U.S. patent application number 11/489992 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-16 for universal serial bus hub and method of connecting peripheral devices to computers.
This patent application is currently assigned to Belkin Corporation. Invention is credited to Kenneth Mori, Ernesto Quinteros.
Application Number | 20060256538 11/489992 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34217055 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060256538 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mori; Kenneth ; et
al. |
November 16, 2006 |
Universal serial bus hub and method of connecting peripheral
devices to computers
Abstract
USB hubs and methods of connecting peripheral devices to multi
purpose computers wherein the devices or cables thereto are pushed
downward into a USB port on the hub resting on a desk or other
horizontal surface. Holding the hub with another hand may be
unnecessary. Some hubs also have USB ports on a side to which other
peripheral devices may be connected while holding the hub with
another hand. Some hubs have several USB ports on the side which
may be in a horizontal line when viewed in a side view. Some hubs
have another port on top for connecting peripheral devices with one
hand. Hubs may have a housing with a top, bottom, and at least one
straight or curved side and a surface may curve upward from a
substantially vertical side. Different embodiments have a power
port, indicator lights, feet, or a combination thereof.
Inventors: |
Mori; Kenneth; (Los Angeles,
CA) ; Quinteros; Ernesto; (Los Angeles, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Bryan Cave, LLP
Suite 2200
2 North Central Avenue
Phoenix
AZ
85004
US
|
Assignee: |
Belkin Corporation
Compton
CA
|
Family ID: |
34217055 |
Appl. No.: |
11/489992 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10649997 |
Aug 26, 2003 |
|
|
|
11489992 |
Jul 19, 2006 |
|
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
361/752 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1632 20130101;
G06F 3/0227 20130101; Y10T 29/49002 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/752 |
International
Class: |
H05K 5/00 20060101
H05K005/00 |
Claims
1. A method of electrically connecting peripheral devices to a
multipurpose computer, the method including in any order at least
the steps of: placing a USB hub on a desk or other substantially
flat substantially horizontal surface wherein the USB hub has at
least a first USB port; electrically connecting the USB hub to the
computer; and electrically connecting a first peripheral device to
the computer through the USB hub by pushing the first peripheral
device downward into the first USB port on the USB hub.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the pushing the first peripheral
device downward into the first USB port is accomplished with one
hand without holding the hub with another hand.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the USB hub has at least a second
USB port, the method further comprising in any order at least the
step of electrically connecting a second peripheral device to the
computer through the USB hub by pushing the second peripheral
device downward into the second USB port on the USB hub, wherein
the first peripheral device and the second peripheral device are
both connected to the computer through the USB hub.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the USB hub has at least a third
USB port, the method further comprising in any order at least the
step of electrically connecting a third peripheral device to the
computer through the USB hub by holding the hub with one hand and
pushing the third peripheral device or a cable for the third
peripheral device substantially horizontally into the third USB
port on the USB hub.
5. A method of facilitating the electrical connection of peripheral
devices to multipurpose computers, the method comprising at least
the step of: providing a plurality of USB hubs, each USB hub
comprising: a housing configured to sit on a desk or other
substantially horizontal work surface; an upstream USB port or
cable configured for electrical connection to the computer; and a
plurality of downstream USB ports configured for electrical
connection to the peripheral devices, the plurality of downstream
USB ports including a first downstream USB port for connecting a
first USB cable or device with one hand by applying a downward
force pushing the cable or device into the first USB port without a
need for holding the USB hub with another hand.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of providing the USB hubs
includes, for each hub, providing a housing comprising a bottom, at
least one substantially vertical straight or curved side, and a top
wherein the hub is configured to be placed on the bottom when the
hub is placed on the desk or other substantially horizontal work
surface.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of providing the USB hubs
includes, for each hub, providing a USB hub wherein the first USB
port is located at the top of the hub.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of providing the USB hubs
includes, for each hub, providing a USB hub further comprising a
curved surface curving upward from the substantially vertical
straight or curved side.
9. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of providing the USB hubs
includes, for each hub, providing a USB hub wherein the curved
surface has the shape of a portion of the perimeter of a
circle.
10. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of providing the USB
hubs includes, for each hub, providing a USB hub wherein the curved
surface has the shape of a portion of the perimeter of an oval.
11. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of providing the USB
hubs includes, for each hub, providing a USB hub having a group of
second downstream USB ports at the substantially vertical side for
connecting a plurality of second USB cables or devices.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of providing the USB
hubs includes, for each hub, providing a USB hub wherein the group
of second USB ports includes at least five (5) USB ports.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of providing the USB
hubs includes for each hub: providing a power port located at the
substantially vertical side surface; providing a plurality of
status indicator lights located on the hub; and providing a
plurality of feet configured to support the hub above the work
surface; and wherein the first USB port is located on a
substantially horizontal surface at the top of the hub; and wherein
the group of second USB ports are arranged in a substantially
horizontal line when viewed in a side elevational view.
14. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of providing the USB
hubs includes, for each hub, providing a USB hub further comprising
a third downstream USB port for connecting a third USB cable or
device with one hand by applying a downward force pushing the third
USB cable or device into the third USB port without a need for
holding the USB hub with another hand.
15. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of providing the USB
hubs includes, for each hub, providing a USB hub wherein the first
USB port is located on a substantially horizontal surface when the
hub is placed on the desk or other horizontal work surface.
16. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of at least
one of illustrating and describing electrically connecting at least
one peripheral device to the first downstream USB port.
17. A universal serial bus (USB) hub for placing on a desk or other
horizontal work surface and for connecting computers and peripheral
devices, the USB hub comprising: a housing comprising: a bottom
portion configured to sit on the desk or other substantially
horizontal work surface and a top portion located above the bottom
portion, the top portion comprising a curved surface curving upward
from a substantially vertical side surface; a first USB port at the
top portion for connecting a USB cable or device by applying a
downward force pushing the cable or device into the first USB port;
and a group of second USB ports at the substantially vertical side
surface.
18. The USB hub of claim 17 wherein the curved surface has the
shape of a portion of the perimeter of a circle.
19. The USB hub of claim 17 further comprising a power port located
at the substantially vertical side surface and a plurality of
status indicator lights, and wherein the bottom portion includes a
plurality of feet configured to support the hub above the work
surface.
20. The USB hub of claim 17 wherein the group of second USB ports
includes at least five (5) USB ports.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation application of prior U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/649,997 filed on Aug. 26, 2003, and
entitled "Universal Serial Bus Hub and Method of Manufacturing
Same", which is hereby incorporated by reference. Another
continuation application with different claims is also being filed
concurrently which claims priority to the same parent application.
This other continuation is also incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to universal serial bus
ports, and relates more particularly to hubs incorporating multiple
universal serial bus ports.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Universal serial bus technology has provided computer users
with enhanced connectivity capabilities between computers and an
increasingly wider range of peripheral devices. Universal serial
bus hubs incorporating multiple universal serial bus ports into a
single housing offer the ability to connect multiple peripheral
devices to each other or to a computer via a universal serial bus
connection. Although connecting a peripheral device using a
universal serial bus hub can be as easy as simply plugging a
peripheral device's universal serial bus cable into a universal
serial bus port on the universal serial bus hub, existing universal
serial bus hubs tend to place their ports in places that can be
difficult to access. For example, existing universal serial bus
hubs typically have ports located at a single side or area or in a
single plane. Accordingly, there exists a need for a universal
serial bus hub having multiple ports that are easily
accessible.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The invention will be better understood from a reading of
the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying figures in the drawings in which:
[0005] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a universal serial bus hub
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the universal serial
bus hub according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a top view of the universal serial bus hub
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a different side elevational view of the universal
serial bus hub according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a still different side elevational view of the
universal serial bus hub according to an embodiment of the
invention;
[0010] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the universal serial bus hub
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0011] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of two universal serial bus hubs
in a stacked configuration according to an embodiment of the
invention; and
[0012] FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method of
manufacturing a universal serial bus hub according to an embodiment
of the invention.
[0013] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing
figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and
descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may
be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention.
Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily
drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements
in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to
help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same
elements.
[0014] The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," and the like
in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for
distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for
describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to
be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under
appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the
invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation
in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described
herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprise," "include," "have," and
any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive
inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that
comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those
elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or
inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
[0015] The terms "left," "right," "front," "back," "top," "bottom,"
"over," "under," and the like in the description and in the claims,
if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for
describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood
that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate
circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described
herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations
than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. The term
"coupled," as used herein, is defined as directly or indirectly
connected in an electrical, mechanical, or other manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, a universal serial bus
hub comprises a housing having a top portion, a bottom portion
opposite the top portion, a first side between the top portion and
the bottom portion, and a second side between the top portion and
the bottom portion. The universal serial bus hub further comprises
a first universal serial bus port at the top portion and a second
universal serial bus port at the second side. As it is used herein,
the word "side" can mean a region or area along the perimeter of a
rectangle, square, or other shape with straight sides, and can also
mean a region or area along the perimeter of an oval, a circle, or
other shape with curved or non-straight sides.
[0017] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a universal serial bus hub
100 according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is an
elevational view of a side 113 of universal serial bus hub 100
according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIGS. 1
and 2, universal serial bus hub 100 comprises a housing 110, a
universal serial bus port 120, and a universal serial bus port 210.
In one embodiment, universal serial bus port 210 is oriented with
its longer axis substantially parallel to top portion 111 and
bottom portion 211 so as to reduce a height of universal serial bus
hub 100, as illustrated in FIG. 2. In another embodiment, universal
serial bus port 210 can be oriented with its long axis
substantially perpendicular to top portion 111 and bottom portion
211 so as to decrease a width of universal serial bus hub 100.
[0018] Housing 110 comprises a top portion 111, a bottom portion
211 opposite top portion 111, a side 112 between top portion 111
and bottom portion 211, and side 113 between top portion 111 and
bottom portion 211. Side 112 comprises a portion 150, which can
comprise a translucent material. In one embodiment, side 112 is
located opposite side 113. Universal serial bus port 120 is at top
portion 111, and universal serial bus port 210 is at side 113.
Universal serial bus hub 100 can further comprise a power port 220
at side 113. In one embodiment, universal serial bus hub 100
further comprises a universal serial bus port 230 at side 113. In
one embodiment, universal serial bus port 210, universal serial bus
port 230, and power port 220 are located in a recess 218. At least
a portion of housing 110 can be coated with a rubberized
material.
[0019] In one embodiment, universal serial bus ports 120 and 210
comprise downstream universal serial bus ports, meaning universal
serial bus ports 120 and 210 are configured to receive a universal
serial bus connection from a peripheral device such as a printer, a
scanner, a light, a fan, or the like. In the same or another
embodiment, universal serial bus port 210 is one of a group of
downstream universal serial bus ports. In one embodiment, the group
of downstream universal serial bus ports consists of five
downstream universal serial bus ports. In the same or another
embodiment, universal serial bus port 120 is one of a group of
downstream universal serial bus ports 120 located at region 114. In
a particular embodiment, the group of downstream universal serial
bus ports consists of two downstream universal serial bus ports at
region 114. In the same or another embodiment, universal serial bus
port 230 can comprise an upstream universal serial bus port,
meaning universal serial bus 230 is configured to receive one end
of a universal serial bus cable the other end of which is attached
to a computer. As an example, universal serial bus port 230 can be
a mini B universal serial bus port.
[0020] Universal serial bus ports 120 are spaced apart by a
distance 130. As an example, distance 130 can be such that multiple
non-corded universal serial bus devices can be simultaneously
inserted into universal serial bus ports 120 without interference
among the housings of such devices. In one embodiment, distance 130
is larger than a distance 235 between adjacent ones of universal
serial bus ports 210.
