Universal interface for selectively coupling to a computer port type and method therefor

• US 6,601,124 B1
• Filed: 02/14/2000
• Issued: 07/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Blair, Brian Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Sumati
• Application Number:
  US09/503,315
• Time in Patent Office: 1,261 Days
• Field of Search: 710/62-74, 710/305, 710/316, 710/317
• US Class Current: 710/305
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/38 Information transfer, e.g. on bus G06F13/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4068 Electrical coupling

Abstract

Provided is an universal Interface that is electrically coupled and physically embedded in a peripheral device. The universal Interface allows the peripheral device to be electrically coupled to a host computer having either a universal Serial Bus (USB) port or Legacy RS232 or RS485 ports, thus allowing a single product for different types of serial buses that are presently being sold within the market place.

Claims

1. A universal interface comprising:

a microcontroller;

a detection line coupled to said microcontroller, wherein said detection line is configured to sense a voltage at a port of a host computer coupled to said universal interface;

a crossbar switch coupled to said microcontroller, wherein said crossbar switch is configured to establish a data communication link between said universal interface and a first type port of said host computer, wherein said crossbar switch is enabled to establish said data communication link between said universal interface and said first type port of said host computer upon said detection line sensing a first logic state; and

a transceiver coupled to said microcontroller, wherein said transceiver is configured to establish a data communication link between said universal interface and a second type port of said host computer, wherein said transceiver is enabled to establish said data communication link between said universal interface and said second type port of said host computer upon said detection line sensing a second logic state.

2. The universal interface as recited in claim 1, wherein said first type port is electrically coupled to a universal serial bus.

3. The universal interface as recited in claim 1, wherein said second type port is electrically coupled to a non-universal serial bus.

4. The universal interface as recited in claim 1, wherein said first logic state is a logic slate of zero.

5. The universal interface as recited in claim 1, wherein said second logic state is a logic state of non-zero.

6. The universal interface as recited in claim 1, wherein said universal interface physically resides within a physical embodiment of a peripheral device.

7. The universal interface as recited in claim 6, wherein said peripheral device is a mouse.