System of co-located computers in a framework including removable function modules for adding modular functionality

A system comprising a plurality of computing systems, the system comprising:

• a cage having a plurality of slots, wherein each of the slots is configured to receive a computer card;
• a plurality of computer cards, wherein each computer card comprises a respective computing system of the plurality of computing systems, wherein each computer card includes a processor and a memory for executing at least one application program, and logic operable to encode signals for transmission to a respective remote location to communicate with a respective at least one human interface device at the remote location, wherein the remote location is more than 20 feet from the cage;
• wherein the cage further includes a cage connector positioned proximate to each of the slots of the cage, wherein the cage connector includes a plurality of computer card connectors which are each configured to couple to one of the computer cards when the computer cards are inserted into slots of the cage, wherein the cage connector further includes a plurality of second connectors electrically coupled to the plurality of computer card connectors;
• and
• a removable function module, wherein the removable function module is operable to couple to the plurality of second connectors, wherein the removable function module is operable to provide additional functionality to each of the computer cards comprised in the slots of the cage.

A method for configuring a plurality of computing systems, the method comprising:

• inserting a plurality of computer cards into a cage, wherein each computer card comprises a respective computing system of the plurality of computing systems, wherein each computer card includes a processor and a memory for executing at least one application program, and logic operable to encode signals for transmission to a respective remote location to communicate with a respective at least one human interface device at the remote location, wherein the remote location is more than 20 feet from the cage, wherein the cage comprises a plurality of slots, wherein each of the slots is configured to receive one of the computer cards, wherein the cage further includes a cage connector positioned proximate to each of the slots of the cage, wherein the cage connector includes a plurality of computer card connectors which are each coupled to one of the computer cards when the computer cards are inserted into the slots of the cage, wherein the cage connector further includes a plurality of second connectors electrically coupled to the plurality of computer card connectors;
• attaching a first removable function module to the plurality of second connectors, wherein the first removable function module provides a first additional functionality to each of the computer cards comprised in the slots of the cage;
• and
• attaching one or more cables to the first removable function module, wherein the one or more cables couple the first removable function module to one or more of a plurality of human interface devices located remotely from the cage.

A system, comprising:

• a cage comprising slots for at least two computer cards, wherein each slot allows a computer card to be inserted and removed;
• at least two computer cards in at least two slots of the cage, wherein each computer card comprises a computing system, wherein each computer card comprises a processor and a memory for executing at least one application program and logic operable to encode signals for transmission to a respective remote location to communicate with a respective at least one human interface device at the remote location, wherein the remote location is more than 20 feet from the cage;
• a cage connector with multiple edge connector receiving slots, wherein each of the at least two computer cards has an edge connector that is received into a respective edge connector receiving slot of the cage connector when the computer card is inserted into the cage;
• a removeable function module coupled to at least two computer cards through the cage connector, wherein the removeable function module is capable of interacting with each of the at least two computer cards to add functionality to each of the at least two computer cards.