Multiple-interface selection system for computer peripherals
First Claim
1. An interface configuration system for a computer peripheral comprising:
- (1) a given first host computer;
(2) a computer peripheral having (a) at least two internal configuration selection circuits and (b) sufficient internal hardware and/or firmware to be internally configurable for at least the given first host computer and a given second host computer selectable by actuation of a given one or more of said internal configuration selection circuits; and
(3) an interface connector cable having a first end connectable to the computer peripheral and a second end connectable to the given first host computer,wherein the first end of the interface connector cable includes a multiple contact connector constructed and arranged to be properly physically and electrically connectable to a specific computer peripheral or class of computer peripherals,wherein the first end of the interface connector cable includes at least one electrical connection between two contacts which, when the first end of the interface connector cable is plugged into the computer peripheral, completes the given one or more of said internal configuration selection circuits within the computer peripheral thereby configuring the internal hardware and/or firmware of the computer peripheral to correspond to the given first host computer as opposed to the given second host computer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An interface selection and configuration system for a computer peripheral in which configuration for the peripheral is at least in part accomplished by the interface connector cable. In a preferred embodiment, the computer peripheral is equipped with one or more hardware interfaces. The interface connector cable has a first end connector for attaching to the computer peripheral. The first end connector of the interface connector cable is typically a multiple pin connector constructed and arranged to be properly physically and electrically connectable only to a specific computer peripheral or class of computer peripherals, the first end connector including at least one electrical connection between two pins for completing a circuit within the computer peripheral thereby enabling the computer peripheral.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. An interface configuration system for a computer peripheral comprising:
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(1) a given first host computer; (2) a computer peripheral having (a) at least two internal configuration selection circuits and (b) sufficient internal hardware and/or firmware to be internally configurable for at least the given first host computer and a given second host computer selectable by actuation of a given one or more of said internal configuration selection circuits; and (3) an interface connector cable having a first end connectable to the computer peripheral and a second end connectable to the given first host computer, wherein the first end of the interface connector cable includes a multiple contact connector constructed and arranged to be properly physically and electrically connectable to a specific computer peripheral or class of computer peripherals, wherein the first end of the interface connector cable includes at least one electrical connection between two contacts which, when the first end of the interface connector cable is plugged into the computer peripheral, completes the given one or more of said internal configuration selection circuits within the computer peripheral thereby configuring the internal hardware and/or firmware of the computer peripheral to correspond to the given first host computer as opposed to the given second host computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An interface configuration system for a computer peripheral with at least a first internal configuration and a second internal configuration, comprising an interface connector cable connectable at one end to the computer peripheral and in communication to a host computer, the interface connector cable including
a first end connector attachable to the computer peripheral, the first end connector having multiple contacts; - and
a second end connector providing communication to the host computer, wherein the interface connector cable includes at least one electrical connection between two contacts for completing an internal configuration selection circuit within the computer peripheral thereby internally configuring the computer peripheral to the first internal configuration as opposed to the second internal configuration. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for configuring a computer peripheral for a given host computer, comprising the steps of:
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supplying the computer peripheral with sufficient internal hardware and/or firmware to be configurable for at least a first host computer and a second host computer; equipping the computer peripheral with a multiple contact connector and with at least two internal configuration selection switches, the computer peripheral being selectively configured for a given host computer by actuating a given one or more of said internal configuration selection switches; and actuating the given one or more of said internal configuration selection switches for configuring the computer peripheral for the first host computer as opposed to the second host computer by; selecting a matching interconnect cable which matches the computer peripheral and the first host computer, the interconnect cable having a first end connector for attaching to the computer peripheral and closing an electrical circuit between contacts in the multiple contact connector of the computer peripheral by attaching the first end connector of the matching interconnect cable to the computer peripheral, the first end connector having certain of its contacts electrically interconnected. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A computer peripheral system comprising:
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a computer peripheral having (a) at least two internal configuration selection circuits and (b) sufficient internal hardware and/or firmware to be internally configurable for at least a given first application and a given second application selectable by actuation of a given one or more of said internal configuration selection circuits; and a communication link between a given host computer and the computer peripheral, the communication link including an interface connector cable having a first end connectable to the computer peripheral, the first end of the interface connector cable including (a) a multiple contact connector constructed and arranged to be physically connectable to a specific computer peripheral or class of computer peripherals and (b) at least one connection path between two contacts which, when the first end of the interface connector cable is plugged into the computer peripheral, completes the given one or more of said internal configuration selection circuits within the computer peripheral thereby internally configuring the computer peripheral for the given first application as opposed to the given second application. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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- 18. An interface connector cable for configuring a computer peripheral for a particular application or host computer, comprising a first end connector connectable to the computer peripheral, the first end connector having at least one electrical connection between two contacts for completing an internal configuration selection circuit within the computer peripheral thereby internally configuring the computer peripheral for the particular application or host computer as opposed to some other application or host computer.
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20. A method for internally configuring a computer peripheral for a given application as opposed to some other application, comprising the steps of
(1) identifying the computer peripheral; -
(2) identifying the given application for which the computer peripheral will be used; (3) selecting a correct interface connector cable by identifying a connector cable having an identifying code corresponding to the computer peripheral and the given application identified in steps (1) and (2); and (4) connecting a first end of the interface connector cable into a mating connector on the computer peripheral which comprises establishing electrical connection between certain contacts in the mating connector thereby actuating a given one or more internal configuration selection switches within the computer peripheral to select a desired internal configuration of the computer peripheral corresponding to the given application as opposed to some other application. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A method for setting a desired internal configuration of an electronic device to a predetermined set of values, comprising the steps of:
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supplying the electronic device with sufficient internal circuitry having internal configuration of at least one internal variable; connecting a connector cable to the electronic device; setting the internal variable to one of the predetermined set of values in response to whether or not a circuit is formed between a predetermined first contact and a predetermined second contact in the connector cable upon the connector cable being connected to the electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A method of operating a handheld scanner for data reading, the handheld scanner including a scanner body and a connector cable, comprising the steps of:
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detachably connecting the connector cable to the scanner body; changing a function of the scanner by changing the connector cable. - View Dependent Claims (26, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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27. A handheld scanner for data reading comprising:
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a body portion; a scanning mechanism mounted within the body portion; a connector cable detachably connectable to the body portion, said connector cable being electrically connected to the scanning mechanism when the connector cable is attached to the body portion, the connector cable being changeable by connecting to and being disconnected from the body portion wherein a function of the scanner may be changed by changing the connector cable. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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Specification