(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2009/0052296A1
`Feb. 26, 2009
`Tracy et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`US 200900.52296A1
`
`(54)
`
`(76)
`
`COMPUTER WITH MULTIPLE HARD
`DRIVES
`
`Inventors:
`
`Mark S. Tracy, Tomball, TX (US);
`Paul J. Doczy, Cypress, TX (US)
`Correspondence Address:
`HEWLETT PACKARD COMPANY
`P O BOX 272400, 3404 E. HARMONY ROAD,
`INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ADMINISTRA
`TION
`FORT COLLINS, CO 80527-2400 (US)
`
`(21)
`(22)
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`11/940, 182
`
`Filed:
`
`Nov. 14, 2007
`
`300
`
`
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Continuation of application No. 1 1/829,926, filed on
`Jul. 29, 2007, now abandoned.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(63)
`
`(51)
`
`Int. C.
`(2006.01)
`GIB 3.3/02
`U.S. Cl. ............................... 369/75.11: G9B/33.002
`
`(52)
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`One exemplary embodiment is a computer having a base and
`first and second hard disk drives enclosed in the base. The
`second hard disk drive is stacked on the first hard disk drive
`and is removable from the base.
`
`Intel Corporation v. ACQIS LLC
`Intel Corp.'s Exhibit 1033
`Ex. 1033, Page 1
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 26, 2009 Sheet 1 of 4
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`US 2009/0052296 A1
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`1OO
`Y.
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`
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`104
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`Ex. 1033, Page 2
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 26, 2009 Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 2009/0052296 A1
`
`100
`
`Y.
`
`FIG. 2B
`
`
`
`220 210A
`
`100
`
`Y.
`
`102
`
`J
`i: s:
`7
`a.
`230 -
`21 OB > -/
`212B
`260 N
`///////////////////////////////7
`- 7 y 7 / / / / / / / / /
`i.
`
`FIG. 2C
`
`Ex. 1033, Page 3
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Feb. 26, 2009 Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 2009/0052296 A1
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`
`
`100
`
`Y.
`
`FIG. 2D
`
`300
`
`\ A
`
`330B YO =
`320
`YN
`
`330A
`
`ay
`J
`
`310B
`
`FIG. 3A
`
`300
`
`Y.
`
`33OB
`
`320, 330A
`
`N">H.
`
`31 OB
`
`FIG. 3B
`
`Ex. 1033, Page 4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 26, 2009 Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 2009/0052296A1
`
`400
`
`Remove First Door
`from Computing
`Device
`40
`
`insert One or More
`Additional Hard Disk
`Drives
`420
`
`
`
`Connect Second DOOr
`to Computing Device
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Ex. 1033, Page 5
`
`

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`US 2009/0052296 A1
`
`Feb. 26, 2009
`
`COMPUTER WITH MULTIPLE HARD
`DRIVES
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`0001. This application is a continuation of and claims the
`benefit of the filing date for U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`1 1/829,926, filed on Jul. 29, 2007, which is hereby incorpo
`rated by reference in its entirety.
`
`BACKGROUND
`0002. Notebook computers and other portable computing
`devices include a hard disk drive for storing data. Hard disk
`drives provide large amounts of storage capacity with rela
`tively fast access times.
`0003. As the features on computing devices grow and the
`demand for Smaller devices increases, computer designers are
`challenged to design faster and Smaller computing devices
`with more memory. In some instances, a single hard disk drive
`cannot provide Sufficient memory to meet the demands of
`USCS.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0004 FIG. 1 is portable computing device in accordance
`with an exemplary embodiment.
`0005 FIG. 2A is an exploded side view of the portable
`computing device showing connection/removal of an addi
`tional hard disk drive in accordance with an exemplary
`embodiment.
`0006 FIG. 2B is a side view of the portable computing
`device with one hard disk drive connected in accordance with
`an exemplary embodiment.
`0007 FIG. 2C is a side view of the portable computing
`device with plural hard disk drives connected in accordance
`with an exemplary embodiment.
`0008 FIG. 2D is a bottom view of the portable computing
`device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
`0009 FIG. 3A is an exploded side view showing connec
`tion of an addition hard disk drive to a printed circuit board in
`accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
`0010 FIG. 3B is a side view showing the addition hard
`disk drive connected to the printed circuit board in accor
`dance with an exemplary embodiment.
`0011
`FIG. 4 is a flow diagram in accordance with an
`exemplary embodiment.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`0012 Exemplary embodiments are directed to systems,
`methods, and apparatus for utilizing multiple hard disk drives
`(HDDs) in a computing device. The multiple HDDs provide
`more storage capacity than a single HDD and are enclosed
`within the computing device while maintaining a thin form
`factor.
`0013. In one embodiment, a portable computing device
`includes two or more vertically stacked hard disk drives. For
`example, a first HDD connects to a system or motherboard
`with a first connector, and a second HDD is stacked on top of
`the first HDD. A second connector connects the second HDD
`to the first HDD and/or the motherboard.
`0014. A door provides access to the plural HDDs. For
`example, a single access door on a bottom surface of the
`portable computing device enables a user to remove one or
`more of the HDDs. In one exemplary embodiment, the door
`
`protrudes from the bottom surface of the portable computing
`device to provide a foot rest or tilt support for the portable
`computing device.
`00.15 Exemplary embodiments include, but are not lim
`ited to, computers (portable and non-portable), laptops, note
`books, PDAs (personal digital assistants), communication
`devices (example, telephones), tablet personal computers,
`and other electronic devices and systems (whether portable or
`non-portable). For illustration, FIGS. 1 and 2A-2D show a
`notebook or laptop computer.
`0016 FIG. 1 illustrates a notebook or laptop computer 100
`comprising a base 102 pivotally connected to a display 104.
`The base 102 comprises a keyboard 108 and a generally
`rectangular or square body with an upper or top Surface 110
`and a lower or bottom surface 112 that is positionable on a
`support surface. By way of example, the base 102 houses and
`comprises one or more of a central processing unit (CPU),
`hard disk drive, memory, infrared ports, disk drives, PC card
`slots, batteries, universal serial bus (USB) ports, power con
`nectors, monitor and display connectors, multi-bays, network
`connectors, CompactFlash card slots, and other input/output
`(I/O) ports, just to name a few examples. Many of these
`features are generally shown at 120.
`0017. The display 104 generally comprises a front surface
`with a screen 122. Such as a backlit color liquid crystal display
`(LCD). Data is entered using, for example, a stylus, keyboard
`108, user's finger, and/or voice activation, to name a few
`examples.
`0018 Turning now to FIGS. 2A-2D, the computer 100
`includes multiple hard disk drives 200. The computer 100
`connects to a first HDD and then to one, two, or more addi
`tional HDDs. The base 102 is sized to receive and house plural
`HDDs. By way of example, FIG. 2A shows computer 100
`connectable to either a single HDD 210A and cover 212A or
`two HDDs 210A, 210B and cover 212B. In one exemplary
`embodiment, each HDD is removable from the base 102 so a
`user can switch between a single HDD or plural HDDs.
`(0019 FIG. 2B shows the computer 100 with the single
`HDD 210A enclosed within and connected to the base 102. In
`this embodiment, the HDD 210A is inserted into a cavity or
`bay 220 located in the base 102. The cover 212A is flush with
`a bottom Surface 230 of the base 102.
`(0020 FIG. 2C shows the computer 100 with plural HDDs
`210A, 210B enclosed within and connected to the base 102.
`In this embodiment, two HDDs 210A, 210C are inserted into
`the cavity or bay 220 located in the base 102. The cover 212B
`extends outwardly from the bottom surface 230 of the base
`102 to form a foot pad or portion 235 that elevates, tilts, or
`angles one end 240 of the base 102 with respect to a support
`surface 260 upon which the bottom surface 230 rests or sits.
`0021. In one exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS.
`2A-2D, the cover 212B includes a hollow portion or cavity
`250 that is sized and shaped to receive the second HDD 212B.
`The cover has a semicircular or dome shape (in side view) for
`providing a foot rest for the computer 100. The cavity 250 is
`sized and shaped to receive and enclosed one or more HDDs.
`(0022 FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate one exemplary embodi
`ment wherein plural HDDs 300 are enclosed and housed
`within the base of the computing device. For illustration, two
`HDDs 310A, 310B connect to form a vertical stacked con
`figuration. Specifically, the first HDD 310A connects to a
`PCB (printed circuit board) 320 (example, a motherboard)
`with a first connector 330A. The second HDD 310B connects
`to the PCB 320 via one end of the first connector 330A. As
`
`Ex. 1033, Page 6
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`

`

`US 2009/0052296 A1
`
`Feb. 26, 2009
`
`shown, the second HDD 310B is positioned on top of or
`vertically disposed adjacent to the first HDD 310A. Both
`HDDs 310A, 310B are enclosed within a housing of the
`computing device (example, see FIG. 2C).
`0023. In one exemplary embodiment, the first connector
`330A is a bi-directional connector with one end connected
`(example, soldered) to the PCB 320 and a second end that is
`removably connectable with the second connector 330B. As
`another example, the second connector 330B is a right angle
`connector that removably connects to both the HDD 310B
`and first connector 330A.
`0024 FIG. 4 is a flow diagram 400 in accordance with an
`exemplary embodiment for adding one or more additional
`hard disk drives to a computing device.
`0025. According to block 410, a user removes or opens a
`first door, panel, or other member in order to gain access to a
`cavity housing one or more HDDs in the computing device.
`By way of example, a user removes an access panel on a
`bottom surface of the computing device.
`0026. According to block 420, the user inserts and con
`nects one or more additional HDDs to the computing device.
`By way of example, a second HDD is disposed adjacent to a
`first HDD included in the housing of the computing device. In
`one exemplary embodiment, the second HDD connects to the
`same connector used to connect to the first HDD to a PCB. In
`another embodiment, the second HDD connects to a different
`connector or connects directly to the PCB without connecting
`to the first connector.
`0027. According to block 430, the user connects a second
`door, panel, or other member to the computing device housing
`the plural HDDs. In one embodiment, the second panel is
`larger than the first panel and fits over and encloses both the
`first and second HDDs so both HDDs are enclosed within a
`body of the computing device.
`0028. In one exemplary embodiment an additional HDD is
`added inside the body of the computing device without
`changing or without Substantially changing a size and shape
`(example, form factor) of the computing device. In one exem
`plary embodiment, a form factor of a computing device with
`two separate HDDs is similar or same to a form factor of a
`computing device with one of the two HDDs removed. For
`instance, FIG. 2B shows a side view of a computing device
`having a first form factor with a single HDD, and FIG. 2C
`shows a side view of the same computer device having a
`second form factor with two HDDs. The difference between
`the two form factors is the second form factor includes the
`raised, rounded foot portion 235. By way of example, in one
`embodiment, the foot portion 235 extends outwardly from the
`bottom Surface 230 a distance approximately equal to a thick
`ness of the second HDD 210B.
`0029. As used herein, a “connector” is any device that
`provides a conductive pathway for joining electrical circuits
`or components. The connectors are used, for example, to
`electrically couple one or more of HDDs and PCBs. In one
`exemplary embodiment, each connector includes one or more
`of a first Socket (example, female) and a second socket (ex
`ample, male). Further, one or more connectors are used to
`connect one or more of the plural HDDs to the computing
`device.
`0030. As used herein, the term “printed circuit board'
`means a device used to mechanically and/or electrically con
`nect electronic components using conductive pathways or
`traces. As used herein a “motherboard is a printed circuit
`board that is used in a computing device (such as a personal
`
`computer or other electronic device). The motherboard (also
`known as a main board or system board) provides attachment
`points for one or more of processors, graphics cards, Sound
`cards, controllers, memory, integrated circuits (ICs), mod
`ules, PCBs, HDDs, connectors, and many other electronic
`components and devices in a computing system.
