Apple Files Patent For New Proprietary Port

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

[AmiMoJo]

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...

[Tavor]

From TFA:

Apple illustrated the idea with discussion of a USB port and SD card reader, showing how the card reader and USB port could be integrated, but the port could house other interconnects.

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

[Rato Ruter]

Even though I understand the idea, isn't there any standards conforming alternative? Always the walled garden...

Not a new cable.

[FellowConspirator]

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

[Freshly Exhumed]

Combined USB2.0 & eSata port on recent Lenovo notebooks too. Apple's patent diagram resembles it.

not really innovative but not proprietary either

[arifyn]

This is just cramming two ports into one space (in the example, SD and USB) so you can add more functionality to the sort of thin & light products that Apple is obsessed with. No need for a "special Apple cable", since the whole point is that it can accept several standard interfaces.

Audio Jack?

[wagnerrp]

They're describing a plug where you have different contacts at different depths. Push one cable in one depth, and you hit one set of contacts. Push another cable in deeper, and you hit different contacts. How is this any different than a standard audio jack, where you have two or three rings and a center pin? The only difference here is that they're individual contacts, rather than a whole ring.

Not a "proprietary port", no "Apple cable lineup"

[Above]

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

[Kurast]

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

[TeknoHog]

It's called eSATAp [wikipedia.org]. Oddly enough, my current Thinkpad (T410) only has plain eSATA, but I remember a Fujitsu laptop from my 2008 workplace that had the powered one.

Re:Prior art

[gnasher719]

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

[Chrontius]

Bad analogy. This port will take standard USB 2.0/3.0 A plugs, or standard SD cards. MHL is designed to take screwy, proprietary cables to push something vaguely resembling HDMI signaling out of a USB micro-B port. This is designed to allow you to plug in multiple types of standard cards or cables, one at a time, to the same port.