Improved cable for connecting devices to a computer

IMPROVED CABLE FOR CONNECTING DEVICES TO A COMPUTER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention is directed to computers, and more particularly to an improved cable for connecting one or more peripheral devices to a computer.

2. Description of the Related Art

[0002] It is well known in the computer arts to incorporate USB hubs into accessory devices that are within easy reach of the user, such as: keyboards, monitors, or stand-alone USB hubs. More particularly, it is known in the art to plug a peripheral into a hub on a keyboard, as a convenient alternative to reaching through a tangle of wires behind the computer, in order to plug the peripheral directly into a port on the computer.

[0003] For example, US Patents D421 ,976 and D454,566 each disclose a keyboard with a single cable connected to a 3-port USB hub incorporated into the keyboard electronics. One port of the hub is connected to the keyboard controller, and the other two ports are available to connect to accessory USB devices, via connectors conveniently positioned on the left and right sides of the keyboard.

[0004] This convenience comes at a price, and has limitations. Keyboards with built-in hubs are more expensive to manufacture, due to the additional cost of the electronics required for the hub. Also, the hub is powered by the port to which it is connected, which must share that power with all of the devices that are plugged into it. If any of the devices have higher power requirements (as is the case with most high-speed USB 2.0 devices) there may not be enough power available such that those devices will not function.

[0005] In order to minimize cost, the hubs used in USB keyboards are normally of slower communication speed (e.g. USB 1.1 hubs). This speed limitation renders such hubs useless for connecting to certain devices, such as high-capacity external hard drives, which require USB 2.0. The loading of large files using USB 1.1 would take 10 to 20 times longer than with USB 2.0, a delay that most users would not tolerate.

[0006] U.S. Patent D490,812 sets forth a keyboard similar to those discussed above, but with the USB port connectors positioned close together, near the keyboard cable exit hole. This allows the port connectors, hub electronics, and keyboard controller all to be mounted on the same PCB. Although the placement of the USB connectors makes it less expensive to manufacture, the port placement is not as convenient as on the two keyboards disclosed in prior art US Patents D421 ,976 and 0454,566.

[0007] Other prior art approaches are set forth in US patent 6,449,142 and U.S. Patent Application 20020109675.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] According to the present invention, an improved cable is set forth for connecting devices to computers. In one embodiment, the cable incorporates a first wire set connected at one end to electronics within a first peripheral device, such as a keyboard or wireless receiver, and having a first plug at an opposite end for connection to a first port on the computer, and at least one extender wire set connected at one end to a port connector forming part of the first peripheral device and having a second plug at an opposite end for connection to a second port on the computer. This inexpensive and simple solution can be used to position ports within easy reach of the user, while minimizing the manufacturing cost and design complexity of the keyboard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] A detailed description of the invention is set forth herein below, with reference to the following drawing, in which:

[0010] Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the keyboard cable according to the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 is a schematic illustration showing the keyboard cable of Figure 1 in use connected to a computer, keyboard and peripheral device.

[0012] Figure 3 is a top view of the cable of Figure 1 connected to the keyboard of Figure 2.

[0013] Figure 4 is a detailed view of a pair of plugs at one end of the cable for connection to the computer and a port on the keyboard to which the peripheral device may be connected.

[0014] Figure 5 shows a cable according to an alternative embodiment in use connected to a wireless receiver incorporating a port connector for a further peripheral.

[0015] Figure 6 shows the cable of Figure 5 with a USB 2.0 device received within the port connector.

[0016] Figure 7 shows the cable of Figure 5 with the wireless receiver removed. [0017] Figure 8 shows a cable according to a further alternative embodiment in use connected to a wireless receiver incorporating a battery charger and a port connector for a further peripheral.

[0018] Figure 9 shows the cable of Figure 8 with a mouse being charged and any USB 2.0 device in the port connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Figure 1 shows an improved keyboard cable according to the preferred embodiment, having two sets of wires that act individually as separate USB cables. One set of wires is provided with a USB plug (2) terminating in a port connector (4), and the other wire set is provided with a USB plug (3) terminating in wiring (5).

[0020] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cable (1) is incorporated into a keyboard by connecting the keyboard wiring (5) to conventional keyboard electronics (not shown) within the keyboard, while port connector 4 is incorporated into the keyboard at any convenient location. The keyboard electronics also may, but do not necessarily, incorporate a USB hub (e.g. typically a low-cost USB 1.1 hub). USB plugs (2) and (3) are connected to standard USB ports on a computer (7) having a monitor (8). A peripheral device (6) may be connected to the USB port connector (4), such that the cable (1) functions as an extension cable between the peripheral device (6) and the computer (7). This is electrically equivalent to plugging the USB accessory

(6) directly into a USB port on the computer (7).

[0021] As discussed above, the port connector (4) may be positioned at any convenient location on the keyboard. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the port connector (4) may be positioned opposite to the entry location of the cable (1) into the keyboard. Locations for incorporating the connector (4) include the locations where USB ports have been incorporated into keyboards, as set forth in the prior art references discussed above.

[0022] The cable (1) according to the present invention effectively provides a USB 2.0 connection through a keyboard, without incorporating an expensive USB 2.0 hub into the keyboard. This is accomplished by providing a wire extension between USB plug and port connector (4) within the cable (1). The extension wires lead directly from a port on the computer

(7) to the port connector (4) on the keyboard. When a USB accessory or peripheral (6) is plugged into the port connector (4), a direct connection is established between the peripheral (6) and the actual USB port on the computer (7). As discussed above, USB 1.1 hubs are inexpensive, such that it is known in the art to build such hubs into a keyboard. On the other hand, USB 2.0 hubs are expensive and complicated, so that keyboard manufacturers avoid building USB 2.0 hubs into keyboards.

[0023] The improved cable of the present invention has many advantages over the prior art. The manufacturing cost is extremely low since no special electronics are required. The full power and speed of the source USB port (connected to plug (2)) is extended to the keyboard, be it USB 1.1 or USB 2.0. Future versions of USB will likely also function under this design, which is unlikely to be the case with a present-day ήub design.

[0024] The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention that fall within the sphere and scope of the invention. Modifications and alternative embodiments will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the cable of the present invention can be used with other technologies that would otherwise require hubs (e.g. FireWire). Moreover, technologies can be mixed (e.g. a PS/2 keyboard with a USB extender). Moreover, additional extender wires may be incorporated such that multiple connector ports or docks may be integrated with the keyboard (or other peripheral device).

[0025] For example, in Figures 5, 6 and 7, a wireless receiver (9) replaces the keyboard of Figures 2 - 4, with a port connector (11) forming part of the housing of the wireless receiver. The port connector (11) may be used to receive a device (such as USB 2.0 device (13) shown in Figure 6), for connection to the computer (7). Alternatively, the housing may be configured with two port connectors (11 and 15), such that two USB 2.0 ports are provided when the wireless receiver (9) is removed (e.g. when traveling), as shown in Figure 6.

[0026] Figures 8 and 9 show a further embodiment where the wireless receiver (17) includes a battery charger for a rechargeable wireless mouse (21), as well as an integrated port connector (19) for receiving a USB 2.0 device (13).

[0027] Since numerous additional modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.