PROVIDING SIGNALS TO ELECTRONIC CONNECTORS

• US 20110167179A1
• Filed: 01/05/2010
• Published: 07/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Feyk, Craig Thomas, Putnam, Eric Jason
• Granted Patent: US 8,799,540 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/62
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/12 Arrangements for remote connection or disconnection of substations or of equipment thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/50 in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate

Abstract

A connector can be activated or deactivated by providing power and data signals to the connector at different times. In some embodiments, the power signals are provided to a connector, and then the data signals are provided to the connector after a delay. Providing power and data signals at different times can, in at least some cases, better mimic the timing of signals provided by a connector as the connector is attached to an electronic device. This can aid automated testing of the electronic device. It can also be used to control access of the device through the connector.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing a first set of one or more signals to a first data connector, the first set of one or more signals simulating one or more data connector power signals being transmitted from a second data connector to the first data connector; and

providing, after a delay following the providing of the first set of one or more signals, a second set of one or more signals to the first data connector, the second set of one or more signals simulating one or more data connector data signals being transmitted from the second data connector to the first data connector.

2. The method of claim 1, the delay having a fixed length.

3. The method of claim 1, the delay having a length based at least in part on a user input.

4. The method of claim 1, the first data connector being coupled to a hardware device undergoing a test.

5. The method of claim 1, the first and second sets of one or more signals being provided based at least in part on a security command.

6. One or more computer-readable storage media having encoded thereon instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of claim 1.

7. An apparatus comprising:

a first circuit, the first circuit being configurable to provide power to a device connector responsive to an input signal; and

a second circuit, the second circuit being configurable to provide one or more data signals to the device connector responsive to a delayed version of the input signal.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, the device connector comprising a USB connector.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, the device connector comprising an Ethernet connector.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, the first circuit comprising a latching relay.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, the second circuit comprising a solid state switch.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, the device connector being a first device connector, and the input signal and the delayed version of the input signal being configured to mimic the insertion of a second device connector into the first device connector.

13. The apparatus of claim 7, a delay between the input signal and the delayed version of the input signal being adjustable.

14. The apparatus of claim 7, the device connector being coupled to one or more battery-powered devices.

15. The apparatus of claim 7, the device connector being coupled to one or more storage devices.

16. A system comprising:

a control unit configured to provide, responsive to an input signal, power to a device connector and one or more data signals to the device connector, the one or more data signals following the power by a delay.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a control computer coupled to the control unit, the control computer configured to transmit the input signal to the control unit.

18. The system of claim 16, further comprising an electronic device, the electronic device being coupled to the device connector.

19. The system of claim 16, the input signal having being sent in response to one or more security determinations.

20. The system of claim 16, further comprising a client computer coupled to the control unit, the control unit being configured to control access of the client computer to data received through the device connector.