Serial I/O device identifies itself to a computer through a serial interface during power on reset then it is being configured by the computer
First Claim
1. In a system comprising a computer and an I/O device connected to the computer through a serial interface by a serial cable no more than a few feet in length, a method of identifying the I/O device, comprising the steps of:
- in response to at least one of a power-up reset signal and a control signal from the computer, sending from the I/O device to the computer a beacon signal comprising a sequence of bytes identifying the I/O device; and
in response to the beacon signal, determining within the computer a manner of interaction of the computer with the I/O device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self-configuring startup procedure for communications devices, including telecommunications adapters, provides unambiguous identification of the telecommunications adapter, or other communications device, connected to a serial port. The procedure does not interfere with the operation of other existing I/O devices that might be connected to the serial port, such as network, MIDI, or other serial I/O devices. The I/O device is connected to a computer through a serial interface and a serial link. When the I/O device exits a reset state, the I/O device sends across the serial link to the computer a "beacon" signal identifying the I/O device. In particular, during the beacon phase, the I/O device communicates identification and configuration parameters. Preferably, the beacon phase may be instigated by the computer using the same serial-link communications channel.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. In a system comprising a computer and an I/O device connected to the computer through a serial interface by a serial cable no more than a few feet in length, a method of identifying the I/O device, comprising the steps of:
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in response to at least one of a power-up reset signal and a control signal from the computer, sending from the I/O device to the computer a beacon signal comprising a sequence of bytes identifying the I/O device; and in response to the beacon signal, determining within the computer a manner of interaction of the computer with the I/O device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification