(12) United States Patent
`Friesen
`
`USOO6496884B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,496,884 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`*Dec. 17, 2002
`
`(54) MICROCOMPUTER SYSTEM WITH COLOR
`CODED COMPONENTS
`
`(75) Inventor: Mark Ben Friesen, Palo Alto, CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: NEC Corporation, Tokyo (JP)
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`This patent is Subject to a terminal dis-
`
`CC.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 08/437,077
`(22) Filed:
`May 5, 1995
`7
`(51) Int. Cl." ................................................ G06F 13/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. ....................................................... 710/100
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 439/488, 489,
`439/490; 395/281
`
`(56)
`
`Ref
`
`Cited
`CS
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4.410,224 A * 10/1983 Giulie ...................... 339/18 R
`4,445,711 A * 5/1984 Cunningham .
`... 283/1 R
`4,470,181 A * 9/1984 Sergeant ...........
`... 29/33 M
`4,784,614 A * 11/1988 Sadigh-Behzadi
`... 439/488
`4.820,193 A * 4/1989 Noorily ........
`... 439/488
`5,037,330 A * 8/1991 Fulponi et al.
`... 439/607
`5,039,974 A * 8/1991 Schaefer .......
`... 338/163
`5,051,870 A * 9/1991 Companion ...
`... 361/405
`5,114,363 A
`5/1992 Mitra ......................... 439/491
`5,150,246 A * 9/1992 Kimball et al. ............. 359/118
`5,347,113 A * 9/1994 Reddersen et al. ......... 235/462
`5,401,193 A * 3/1995 Lo Cicero et al. .......... 439/713
`5,417,585 A * 5/1995 Morin et al.......
`... 439/488
`5,445,272 A * 8/1995 Crisp ...................... 206/459.5
`5,470.253 A * 11/1995 Siems et al. ................ 439/491
`5,487,683 A
`1/1996 Carlson, Jr. ................. 439/718
`
`
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Francis, Bob; “Packard Bell Redesigns PC to be Colorful
`and Easy tO Use', Jun. 22, 1994 One Page.*
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner David A. Wiley
`74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Katten Muchin Zavis
`y, Ag
`Rosenman
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A microcomputer System facilitates the connection of
`peripheral devices to a computer unit with a plurality of
`external ports for connecting to external peripheral devices.
`I
`bod
`t of th
`t
`t of adh
`trip
`in One embodiment OT lne InVenuon, a Sel OI adneSIVe Surips
`is attached to positions adjacent to the ports. Each Strip in the
`Set has a distinct color. Another embodiment of the invention
`includes an adhesive Strip having a plurality of color coded
`regions, each of the color coded regions being placed
`adjacent to a separate one of the external ports.
`
`The microcomputer System also contains at least one periph
`eral device. The device is designed to be electrically
`matched to one of the ports In one embodiment of the
`present invention, the peripheral device contains a cable and
`a plug. The plug has a color which is Substantially the same
`as The Strip color associated with the matching port. Thus,
`a user merely has to match the color of the plug to the color
`of the Strip in order to determine the correct way to connect
`the peripheral device to the computer unit. Alternately, the
`cable instead of the plug can be color coded or both the cable
`and the plug can be color coded. In yet another embodiment
`of the invention, one or more adhesive Strips each also have
`a commonly used icon, identifying the peripheral device
`whose plug is designed to connect with the external port,
`adjacent to which the adhesive Strip has been attached.
`
`8 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`ro
`too
`ro
`s
`
`IPR2020-01218
`Sony EX1020 Page 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 17, 2002
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 6,496,884 B1
`
`Fig. 1
`
`-- 10
`
`OOOOOOOOOOOO
`OOO
`OOOOOOOOO
`O
`
`
`
`IPR2020-01218
`Sony EX1020 Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 17, 2002
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 6,496,884 B1
`
`Fig. 2B
`
`57
`
`54
`
`Fig. 3
`Prior Art
`
`
`
`70
`
`88 87 86 95 85 93 84 83 82 81
`
`IPR2020-01218
`Sony EX1020 Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 17, 2002
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 6,496,884 B1
`
`
`
`O
`S
`
`N
`
`1
`
`is
`
`l Nils
`N HS
`his
`
`- O
`
`wns
`
`N
`
`O
`
`|
`
`| |
`
`c.
`Sy
`
`S. ws
`
`s
`CN
`s
`
`s
`
`S1
`
`
`
`N
`
`so
`
`O
`c
`s
`
`O
`so
`
`w
`cy
`s
`
`8
`
`IPR2020-01218
`Sony EX1020 Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 17, 2002
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 6,496,884 B1
`
`Fig. 5
`
`142
`
`
`
`146
`
`140
`
`1s
`
`148
`
`7174
`
`170
`
`,
`
`173
`
`IPR2020-01218
`Sony EX1020 Page 5
`
`

`

`1
`MICROCOMPUTER SYSTEM WITH COLOR
`CODED COMPONENTS
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates generally to microcomputer
`Systems, and more particularly to methods and devices for
`facilitating the connection of peripherals or the like to a
`microcomputer.
`The power of microcomputerS has grown drastically since
`the introduction of first generation microcomputers (such as
`the Altair 8800). The Altair 8800 was sold to electronic
`hobbyists in kit form. It had 256 bytes of RAM. Programs
`were entered into the RAM by entering binary instruction
`codes using Switches. About all that the computer could do
`was to blink a few lights. It had no keyboard, no external
`Storage device for Storing data or program, and no video
`monitor.
`Better computers were soon introduced. All of them had
`keyboards. They used dumb terminals as display devices.
`Cassette tapes and floppy diskettes were used as external
`Storage media. Programs could be written in high-level
`languages such as BASIC and FORTRAN. Operating sys
`tems (such as CP/M) were developed for microcomputers.
`Business oriented programs, Such as an electronic spread
`sheet called VisiCal, were also introduced.
`The microcomputer market took off with the introduction
`of IBM personal computer and compatible computers
`(collectively, the “IBM PC"). More than a hundred million
`IBM PCs had been Sold. One of the reasons for the Success
`of the IBM PC is that it is a microcomputer with open
`architecture, i.e., the technical Standard for attached periph
`eral devices and boards to the IBM PC is in the public
`domain, thus allowing many vendors to make and Sell
`competing products to owners of the IBM PC. Buyers are
`more willing to invest in the IBM PC because they will not
`be locked into products Supplied by just one vendor.
`AS a result of the hugh market and the associated
`revenues, many companies, including chip, board and
`peripheral device manufacturers, spent millions of dollars to
`improve the performance of the IBM PC and related prod
`ucts. Consequently, the IBM PC and peripheral devices
`became more powerful. At the same time, the price of IBM
`PCS and peripherals decreased as a result of economy of
`Scale. Soon, microcomputers became useful tools for general
`purpose usage instead of toys for hobbyists or Special
`instruments used in laboratories.
`The first Segment of Society which bought a large number
`of IBM PCS was the busineSS Segment comprising large and
`medium size companies. AS of today, the busineSS Segment
`Still represents a Substantial portion of the microcomputer
`market. The microcomputers are used in these companies to
`run word processor, spreadsheet, and database Software.
`As a result of IBM PC's open architecture, it is often
`necessary to assemble Several peripheral devices to a main
`computer unit in order to build a complete microcomputer
`System. This assembling proceSS is not easy because many
`connectors and cables look Substantially the same.
`Consequently, the companies in the above mentioned busi
`neSS Segment hire computer professionals, either in-house or
`outside consultants, to Set up and maintain microcomputers.
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`US 6,496,884 B1
`
`2
`Currently, the price of an IBM PC is within the reach of
`many families and Small offices. These families buy micro
`computers to run education Software for children and enter
`tainment software for the whole family. The home comput
`ers also allow office workers to take some of their works
`home. At the same time, many Small offices discover that
`they can Save money by using a microcomputer to perform
`many functions which previously required professional
`helps, Such as accounting. In addition, Standard word
`processor, spreadsheet and database Software allow an office
`to be run more efficiently. Consequently, the home and Small
`office computer market become a very important part of the
`microcomputer market.
`Typically, persons who buy a home or small office IBM
`PC do not have any training in computer hardware. Some of
`them even cannot identify the names of the peripheral
`devices which need to be connected to the main computer
`unit. However, these buyers cannot afford to hire high-priced
`consultants to set up the computers for them. The Stores
`which Sell them computers cannot afford to Send a technician
`to every home or Small office to Set up the computers
`because of the low profit margin in Selling computers.
`Consequently, these buyers encounter a great deal of frus
`trations in Setting up their computers. Thus, there is a need
`to design microcomputer Systems which can be easily Set up
`by these inexperienced buyers.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention involves a microcomputer System
`designed to facilitate the connection of peripheral devices to
`a computer unit. The computer unit has a plurality of ports
`for connecting to external peripheral devices. In one
`embodiment of the present invention, a Set of adhesive Strips
`is attached to positions adjacent to the ports. Each Strip has
`a distinct color. The present invention also covers other
`means for providing color coding to the ports, Such as
`painting.
`The microcomputer System also contains at least one
`peripheral device. The device is designed to be electrically
`matched to one of the ports. In one embodiment of the
`present invention, the peripheral device contains a cable and
`a plug. The plug has a color which is Substantially the same
`as the Strip associated with the matching port. Thus, a user
`merely has to match the color of the plug to the color of the
`Strip in order to determine the correct way to connect the
`peripheral device to the computer unit.
`In another embodiment of the present invention, the cable
`instead of the plug can be color coded. In a further embodi
`ment of the present invention, both the cable and the plug
`can be color coded.
`These and other features of the present invention will
`become apparent from the following description when read
`in conjunction with the drawings and the appended claims.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a microcomputer System in
`accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 2A shows the top view of a motherboard used in a
`prior art IBM PC.
`FIG. 2B shows a cross sectional view of a peripheral
`board used with the motherboard of FIG. 2A.
`
`IPR2020-01218
`Sony EX1020 Page 6
`
`

`

`3
`FIG. 3 shows a prior art back panel of a computer unit.
`FIG. 4A shows a back panel in accordance with the
`present invention.
`FIG. 4B shows a color coded strip in accordance with the
`present invention.
`FIG. 5 shows the top view of a mouse in accordance with
`the present invention.
`FIG. 6 shows the top view of a VGA extension cable in
`accordance with the present invention.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a microcomputer System 10
`15
`in accordance with the present invention. System 10 com
`prises a computer unit 12. Computer unit 12 preferably
`contains two or more bays 18 and 20 which could be used
`to hold a 5/4 inch floppy drive, a 3% inch floppy drive or
`other devices such as a CD-ROM reader or tape backup
`System. System 10 also comprises peripheral devices, Such
`as a video monitor 14, a keyboard 16, a pointing device (e.g.,
`a mouse 22), a printer 24 and a modem 26. Monitor 14,
`keyboard 16, mouse 22, printer 24, and modem 26 are
`connected to computer unit 12 through cables 25-29,
`respectively.
`In one embodiment of the present invention, microcom
`puter System 10 comprises an innovative color coding
`System. In this System, plugs of the peripheral devices and
`the corresponding receptacles of computer unit 12 are color
`coded. This color coding system can be applied to an IBM
`PC. In this case, all the components in system 10 are prior
`art components except for the presence of color coding
`thereon.
`FIG. 2A is a drawing showing a top view of a mother
`board 30 used in an IBM PC. Mother board 30 comprises a
`variety of integrated circuits, Such as a CPU 34 and a cache
`controller 35. Mother board 30 also comprises a plurality of
`connectors 41-48 for accepting peripheral boards (shown in
`FIG. 2B). In an IBM PC, connectors 41-48 are preferably
`connected to an ISA (Industrial Standard Architecture) bus,
`a PCI bus, or a VESA local bus.
`FIG. 2B is a drawing showing a croSS Sectional view of a
`peripheral board 50 used with one of the connectors, such as
`connector 41. Board 50 comprises an edge 54 for insertion
`into connector 41. Edge 54 provides electrical connection
`between mother board 30 and peripheral board 50. Board 50
`also includes a metal strip 56 containing a portion 57 for
`attaching to a chassis of computer unit 12. Board 50 option
`ally contains a port 58 for providing electrical connection
`between an external device, such as printer 24 of FIG. 1, to
`board 50.
`FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the back panel 70 of the
`chassis of a prior art IBM PC. The IBM PC contains a
`motherboard, such as board 30 of FIG. 2A. Back panel 70
`contains a receptacle 72 for accepting a power cord (not
`shown) and a port 74 for accepting a keyboard. FIG.3 also
`shows a plurality of metal strips 81-88. These metal strips
`ensure that the IBM PC has a closed metallic enclosure for
`reducing the amount of electromagnetic interference radi
`ated by electronics components therein to Surrounding elec
`tronic devices. If no peripheral board is inserted to connec
`
`65
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`US 6,496,884 B1
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`4
`tors 41-48, metal strips 81-88 are blank strips. If a
`peripheral board (e.g., board 50) is inserted into a connector
`(e.g., connector 41) of motherboard 30, the corresponding
`blank metal Strip needs to be removed So that the metal Strip
`of the peripheral board can take its place. The metal Strip of
`the peripheral device (e.g., Strip 56) again ensures that a
`closed metallic enclosure is maintained.
`In FIG. 3, four of the metal strips contains ports, shown
`as 91-96. If peripheral board 50 is inserted into connector 41
`of motherboard 30, port 91 would be the same as port 58 of
`peripheral board 50. These ports allow external peripheral
`devices to be electrically connected to the computer.
`AS microcomputers become more powerful, it is possible
`to connect a large number of peripheral devices thereto.
`Thus, the number of ports increases. For example, a micro
`computer preferably contains a printer port for connecting to
`a printer, at least two Serial ports for connecting to a modem
`and other Serial devices, a game port for connecting to a
`joystick, a Video port for connecting to a Video monitor, and
`ports for connecting to loudspeakers, local area networks,
`etc.
`As can be seen in FIG. 3, some of these ports have similar
`or the same physical appearance. For example, both the
`printer port and the serial port of many IBM PCs use a DB25
`connector. The game port and the Video port also use
`DB-type connectors. As a result, it is very difficult for an
`untrained person to correctly connect appropriate peripher
`als to the designated ports without spending tremendous
`amount of time. If the wrong connections are made (e.g.,
`connecting a modem to a printer port), the peripheral and/or
`computer could be damaged.
`One aspect of the present invention involves manufactur
`ing peripheral devices having a color coded plug. The
`corresponding receptacle located at computer unit 12 has a
`color Strip attached adjacent thereto. The colors of the plug
`and the Strip are Substantially the Same. The color of the Strip
`at each port is substantially different from the color of the
`Strips at other ports. As a result, it is quite easy for a perSon
`to insert the color coded plug into the correct receptacle.
`FIG. 4A is a drawing showing a back panel 100 of the
`chassis of computer unit 12 in accordance with the present
`invention. Back panel 100 comprises a receptacle 102 for
`receiving a power cable (not shown). It also comprises a
`plurality of ports 111-117 for accepting a plurality of
`peripherals. Not all the ports need to be active at the same
`time. Below each port is an adhesive Strip having a color
`distinct from the colors of the strips below other ports. In
`FIG. 4A, these strips are shown as numerals 121-127. It
`should be appreciated that the locations and number of ports
`shown in FIG. 4A are for illustrative purposes only, and the
`invention is not limited to the number and locations shown
`therein. Further, it is not necessary to provide color coded
`Strips to all the ports.
`In a different embodiment of the present invention, a long
`adhesive Strip having a plurality of color coded regions is
`attached below ports 111-117. FIG. 4B shows an example of
`an adhesive strip 130 in accordance with the present inven
`tion. Strip 130 contains color coded regions 133-137 which
`are positioned directly below ports 123-127 of FIG. 4A. The
`color of each region is distinct. In order to further assist a
`
`IPR2020-01218
`Sony EX1020 Page 7
`
`

`

`US 6,496,884 B1
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`S
`user to identify the peripherals associated with the ports,
`each region in Strip 130 contains a commonly used icon. For
`example, the icons in regions 133-137 are associated with a
`printer, a Serial device, a mouse, a keyboard, and a Video
`monitor, respectively.
`Computer unit 12 contains a motherboard (not shown)
`which is electrically similar to motherboard 30 of FIG. 2A.
`It may also contain peripheral boards which are electrically
`similar to board 50 of FIG. 2B. Because the locations of the
`ports on panel 100 of FIG. 4A are different from panel 70 of
`FIG. 3, the physical shape of the motherboard and peripheral
`boards used in computer unit 12 may be different from
`boards 30 and 50 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Because the
`design of motherboards and peripheral boards are well
`known in the art, the boards used in computer unit 12 will
`not be shown here.
`FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a top view of a mouse 140
`in accordance with the present invention. Mouse 140 com
`prises a pair of buttons 142 and 143 on a housing 146, a plug
`148, and a cable 149 connecting housing 146 to plug 148.
`Plug 148 comprises molded plastic having a color which is
`Substantially the same as the color of the adhesive Strip
`underneath the corresponding mouse port on back panel 100
`of FIG. 4A. As a result, it is very easy for a user to associate
`mouse 140 with the correct port.
`In another embodiment of the present invention, cable
`149 instead of plug 148 can be color coded. Alternatively,
`both cable 149 and plug 148 can be color coded.
`As shown in FIG. 5, mouse 140 contains a cable and a
`plug. There are peripherals which do not contain a cable and
`a plug. Thus, a cable assembly having both ends Securely
`fastened to Separate connectors needs to be used for pro
`Viding electrical connection between a computer and a
`peripheral device. One of these connectorS is plugged into
`the computer and the other plugged into the peripheral
`device. For example, both video monitor 14 and the corre
`sponding Video port of computer unit 12 contain a DB15
`receptacle. Consequently, a cable assembly needs to be used
`to connect video monitor 14 to computer unit 12. FIG. 6
`shows a VGA extension cord 170 having two DB15 con
`nectors 172 and 173 connected by a cable 174. One of the
`two connectors 172,173 is connected to monitor 14 and the
`other connector is connected to the appropriate video port on
`computer unit 12. Connectors 172 and 173 and/or cable 174
`can be color coded to match the color associated with the
`Video port.
`Table 1 shows the color coding associated with the ports
`of back panel 100 in accordance with the present invention.
`It should be appreciated that other colors and combinations
`could be used.
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`TABLE 1.
`
`Ports
`
`Keyboard
`Mouse
`Monitor
`Printer
`
`Color
`
`Standard Color No.
`
`Purple
`Teal
`Orange
`Cool Grey
`
`Pantone 2725C
`Pantone 321C
`Pantone 428C
`Pantone 11C
`
`60
`
`The adhesive strips 121-127 preferably comprise a 0.10
`SA35 G. E. Lexan. The adhesive used is preferably a 3M
`
`65
`
`6
`468 0.005 pressure sensitive adhesive. The size of the strips
`is preferably 0.2165x2.720 inches.
`Adhesive Strips are used because computer unit 12 may
`have different models, each having a back panel with
`different port locations. Some of the models may not have
`Sufficient Volume to warrant color coding using other means,
`Such as molding. An Adhesive Strip provides a relatively low
`cost color coding material which has Satisfactory perfor
`mance. It should be appreciated that alternative methods for
`applying color coding, Such as painting or molding, could
`also be used. It should also be appreciated that the Strips do
`not have to be rectangular in Shape.
`Peripheral devices Such as mouses and keyboards are
`standard devices which can be used with practically all IBM
`PCs. Thus, color coded peripheral devices can be mass
`produced. Because the costs for making a conventional plug
`and a color coded plug are practically the Same, the addi
`tional cost involved in color coding is practically Zero.
`In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the
`ports of back panel 70 in FIG. 3 can be color coded. In this
`case, the ports of the peripheral boards need to be color
`coded.
`The invention now being fully described, it will be
`apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that any changes
`and modifications can be made thereto without departing
`from the Spirit or Scope of the invention as Set forth herein.
`Accordingly, the present invention is to be limited Solely by
`the Scope of the appended claims.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A microcomputer System designed to facilitate con
`necting peripheral devices to a computer unit, comprising:
`a computer unit having a plurality of external ports for
`connecting to external peripheral devices,
`a set of adhesive Strips each having distinct colors, each
`of Said Strips being attached adjacent to a separate one
`of Said external ports, and
`at least one peripheral device having a plug for connecting
`to a Selected one of Said external ports, Said plug having
`a color Substantially the same as one of Said Strips
`asSociated with Said Selected external port.
`2. The microcomputer System of claim 1 wherein one or
`more adhesive Strips each also have a commonly used icon,
`identifying the peripheral device whose plug is designed to
`connect with the external port, adjacent to which the adhe
`Sive Strip has been attached.
`3. A microcomputer System designed to facilitate con
`necting peripheral devices to a computer unit, comprising:
`a computer unit having a plurality of external ports for
`connecting to external peripheral devices,
`a set of adhesive Strips each having distinct colors, each
`of Said Strips being attached adjacent to a separate one
`of Said external ports,
`and at least one peripheral device having a cable and a
`plug for connecting to a Selected one of Said external
`ports, Said cable and Said plug having a color Substan
`tially the same as one of Said Strips associated with Said
`Selected external port.
`
`IPR2020-01218
`Sony EX1020 Page 8
`
`

`

`7
`4. The microcomputer system of claim 3 wherein one or
`more adhesive Strips each also have a commonly used icon,
`identifying the peripheral device whose plug is designed to
`connect with the external port, adjacent to which the adhe
`Sive Strip has been attached.
`5. A microcomputer System designed to facilitate con
`necting peripheral devices to a computer unit, comprising:
`a computer unit having a plurality of external ports for
`connecting to external peripheral devices,
`a set of adhesive Strips each having distinct colors, each
`of Said Strips being attached adjacent to a separate one
`of Said external ports,
`and at least one peripheral device having a cable and a
`plug for connecting to a Selected one of Said external
`ports, Said cable having a color Substantially the same
`as one of Said Strips associated with Said Selected
`external port.
`6. The microcomputer system of claim 5 wherein one or
`more adhesive Strips each also have a commonly used icon,
`identifying the peripheral device whose plug is designed to
`
`5
`
`15
`
`US 6,496,884 B1
`
`8
`connect with the external port, adjacent to which the adhe
`Sive Strip has been attached.
`7. A microcomputer System designed to facilitate con
`necting peripheral devices to a computer unit, comprising:
`a computer unit having a plurality of external ports for
`connecting to external peripheral devices,
`an adhesive Strip having a plurality of color coded
`regions, each of Said color coded regions being placed
`adjacent to a separate one of Said external ports,
`and at least one peripheral device having a cable and a
`plug for connecting to a Selected one of Said external
`ports, Said plug having a color Substantially the Same as
`one of the color coded regions associated with Said
`Selected external port.
`8. The microcomputer system of claim 7 wherein one or
`more color coded regions each also have a commonly used
`icon, identifying the peripheral device whose plug is
`designed to connect with the external port, adjacent to which
`the color Segment has been positioned.
`
`IPR2020-01218
`Sony EX1020 Page 9
`
`