Cross-Reference to Related Application

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application 61 /354,420 filed June 14, 2010 which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an electronic storage device. Background of the Invention

[0003] Storage in the form of hard disks is now required in a range of consumer devices from networking devices such as residential gateways to media products such as digital video recorders (DVRs) and media players. In many instances, such as a residential gateway, for example, storage may be a desirable option, though for reasons of cost and improved product versatility, the unit would need to be shipped without storage modules, with an option to add modules later. Today, this would be done with an external drive such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive, though this has performance limitations and requires a separate unit with a cable to connect the drives. An additional issue is how the unit could later support more sophisticated storage such as a redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID).

[0004] As such, a need exists for electronic devices that are enabled with a means to increase storage capacity, for instance by the addition of modules, without compromising the integrity of the overall structure, including the industrial design integrity. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An electronic device is provided that includes a housing having two broad upstanding parallel sidewalls ; at least four modular receiving ports on one of the sidewalls; and at least one modular electronic unit positioned within at least one modular receiving port, the at least one modular electronic unit having two broad parallel sides that are parallel to the parallel sidewalls and four narrow sides perpendicular to the parallel sidewalls, wherein at least one of the broad parallel sides and at least two of the narrow sides of the at least one modular electronic unit are exposed. The electronic device has a cross-shaped support bracket on one of the broad upstanding parallel sidewalls, wherein the cross-shaped support bracket forms two lower quadrant regions and two upper quadrant regions that each define one of the modular receiving ports.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures of which:

[0007] Figure 1 shows a rearward perspective view of the electronic device according to the invention;

[0008] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the complete electronic device according to the invention;

[0009] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the engagement of modular units onto electronic device according to the invention; and

[0010] Figure 4 shows a forward perspective view of the electronic device according to the invention. Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0011] The present disclosure provides a mechanism for an electronic device to be deployed in a simple, base form that can be easily augmented by the customer at a later date. While consumer devices and storage may be described here as one set of embodiments, the mechanism is much more flexible and may apply to a wide range of upgrade options such as random access memory (RAM), input/output (I/O) capability, wireless interface modules, network interface modules, and the like. The input/output (I/O) capability can be ports and interfaces such as universal serial buses (USB), memory card slots, etc.

[0012] Embodiments of the invention comprise an enclosure, or case, associated with networking or media type devices such as, but not limited to, a DVD player, media player or portable media center. The embodiments enable modular units to be attached to increase capacity, for instance by the addition of modules, without compromising the integrity of the overall structure, including the industrial design integrity. The modular units can be storage devices such as hard disk drives or optical media drives.

[0013] The electronic device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 1 . The device is configured in such a way that it can function with or without modular units 2 which can be inserted into modular receiving ports 3. In the example shown in Figure 1 , an arrangement of four low-profile enclosures or modular receiving ports 3 defines an exterior side of the unit. Each separate modular receiving port 3 may or may not house one of four hard disks or modular units. Modular connectors 4 housed within the cross-structure or cross-shaped support bracket 5 are designed to support and connect the modular units 2 or hard disks to the electronic device. As shown in Figure 1 , the electronic device has a rear wall 8 and cable interface panel 9 thereon. The device further has two broad upstanding parallel sidewalls 1 1 . Here, the expression "broad" generally implies that a side has a plan view surface area larger than the plan view surface area of other sides of the given structure or enclosure. At least four modular receiving ports 3 are shown being on one of the sidewalls 1 1 and the modular electronic units 2 can be positioned within each modular receiving port 3. The cross- shaped support bracket 5 can be on one of the broad upstanding parallel sidewalls 1 1 , wherein the cross-shaped support bracket 5 forms two lower quadrant regions and two upper quadrant regions that each define one of the modular receiving ports 3. The cross-shaped support bracket 5 can be unitary piece and can have a vertical support rail 19 and a horizontal support rail 20, wherein the horizontal support rail 20 separates upper and lower modular receiving ports 3 and vertical support rail 19 separates left and right modular receiving ports 3 as shown in Figure 1 . Preferably, the modular connectors 4 are disposed on the vertical support rails 19, wherein opposite sides of the vertical support rails can carry the modular connectors 4, such that the left and right modular electronic units 2 are engaged facing in opposite directions which can both be parallel to the parallel sidewalls 1 1 . Optionally, the horizontal support rails 20 could carry the modular connectors 4.

[0014] The modular electronic units 2 can have two broad parallel sides

12 that are parallel to the parallel sidewalls 1 1 and four narrow sides 13 perpendicular to the broad parallel sides 12, wherein at least one of the broad parallel sides 12 and at least two narrow sides 13 of at least one modular electronic unit 2 are exposed when the modular electronic units 2 are engaged. Here, the expression "exposed" implies that there is an air gap of at least a 5 mm in the presently presented embodiment between the respective side and another surface or object. As shown in Figure 3, the modular electronic units 2 have a connection port 14 on one of the narrow sides 13 that connects to the modular connectors 4, thereby supporting and connecting the modular electronic units 2 to the electronic device 1 .

[0015] Further, the cross-shaped support bracket 5 can be

characterized as having two interior surfaces 17, 18 for each quadrant that each face and are adjacent to the two narrow sides 13 of the modular electronic units 2. These two narrow sides that are next to the interior surfaces 17, 18 are considered not exposed. Having the modular connector 4 on the vertical interior side 17 and having the horizontal interior side 18 being smooth and generally planar enables the modular electronic units 2 to be engaged within each modular receiving port 3 by horizontally inserting the modular electronic unit 2, wherein the narrow side that has the connection port 14 faces the modular connector 4.

