectors and a first module interface connector, and a self-contained host computer module for performing computer functions, and which includes a computer interface connector operatively connectable directly to the first module interface connector of the base module in a computer connecting position of the host computer module for operatively coupling the peripheral interface connectors of the base module to the host computer module for, in turn, operatively coupling the host computer module to computer peripherals, such as a keyboard and a monitor, coupled to the base module through the peripheral interface connectors of the base module. The interface connectors of the base module further includes a second module interface connector. A self-contained power module includes a power interface connector operatively connectable directly to the second module interface connector of the base module in a power connecting position of the power module for operatively coupling the network of operatively coupled interface connectors of the base module to receive power from the power module for powering the host computer module in the computer connecting position of the host computer module, and for powering computer peripherals coupled to the base module through the peripheral interface connectors of the base module. In one embodiment, the power module is a power plug module. In another embodiment, the power module is a battery power module. The interface connectors of the base module, the computer interface connector of the host computer module, and the power interface connector of the power module each comply with a USB standard. A base module rail segment is spaced-apart from, and is fixed horizontally to, the base module, a host computer module rail segment is spaced-apart from, and is fixed horizontally to, the host computer module, and in the computer connecting position of the host computer module, the base module rail segment cooperates with the host computer module rail segment to form a peripherals-supporting rail that extends horizontally along the base and host computer modules. A power module rail segment is spaced-apart from, and is fixed horizontally to, the power module, and in the computer connecting position of the host computer module and the power connecting position of the power module, the power module rail segment relates to the base module rail segment so as to form an extension of the peripherals-supporting rail thereby forming a part of the peripherals-supporting rail. In the computer connecting position of the host computer module and the power connecting position of the power module, the base module, the host computer module, and the power module cooperate to form a supporting bottom positionable against a support surface. In the computer connecting position of the host computer module and the power connecting position of the power module, the base module, the host computer module, and the power module cooperate to form opposed, parallel front and rear faces, and the peripheral interface connectors of the base module are formed along, and accessible at, the front and rear faces. 
     According to the principle of the invention, a module computer system consists of a self-contained base module that includes a network of operatively coupled interface connectors including peripheral interface connectors, and a first module interface connector, a self-contained host computer module for performing computer functions, and a self-contained peripheral module for performing a peripheral function for expanding the computer functions of the host computer module. The peripheral module includes a first computer peripheral interface connector operatively connectable directly to the first module interface connector of the base module in a peripheral connecting position of the peripheral module for operatively coupling the peripheral interface connectors of the base module to the peripheral module for operatively coupling the peripheral module to computer peripherals coupled to the base module through the peripheral interface connectors of the base module, and a second computer peripheral interface connector. The host computer module includes a computer interface connector operatively connectable directly to the second computer peripheral interface connector in a computer connecting position of the host computer module for operatively coupling the host computer module to the peripheral module, and in the peripheral connecting position of the peripheral module for operatively coupling the host computer module to the peripheral interface connectors of the base module for, in turn, operatively coupling the host computer module to computer peripherals coupled to the base module through the peripheral interface connectors of the base module. The interface connectors of the base module further includes a second module interface connector. A self-contained power module includes a power interface connector operatively connectable directly to the second module interface connector of the base module in a power connecting position of the power module for operatively coupling the network of operatively coupled interface connectors of the base module to receive power from the power module for powering the peripheral module in the peripheral connecting position of the peripheral module, for powering the host computer module in the peripheral connecting position of the peripheral module and the computer connecting position of the host computer module, and for powering computer peripherals coupled to the base module through the peripheral interface connectors of the base module. In one embodiment, the power module is a power plug module. In another embodiment, the power module is a battery power module. The interface connectors of the base module, the first and second computer peripheral interface connectors of the peripheral module, the computer interface connector of the host computer module, and the power interface connector of the power module each comply with a USB standard. A base module rail segment is spaced-apart from, and is fixed horizontally to, the base module, a peripheral module rail segment is spaced from, and is fixed horizontally to, the peripheral module, a host computer module rail segment is spaced-apart from, and is fixed horizontally to, the host computer module, and in the peripheral connecting position of the peripheral module and the computer connecting position of the host computer module, the base module rail segment cooperates with the peripheral module rail segment and the host computer module rail segment to form a peripherals-supporting rail that extends horizontally along the base, peripheral, and host computer modules. A power module rail segment is spaced-apart from, and is fixed horizontally to, the power module, and in the peripheral connecting position of the peripheral module, the computer connecting position of the host computer module, and the power connecting position of the power module, the power module rail segment relates to the base module rail segment so as to form an extension of the peripherals-supporting rail thereby forming a part of the peripherals-supporting rail. In the peripheral connecting position of the peripheral module, the computer connecting position of the host computer module, and the power connecting position of the power module, the base module, the peripheral module, the host computer module, and the power module cooperate to form a supporting bottom positionable against a support surface. In the peripheral connecting position of the peripheral module, the computer connecting position of the host computer module, and the power connecting position of the power module, the base module, the peripheral module, the host computer module, and the power module cooperate to form opposed, parallel front and rear faces, wherein the peripheral interface connectors of the base module are formed along, and accessible at, the front and rear faces. 
     Consistent with the foregoing summary of preferred embodiments, and the ensuing detailed description, which are to be taken together, the invention also contemplates associated apparatus and method embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring to the drawings: 
         FIGS. 1-4  are perspective views of a self-contained base module of a module computer system, the self-contained base module being constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention; 
         FIGS. 5-7  are highly generalized schematic representations of the self-contained base module of  FIGS. 1-4 ; 
         FIGS. 8-11  are perspective views of a self-contained host computer module of a module computer system, the self-contained host computer module being constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention; 
         FIGS. 12 and 13  are perspective views of a self-contained power plug module of a module computer system, the self-contained power plug module being constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention; 
         FIGS. 14 and 15  are perspective views of a self-contained battery module of a module computer system, the self-contained battery module being constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention; 
         FIGS. 16 and 17  are perspective views of a module computer system formed with self-contained base, host computer, and power plug modules, the modular computer system being constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention; 
         FIGS. 18 and 19  are perspective views of a module computer system formed with self-contained base, host computer, and battery modules, the modular computer system being constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention; 
         FIGS. 20-22  are perspective views of the module computer system of  FIGS. 18  and  19  shown as it would appear formed with input and output devices, namely, a keyboard and a separate monitor; 
         FIGS. 23 and 24  are perspective views of a self-contained peripheral module of a module computer system, the self-contained peripheral module being constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention; 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of a module computer system formed with self-contained base, host computer, battery, and peripheral modules, the modular computer system being constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention; 
         FIGS. 26-29  are perspective views of the module computer system of  FIG. 25  shown as it would appear formed with input and output devices, namely, a keyboard and a separate monitor; and 
         FIGS. 30-33  are perspective views of the module computer system of  FIG. 25  shown as it would appear formed with integrated input and output devices, namely, an integrated keyboard and monitor. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Disclosed herein are self-contained computer component modules that are configured to be plugged together in various configurations and are interchangeable for forming module computer systems. 
     Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed in relevant part to  FIGS. 1-4  illustrating perspective views of a self-contained base module  50  of a module computer system, which is operatively connectable to other module or modular components to form modular computer systems, and which is further connectable to computer peripherals, such as input and output devices, for facilitating user interaction with the modular computer systems. Base module  50  is fully self-contained, and includes a housing  51  having opposed horizontal upper and lower ends  52  and  53  and opposed vertical sides  54  and  55  that extend between opposed vertical ends  56  and  57 . Upper and lower ends  52  and  53 , and sides  54  and  55  cooperate to form the middle of housing  51  of base module  50 , and this defined middle extends between opposed ends  56  and  57  of housing  51  of base module  50 . Housing  51 , and thus base module  50 , is compact and in the present embodiment housing  51  is block-shaped being generally rectangular in overall shape in the present embodiment, in which upper end  52  is parallel with respect to lower end  53 , side  54  is parallel with respect to side  55 , and end  56  is parallel with respect to end  57 . Housing  51  is formed of plastic or metal, and upper end  52  forms the top of base module  50 , and lower end  53  forms the bottom of base module  50 . 
     Base module  50  is formed with a network of operatively coupled interface connectors that are supported by housing  51  and which are used to operatively connect corresponding module components and computer peripherals. The network of operatively coupled interface connectors includes component or peripheral interface connectors  60 , and module interface connectors  61  and  62 . Module interface connectors  61  and  62  are used to operatively couple module components of a module computer system according to the invention, and peripheral interface connectors  60  are used to operatively couple computer peripherals to base module  50  and, thus, to a module computer system incorporating base module  50 . 
     Module interface connector  61  is formed in end  56  of housing  51  and is exposed at end  56  so as to be available for use, and module interface connector  62  is formed in end  57  of housing  51  and is exposed at end  57  so as to be available for use. Component interface connectors  60  are formed in the middle of housing  51  and are exposed so as to be available for use. More specifically, component interface connectors  60  are formed in sides  54  and  55  of housing  51 . In the present embodiment, there are a total of eight component interface connectors  60 , including four interface connectors  60  formed in side  54  of housing  51  and four interface connectors  60  formed in side  55  of housing  51 . According to a preferred embodiment, interface connectors  60 ,  61 , and  62  each comply with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard and, as such, are each standard USB interface connectors that are well known in the art. Interface connectors  60 ,  61 ,  62  are preferably conventional USB 3.0 interface connectors for providing high transfer rates. In alternate embodiments, interface connectors  60 ,  61 , and  62  are USB 2.0 interface connectors. In a further embodiment, a combination of USB 2.0 and 3.0 interface connectors are used for interface connectors  60 ,  61 , and  62 . As a matter of a specific configuration of USB 2.0 and 3.0 interface connectors in a particular embodiment, module interface connectors  61  and  62  comply with USB 3.0, four of the eight peripheral interface connectors  60  formed in the middle of base module  50  comply with USB 2.0, and the remaining four of the eight peripheral interface connectors  60  formed in the middle of base module  50  comply with USB 2.0. In this latter embodiment, peripheral interface connectors  60  formed in each of sides  54  and  55  of base module  50  include two peripheral interface connectors  60  that comply with USB 2.0 and two peripheral interface connectors  60  that that comply with USB 3.0. In base module  50 , peripheral interface connectors  60  are conventional female USB interface connectors that conventionally accept corresponding male USB interface connectors/plugs, module interface connector  61  is a conventional female USB interface connector that conventionally accepts a corresponding male USB interface connector/plug, and module interface connector  62  is a conventional male USB interface connector/plug that is conventionally received by a corresponding female USB interface connector. Peripheral interface connectors  60  are each associated with a corresponding light  65 , which illuminate in response to receiving and sensing a corresponding male USB interface connector/plug, and which do not illuminate when unplugged from a corresponding male USB connector/plug. Lights  65  are each a conventional LED, which are operatively connected to peripheral interface connectors  60  with conventional electrical circuitry (not shown). 
     Looking to  FIGS. 5-7 , which are highly generalized schematic representations of base module  50 , base module  50  incorporates a conventional printed circuit board (PCB)  70 , a conventional anti-static pad  71  for absorbing/dissipating built-up static electricity, a conventional and standard wireless network antenna  72 , conventional staticspeakers  73  for issuing aural stimuli, and a conventional microphone  74 , all of which are formed in and supported by housing  51  and which are electrically and operatively interconnected with conventional electrical circuitry (not shown). Staticspeakers  73  and microphone  74  are formed at upper end  52  of housing  51  in the present embodiment, and they can be formed at other locations along housing  51  if so desired. PCB  70  supports conventional USB host controllers  75 , and interface connectors  60 ,  61 , and  62  are conventionally operatively connected or linked through host controllers  75  with conventional electrical circuitry (not shown). Because interface connectors  60 ,  61 , and  62  comply with a USB standard, host controllers  75  also comply with the corresponding USB standard and this is a conventional and well-known arrangement. Wireless network antenna  72  is operatively coupled to interface connectors  60 ,  61 , and  62  through PCB  70  with conventional electrical circuitry for providing wireless connectivity to networked components through interface connectors  60 ,  61 , and  62 . In the present embodiment, wireless network antenna  72  is electrically and operatively connected to contact structures formed in base module  50  with conventional electrical circuitry (not shown), including one contact structure formed in end  56  of housing  51 , and another contract structure is formed in end  57  of housing  51 . The contact structure formed in end  56  consists of opposed female contacts  80 , and the contract structure formed in end  57  consists of opposed male contacts  81 .  FIG. 1  shows female contacts  80  formed in end  56  of housing  51 , and  FIGS. 2 and 4  show male contacts  81  formed in end  57  of housing  51 . The female and male contacts  80  and  81  are fashioned of metal, such as nickel and/or aluminum. 
     Referencing  FIGS. 1-7  in relevant part, base module  50  is formed with opposed rail segments  90  and  100 , which are used to receive and support computer peripherals, such as input and output devices. Rail segment  90  is formed exteriorly of housing  51  alongside of side  54  of housing  51 , and rail segment  100  is formed exteriorly of housing  51  alongside of side  55  of housing  51 . Rail segment  90  and  100  are elongate and are equal in size and shape. Rail segment  90  has opposed free ends  91  and  92 , and is spaced-apart from, and is fixed horizontally to, side  54  of housing  51  of base module  50  near upper end  52  of housing  51  with opposed struts  93  and  94  attached between side  54  of housing  51  and rail segment  90 . Rail segment  90  extends horizontally alongside of side  54  of housing  51  of base module  50  from free end  91  of rail segment  90  near end  56  of housing  51  to free end  92  of rail segment  90  near end  57  of housing  51 . Rail segment  100  has opposed free ends  101  and  102 , and is spaced-apart from, and is fixed horizontally to, side  55  of housing  51  of base module  50  near upper end  52  of housing  51  with opposed struts  103  and  104  attached between side  55  of housing  51  and rail segment  100 . Rail segment  100  extends horizontally alongside of side  55  of housing  51  of base module  50  from free end  101  of rail segment  90  near end  56  of housing  51  to free end  102  of rail segment  100  near end  57  of housing  51 . Rail segments  90  and  100  oppose one another on either side of housing  51  of base module  50 , and are parallel with respect to each other. 
     Base module  50  is used with other modular components to form modular computer systems, including a self-contained host computer module  110  shown in  FIGS. 8-11 , power modules including a self-contained power plug module  111 , shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , and a self-contained battery module  112 , shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , and a self-contained peripheral module  113  shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . The various modules are compact, easy to transport and highly mobile, and may be individually replaced, repaired, or upgraded as needed. 
     Referencing  FIGS. 8-11  in relevant part, host computer module  110  is constructed and arranged to perform computer functions, and is fully self-contained. Computer module  110  includes a housing  121  having opposed horizontal upper and lower ends  122  and  123  and opposed vertical sides  124  and  125  that extend between opposed vertical ends  126  and  127 . Upper and lower ends  122  and  123 , and sides  124  and  125  cooperate to form the middle of housing  121  of host computer module  110 , and this defined middle extends between opposed ends  126  and  127  of housing  121  of host computer module  110 . Housing  121 , and thus host computer module  110 , is compact and in the present embodiment housing  121  is block-shaped being generally square in overall shape in the present embodiment, in which upper end  122  is parallel with respect to lower end  123 , side  124  is parallel with respect to side  125 , and end  126  is parallel with respect to end  127 . Housing  51  is formed of plastic or metal, and upper end  122  forms the top of host computer module  110 , and lower end  123  forms the bottom of host computer module  110 . 
     Housing  120  contains a conventional computer architecture or system for performing conventional computer functions, which is operatively coupled to a computer interface connector  130 , which is supported by housing  120  and which is used to operatively connect host computer module  110  to corresponding module components and computer peripherals. Computer interface connector  130  is formed in end  126  of housing  120  and is exposed at end  126  so as to be available for use. According to a preferred embodiment, computer interface connector  130  complies with a USB standard and, as such, is a standard USB interface connector well known in the art. Computer interface connector  130  is preferably a conventional USB 3.0 interface connector for providing high transfer rates, and in an alternate embodiment it may be formed as a conventional USB 2.0 interface connector. In the present embodiment, computer interface connector  130  is a conventional female USB interface connector that conventionally accepts a corresponding male USB interface connectors/plugs, including male module interface connector  62  of base module  50  in a computer connecting position of host computer module  110  relative to base module  50 , shown for example in  FIG. 16 , for operatively connecting host computer module  110  to base module  50  and, more specifically, for operatively coupling host computer module  110  to module interface connector  61  of base module for, in turn, operatively coupling host computer module  110  to module components coupled to base module  50  at module interface connector  61 , and to peripheral interface connectors  60  of base module  50  for, in turn, operatively coupling host computer module  110  to computer peripherals coupled to base module  50  through peripheral interface connectors  60  of base module. In the computer connecting position of host computer module  110  to base module  50  operatively connecting host computer module  110  to base module  50 , host computer module  110  is plugged into base module  50  by plugging computer interface connector  130  of host computer module  110  into module interface connector  62  of base module  50 , and further details of this are discussed more fully below. 
     The computer architecture or system formed in housing  120  of host computer module  110  is entirely conventional and itself does not form part of the invention. As a matter of example, the computer system formed in host computer module  110  includes conventional computer components including, for instance, a central processor, standard memory, and flash memory maintaining an operating system or platform, a standard wireless network chip for facilitating wireless access to networked components, a Bluetooth transceiver/receiver, a conventional or standard wireless network antenna just like that of antenna  72  of base module  50 , and the like. In the present embodiment, the wireless network antenna of host computer module  110  is electrically and operatively connected to a contact structure formed in host computer module  110  with conventional electrical circuitry. The contact structure of host computer module  110  is formed in end  126  of housing  120  of host computer module  110 , and consists of opposed female contacts  80 . Female contacts  80  correspond and relate to male contacts  81  formed in end  57  of base module  50 , and receive and contact male contacts  81  in the computer connecting position of host computer module  110  to base module  50  for operatively connecting antenna  72  of base module  50  to the antenna of host computer module  110  for providing antenna amplification for amplified wireless connectivity to networked components, such as to amplify wireless, Bluetooth, and any other peripheral requiring connectivity. Host computer module  110  is also formed with a conventional ON/OFF switch  131 , which is formed at upper end  122  of housing  120 , for turning host computer module ON and OFF. As seen in  FIGS. 9 and 11 , host computer module  110  is additionally formed with opposed conventional D USB connectors/outlets, including one D USB connector  135  for receiving a corresponding plug to power host computer module  110 , and a micro- or mini-HD connector  136  for receiving a corresponding plug for applying audio/video signals to host computer module  110 . 
     With continuing reference to  FIGS. 8-11  in relevant part, host computer module  110  is formed with opposed rail segments  140  and  150 , which are used to receive and support computer peripherals, such as input and output devices. Rail segment  140  is formed exteriorly of housing  120  alongside of side  124  of housing  120 , and rail segment  150  is formed exteriorly of housing  120  alongside of side  125  of housing  120 . Rail segment  140  and  150  are elongate and are equal in size and shape. Rail segment  140  has opposed free ends  141  and  142 , and is spaced-apart from, and is fixed horizontally to, side  124  of housing  120  of host computer module  110  near upper end  122  of housing  120  with opposed struts  143  and  144  attached between side  124  of housing  120  and rail segment  140 . Rail segment  140  extends horizontally alongside of side  124  of housing  120  of host computer module  110  from free end  141  of rail segment  140  near end  126  of housing  120  to free end  142  of rail segment  140  near end  127  of housing  120 . Rail segment  150  has opposed free ends  151  and  152 , and is spaced-apart from, and is fixed horizontally to, side  125  of housing  120  of host computer module  110  near upper end  122  of housing  120  with opposed struts  153  and  154  attached between side  125  of housing  120  and rail segment  150 . Rail segment  150  extends horizontally alongside of side  125  of housing  120  of host computer module  110  from free end  151  of rail segment  140  near end  126  of housing  120  to free end  152  of rail segment  150  near end  127  of housing  120 . Rail segments  140  and  150  oppose one another on either side of housing  120  of host computer module  110 , and are parallel with respect to each other. 
     Referring now and in relevant part to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , a first embodiment of a power module is illustrated, which is a power plug module  111  used to provide power to base module  50  and to host computer module  110  in the computer connecting position of host computer module  110  when power plug module  111  is operatively connected to base module  50  and to a dedicated power source, such as conventional power outlet. Power plug module  111  is fully self-contained, and includes a housing  161  having opposed horizontal upper and lower ends  162  and  163  and opposed vertical sides  164  and  165  that extend between opposed vertical ends  166  and  167 . Upper and lower ends  162  and  163 , and sides  164  and  165  cooperate to form the middle of housing  161  of power plug module  111 , and this defined middle extends between opposed ends  166  and  167  of housing  161  of power plug module  111 . Housing  161 , and thus power plug module  111 , is compact and block-shaped and in the present embodiment housing  161  is generally square in overall shape, in which upper end  162  is parallel with respect to lower end  163 , side  164  is parallel with respect to side  165 , and end  166  is parallel with respect to end  167 . Housing  160  is formed of plastic or metal, and upper end  162  forms the top of power plug module  111 , and lower end  163  forms the bottom of power plug module  111 . 
     Power plug module  111  is formed with power a connector/outlet  170  and a power interface connector  171 , which are operatively coupled in power communication with conventional power circuitry formed in housing  160 , and which is constructed and arranged to transfer electrical power from power connector  170  to power interface connector  171  for power supply purposes. Power connector  170  is formed in end  167  of housing  160  of power plug module  111 , is exposed at end  167  of housing  160  so as to be available for use, and is a conventional D USB connector/outlet for receiving a corresponding plug of a conventional power cord to supply power to power plug module  111 . Power interface connector  171  is formed in end  166  of housing  160  of power plug module  111 , and is used to operatively or power connect power plug module  111  to corresponding module components and computer peripherals. Power interface connector  171  is exposed at end  166  of housing  160  of power plug module  111  so as to be available for use. According to a preferred embodiment, power interface connector  171  complies with a USB standard and, as such, is a standard USB interface connector well known in the art. Power interface connector  171  is preferably a conventional USB 3.0 interface connector, and in an alternate embodiment it may be formed as a conventional USB 2.0 interface connector. In the present embodiment, power interface connector  171  is a conventional male USB interface connector/plug that is conventionally received by a corresponding female USB interface connectors, including female module interface connector  61  of base module  50  in a power connecting position of power plug module  111  relative to base module  50 , shown for example in  FIG. 16 , for operatively or power connecting power plug module  111  to base module  50  for powering base module  50  and for powering other modules and computer peripherals operatively connected to base module  50 . More specifically, in the power connecting position of power plug module  111 , power plug module  111  is coupled to base module  50  for operatively coupling the network of operatively coupled interface connectors  60 ,  61 , and  62  of base module  50  to receive power from power plug module  111  for powering host computer module  110  in the computer connecting position of host computer module  110 , and for powering computer peripherals coupled to base module  50  through peripheral interface connectors  60  of base module  50 . In the power connecting position of power plug module  111  to base module  50  operatively connecting power plug module  111  to base module  50 , it is to be understood that power plug module  111  is plugged into base module  50  by plugging power interface connector  171  of power plug module  111  into module interface connector  61  of base module  50 , and further details of this are discussed more fully below. 
     The power circuitry formed in housing  160  of power plug module  111  between power connector  170  and power interface connector  171  is entirely conventional and itself does not form part of the invention. Like base module  50  and host computer module  110 , power plug module  111  incorporates a conventional or standard wireless network antenna inside housing  160  just like that of antenna  72  of base module  50 , and like the similar antenna formed in host computer module  110 . In the present embodiment, the wireless network antenna of power plug module  111  is electrically and operatively connected to a contact structure formed in power plug module  111  with conventional electrical circuitry. The contact structure of power plug module  111  is formed in end  166  of housing  160  of power plug module  111 , and consists of opposed male contacts  81 . Male contacts  81  correspond and relate to female contacts  80  formed in end  56  of base module  50 , and receive in contact female contacts  80  in the power connecting position of power plug module  111  to base module  50  for operatively connecting antenna  72  of base module  50  to the antenna of power plug module  111  for providing antenna amplification for amplified wireless connectivity to networked components, such as to amplify wireless and Bluetooth connectivity to networked components. Power plug module  111  is also formed with a conventional ON/OFF switch  175 , which is formed at upper end  162  of housing  160 , for turning power plug module  111  ON and OFF. 
     With continuing reference to  FIGS. 12 and 13  in relevant part, power plug module  111  is formed with opposed rail segments  180  and  190 , which are used to receive and support computer peripherals, such as input and output devices. Rail segment  180  is formed exteriorly of housing  160  alongside of side  164  of housing  160 , and rail segment  190  is formed exteriorly of housing  160  alongside of side  165  of housing  160 . Rail segment  180  and  190  are elongate and are equal in size and shape. Rail segment  180  has opposed free ends  181  and  182 , and is spaced-apart from, and is fixed horizontally to, side  164  of housing  160  of power plug module  111  near upper end  162  of housing  160  with opposed struts  183  and  184  attached between side  164  of housing  160  and rail segment  180 . Rail segment  180  extends horizontally alongside of side  164  of housing  160  of power plug module  111  from free end  181  of rail segment  180  near end  166  of housing  160  to free end  182  of rail segment  180  near end  167  of housing  160 . Rail segment  190  has opposed free ends  191  and  192 , and is spaced-apart from, and is fixed horizontally to, side  165  of housing  160  of power plug module  111  near upper end  162  of housing  160  with opposed struts  193  and  194  attached between side  165  of housing  160  and rail segment  190 . Rail segment  190  extends horizontally alongside of side  165  of housing  160  of power plug module  111  from free end  191  of rail segment  180  near end  166  of housing  160  to free end  192  of rail segment  190  near end  177  of housing  160 . Rail segments  180  and  190  oppose one another on either side of housing  160  of power plug module  111 , and are parallel with respect to each other. 
     And now referring in relevant part to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , an alternate embodiment of a power module is illustrated, which is battery module  111  used to provide battery power to base module  50  and to host computer module  110  in the computer connecting position of host computer module  110  when battery module  112  is operatively connected to base module  50 . Battery module  112  is fully self-contained, and includes a housing  201  having opposed horizontal upper and lower ends  202  and  203  and opposed vertical sides  204  and  205  that extend between opposed vertical ends  206  and  207 . Upper and lower ends  202  and  203 , and sides  204  and  205  cooperate to form the middle of housing  201  of battery module  112 , and this defined middle extends between opposed ends  206  and  207  of housing  201  of battery module  112 . Housing  201 , and thus battery module  112 , is compact and block-shaped and in the present embodiment housing  201  is generally rectangular in overall shape, in which upper end  202  is parallel with respect to lower end  203 , side  204  is parallel with respect to side  205 , and end  206  is parallel with respect to end  207 . Housing  200  is formed of plastic and/or metal, and upper end  202  forms the top of battery module  112 , and lower end  203  forms the bottom of battery module  112 . 