`0031. The methods in accordance with exemplary
`embodiments are provided as examples and should not be
`construed to limit other embodiments. For instance, blocks in
`diagrams or numbers (such as (1), (2), etc.) should not be
`construed as steps that must proceed in a particular order.
`Additional blockS/steps may be added, some blockS/steps
`removed, or the order of the blocks/steps altered and still be
`within the scope of the exemplary embodiments.
`What is claimed is:
`1) A computer, comprising:
`a base;
`a first hard disk drive (HDD);
`a first door that encloses the first HDD inside a housing of
`the base;
`a second (HDD); and
`a second door that encloses the first and second HDDs
`inside the housing of the base.
`2) The computer of claim 1, wherein the second door
`protrudes outwardly from a bottom surface of the base to
`provide a foot for Supporting the computer on a Surface.
`3) The computer of claim 1, wherein the second HDD
`stacks on top of the first HDD.
`4) The computer of claim 1, wherein the second door has a
`cavity shaped to receive the second HDD.
`5) The computer of claim 1 further comprising:
`a printed circuit board (PCB) in the base;
`a connector that removably connects the second HDD to
`the PCB.
`6) The computer of claim 1, wherein the first door is flush
`with a bottom surface of the base, and the second door extends
`outwardly from the bottom surface of the base a distance
`equal to a thickness of the second HDD.
`7) The computer of claim 1, wherein a first form factor of
`the computer with the first HDD and first cover connected to
`the base is approximately equal to a second form factor of the
`computer with the first and second HDDs and second cover
`connected to the base.
`8) A computer, comprising:
`a base with a cavity;
`a first hard disk drive (HDD) in the cavity and enclosed in
`the base;
`a second HDD in the cavity and enclosed in the base,
`wherein the second HDD is stacked on the first HDD and
`is at least partially enclosed in a first cover covering the
`first and second HDDs.
`9) The computer of claim 8, wherein the computer is a
`portable notebook computer.
`10) The computer of claim 8 further comprising:
`a second cover that covers the first HDD when the second
`HDD is removed from the base;
`the second cover, larger than the first cover, covering both
`the first and second HDDs when the second HDD is
`enclosed in the base.
`11) The computer of claim 8, wherein a portion of the
`second HDD extends from the base and into the first cover to
`elevate one end of the base while the computer is resting on a
`Support Surface.
`
`Ex. 1033, Page 7
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`

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`US 2009/0052296 A1
`
`Feb. 26, 2009
`
`12) The computer of claim 8, wherein the first and second
`HDDs are vertically stacked on top of each other.
`13) The computer of claim 8 further comprising, a connec
`tor that removably connects the first and second HDDs
`together.
`14) A method, comprising:
`removing a first door of a portable computer to access a first
`hard disk drive (HDD);
`connecting a second HDD adjacent the first HDD; and
`attaching a second door, larger than the first door, to
`enclosed both the first and second HDDs inside of the
`portable computer.
`15) The method of claim 14 further comprising, elevating
`one end of the portable computer with an outer surface of the
`second door while the portable computer is positioned on a
`Support Surface.
`
`16) The method of claim 14 further comprising, adding the
`second HDD to the portable computer to increase storage
`capacity without Substantially changing a form factor of the
`portable computer.
`17) The method of claim 14 further comprising, position
`ing the second HDD inside a cavity of the second door.
`18) The method of claim 14 further comprising, attaching
`the first door back onto the portable computer when the sec
`ond HDD is removed from the portable computer.
`19) The method of claim 14, wherein the portable com
`puter is a laptop computer.
`20) The method of claim 14, wherein the second door has
`a cavity sized and shaped to enclose the second HDD.
`
`c
`
`c
`
`c
`
`c
`
`c
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`Ex. 1033, Page 8
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