# US 8,570,762 B2 · Variably configurable computer buses > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,570,762 B2 - Document ID: US8570762B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/124,097 - Filed: 2008-10-31 - Published: 2011-08-25 - Granted: 2013-10-29 - Earliest claimed: 2008-10-31 - Assignees: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Applicants: Paul Kessler Rosenberg; Michael Renne Ty Tan; Sagi Varghese Mathai - Inventors: Paul Kessler Rosenberg; Michael Renne Ty Tan; Sagi Varghese Mathai - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8570762B2 ## CPC - G02B 6/43: Arrangements comprising a plurality of opto-electronic elements and associated optical interconnections - G06F 1/183: Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for supporting printed circuit boards - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to computer buses that can be used to distribute data between components of various computer systems. In one aspect, a computer bus includes multiple opto-electronic engines disposed within a housing and multiple flexible connectors. Each flexible connector extends through an opening in the housing and is coupled at a first end to an opto-electronic engine and at a second to an electronic device. The flexible connectors enable the bus to be placed in different orientations and positions in order to optimize space and connectivity requirements or limitations. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A computer bus comprising: multiple opto-electronic engines disposed within a housing, each opto-electronic engine being coupled to at least one other opto-electronic engine within the housing; and multiple flexible connectors, each flexible connector extending through an opening in the housing and coupled at a first end to an opto-electronic engine within the housing and at a second end to an electronic device outside the housing, wherein the flexible connectors enable the bus to be oriented in different positions in order to optimize space and connectivity requirements or limitations. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The bus of claim 1 wherein each flexible connector further comprise a set of input signal lines dedicated to carrying electrical signals from the electronic device to a coupled opto-electronic engine and a set of output signal lines dedicated to sending electrical signals from the coupled opto-electronic engine to the electronic device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The bus of claim 1 further comprising multiple pads, wherein each pad is coupled to the second end of a flexible connector and coupled to the electronic device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The bus of claim 1 wherein the multiple opto-electronic engines are coupled within the housing via at least one of: optical fibers; waveguides; hollow metal waveguides; or free space. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The bus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the multiple opto-electronic engines is to receive electrical signals from a flexible connector, convert the electrical signals into optical signals, and broadcast the optical signals to the other opto-electronic engines. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The bus of claim 1 wherein each of the multiple opto-electronic engines is to receive optical signals and convert the optical signals in to electrical signals that are sent to the electronic device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The bus of claim 1 wherein the electronic device further comprises one of: a printed circuit board; and a server blade. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The bus of claim 1 wherein the housing includes multiple openings, each opening aligned with one of the opto-electronic engines such that each of the multiple opto-electronic engines can be coupled through an opening directly to an electronic device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The bus of claim 1 wherein the multiple flexible connectors further comprises at least one of: flex circuits; formed leads; elastomeric connectors; or pliable ribbon cables. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The bus of claim 1 wherein the flexible connectors enable the bus to be oriented in different positions further comprises orienting and positioning the bus between components extending above an electronic device surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The bus of claim 1 wherein the flexible connectors enable the bus to be oriented in different positions further comprises orienting and suspending the bus above components coupled to the electronic device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The bus of claim 1 wherein the flexible connectors enable the bus to be oriented in different positions further comprises orienting and suspending the bus above multiple pads, wherein each pads couples a flexible connector to a surface of the electronic device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The bus of claim 1 wherein the flexible connectors enable the bus to be oriented in different positions further comprises orienting and placing the bus on a surface of the electronic device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The bus of claim 1 wherein the flexible connectors enable the bus to be oriented in different positions further comprises coupling to the bus to a surface opposite the surface to which components of the electronic device are coupled. ### Claim 15 An apparatus, comprising: a housing having two or more openings; two or more opto-electronic engines disposed within the housing, each opto-electronic engine being coupled to at least one other opto-electronic engine within the housing; at least one electronic device disposed outside the housing; and two or more flexible connectors, each connector having a first end coupled to one of the two or more opto-electronic engines and a second end coupled to one of the at least one electronic device, wherein each flexible connector extends through one of the two or more openings.