[0016] Figure 2 provides an additional perspective view of the device. This figure shows that the device can have a cooling vent 22 on the top narrow sidewall 21 . This cooling vent 22 works injunction with having the exposed sides of the modular electronic unit 2 to facilitate heat release from the device.

[0017] It is important to note that if the modular receiving ports 3 are not occupied, one can optionally insert an aesthetic drive cover in a vacant port that can match the design, look or color of the modular units 2. As such, in an embodiment of the invention, some of the quadrants shown in Figure 2 will actually contain modular electronic units 2 and some can be aesthetic drive covers.

[0018] Additionally, the electronic device 1 can also have a base 1 6 that has planar plate portion perpendicular to the broad parallel sidewalls. Preferably, the planar plate is positioned with respect to the two lower quadrant regions such that when the modular electronic units 2 are inserted, there is, in the presently preferred embodiment, an air gap of at least 5 mm between the narrow sides 13 that face the planar plate and the planar plate. When there is such an air gap, the narrow side 13 is considered exposed, because heat from the side can transmit, emit or vent to the surrounding air more freely.

[0019] The electronic device can also have front face 6 and an opposing rear wall 8 as shown in Figure 2. The front face 6 and rear wall 8 can be vertical and perpendicular to the broad parallel sidewalls 1 1 . Figure 2 further shows cables 1 0 being connected to device. This connection is made through the cable interface panel 9 on the rear wall 8 shown in Figure 1 . The front face 6 can have a user interface 7 as shown in Figure 4.

[0020] The embodiments can also include general interfaces, such as

USBs. Still other embodiments may include a multi-purpose connector to allow a wide range of module functionality. It is important to note that one embodiment can include a combination of the above and can include certain interfaces in certain positions, in order to provide maximum flexibility. [0021] The overall vertical orientation of the unit is intended to facilitate heat extraction or dissipation from the electronic components via natural thermal convection.

[0022] Figure 3 shows the modular connectors 4 or electrical connectors for each of the drives. The support bracket 5 provides an external visual feature and can be of metal composition and be oriented in such a way as to facilitate heat dissipation or extraction away from the interior electronics.

[0023] The device, as shown in Figure 4 may also include a user interface 7 on the front face 6. In one embodiment, the interface and control of the device is facilitated through an integrated display and input device on the main body, and/or through the use of a remote control. In other embodiments, the device can be managed purely through a remote interface via Ethernet. In the instance shown in Figure 4, the interface and control are combined, incorporating hidden capacitive touch switches beneath the enclosure of the product, which permits the device to have a generally smooth closed attractive planar finish from a front view perspective. This permits the device to have the added benefit of allowing the device to not have slits or openings in the front which could compromise the internal components from the entrance of dust, liquids, moisture, or insects therethrough. Also, in this embodiment, the main body of the unit is comprised of a semi-translucent material incorporating the display window beneath the housing. This provides a seamless visual transition between the information display and the overall housing. Control can be provided remotely or locally through an interface on an optional module. The overall aesthetic integrity of the enclosure is maintained in all conditions, based on the use of integral covers, whether storage units are included or not, with any number of modules installed and regardless of the module type.

[0024] The described device can also include integrated software to operate both as a stand-alone device and as a device integrated with one or more modules. In one embodiment, the software architecture of the device can also be configured in a modular fashion, where support for a module and/or additional functionality associated with that module can be easily and dynamically loaded. The software can be either loaded off the module itself, or via the network, triggered by the insertion of the module. The device of Figure 1 can immediately recognize connected modules, and enable appropriate configuration options based on these recognized modules. As an example, when a device with a single disk module has a second disk module added, configuration options for RAID 0 (disk striping) and RAID 1 (disk mirroring) can automatically become available. This can also apply to network stacks, low level drivers and protocols that may be required for module operation. The modular software architecture would also allow additional functionality to be added to the device independent of any module.

[0025] The described device can also include external networking interface capability. In one embodiment, the device can be a residential gateway. The device can be used to terminate a network service into the home. Modules can be added to support new Wide Area Network (WAN network) interfaces allowing migration from Asymetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) to ADSL2+, Very High Bit Rate Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL), or Fiber to the Home (FTTH). Additionally, the home networking side of the device can allow multiple additional home networking technologies to be added as required in a modular fashion to allow the device to support technologies such as Home Phoneline Network Alliance (HPNA), Multimedia over Cable Alliance (MoCA), HomePlug Audio Visual (AV), the emerging international standard known as G.hn, and potentially other future networking technologies. As a result, the device can be expandable and adaptable to service the home over a wider range of current and emerging technologies.

[0026] In sum, the invention comprises an enclosure for a device, such as a media device, player, or control center. The device is capable of including one or more expansion modules, while still maintaining an overall desirable operation, and structure. The device is configured such that the device can function electrically and mechanically, with or without the modules. Connectivity, and in particular wired connectivity, between the device and one or more of the modules, is provided through a side-mounted framework that physically supports the drive media in a low-profile orientation. The device includes structures for interfacing with one or more possible physical interconnection systems. The device can also include an integrated display, such as a touch screen LCD panel or the like as a user interface, and can also be operated through a remote control and remote interface. The device and any included modules, can maintain a predominant structural and aesthetic feature established by the device itself. As a result, the overall aesthetic and structural features can be maintained in all configuration conditions, whether used without additional modules, or used with any number of, or all possible, modules installed.