Method and apparatus for a two-wire serial command bus interface

• US 20070150629A1
• Filed: 03/01/2007
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Original Assignee: Silicon Image, Inc. (Lattice Semiconductor Corporation)
• Inventors: Lyle, Jim
• Granted Patent: US 7,441,065 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/105
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4045 where the bus bridge performs an extender function
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4291 using a clocked protocol
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/02 for separating internal from external traffic, e.g. firewalls
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/24 Negotiation of communication capabilities

Abstract

A method for bi-directional transmission of data between a source and a sink over a two-wire interface includes re-mapping a data signal and a clock signal from a first local bus on the source into a different protocol signal. Transmitting the different protocol signal from the source to the sink over the two-wire interface. Re-mapping the different protocol signal back into the data signal and the clock signal for use on a second local bus on the sink. Re-mapping the data signal and the clock signal from the second local bus into the different protocol signal; and transmitting the different protocol signal from the sink to the source over the two-wire interface.

Claims

1. A system for bi-directional transmission of data between a source and sink over a two-wire interface comprising:

a first translator responsive to and operative to develop a first local bus signal and responsive to and operative to develop a different protocol signal;

a first buffer responsive to and operative to develop the first local bus signal and responsive to and operative to develop a buffered data signal and a buffered clock signal;

a logic responsive to the first local bus signal and operative to controlling a first switch coupled to the two-wire interface wherein the switch connects to the first translator, the first buffer or a firewall setting;

a second translator responsive to and operative to develop the different protocol signal and responsive to and operative to develop a second local bus signal when the first switch is connected to the first translator and a second switch coupled to the two-wire interface is connected to the second translator;

a second buffer responsive to and operative to develop the buffered data signal and the buffered clock signal and responsive to and operative to develop the second local bus signal when the first switch is connected to the first buffer and the second switch coupled to the two-wire interface is connected to the second buffer.

2. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the different protocol signal is defined in an ethernet protocol.

3. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein different protocol signal is defined in a TCP/IP protocol.

4. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the different protocol signal is defined in an RS-232 protocol.

5. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the different protocol signal is defined in a current loop protocol.

6. A method for buffering data between a source and a sink over a two-wire interface comprising:

buffering on the source a data signal and a clock signal received from a local bus on the source;

transmitting from the source to the sink the data and clock signals over the two-wire interface;

buffering at the sink the data and clock signals;

re-transmitting from the sink the data and clock signals over the two-wire interface to the source as needed; and

logic on the source that performs a firewall function by selectively closing access to the two-wire interface.

7. A system for buffering data between a source and a sink over a two-wire interface comprising:

a first buffer responsive to a first local bus signal and responsive to and operative to develop a buffered data signal and a buffered clock signal;

a logic responsive to the first local bus signal and operative to controlling a first switch coupled to the two-wire interface wherein the switch connects to the first buffer or a firewall setting; and

a second buffer responsive to and operative to develop the buffered data signal and the buffered clock signal and responsive to and operative to develop a second local bus signal when the first switch is connected to the first buffer and a second switch coupled to the two-wire interface is connected to the second buffer.

8. A system for buffering data between a source and a sink over a two-wire interface comprising:

a first buffer responsive to a first local bus signal and operative to develop a buffered data signal and a buffered clock signal;

a logic responsive to the first local bus and operative to controlling a first switch coupled to the two-wire interface wherein the switch connects to the first buffer or a firewall setting; and

the sink coupled to the two-wire interface and responsive to the buffered data signal and the buffered clock signal when the switch is connected to the first buffer.