     Battery module  112  is formed with a power connector/outlet  210  and a battery interface connector  211 , which are operatively coupled in power communication with conventional battery power circuitry and a battery formed in housing  200 . The battery power circuitry is well known, and is constructed and arranged to transfer electrical battery power from power connector  210  to battery interface connector  211  for battery power supply purposes. The battery of battery module  112  is a conventional and well known battery form, such as a conventional and rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Although battery module  112  incorporates one battery, it may include two or more such battery for prolonged battery power capability and redundancy. Power connector  210  is formed in end  207  of housing  200  of battery module  112 , is exposed at end  207  of housing  200  so as to be available for use, and is a conventional D USB connector/outlet for receiving a corresponding plug of a conventional power cord to supply power to battery module  112  for recharging the battery of battery module  112 . Battery interface connector  211  is formed in end  206  of housing  200  of battery module  112 , and is used to operatively or power connect battery module  112  to corresponding module components and computer peripherals. Battery interface connector  211  is exposed at end  206  of housing  200  of battery module  112  so as to be available for use. According to a preferred embodiment, battery interface connector  211  complies with a USB standard and, as such, is a standard USB interface connector well known in the art. Battery interface connector  211  is preferably a conventional USB 3.0 interface connector, and in an alternate embodiment it may be formed as a conventional USB 2.0 interface connector. In the present embodiment, battery interface connector  211  is a conventional male USB interface connector/plug that is conventionally received by a corresponding female USB interface connectors, including female module interface connector  61  of base module  50  in a battery power connecting position of battery module  112  relative to base module  50 , shown for example in  FIG. 18 , for operatively or battery power connecting battery module  112  to base module  50  for battery powering base module  50  and for powering other modules and computer peripherals operatively connected to base module  50 . More specifically, in the battery power connecting position of battery module  112 , battery module  112  is coupled to base module  50  for operatively coupling the network of operatively coupled interface connectors  60 ,  61 , and  62  of base module  50  to receive battery power from battery module  112  for powering host computer module  110  in the computer connecting position of host computer module  110 , and for battery powering computer peripherals coupled to base module  50  through peripheral interface connectors  60  of base module  50 . In the battery power connecting position of battery module  112  to base module  50  operatively connecting battery module  112  to base module  50 , it is to be understood that battery module  112  is plugged into base module  50  by plugging battery interface connector  211  of battery module  112  into module interface connector  61  of base module  50 , and further details of this are discussed more fully below. 
     The battery and the battery power circuitry formed in housing  200  of battery module  112  between power connector  210  and battery interface connector  211  are entirely conventional and each do not form part of the invention Like base module  50  and host computer module  110 , battery module  112  incorporates a conventional or standard wireless network antenna inside housing  200  just like that of antenna  72  of base module  50 , and like the similar antenna formed in host computer module  110 . In the present embodiment, the wireless network antenna of battery module  112  is electrically and operatively connected to a contact structure formed in battery module  112  with conventional electrical circuitry. The contact structure of battery module  112  is formed in end  206  of housing  200  of battery module  112 , and consists of opposed male contacts  81 . Male contacts  81  correspond and relate to female contacts  80  formed in end  56  of base module  50 , and receive in contact female contacts  80  in the power connecting position of battery module  112  to base module  50  for operatively connecting antenna  72  of base module  50  to the antenna of battery module  112  for providing antenna amplification for amplified wireless connectivity to networked components. Battery module  112  may be formed with a conventional ON/OFF switch  215  for turning battery module  112  ON and OFF, and a power indicator light  216  for indicating the power level of the battery of battery module  112 , both of which are formed at upper end  202  of housing  200 . 
     With continuing reference to  FIGS. 14 and 15  in relevant part, battery module  112  is formed with opposed rail segments  220  and  230 , which are used to receive and support computer peripherals, such as input and output devices. Rail segment  220  is formed exteriorly of housing  200  alongside of side  204  of housing  200 , and rail segment  230  is formed exteriorly of housing  200  alongside of side  205  of housing  200 . Rail segment  220  and  230  are elongate and are equal in size and shape. Rail segment  220  has opposed free ends  221  and  222 , and is spaced-apart from, and is fixed horizontally to, side  204  of housing  200  of battery module  112  near upper end  202  of housing  200  with opposed struts  223  and  224  attached between side  204  of housing  200  and rail segment  220 . Rail segment  220  extends horizontally alongside of side  204  of housing  200  of battery module  112  from free end  221  of rail segment  220  near end  206  of housing  200  to free end  222  of rail segment  220  near end  207  of housing  200 . Rail segment  230  has opposed free ends  231  and  232 , and is spaced-apart from, and is fixed horizontally to, side  205  of housing  200  of battery module  112  near upper end  202  of housing  200  with opposed struts  233  and  234  attached between side  205  of housing  200  and rail segment  230 . Rail segment  230  extends horizontally alongside of side  205  of housing  200  of battery module  112  from free end  231  of rail segment  220  near end  206  of housing  200  to free end  232  of rail segment  230  near end  177  of housing  200 . Rail segments  220  and  230  oppose one another on either side of housing  200  of battery module  112 , and are parallel with respect to each other. 
     Host computer module  110  and power plug module  111  may be plugged into base module  50  to form a module computer system, and host computer module  110  and battery module  112  may be plugged into base module to form an alternate embodiment of a module computer system.  FIGS. 16 and 17  are perspective views of a module computer system  250  formed with host computer module  110  and power plug module  111  plugged into base module  50 . To form module computer system  250 , host computer module  110  and power plug module  111  are plugged into base module  50  so as to operatively connect host computer module  110  and power plug module  111  to base module  50 . To plug host computer module  110  into base module  50  in a computer connecting position of host computer module  110  relative to base module  50 , both are positioned upright next to each other from bottom to top and end  126  of host computer module  110  formed with computer interface connector  130  and female contacts  80  is directed toward end  57  of base module  50  formed with module interface connector  62  and male contacts  81  so as to register computer interface connector  130  and female contacts  80  formed in end  126  of host computer module  110  with module interface connector  62  and male contacts  81 , respectively, formed in end  57  of base module  50 . At this point, base module  50  and host computer module  110  are simply pushed together plugging module interface connector  62  of base module  50  into computer interface connector  130  of host computer module  110  and plugging male contacts  81  of base module  50  into female contacts  80  of host computer module  110 . By so plugging host computer module  110  to base module  50  in the computer connecting position of host computer module  110  relative to base module  50  as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , end  126  of host computer module  110  directly contacts end  57  of base module  50 , host computer module  110  is operatively coupled or otherwise connected to base module  50  at module interface connector  62  thereby operatively coupling host computer module  110  to peripheral interface connectors  60  of base module  50  for, in turn, operatively coupling host computer module  110  to computer peripherals coupled to base module  50  through peripheral interface connectors  60  of base module  50 , and male contacts  81  formed in end  57  of base module  50  contact corresponding female contacts  80  formed in end  126  of host computer module  110  operatively connecting antenna  72  of base module  50  to the corresponding antenna of host computer module  110  for providing antenna amplification for amplified wireless connectivity to networked components, such as to amplify wireless, Bluetooth, and any other peripheral requiring connectivity. 
     To plug power plug module  111  into base module  50  in a power connecting position of power plug module  111  relative to base module  50  to power base module  50  and also host computer module  110  in the computer connecting position of host computer module  110 , both are positioned upright next to each other from bottom to top and end  166  of power plug module  111  formed with power interface connector  171  and male contacts  81  is directed toward end  56  of base module  50  formed with module interface connector  61  and female contacts  80  so as to register power interface connector  171  and male contacts  81  formed in end  166  of power plug module  111  with module interface connector  61  and female contacts  80 , respectively, formed in end  56  of base module  50 . At this point, base module  50  and power plug module  111  are simply pushed together plugging power interface connector  171  of power plug module  111  into module interface connector  61  of base module  50  and plugging male contacts  81  of power plug module  111  into female contacts  80  of base module  50 . By so plugging power plug module  111  to base module  50  in the power connecting position of power plug module  111  relative to base module  50  as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , end  166  of power plug module  111  directly contacts end  56  of base module  50 , power plug module  111  is operatively coupled or otherwise connected to base module  50  at module interface connector  61  thereby operatively coupling the network of operatively coupled interface connectors  60 ,  61 , and  62  of base module  50  to receive power from power plug module  111  for powering host computer module  110  in the computer connecting position of host computer module  110 , and for powering computer peripherals coupled to base module  50  through peripheral interface connectors  60  of base module  50 , and male contacts  81  formed in end  66  of power plug module  111  contact corresponding female contacts  80  formed in end  56  of base module  50  operatively connecting antenna  72  of base module  50  to the corresponding antenna of power plug module  111  for providing antenna amplification for amplified wireless connectivity to networked components, such as to amplify wireless, Bluetooth, and any other peripheral requiring connectivity. 
     Having formed modular computer system  250  in  FIGS. 16 and 17  by plugging host computer module  110  and power plug module  111  to either end of base module  50  according to the principle of the invention, modular computer system  250  is ready for use for computing purposes. To power modular computer system, a power cord is simply plugged into a power outlet and into power plug  170  ( FIG. 13 ) of power plug module  111 , ON/OFF switch  175  of power plug module  111  is turned ON to power base module  50  and host computer module  110 , and ON/OFF switch  131  of computer module  110  is turned ON activating computer module  110 . Output and input devices, namely, a keyboard and a monitor, plugged into base module  50  at peripheral interface connectors  60  of base module  50  are powered from base module  50  and interface with host computer module  110  in a conventional manner for operating computer module  110  and for displaying computer functions, wherein staticspeakers  73  of base module  50  provide auditory feedback/output to the user from host computer module  110  and/or to any peripheral device plugged into base module  50  and microphone  74  may be used for talking into host computer module  110  through base module  50  for, as a matter of example, interacting with voice-activated software, or voice-over IP, etc. 
