Apple Files Patent For New Proprietary Port 282
rwise2112 writes "Apple proposes a solution to multiple port requirements within limited space: the two in one port. The port is described as a 'Combined Input Port,' where two different interfaces could be in one port. The input port includes an outer wall defining a receiving aperture, a substrate positioned within the receiving aperture. One set of contacts is configured to communicate with a first connector and the second set of contacts is configured to communicate with a second connector. Looks like another addition to the special Apple cable lineup."
Prior art (Score:5, Informative)
Samsung and HTC, and doubtless others, invented this first. My Galaxy S3 has a combined USB, HDMI and audio port. My ancient HTC Hero had a combined USB and audio port. Different connectors used different pins.
It seems like anything is new and worthy of patenting if it's on a computer, on the internet or on an Apple :-(
Special Cable? not so much... (Score:5, Informative)
The summary is misleading in so many ways. This is just adding USB to a multi-card reader.
Just another way to get money from fanboys (Score:1, Informative)
Not a new cable. (Score:5, Informative)
Specifically, this port allows either an SD card or USB3 cable to be plugged into the same physical opening. Either will fit.
Re:Prior art (Score:5, Informative)
Combined USB2.0 & eSata port on recent Lenovo notebooks too. Apple's patent diagram resembles it.
not really innovative but not proprietary either (Score:4, Informative)
Audio Jack? (Score:2, Informative)
Not a "proprietary port", no "Apple cable lineup" (Score:5, Informative)
Normally I'm not a fan of the jump on the poster bandwagon, but this title and description could not be more misleading. The patent is on the idea of making one port take two standard connectors. The example used is a USB-or-SD Card physical form factor.
The design does not use "proprietary port"(s), rather it builds on existing standard port designs.
The design does not require a "special Apple cable", indeed the entire point is that standards compliant devices (not just cables, but things like SD cards) will just work.
As to the merits, it seems to me like there is probably prior art, and it may also fail the obviousness test. I'm not sure this is an idea that deserves patent protection. As devices get smaller, thinner, and lighter, I do think this is a great idea to reduce the physical space needed to provide all the ports a user might want.
Re:Prior art (Score:5, Informative)
The patent is only for a specific type of joint connector (not for all of them), and for this type, there is no prior art. The patent, if granted, secures only the schematics/diagrams mentioned in it.
Even the title being generic, this does not mean they are patenting the abstract idea of combined ports. You have to read the patent to see what it mentions.
Re:Prior art (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Prior art (Score:2, Informative)
It's trivial and non-novel. Those a both very good reasons to reject it.
Apart from the fact that Apple is applying for it, what makes it trivial and non-novel? If it's trivial and non-novel, where is the laptop that already has a combined USB and SD-card connector?
Re:Prior art (Score:2, Informative)