Interchangeable and configurable input/output module for a computing deviceco

• US 6,718,408 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2001
• Issued: 04/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Dickie, James P, Esterberg, Dennis R
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaffin, Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): PEYTON, TAMMARA R
• Application Number:
  US09/765,840
• Publication Number:
  US 20020095533A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,174 Days
• Field of Search: 710/8, 710/10, 710/16, 710/38, 710/62, 710/63, 710/100, 361/600, 361/653, 361/684, 361/686
• US Class Current: 710/62
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

An input/output module for a computer having one, or multiple, input/output connectors that interface external devices with components in a computer. The input/output module is removable from the computer and interchangeable with a different input/output module having a different input/output connector than the first input/output module. The input/output module passes unmodified signals, and/or processes signals and passes modified signals, between the external devices and the computer components.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a computing device having one or more components each configured to perform a function in response to an input from an associated external device, the computing device having a second component configured to perform a second function that is different from the first-mentioned function in response to an input from a second external device;

a first input/output module configured for removable association with the computing device and having one or more input/output connectors configured to interface one or more associated external devices with the one or more components in the computing device, the first input/output module further configured to pass one or more unmodified signals between the one or more components and the one or more associated external devices; and

a second input/output module configured to be interchangeable with the first input/output module and having at least one input/output connector configured to interface the second external device with the second component, the first and second input/output modules having at least one different connector, wherein the second input/output module is configured to pass one or more unmodified signals between the second external device and the second component.

3. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the input/output module has multiple input/output connectors each configured to interface an external device with the computing device, wherein the first input/output module is configured to pass at least one input from an external device unmodified to a component in the computing device; and

the first input/output module has a signal processing component to process an input from an external device, wherein the first input/output module is configured to pass at least one processed input from the first input/output module to the computing device.

4. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first input/output module comprises one or more of:

a CRT/DVI (digital video input) input/output connector;

a parallel input/output connector;

a serial input/output connector;

a USB (universal serial bus) input/output connector; and

a PS/2 (personal system) input/output connector.

5. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first input/output module comprises one or more of:

a CRT/DVI (digital video input) input/output connector;

an IEEE 1394 input/output connector;

a TV-out connector;

an S-Video out connector; and

at least one USB (universal serial bus) input/output connector.

6. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the first input/output module comprises one or more of;

a CRT/DVI (digital video input) input/output connector;

a parallel input/output connector;

a serial input/output connector;

a USB (universal serial bus) input/output connector;

a PS/2 (personal system) input/output connector;

the second input/output module comprises one or more of;

a CRT/DVI (digital video input) input/output connector;

an IEEE 1394 input/output connector;

a TV-out connector;

an S-Video out connector; and

at least one USB (universal serial bus) input/output connector.

7. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the computing device does not allocate system resources for the one or more components that can not be interfaced with an external device via the first input/output module.

8. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the computing device is configured to reserve system resources that would otherwise be allocated to interface the one or more components with an associated external device via the first input/output module if the first input/output module does not have an input/output connector for the external device.

9. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first input/output module is configured to inform the computing device of an input/output connector configuration on the first input/output module.

10. A system as recited in claim 9, wherein the first input/output module comprises a memory storage device to store the input/output connector configuration and wherein the first input/output module is configured to inform the computing device of the input/output connector configuration using the input/output connector configuration stored in the memory storage device.

11. A system as recited in claim 9, wherein the first input/output module comprises a module connector having a pin configuration that can be decoded by the computing device to determine the input/output connector configuration on the first input/output module.

12. A system as recited in claim 9, wherein the computing device de-allocates system resources from the one or more components that can not be interfaced with an external device via the first input/output module.

2. A system, comprising:

a computing device having one or more components each configured to perform a function in response to an input from an associated external device, the computing device having a second component configured to perform a second function in response to an input from a second external device;

a first input/output module configured for removable association with the computing device and having one or more input/output connectors configured to interface one or more associated external devices with the one or more components in the computing device, the first input/output module further configured to pass one or more unmodified signals between the one or more components and the one or more associated external devices; and

a second input/output module configured to be interchangeable with the first input/output module and having at least first and second input/output connectors to interface both external devices with the computing device, the second input/output module further configured to pass one or more unmodified signals between the one or more components and the one or more associated external devices.

24. A system as recited in claim 2, wherein:

the first input/output module has multiple input/output connectors each configured to interface an external device with the computing device, the first input/output device further configured to pass at least one input from an external device unmodified to a component in the computing device; and

the first input/output module has a signal processing component to process an input from an external device, the first input/output module further configured to pass at least one processed input from the input/output module to the computing device.

25. A system as recited in claim 2, wherein the first input/output module comprises one or more of:

a CRT/DVI (digital video input) input/output connector;

a parallel input/output connector;

a serial input/output connector;

a USB (universal serial bus) input/output connector; and

a PS/2 (personal system) input/output connector.

26. A system as recited in claim 2, wherein the first input/output module comprises one or more of:

a CRT/DVI (digital video input) input/output connector;

an IEEE 1394 input/output connector;

a TV-out connector;

an S-Video out connector; and

at least one USB (universal serial bus) input/output connector.

27. A system as recited in claim 2, wherein:

the first input/output module comprises one or more of;

a CRT/DVI (digital video input) input/output connector;

a parallel input/output connector;

a serial input/output connector;

a USB (universal serial bus) input/output connector;

a PS/2 personal system) input/output connector;

the second input/output module comprises one or more of;

a CRT/DVI (digital video input) input/output connector;

an IEEE 1394 input/output connector;

a TV-out connector;

an S-Video out connector; and

at least one USB (universal serial bus) input/output connector.

28. A system as recited in claim 2, wherein the computing device does not allocate system resources for the one or more components that can not be interfaced with an external device via the first input/output module.

29. A system as recited in claim 2, wherein the computing device is configured to reserve system resources that would otherwise be allocated to interface the one or more components with an associated external device via the first input/output module if the first input/output module does not have an input/output connector for the external device.

30. A system as recited in claim 2, wherein the first input/output module is configured to inform the computing device of an input/output connector configuration on the first input/output module.

31. A system as recited in claim 30, wherein the first input/output module comprises a memory storage device to store the input/output connector configuration and wherein the first input/output module is configured to inform the computing device of the input/output connector configuration using the input/output connector configuration stored in the memory storage device.

32. A system as recited in claim 30, wherein the first input/output module comprises a module connector having a pin configuration that can be decoded by the computing device to determine the input/output connector configuration on the first input/output module.

33. A system as recited in claim 30, wherein the computing device de-allocates system resources from the one or more components that can not be interfaced with an external device via the first input/output module.

13. At least one interchangeable input/output module for a computer, comprising one or more input/output connectors supported by a module housing, each of which are configured to interface an external device with a component in the computer, at least one of the input/output connectors being configured to pass unmodified signals between its associated external device and its associated component, wherein the one or more input/output connectors comprise one or more of:

a CRT/DVI (digital video input) input/output connector;

an IEEE 1394 input/output connector;

a TV-out connector;

an S-Video out connector; and

at least one USB (universal serial bus) input/output connector.

14. At least one interchangeable input/output module as recited in claim 13, wherein the module housing is configured to be removably attached to the computer.

15. At least one interchangeable input/output module as recited in claim 13, further comprising:

multiple input/output connectors each configured to interface an external device with a component in the computer; and

a signal processing component to process an input from an external device, wherein the input/output module is configured to pass at least one unmodified input from an external device to an associated component in the computer, and wherein the input/output module is configured to pass at least one processed input from an external device to an associated component in the computer.

16. At least one interchangeable input/output module as recited in claim 13, wherein the one or more input/output connectors comprise one or more of:

a CRT/DVI (digital video input) input/output connector;

a parallel input/output connector;

a serial input/output connector;

a USB (universal serial bus) input/output connector;

a PS/2 (personal system) input/output connector.

17. At least one interchangeable input/output module as recited in claim 13, further comprising an input/output connector configuration identifier that can inform the computer of an input/output connector configuration of the input/output module.

18. At least one interchangeable input/output module as recited in claim 17, wherein the input/output connector configuration identifier comprises a memory storage device that is configured to store the input/output connector configuration and communicate the input/output connector configuration to the computer.

19. At least one interchangeable input/output module as recited in claim 17, wherein the input/output connector configuration identifier is decoded from a pin configuration in the input/output module.

20. A method, comprising:

providing an input/output module configured for removable attachment to a computer that contains multiple components that can interface with different external devices; and

providing multiple different input/output connectors supported by the input/output module, at least some of the input/output connectors being configured to establish a connection between an external device and an associated component in the computer and pass signals in an unmodified form between the external device and its associated component, wherein the input/output connectors comprise one or more of the following;

a CRT/DVI (digital video input) input/output connector;

an IEEE 1394 input/output connector;

a TV-out connector;

an S-Video out connector; and

at least one USB (universal serial bus) input/output connector.

21. A method as recited in claim 20, further comprising establishing a connection between the input/output module and the computer that contains at least one component that can be interfaced through the input/output module to its associated external device.

22. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein the input/output connectors comprise one or more of the following:

a CRT/DVI (digital video input) input/output connector;

a parallel input/output connector;

a serial input/output connector;

a USB (universal serial bus) input/output connector;

a PS/2 (personal system) input/output connector.

23. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein the input/output connectors comprise one or more of the following:

a CRT/DVI (digital video input) input/output connector;

an IEEE 1394 input/output connector;

a TV-out connector;

an S-Video out connector;

at least one USB (universal serial bus) input/output connector.

34. A system, comprising:

a computing device having one or more components each configured to perform a function in response to an input from an associated external device;

an input/output module configured for removable association with the computing device and having one or more input/output connectors configured to interface one or more associated external devices with the one or more components in the computing device, the input/output module further configured to pass one or more unmodified signals between the one or more components and the one or more associated external devices;

the input/output module comprising one or more of;

a CRT/DVI (digital video input) input/output connector;

an IEEE 1394 input/output connector;

a TV-out connector;

an S-Video out connector; and

at least one USB (universal serial bus) input/output connector.

35. A system as recited in claim 34, further comprising a second input/output module configured to be interchangeable with the input/output module, the second input/output module comprising one or more of:

a CRT/DVI (digital video input) input/output connector;

a parallel input/output connector;

a serial input/output connector;

a USB (universal serial bus) input/output connector; and

a PS/2 (personal system) input/output connector.

36. A system as recited in claim 34, wherein the computing device does not allocate system resources for the one or more components that can not be interfaced with an external device via the input/output module.

37. A system as recited in claim 34, wherein the computing device is configured to reserve system resources that would otherwise be allocated to interface the one or more components with an associated external device via the input/output module if the input/output module does not have an input/output connector for the external device.

38. A system as recited in claim 34, wherein the input/output module is configured to inform the computing device of an input/output connector configuration on the input/output module.

39. A system as recited in claim 38, wherein the input/output module comprises a memory storage device to store the input/output connector configuration and wherein the input/output module is configured to inform the computing device of the input/output connector configuration using the input/output connector configuration stored in the memory storage device.

40. A system as recited in claim 38, wherein the input/output module comprises a module connector having a pin configuration that can be decoded by the computing device to determine the input/output connector configuration on the input/output module.

41. A system as recited in claim 38, wherein the computing device de-allocates system resources from the one or more components that can not be interfaced with an external device via the input/output module.

42. A system, comprising:

a computing device having one or more components each configured to perform a function in response to an input from an associated external device;

an input/output module configured for removable association with the computing device and having one or more input/output connectors configured to interface one or more associated external devices with the one or more components in the computing device, the input/output module further configured to pass one or more unmodified signals between the one or more components and the one or more associated external devices; and

wherein the input/output module comprises a module connector having a pin configuration that can be decoded by the computing device to determine the input/output connector configuration on the input/output module such that the input/output module informs the computing device of the input/output connector configuration.

43. A system as recited in claim 42, wherein the computing device has a second component configured to perform a second function that is different from the first-mentioned function in response to an input from a second external device, the system further comprising:

a second input/output module configured to be interchangeable with the input/output module and having at least one input/output connector configured to interface the second external device with the second component, the input/output modules having at least one different connector, the second input/output module further configured to pass one or more unmodified signals between the second external device and the second component.

44. A system as recited in claim 42, wherein the computing device has a second component configured to perform a second function in response to an input from a second external device, the system further comprising:

a second input/output module configured to be interchangeable with the input/output module and having at least first and second input/output connectors to interface both external devices with the computing device, the second input/output module further configured to pass one or more unmodified signals between the one or more components and the one or more associated external devices.

45. A system as recited in claim 42, wherein:

the input/output module has multiple input/output connectors each configured to interface an external device with the computing device, wherein the input/output module is configured to pass at least one input from an external device unmodified to a component in the computing device; and

the input/output module has a signal processing component to process an input from an external device, wherein the input/output module is configured to pass at least one processed input from the input/output module to the computing device.

46. A system as recited in claim 42, wherein the input/output module comprises one or more of:

a CRT/DVI (digital video input) input/output connector;

a parallel input/output connector;

a serial input/output connector;

a USB (universal serial bus) input/output connector; and

a PS/2 (personal system) input/output connector.

47. A system as recited in claim 42, wherein the input/output module comprises one or more of:

a CRT/DVI (digital video input) input/output connector;

an IEEE 1394 input/output connector;

a TV-out connector;

an S-Video out connector; and

at least one USB (universal serial bus) input/output connector.

48. A system as recited in claim 42, wherein:

the input/output module comprises one or more of;

a CRT/DVI (digital video input) input/output connector;

a parallel input/output connector;

a serial input/output connector;

a USB (universal serial bus) input/output connector;

a PS/2 (personal system) input/output connector;

the system further comprises a second input/output module configured to be interchangeable with the input/output module, the second input/output module comprising one or more of;

a CRT/DVI (digital video input) input/output connector;

an IEEE 1394 input/output connector;

a TV-out connector;

an S-Video out connector; and

at least one USB (universal serial bus) input/output connector.

49. A system as recited in claim 42, wherein the computing device does not allocate system resources for the one or more components that can not be interfaced with an external device via the input/output module.

50. A system as recited in claim 42, wherein the computing device is configured to reserve system resources that would otherwise be allocated to interface the one or more components with an associated external device via the input/output module if the input/output module does not have an input/output connector for the external device.

51. A system as recited in claim 50, wherein the input/output module comprises a memory storage device to store the input/output connector configuration and wherein the input/output module is configured to inform the computing device of the input/output connector configuration using the input/output connector configuration stored in the memory storage device.

52. A system as recited in claim 50, wherein the computing device de-allocates system resources from the one or more components that can not be interfaced with an external device via the input/output module.

53. At least one interchangeable input/output module for a computer, comprising:

one or more input/output connectors supported by a module housing, each of which are configured to interface an external device with a component in the computer, at least one of the input/output connectors being configured to pass unmodified signals between its associated external device and its associated component; and

an input/output connector configuration identifier that can inform the computer of an input/output connector configuration of the input/output module, wherein the input/output connector configuration identifier is decoded from a pin configuration in the input/output module.

54. At least one interchangeable input/output module as recited in claim 53, wherein the module housing is configured to be removably attached to the computer.

55. At least one interchangeable input/output module as recited in claim 53, further comprising:

multiple input/output connectors each configured to interface an external device with a component in the computer; and

a signal processing component to process an input from an external device, wherein the interchangeable input/output module is configured to pass at least one unmodified input from an external device to an associated component in the computer, and wherein the interchangeable input/output module is configured to pass at least one processed input from an external device to an associated component in the computer.

56. At least one interchangeable input/output module as recited in claim 53, wherein the one or more input/output connectors comprise one or more of:

a CRT/DVI (digital video input) input/output connector;

a parallel input/output connector;

a serial input/output connector;

a USB (universal serial bus) input/output connector; and

a PS/2 (personal system) input/output connector.

57. At least one interchangeable input/output module as recited in claim 53, wherein the one or more input/output connectors comprise one or more of:

a CRT/DVI (digital video input) input/output connector;

an IEEE 1394 input/output connector;

a TV-out connector;

an S-Video out connector; and

at least one USB (universal serial bus) input/output connector.

58. At least one interchangeable input/output module as recited in claim 53, wherein the input/output connector configuration identifier comprises a memory storage device that is configured to store the input/output connector configuration and communicate the input/output connector configuration to the computer.