IIIH
US006963936B2
(12) United States Patent (io) Patent No.: US 6,963,936 B2
Billington et al. (45) Date of Patent: Nov. 8,2005
(54) NETWORK-ATTACHED PERIPHERAL APPLIANCE
(75) Inventors: Corey Billington, San Jose, CA (US);
Chris Bradley, Redwood City, CA
(US)
(73) Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development
Company, L.P., Houston, TX (US)
( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ol this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
(21) Appl. No.: 10/633,467
(22) Filed: Jul. 31, 2003
(65) Prior Publication Data
US 2004/0024933 Al Feb. 5, 2004
Related U.S. Application Data
(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/907,212, filed on Jul. 16, 2001.
(51) Int. CI. G06F 3 00
(52) U.S. CI 710/62; 347/198; 358/474;
358/498; 399/80; 399/81; 399/411
(58) Field of Search 710/62; 347/198;
358/498, 474; 399/80, 81, 411
(56) References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
3/1992 Lee et al.
* cited by examiner
Primary Examiner—A. Elamin
(57) ABSTRACT
A network-attached peripheral appliance (NAPA), including a powered peripheral node (PPN), enabling connection of peripheral devices to a network without a computer at the node. The PPN further comprises a data connection enabling data communication between the appliance and a network, and is configured to accommodate data connection of a plurality of peripheral devices at the appliance, and a power supply configured to provide power to said plurality of peripheral devices. The appliance can include a case which can carry two or more peripheral devices, which are shareable between clients on the network via the NAPA.
31 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
