Patent ID: 8578072
Filing Date: 2013-11-05
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: a frame; an external peripheral interface upstream port coupled to the frame, the external peripheral interface upstream port configured to couple the apparatus to a host external peripheral interface port, the host external peripheral interface port being configured to couple a host device to a peripheral device external to the host device; a plurality of external peripheral interface downstream ports coupled to the frame, each of the external peripheral interface downstream ports being configured to couple the apparatus to an external peripheral interface thumb device, the external peripheral interface thumb device being configured to be coupled to a printing apparatus; a cover configured to cover external peripheral interface thumb devices coupled to the plurality of external peripheral interface downstream ports; and a locking device that locks the cover to the frame, the locking device being one of an integrated security lock, an a fingerprint reader lock, a retinal scanner lock or a voice identification lock, wherein the external peripheral interface thumb devices comprise at least one dongle configured to enable capabilities of the printing apparatus.