Port-sharing subsystems for computing devices

1. A computing device, comprising:

a housing defining an exterior of the computing device;

a controller supported within the housing;

a first communication port disposed on the exterior;

a second communication port disposed on the exterior;

a port-sharing subsystem supported within the housing, having (i) a first state to connect the controller with the first communication port, exclusive of the second communication port, and (ii) a second state to connect the controller with the first communication port and the second communication port, wherein the port-sharing subsystem enables:

(i) in the first state, either of an enhanced operational mode and a restricted operational mode for the connection, and

(ii) in the second state, the restricted operational mode for the connection, exclusive of the enhanced operational mode;

the controller configured to:

detect engagement of an external device with the first communication port;

obtain connection parameters from the external device;

based on the connection parameters, set the port-sharing subsystem in either the first state or the second state; and

establish a connection to the external device via the port-sharing subsystem and the first communication port.

2. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the controller includes a universal serial bus (USB) controller, and wherein the first and second communication ports are USB ports.

3. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the port-sharing subsystem includes a hub and at least one switch.

4. The computing device of claim 3 , wherein the port-sharing subsystem includes:

a first switch; and

a second switch;

wherein the first switch is controllable to connect the controller to either (i) the hub, or (ii) the second switch; and

wherein the second switch is controllable to connect the first communication port to either (i) the hub, or (ii) the first switch.

5. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:

prior to setting the port-sharing subsystem, determine that the second communication port is inactive.

6. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured, in order to set the port-sharing subsystem, to:

determine whether the connection parameters are compatible with the restricted operational mode; and

when the connection parameters are compatible with the restricted operational mode, set the port-sharing subsystem to the second state.

7. The computing device of claim 6 , wherein the controller is further configured, when the connection parameters are not compatible with the restricted operational mode, to set the port-sharing subsystem to the first state.

8. The computing device of claim 6 , wherein the controller is further configured, when the connection parameters are not compatible with the restricted operational mode, to:

obtain modified connection parameters that are compatible with the restricted operational mode;

set the port-sharing subsystem to the second state; and

establish the connection according to the modified connection parameters.

9. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the enhanced operational state permits upstream-facing connections and downstream-facing connections; and

wherein the restricted operational state permits downstream-facing connections, exclusive of upstream-facing connections.

10. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the enhanced operational state permits a first connection speed and a second connection speed smaller than the first connection speed; and

wherein the restricted operational state permits the second connection speed, exclusive of the first connection speed.

11. A method, comprising:

detecting engagement of an external device with a first communication port disposed on an exterior of a computing device;

obtaining connection parameters from the external device;

based on the connection parameters, setting a port-sharing subsystem in either (i) a first state to connect the controller with the first communication port, exclusive of a second communication port disposed on the exterior, or (ii) a second state to connect the controller with the first communication port and the second communication port, wherein the port-sharing subsystem enables:

(i) in the first state, either of an enhanced operational mode and a restricted operational mode for the connection, and

(ii) in the second state, the restricted operational mode for the connection, exclusive of the enhanced operational mode; and

establishing a connection to the external device via the port-sharing subsystem and the first communication port.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first and second communication ports are USB ports.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the port-sharing subsystem includes a hub and at least one switch.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the port-sharing subsystem includes:

a first switch; and

a second switch;

wherein the first switch is controllable to connect the controller to either (i) the hub, or (ii) the second switch; and

wherein the second switch is controllable to connect the first communication port to either (i) the hub, or (ii) the first switch.

15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

prior to setting the port-sharing subsystem, determining that the second communication port is inactive.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein setting the port-sharing subsystem comprises:

determining whether the connection parameters are compatible with the restricted operational mode; and

when the connection parameters are compatible with the restricted operational mode, setting the port-sharing subsystem to the second state.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising, when the connection parameters are not compatible with the restricted operational mode, setting the port-sharing subsystem to the first state.

18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising, when the connection parameters are not compatible with the restricted operational mode:

obtaining modified connection parameters that are compatible with the restricted operational mode;

setting the port-sharing subsystem to the second state; and

establishing the connection according to the modified connection parameters.

19. The method of claim 11 , wherein the enhanced operational state permits upstream-facing connections and downstream-facing connections; and

wherein the restricted operational state permits downstream-facing connections, exclusive of upstream-facing connections.

20. The method of claim 11 , wherein the enhanced operational state permits a first connection speed and a second connection speed smaller than the first connection speed; and

wherein the restricted operational state permits the second connection speed, exclusive of the first connection speed.