Apple designing 'collapsable connection receptacle' for ultra-portable systems
Apple Inc., which is expected to introduce a widescreen ultra-portable in the coming months, may compact the notebook's I/O ports into a collapsible connection receptacle on the rear of the unit in order to conserve space, a new design patent has revealed.
"Mobile devices such as notebook computers are becoming increasingly thinner," Apple explained in the 11-page filing published for the first time Thursday. "As a result, connections systems need to be reduced in size to accommodate smaller form factors."
However, the Cupertino-based systems designer notes that one limitation when reducing the size of a connection system is that the reduction is limited by the size of the largest port (which usually include Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, FireWire ports, RJ-11 ports, and RJ-45 ports).
For example, RJ-45 ports are relatively large and thus may be a challenge to accommodate, Apple said. To remedy this situation, the company has proposed a "connection system" that includes a connection receptacle comprising a first component coupled to a chassis and a second component coupled to the first component.
"The connection system includes a connection receptacle that is implemented as two separate components. One of the components is fixed in that it is coupled to the chassis, and the other component is rotatable or coupled to a moving mechanism," the company explained. "The combination of the fixed and rotating components are adapted to receive a plug when the connection receptacle is in an open position, and the fixed and rotating components are collapsed into a compact configuration when the connection receptacle is in a closed position."
Under Apple's design proposal, the ports maintain their original form whether the connection system is in an open or in a closed position. When the connection system swings to the closed or stowed position, the ports also swing into a stowed position such that they are flush with the mobile device chassis.
Although the filing primarily describes a concept where multiple ports are integrated into a single connection system, it may also apply to other configurations. For example, Apple said each port (e.g., the RJ-45 port 122) can be separate from other ports such that a single port can be moved into open and closed positions independent from other ports.
In general, and by minimizing the space requirements of the stowed position, larger ports such as standard RJ-45 ports no longer limit the potential reduction in connection systems, the company said.
"Accordingly, this collapsing function enables a substantial reduction in the size of the connection system and thereby enables a substantial reduction in the form factor of a device implementing the connection system," Apple added. "For example, a notebook computer may have a highly tapered chassis shape."
The April 17, 2007 patent filing -- credited to well-known Apple interface designers Gavin Reid, Chris Ligtenberg, and Bartley Andre -- could hint at design concepts that may make their way into Apple's upcoming ultra-portable notebook design.
Sometime later this year or early next, Apple is expected to introduce its first ultra-portable notebook in some time. Sources have said the unit will lack a traditional optical drive, include on-board NAND flash, and sport a 13-inch widescreen LED-backlit display.
"Mobile devices such as notebook computers are becoming increasingly thinner," Apple explained in the 11-page filing published for the first time Thursday. "As a result, connections systems need to be reduced in size to accommodate smaller form factors."
However, the Cupertino-based systems designer notes that one limitation when reducing the size of a connection system is that the reduction is limited by the size of the largest port (which usually include Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, FireWire ports, RJ-11 ports, and RJ-45 ports).
For example, RJ-45 ports are relatively large and thus may be a challenge to accommodate, Apple said. To remedy this situation, the company has proposed a "connection system" that includes a connection receptacle comprising a first component coupled to a chassis and a second component coupled to the first component.
"The connection system includes a connection receptacle that is implemented as two separate components. One of the components is fixed in that it is coupled to the chassis, and the other component is rotatable or coupled to a moving mechanism," the company explained. "The combination of the fixed and rotating components are adapted to receive a plug when the connection receptacle is in an open position, and the fixed and rotating components are collapsed into a compact configuration when the connection receptacle is in a closed position."
Under Apple's design proposal, the ports maintain their original form whether the connection system is in an open or in a closed position. When the connection system swings to the closed or stowed position, the ports also swing into a stowed position such that they are flush with the mobile device chassis.
Although the filing primarily describes a concept where multiple ports are integrated into a single connection system, it may also apply to other configurations. For example, Apple said each port (e.g., the RJ-45 port 122) can be separate from other ports such that a single port can be moved into open and closed positions independent from other ports.
In general, and by minimizing the space requirements of the stowed position, larger ports such as standard RJ-45 ports no longer limit the potential reduction in connection systems, the company said.
"Accordingly, this collapsing function enables a substantial reduction in the size of the connection system and thereby enables a substantial reduction in the form factor of a device implementing the connection system," Apple added. "For example, a notebook computer may have a highly tapered chassis shape."
The April 17, 2007 patent filing -- credited to well-known Apple interface designers Gavin Reid, Chris Ligtenberg, and Bartley Andre -- could hint at design concepts that may make their way into Apple's upcoming ultra-portable notebook design.
Sometime later this year or early next, Apple is expected to introduce its first ultra-portable notebook in some time. Sources have said the unit will lack a traditional optical drive, include on-board NAND flash, and sport a 13-inch widescreen LED-backlit display.
Comments
i'll give it a second read...
UPDATE: ok, sorta understand it now, thought not fully...i can imagine this causing a lot of mechanical problems unless they get this down perfectly. each port having it's own collapsing/rotating mechanism would add a lot of moving parts and may take away from the flash storage/no optical drive simplicity. but, it looks interesting, i just don't understand it completely. if anyone can pull this design off, its apple.
A 13" display with flash, no optical drive and awkward port setup would be ...
GREAT!
The lack of a truly portable computer is killing Apple's sales in Japan, the number 2 or 3 consumer market in the world. Five pounds doesn't cut it in a country where >80% of the people commute by train. Any further delays in a replacement for even something like the 12" G4 PowerBook (which itself is overweight) is unacceptable.
I'm all for innovation, but excuses for the delay are pathetic.
As for ports, 1 each of FW USB enet audio video seems reasonable for an ultra when you have your camera, mic and wireless built in. I could drop the phone and one usb from by ibook today and not notice.
Given what they've shown they can do with a hinge to date makes this promising.
Given what they did with a half-hearted Moto phone ahead of the iPhone, you want to get it right the first time.
It does need to be a widescreen, not a 10" sony clone. I think if you look at the new keyboards, they're already testing the limits ahead of an ultralight design.
But screen-size and the need to play DVDs are an absolute must. Whatever Apple decides, I think this machine could be as big as the iPhone.
I am trying to imagine an iPhone with a built-in DVD player ...
I am trying to imagine an iPhone with a built-in DVD player ...
An ultraportable doesn't need an optical drive. If you want to watch movies on the go, rip 'em. As for connections, pack it full of every wireless technology that is useful (BT, 802.11b/g/n, and maybe IR for once) and you won't need wires most of the time.
Collapsible ports will likely reek of reliability problems unless thoroughly tested. I have seen an ethernet (RJ45) connection, that has a flip-up top for retaining the larger connector. It's like a port on a stick.
Am I the only one that thinks that sounds a little... y'know... *funny*?
Wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more, say no more?
No one else? Ooooookay...
If Apple is worried about shaving fractions of inches off of already slim ports, why wouldn't they want to eliminate all the extra space used on two layers of chasis, not to mention keyboard thickness? They could easily make a light-powered, light-weight, ultra-thin, multi-touch tablet on a 9-11" screen for a reasonable price.
If you need to plug it in, flip down the port interface and voila, ports that are wider than the unit... or whatever it may be.
Okay, so it might not be a tablet, but I'm confident it'll be under 13". If Apple is going to play the "ultra-portable" game, they're going to play it right. They're not just going to ship a laptop that just barely makes it under the specifications of "ultra-portable." They are going to shock and awe and put all other so-called "ultra-portables" to shame.
-Clive
'Collapsible connection receptacle'??
Am I the only one that thinks that sounds a little... y'know... *funny*?
Wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more, say no more?
No one else? Ooooookay...
Your wife, does she like... 'photography'?
moving on:
13"=portable
10-ish"=ultra-portable.
Thin is nice, but it needs to have a small base too.
Dreams are good.
am i the only one who doesn't understand how this works?
i'll give it a second read...
It seems like what Apple is talking about is like a popup flap that will complete the port if the port is needed. At other times it can be folded against the surface so it does not take up space.
Personally, I think this is a fantastic idea. The one problem is that it will look weird with that one part sticking above the rest of the laptop. Apple solves this by putting the ports on the back of the laptop. Which brings in the other issue, that I find ports on the side far more convenient than in the back. Apple's beautiful port layouts is one of the major things that makes me pick my ibook everytime I leave home rather than my Toshiba (Obviously OSX is THE major reason. Unfortunately, it not being windows is also what has forced me to acquire the PC.).
A 13" display with flash, no optical drive and awkward port setup would be a very stupid design when Sony make UMPC devices at 10" with an optical drive and standard ports including ethernet and hard drives.
Is that device as thin and light as Apple's? Call it stupid after you know that
And size is not the only benefit of flash storage.
I know that Cardbus and earlier cards were available with little pop-out connectors which you could connect a phone or network plug through the little pop-out "hoop". I really don't see how it would be a benefit for something like Firewire 6 or 9 pin connectors.
edit: I see now, the images didn't show up before.