CONNECTING MULTIPLE ACCESSORIES TO A PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICE

摘要

A portable computing device (PCD) can be connected to multiple accessories concurrently in a daisy chain topology, with the PCD at a front end of the chain. At least one intermediary accessory (or relay) provides one port for connection to the PCD and another port for connection to another accessory, which can also be a relay. Each connected accessory can interact with the PCD to invoke functionality, receive or deliver content, etc. Concurrently, each relay accessory can also act as a relay for other accessories in the chain, directing signals from a downstream accessory toward the PCD and directing signals received from upstream toward a downstream accessory, thereby allowing downstream accessories to interact with the PCD. The presence of upstream intermediaries can be transparent to a downstream accessory.