[0021] In one embodiment, top portion 111 comprises a region 114
and a region 115, where region 114 is higher than region 115. In
that embodiment, universal serial bus port 120 is at region 114. As
an example, region 114 can be an extension that rises above region
115, as illustrated in FIG. 1. As another example, region 114 can
be integral with top portion 111 of housing 110. As a different
example, region 114 can be separate from top portion 111, and can
be integrated with housing 110 as a separate piece.
[0022] Locating universal serial bus port 120 at region 114 offers
several advantages. For example, a user of universal serial bus hub
100 can insert a universal serial bus cable into universal serial
bus port 120 with one hand without the need to secure universal
serial bus hub 100 in place with the other hand. Instead, universal
serial bus hub 100 tends to stay in place because the downward
force created by pushing the universal serial bus cable or device
into universal serial bus port 120 is counterbalanced by an equal
and opposite force pushing upward on universal serial bus hub 100
from the desk or other surface on which universal serial bus hub
100 is placed. As another example, universal serial bus port 120 is
easily accessible by virtue of its raised position above region
115.
[0023] In one embodiment, a hole 140 is located between side 112
and side 113 and extends from top portion 111 to bottom portion 211
of universal serial bus hub 100. Hole 140 can also be adjacent to
regions 114 and 115.
[0024] FIGS. 3-6 show universal serial bus hub 100 from additional
perspectives beyond those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 3 is a top
view of universal serial bus hub 100 according to an embodiment of
the invention. FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of universal
serial bus hub 100 according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a different side elevational view of universal serial bus
hub 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 is a
bottom view of universal serial bus hub 100 according to an
embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 4 and 5 show different sides of
universal serial bus hub 100 than does FIG. 2. The side of
universal serial bus hub 100 substantially opposite the side
illustrated in FIG. 4 is, in one embodiment, substantially similar
to the side illustrated in FIG. 4. As illustrated in FIG. 6,
universal serial bus hub 100 further comprises feet 610 at bottom
portion 211. As an example, when universal serial bus hub 100 is
placed on a work surface, feet 610 can support housing 110 above
the work surface.
[0025] Universal serial bus hub 100 is stackable with a universal
serial bus hub 700, as illustrated in FIG. 7, which is an isometric
view of two universal serial bus hubs in a stacked configuration
according to an embodiment of the invention. Universal serial bus
hub 700 is identical, or at least substantially similar to
universal serial bus hub 100, and each of the reference numerals
used herein to identify elements of universal serial bus hub 100
should be understood to also refer to corresponding elements of
universal serial bus hub 700. FIG. 7 illustrates a peripheral
device 720 and a peripheral device 730 plugged into each of two
universal serial bus ports 120 located at region 114 of universal
serial bus hub 700.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 7, it may be seen that region 114 of
universal serial bus hub 100 extends into hole 140 of universal
serial bus hub 700 when universal serial bus hub 700 is stacked on
top of universal serial bus hub 100. As further illustrated in FIG.
7, universal serial bus port 120 of universal serial bus hub 100 is
accessible through hole 140 of universal serial bus hub 700 when
universal serial bus hub 700 is stacked on top of universal serial
bus hub 100. Because of the manner in which region 114 of universal
serial bus hub 100 extends into hole 140 of universal serial bus
hub 700, universal serial bus hubs 100 and 700 are self-aligned
when universal serial bus hub 100 is stacked with universal serial
bus hub 700. Universal serial bus hubs 100 and 700 can also be
stacked such that universal serial bus hub 100 is stacked on top of
universal serial bus hub 700 and where region 114 of universal
serial bus hub 700 extends into hole 140 of universal serial bus
hub 100. In one embodiment, region 114 of universal serial bus hub
100 or 700 extends partially into hole 140 of the other one of
universal serial bus hub 100 or 700, but does not extend all the
way through hole 140 of the other one of universal serial bus hub
100 or 700, as illustrated in FIG. 7.
