Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Input/output data processing – Peripheral configuration
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-28
2001-12-25
Lee, Thomas (Department: 2782)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Input/output data processing
Peripheral configuration
C710S031000, C710S105000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06334160
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to data communications and more particularly to multiplexing the USB signals onto the IEEE 1284 signals allowing a single connector on a device to support both communication protocols.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Numerous types of communication links and communication protocols are used to interconnect devices and allow interconnected devices to communicate with one another. This has become true with connections between a computer and its peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, backup tape drives, modems, keyboards, mouse, and others.
First to appear was the RS-232 serial communication. The RS-232 serial communication protocol provided adequate communication speeds for relatively slow devices. However, as some devices, such as printers, gained speed, the RS-232 protocol did not provide a reliable link between the computer and the device. A parallel protocol commonly known as centronics was created. The centronics protocol provided adequate communications from the computer to the device, but communication from the device to the computer was very limited. Eventually, the centronics port could not provide the high-speed communication link required. To allow bidirectional communications and higher speed, the IEEE-1284-1994 (
IEEE Standard Signaling Method for Bidirectional Parallel Peripheral interface for Personal Computers
, herein incorporated by reference) communication protocol was developed. At the first layer, or physical layer, the 1284 protocol uses bi-directional data lines; all lines use controlled impedance to allow for higher speed. The 1284 protocol is backwards compatible with the centronics protocol.
Recently, there has been developed yet another protocol for interfacing peripheral devices to the computer known as the Universal Serial Bus (USB) as described in USB Specification Revision 1.0 herein incorporated by reference. At the first layer, physical layer, the USB uses serial data with controlled impedance to achieve a 12 Megabits per second data channel. The USB is not backward compatible with any of the previously mention protocols.
Many of the peripheral devices that communicate to the computer are increasing in speed and decreasing in cost and size. For example, as printers have progressed from 300 dpi to 600 dpi to 1200 dpi, the amount of data has increased 16 fold. Similarly, these same printers have increased from 4 pages per minute to 24 pages per minute. The price and size has remained relatively constant.
To help increase the likelihood that the peripheral device will operate with the large number and widely varying computers, the peripheral device must support several communication protocols. However, at present, this would require several different connectors; RS-232, centronics/1284, and USB for example. This adds additional cost and uses precious printed circuit assembly (PCA) space. Many printers have already added a network option.
Prior to the present invention, there are two ways to support both the centronics/1284 and USB ports. First, as described above, the peripheral designer can design the product with both connectors. Second, the designer may elect to support one on the peripheral and then provide or sell an external active converter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to accomplish the object of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for providing a first interface and a second interface on a device. The apparatus comprises a connector having a configuration as defined by the first interface. There is also a signal conditioner connected to the connector. A first and second transceivers are connected to the signal conditioner. A first interface protocol block for communication external to the device using a first protocol is connected to the first transceiver A second interface protocol block for communication external to the device using a second protocol is connected to the second transceiver. A passive adapter with a first side adapted to mate with the connector and a second side having a configuration as defined by the second interface.
There is also a controller for sensing the presence of the passive adapter. When the controller senses the absence of the passive adapter, the controller enables the first transceiver and first interface protocol block and configures the signal conditioner for the first interface. In the alternative, when the controller senses the presence of the passive adapter, the controller enables the second transceiver and second interface protocol block and configures the signal conditioner for the second interface.
There is also provided a method for providing a first protocol and a second protocol through a common connector in a device. A protocol selection signal from the common connector is detected. If the protocol signal is present then a first protocol block and a first transceiver are enabled. In the absence of the protocol signal, a second protocol block and a second transceiver are enabled.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5457784 (1995-10-01), Wells et al.
patent: 5535371 (1996-07-01), Stewart et al.
patent: 5654739 (1997-08-01), Sakai et al.
patent: 5671376 (1997-09-01), Bucher et al.
patent: 5781028 (1998-07-01), Decuir
patent: 5784581 (1998-07-01), Hannah
patent: 5799196 (1998-07-01), Flannery
patent: 5903777 (1999-05-01), Brief
patent: 5935224 (1999-08-01), Svancarek et al.
patent: 5964852 (1999-10-01), Overton
patent: 6040792 (2000-03-01), Watson et al.
patent: 6058441 (2000-05-01), Shu
patent: 6098120 (2000-08-01), Yaotani
patent: 6141719 (2000-10-01), Rafferty et al.
patent: 0843263 A1 (1997-11-01), None
patent: 0890905 A2 (1997-12-01), None
patent: 0883083 A1 (1998-06-01), None
patent: 1014055 A2 (1999-12-01), None
patent: 2339043 A (1999-02-01), None
WO 00/14644 A1 Aug. 27, 1999 Ericsson.
WO 95/34065 A2 Jun. 5, 1995 Intel.
WO 95/22862 A1 Feb. 8, 1995 Telebit.
Lucent Technologies; Silicon Suite for Universal Serial Bus Products & Services Overview; May, 1998; pp. 1-13.
Emmert James R.
Montierth Mark D.
Hewlett-Packard Co.
Lee Thomas
Mai Rijue
LandOfFree
Apparatus and method for providing multiple protocols... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus and method for providing multiple protocols..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus and method for providing multiple protocols... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2592475