Abstract:
Disclosed are portable electronic devices and methods for securing compact discs to the devices. In one embodiment, a portable electronic device comprises a compact disc holder integrated with the portable electronic device, the compact disc holder being adapted to secure a compact disc on the portable electronic device. In one embodiment, a method for securing a compact disc to the exterior of a portable electronic device comprises securing the compact disc to a compact disc holder integrated with the portable electronic device.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     Portable electronic devices continue to grow in popularity as various functionalities that were previously only available from stationary devices become available from portable devices.  
         [0002]     It is often desirable to carry one or more compact discs (CDs) along with a given portable device as one moves from place to place. For example, if the portable device comprises a peripheral device that is configured for use in conjunction with a computer, the user may wish to carry along a read-only memory CD (CD-ROM) that comprises one or more drivers for the portable device and/or user applications that are designed to access and control the portable device with the computer. By carrying along the CD-ROM, the user may be able to use the device, even if the user only has access to a computer that does not yet comprise the necessary software.  
         [0003]     To cite another example, if the portable device includes a disc drive (e.g., an audio CD drive, a CD-ROM drive, or a digital video disc (DVD) drive), the user may wish to carry along one or more extra discs beyond that which is currently within the disc drive. This could be the case with, for instance, a CD player, a notebook computer, or a game console.  
         [0004]     Although the user can carry one or more compact discs in a separate disc carrier or through other means (e.g., in one&#39;s hand, in a jacket pocket, etc.), it may be cumbersome and/or inconvenient for the user to do so, particularly in cases in which the user must carry other items (e.g., when travelling). Accordingly, it can be appreciated that it would be desirable to have a CD holder that facilitates convenient carrying of a CD along with a portable device.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     Disclosed are portable electronic devices and methods for securing compact discs to the devices. In one embodiment, a portable electronic device comprises a compact disc holder integrated with the portable electronic device, the compact disc holder being adapted to secure a compact disc on the portable electronic device.  
         [0006]     In one embodiment, a method for securing a compact disc to the exterior of a portable electronic device comprises securing the compact disc to a compact disc holder integrated with the portable electronic device. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     The disclosed apparatus and methods can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale.  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective top view of an embodiment of an example portable device.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective bottom view of the portable device of  FIG. 1 , illustrating a first embodiment of a compact disc holder of the device.  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective bottom view of the portable device of  FIG. 1 , and illustrates the process of attaching a compact disc to the compact disc holder shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective bottom view of the portable device of  FIG. 1 , shown with a compact disc attached to the compact disc holder shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of an embodiment of another example portable device, illustrating a second embodiment of a compact disc holder.  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the compact disc holder shown in  FIG. 5 , the cross-sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the portable device of  FIG. 5 , shown with a compact disc attached to the device using the compact disc holder shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 8  is a bottom view of an embodiment of a further portable device, illustrating a third embodiment of a compact disc holder.  
         [0016]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the compact disc holder shown in  FIG. 8 , the cross-sectional view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the portable device of  FIG. 8 , shown with a compact disc attached to the device using the compact disc holder shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 11  is a bottom view of an embodiment of yet another portable device, illustrating a fourth embodiment of a compact disc holder.  
         [0019]      FIG. 12  is a bottom view of the portable device of  FIG. 11 , shown with a compact disc attached to the device using the compact disc holder shown in  FIG. 11 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]     As identified above, it would be desirable to have a compact disc (CD) holder that facilitates convenient carrying of a CD, such as an audio CD, a read-only memory CD (CD-ROM), a recordable CD (CD-R), a read/write CD (CD-WR), or a digital video disc (DVD), along with a portable device. As is described in the following, one or more such CDs can be releasably attached or retained by a CD holder that is integrated into the portable device such that the one or more CDs may be easily carried along with (i.e., on) the portable device without separate effort.  
         [0021]     Disclosed herein are various embodiments of CD holders and portable devices that incorporate them. Although specific embodiments are shown in the figures and are described herein, these embodiments are provided for purposes of example only to describe the CD holders and portable devices.  
         [0022]     Referring now in more detail to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1-4  illustrate a first portable device  100  that includes an integrated CD holder. With reference first to  FIG. 1 , the portable device  100  can, for example, comprise a portable flatbed scanner. Therefore, the portable device  100  can include a pivotable lid  102  (shown in the closed position) that covers a scanner platen (not visible in  FIG. 1 ). Although a portable flatbed scanner is illustrated in  FIG. 1  and has been explicitly identified herein, the portable device  100  more generally may comprise any portable electronic device with which a user may wish to carry a CD, whether it be for purposes of later inserting the CD into a drive of the portable device or into a drive of a separate device (e.g, personal computer (PC)) that is to be used to access and control the portable device. Accordingly, other possible portable devices may include, for example, CD players, notebook computers, tablet computers, portable printers, portable disk drives, peripheral CD readers and/or writers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), digital cameras, mobile telephones, game consoles, portable stereos, etc.  
         [0023]     Irrespective of the particular configuration of the portable device  100 , the device comprises a device housing  104  is made of an appropriate material, for instance a plastic material that has been injected into a mold to form the housing. The housing  104  comprises various sides that enclose the internal components (e.g., processor(s), memory, motors, etc.) of the portable device  100 . On one of the sides of the device housing  104  is provided a CD holder. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 , a CD holder  106  is provided on a mounting surface  108  of the portable device  100  that is integrated into the bottom of the device  100 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the CD holder  106  comprises a central opening retainer  110  that is adapted to receive a central opening of a CD. The central opening retainer  110  comprises a plurality of resilient tabs  112  that are adapted to engage the central opening of the CD. In some embodiments, the central opening retainer  110  is unitarily-formed with the mounting surface  108  such that the retainer may be molded along with the mounting surface (and the housing side on which it is created). Such an arrangement avoids unduly increasing manufacturing costs and typically does not significantly add to the unit cost of the device  100 . By way of example, the central opening retainer  110  can have a configuration similar to that of a retainer of a conventional CD jewel case.  
         [0024]     In addition to the retainer  110 , the CD holder  106  may comprise one or more ridges  114  that are adapted to trace at least a portion of the edge of a CD when attached to the CD holder  106 . When used, the ridges  114 , and potentially resilient feet  116  of the portable device  100 , may support the portable device when placed on a flat surface (e.g., desk) so as to protect the CD when in place in the CD holder  106 . Notably, however, such ridges may not be necessary in cases in which the central opening retainer  110  and an area just larger than the area of a CD to be attached to the holder are recessed into the mounting surface  108  of the device  100 . Such configuration provides added protection to the CD.  
         [0025]     With particular reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , use of the CD holder  106  will be described. Referring first to  FIG. 3 , the portable device  100  is oriented so that the user has access to the mounting surface  108 , in this case the bottom of the device. Next, the user moves a CD  118  to be attached to the CD holder  106  toward the holder, as indicated by directional arrows  120 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the CD  118  (which may comprise any one of an audio CD, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a DVD, or other such disc) includes a central opening  122 . Once the CD  118  comes into contact with the CD holder  106  so that the central opening retainer  110  aligns with the central opening  122  of the CD, the CD may be pressed down to urge the resilient tabs  112  of the retainer into the CD central opening  122 . Such urging causes the tabs  112  to flex inwardly so as to apply an outward force on the CD central opening  122  that retains the CD  118  in place on the holder  106 . To remove the CD  118 , the resilient tabs  112  may be flexed further inward to release the CD by pressing them down with one&#39;s finger. However, the CD  118  may simply be removed by pulling it upwardly away from the mounting surface  108  in that the tabs  112  will automatically flex to permit the CD to be removed.  
         [0026]      FIGS. 5 and 7  illustrate a second portable device  200 . Like the first portable device  100  shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the portable device  200  can comprise any portable electrical device with which a user may wish to carry a CD. The portable device  200  includes a housing  202  that comprises a mounting surface  204 . Provided on the mounting surface  204  is another CD holder  206  and, optionally, resilient feet  208 .  
         [0027]     The CD holder  206  of the embodiment of  FIGS. 5-7  includes two opposed rails  210  that are used to retain a CD  212 . By way of example, the rails  210  are unitarily-formed with the mounting surface  204  in an appropriate molding process.  FIG. 6  provides a detail view of one of the rails in cross-section. As indicated in  FIG. 6 , each rail  210  comprises a side wall  214  that extends up from the mounting surface  204 , and a cover member  216  that extends out from the side wall toward the opposing rail such that each rail may be considered a closed rail. As is further indicated in  FIG. 6 , each rail  210  may further include a resilient member  218  that is used to secure the disc  212  when inserted between the rails ( FIG. 7 ). By way of example, the resilient members  218  may comprise a dense foam member or rubber grommet that is inserted into the rails  210  under the cover members  216 . Alternatively, the resilient members  218  may comprise resilient tabs that are unitarily-formed with the rails  210  and, optionally, with the mounting surface  204 . As indicated by hidden lines in  FIG. 5 , the resilient members  218  may be positioned approximately halfway along the length of the rails  210  such that the members are adapted to engage the edges of the CD  212  when it is fully inserted between the rails. More particularly, the resilient members  218  may be positioned, sized, and configured so as to deform when the CD  212  is fully inserted between the rails  210  so as to firmly engage the CD.  
