The present invention relates to electronic apparatus peripherals, and more particularly, to a multifunction separable peripheral device.
According to the prior art, a computer apparatus has a limited number of input ports and output ports.
Today, computer apparatuses are equipped with an increasing number of peripheral electronic apparatuses, making their input ports and output ports insufficient. Accordingly, it is imperative to enable a computer apparatus with a limited number of input ports and output ports to be connected to multiple peripheral electronic apparatuses.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a separable peripheral device which comprises a first module. The separable peripheral device is connected to a computer apparatus to increase the quantity of output ports and output ports of the computer apparatus.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a separable peripheral device which comprises a second module. The first module is connected to the second module to expand the display function and networking function of the computer apparatus, for example.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a separable peripheral device which comprises a power unit and/or a power module. One of the power unit and the power module of the separable peripheral device generates a current. The current is supplied to the first module and the second module.
In order to achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides a separable peripheral device which is connected to a first electronic device, a second electronic device, and/or a computer apparatus. The first electronic device and the computer apparatus each generate a data and/or a current. The separable peripheral device comprises a first module and a second module. The first module has a first connection port, a first communication port, a computer connection port, and a first processing unit. The first connection port is connected to the first electronic device. The computer connection port is connected to the computer apparatus. The first processing unit is connected to the first connection port, the first communication port, and the computer connection port. The first processing unit executes a first algorithm in order to be connected to at least two of the first connection port, the first communication port, and the computer connection port, so as to transmit the data between at least two of the first connection port, the first communication port, and the computer connection port. The computer connection port receives the current from the computer apparatus and transmits the current to the second processing unit. The second module has a second connection port, a second communication port and a second processing unit. The second communication port is connected to the first communication port. The second processing unit is connected to the second connection port and the second communication port. The second processing unit executes a second algorithm for converting the data from the second communication port into another data and sending it to the second connection port. The second communication port receives the current from the first communication port and transmits the current to the second processing unit.
Objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention are hereunder illustrated with specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring to
The separable peripheral device 10 comprises a first module 12 and a second module 14.
The first module 12 comprises a first connection port 122, a first communication port 124, a computer connection port 126, and a first processing unit 128.
The first connection port 122 is connected to the first electronic device 2 and adapted to receive the first data DA1 from the first electronic device 2. For example, the first connection port 122 complies with a communication port protocol of IEEE 1394, universal serial bus (USB), micro-USB, mini-USB, and Apple 30 pins. The first connection port 122 not only transmits the first data DA1 but also receives the second data DA2 and the first current I1 from the computer apparatus 6. In another embodiment, if the first electronic device 2 is a current storage apparatus (such as a power bank), the first connection port 122 receives a current from the first electronic device 2.
The first communication port 124 is connected to the second module 14. The computer connection port 126 is connected to the computer apparatus 6. Both the first communication port 124 and the computer connection port 126 comply with one of the aforesaid communication port protocols.
The first communication port 124 transmits the first data DA1, the second data DA2, and the first current I1 to the second module 14. The computer connection port 126 receives the first current I1 and the second data DA2 from the computer apparatus 6. The first current I1 is supplied to the first processing unit 128. Furthermore, the computer connection port 126 generates and sends the first data DA1.
The first processing unit 128 is connected to the first connection port 122, the first communication port 124, and the computer connection port 126. The first processing unit 128 executes a first algorithm (not shown) to determine whether to connect at least two of the first connection port 122, the first communication port 124, and the computer connection port 126. Given the aforesaid connection-related relationship, the first data DA1 is sent to the first communication port 124 and/or the computer connection port 126, such that the second data DA2 is sent to the first connection port 122 and/or the first communication port 124, whereas the first current I1 is transmitted to the first connection port 122 and/or the first communication port 124.
The second module 14 comprises a second connection port 142, a second communication port 144, and a second processing unit 146.
The second connection port 142 is connected to the second electronic device 4. The second electronic device 4 receives the second data DA2 from the second connection port 142 to thereby generate an image. For instance, the second connection port 142 complies with a video port protocol pertaining to a high definition multimedia interface, a digital video interface, a display port, and/or VGA.
In addition to the video port protocol, the second connection port 142 complies with one of the aforesaid communication port protocols in order to transmit any data other than the video data.
The second communication port 144 is connected to the first communication port 124 and adapted to receive the first data DA1, the second data DA2, and the first current I1 from the first communication port 124. The first current I1 is supplied to the second processing unit 146. To enable the first data DA1 and the second data DA2 to be transmitted between the second communication port 144 and the first communication port 124, it is necessary that the second communication port 144 and the first communication port 124 not only comply with the same communication port protocol but are also provided in the following form: if the connection port of the second communication port 144 is male, the connection port of the first communication port 124 is female, and vice versa.
The male connection port is bulgy, whereas the female connection port is receptive. The bulgy connection port is inserted into the receptive connection port to enable the second communication port 144 to be connected to the first communication port 124.
The second processing unit 146 is connected to the second connection port 142 and the second communication port 144. The second processing unit 146 executes a second algorithm (not shown) whereby the first data DA1 and the second data DA2 from the second connection port 142 are converted into the first data DAC and the second data DA2′, respectively. Then, the second processing unit 146 sends the first data DAC and the second data DA2′ to the second connection port 142.
In yet another embodiment, the data from the second communication port 144 is converted by the second processing unit 146 into a packet data which complies with an Ethernet protocol.
Referring to
The power unit 130 is connected to a power supply device 8, the first connection port 122, and the first communication port 124. A voltage V generated from the power supply device 8 is converted by the power unit 130 into a second current I2. Then, the second current I2 is transmitted by the power unit 130 to the first connection port 122 and the first communication port 124 and supplied to the first electronic device 2 and the second electronic device 4, respectively.
Referring to
The power module 16 comprises a power input end 162, a power conversion unit 164, and a third communication port 166.
The power input end 162 is connected to a power supply device 8 and adapted to receive a voltage V generated from the power supply device 8.
The power conversion unit 164 converts the voltage V into a third current I3 and transmits the third current I3 to the third communication port 166.
The third communication port 166 is connected to the first communication port 124 and/or the second communication port 144 to thereby receive the third current I3 from the third communication port 166. In a further embodiment, the third communication port 166 is connected to the first communication port 124 or the second communication port 144 to thereby receive the third current I3 from the third communication port 166.
In a further embodiment, the power module 16 of the separable peripheral device 10″' comprises a fourth communication port 168, as shown in
The present invention is disclosed above by preferred embodiments. However, persons skilled in the art should understand that the preferred embodiments are illustrative of the present invention only, but should not be interpreted as restrictive of the scope of the present invention. Hence, all equivalent modifications and replacements made to the aforesaid embodiments should fall within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the legal protection for the present invention should be defined by the appended claims.