[0027] Referring still to FIG. 7, universal serial bus hub 100
further comprises a status indicator 710 at side 112. Status
indicator 710 indicates a status of at least one of power port 220,
universal serial bus port 120, universal serial bus port 210, or
universal serial bus port 230. As an example, status indicator 710
can light up to indicate that adequate power is being provided to
universal serial bus hub 100, that one or more of power port 220,
universal serial bus port 120, universal serial bus port 210, or
universal serial bus port 230 are functioning properly, or the
like. As a further example, status indicator 710 can be a light
emitting diode. In one embodiment, status indicator 710 is visible
through portion 150 of side 112, for example, through the
translucent material of portion 150. In the same or another
embodiment, status indicator 710 is one of a group of status
indicators.
[0028] FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method 800 of
manufacturing a universal serial bus hub according to an embodiment
of the invention. A step 810 of method 800 is to provide a housing
comprising a top portion having a first region higher than a second
region, a bottom portion opposite the top portion, a first side
between the top portion and the bottom portion, and a second side
between the top portion and the bottom portion. As an example, the
housing can be similar to housing 110, first shown in FIG. 1. As
another example, the top portion can be similar to top portion 111,
first shown in FIG. 1, and the bottom portion can be similar to
bottom portion 211, first shown in FIG. 2. As a further example,
the first region can be similar to region 114, first shown in FIG.
1, and the second region can be similar to region 115, first shown
in FIG. 1. As yet another example, the first side can be similar to
side 112, first shown in FIG. 1, and the second side can be similar
to side 113, first shown in FIG. 2.
[0029] Step 810 or another step can further comprise providing a
hole between the first side and the second side and extending from
the top portion to the bottom portion. As an example, the hole can
be similar to hole 140, first shown in FIG. 1.
[0030] A step 820 of method 800 is to provide a first universal
serial bus port. As an example, the first universal serial bus port
can be similar to universal serial bus port 120, first shown in
FIG. 1.
[0031] A step 830 of method 800 is to provide a second universal
serial bus port. As an example, the second universal serial bus
port can be similar to universal serial bus port 210, first shown
in FIG. 2.
[0032] A step 840 of method 800 is to assemble the universal serial
bus hub such that the first universal serial bus port is located at
the first region of the top portion and the second universal serial
bus port is located at the second side.
[0033] A step 850 of method 800 is to provide at least a portion of
the first side to comprise a translucent material. As an example,
the portion of the first side can be similar to portion 150, first
shown in FIG. 1. In a different embodiment, step 850 can be
performed simultaneously with, or as a part of, step 810.
[0034] A step 860 of method 800 is to provide a status indicator at
the first side. As an example, the status indicator can be similar
to status indicator 710, first shown in FIG. 7. Step 860 or another
step can further comprise one or more of: providing the status
indicator to be visible through the portion of the first side; and
providing the status indicator to indicate a status of at least one
of the first universal serial bus port and the second universal
serial bus port. In a different embodiment, the status indicator
can be assembled in the universal serial bus hub at step 840 such
that the status indicator is visible through the portion of the
first side.
[0035] A step 870 of method 800 is to coat at least a portion of
the housing with a rubberized material. In a different embodiment,
step 870 can be performed simultaneously with, or as a part of,
step 810.
[0036] Although the invention has been described with reference to
specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made without departing from the
spirit or scope of the invention. Various examples of such changes
have been given in the foregoing description. Accordingly, the
disclosure of embodiments of the invention is intended to be
illustrative of the scope of the invention and is not intended to
be limiting. It is intended that the scope of the invention shall
be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims. For
example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily
apparent that the universal serial bus hub discussed herein may be
implemented in a variety of embodiments, and that the foregoing
discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily
represent a complete description of all possible embodiments.
[0037] All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential
to the invention claimed in that particular claim. Consequently,
replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes
reconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other
advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with
regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions
to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any
benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced,
however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or
essential features or elements of any or all of the claims.
[0038] Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are
not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the
embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in
the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express
elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of
equivalents.
* * * * *