Media connect module for portable computer
First Claim
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1. A media connect module for electrically connecting a plurality of peripheral devices to a computing device, comprising:
- a computing device connector capable of being electrically connected to a port of the computing device;
a plurality of connectors for peripheral devices including at least one connector which is not available on said computing device;
a flexible cable electrically connecting the computing device connector to the plurality of connectors and of such length and flexibility as to allow positioning of the media connect module to provide a line of sight for wireless communication between the computing device and a second wireless device positioned in front of the computing device; and
a wireless transmitter and receiver circuit electrically connected to the computing device connector.
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Abstract
A module which may be connected to an I/O port of a notebook computer to provide an enhancement to the number of connectivity options available to a user of the computer. The module houses a set of connectors, some or all of which may be specialized ones not normally found on the computer. The connectors are electrically connected to an I/O port of the computer by a flexible cable that allows the module to be easily positioned or re-positioned by the user. The flexibility of the connection allows the user to easily satisfy the line of sight requirement when using the infrared port for data transmission.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A media connect module for electrically connecting a plurality of peripheral devices to a computing device, comprising:
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a computing device connector capable of being electrically connected to a port of the computing device;
a plurality of connectors for peripheral devices including at least one connector which is not available on said computing device;
a flexible cable electrically connecting the computing device connector to the plurality of connectors and of such length and flexibility as to allow positioning of the media connect module to provide a line of sight for wireless communication between the computing device and a second wireless device positioned in front of the computing device; and
a wireless transmitter and receiver circuit electrically connected to the computing device connector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
a television signal encoder electrically connected between the computing device connector and the television signal connector.
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12. The media connect module of claim 11, further comprising:
a clock signal generator for providing a clock signal to operate the television signal encoder.
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13. The media connect module of claim 1, further comprising:
a hot dock circuit which permits the media connect module to be electrically connected to the computing device without causing a circuit in the computing device to become inoperative.
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14. The media connect module of claim 1, wherein the wireless transmitter and receiver circuit is an infrared transmitter and receiver circuit.
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15. A computing system, comprising:
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a computing device having a case on which are mounted a first set of peripheral connectors electrically connected to other components of the computing device;
an input/output port mounted on the computing device; and
a flexible cable electrically connected at a first end to the data input/output port and at a second end to a media connect module such that the peripheral connectors on said computing device are accessible, wherein the media connect module further comprises;
a second set of peripheral connectors electrically connected to the flexible cable, the second set connectors having at least one connector not in common with the first set of peripheral connectors. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
a wireless transmitter and receiver device.
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17. A computing system of claim 15, wherein the second set of peripheral connectors includes a plurality of television signal connectors.
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18. The computing system of claim 17, wherein the plurality of television signal connectors includes a composite television signal connector.
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19. The computing system of claim 17, wherein the plurality of television signal connectors includes an S-video television signal connector.
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20. The computing system of claim 15, wherein the second set of connectors for peripheral devices includes a floppy disk connector.
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21. The computing system of claim 15, wherein the second set of connectors for peripheral devices includes a serial port connector.
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22. The computing system of claim 15, wherein the second set of connectors for peripheral devices includes a game port.
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23. The computing system of claim 16, wherein the flexible cable has a length between about 4 and 18 inches.
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24. The computing system of claim 16, wherein the flexible cable has a length between about 4 and 6 inches.
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25. The computing system of claim 17, wherein the media connect module further comprises:
a television signal encoder electrically connected between the computing device and the television signal connector.
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26. The computing system of claim 25, wherein the media connect module further comprises:
a clock signal generator for providing a clock signal to operate the television signal encoder.
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27. The computing system of claim 16, wherein the wireless transmitter and receiver device is an infrared transmitter and receiver device.
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28. The computing system of claim 15, wherein the media connect module further comprises:
a hot dock circuit which permits the media connect module to be electrically connected to the computing device without causing a reduction in power to the computing device which might cause the computing device to become inoperative.
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29. A media connect module for electrically connecting a plurality of peripheral devices to a computing device, comprising:
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a computing device connector capable of being electrically connected to a port of the computing device;
a plurality of connectors for peripheral devices;
a flexible cable having a length in the range of about 4 to 18 inches and electrically connecting the computing device connector to the plurality of connectors; and
a wireless transmitter and receiver circuit electrically connected to the computing device connector. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
a television signal encoder electrically connected between the computing device connector and the television signal connector.
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40. The media connect module of claim 39, further comprising:
a clock signal generator for providing a clock signal to operate the television signal encoder.
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41. The media connect module of claim 40, further comprising:
a hot dock circuit which permits the media connect module to be electrically connected to the computing device without causing a reduction in power to the computing device which might cause the computing device to become inoperative.
Specification