US5408669A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer system for sensing a cable-connected peripheral and for supplying power thereto
Assignee: Dell USA LP
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Filing: 1994-07-05
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Granted: 1995-04-18
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Expires: 2014-07-05
Abstract
Abstract A computer system including an input/output (I/O) connector for connecting to an external data peripheral, where the computer includes circuitry for detecting the presence or absence of a load on a first pin and for providing power to the external data peripheral through a second pin of the I/O connector. In this manner, the external data peripheral need not include a separate power supply, but instead is sensed and powered by the computer itself through the I/O connector. In the preferred embodiment, the I/O connector is coupled to parallel port circuitry for interfacing to an external printer, and also to a floppy controller for interfacing with an external floppy drive, where the computer system further includes circuitry to switch from the printer controller to the floppy controller when an external floppy drive is connected to the I/O connector. In this manner, the same I/O port automatically serves either an external printer or an external floppy drive.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory N. Stewart
- 👤 David Lunsford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:31
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/38; G06F13/382; G06F13/385; G06F2213/00; G06F2213/0004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A computer system, comprising: a chassis which includes: at least one battery, and at least one external power connection, and power supply circuitry connected to provide power from said battery or said external power connection through a power supply line; at least one multiline I/O connector mounted on said chassis, said I/O connector including a plurality of pins; and circuitry connected to detect a presence or absence of a load on a first predetermined pin of said I/O connector, and accordingly to connect said power supply line from said battery to a second predetermined pin of said I/O connector; a cable for connecting to said I/O connector; and at least one external data peripheral which includes a signal connector for connecting to said I/O connector of said system chassis through said cable, and which is connected to draw power from said battery via said I/O connector and said signal connector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A computer system, comprising: a chassis which includes: at least one battery, and at least one external power connection, and power supply circuitry connected to provide power from said battery or said external power connection through a power supply line; at least one multiline I/O connector mounted on said chassis, said I/O connector including a plurality of pins; and circuitry connected to detect a presence or absence of a load on a first predetermined pin of said I/O connector, and accordingly to connect said power supply line from said battery to a second predetermined pin of said I/O connector; a cable for connecting to said I/O connector; and at least one external data peripheral which includes a signal connector for connecting to said I/O connector of said system chassis through said cable, and which is connected to draw power from said battery via said I/O connector and said signal connector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising a primer which can be connected to said I/O connector; and a CPU, wherein said printer is controlled by said CPU.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 2, wherein said printer includes a separate respective power supply.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said external data peripheral is a floppy disk drive.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said external data peripheral is a floppy disk drive, and wherein said chassis does not contain any floppy disk drive.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said chassis is hinged, and includes a keyboard in one portion thereof and a display in another portion thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising: volatile random-access memory in said chassis; and a CPU, said CPU being operatively connected to read and programmably execute software programs from said random-access memory.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising a hard disk drive in said chassis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1, further including a CPU, wherein said CPU comprises only one microprocessor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising a CPU, wherein said CPU controls power sent from said battery to said external data peripheral.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
143 words
A computer system, comprising: a chassis which includes: at least one central processing unit (CPU); at least one battery, and at least one external power connection, and power supply circuitry connected to said CPU to provide power from said battery or said external power connection; and a plurality of input/output devices operatively connected to said CPU, including at least one multiline I/O connector mounted on said chassis; a cable for connecting to said I/O connector; and at least one external data peripheral which includes a signal connector for connecting to said I/O connector of said system chassis through said cable, and which is connected to draw power solely from said battery through said signal connector and said cable; wherein said CPU controls said power supply circuitry, to selectively supply power to said external data peripheral, as determined by software running on said CPU.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
143 words
A computer system, comprising: a chassis which includes: at least one central processing unit (CPU); at least one battery, and at least one external power connection, and power supply circuitry connected to said CPU to provide power from said battery or said external power connection; and a plurality of input/output devices operatively connected to said CPU, including at least one multiline I/O connector mounted on said chassis; a cable for connecting to said I/O connector; and at least one external data peripheral which includes a signal connector for connecting to said I/O connector of said system chassis through said cable, and which is connected to draw power solely from said battery through said signal connector and said cable; wherein said CPU controls said power supply circuitry, to selectively supply power to said external data peripheral, as determined by software running on said CPU.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 11, wherein said external data peripheral is a floppy disk drive.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 11, wherein said external data peripheral is a floppy disk drive, and wherein said chassis does not contain any floppy disk drive.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 11, wherein at least one of said plurality of input/output devices are contained in said chassis.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 11, wherein said chassis is hinged, and includes a keyboard in one portion thereof and a display in another portion thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 11, wherein said CPU comprises only one microprocessor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 11, wherein at least one of said plurality of input/output devices is a keyboard and is contained in said chassis.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 11, wherein at least one of said plurality of input/output devices is a display and is contained in said chassis.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
183 words
A computer system, comprising: a system chassis which includes: at least one central processing unit (CPU); at least one battery, and at least one external power connection, and power supply circuitry connected to said CPU to provide power from said battery or said external power connection through a power supply line; a plurality of input/output devices, including at least one multiline I/O connector having a plurality of pins mounted on said system chassis; and circuitry connected to detect a presence or absence of a load on a first predetermined pin of said I/O connector, and accordingly to connect said power supply line from said battery to a second predetermined pin of said I/O connector; a cable for connecting to said I/O connector: and at least one external data peripheral which includes a signal connector for connecting to said I/O connector of said system chassis through said cable, and which is connected to draw power solely from said battery through said signal connector and said cable; and wherein said power supply circuitry supplies power to said external data peripheral, as enabled by said CPU.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
183 words
A computer system, comprising: a system chassis which includes: at least one central processing unit (CPU); at least one battery, and at least one external power connection, and power supply circuitry connected to said CPU to provide power from said battery or said external power connection through a power supply line; a plurality of input/output devices, including at least one multiline I/O connector having a plurality of pins mounted on said system chassis; and circuitry connected to detect a presence or absence of a load on a first predetermined pin of said I/O connector, and accordingly to connect said power supply line from said battery to a second predetermined pin of said I/O connector; a cable for connecting to said I/O connector: and at least one external data peripheral which includes a signal connector for connecting to said I/O connector of said system chassis through said cable, and which is connected to draw power solely from said battery through said signal connector and said cable; and wherein said power supply circuitry supplies power to said external data peripheral, as enabled by said CPU.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 19, wherein said external data peripheral is a floppy disk drive.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 19, wherein said external data peripheral is a floppy disk drive, and wherein said chassis does not contain any floppy disk drive.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 19, wherein at least one of said plurality of input/output devices is contained in said system chassis.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 19, wherein said system chassis is hinged, and includes a keyboard in one portion thereof and a display in another portion thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 19, further comprising a hard disk drive in said system chassis, said CPU being operatively connected to read and programmably execute software programs therefrom.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 19, wherein said CPU comprises only one microprocessor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-04-17 | 1998-10-17 | 1999-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-04-17 | 2002-10-17 | 2003-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-04-17 | 2006-10-17 | 2007-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |