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."
Reading comprehension fail (Score:5, Insightful)
While the submitted made their hatred of all things Apple very clear, they also made clear that their rage obscures their ability to read.
The patent is clearly for one port that you can plug multiple standard cables into -- so there is no call for the "looks like another addition to the special Apple cable lineup" snark.
Re:Prior art (Score:2, Insightful)
A strong case for this would be the "docking station port" found on the bottom of many business class laptops today from Lenovo, Dell and HP. It's also found on the bottom of the SNES, N64 and Gamecube. The one on the gamecube in particular is used to connect GBAs to the Gamecube as a gamepad.
Re:Audio Jack? (Score:3, Insightful)
The difference is that you have to pay Apple $5 for a license.
Re:Seems like Cisco might have some prior art. (Score:4, Insightful)
That's not what they are doing here. Those sort of "one port, many protocols" thing has been around for a while. What this is, is a design for a port that can accept a standard USB cable or a standard SD card (not both at the same time) into one port, depending which one you needed to use at the time.
The apple bashing "lolz need a special connector" snark in the summary is nonsense, as usual, but apple bashers typically have their reading comprehension obscured by the fog of hatred. It's funny, because they're often pretty decent with technology and basic reading ability otherwise.
Re:Filing doesn't mean getting (Score:4, Insightful)
Okay, that's just trolling right there.
First, this is not a proprietary port, as that implies that it takes proprietary plus. It is a proprietary connector that takes standard plugs and SD cards.
Second, to the best of my recollection, not counting power connectors or internal card slots, Apple products have used only four truly proprietary ports in its entire history: the two iPhone dock connectors, the Apple high density video connector (early PowerPC desktops), and the HDI-30 external SCSI connector (68k era laptops).
All the other connectors that you seem to think are proprietary are either existing industry standard connectors (e.g. mini-DIN-8 serial and DB25 SCSI) or are connectors that Apple designed and made available as part of industry standards that it helped define (e.g. FireWire 400/800, Mini DisplayPort, and Thunderbolt).
Re:Prior art (Score:4, Insightful)
The Galaxy S3 has an "MHL 2.0" port that allows for the use of:
a) a charging connection
b) a data connection
c) a video connection
yeah.. it's just their arrangement they're patenting I suppose. so you can't build clone cables.
Re:Prior art (Score:2, Insightful)
> as long as it works different from the Samsung implementation, there is no reason why it shouldn't be patented.
It's trivial and non-novel. Those a both very good reasons to reject it.
It's the proverbial "mahogany mouse trap".
Your corporate toady-ism has some very bad side effects.