Communication interface for an electronic organizer and a personal computer

• US 6,178,458 B1
• Filed: 11/07/1997
• Issued: 01/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TenEx Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: TenEx Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Wang, Jack Y. Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rinehart, Mark H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLETT, STEPHAN F
• Application Number:
  US08/966,391
• Time in Patent Office: 1,173 Days
• Field of Search: 709/232, 709/239
• US Class Current: 709/232
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/16 Sound input; Sound output speech processing G10L

Abstract

Communication between a personal computer and an electronic organizer is conducted through the audio input port and the audio output port of the personal computer. The communication interface device of this invention comprises: an output line to be connected with an electronic organizer and the audio input port of the personal computer; an input line to be connected with an electronic organizer and the audio output port of the personal computer; a voltage regulator to regulate voltages of said output line and said input line; and a voltage detector to detect voltage of the audio output port of the personal computer and the input port of the personal computer. The interface device generates control signals to the personal computer and the electronic organizer to enable the communication therebetween when both are ready to communicate.

Claims

1. A non-modulating type communication interface device between an electronic organizer and a personal computer, said personal computer being provided with an audio input port and an audio output port, said communication interface device for enabling communication between said electronic organizer and said audio input port and said audio outport port of said personal computer, without employing a mouse port or a game port of said personal computer, said communication interface device comprising:

an output line with one end for connection with a data output port of said electronic organizer and another end for connection with said audio input port of said personal computer;

an input line with one end for connection with a data input port of said electronic organizer and another end for connection with said audio output port of said personal computer;

a voltage regulating means for regulating unmodulated voltages of said output line and said input line so that said unmodulated voltages are detectable by said electronic organizer and said personal computer.

2. The communication interface device according to claim 1 further comprising a communication control means wherein said communication control means comprises:

a voltage detection and generation means for detecting a voltage for each of said audio output port and said audio input port of said personal computer and for generating a first unmodulated control signal to said personal computer, when the voltage of said audio input port of said personal computer reaches a voltage level V₂ within a predetermined time period counting from when the voltage of said audio output port of said personal computer reaches a voltage level V₁; and

a communication initialization means for generating and providing a second unmodulated control signal to said electronic organizer after receiving a response signal generated by said personal computer in response to said first unmodulated control signal.

3. A non-modulating type communication interface device for unmodulated communication between an electronic organizer and a sound card of a personal computer without employing a mouse port or a game port of said personal computer, comprising:

said sound card including a microphone input port and a speaker output port;

an output line having one end for connection with a data output port of said electronic organizer and another end for connection with said microphone input of said sound card;

an input line having one end for connection with a data input port of said electronic organizer and another end for connection with said speaker output port of said sound card; and

means for enabling unmodulated communication voltages between said electronic organizer and said sound card.

4. The communication interface device according to claim 3, wherein:

said means for enabling includes a voltage regulator.

5. The communication interface device according to claim 4, wherein:

said means for enabling includes a Schmidt trigger on said input line.

6. The communication interface device according to claim 3, further comprising:

a current limiting resistor connected in series with said input line.

7. The communication interface device according to claim 3, wherein:

said means for enabling includes a voltage detector for detecting voltages on said output line and said input line.