Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Input/output data processing – Peripheral configuration
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-20
2001-02-20
Lee, Thomas C. (Department: 2782)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Input/output data processing
Peripheral configuration
C710S008000, C710S062000, C710S063000, C710S104000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06192420
ABSTRACT:
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an integrated circuit for the controller of a Universal Serial Bus.
2. Background and Prior Art of the Invention
The rapid development of personal computers capable of a wide range of applications , ranging from multi-media technology and network connections, to ISDN, has resulted in difficulties for ordinary users in the setup of hardware interfaces and software programs. The difficulties are due to the incompatibility of hardware interfaces for each mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer, sound card, ISDN, etc.
In view of the above problem, well-known manufacturers including Microsoft, Intel, IBM, DEC, Compaq, NEC, Nortel, and other international companies, have jointly set up an open type framework organization to establish the standards for the USB, with the issue of edition 1.0 of its specifications in January 1996. These specifications are applicable to personal computers with a PC framework. Microsoft has adhered to the USB as the standard for performance in the new edition of their Windows operation system, Windows 98. In addition, major manufacturers of the mother board have included USB interfaces in their products.
In response to the above specifications, manufacturers of the known art have provided their products with various types of USB controllers, such as the USB keyboard controller, USB mouse controller, USB hub controller, etc.
The present invention provides a readable VID/PID technique that can be applied to various types of products which satisfy USB specifications.
According to USB specifications, in order for the peripheral output/input equipment of a PC system to be provided a function of plug and play as the goal, each function should be provided with VID/PID for identification by the PC. Since VID from different manufacturers of USB products are not identical (for example, company A and company B produce compatible USB keyboards which in different VID), even the same series of products by the same brand may have different PID (such as in USB keyboards, where the scanning method and language may differ and lead to different PID). The design used in this invention allows for the initial assembling of 2
N
types (N≧1) of VID/PID, and then uses VIDS pins in conjunction with a software program and interface control to select the setting/reading of the VID/PID. The features of this design are not defined in edition 1.0 of the USB specifications. The addition of the function will make the design more versatile in meeting the demands of manufacturers who use the USB controller when producing computer peripheral equipment which have USB functions (for example, in the production of a USB keyboard, USB mouse, and USB hub controller). In order to meet the needs of general USB controllers, the present invention requires all USB product designs and manufacturers to provide only one kind of product for every usage. This will significantly lower inventory risks and production costs.
Currently, manufactures of USB controllers utilize three types of VID/PID designs. The present invention has an innovative design with low cost and superb function as its defining features. The advantages and differences of this invention over known art (for example, those using USB keyboard controllers) are shown in Table 1.
TABLE 1
Design Mode and Cost Analysis of VID/PID
Ability to
differentiate
Pro-
Basic
VID/PID for
duct
USB
advanced/
de-
func-
intelligent USB
sign
tion
functions
Cost
Description
1
This
Yes
Yes
Low
The USB keyboard control-
Inven-
ler includes not only all
tion
USB functions but also a
storage ability of 2
N
types
for various VID/PIDs. It
significantly lowers pro-
duction costs and inventory
risks.
2
One
Yes
Yes
High
The USB keyboard control-
from
ler includes only USB fun-
known
ctions. A serial EEPROM is
art
required for different VID/
PIDs. Currently, the cost of
serial EEPROM is 30~50%
of a USB keyboard control-
ler.
3
Anoth-
Yes
No
Mid-
The USB keyboard control-
er
dle
ler includes only one set of
known
VID/PID. The contents
art
must be fixed before semi-
conductor production, leav-
ing no flexibility for
changes in manufacturing
keyboards. Furthermore, it
cannot provide appropriate
USB keyboard controllers
on keyboard production
change.
It is apparent that the series of USB controllers designed by the present inventor have a unique design and superb functional capacities, in addition to having low cost and being the most competent in performance.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4773005 (1988-09-01), Sullivan
patent: 5317693 (1994-05-01), Cuenod et al.
patent: 5404460 (1995-04-01), Thomsen et al.
patent: 5774114 (1998-06-01), Suzuki
patent: 5860028 (1999-01-01), Pecore
patent: 5905370 (1999-05-01), Bryson
patent: 5987548 (1999-11-01), Dixon
patent: 5991546 (1999-11-01), Chan et al.
patent: 6012103 (2000-01-01), Sartore et al.
Gee Joseph
Liao Chen-Yuan
Tsai Chuan-Ching
Wu Chun-Min
Christensen O'Connor Johnson & Kindness PLLC
Lee Thomas C.
Peyton Tammara
Weltrend Semiconductor Inc.
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