Multipurpose data port

• US 6,775,715 B2
• Filed: 09/03/2002
• Issued: 08/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schneider Electric IT Corporation (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Spitaels, James S., Dechene, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, MATTHEW VAN
• Application Number:
  US10/234,031
• Publication Number:
  US 20030075985A1
• Time in Patent Office: 707 Days
• Field of Search: 710/8, 710/11, 710/100, 710/105, 710/305, 710/313, 710/315, 363/95, 363/97, 363/131, 307/45, 307/46, 307/64, 307/66, 307/72-75
• US Class Current: 710/8
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/061 for DC powered loads

Abstract

An uninterruptible power supply includes a multipurpose data port that facilitates a plurality of communication methods including USB, serial and other communication methods, between the uninterruptible power supply and a host computer system. The multipurpose data port is configured to prevent interference if a user mistakenly connects a phone line or other similar but inappropriate line to the uninterruptible power supply. The multipurpose data port reduces the machine footprint needed to support multiple communication ports.

Claims

1. A multi-protocol port on a first device for connecting the first device to a second device for communication in accordance with one of a plurality of protocols, the multi-protocol port comprising:

a plurality of communication lines connectable to the second device, including;

a first plurality of communication lines; and

a second plurality of communication lines, wherein at least one and not all of the communication lines of the second plurality of communication lines are the same as communication lines of the first plurality of communication lines; and

a protocol processor sending and receiving signals in accordance with a protocol on one of the first plurality of communication lines and the second plurality of communication lines.

2. The multi-protocol port according to claim 1, wherein the protocol processor sends and receives signals on the first plurality of communication lines in accordance with a first protocol, and wherein the protocol processor sends and receives signals on the second plurality of communication lines in accordance with a second protocol.

3. The multi-protocol port according to claim 2, wherein the protocol processor includes means for selecting one of the first protocol and the second protocol.

4. The multi-protocol port according to claim 3, wherein the means for selecting includes means for receiving a signal on one of the plurality of communication lines identifying one of the first protocol and the second protocol.

5. The multi-protocol port according to claim 1, further comprising:

a keyed connector containing the plurality of communication lines and accommodating a single connector type.

6. The multi-protocol port according to claim 5, wherein a first connector type corresponds to the first protocol and a second connector type corresponds to the second protocol and wherein the single connector type is not the first connector type nor the second connector type.

7. The multi-protocol port according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the plurality of communication lines is connected to prevent reception of signals sent in accordance with a connector type other than the single connector type.

8. The multi-protocol port according to claim 1, wherein the protocol is one of a USB protocol, a simple signaling protocol, and a RS-232 protocol.

9. A communication system comprising:

a multi-protocol port, including

a plurality of communication lines, including;

a first plurality of communication lines; and

a second plurality of communication lines, wherein at least one and not all of the communication lines of the second plurality of communication lines are the same as communication lines of the first plurality of communication lines; and

a protocol processor sending and receiving signals in accordance with a protocol on one of the first plurality of communication lines and the second plurality of communication lines;

a keyed connector containing the plurality of communication lines and accommodating a single connector type; and

a connection cable having the single connector type on a first end to connect to the plurality of communication lines in the keyed connector and a second connector type on a second end opposite the first end, the second connector type corresponding to the protocol.

10. The multi-protocol port according to claim 9, wherein the protocol processor sends and receives signals on the first plurality of communication lines in accordance with a first protocol, and wherein the protocol processor sends and receives signals on the second plurality of communication lines in accordance with a second protocol.

11. The multi-protocol port according to claim 10, wherein the protocol processor includes means for selecting one of the first protocol and the second protocol.

12. The multi-protocol port according to claim 11, wherein the means for selecting includes means for receiving a signal on one of the plurality of communication lines identifying one of the first protocol.

13. The multi-protocol port according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the plurality of communication lines is connected to prevent reception of signals sent in accordance with a connector type other than the single connector type.

14. The multi-protocol port according to claim 9, wherein the protocol is one of a USB protocol, a simple signaling protocol, and a RS-232 protocol.

15. A method for operation of a multi-protocol port on a first device having a plurality of communication lines connected between the first device and a second device, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a protocol signal from the second device on at least one of the plurality of communication lines, the protocol signal identifying a protocol;

sending and receiving second signals to and from the second device on one of a first subset and a second subset of the plurality of communication lines based upon the protocol identified by the protocol signal;

wherein the first subset and second subset are not mutually exclusive.