Communication cable used in a computer system

• US 5,836,783 A
• Filed: 07/25/1996
• Issued: 11/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: PENTAX RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.
• Original Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Tani, Nobuhiro, Aoki, Harumi, Morisawa, Tahei
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, TULSIDAS C
• Application Number:
  US08/687,218
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 439/502, 439/505, 439/506, 307/80, 307/43, 307/85, 307/86, 307/125, 307/126, 307/119
• US Class Current: 439/502
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/70 with built-in switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts

Abstract

A computer system includes a computer and a peripheral device. A communication cable, used to connect the peripheral device to the computer, has a first cable, a second cable and a patch unit. The first cable encloses a set of power lines and a set of data lines, and the second cable encloses a set of data lines. The patch unit includes a socket with first and second contacts. In the patch unit, the sets of data lines of the first and second cables are connected. One of the power lines is connected to the first contact, and another of the power lines is connected to the second contact. The first cable connects the patch unit with the peripheral device, and the second cable connects the patch unit with the computer. When power is applied from an external source to the first and second contacts, the power is supplied from the first and second contacts to the peripheral device.

Claims

1. A computer system comprising:

a computer;

a peripheral device; and

a communication cable which connects said peripheral device to said computer, said communication cable comprising;

a first cable, said first cable enclosing;

a first set of data lines; and

a first set of power lines;

a second cable, said second cable enclosing;

a second set of data lines;

a second set of power lines; and

a third set of power lines;

a connector attached to said second cable for connecting said communication cable to said computer; and

a patch unit, said patch unit including a socket, said socket comprising;

a first contact; and

a second contact,

wherein said patch unit connects said first set of data lines to said second set of data lines,

wherein one of said third set of power lines is connected to said first contact and another of said third set of power lines is connected to said second contact, and

whereby when said connector connects said communication cable with said computer, said first set of power lines, said second set of power lines and said third set of power lines are connected.

2. The communication cable according to claim 1, wherein said second cable has a length such that said patch unit does not interfere with an operation to connect said connector to said computer.