         [0028]     With further reference to  FIG. 5 , the CD  212  is attached to the CD holder  206  by sliding the CD between the rails  210 , underneath the cover members  216 , in the direction indicated by directional arrow  220 . As the CD  212  makes contact with the resilient members  218  of the rails, the resilient members are deformed outwardly so as to apply force to the edges of the CD. Once the CD  212  is fully inserted between the rails  210 , as indicated in  FIG. 7 , the resilient members  210  may be significantly deformed so as to firmly hold the CD such that it will not accidentally slide out of the CD holder  206  (compare the orientation of the resilient members in  FIG. 5  with that of  FIG. 7 ). However, the resilient members  210  do not hold the CD  212  so forcefully as to prevent removal of the CD by a user. Accordingly, the CD  212  can be removed by simply sliding the CD out from the rails  210  (e.g., in the opposite direction of directional arrow  220  in  FIG. 5 ) until fully removed from the CD holder  206 .  
         [0029]     Although not illustrated in  FIGS. 5-7 , the CD holder  206  could, optionally, further include additional retaining means to ensure secure holding of the CD  212 . For instance, such additional retaining means could comprise one or more tabs or latches that extend inwardly from one or both of the rails  210  to press down on the CD  212  when slid between the rails. In an alternative arrangement, such a tab or latch could extend from one of the rails  210  and pass through the central opening of the CD  212  to secure it in place. When such additional retaining means are implemented, they can, optionally, be unitarily formed with the mounting surface  204  to facilitate molding of the CD holder  206  along with the mounting surface.  
         [0030]      FIGS. 8 and 10  illustrate a third portable device  300 . Like the first and second portable devices  100  and  102 , the portable device  300  can comprise any portable electrical device with which a user may wish to carry a CD. The portable device  300  includes a housing  302  that comprises a mounting surface  304 . Provided on the mounting surface  304  is a further CD holder  306  and, optionally, resilient feet  308 .  
         [0031]     The CD holder  306  operates in a similar manner to the CD holder  206  of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5-7 . However, instead of comprising two rails, the CD holder  306  comprises a pocket  310  in which a CD  312  may be inserted. This pocket  310  can be unitarily-formed with the mounting surface  304 , for instance through a molding process, or can be attached to the surface after fabrication of that surface, for instance by gluing or polymer welding. In either case, the pocket  310  is formed of a resilient material, such as a plastic or vinyl material, and is sized and configured such that the CD  312  fits snuggly therein to ensure that the CD does not accidentally slip out of the pocket during movement of the portable device  300 .  
         [0032]     The construction of the pocket  310  is shown in greater detail in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 9 . As shown in that figure, the pocket  310  is relatively thin and, in conjunction with the mounting surface  304 , forms an interior space  314  in which the CD  312  can be disposed.  
         [0033]     With reference back to  FIG. 8 , the CD  312  is attached to the CD holder  306  by sliding the CD into the pocket  310  in the direction of directional arrow  316 . As noted above, the pocket  310  is sized and configured such that the CD  312  fits snuggly within the pocket to securely hold the CD in place. However, the CD  312  can be removed by simply sliding the CD out from pocket  310 . Optionally, a notch  318  formed in the pocket  310  ( FIGS. 8 and 10 ) can be used to obtain a better grip on the CD  312  when removing it from the CD holder  306 .  
         [0034]      FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate a fourth portable device  400 . Like the portable devices described above, the portable device  400  can comprise any portable electrical device with which a user may wish to carry a CD. The portable device  400  includes a housing  402  that comprises a mounting surface  404 . Provided on the mounting surface  404  is yet another CD holder  406  and, optionally, resilient feet  408 .  
         [0035]     The CD holder  406  is similar to the CD holder  206  of  FIGS. 5-7  in that the CD holder  400  comprises opposed rails  410 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 11 and 12 , however, each of the rails  410  is open and comprises an elongated resilient portion  412  that can deform outwardly to accommodate a CD  414 . The elongated resilient portions  412  are unitarily-formed with the open rails  410 , which likewise may be unitarily-formed with the mounting surface  404 , so as. However, the elongated resilient portions  412  are not fixed in place with respect to the mounting surface  404 , so as to enable their outward deformation.  
         [0036]     With reference to  FIG. 11 , the CD  414  is attached to the CD holder  406  by sliding the CD between the open rails  410  in the direction of directional arrow  416 . As the CD  414  is slid between the open rails  410 , the edges of the CD contact the elongated resilient portions  412  and push them outwardly until, as indicated in  FIG. 12 , the CD is securely held in place between the rails through force exerted on the CD by the now deformed elongated resilient portions.