INTERFACE DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE ADOPTING THE SAME

• US 20110217855A1
• Filed: 10/07/2010
• Published: 09/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Toshiba Tec Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toshiba Tec Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Yoshikoshi, Kazuyuki
• Application Number:
  US12/899,717
• Publication Number:
  US 20110217855A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/76.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/70 Coupling devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6658 on printed circuit board H01R13/6666 - H01R13/6691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10189 Non-printed connector

Abstract

An interface device includes a board including first and second sides at opposite locations thereof. First and second connectors of different types are included. First and second connectors are mounted on the first and second sides, respectively and comply with a common communication standard. An electronic circuit mounted on the board and connected to the first and second connectors is included. The electronic circuit is adapted for data communication in compliance with the communication standard.

Claims

1. An interface device comprising:

a board including first and second sides at opposite locations thereof;

first and second connectors of different types, the first and second connectors being mounted on the first and second sides, respectively and complying with a common communication standard; and

an electronic circuit mounted on the board and connected to the first and second connectors, the electronic circuit being adapted for data communication in compliance with the communication standard.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit comprises a circuit coupling unit connected to another electronic circuit through a connection line, the board further includes a third side connecting the first and second sides together, and the circuit coupling unit is mounted on the third side.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a common line connected to the electronic circuit; and

branch lines connecting the common line to the first and second connectors, respectively.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the second connector is mounted within an area formed by projecting the first connector toward a direction from the first side to the second side.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second connectors are RS-232C based connectors.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the first connector is a D-SUB 25-pin type and the second connector is a D-SUB 9-pin type.

7. An electronic device comprising an interface device, the interface device including:

a board including first and second sides at opposite locations thereof;

first and second connectors of different types, the first and second connectors being mounted on the first and second sides, respectively and complying with a common communication standard; and

an electronic circuit mounted on the board and connected to the first and second connectors, the electronic circuit being adapted for data communication in compliance with the communication standard.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the electronic circuit comprises a circuit coupling unit connected to another electronic circuit through a connection line, the board further includes a third side connecting the first and second sides together, and the circuit coupling unit is mounted on the third side.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the interface device further includes:

a common line connected to the electronic circuit; and

branch lines connecting the common line to the first and second connectors, respectively.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein the second connector is mounted on the board within an area formed by projecting the first connector toward a direction from the first side to the second side.

11. The device of claim 7, wherein the first and second connectors are RS-232C based connectors.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the first connector is a D-SUB 25-pin type and the second connector is a D-SUB 9-pin type.

13. The device of claim 7, further comprising a housing adapted to accommodate the interface device therein, the housing defining an opening adapted to expose either one of the first and second connectors.

14. The device of claim 13, further comprising:

another electronic circuit included in the housing; and

a supporting unit built the housing and structured to support the interface device,

wherein the supporting unit supports the interface device either in a first arrangement in which the first connector is exposed via the opening, or in a second arrangement in which the second connector is exposed via the opening.

15. An interface device comprising:

a board including first and second sides at opposite locations thereof, and front and rear planes;

first and second connectors of different types, the first and second connectors being mounted on the first and second sides, respectively; and

an electronic circuit mounted on one of the front and rear planes of the board and being connected to both of the first and second connectors,

wherein the interface device is adapted to be accommodated within a housing defining an opening adapted to expose one of the first and second connectors via the opening.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the second connector is mounted within an area formed by projecting the first connector toward a direction from the first side to the second side.

17. An electronic device comprising:

an interface device comprising a board including first and second sides at opposite locations thereof, and front and rear planes, first and second connectors of different types, the first and second connectors being mounted on the first and second sides, respectively, and an electronic circuit mounted on one of the front and rear planes of the board and being connected to the first and second connectors;

a housing adapted to accommodate the interface device therein and defining an opening thereat; and

a supporting unit built in the housing and structured to support the interface device,

wherein the supporting unit supports the interface device either in a first arrangement in which the first connector is exposed via the opening or in a second arrangement in which the second connector is exposed via the opening.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the board includes mounting holes for screw-coupling to the supporting unit.

19. An electronic device comprising:

a housing defining an opening; and

an interface device having two connectors of different types and accommodated within the housing such that one of the two connectors is exposed via the opening and the other is concealed within the housing.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the interface device comprises a board including first and second sides at opposite locations, and the two connectors are mounted on the first and second sides of the board, respectively.