Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Computer power control – By external command
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-16
2001-11-20
Sheikh, Ayaz (Department: 2155)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Computer power control
By external command
C713S300000, C713S320000, C713S324000, C713S330000, C439S131000, C439S188000, C439S638000, C439S676000, C710S001000, C710S002000, C710S008000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06321340
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to personal computers, and more particularly to a cable manager system for connecting a variety of peripheral devices to a computer.
2. Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,567,180 issued to Seo and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,460,547 and 5,569,052 issued to Belt et al disclose cable managers or port replicators having a configuration for integrating all connectors of peripheral devices connected to a computer requiring frequent movements thereof as in portable computers, thereby being capable of eliminating the inconvenience resulting from manipulations for individually connecting those peripheral devices to the computer to attach the peripheral devices to the computer and disconnecting the peripheral devices from the computer to separate the peripheral devices from the computer. Such cable managers provide convenience in that they can connect or disconnect peripheral devices to or from a computer in one operation.
In such cable managers, there is an accelerated consumption of battery electric power because even when no electric power is supplied from an AC power supply, the supply of electric power is continued through a battery. Furthermore, where the battery voltage is lower than a normal voltage, the computer system may operate erroneously. In severe cases, the computer system may be shut down.
The following patents each disclose features in common with the present invention: U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,387 to Endejan et al., entitled Enhanced Active Port Replicator Having Expansion And Upgrade Capabilities, U.S. Pat. No. 4,956,561 to Tamer, entitled Smart Power Connector, U.S. Pat. No. 5,721,887 to Nakajima, entitled Microcomputer Including A Circuit For Generating A Reset Signal When The Supply Voltage Is Below A Threshold Level, U.S. Pat. No. 5,748,972 to Clark et al, entitled Computer System Which Is Operative To Change From A Normal Operating State To A Suspend State When A Power Supply Thereof Detects That An External Source Is No Longer Providing Power To Said Power Supply At A Predetermined Level, U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,001 to Clark et al., entitled Computer System Which Is Operative To Change From A Normal Operating State To A Suspend State When A Power Supply Thereof Detects That An External Source Is No Longer Providing Power To Said Power Supply At A Predetermined Level, U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,517 to Shirota, entitled Docking System, U.S. Pat. No. 5,430,883 to Horiuchi, entitled Function Expansion Unit Capable Of Supplying Power To Computer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,334 to Horiuchi entitled Function Expansion Unit Capable Of Supplying Power To computer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,721,836 to Scharnberg et al., entitled Method And Apparatus For Sensing And Changing The State Of A Computer Before Connecting The Computer To Or Disconnecting The Computer From AN Expansion Unit, U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,052 to Belt et al, entitled Computer For Use With A Port Replicator, U.S. Pat. No. 5,567,180 to Seo, entitled Cable Manager System Of A Computer, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,547 to Belt et al., entitled Port Replicator.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide a computer system provided with a cable manager capable of connecting or disconnecting a variety of peripheral devices to or from a computer of the computer system by a single operation thereof while operating only when a stable power supply voltage is supplied to the computer system.
Another object of the invention is to provide a cable manager including a local area network (LAN) client unit adapted to carry out an interface between a personal computer and a LAN hub, and to provide a computer system provided with such a cable manager.
Another object of the invention is to provide a computer system, in which a cable manager capable of connecting or disconnecting a variety of peripheral devices to or from a portable computer of the computer system by a single operation thereof is incorporated, the computer system including a power management circuit adapted to automatically cut off the power supply to the cable manager when the portable computer is energized by a battery.
In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides a cable manager system for connecting a plurality of peripheral devices to a computer, comprising: a single integrated connector connected to the computer; a plurality of peripheral device ports connected to respective ports of the peripheral devices, the peripheral device ports having a variety of shapes; at least one functional circuit adapted to provide at least one additional function to the computer; an ID information generating unit for generating ID information for identifying the type of cable manager system; and a means for connecting the peripheral device ports, the at least one functional circuit and the ID information generating unit to the integrated connector via internal electrical wiring.
In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides a computer system comprising: a computer having a housing; a first common connector attached to the computer housing; a cable manager having a housing, the cable manager detachably attached to the computer housing; at least one functional circuit installed in the cable manager housing and adapted to provide at least one additional function to the computer; a second common connector attached to the cable manager housing, the second common connector mating with the first common connector; a plurality of peripheral device ports attached to the cable manager housing and connected to respective ports of peripheral devices, the peripheral device ports having a variety of shapes; an ID information generating unit installed in the cable manager housing and adapted to generate ID information for identifying the cable manager; and means for connecting the peripheral device ports, the at least one functional circuit and the ID information generating unit to the second common connector via internal electrical wiring.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4956561 (1990-09-01), Tamer
patent: 5181858 (1993-01-01), Matz et al.
patent: 5222164 (1993-06-01), Bass, Sr. et al.
patent: 5301334 (1994-04-01), Horiuchi
patent: 5365230 (1994-11-01), Kikinis
patent: 5408669 (1995-04-01), Stewart et al.
patent: 5430883 (1995-07-01), Horiuchi
patent: 5460547 (1995-10-01), Belt et al.
patent: 5519851 (1996-05-01), Bender et al.
patent: 5567180 (1996-10-01), Seo
patent: 5569052 (1996-10-01), Belt et al.
patent: 5570010 (1996-10-01), Jin et al.
patent: 5642517 (1997-06-01), Shirota
patent: 5649001 (1997-07-01), Thomas et al.
patent: 5687387 (1997-11-01), Endejan et al.
patent: 5721836 (1998-02-01), Scharnberg et al.
patent: 5721887 (1998-02-01), Nakajima
patent: 5739597 (1998-04-01), Bailey et al.
patent: 5748972 (1998-05-01), Clark et al.
patent: 5752050 (1998-05-01), Hernandez et al.
patent: 5765001 (1998-06-01), Clark et al.
patent: 5864708 (1999-01-01), Croft et al.
patent: 5905249 (1999-05-01), Reddersen et al.
Park Yong Sik
Shin Seong-Kee
Suwon Chang-Hee
Bushnell , Esq. Robert E.
Jean Frantz B.
Samsung Electronics Co,. Ltd.
Sheikh Ayaz
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