Embedded electronic device connectivity system

• US 7,103,760 B1
• Filed: 07/16/2001
• Issued: 09/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Ortkiese, Jerry B., Glazer, Judith, Billington, Corey A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elamin, A.
• Application Number:
  US09/907,212
• Time in Patent Office: 1,877 Days
• Field of Search: 710/72, 710/62, 345/168, 345/180, 345/202, 345/211, 320/115, 455/556.1, 713/1, 399/87, 399/107, 399/110, 399/405
• US Class Current: 713/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• 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

Abstract

An embedded electronic device connectivity system configured for extending functionality of a peripheral device, including at least two data connections incorporated in the peripheral device, configured to connect the peripheral device to at least two other devices simultaneously, allowing transfer of data between the said at least two devices when so connected; and, a DC power connection incorporated in the peripheral device enabling at least one of the two other devices to be powered from the peripheral device when connected.

Claims

1. An electronic printer configured to receive a connectable device, comprising:

a printer housing having a cradle configured for receiving a connectable device housing of the connectable device;

a computer connection coupled to the electronic printer, wherein the computer connection is configured to electronically connect the electronic printer with a computer system;

an adapter configured to be positioned intermediate the cradle and the connectable devices facilitating cradling a device which would otherwise not be compatible with the cradle, thereby enabling power and data connection with said connectable device not otherwise compatible with the cradle;

a data connection coupled to the cradle and configured to electronically couple the electronic printer and the connectable device to a computer system;

a power supply coupled to the cradle and configured to supply converted power from an external power source to the electronic printer and to the connectable device, said power supply being incorporated within the printer housing, enabling the connectable device to be physically connected to the printer and to be powered from a same power supply as the electronic printer; and

at least one additional data connection port and at least one additional power connection port, whereby in addition to data connection to the printer device, a data connection and a power connection to each of a plurality of further devices is enabled.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said data connection and said power connection are each made via a cable connection.

3. A system as in claim 1, wherein said connectable device is a PDA.

4. A system as in claim 1, wherein said connectable device is a digital image capture device.

5. A system as in claim 1, wherein said connectable device is a digital audio device.

6. A system as in claim 1, wherein said connectable device is a wireless communication device.

7. A system as in claim 1, wherein said connectable device is a data storage device.