US6454585B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low profile NIC jumper solution using ZIF connector
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 2001-08-01
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Granted: 2002-09-24
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Expires: 2021-08-01
Abstract
Abstract A connection technique for switchably and mutually exclusively coupling a plurality of device sets. The connection technique utilizes a low profile connector having multiple circuit sets, each of which is configured for mutually exclusive and removable insertion into a receptacle coupled to multiple devices. Each one of the multiple circuit sets, which is inserted into the receptacle, couples a desired set of the plurality of device sets.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven S. Homer
- 👤 Lee Atkinson
- 👤 Rahul V. Lakdawala
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 03:29
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/11; H05K1/117; H01; H01R; H01R27/00; H01R31/00; H01R31/08; H05K1/0286; H05K1/0295; H05K2201/00; H05K2201/09; H05K2201/09818; H05K2201/09954; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49124; Y10T29/49126; Y10T29/49147; Y10T29/49169; Y10T29/49204; Y10T29/49208
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A multi-device connection system, comprising: a receptacle having at least three electrical contact sets, each coupled to a different electrical component; and a switchable component connector panel insertable into the receptacle in multiple orientations, comprising: a first circuit having conductors extending between a first two sets of the at least three electrical contact sets in a first orientation of the multiple orientations; and a second circuit having conductors extending between a second two sets of the at least three electrical contact sets in a second orientation of the multiple orientations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A multi-device connection system, comprising: a receptacle having at least three electrical contact sets, each coupled to a different electrical component; and a switchable component connector panel insertable into the receptacle in multiple orientations, comprising: a first circuit having conductors extending between a first two sets of the at least three electrical contact sets in a first orientation of the multiple orientations; and a second circuit having conductors extending between a second two sets of the at least three electrical contact sets in a second orientation of the multiple orientations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The multi-device connection system of claim 1 , wherein the at least three electrical contact sets comprise an array of electrical contacts disposed in a low profile structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The multi-device connection system of claim 2 , wherein the array of electrical contacts comprises a zero insertion force connection structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The multi-device connection system of claim 1 , wherein the first two sets and the second two sets extend to at least one common component of the different electrical components.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The multi-device connection system of claim 1 , wherein the first two sets extend to a communication port and a first input/output device, and the second two sets extend to the communication port and a second input/output device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The multi-device connection system of claim 5 , wherein the first and second input/output devices comprise different network communication circuits.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The multi-device connection system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second circuits are disposed on different edge/side portions of the switchable component connector panel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
86 words
A switchable multi-device system, comprising: at least three electronic devices, wherein a first device of the at least three electronic devices comprises an input/output port; a receptacle having at least three electrical contact sets, each coupled to a different device of the at least three electronic devices; and a device set connector panel insertable into the receptacle in different orientations, wherein the device set connector panel comprises a device connector circuit for each of the different orientations that communicatively couples a different mutually exclusive device set.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
86 words
A switchable multi-device system, comprising: at least three electronic devices, wherein a first device of the at least three electronic devices comprises an input/output port; a receptacle having at least three electrical contact sets, each coupled to a different device of the at least three electronic devices; and a device set connector panel insertable into the receptacle in different orientations, wherein the device set connector panel comprises a device connector circuit for each of the different orientations that communicatively couples a different mutually exclusive device set.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The switchable multi-device system of claim 8 , wherein the at least three electrical contact sets comprise an array of electrical contacts disposed in a low profile structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The switchable multi-device system of claim 9 , wherein the array of electrical contacts comprises a zero insertion force connection structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The switchable multi-device system of claim 8 , wherein each of the different mutually exclusive device sets comprises at least one common component of the different electrical components.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The switchable multi-device system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one common component comprises the input/output port.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The switchable multi-device system of claim 12 , wherein each of the different mutually exclusive device sets comprises a different network communication circuit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 2005-09-23 | 2006-03-25 | 2006-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-09-23 | 2010-03-25 | 2010-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-09-23 | 2014-03-25 | 2014-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |