Storage compartment, and related computer systems and methods

Abstract

A storage compartment to store one or more items includes a body, a top, and a coupling element operable to couple the top to the body and allow the top to be moved relative to the body. The body includes a bottom and a sidewall that define an interior in which one or more items, such as a storage medium or a portable device, may be stored. The sidewall includes a passage to allow an item stored in the interior to be coupled to another item outside the interior. The top may be moved relative to the body to open and close the storage compartment. With the storage compartment, one may securely and safely store a PDA, for example, that is coupled with a processor of a computer system.

1 . A housing for a computer system, the housing comprising: 
 a storage compartment including: 
 a body having an interior, a bottom and a sidewall that define the interior, and a passage operable to allow an item disposed within the interior to be communicatively coupled to another item outside the interior; and  
 a lid.  
   
   
   
       2 . The housing of  claim 1  wherein the interior is sized to retain a PDA.  
   
   
       3 . The housing of  claim 1  wherein the interior is sized to hold storage media.  
   
   
       4 . The housing of  claim 1  wherein the sidewall includes the passage.  
   
   
       5 . The housing of  claim 1  wherein the storage compartment includes a coupling element operable to couple the lid to the sidewall.  
   
   
       6 . The housing of  claim 1  wherein the storage compartment includes a locking element operable to retain the lid in a closed position.  
   
   
       7 . The housing of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the housing further comprises a conduit having an opening; and    the passage opens to the conduit's opening.    
   
   
       8 . A housing for a computer system, the housing comprising: 
 a storage compartment including: 
 a body having an interior, a bottom and a sidewall that define the interior, and  
 a lid having an opening operable to allow access to an item disposed within the interior.  
   
   
   
       9 . The housing of  claim 8  wherein the interior is sized to retain a camera docking station, and when a camera is coupled to the docking station, the camera protrudes through the opening.  
   
   
       10 . A computer system comprising: 
 a housing having a storage compartment to retain an item and including: 
 a body having an interior, a bottom and a sidewall that define the interior, and a passage operable to allow an item disposed within the interior to be communicatively coupled to another item outside the interior; and  
 a lid.  
   
   
   
       11 . A computer system comprising: 
 a housing having a storage compartment to retain an item and including: 
 a body having an interior, a bottom and a sidewall that define the interior, and  
 a lid having an opening operable to allow an item disposed within the interior to protrude through the opening.  
   
   
   
       12 . A method for storing an item, the method comprising: 
 placing an item in an interior of a storage compartment that includes a lid and a body having a bottom and a sidewall that define the interior;    extending a cable from the exterior of the storage compartment through a passage in the body; and    coupling the cable to the item in the interior.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein extending a cable from the exterior of the storage compartment includes extending the cable through an opening of a conduit.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising closing the lid.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising: 
 closing the lid, and    supporting another item on the lid.    
   
   
       16 . A method for storing an item, the method comprising: 
 placing an item in an interior of a storage compartment that includes a lid having an opening, and a body having a bottom and a sidewall that define the interior;    inserting another item through the opening; and    coupling the items together.