UNPOWERED DATA-TRANSFER DEVICE

• US 20150026370A1
• Filed: 07/16/2013
• Published: 01/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Marsh, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 9,086,985 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/63
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/06722 Spring-loaded
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/102 where the programme performs an interfacing function, e.g. device driver G06F13/105 takes precedence; scheduling within device drivers G06F9/52; contention policies within device drivers G06F9/4881

Abstract

Apparatus and associated methods relate to an unpowered data-transfer device having a processor, non-volatile memory, and two connection ports, from which operating current for the unpowered data-transfer device is drawn when connected to a powered system via one of the connection ports. In various embodiments, the apparatus may transfer program data or configuration data from a host processor system to one of a plurality of target data-transferable systems. Some embodiments may transfer stored data from one or more target data-transferable systems to a host processor system. Some exemplary unpowered data-transfer devices may include a power arbiter coupled to both a host port and a target port, the power arbiter determining from which port operating current may be drawn. In various embodiments, an unpowered data-transfer device may facilitate firmware upgrades or system settings changes to autonomous programmable systems by touching target port contacts to a port on a data-transferable system.

Claims

1. An unpowered data-transfer device, comprising:

a housing, having a host aperture, a target aperture distinct from the host aperture, and a grip portion;

a processor within the housing;

a plurality of non-volatile program-memory locations within the housing and coupled to the processor;

a plurality of non-volatile data-memory locations within the housing and coupled to the processor;

a USB host port extended from the host aperture and configured to couple to a host processor system, wherein the unpowered data-transfer device is in a host mode when coupled to the host processor system; and

,

a JTAG (Joint Test Action Group) target port extended from the target aperture and configured to couple to one of a plurality of target valve controllers each having a serial number, wherein the unpowered data-transfer device is in a target mode when coupled to a target valve controller,

wherein the unpowered data-transfer device draws operating current from the USB host port when in the host mode and draws operating current from the JTAG target port when in the target mode,

wherein the plurality of non-volatile program-memory locations contains instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising;

(a) receiving, when in the host mode, target criteria from the host processor system;

(b) storing, when in the host mode, the target criteria in a subset of the plurality of non-volatile data-memory locations;

(c) receiving, when in the target mode, the target serial number from the target valve controller coupled to the JTAG target port;

(d) retrieving, when in the target mode, target criteria from the plurality of non-volatile data-memory locations; and

,

(e) comparing, when in the target mode, the received target serial number with the retrieved target criteria to determine a target match;

wherein the plurality of non-volatile program-memory locations contain instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising;

(f) receiving, when in the host mode, firmware data or valve-controller settings associated with the target criteria from the host processor system;

(g) storing, when in the host mode, the firmware data or valve-controller settings associated with the target criteria in a subset of the plurality of non-volatile data-memory locations;

(h) selecting, when in the target mode, the firmware data or valve-controller setting associated with the matched target; and

,

(i) transmitting, when in the target mode, the selected firmware data or valve-controller settings to the target valve controller coupled to the JTAG target port.

3. The unpowered data-transfer device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of non-volatile program-memory locations contain instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

(a) receiving, when in the target mode, target data from the target valve controller coupled to the JTAG target port;

(b) receiving, when in the target mode, the target serial number associated with the target valve controller coupled to the JTAG target port;

(c) storing, when in the target mode, the target data and the associated target serial number in a subset of the plurality of non-volatile data-memory locations;

(d) retrieving, when in the host mode, target data and the associated target serial number from the plurality of non-volatile data-memory locations; and

,

(e) transmitting, when in the host mode, the target data and the associated target serial number to the host processor system.

4. The unpowered data-transfer device of claim 1, wherein the JTAG target port further comprises a plurality of spring-loaded electrically-conductive pins.

5. The unpowered data-transfer device of claim 1, further comprising an LED indicator responsive to a successful data-transfer operation.

6. The unpowered data-transfer device of claim 1, further comprising an audible signal generator responsive to a successful data-transfer operation.

7. The unpowered data-transfer device of claim 1, wherein the unpowered data-transfer device is in a host-target mode when coupled to both a host processor system and a target valve controller.

8. The unpowered data-transfer device of claim 1, wherein the JTAG target port is further configured such that when unpowered data-transfer device is coupled to a target valve controller, a frame of the target port aligns to a frame of the target valve controller, the alignment of the frames to cause registration of the pins of the JTAG target port with corresponding contacts of the target valve controller.

9. The unpowered data-transfer device of claim 1, further comprising a power arbiter coupled to both the USB host port and the JTAG target port, the power arbiter drawing operating current from the USB host port when in the host mode and drawing operating current from the JTAG target port when in the target mode, the power arbiter setting a flag indicative of the host mode when drawing operating current from the USB host port, the power arbiter setting a target flag when drawing operating current from the JTAG target port.

10. The unpowered data-transfer device of claim 9, wherein the plurality of non-volatile program-memory locations contain instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

(a) retrieving the target flag and host flag from the power arbiter;

(b) executing instructions associated with host mode if the host flag is set; and

,

(c) executing instructions associated with target mode if the target flag is set.

2. (canceled)

11. An unpowered data-transfer device, comprising:

a processor;

a plurality of non-volatile program-memory locations coupled to the processor;

a plurality of non-volatile data-memory locations coupled to the processor;

a host port configured to couple to a host processor system, wherein the unpowered data-transfer device is in a host mode when coupled to the host processor system; and

,

a JTAG (Joint Test Action Group) target port distinct from the host port, the JTAG target port configured to couple to one of a plurality of data-transferable systems each having identifying information, wherein the unpowered data-transfer device is in a target mode when coupled to a data-transferable system,

wherein the unpowered data-transfer device draws operating current from the host port when in the host mode and draws operating current from the JTAG target port when in the target mode;

wherein the JTAG target port further comprises a plurality of spring-loaded electrically-conductive pins.

12. The unpowered data-transfer device of claim 11, wherein the plurality of non-volatile program-memory locations contain instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

(a) receiving, when in the host mode, program data or settings data from the host processor system;

(b) receiving, when in the host mode, target criteria associated with the program data or settings data from the host processor system;

(c) storing, when in the host mode, the program data or settings data and the associated target criteria in a subset of the plurality of non-volatile data-memory locations;

(d) receiving, when in the target mode, the target identifying information from the data-transferable system coupled to the JTAG target port;

(e) retrieving, when in the target mode, target criteria from the plurality of non-volatile data-memory locations;

(f) comparing, when in the target mode, the received target identifying information with the retrieved target criteria to determine a target match.

(g) selecting, when in the target mode, the program data or settings data associated with the matched target; and

,

(h) transmitting, when in the target mode, the selected program data or settings data to the data-transferable system coupled to the JTAG target port.

13. The unpowered data-transfer device of claim 11, wherein the plurality of non-volatile program-memory locations contain instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

(a) receiving, when in the target mode, target data from the data-transferable system coupled to the JTAG target port;

(b) receiving, when in the target mode, the target identifying information associated with the data-transferable system coupled to the JTAG target port;

(c) storing, when in the target mode, the target data and the associated target identifying information in a subset of the plurality of non-volatile data-memory locations;

(d) retrieving, when in the host mode, target data and the associated target identifying information from the plurality of non-volatile data-memory locations; and

,

(e) transmitting, when in the host mode, the target data and the associated target identifying information to the host processor system.

14. The unpowered data-transfer device of claim 11, further comprising a power arbiter coupled to both the host port and the JTAG target port, the power arbiter drawing operating current from the host port when in the host mode and drawing operating current from the JTAG target port when in the target mode, the power arbiter setting a flag indicative of the host mode when drawing operating current from the host port, the power arbiter setting a target flag when drawing operating current from the JTAG target port.

15. The unpowered data-transfer device of claim 14, wherein the plurality of non-volatile program-memory locations contain instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

(a) retrieving the target flag and host flag from the power arbiter;

(b) executing instructions associated with host mode if the host flag is set; and

,

(c) executing instructions associated with target mode if the target flag is set.

16. An unpowered data-transfer device, comprising:

a processor;

a plurality of non-volatile program-memory locations coupled to the processor;

a plurality of non-volatile data-memory locations coupled to the processor;

a host port configured to couple to a host processor system, wherein the unpowered data-transfer device is in a host mode when coupled to the host processor system;

a JTAG (Joint Test Action Group) target port configured to couple to one of a plurality of data-transferable systems each having identifying information, wherein the unpowered data-transfer device is in a target mode when coupled to a data-transferable system; and

,

means for drawing operating current from either the JTAG target port or the host port;

wherein the JTAG target port further comprises a plurality of spring-loaded electrically-conductive pins.

17. The unpowered data-transfer device of claim 16, wherein the plurality of non-volatile program-memory locations contain instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

(a) receiving, when in the host mode, program data or settings data from the host processor system;

(b) receiving, when in the host mode, target criteria associated with the program data or settings data from the host processor system;

(c) storing, when in the host mode, the program data or settings data and the associated target criteria in a subset of the plurality of non-volatile data-memory locations;

(d) receiving, when in the target mode, the target identifying information from the data-transferable system coupled to the JTAG target port;

(e) retrieving, when in the target mode, target criteria from the plurality of non-volatile data-memory locations;

(f) comparing, when in the target mode, the received target identifying information with the retrieved target criteria to determine a target match.

(g) selecting, when in the target mode, the program data or settings data associated with the matched target; and

,

(h) transmitting, when in the target mode, the selected program data or settings data to the data-transferable system coupled to the JTAG target port.

18. The unpowered data-transfer device of claim 16, wherein the plurality of non-volatile program-memory locations contain instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

(a) receiving, when in the target mode, target data from the data-transferable system coupled to the JTAG target port;

(b) receiving, when in the target mode, the target identifying information associated with the data-transferable system coupled to the JTAG target port;

(c) storing, when in the target mode, the target data and the associated target identifying information in a subset of the plurality of non-volatile data-memory locations;

(d) retrieving, when in the host mode, target data and the associated target identifying information from the plurality of non-volatile data-memory locations; and

,

(e) transmitting, when in the host mode, the target data and the associated target identifying information to the host processor system.

19. The unpowered data-transfer device of claim 16, further comprising a power arbiter coupled to both the host port and the JTAG target port, the power arbiter drawing operating current from the host port when in the host mode and drawing operating current from the JTAG target port when in the target mode, the power arbiter setting a flag indicative of the host mode when drawing operating current from the host port, the power arbiter setting a target flag when drawing operating current from the JTAG target port.

20. The unpowered data-transfer device of claim 19, wherein the plurality of non-volatile program-memory locations contain instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

(a) retrieving the target flag and host flag from the power arbiter;

(b) executing instructions associated with host mode if the host flag is set; and

,

(f) (c) executing instructions associated with target mode if the target flag is set.