US6526515B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote pluggable system having bays for attachment of computer peripherals
Assignee: Intellectual Ventures I LLC
•
Filing: 1999-12-15
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Granted: 2003-02-25
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Expires: 2019-12-15
Abstract
Abstract A system and method are provided for interconnecting computer peripherals with portable and desktop computers and other digital devices. More specifically, the present invention includes a system and method for simultaneously connecting multiple portable computer peripherals to a single portable computer interface slot, for connecting portable computer peripherals to a desktop computer, and for connecting a portable ZIP(TM) drive to a portable computer. A system for providing a supplemental power supply for the computer peripheral is also provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Charles
- 👤 David Marsh
- 👤 Jason Hoendervoogt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:50
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1632; G06F1/26; G06F1/266
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A system for providing power to a digital peripheral device via a computer port when the primary power source provides insufficient instantaneous power for powering the digital peripheral device, but otherwise having sufficient average power for powering the digital peripheral device, the system comprising: means for removably housing the peripheral device, the peripheral device including at least a first electrical connector for carrying a first electrical signal from the peripheral device to a computer device; means for coupling the first electrical signal between the peripheral device and a computing device, the computing device including a primary power supply; means for conveying electrical power from the primary power supply to the peripheral device; means for storing electrical power, the means for storing electrical power positioned outside of the computing device; and a power management circuit being capable of detecting when the current drawn by the peripheral device exceeds a predetermined threshold and being capable of supplying supplementary power to the peripheral device only when the current drawn by the peripheral device exceeds the predetermined threshold such that the operation of the peripheral device is maintained.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
184 words
A system for providing power to a digital peripheral device via a computer port when the primary power source provides insufficient instantaneous power for powering the digital peripheral device, but otherwise having sufficient average power for powering the digital peripheral device, the system comprising: means for removably housing the peripheral device, the peripheral device including at least a first electrical connector for carrying a first electrical signal from the peripheral device to a computer device; means for coupling the first electrical signal between the peripheral device and a computing device, the computing device including a primary power supply; means for conveying electrical power from the primary power supply to the peripheral device; means for storing electrical power, the means for storing electrical power positioned outside of the computing device; and a power management circuit being capable of detecting when the current drawn by the peripheral device exceeds a predetermined threshold and being capable of supplying supplementary power to the peripheral device only when the current drawn by the peripheral device exceeds the predetermined threshold such that the operation of the peripheral device is maintained.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for removably housing the peripheral device comprises at least one of a remote docking bay for a computer device and a computer I/O docking bay.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system as defined in claim 2 wherein the computing device comprises one selected from the group consisting of: a desktop computer, a notebook computer, a palmtop computer, a personal digital assistant, a digital camera; and wherein the peripheral device comprises one selected from the group consisting of: a magnetic storage device and an optical storage device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for coupling the first electrical signal between the peripheral device and the computing device comprises a cable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein the power supply provides 5, 3.3, or 2.7 volts DC.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for conveying electrical power from the primary power supply to the peripheral device comprises a cable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system as defined in claim 1 further comprising an enclosure within which the peripheral device is housed and wherein the means for storing electrical energy comprise a capacitor or other energy storage device and an alkaline battery positioned within the enclosure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system as defined in claim 1 further comprising an enclosure within which the peripheral device is housed and wherein the means for storing electrical energy comprise a capacitor or other energy storage device within the enclosure and an alkaline battery positioned without the enclosure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for limiting the current drawn from the computing device by the peripheral device is set to a predetermined value of one ampere.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein the first electrical connector comprises a forty conductor connector.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for electrically coupling a peripheral device to a computing device, the computing device having an interface compliant with a first interface standard, said system comprising: a first peripheral bay comprising means for making physical and electrical connection with the peripheral device, the peripheral device being compliant with a second interface standard; and means for translating communications between the computer in accordance with the first interface standard and the first peripheral bay in compliance with the second interface standard such that an operative link between the computer and the computer peripheral is established when a computer peripheral is nested in the first peripheral bay.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for electrically coupling a peripheral device to a computing device, the computing device having an interface compliant with a first interface standard, said system comprising: a first peripheral bay comprising means for making physical and electrical connection with the peripheral device, the peripheral device being compliant with a second interface standard; and means for translating communications between the computer in accordance with the first interface standard and the first peripheral bay in compliance with the second interface standard such that an operative link between the computer and the computer peripheral is established when a computer peripheral is nested in the first peripheral bay.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system as defined in claim 11 wherein the first peripheral bay is positioned external to the computing device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system as defined in claim 11 wherein the first peripheral bay is positioned internally in the computing device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system as defined in claim 12 or 13 wherein the first peripheral bay comprises: a housing; an opening in the housing which receives the peripheral device into the housing, including a lip provided on the peripheral device enclosure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system as defined in claim 12 or 13 further comprising a second peripheral bay operatively connected to the computing device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system as defined in claim 12 or 13 wherein the means for making physical and electrical connection with a computer peripheral comprises a fifty conductor connector and a cable.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system as defined in claim 12 or 13 wherein the computer peripheral comprises an enclosure having first, second, third, and fourth sides, the enclosure having a substantially rectangular shape having a lip extending from the first side thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system as defined in claim 12 or 13 wherein the first interface standard is selected from the group consisting of: USB, IDE, ATAPI, FireWire(IEEE1394), and PCMCIA interfaces.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system as defined in claim 12 or 13 wherein the second interface standard is selected from the group consisting of: IDE, ATAPI, FDD, USB, Firewire(IEEE1394), and SCSI interfaces.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
202 words