     In the computer connecting position of host computer module  110  relative to base module  50  and in the power connecting position of power plug module  111  relative to base module  50  forming modular computer system  250 , the respective modules are plugged together and form a compact and block-shaped, whereby sides  54 ,  124 , and  164  are coplanar and so cooperate to form the front face of system  250 , sides  55 ,  125 , and  165  are coplanar and so cooperate to form the opposing rear face of system  250 , the tops or upper ends  52 ,  122 , and  162  are coplanar and so cooperate to form the top of system  250 , and the bottoms or lower ends  53 ,  123 , and  163  are coplanar and so cooperate to form a supporting bottom of system  250  positionable against a support surface, such as the surface of a desk or table. 
     In the computer connecting position of host computer module  110  relative to base module  50 , free end  141  of rail segment  140  positioned near the top and side  124  of host computer module  110  diametrically opposes and is juxtaposed with free end  92  of rail segment  90  positioned near the top and side  54  of base module  50 , and rail segment  90  of base module  50  is coaxial with respect to rail segment  140  of host computer module  110  such that rail segment  90  of base module  50  cooperates with rail segment  140  of host computer module  110  to form a peripherals-supporting rail that extends horizontally along the tops of base and host computer modules  50  and  110  along the front face of system  250 . Furthermore, in the computer connecting position of host computer module  110  and the power connecting position of power plug module  111 , free end  181  of rail segment  180  positioned near the top and side  164  of power plug module  111  diametrically opposes and is juxtaposed with free end  91  of rail segment  90  positioned near the top and side  54  of base module  50 , and rail segment  180  of power plug module  111  is coaxial with respect to rail segment  90  of base module  50  and rail segment  140  of host computer module  110  such that rail segment  180  of power plug module  111  forms an extension of the peripherals-supporting rail formed by rail segments  90  and  140  of the base and host computer modules  50  and  110 , in which all of these rail segments together cooperate to form a peripherals-supporting rail that extends horizontally along the tops of base, host computer, and power plug modules  50 ,  110 , and  111  along the front face of system  250  and along the entire length of system  250  from free end  142  of rail segment  140  of host computer module  110  near end  127  of host computer module  110  to free end  182  of rail segment  180  of power plug module  111  near end  167  of power plug module  111 . 
     Further in the computer connecting position of host computer module  110  relative to base module  50 , free end  151  of rail segment  150  positioned near the top and side  125  of host computer module  110  diametrically opposes and is juxtaposed with free end  102  of rail segment  100  positioned near the top and side  55  of base module  50 , and rail segment  100  of base module  50  is coaxial with respect to rail segment  150  of host computer module  110  such that rail segment  100  of base module  50  cooperates with rail segment  150  of host computer module  110  to form a peripherals-supporting rail that extends horizontally along the tops of base and host computer modules  50  and  110  along the rear face of system  250 . Furthermore, in the computer connecting position of host computer module  110  and the power connecting position of power plug module  111 , free end  191  of rail segment  190  positioned near the top and side  165  of power plug module  111  diametrically opposes and is juxtaposed with free end  101  of rail segment  100  positioned near the top and side  55  of base module  50 , and rail segment  190  of power plug module  111  is coaxial with respect to rail segment  100  of base module  50  and rail segment  150  of host computer module  110  such that rail segment  190  of power plug module  111  forms an extension of the peripherals-supporting rail formed by rail segments  100  and  150  of the base and host computer modules  50  and  110 , in which all of these rail segments together cooperate to form a peripherals-supporting rail that extends horizontally along the tops of base, host computer, and power plug modules  50 ,  110 , and  111  along the rear face of system  250  and along the entire length of system  250  from free end  152  of rail segment  150  of host computer module  110  near end  127  of host computer module  110  to free end  192  of rail segment  190  of power plug module  111  near end  167  of power plug module  111 . The peripherals-supporting rails of system  250  formed at the top of system  250  along front and rear faces of system  250  are parallel and oppose one another and are available to be used for securing and supporting computer peripherals for operating system  250 , such as a keyboard and a monitor, and peripheral interface connectors  60  of base module  50  are formed along, and accessible at, the formed front and rear faces. 
       FIGS. 18 and 19  are perspective views of a module computer system  260  formed with host computer module  110  and battery module  112  plugged into base module  50 . To form module computer system  260 , which is powered by battery power from battery module  112 , host computer module  110  and battery module  111  are plugged into base module  50  so as to operatively connect host computer module  110  and battery module  112  to base module  50 . Host computer module  110  is plugged into base module  50  in its computer connecting position as described above. 
     To plug battery module  112  into base module  50  in a battery connecting position of battery module  112  relative to base module  50  to power base module  50  and also host computer module  110  in the computer connecting position of host computer module  110 , both are positioned upright next to each other from bottom to top and end  206  of battery module  112  formed with battery interface connector  211  and male contacts  81  is directed toward end  56  of base module  50  formed with module interface connector  61  and female contacts  80  so as to register battery interface connector  211  and male contacts  81  formed in end  206  of battery module  112  with module interface connector  61  and female contacts  80 , respectively, formed in end  56  of base module  50 . At this point, base module  50  and battery module  112  are simply pushed together plugging battery interface connector  211  of battery module  112  into module interface connector  61  of base module  50  and plugging male contacts  81  of battery module  112  into female contacts  80  of base module  50 . By so plugging battery module  112  to base module  50  in the battery connecting position of battery module  112  relative to base module  50  as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 21 , end  206  of battery module  112  directly contacts end  56  of base module  50 , battery module  112  is operatively coupled or otherwise connected to base module  50  at module interface connector  61  thereby operatively coupling the network of operatively coupled interface connectors  60 ,  61 , and  62  of base module  50  to receive battery power from battery module  112  for powering host computer module  110  in the computer connecting position of host computer module  110 , and for powering computer peripherals coupled to base module  50  through peripheral interface connectors  60  of base module  50 , and male contacts  81  formed in end  66  of battery module  112  contact corresponding female contacts  80  formed in end  56  of base module  50  operatively connecting antenna  72  of base module  50  to the corresponding antenna of battery module  112  for providing antenna amplification for amplified wireless connectivity to networked components, such as to amplify wireless, Bluetooth, and any other peripheral requiring connectivity. 
     Having formed modular computer system  260  in  FIGS. 18 and 19  by plugging host computer module  110  and battery module  112  to either end of base module  50  according to the principle of the invention, modular computer system  260  is ready for use for computing purposes. To power modular computer system, ON/OFF switch  215  of battery module  112  is turned ON to power base module  50  and host computer module  110 , and ON/OFF switch  131  of computer module  110  is turned ON activating computer module  110 . Output and input devices, namely, a keyboard and a monitor, plugged into base module  50  at peripheral interface connectors  60  of base module  50  are powered from base module  50  and interface with host computer module  110  in a conventional manner for operating computer module  110  and for displaying computer functions, wherein staticspeakers  73  of base module  50  provide auditory feedback to the user from host computer module  110  and microphone  74  may be used for talking into host computer module  110  through base module  50  for, as a matter of example, interacting with voice-activated software, or voice-over IP, etc. 
     In the computer connecting position of host computer module  110  relative to base module  50  and in the battery connecting position of battery module  112  relative to base module  50  forming modular computer system  260 , the respective modules are plugged together and form a compact block, whereby sides  54 ,  124 , and  204  are coplanar and so cooperate to form the front face of system  260 , sides  55 ,  125 , and  205  are coplanar and so cooperate to form the opposing rear face of system  260 , the tops or upper ends  52 ,  122 , and  202  are coplanar and so cooperate to form the top of system  260 , and the bottoms or lower ends  53 ,  123 , and  203  are coplanar and so cooperate to form a supporting bottom of system  260  positionable against a support surface, such as the surface of a desk or table. 
     In the computer connecting position of host computer module  110  and the battery connecting position of battery module  112 , free end  221  of rail segment  220  positioned near the top and side  204  of battery module  112  diametrically opposes and is juxtaposed with free end  91  of rail segment  90  positioned near the top and side  54  of base module  50 , and rail segment  220  of battery module  112  is coaxial with respect to rail segment  90  of base module  50  and rail segment  140  of host computer module  110  such that rail segment  220  of battery module  112  forms an extension of the peripherals-supporting rail formed by rail segments  90  and  140  of the base and host computer modules  50  and  110 , in which all of these rail segments together cooperate to form a peripherals-supporting rail that extends horizontally along the tops of base, host computer, and battery modules  50 ,  110 , and  112  along the front face of system  260  and along the entire length of system  260  from free end  142  of rail segment  140  of host computer module  110  near end  127  of host computer module  110  to free end  222  of rail segment  220  of battery module  112  near end  207  of battery module  112 . 
     In the computer connecting position of host computer module  110  and the battery connecting position of battery module  112 , free end  231  of rail segment  230  positioned near the top and side  205  of battery module  112  diametrically opposes and is juxtaposed with free end  101  of rail segment  100  positioned near the top and side  55  of base module  50 , and rail segment  230  of battery module  112  is coaxial with respect to rail segment  100  of base module  50  and rail segment  150  of host computer module  110  such that rail segment  230  of battery module  112  forms an extension of the peripherals-supporting rail formed by rail segments  100  and  150  of the base and host computer modules  50  and  110 , in which all of these rail segments together cooperate to form a peripherals-supporting rail that extends horizontally along the tops of base, host computer, and power plug modules  50 ,  110 , and  111  along the rear face of system  260  and along the entire length of system  260  from free end  152  of rail segment  150  of host computer module  110  near end  127  of host computer module  110  to free end  232  of rail segment  230  of battery module  112  near end  207  of battery module  112 . The peripherals-supporting rails of system  260  formed at the top of system  260  along front and rear faces of system  260  are parallel and oppose one another and are available to be used for securing and supporting computer peripherals for operating system  260 , such as a keyboard and a monitor, and peripheral interface connectors  60  of base module  50  are formed along, and accessible at, the formed front and rear faces. 
     The usefulness of power plug module  111  in system  250  is to operate system  250  from a direct source of power by plugging power plug module  111  into a power outlet. Battery module  112  may be used instead of power plug module  111 , and the usefulness of battery module  112  is to operate system  260  with battery power provided by battery module  112 . 
     In modular computer systems constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention, input and output devices, such as a monitor and a keyboard, are operatively coupled at base module  50  by plugging these components into selected ones of peripheral interface connectors  60  formed in base module  50 . As a matter of example,  FIGS. 20-22  illustrate module computer system  260 , which is formed by host computer module  110  and battery module  112  plugged into either side of base module  50 , shown as it would appear with a keyboard  270  and a monitor  280 . 
       FIGS. 20-22  are perspective views of the module computer system of  FIGS. 18 and 19  shown as it would appear formed with input and output devices, namely, a keyboard  270  and a separate monitor  280 , both of which are conventional and well-known computer peripherals. As seen in  FIG. 21 , keyboard  270  is positioned along the front face of system  260  and is formed with an attached power cord  271  having a plug  272  plugged into one of peripheral interface connectors  60  formed in side  54  of base module  50  thereby operatively coupling keyboard  270  to host computer module  110  through the operative connection between host computer module  110  and base module  50  in the computer connecting position of host computer module  110 . Because peripheral interface connectors  60  formed in side  54  of base module are female USB connectors, plug  272  is a conventional male USB plug that is conventionally plugged into one of peripheral interface connectors  60  formed in side  54  of base module  50 . As seen in  FIG. 22 , monitor  280  is positioned along the rear face of system  260  and is formed with an attached power cord  281  having a plug  282  plugged into one of peripheral interface connectors  60  formed in side  55  of base module  50  thereby operatively coupling monitor  280  to host computer module  110  through the operative connection between host computer module  110  and base module  50  in the computer connecting position of host computer module  110 . Because peripheral interface connectors  60  formed in side  55  of base module are female USB connectors, plug  282  is a conventional male USB plug that is conventionally plugged into one of peripheral interface connectors  60  formed in side  55  of base module  50 . Having plugged keyboard  270  and monitor  280  into system  260  at base module  50 , keyboard  270  and monitor  280  are free to be used for operating host computer module  110  in a normal manner, whereby keyboard is used to enter inputs into host computer module  110  and monitor  280  provides the corresponding display outputs. 
     As previously mentioned, the peripherals-supporting rails of system  260  formed at the top of system  260  along front and rear faces of system  260  are useful for securing and supporting computer peripherals for operating system  260 , such as keyboard  270  and monitor  280 . In  FIGS. 20-22 , the peripherals-supporting rail along front face of system  260  is denoted generally at A and the peripheral supporting rail along rear face of system  260  is denoted generally at B. As shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21 , Keyboard  270  is formed with conventional clips  274  that are clipped to rail A securing keyboard  270  to system  260  along the front face of system  260  as illustrated in  FIGS. 20-22 , and as shown in  FIG. 22  monitor  280  is formed with conventional clips  284  that are clipped to rail B securing monitor  280  to system  260  along the rear face of system  260 , and which is supported upright for easy viewing by a user in front of keyboard  270 . Rails A and B provide a convenient way to secure and support a keyboard and a monitor. However, a monitor and a keyboard used with system  260  need not be secured to rails A and B and may simply be set alongside system  260 . Incorporating keyboard  270  and monitor  280  with system  260  occupies two of the eight peripherals interface connectors  60  formed in base module  50 , and the remaining six peripherals interface connectors  60  may be used with other computer peripherals, such as a printer, a scanner, a camera, etc.  FIGS. 20-22  shown an exemplary configuration of system  260  with keyboard  270  and monitor  280  applied to the peripherals-supporting rails, and system  250  discussed above may also be identically configured with keyboard  270  and monitor  280  applied to the peripherals-supporting rails of system  250 . 
     The combination of base module  50  and computer module  110  forms the basic computer system of modular computer systems  250  and  260 , which is powered by power plug module  111  in system  250  and which is powered by battery module  112  in system  260 . In both systems  250  and  260 , additional peripheral modules for performing peripheral functions for expanding the computer functions of host computer module  110  may be incorporated into systems  250  and  260 . An example of a peripheral module is illustrated in  FIGS. 23 and 24 , and is denoted generally at  300 . 
     Looking to  FIGS. 23 and 24  in relevant part, peripheral module  300  is used for performing a peripheral function for expanding the computer functions of host computer module  110  in the computer connecting position of host computer module  110 . Peripheral module  300  is fully self-contained, and includes a housing  301  having opposed horizontal upper and lower ends  302  and  303  and opposed vertical sides  304  and  305  that extend between opposed vertical ends  306  and  307 . Upper and lower ends  302  and  303 , and sides  304  and  305  cooperate to form the middle of housing  301  of peripheral module  300 , and this defined middle extends between opposed ends  306  and  307  of housing  301  of peripheral module  300 . Housing  301 , and thus peripheral module  300 , is compact, in which upper end  302  is parallel with respect to lower end  303 , side  304  is parallel with respect to side  305 , and end  306  is parallel with respect to end  307 . Housing  301  is formed of plastic or metal, and upper end  302  forms the top of peripheral computer module  300 , and lower end  303  forms the bottom of peripheral computer module  300 . 
     Peripheral module  300  is formed with computer peripheral interface connectors  310  and  311 , which are operatively coupled to a computer peripheral system formed in housing  301 . Computer peripheral interface connectors  310  and  311  are used to operatively couple peripheral module  300  to module components of a module computer system according to the invention. In the present embodiment, the computer peripheral system formed in housing  301  is a cellular component used to provide telephonic access to a cellular telephonic network. The cellular component of peripheral module  300  is entirely conventional, and may be configured to comply with a selected cellular telephonic standard, such as the code division multiple access (CDMA) standard, the global system for mobile (GSM) communications standard, or other standard. 
     Computer peripheral interface connector  310  is formed in end  306  of housing  301  and is exposed at end  306  so as to be available for use, and computer peripheral interface connector  311  is formed in end  307  of housing  301  and is exposed at end  307  so as to be available for use. Computer peripheral interface connectors  310  and  311  each comply with a USB standard and, as such, are each standard USB interface connectors well known in the art. Computer peripheral interface connectors  310  and  311  are preferably conventional USB 3.0 interface connectors for providing high transfer rates, and in an alternate embodiment are USB 2.0 interface connectors. Computer peripheral interface connector  310  is a conventional female USB interface connectors that conventionally accept corresponding male USB interface connectors/plugs, and computer peripheral interface connector  311  is a conventional male USB interface connector that is conventionally received by a corresponding female USB interface connector. 
     Like base module  50 , host computer module  110 , power plug module  111 , and battery module  112 , peripheral module  300  incorporates a conventional or standard wireless network antenna inside housing  301  just like that of the antennas of the other modules, and which, as in base module  50 , is electrically and operatively connected to contact structures formed in peripheral module  300  with conventional electrical circuitry, including one contact structure formed in end  306  of housing  301 , and another contract structure formed in end  307  of housing  51 . The contact structure formed in end  306  consists of opposed female contacts  80 , and the contract structure formed in end  307  consists of opposed male contacts  81 . 
     Peripheral module  300  is useful in system  250  and also in system  260 . When applied to systems  250  and  260 , peripheral module  300  functions to perform a peripheral function for expanding the computer functions of host computer module  110 . In the present embodiment, peripheral module  300  incorporates a cellular component used to provide telephonic access to a cellular telephonic network for making cellular calls over a cellular network, which thus expands the computer functions of host computer module  110 . In system  250 , peripheral module  300  is applied between host computer module  110  and base module  50 , and in system  260  peripheral module  300  is applied between battery module  112  and base module  50 . The application and interface of peripheral module in system  250  is identical to that for system  260 . As such, the details of the application of peripheral module  300  in system  260  will be discussed, with the understanding the ensuing description of the application of peripheral module  300  in system  260  applies equally to the application of peripheral module  300  to system  250 . 
     Computer peripheral interface connector  310  is operatively connectable directly to module interface connector  62  of base module  50  in a peripheral connecting position of peripheral module  300  relative to base module  50 , shown for example in  FIG. 25 , for operatively coupling the network of interface connectors  60 ,  61 , and  62  of base module  50  to peripheral module  300  for, in turn, operatively coupling peripheral interface connectors  60  of base module  50  to peripheral module  300  for operatively coupling peripheral module  300  to computer peripherals coupled to base module  50  through peripheral interface connectors  60  of base module  50 , and for operatively coupling peripheral module  300  to receive power from base module  50  supplied to base module  50  from battery module  112  in the battery connecting position of battery module  112 , and which would be from power plug module  111  in system  250 . 
     Computer interface connector  130  is operatively connectable directly to computer peripheral interface connector  311  in a computer connecting position of host computer module  110  relative to peripheral module  300  for operatively coupling host computer module  110  to peripheral module  300 , and in the peripheral connecting position of peripheral module  300  for operatively coupling host computer module  110  to the network of interface connectors  60 ,  61 , and  62  of base module  50  for, in turn, operatively coupling host computer module  110  to computer peripherals coupled to base module  50  through peripheral interface connectors  60  of base module  50 , and for operatively coupling host computer module  110  to receive power from peripheral module  300  supplied to peripheral module  300  from battery module  112  operatively coupled to base module  50  in the battery connecting position of battery module  112 , and which would be from power plug module  111  in system  250 . 
     With continuing reference to  FIGS. 23 and 24  in relevant part, peripheral module  300  is formed with opposed rail segments  320  and  330 , which are used to receive and support computer peripherals, such as input and output devices. Rail segment  320  is formed exteriorly of housing  310  alongside of side  314  of housing  310 , and rail segment  330  is formed exteriorly of housing  310  alongside of side  315  of housing  310 . Rail segment  320  and  330  are elongate and are equal in size and shape. Rail segment  320  has opposed free ends  321  and  322 , and is spaced-apart from, and is fixed horizontally to, side  314  of housing  310  of peripheral module  300  near upper end  312  of housing  310  with a strut  323  attached between side  314  of housing  310  and rail segment  320 . Rail segment  320  extends horizontally alongside of side  314  of housing  310  of peripheral module  300  from free end  321  of rail segment  320  near end  316  of housing  310  to free end  322  of rail segment  320  near end  317  of housing  310 . Rail segment  330  has opposed free ends  331  and  332 , and is spaced-apart from, and is fixed horizontally to, side  315  of housing  310  of peripheral module  300  near upper end  312  of housing  310  with a strut  333  attached between side  315  of housing  310  and rail segment  330 . Rail segment  330  extends horizontally alongside of side  315  of housing  310  of peripheral module  300  from free end  331  of rail segment  320  near end  316  of housing  310  to free end  332  of rail segment  330  near end  177  of housing  310 . Rail segments  320  and  330  oppose one another on either side of housing  310  of peripheral module  300 , and are parallel with respect to each other. 
     To incorporate peripheral module  300  into modular computer system  260  as shown in  FIG. 25 , peripheral computer module  300  is plugged into base module  50  in a peripheral connecting position of peripheral module  300 , and host computer module  110  is, in turn, plugged into peripheral module  300  in a computer connecting position of host computer module  110 . To plug peripheral module  300  into base module  50  in a peripheral connecting position of peripheral module  300 , both are positioned upright next to each other from bottom to top and end  306  of peripheral module  300  formed with computer peripheral interface connector  310  and female contacts  80  is directed toward end  57  of base module  50  formed with module interface connector  62  and male contacts  81  so as to register computer peripheral interface connector  310  and female contacts  80  formed in end  306  of peripheral module  300  with module interface connector  62  and male contacts  81 , respectively, formed in end  57  of base module  50 . At this point, base module  50  and peripheral module  300  are simply pushed together plugging module interface connector  62  of base module  50  into computer peripheral interface connector  310  of peripheral module  300  and plugging male contacts  81  of base module  50  into female contacts  80  of peripheral module  300 . By so plugging peripheral module  300  to base module  50  in the peripheral connecting position of peripheral module  300  relative to base module  50  as shown in  FIG. 25 , end  306  of peripheral module  300  directly contacts end  57  of base module  50 , peripheral module  300  is operatively coupled or otherwise connected to base module  50  at module interface connector  62  thereby operatively coupling peripheral module  300  to peripheral interface connectors  60  of base module  50  for, in turn, operatively coupling peripheral module  300  to computer peripherals coupled to base module  50  through peripheral interface connectors  60  of base module  50 , and male contacts  81  formed in end  57  of base module  50  contact corresponding female contacts  80  formed in end  126  of peripheral module  300  operatively connecting antenna  72  of base module  50  to the corresponding antenna of peripheral module  300  for providing antenna amplification for amplified wireless connectivity to networked components, such as to amplify wireless and Bluetooth connectivity to networked components. 
     To plug host computer module  110  into peripheral module  300  in a computer connecting position of host computer module  110  relative to peripheral module  300  and relative to base module in the peripheral connecting position of peripheral module  300 , both are positioned upright next to each other from bottom to top and end  126  of host computer module  110  formed with computer interface connector  130  and female contacts  80  is directed toward end  307  of peripheral module  300  formed with computer peripheral interface connector  311  and male contacts  81  so as to register computer interface connector  130  and female contacts  80  formed in end  126  of host computer module  110  with computer peripheral interface connector  311  and male contacts  81 , respectively, formed in end  307  of peripheral module  300 . At this point, peripheral module  300  and host computer module  110  are simply pushed together plugging computer peripheral interface connector  311  of peripheral module  300  into computer interface connector  130  of host computer module  110  and plugging male contacts  81  of peripheral module  300  into female contacts  80  of host computer module  110 . By so plugging host computer module  110  to peripheral module  300  in the computer connecting position of host computer module  110  relative to peripheral module  300  and relative to base module  50  in the peripheral connecting position of peripheral module  300  relative to base module  50  as shown in  FIG. 25 , end  126  of host computer module  110  directly contacts end  307  of peripheral module  300 , host computer module  110  is operatively coupled or otherwise connected to peripheral module  300  at computer peripheral interface connector  311  thereby operatively coupling host computer module  110  to peripheral interface connectors  60  of peripheral module  300  for, in turn, operatively coupling host computer module  110  to computer peripherals coupled to peripheral module  300  through peripheral interface connectors  60  of peripheral module  300 , and male contacts  81  formed in end  307  of peripheral module  300  contact corresponding female contacts  80  formed in end  126  of host computer module  110  operatively connecting antenna  72  of peripheral module  300  to the corresponding antenna of host computer module  110  for providing antenna amplification for amplified wireless connectivity to networked components, such as to amplify wireless and Bluetooth connectivity to networked components. With battery  112  in its battery connecting position relative base module  50 , in the peripheral connecting position of peripheral module  300  and in the computer connecting position of host computer module  110 , base module  50 , peripheral module  300 , and host computer module  110  are operatively coupled to receive battery power from battery module  112 , and they would otherwise be operatively coupled to receive power from power plug module  111  in system  250 . 
     Having formed modular computer system  260  in  FIG. 25  incorporating peripheral module  300  by plugging peripheral module  300  and battery module  112  to either end of base module  50  according to the principle of the invention and by plugging host computer module  110  into peripheral module  300 , modular computer system  260  is ready for use for computing purposes. To power modular computer system, ON/OFF switch  215  of battery module  112  is turned ON to power base module  50  and peripheral module  300  and host computer module  110 , and ON/OFF switch  131  of computer module  110  is turned ON activating computer module  110 . Output and input devices, namely, a keyboard and a monitor, plugged into base module  50  at peripheral interface connectors  60  of base module  50  are powered from base module  50  previously described and interface with host computer module  110  in a conventional manner for operating computer module  110  and for displaying computer functions and for accessing a cellular telephonic network with peripheral module  300 , wherein staticspeakers  73  of base module  50  provide auditory feedback to the user from host computer module  110  and microphone  74  may be used for talking into host computer module  110  through base module  50  for, for instance, interacting with voice-activated software, or voice-over IP, etc. 
     In the computer connecting position of host computer module  110 , in the peripheral connecting position of peripheral module  300 , and in the battery connecting position of battery module  112  forming modular computer system  260  in  FIG. 25 , the respective modules are plugged together and form a compact block, whereby sides  54 ,  124 ,  204 , and  304  are coplanar and so cooperate to form the front face of system  260 , sides  55 ,  125 ,  205 , and  305  are coplanar and so cooperate to form the opposing rear face of system  260 , the tops or upper ends  52 ,  122 ,  202 , and  302  are coplanar and so cooperate to form the top of system  260 , and the bottoms or lower ends  53 ,  123 ,  203 , and  303  are coplanar and so cooperate to form a supporting bottom of system  260  positionable against a support surface, such as the surface of a desk or table. 
     In the peripheral connecting position of peripheral module and the computer connecting position of host computer module  110  in system  260  depicted in  FIG. 25 , free end  141  of rail segment  140  positioned near the top and side  124  of host computer module  110  diametrically opposes and is juxtaposed with free end  322  of rail segment  320  positioned near the top and side  304  of peripheral module  300  and rail segment  320  is coaxial with respect to rail segment  140  of host computer module  110 , and free end  321  of rail segment  320  positioned near the top and side  304  of peripheral module  300  diametrically opposes and is juxtaposed with free end  92  of rail segment  90  of base module  50  positioned near the top and side of base module  50 , and rail segment  90  is coaxial with respect to rail segment  320  of peripheral module  300  and rail segment  140  of host computer module  110  such that rail segment  90  of base module  50  cooperates with rail segment  320  of peripheral module  300  and rail segment  140  of host computer module  110  to form a peripherals-supporting rail that extends horizontally along the tops of base, computer peripheral, and host computer modules  50 ,  300 , and  110  along the front face of system  260 . 
     In the peripheral connecting position of peripheral module  300  and the computer connecting position of host computer module  110  and in the battery connecting position of battery module  112 , free end  221  of rail segment  220  of battery module  112  positioned near the top and side  204  of battery module  112  diametrically opposes and is juxtaposed with free end  91  of rail segment  90  positioned near the top and side  54  of base module  50 , and rail segment  220  of battery module  112  is coaxial with respect to rail segment  90  of base module  50 , rail segment  320  of peripheral module  300 , and rail segment  140  of host computer module  110  such that rail segment  220  of battery module  112  forms an extension of the peripherals-supporting rail formed by rail segments  90 ,  320 , and  140 , in which all of these rail segments together cooperate to form a peripherals-supporting rail that extends horizontally along the tops of base, computer peripheral, host computer, and battery modules  50 ,  300 ,  110 , and  112  along the front face of system  260  and along the entire length of system  260  from free end  142  of rail segment  140  of host computer module  110  near end  127  of host computer module  110  to free end  222  of rail segment  220  of battery module  112  near end  207  of battery module  112 . 
     It is to be understood that in the peripheral connecting position of peripheral module  300  and the computer connecting position of host computer module  110  and in the power connecting position of battery module  111  of system  250 , free end  181  of rail segment  180  positioned near the top and side  164  of power plug module  111  diametrically opposes and is juxtaposed with free end  91  of rail segment  90  positioned near the top and side  54  of base module  50 , and rail segment  180  of power plug module  111  is coaxial with respect to rail segment  90  of base module  50 , rail segment  320  of peripheral module  300 , and rail segment  140  of host computer module  110  such that rail segment  180  of power plug module  111  forms an extension of the peripherals-supporting rail formed by rail segments  90 ,  320 , and  140 , in which all of these rail segments together cooperate to form a peripherals-supporting rail that extends horizontally along the tops of base, host computer, and power plug modules  50 ,  110 , and  111  along the front face of system  250  and along the entire length of system  250  from free end  142  of rail segment  140  of host computer module  110  near end  127  of host computer module  110  to free end  182  of rail segment  180  of power plug module  111  near end  167  of power plug module  111 . 
     In the peripheral connecting position of peripheral module and the computer connecting position of host computer module  110  in system  260  depicted in  FIG. 25 , free end  151  of rail segment  150  positioned near the top and side  125  of host computer module  110  diametrically opposes and is juxtaposed with free end  332  of rail segment  330  positioned near the top and side  305  of peripheral module  300  and rail segment  330  is coaxial with respect to rail segment  150  of host computer module  110 , and free end  331  of rail segment  330  positioned near the top and side  305  of peripheral module  300  diametrically opposes and is juxtaposed with free end  102  of rail segment  100  of base module  50  positioned near the top and side of base module  50 , and rail segment  100  is coaxial with respect to rail segment  330  of peripheral module  300  and rail segment  150  of host computer module  110  such that rail segment  100  of base module  50  cooperates with rail segment  330  of peripheral module  300  and rail segment  150  of host computer module  110  to form a peripherals-supporting rail that extends horizontally along the tops of base, computer peripheral, and host computer modules  50 ,  300 , and  110  along the rear face of system  260 . 
     In the peripheral connecting position of peripheral module  300  and the computer connecting position of host computer module  110  and in the battery connecting position of battery module  112 , free end  231  of rail segment  230  of battery module  112  positioned near the top and side  205  of battery module  112  diametrically opposes and is juxtaposed with free end  101  of rail segment  100  positioned near the top and side  55  of base module  50 , and rail segment  230  of battery module  112  is coaxial with respect to rail segment  100  of base module  50 , rail segment  330  of peripheral module  300 , and rail segment  150  of host computer module  110  such that rail segment  230  of battery module  112  forms an extension of the peripherals-supporting rail formed by rail segments  100 ,  330 , and  150 , in which all of these rail segments together cooperate to form a peripherals-supporting rail that extends horizontally along the tops of base, computer peripheral, host computer, and battery modules  50 ,  300 ,  110 , and  112  along the rear face of system  260  and along the entire length of system  260  from free end  142  of rail segment  140  of host computer module  110  near end  127  of host computer module  110  to free end  222  of rail segment  220  of battery module  112  near end  207  of battery module  112 . 
     It is to be understood that in the peripheral connecting position of peripheral module  300  and the computer connecting position of host computer module  110  and in the power connecting position of battery module  111  of system  250 , free end  191  of rail segment  190  positioned near the top and side  165  of power plug module  111  diametrically opposes and is juxtaposed with free end  101  of rail segment  100  positioned near the top and side  55  of base module  50 , and rail segment  190  of power plug module  111  is coaxial with respect to rail segment  100  of base module  50 , rail segment  330  of peripheral module  300 , and rail segment  150  of host computer module  110  such that rail segment  190  of power plug module  111  forms an extension of the peripherals-supporting rail formed by rail segments  100 ,  330 , and  150 , in which all of these rail segments together cooperate to form a peripherals-supporting rail that extends horizontally along the tops of base, host computer, and power plug modules  50 ,  110 , and  111  along the rear face of system  250  and along the entire length of system  250  from free end  142  of rail segment  140  of host computer module  110  near end  127  of host computer module  110  to free end  182  of rail segment  180  of power plug module  111  near end  167  of power plug module  111 . 
     The peripherals-supporting rails of system  260  formed at the top of system  260  along front and rear faces of system  260  as shown in  FIG. 25  are parallel and oppose one another and are available to be used for securing and supporting computer peripherals for operating system  260 , such as a keyboard and a monitor, and this is also applies to system  250  incorporating computer peripherals module  300 . 
     As a matter of example,  FIGS. 26-29  illustrate module computer system  260  which is formed by computer peripherals module  300  and battery module  112  plugged into either side of base module  50  and host computer module  110  plugged into computer peripherals module  300  shown as it would appear with keyboard  270  and a monitor  280 , which are plugged into base module  50  as previously explained. In  FIGS. 26-29 , the peripherals-supporting rail along front face of system  260  is denoted generally at A, the peripheral supporting rail along rear face of system  260  is denoted generally at B, and keyboard  270  and monitor  280  are applied to rails A and B, respectively, in the manner previously described. 
     In  FIGS. 20-22  and  FIGS. 26-29 , the two embodiments of module computer system  260  are shown configured with input and output devices consisting of a keyboard and a separate monitor separately plugged into base module  50 . If desired, the input and output devices consisting of a keyboard and a monitor can be configured as an integrated device as shown in  FIGS. 30-33 , in which there is shown system  260  of  FIG. 25  configured with an interface device  340  having an integrated keyboard  341  and monitor  342 . Interface device  340  is exemplary of a cellular phone other device having an integrated keyboard and monitor, and which is shown as it would appear having a power cord  344  formed with a plug  345  plugged into one of the peripheral interface connector  60  formed in side  55  of base module  50 , and which is further shown as it would appear support atop peripherals-supporting rails A and B with clips  346  applied between interface device  340  and peripherals-supporting rails A and B. 
     Peripheral module  300  set forth in this disclosure is a cellular appliance used to provide telephonic access to a cellular telephonic network and this characterizes the functionality of peripheral module  300 . A peripheral module useful in the module computer systems set forth in this disclosure may be configured to carry out other functions, and other forms of peripheral modules for carrying out other functions may be provided and used to form module computer system embodiments. A peripheral module like that of peripheral module  300  may be configured to perform different functions. Examples of peripheral modules that may be used include, for example, a global-positioning system (GPS) module for performing GPS functions, a fingerprint reader module for providing finger-print log-in, an infra-red signal module for providing remote connections using infra-red signals, a Bluetooth module, a wireless internet access module for providing wireless internet access, a hard drive module for providing additional storage, a CD module, a DVD module, a stereo module, a card reader module for reading a memory card, a television module for providing television connectivity, etc. 
     Those having ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that exemplary module computer systems are disclosed, which include various modules including self-contained base module  50 , self-contained host computer module  110 , power modules including a power plug module  111  and battery module  112 , and peripheral module  113 , which may be plugged together as disclosed in various configurations as disclosed to form module computer systems. The combination of base module  50  and computer module  110  forms the basic computer system of modular computer systems  250  and  260 , which may be powered by power plug module  111  as in system  250 , and which may be powered by battery module  112  in system  260 . Peripheral module  300  may be incorporated and plugged between base module  50  and host computer module  110  for providing additional functionality. The various modules are easy to construct, portable and easily carried about, and interchangeable, and when plugged together form peripherals-supporting rails useful for securing and holding computer peripherals, such as keyboard  270  and monitor  280  as herein specifically disclosed. The various modules may be replaced when broken, or independently fixed and serviced as may be required. The power plug module  111  and the battery module  113  are each exemplary of power modules used to power the module computer systems set forth herein, and each may be configured with conventional surge protectors for providing power surge protections. Furthermore, host computer module  110  may be configured with database options, such as an options database, for making the modular computers systems constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention easier to use with other computer peripherals and peripheral modules. The various interface connectors of the corresponding modules each comply with a USB standard, such as a 2.0 standard, or a 3.0 standard, and each of the various interface connectors may be configured to comply with other USB standards as they are developed without departing from the invention. Also, although various ones of the interface connectors of the various modules are female connectors and others are male connectors, this is set forth as a matter of example and each may be either a male connector or a female connectors as may be desired consistent with the teachings of the various embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, the various computer system embodiments of the invention may be configured to interface wireless with input and output devices, such as monitors and keyboards, as may be desired with conventional wireless interface systems. Furthermore, keyboard and monitor input and output devices useful with the various computer system embodiments of the invention can be provided in any form and size. 
     The invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing from the nature and scope of the invention. Various changes and modifications to the embodiment herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.