High-density removable expansion module having I/O and second-level-removable expansion memory

A removable expansion module of a first type with an internal slot for inserting a removable expansion module of a second type, said module of a first type comprising:

• a) a printed circuit board (PCB);
• b) an I/O connector mounted on the PCB;
• c) a first outside frame having an opening to permit and guide the insertion of said module of said second type above the I/O connector;
• d) a second outside frame;
• and
• e) a contact assembly mounted on the PCB, the assembly including a raised shelf having a set of contact fingers electrically coupled to said PCB, at least two side stops, and an end stop;
• and
• wherein the I/O connector, the first outside frame, and the contact assembly are cooperatively aligned so as to guide the insertion of said module of said second type within said module of said first type so as to mate with said contact fingers for electrically coupling said module of said second type with said PCB.

A method of transferring data, comprising:

• a) providing a network access device;
• b) providing a removable expansion module or a first type;
• c) providing a removable expansion module of a second type with an internal slot for receiving and operating with said module of a first type, said module of said second type comprising:
• i. a printed circuit board (PCB);
• ii. an I/O connector mounted on the PCB;
• iii. an outer housing portion with an opening to permit and guide the insertion of said module of said first type above the I/O connector;
• iv. a contact platform mounted on the PCB, the contact platform including a central planar region with a protruding set of contact fingers, the central region being partially bounded by a guard rim projecting from said central region, said guard rim insuring that said module of said first type is correctly received, said contact fingers being electrically coupled to said PCB;
• v. a host expansion bus connector mounted on said PCB for coupling to a host expansion bus;
• and
• wherein said PCB includes application specific circuitry coupled to said I/O connector, said contact fingers, and said host expansion bus connector;
• d) providing a poltable computing host having an associated slot for receiving and operating with said module of said second type;
• c) populating said associated slot of said portable computing host with said module of a second type;
• f) populating said module of a second type with said module of a first type;
• g) coupling said module of a second type to said network device;
• h) under control of said portable computing host, transferring set or data between said network access device and said application specific circuitry.
• i) under control of said portable computing host, transferring said set of data between said application specific circuitry and said module or a first type.