Patent Publication Number: US-7719825-B1

Title: Faceplate including wireless LAN communications

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/336,364, filed Jan. 2, 2003. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   This invention is related to wireless LAN communications, and is particularly concerned with techniques for providing wireless LAN functionality to desktop computers. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The past few years has witnessed the ever-increasing availability of relatively inexpensive, low power wireless data communication services, networks and devices, promising near wire speed transmission and reliability. One technology in particular, described in the IEEE Standard 802.11b-1999 Supplement to the ANSI/IEEE Standard 802.11, 1999 edition, collectively incorporated herein fully by reference, and more commonly referred to as “802.11b” or “WiFi”, has become the darling of the information technology industry and computer enthusiasts alike as a wired LAN/WAN alternative (because of its potential 11 Mbps effective data transmission rate, ease of installation and use, and transceiver component costs make it a real and convenient alternative to wired 10 BaseT Ethernet and other cabled data networking alternatives. With 802.11b, workgroup-sized wireless LAN networks can now be deployed in a building in minutes, a campus in days instead of weeks since the demanding task of pulling cable and wiring existing structures is eliminated. Moreover, 802.11b compliant wireless networking equipment is backwards compatible with the earlier 802.11 1 M/2 Mbps standard, thereby further reducing deployment costs in legacy wireless systems. 
   More recently, even faster effective data throughput has been achieved with deployment of next generation wireless LAN communications devices, including access points and client adaptors, compliant with IEEE Standard 802.11a (1999) and DRAFT IEEE Standard 802.11g (2002) High Rate PHY Supplements to the ANSI/IEEE Standard 802.11, 1999 edition, also collectively incorporated herein fully by reference. 
   To date, wireless LAN client adaptors for the 802.11 family (including adaptors compliant with the base 802.11, 802.11b, 802.11a and 802.11g standards), which provide wireless LAN communications functionality to an individual computer, have been packaged in one of five general ways.  FIG. 1  shows a wireless LAN client adapter  101  packaged in a removable PC Card or PCMCIA form factor. When fully inserted (interface  103  first) into a peripheral slot such as a PC Card or PCMCIA slot on a compatible host computer, such as a laptop, network appliance, or PDA, the antenna portion  102  is designed to extend from the end of the slot and beyond the computer case perimeter. This configuration enhances adaptor RF performance, and ultimately effective bandwidth and communications link quality since the antenna  102  is placed outside the RF damping effects of a typically metallic card receiver within the computer (not shown), computer chassis (not shown), and RF shielding used to attenuate RF radiation created by internal computer components such as the information processing system (e.g. a CPU or microprocessor). In other words, the external positioning of antenna  102  avoids the Faraday cage effects of the computer card receiver and/or chassis, as well as reduce component-generated RF interference since the RF shielding, being contained within the computer case, is inherently positioned between the antenna  102  and the RF radiating components. Following pressures to make electronic devices smaller and more power efficient, wireless LAN client adaptors have been recently introduced which generally follow the configuration shown in  FIG. 1  but have smaller overall form factor, such as those specified for removable insertion into Compact Flash (aka CF-Card), Smartmedia, Secure Digital (SD) or MultiMedia Card (MMC) compatible peripheral slots being introduced on the newest computers and intelligent devices. 
   Due to the popularity of the PC Card package shown in  FIG. 1 , as well as competitive pressures to re-use designs where practicable, another configuration alternative is presented in  FIG. 2  which is suitable for deployment in desktop computers. This configuration includes the PC card wireless LAN adaptor  101  mated to a PCI daughtercard  201  for removable insertion into a PCI slot (not shown) found on most desktop system boards or motherboards. In particular, the card edge interface  202  and the PCI glue logic  204  is used to bridge communications between the PCI bus of a desktop computer hosting the adaptor and the PC Card interface  103  fitted to card receiver  206 . The metal card guide  208  is used to secure the daughtercard  201  including the wireless LAN adaptor  101  firmly into the PCI slot and within the desktop computer housing (not shown). As in  FIG. 1 , the antenna  102  is designed to be positioned external to the daughtercard  201  and the computer case when the adaptor  101  is fully inserted into the receiver  103  to maximize potential RF performance. 
   With respect to the wireless LAN adaptor configurations shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the following apparent shortcomings are noted. First, in both configurations, the antenna  102  is in a fixed position external to the computer and case into which the adaptor is inserted. This limits antenna positioning options, as the whole host computer, not the antenna must be reoriented. This is particularly disadvantageous when the host computer adopts a desktop form factor, including a mini-tower or full tower chassis, which, because of its bulk, lends itself to placement on a floor underneath a desk, table or other work surface and often in a corner. This, in turn, positions the typically rear-facing antenna in a far from ideal RF reception environment. Moreover, since the antenna  102  extends from the protective computer case, it is subject to impact damage and stress, and actually alters the form factor of the computer hosting the adaptor, making it harder to carry or fit within tight spaces. Finally, such packaging unnecessarily adds costs, particularly with respect to the configuration shown in  FIG. 2 , since two distinct types of interfaces must be supported, along with artificially imposed constraints on the wireless adaptor  102  form factor. 
   Responsive to these shortcomings, a third wireless LAN adaptor alternative has been introduced and is generally depicted in  FIG. 3 . In this configuration, the entire wireless LAN adaptor  302  is packaged as a self-contained unit external to the computer (not shown) it is servicing. A universal serial bus connection via plug  306  is used to enable high speed communication between the adaptor  302  and the computer. This configuration permits easy repositioning or reorientation of a movable antenna  304 , as well as the adaptor  302  itself, and does not detract from the host computer&#39;s form factor or portability, the latter assuming the adaptor  302  is unplugged prior to transport. Further, this adaptor  302  can easily interface with and support any computer supporting USB, including USB 1.1, USB 2.0, and USB On-The-Go. 
   However, the standalone configuration shown in  FIG. 3  requires a robust and protective housing  305 , which adds cost, and takes up additional space, and actually becomes a separate article to manage for the clutter conscious. Further, due to the strict power draw requirements present in these USB standards, this configuration may need to draw power from an external power supply to maintain acceptable operating range, thereby further adding to clutter and installation inconvenience over other known adaptor configurations. 
     FIG. 11  illustrates a fourth known wireless LAN adaptor configuration  1100 . This configuration is generally similar to the configuration  200  shown in  FIG. 2  and is also particularly suited for use in desktop computer systems. As such, PCI glue logic  204  is used to bridge communications between the host computer and the wireless LAN adaptor components, but in this case, the PC Card interface  103  is eliminated and the baseband processor  1112  and RF transceiver unit ICs  1110  comprising the wireless LAN adapter unit electronics are disposed directed on the daughtercard  1120 . Like the configuration shown in  FIG. 2 , the baseband processor and transceiver electronics remain protected by the computer housing when the daughtercard  1120  is secured therein. 
   However, in this alternative, an external antenna unit  102  is physically removed from the daughtercard but remains RF coupled thereto through a coaxial cable  1104  removably secured to a cable interface  1114  shown here extending through the guide  208 . In so doing, the antenna unit  1102  can be repositioned or reoriented to improve wireless link quality, yet the transceiver components remain protected and shield by the enveloping computer casing and chassis, unlike the configuration alternative shown in  FIG. 3 . 
   In view of the external antenna unit  1102  and cabling unit  1104 , this solution, like the configuration shown in  FIG. 3 , adds to clutter and installation inconvenience. Moreover, this configuration is not believed practical in cost sensitive applications, since, at the very least, a relatively expensive external antenna unit  1102 , a durable coaxial cabling  1104  and a cable interface  1114  must now be additionally included as part of the adaptor parts, and consequently presents increased manufacturing and assembly complexity. 
   Finally, some of the latest computer designs offer integrated wireless LAN capabilities, typically through coupling transceiver and baseband processor electronics on the computer motherboard or on a proprietary or mini-PCI daughtercard with an antenna disposed on or integrated within the computer case. Like  FIG. 11 , a coaxial cable is used to RF couple the RF transceiver electronics to the antenna. While performance is generally superior, this type of configuration is typically customized to the particular computer in which it is designed to operate and is thus limited to those buying such computers. Upgrade options are limited. Moreover, these solutions are relatively costly compared with more traditional configurations highlighted above. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the above noted shortcomings and disadvantages, the present invention is directed in part to a external bay faceplate for a computer case which includes an integrated wireless LAN unit. In particular, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, a faceplate is provided which includes a bezel defining interior and exterior major surfaces arranged to removably cover at least a portion of an external bay opening in a computer case, and a wireless LAN unit mechanically coupled to the interior major surface of said bezel and including a data interface to enable data transfer between the wireless LAN unit and the information processor housed within the computer case. 
   In accordance with one or more disclosed embodiments, several protocols and wired interfacing techniques, including various flavors of USB, FireWire, ethernet, and disk or removable media drive transmission may be used to convey data between the information processor of the host computer and the wireless LAN unit. Cabling may be routed directly from the motherboard supporting the information processor to the wireless LAN unit, or from a daughtercard communicating with the information processor. 
   One or more of the disclosed embodiments feature a blank faceplate covering substantially all of the external bay opening. Alternatively, wireless LAN unit may form part of a drive faceplate, such as a removable media faceplate. Accordingly the invention is believed to have wide application and appeal in a variety of host computer configurations and form factors, and provides a cost-efficient way to provide a host computer with wireless communications. 
   Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate like parts. 

   
     BRIEF. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIGS. 1-3  and  11  are perspective views of known wireless adaptor packages. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a wireless communications enabled faceplate according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a planar view of the interior surface of the faceplate shown in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6  is a planar view of the exterior surface of a faceplate according to another embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a computer case of a host computer incorporating the faceplate of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a host computer including the case shown in  FIG. 7  with one end of the faceplate positioned away from the case. 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic block diagram of the faceplate shown in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 10  is a top view of the faceplate shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  10  depict different views of a faceplate  400  according to an embodiment of the invention which incorporates a wireless LAN unit  522 . This faceplate may be conveniently used to cover an external bay opening in a host computer case, such as the half-height 5¼″ drive bay opening  710  shown in  FIG. 7 . In particular, the interior  520  and exterior  406  major surfaces of the bezel  404  are approximately 1¾″ by 5½″ to at least substantially or completely cover a standard half-height 5¼″ drive bay opening  710 , though may vary depending on the particular external bay opening of interest. Alternatively, the bezel  404  surface  520 ,  406  dimensions can be reduced to e.g. 1″ by 4″ if the faceplate is to be positioned over a 3½″ drive bay opening, such as opening  711  shown in  FIG. 7 . 
