Patent US5954523A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5954523A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dual-in line universal serial bus connector
Assignee: Intel Corp
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Filing: 1997-10-24
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Granted: 1999-09-21
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Expires: 2017-10-24
Abstract
Abstract A dual-in-line Universal Serial Bus connector including a plurality of Universal Serial Bus ports oriented adjacent to each other in a longitudinal direction. The dual-in-line Universal Serial Bus connector further includes a plurality of signal pins and a pair of mounting tabs. The signal pins are coupled to the plurality of Universal Serial Bus ports in order to receive data input into at least one of the plurality of Universal Serial Bus ports. The positioning of the mounting tabs and signal pins enable this connector to be used as a substitute for a serial communication (COM) port connector.
Inventors
- 👤 Sean R. Babcock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:15
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/38; G06F13/40; G06F13/4063; G06F13/409
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A circuit board comprising: a first footprint to mount a device thereon; and a second footprint to support a Universal Serial Bus connector and a communication (COM) connector in the alternative, the second footprint including at least two mounting apertures, at least eight Universal Serial Bus (USB) signal pin apertures, the at least eight USB signal pin apertures being aligned and spaced equidistant from the at least two mounting apertures, and at least two sets of communication (COM) port apertures, a first set of COM port apertures laterally spaced to one side of a plane formed by the at least two mounting apertures and a second set of COM port apertures laterally spaced to an opposite side of the plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A circuit board comprising: a first footprint to mount a device thereon; and a second footprint to support a Universal Serial Bus connector and a communication (COM) connector in the alternative, the second footprint including at least two mounting apertures, at least eight Universal Serial Bus (USB) signal pin apertures, the at least eight USB signal pin apertures being aligned and spaced equidistant from the at least two mounting apertures, and at least two sets of communication (COM) port apertures, a first set of COM port apertures laterally spaced to one side of a plane formed by the at least two mounting apertures and a second set of COM port apertures laterally spaced to an opposite side of the plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The circuit board according to claim 1, wherein the at least eight USB signal pin apertures include at least four USB signal pin apertures through which data is transferred, at least one USB signal pin aperture coupled to ground and at least one USB signal pin aperture coupled to power.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The circuit board according to claim 1, wherein the device associated with the first footprint includes a microprocessor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The circuit board according to claim 1, wherein the device associated with the first footprint includes a communication (COM) connector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The circuit board according to claim 1 further including a plurality of capacitors coupled to pins of the USB connector when inserted into the at least eight USB signal pin apertures.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The circuit board according to claim 5 further comprising a fuse coupled to the plurality of capacitors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
131 words
A circuit board comprising: a first footprint for a first communication (COM) connector thereon; and a second footprint for supporting of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector and a second COM connector in the alternative, the second footprint including at least two mounting apertures, a first plurality of signal pin apertures provided for a Universal Serial Bus connector, the first plurality of signal pin apertures being generally aligned and spaced equidistant from a plane including the at least two mounting apertures, and at least two sets of COM port apertures laterally adjacent to each other, a first set of COM port apertures laterally spaced from the plane in a first direction and a second set of COM port apertures laterally spaced from the plane in a direction opposite the first direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
131 words
A circuit board comprising: a first footprint for a first communication (COM) connector thereon; and a second footprint for supporting of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector and a second COM connector in the alternative, the second footprint including at least two mounting apertures, a first plurality of signal pin apertures provided for a Universal Serial Bus connector, the first plurality of signal pin apertures being generally aligned and spaced equidistant from a plane including the at least two mounting apertures, and at least two sets of COM port apertures laterally adjacent to each other, a first set of COM port apertures laterally spaced from the plane in a first direction and a second set of COM port apertures laterally spaced from the plane in a direction opposite the first direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The circuit board according to claim 7, wherein the first plurality of signal pin apertures placed in a distance not exceeding a distance between the at least two mounting apertures.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The circuit board according to claim 7 further including a plurality of capacitors coupled to pins of the USB connector when inserted into the first plurality of signal pin apertures.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The circuit board according to claim 9 further comprising a fuse coupled to the plurality of capacitors.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The circuit board according to claim 10, wherein the fuse to provide voltage to a device off the circuit board.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The circuit board according to claim 10, wherein the fuse to provide voltage to a device off the circuit board.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
126 words
A circuit board comprising: a footprint for supporting an input/output controller; and a footprint for supporting of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector and a serial communication (COM) connector in the alternative, the footprint including at least two mounting apertures, a first plurality of signal pin apertures provided for the USB connector, the first plurality of signal pin apertures being generally aligned and spaced equidistant from a plane formed by the at least two mounting apertures, and at least two sets of COM port apertures laterally adjacent to each other, a first set of COM port apertures laterally spaced from the plane in a first direction and a second set of COM port apertures laterally spaced from the plane in a direction opposite the first direction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
126 words
A circuit board comprising: a footprint for supporting an input/output controller; and a footprint for supporting of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector and a serial communication (COM) connector in the alternative, the footprint including at least two mounting apertures, a first plurality of signal pin apertures provided for the USB connector, the first plurality of signal pin apertures being generally aligned and spaced equidistant from a plane formed by the at least two mounting apertures, and at least two sets of COM port apertures laterally adjacent to each other, a first set of COM port apertures laterally spaced from the plane in a first direction and a second set of COM port apertures laterally spaced from the plane in a direction opposite the first direction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The circuit board according to claim 13, wherein the first plurality of signal pin apertures placed in a distance not exceeding a distance between the at least two mounting apertures.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The circuit board according to claim 13 further including a plurality of capacitors coupled to the USB connector when inserted into the first plurality of signal pin apertures.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The circuit board according to claim 15 further comprising a fuse coupled to the plurality of capacitors.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The circuit board according to claim 16, wherein the fuse provides voltage to a device off the circuit board.
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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) | 2002-09-20 | 2003-03-22 | 2003-09-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-09-20 | 2007-03-22 | 2007-09-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-09-20 | 2011-03-22 | 2011-09-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |