Compressed I/O connector layout with shared post
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A port configuration system for a computing device, comprising:
- a plurality of ports configured for communication between a plurality of electronic devices comprising the computing device and at least one peripheral device;
a plurality of connectors disposed adjacent the plurality of ports, wherein at least two ports of the plurality of ports share a common connector of the plurality of connectors, wherein the common connector is configured for mutually exclusive use by one port of the at least two ports for coupling the one port to a desired electronic device.
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Abstract
A space-saving technique for ports used in communication between electronic devices. The technique utilizes a common connector structure between adjacent ports to reduce spacing between the adjacent ports. Accordingly, the reduced space requirements may translate to reduced dimensions for the electronic device.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. A port configuration system for a computing device, comprising:
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a plurality of ports configured for communication between a plurality of electronic devices comprising the computing device and at least one peripheral device;
a plurality of connectors disposed adjacent the plurality of ports, wherein at least two ports of the plurality of ports share a common connector of the plurality of connectors, wherein the common connector is configured for mutually exclusive use by one port of the at least two ports for coupling the one port to a desired electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A space reduction system for a plurality of communication ports for a portable computing device, comprising:
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a communication panel for the portable computing device;
a plurality of ports disposed on the communication panel, wherein at least two ports of the plurality of ports are disposed adjacent one another; and
a plurality of connectors disposed on the communication panel adjacent the plurality of ports, wherein the at least two ports share a common connector of the plurality of connectors and wherein the at least two ports comprise first and second port types configured for mutually exclusive communication with an external device via a communication connector adapted to one of the first and second port types. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A system for conserving space, comprising:
a portable computing device having;
a first communication port externally disposed on the portable computing device;
a second communication port externally disposed on the portable, computing device adjacent to the first communication port, wherein the first and second communication ports comprise first and second port types configured for mutually exclusive communication with external device via a communication connector adapted to one of e first and second port types; and
a common connector disposed on the portable computing device between the first and second communication ports. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of configuring ports for communication between electronic devices, comprising:
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disposing a plurality of communication ports on a first electronic device;
locating a plurality of connectors on the first electronic device adjacent the plurality of communication ports;
positioning the plurality of communication ports adjacent one another; and
deploying a single connector of the plurality of connectors between the plurality of communication ports for sharing among the plurality of communication ports, wherein the single connector is configured for mutually exclusive use by one of the plurality of communication ports. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method of minimizing space requirements for a plurality of input/output ports for a portable computing device, comprising:
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disposing first and second ports on the portable computing device, wherein the first and second ports have connector members for coupling with an input/output cable;
positioning the first and second ports adjacent one another; and
sharing one member of the connector members between the first and second ports, wherein the one member is configured for mutually exclusive use by either the first port or the second port. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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Specification