   Guiderails or tines  410 ,  411 , formed of a sturdy flexible material extend from the interior surface  520  of the bezel  404  to contain with the edge of an external bay opening or the computer case to removably secure the faceplate  400  to the case. Note that in this embodiment, as best shown in  FIGS. 5 and 10 , a hinged member  530  is provided extending from one of the left minor  550  and interior major  520  surfaces of the bezel  404  to permit rotational movement of the wireless LAN unit  522 , including antenna  508 , about axis A-A when tine  410  communicates with the bay opening edge or case  708  while tine  411  is unsecured. This arrangement permits selective repositioning or reorientation of the antenna  508  to improve reception performance. Although not shown in the figures, the hinged member may, in the alternative or in addition, include a swivel to impart radial movement of the antenna  508  along a major axis of the circuit board  512  upon which the wireless LAN unit  522  is disposed.  FIG. 8  depicts the faceplate  400  installed in the computer  800  with the distal edge  560  pivoted away from the computer case  708  through operation of the hinged member  530 . Other configurations are possible within the spirit of the invention as long as they permit and/or can impart some degree of movement of at least the antenna  508 . Also, though not shown in the figures, in another embodiment, the hinged member  530  and swivel may be omitted if e.g. repositioning of the antenna  508  is undesired. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 10 , a circuit board  512  is attached to the interior major surface  520  of the bezel  404 . Here, such attachment is provided by standoffs  1010  ( FIG. 10 ) extending from the interior major surface  520  of the bezel  404  to contact the underside  1015  of the circuit board  512 . Screws are shown securing the circuit board to these standoffs  1010 , although other types of fasteners or adhesives may be used as is known to those skilled in the art. Though not required, the wireless LAN unit  522  is conveniently disposed on the circuit board in a cost efficient, yet compact manner. The wireless LAN unit includes USB interface circuitry or glue logic  502  serving as a type of data interface enabling data transfer between the wireless LAN unit and the information processor within the computer, typically residing at least in part on the computer motherboard, such as motherboard  812  shown in  FIG. 8 . USB is a commonplace, high-speed, wired communications link which may be conveniently exploited here since modern motherboards typically have on-board USB support including at least a two-port interface. Moreover, conventional faceplates include USB ports connected to the motherboard two-port interface via a cable extending therebetween. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  9  and  10 , double USB port  402  connector presenting individual USB ports  902  extending through the circuit board  512  and terminating proximate the exterior major surface  406  of the bezel  404  is provided to add such functionality. A cable  408  is routed (see  FIG. 8 ) between the motherboard  812  and a pin connector  570  (see e.g.  FIG. 5 ) to route the USB communications to a USB hub  904  ( FIG. 9 ) provided by IC chip  575  supporting the USB ports  902  along with the USB interface  906  ( FIG. 9 ) provided by the interface circuitry  502 . This arrangement enables the wireless LAN unit  522  to communicate with the information processing system without sacrificing one of the individual ports  902  within connector  402 . However, in another embodiment, one of the ports  902  can be directly connected to the USB interface  906 , bypassing the need for the USB hub  904  at the expense of providing one less live USB connection at the exterior major surface  406  of the bezel  404 . 
   In yet another alternative embodiment, external USB ports  902  need not be provided, so that the need for USB connector  402  and the USB hub  904  can be eliminated. 
   In the present embodiment, the bezel is shown as being formed of a relatively opaque material such as plastic or aluminum. In other embodiments, different materials may be used to form the bezel  404 , including transparent or translucent materials. 
   Turning briefly to  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 9  is a schematic block diagram for the faceplate  400  shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  10 . In this diagram, data transfer in the form of electrical signal communications following one of the USB 1.1, USB On-The-Go or USB 2.0 formats between the motherboard  812  of the host computer and the wireless LAN unit  522  are borne across cable  408  electronically coupled to connector  570  and the motherboard  812 . The USB hub  904  relays electrical signals asserted at the connector  570  and intended for the wireless LAN unit  522  to the USB interface  906 , including outbound MAC+ layer information to be transmitted over a wireless communications link maintained by the wireless LAN adaptor  522 , and provides conventional communications support for USB ports  902  housed within the connector  402 . Also, the USB hub  904  relays inbound MAC+ layer information received and decoded by the wireless LAN adaptor  522  and intended for the host computer. 
   The wireless LAN unit  522  includes three major components: the aforementioned USB interface  906  serving as a type of data interface to the host computer, the transceiver electronics including a baseband processor  908  and RF transceiver  910 , and radiating antenna such as RF antenna  508 , and is arranged in this embodiment as a conventional IEEE 802.11b compliant transceiver with a USB front end. Note, however, that, in accordance with the present invention, the wireless LAN unit  522  can be configured to support a variety of wireless LAN and other information bearing communication standards in addition or in lieu of IEEE 802.11b, such as IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11g, or Bluetooth. 
   In this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the USB interface  906  is physically provided by circuitry  502 , the baseband processor by IC chip  504 , and the RF transceiver  910  by the IC chip  506 , all respectively disposed on the single-sided circuit board  512 , although other standards compliant layouts and arrangements may be interchangeably used. Also, though not required, here the antenna  508  is disposed directly on the circuit board  512  as a cost-savings measure. For example, in an alternative embodiment, a dual-sided circuit board layout may be used in which the data interface and transceiver electronics are disposed on one side, whereas the antenna is disposed on the other. In a further alternative embodiment, components of the wireless LAN unit may be dispersed across plural, electronically interconnected circuit boards to accommodate a number of deployments within or forming part of the host computer case. This may include an arrangement where the data interface and transceiver electronics are disposed on a first circuit board, and the antenna is disposed on a second circuit board electronically coupled to the first circuit board, such as in a stacked configuration. 
     FIG. 6  illustrates a faceplate  600  according to an another embodiment of the invention. This faceplate is suitable for covering the opening for an external computer drive bay into which a removable media drive such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD-RW etc. has been installed. The cutouts  610  and  614  are provided within the bezel  602  to permit access to drive components such as a headphone jack, volume wheel, drive activity light and media eject button, typically disposed on the face of the drive the faceplate is intended to cover. Likewise, cutout  612  is provided to accommodate an extendable drive media tray forming part of the drive that the faceplate  600  is intended to at least partially cover. As in the case of faceplate  400  previously described, the faceplate  600  includes a wireless LAN unit  606 , which but for reduced size to accommodate drive tray slot  612  and cutouts  610  and  614 , is similar to wireless LAN unit  502  in both arrangement and function. Connector  608  is shown disposed on the circuit board  604  in common with the wireless LAN unit  606  to accept cabling from a computer motherboard USB port interface. 
   It should be noted that the assembled circuit board  604  be sized to fit in the cavity between the interior major surface of the bezel  602  and the drive when the faceplate  600  is positioned over the external bay opening. Further, depending on available room and specific drive face layouts, the wireless LAN unit  606  may be located separately from the connector  608  yet remain in electronic communication therewith, such as through appropriate wiring. Furthermore, consistent with the present invention, the individual components making up the wireless LAN unit may be located proximate separate portions of the faceplate  600 , using one or more circuit boards, as long as the wireless LAN unit  606  antenna is positioned external to the computer chassis and internal RF shielding. As such, the faceplate  600  can modified to accommodate a wide array of drive types, including various height 5¼″ and 3½″ form factor slot loading and tray loading removable media drives, as well as fixed media drives and other devices designed for installation in a computer drive bay opening. 
   As previously discussed, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , signal communication between the wireless LAN unit  606  and the host computer may be maintained through coupling to the USB motherboard interface. In an alternative embodiment, signal communication may be implemented through sharing the drive-motherboard interface and cabling used by the drive the faceplate  600  is intended to cover. In such case, the onboard USB interface of the wireless LAN unit  606  is replaced by a drive interface, such as a serial ATA interface and the drive interface located on the drive itself is modified to selectively route signals from the motherboard to the wireless LAN unit  606  connector  608 . Traces, cabling or similar apparatus may be used to bring the drive interface and the wireless LAN drive interface into electrical signal communication. Moreover, the host computer program may be notified to communicate with the wireless LAN unit  606  directly or using the drive&#39;s interface as a proxy from e.g. a counterpart serial ATA interface for the host computer disposed on e.g. the motherboard or a peripheral daughtercard, such as through a specialized device driver or similar interfacing software executing on or otherwise accessible to the host computer. 
   It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments of this invention without departing from the underlying principles thereof. For example, the above-described embodiments use USB protocol and instrumentalities to achieve communication between the wireless LAN unit and the information processing system. Consistent with the present invention, other wired communication links can be used to effectuate data transfer, including those based on IEEE 1394 or FireWire protocols or various flavors of the IEEE 802.3 ethernet protocols. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims.