US6881098B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for selectively communicatively coupling and transmitting power between an electronic device and a peripheral component
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
•
Filing: 2003-04-14
•
Granted: 2005-04-19
•
Expires: 2023-04-14
Abstract
Abstract A system comprises an electronic device, a peripheral component and a cable. The cable couples the peripheral component to the electronic device. The cable further comprises a connector end for connection to a standard port on the electronic device. The connector end has an abutment feature designed to prevent engagement of the connector end with certain ports.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey K. Jeansonne
- 👤 Earl W. Moore
- 👤 Tim L. Zhang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:15
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/26; G06F1/266; H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/64; H01R2201/00; H01R2201/06; H01R31/00; H01R31/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for coupling a peripheral component to a device via a universal serial bus (USB) port, comprising: a cable having a first connector end and a second connector end, the first connector end comprising a series A USB connector and an abutment adjacent the series A USB connector, wherein the series A USB connector is adapted to couple to a USB port having higher power than USB standard, wherein the abutment is adapted to prevent coupling the series A USB connector to a standard USB port having standard power.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for coupling a peripheral component to a device via a universal serial bus (USB) port, comprising: a cable having a first connector end and a second connector end, the first connector end comprising a series A USB connector and an abutment adjacent the series A USB connector, wherein the series A USB connector is adapted to couple to a USB port having higher power than USB standard, wherein the abutment is adapted to prevent coupling the series A USB connector to a standard USB port having standard power.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second connector end comprises a series B USB connector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second connector end comprises a series B USB connector and a separate power connector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 3 , wherein the separate power connector comprises a barrel connector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the abutment comprises a post.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first connector end comprises an overmold from which the series A USB connector and the abutment extend an approximately equal distance.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
99 words
A system, comprising: an electronic device comprising a powered USB port and a device connection feature, the powered USB port having more than USB standard power available; a peripheral component having power requirements greater than the USB standard; and a USB cable to couple the peripheral component and the electronic device, the USB cable having a connector end with a USB connector and a corresponding connection feature that cooperates with the device connection feature to enable insertion of the USB connector into the powered USB port, and to prevent insertion of the USB connector into a standard USB port.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
99 words
A system, comprising: an electronic device comprising a powered USB port and a device connection feature, the powered USB port having more than USB standard power available; a peripheral component having power requirements greater than the USB standard; and a USB cable to couple the peripheral component and the electronic device, the USB cable having a connector end with a USB connector and a corresponding connection feature that cooperates with the device connection feature to enable insertion of the USB connector into the powered USB port, and to prevent insertion of the USB connector into a standard USB port.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as recited in claim 7 , wherein the electronic device comprises a portable computer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as recited in claim 7 , wherein the peripheral component comprises an external multibay.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as recited in claim 7 , wherein the peripheral component comprises a mass storage device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as recited in claim 7 , wherein the peripheral component comprises an optical drive.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as recited in claim 7 , wherein the peripheral component comprises a hard drive.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system as recited in claim 7 , wherein the corresponding connection feature comprises a post and the device connection feature comprises an opening sized to receive the post.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system as recited in claim 7 , wherein the USB cable comprises a second end having a series B USB connector and a separate power connector.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
57 words
A method, comprising: providing an electronic device with a standard input/output port; supplying power to the standard input/output port at a higher level than required by a port standard; and coupling a peripheral component to the electronic device via a connector that blocks coupling to other similar standard input/output ports without power supplied at the higher level.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
57 words
A method, comprising: providing an electronic device with a standard input/output port; supplying power to the standard input/output port at a higher level than required by a port standard; and coupling a peripheral component to the electronic device via a connector that blocks coupling to other similar standard input/output ports without power supplied at the higher level.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as recited in claim 15 , wherein providing comprises forming the standard input/output port as a USB port.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as recited in claim 15 , wherein providing comprises providing a portable computer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as recited in claim 15 , wherein coupling comprises connecting the peripheral component to the electronic device via a cable having the connector.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as recited in claim 15 , further comprising forming the connector with a series A USB connector and an abutment.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as recited in claim 15 , further comprising forming the connector with a series A USB connector and an adjacent post extending from an overmold.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as recited in claim 15 , wherein coupling comprises coupling a mass storage device to the electronic device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as recited in claim 15 , wherein coupling comprises coupling an external multibay to the electronic device.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
36 words
A system, comprising: means for connecting a peripheral component to a USB port of an electronic device; and means for preventing such connection to any USB port having insufficient power available to power the peripheral component.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
36 words
A system, comprising: means for connecting a peripheral component to a USB port of an electronic device; and means for preventing such connection to any USB port having insufficient power available to power the peripheral component.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as recited in claim 23 , wherein the means for connecting comprises a USB cable.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as recited in claim 23 , wherein the means for preventing comprises an abutment post.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
85 words
An electronic device, comprising: an input/output port having higher power than a standard power for the input/output port, wherein the input/output port is adapted to couple with an input/output connector; and a first connection feature adjacent the input/output port, wherein the first connection feature is adapted to cooperate with a second connection feature adjacent the input/output connector to facilitate coupling of the input/output connector with the input/output port, such that the input/output connector is prevented from coupling to an input/output port having a standard power.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
85 words
An electronic device, comprising: an input/output port having higher power than a standard power for the input/output port, wherein the input/output port is adapted to couple with an input/output connector; and a first connection feature adjacent the input/output port, wherein the first connection feature is adapted to cooperate with a second connection feature adjacent the input/output connector to facilitate coupling of the input/output connector with the input/output port, such that the input/output connector is prevented from coupling to an input/output port having a standard power.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
The electronic device of claim 26 , wherein the input/output port is a USB port, the input/output connector is a USB connector, and the standard power is standard USB power.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
The electronic device of claim 26 , wherein the first connection feature is a receptacle adapted to receive the second connection feature, wherein the second connection feature is a post.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
The electronic device of claim 26 , wherein the first connection feature is a post adapted for insertion into the second connection feature, wherein the second connection feature is an opening.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electronic device of claim 26 , wherein the electronic device is a portable computer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US6095837A
Cited
US5884086A
Cited
US5958020A
Cited
US6211649B1
Cited
US6415342B1
Cited
US6210216B1
Cited
US6283789B1
Cited
US6407914B1
Cited
US6465987B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-04-18 | 2008-10-18 | 2009-04-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-04-18 | 2012-10-18 | 2013-04-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-04-18 | 2016-10-18 | 2017-04-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |