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Method for transferring data between devices by generating a strobe pulse and clamping a clock line

  • US 5,898,890 A
  • Filed: 08/07/1997
  • Issued: 04/27/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/27/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of transferring data between a first device and a second device intercoupled by a data line and a clock line, the method comprising the steps of:

  • A. controlling the first device to generate a clock signal on the clock line, the clock signal oscillating between an active state and an inactive state;

    B. controlling the first device in response to the clock signal generated in step A to sequentially generate a plurality of data bits on the data line, each of the data bits comprising a data signal which has at least two logic levels and changes between the logic levels only when the clock signal is in the inactive state;

    C. controlling the first device to generate a strobe pulse signal on the data line after the plurality of data bits have been generated, the strobe pulse signal changing from a first logic value to a second logic value and back to the first logic value while the clock signal is maintained constant in the active state;

    D. receiving the plurality of data bits, the clock signal and the strobe signal in the second device;

    E. controlling the second device to perform an operation upon the plurality of data bits in response to the reception of the strobe signal in step D;

    F. controlling the second device to clamp the clock line to a predetermined logic value during step E; and

    G. controlling the first device to monitor the clock line, the first device refraining from generating data bits on the data line while the clock line is clamped to the predetermined logic value.

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