Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
A computer comprising: a memory for storing sets of instructions to operate the computer coupled to a system bus; a processor for executing the stored sets of instructions in the memory coupled to the system bus; a printed circuit board coupled to the system bus, the board comprising: a plural number of conductor layers separated by a plural number of insulator layers; a first section of the board in which signal paths for a first type of active device are defined on which at least one first type of active device is attached; a second section of the board including a first and a second ground plane disposed in a first and second conductor layer respectively, the ground planes being electrically interconnected at selected peripheral regions forming a Faraday cage, wherein the Faraday cage is formed entirely within the board and also including a third conductor layer disposed between the first and second conductor ground planes in which a plurality of signal paths for a second type of active device are defined to which at least one second type of active device is attached, wherein the signal paths for the second type of active device are protected by the Faraday cage from the signal paths for the first type of active device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
A computer comprising: a memory for storing sets of instructions to operate the computer coupled to a system bus; a processor for executing the stored sets of instructions in the memory coupled to the system bus; a printed circuit board coupled to the system bus, the board comprising: a plural number of conductor layers separated by a plural number of insulator layers; a first section of the board in which signal paths for a first type of active device are defined on which at least one first type of active device is attached; a second section of the board including a first and a second ground plane disposed in a first and second conductor layer respectively, the ground planes being electrically interconnected at selected peripheral regions forming a Faraday cage, wherein the Faraday cage is formed entirely within the board and also including a third conductor layer disposed between the first and second conductor ground planes in which a plurality of signal paths for a second type of active device are defined to which at least one second type of active device is attached, wherein the signal paths for the second type of active device are protected by the Faraday cage from the signal paths for the first type of active device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
The computer as recited in claim 1 wherein the first section of the board is a digital section having a digital ground plane defined in one of the conductor layers and a plurality of digital signal paths defined in another of the conductor layers and the second section of the board is an analog section having the Faraday cage so that the plurality of signal paths in the Faraday cage are intended for analog signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The computer as recited in claim 2 wherein the board further comprises a fourth conductor layer in the analog section and outside the Faraday cage in which analog signal paths are defined intended for analog signals which are less sensitive than analog signals in the Faraday cage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The computer as recited in claim 2 further comprising a speaker coupled to the board, wherein the board functions as an audio device so that digital commands from the computer are converted to analog signals for the speaker.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The computer as recited in claim 4 wherein the digital section includes a bidirectional buffer which receives commands from the system bus of the computer and a digital signal processor which processes the commands into digital signals and the analog section includes a digital to analog converter which converts the digital signals from the digital signal processor into analog signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The computer as recited in claim 1 wherein the ground planes in the Faraday cage are interconnected at selected peripheral regions by a plurality of vias which substantially encircle an area of the second section of the board.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The computer as recited in claim 1 wherein the board further comprises a fourth conductor layer in the second section and outside the Faraday cage in which signal paths are defined for the second type of device intended for signals which are less sensitive than signals which use the signal paths in the Faraday cage.