Apparatus and method for providing multiple protocols through a common connector in a device

• US 6,334,160 B1
• Filed: 01/28/1999
• Issued: 12/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Matthew W. Holtzberg
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Montierth, Mark D., Emmert, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mai, Rijue
• Application Number:
  US09/239,512
• Time in Patent Office: 1,062 Days
• Field of Search: 710/11, 710/8, 710/14, 710/15, 710/104, 710/105, 710/106, 710/1, 710/31
• US Class Current: 710/11
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices

Abstract

There is disclosed a configuration for multiplexing the USB signals onto the IEEE 1284 signals thereby allowing a single connector on the device to support either protocol. Within the device, each protocol block is connected to transceiver to compensate for differences in driver/receiver characteristics for the protocol. The outputs of the transceivers are connected to a signal conditioner to allow proper selection of termination impedance. A controller senses whether a passive adapter is attached to the connector. When the passive adapter is not connected the controller selects the 1284 protocol and its associated transceiver and signal conditioning. If the passive adapter is connected, the controller selects the USB protocol and its associated transceiver and signal conditioning. The passive adapter connects pre-selected pins on the device'"'"'s connector to a USB connector. There is also described an arrangement to allow the passive adapter and device to provide USB hub functions.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing a first protocol and a second protocol in a device, said apparatus comprising:

a connector having a configuration as defined by the first protocol;

a signal conditioner connected to the connector;

a first protocol block connected to the signal conditioner;

a second protocol block connected to the signal conditioner;

a passive adapter having a first connector adapted to mate with the connector and a second connector configured as defined by the second protocol, the first connector routing a protocol signal from the connector back to the connector when the passive adapter is connected to the connector; and

a controller means sensing the absence of the protocol signal, enabling the first protocol block and configuring the signal conditioner for the first protocol, in the alternative, the controller means receiving the protocol signal, enabling the second protocol block and configuring the signal conditioner for the second protocol.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first protocol block further comprising a first transceiver connected to the signal conditioner.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second protocol block further comprising a second transceiver connected to the signal conditioner.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the passive adapter further comprising a third connector having a configuration as defined by the second protocol, the third connector being collocated with the second connector.

5. An apparatus for providing a first interface and a second interface on a device, said apparatus comprising:

a connector having a configuration as defined by the first interface;

a signal conditioner connected to the connector;

a first transceiver connected to the signal conditioner;

a second transceiver connected to the signal conditioner

a first interface protocol block means for communication external to the device using a first protocol, the first interface protocol block being connected to the first transceiver;

a second interface protocol block means for communication external to the device using a second protocol, the second interface protocol block being connected to the second transceiver;

a passive adapter having a first side adapted to mate with the connector and further having a second side having a configuration as defined by the second interface; and

a controller means for sensing the presence of the passive adapter, when the controller means senses the absence of the passive adapter, the controller means enabling the first transceiver and first interface protocol block means and configuring the signal conditioner for the first interface, in the alternative, when the controller means senses the presence of the passive adapter, the controller means enabling the second transceiver and second interface protocol block means and configuring the signal conditioner for the second interface.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the passive adapter is external to the device.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the passive adapter further comprising an indicator means for indicating to the controller means that the passive adapter is connected to the connector.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the passive adapter further comprising a second configuration on the second side, the second configuration having a configuration as defined by the second protocol.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a power signal connected to the connector and routed to the second configuration when the passive adapter is attached to the connector.

10. A method for providing a first protocol and a second protocol through a common connector in a device, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a presence signal at the common connector;

if a passive adapter is connected to the common connector then the passive adapter looping the presence signal back into the common connector as the protocol signal;

if the protocol signal is present at the common connector then enabling a first protocol block and conditioning signals from the first protocol block to conform to the first protocol; and

in the absence of the protocol signal, enabling a second protocol block and conditioning signals from the second protocol block to conform to the second protocol.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of:

if the protocol signal is present then enabling a third transceiver; and

providing power to the common connector.