Method and apparatus for determining the relative positions of connectors
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A computing system, comprising:
- a plurality of ports;
a proximity detection mechanism configured to detect the presence of a connector proximate to at least one port of the plurality of ports before engagement of the connector with the port;
an orientation detection mechanism configured to determine an orientation of the connector relative to the at least one port; and
a signal generator configured to provide at least one user-detectable signal identifying the proximity of the connector to the at least one port.
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Abstract
In an embodiment, a system includes a plurality of ports and a proximity detection circuit to detect the presence of a connector relative to at least one port of the plurality of ports, prior to engagement of the connector with the port. Alternatives include a position sensor to determine the general distance of the connector from the port, and an orientation sensor to determine the orientation of the connector relative to the port. The system further includes a signal generator to provide at least one user-detectable signal representative of one or more of the proximity, position and orientation of the connector relative to the port to assist a user in engaging the connector with the port.
49 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A computing system, comprising:
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a plurality of ports; a proximity detection mechanism configured to detect the presence of a connector proximate to at least one port of the plurality of ports before engagement of the connector with the port; an orientation detection mechanism configured to determine an orientation of the connector relative to the at least one port; and a signal generator configured to provide at least one user-detectable signal identifying the proximity of the connector to the at least one port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of identifying a position of a connector prior to engagement with an electronic device, comprising the acts of:
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detecting a position of a connector relative to at least one port of a plurality of ports of the electronic device using a proximity detection circuit, the at least one port adapted to receive an engageable connector; determining an orientation of the connector relative to the orientation of at least one port; and providing at least one user-detectable signal representing a position parameter of the engageable connector relative to the at least one port. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A machine-readable data storage medium embodying instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, perform operations comprising:
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detecting the position of a connector relative to at least one port of an electronic device; detecting an orientation of the connector relative to the port; and providing at least one user-detectable signal representative of the relative position of the connector relative to the at least one port. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A processing system, comprising:
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at least one processor; at least one machine-readable storage medium in operative communication with the processor; a plurality of ports; a detection mechanism configured to identify the presence of a connector proximate, but not engaging, the processor system; a position detection mechanism configured to detect a position of the connector relative to at least one port of the plurality of ports; an orientation detection mechanism configured to detect an orientation of the connector relative to the at least one port; and a signal generator configured to provide at least one user-detectable signal representative of at least one of a relative position of the connector relative to the port and a relative orientation of the connector relative to the at least one port. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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Specification