Patent Document

BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     As computer systems become more common, so does the use of component drives such as floppy disk drives, optical disk drives, and the like become indispensable. The increased use of such components also increases the need for replacement for the purpose of repair or upgrade. These field replaceable parts (FRP), collectively referred to herein as “modules,” were originally installed with a number of mounting screws, which each had to be removed before a drive could be removed from the computer case.  
         [0002]     More recently clips, or other types of catches, that are releasable by pushing on a release mechanism come standard in most new computers. Such clips hold modules in place within a computer case during normal usage. Typically, this is done by way of a tension spring, however, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations exist. Then, upon activation of the release mechanism, the module can be removed from the computer case. Additionally, these “quick release” mechanisms may include additional springs to assist in the ejection of the module.  
         [0003]     There are numerous instances where it would become necessary to remove a module from a computer case. The module may fail and need replacement, or the operator may want to install an upgraded or different module. The inclusion of quick release mechanisms inside a computer case allows for easy reconfiguration of the components of the computer system.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0004]     In general, in one aspect, embodiments of the present invention relate to an eject mechanism for a module comprising: a module casing; a module engaged in the module casing; the module comprising a cable port; and an eject button for allowing disengagement of the module from the module casing, wherein the eject button prevents the module from disengagement when a cable is plugged into the cable port.  
         [0005]     In general, in one aspect, embodiments of the present invention relates to a method of ejecting a module from a module casing comprising: disengaging the module from the module casing upon the pressing of an eject button, and preventing the module from disengagement when a cable is plugged into a cable port of the module.  
         [0006]     Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  shows an example of a computer system having a Multi-function module  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  shows a front perspective view of a module according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  shows a back perspective view of a module according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  shows an example of removal of a module from a computer tower case.  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  shows a method of ejecting a module according to one or more embodiments of the invention  
         [0012]      FIG. 6  shows a bottom view of an ejection mechanism according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 7  shows a bottom perspective view of an ejection mechanism with cables plugged in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 8  shows a bottom perspective view of an ejection mechanism with cables unplugged in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]     Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying figures. Like items in the figures are shown with the same reference numbers.  
         [0016]     In embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the invention.  
         [0017]     Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and apparatus for a quick eject mechanism for a module of a computer. More specifically, one or more embodiments of the invention relate to methods and apparatus for a cable detection device integrated into the ejection mechanism of a module.  
         [0018]     The invention may be implemented on virtually any type of computer regardless of the platform being used. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a computer  500  includes a computer tower  502 , monitor  504 , keyboard  506 , a mouse  508 , and numerous other elements and functionalities typical of computers today (not shown). The computer tower  502  normally includes, among other components, a module such as Multi-function module  200 . The computer system  500  may be connected to a local area network (“LAN”) or a wide area network (e.g., the Internet) via a network interface connection (not shown). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the computer tower  502  could also be any computer case having an internal mounting bracket for modules known in the art.  
         [0019]     Referring now to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the Multi-function module  200  includes an Optical Disk Drive  514  (“ODD”). The ODD  514  is a device for reading from and writing to an optical disk  100 . Optical disks  100  are a common data storage medium, and include such formats as compact disc, digital versatile disc, multi-layer disc, HD DVD, Blue-Ray Disc, and other formats known in the art. The Multi-function module  200  includes a housing  201  which has a front face panel  210  with an opening  206  through which the optical disk  202  is inserted or ejected. A disk eject button  204  is also on the front face panel  210  for ejecting an optical disk tray (not shown) on which the optical disc  100  is placed. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that depending on the type of ODD employed, the disk eject button  204  may instead directly eject the optical disk  100  without use of the optical disk tray. The front face panel  210  also has USB ports  208  and sound ports  209 . On the back of the housing  201  is an USB cable port  204  and an Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) cable port  202 . The ODD  514  has on the back face an ODD cable port  206 .  
         [0020]     As mentioned above, it often becomes necessary for a computer operator to remove a Multi-function module  200 , or similar component, from a computer tower  502 .  FIG. 4  shows an example of removal of Multi-function module  200 . An IDE cable  320  is unplugged from the IDE cable port  202 , USB cable  321  is unplugged from USB cable port  204 , and ODD cable  323  is unplugged from ODD cable port  206 . Then, the quick eject button  302  is pressed down, thereby disengaging the Multi-function module  200  from the module casing  330 . The Multi-function module can then be removed from the computer tower  502  by the operator. In one or more embodiments, the IDE cable is an integrated power and audio cable.  
         [0021]     If the IDE cable  320 , USB cable  321 , or ODD cable  323  is not unplugged prior to removal of the Multi-function module  200  from the module casing  330 , the cable still plugged into the Multi-function module  200  could be damaged by the removal. Accordingly, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, disengagement of the Multi-function module  200  is prevented when one or more of IDE cable  320 , USB cable  321 , or ODD cable  323  are plugged into the respective IDE cable port  202 , USB cable port  204 , or ODD cable port  206 .  
         [0022]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a method of ejecting a module according to one or more embodiments of the invention is shown. First, the operator presses down on the module release mechanism, e.g., an eject button ST 601 . Pressing down on the module release mechanism does not necessarily fully activate the ejection of the module because in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, when the operator puts pressure on the release mechanism and a cable is connected to the module (yes at ST 603 ), then the ejection of the module is prevented ST 603 . On the other hand, if the cables are not connected (no at ST 603 ), then the module is ejected ST 607 .  
         [0023]     Referring now to  FIGS. 6, 7 , and  8 , an ejection mechanism according to one or more embodiments of the present invention is shown. The ejection mechanism includes a quick eject button  302 , a module casing  330 , and a tension spring  322 . The tension spring  322  is disposed in an opening  304  in the quick eject button  302 , with one end of the tension spring  322  attached to the quick eject button  302 , and the other end of the tension spring  322  attached to the module casing  330 . When the quick eject button  302  is pressed, the tension spring  322  is stretched, and the resisting force returns the quick eject button  302  to its pre-pressed position.  
         [0024]     The quick eject button  302  also has a guided portion  306 , which is guided by a guiding protrusion  308  on the module casing  330 . The quick eject button  302  wraps around the module casing  330  and a cable interference tab  310  protrudes to a position immediately above the IDE cable  320 . In this embodiment, the quick eject button  302  wraps around the back face of the housing  201  between the USB cable port  204  and the IDE cable port  204 .  
         [0025]     When an attempt to press down the quick eject button  302  is made while the IDE cable  320  is plugged into the IDE cable port  202  as in  FIG. 7 , the cable interference tab  310  contacts the top of the IDE cable  320 , and thereby the quick eject button  302  is prevented from being pressed down. When the IDE cable  320  is not plugged into the IDE cable port  202  as in  FIG. 8 , there is nothing for the cable interference tab  310  to contact, and the quick eject button  302  therefore is able to be pressed. When the quick eject button  302  is pressed down, the Multi-function module  200  is disengaged from the module casing  330 , and can be removed by the operator.  
         [0026]     Although in this embodiment the cable interference tab  310  protrudes to a position above the IDE cable  320 , those skilled in the art will appreciate that the cable interference tab  310  could also be placed immediately above the USB cable  321  or the ODD cable  323 , such that the quick eject button  302  is prevented from being pressed when the USB cable  321  is plugged into the USB cable port  204  or the ODD cable  323  is plugged into the ODD cable port  206 .  
         [0027]     In one or more embodiments, by including a cable detection mechanism, such as a cable interference tab, on a release mechanism for a module casing in a computer tower or the like, potential damage to the cables connected to the module due to removal of the module prior to disconnection of the cables can be prevented. In one or more embodiments, the release mechanism allows quick ejection of disconnected modules and provides for easy and safe replacement thereof.  
         [0028]     While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.

Technology Category: 4