A system for electrically coupling a first peripheral device to a computing device having an enclosure, the computing device having an interface compliant with a first interface standard and the first peripheral having an interface compliant with a second interface standard, said system comprising: a first peripheral bay, the peripheral bay comprising: a housing, the housing positioned outside of the enclosure of the computing device; an opening at one end of the housing for receiving the first peripheral device into the first peripheral bay and for securing the peripheral device in the first peripheral bay; an interface connector positioned in the first peripheral bay, the interface connector coupling with a corresponding connector provided on the peripheral device and receiving signals from the peripheral in compliance with the second interface standard; means for conveying the signals from the peripheral bay to the computing device; and means for translating the signals of a peripheral device in the first peripheral bay, which are in compliance with the second interface standard, to the first interface standard used by the computing device such that an operative link between the computer and the peripheral device is established when a computer peripheral is received in the first peripheral bay.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
202 words
A system for electrically coupling a first peripheral device to a computing device having an enclosure, the computing device having an interface compliant with a first interface standard and the first peripheral having an interface compliant with a second interface standard, said system comprising: a first peripheral bay, the peripheral bay comprising: a housing, the housing positioned outside of the enclosure of the computing device; an opening at one end of the housing for receiving the first peripheral device into the first peripheral bay and for securing the peripheral device in the first peripheral bay; an interface connector positioned in the first peripheral bay, the interface connector coupling with a corresponding connector provided on the peripheral device and receiving signals from the peripheral in compliance with the second interface standard; means for conveying the signals from the peripheral bay to the computing device; and means for translating the signals of a peripheral device in the first peripheral bay, which are in compliance with the second interface standard, to the first interface standard used by the computing device such that an operative link between the computer and the peripheral device is established when a computer peripheral is received in the first peripheral bay.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as defined in claim 20 wherein the means for conveying the signals from the peripheral bay to the computing device comprises a cable.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system as defined in claim 21 wherein the first interface standard is selected from the group consisting of: USB, IDE, ATAPI, FireWire(IEE1394), and PCMCIA interfaces.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system as defined in claim 22 wherein the second interface standard is selected from the group consisting of: IDE, ATAPI, FDD, USB, FireWire(IEEE1394), and SCSI interfaces.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
212 words
A system for adapting a peripheral device compliant with a second interface standard for operation with a computing device compliant with a first interface standard, said system comprising: means for removably housing the peripheral device, the peripheral device including at least a first electrical connector for communicating at least a first electrical signal; means for coupling the first electrical signal between the peripheral device and a computing device, the computing device including a power supply; means for conveying electrical power from the power supply to the peripheral device; means for storing electrical power, the means for storing electrical power positioned outside of the computing device; means for limiting the current drawn from the computing device by the peripheral device to a predetermined value and for supplying supplementary power to the peripheral device from the means for storing electrical power when the current drawn by the peripheral device exceeds the predetermined limiting value such that operation of the peripheral device is maintained; and means for translating communications between the computer in accordance with the first interface standard and the peripheral device in compliance with the second interface standard such that an operative link between the computer and the peripheral device is established when a computer peripheral is nested in the first peripheral bay.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
212 words
A system for adapting a peripheral device compliant with a second interface standard for operation with a computing device compliant with a first interface standard, said system comprising: means for removably housing the peripheral device, the peripheral device including at least a first electrical connector for communicating at least a first electrical signal; means for coupling the first electrical signal between the peripheral device and a computing device, the computing device including a power supply; means for conveying electrical power from the power supply to the peripheral device; means for storing electrical power, the means for storing electrical power positioned outside of the computing device; means for limiting the current drawn from the computing device by the peripheral device to a predetermined value and for supplying supplementary power to the peripheral device from the means for storing electrical power when the current drawn by the peripheral device exceeds the predetermined limiting value such that operation of the peripheral device is maintained; and means for translating communications between the computer in accordance with the first interface standard and the peripheral device in compliance with the second interface standard such that an operative link between the computer and the peripheral device is established when a computer peripheral is nested in the first peripheral bay.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as defined in claim 24 wherein the means for removably housing the peripheral device comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of: an external docking bay and an internal docking bay.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as defined in claim 25 further comprising a cable communicating the first electrical signal to the computing device.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as defined in claim 26 wherein the power supply provides 5, 3.3, or 2.7 volts DC.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as defined in claim 24 wherein the means for conveying electrical power from the power supply to the peripheral device comprises a cable.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system as defined in claim 24 further comprising an enclosure within which the peripheral device is housed and wherein the means for storing electrical energy comprise a capacitor or other energy storage device and an alkaline battery positioned within the enclosure.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system as defined in claim 24 further comprising an enclosure within the peripheral device and wherein the means for storing electrical energy comprise a capacitor or other energy storage device positioned within the enclosure and an alkaline battery positioned outside of the enclosure.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as defined in claim 24 wherein the means for limiting the current drawn from the computing device by the peripheral device is set to a predetermined value of one ampere.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system as defined in claim 24 wherein the first means for removably housing the peripheral device is positioned externally to the computing device.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system as defined in claim 24 wherein the first peripheral bay is positioned internally in the computing device.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system as defined in claim 32 or 33 wherein the means for making physical and electrical connection with a computer peripheral comprises a fifty conductor connector and a cable.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system as defined in claim 32 or 33 wherein the computer peripheral comprises an enclosure having first, second, third, and fourth sides, the enclosure having a substantially rectangular shape having a lip extending from the first side thereof.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system as defined in claim 32 or 33 wherein the first interface standard is the PCMCIA interface standard.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as defined in claim 24 wherein the second interface standard is ATAPI interface standard.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-02-24 | 2006-08-26 | 2007-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-02-24 | 2010-08-26 | 2011-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-02-24 | 2014-08-26 | 2015-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |