Multiple bus interface for a computer system

• US 20040015637A1
• Filed: 07/22/2002
• Published: 01/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cedric Yau
• Original Assignee: Cedric Yau
• Inventors: Yau, Cedric
• Application Number:
  US10/200,881
• Publication Number:
  US 20040015637A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/313
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4095 in incremental bus architectures, e.g. bus stacks

Abstract

A multiple bus, serial interface permits aggregation of a plurality of modular computer peripherals having differing interfaces into a computer system.

Claims

1. An interface for connecting a first device of a computer system to a second device of said computer system, said interface comprising:

(a) a first connector arranged for transmissive engagement with said second device;

(b) a second connector arranged for transmissive engagement with a third device;

(c) a first data channel connected to communicate data serially from said first connector to said second connector;

(d) a second data channel connected to communicate data serially from said first connector to said second connector; and

(e) a data connection from one of said first data channel and said second data channel to said first device.

2. The interface of claim 1 wherein one of said first data channel and said second data channel conforms to a Universal Serial Bus specification.

3. The interface of claim 2 wherein said data connection comprises a hub having a first port connected to said first connector, a second port connected to said first device and a third port connected to said second connector.

4. The interface of claim 2 wherein said data connection comprises:

(a) a translation bridge converting a signal useful to said first device to a signal compatible with said Universal Serial Bus specification; and

(b) a hub having a first port connected to said first connector, a second port connected to said translation bridge, and a third port connected to said second connector.

5. The interface of claim 1 wherein one of said first data channel and said second data channel conforms to an IEEE 1394 serial bus specification.

6. The interface of claim 5 further comprising a translation bridge converting a signal compatible with said IEEE 1394 specification to a signal useful to said first device.

7. The interface of claim 1 further comprising:

(a) a power conductor conductively connecting said first connector and said second connector; and

(b) a power connection connecting said power conductor to said first device.

8. A computer system comprising:

(a) a processing unit;

(b) a peripheral device; and

(c) an interface transmissively connecting said processing unit and said peripheral device, said interface comprising a first communication channel for transmission of a first signal according to a first serial protocol, a second communication channel for transmission of a second signal according to a second serial protocol, and a data connection from one of said first and said second communication channels to said peripheral device.

9. The computer system of claim 8 wherein one of said first communication channel and said second communication channel transmits signals conforming to a Universal Serial Bus specification.

10. The computer system of claim 9 wherein said data connection comprises a hub having a first port transmissively connected to said processing unit, a second port connected to said peripheral device and a third port transmissively connectable to another peripheral device.

11. The interface of claim 9 wherein said data connection comprises:

(a) a translation bridge converting a signal useful to said peripheral device to a signal conforming to said Universal Serial Bus specification; and

(b) a hub having a first port transmissively connected to said processing unit, a second port transmissively connected to said translation bridge, and a third port transmissively connectable to another peripheral device.

12. The computer of claim 8 wherein one of said first communication channel and said second communication channel conforms to an IEEE 1394 serial bus specification.

13. The interface of claim 12 further comprising a translation bridge converting a signal conforming to said IEEE 1394 specification to a signal useful to said peripheral device.

14. The computer system of claim 8 wherein said interface further comprises

(a) a power conductor;

and

(b) a power connection connecting said power conductor and said peripheral device.