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Devices and methods for sharing common target device with two different hosts according to common communication protocol

DC CAFC
  • US 7,895,387 B1
  • Filed: 09/27/2007
  • Issued: 02/22/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2007
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A controller circuit, comprising:

  • a first host idle detection circuit configured to determine when a first host interface (I/F) is in an idle state, the idle state being when the first host I/F is not communicating with the controller circuit;

    a switch controller circuit configured to enable communication paths between the first host I/F, a second host I/F, and a target device I/F; and

    a first response circuit coupled to the first host I/F and configured to;

    output a response when the controller circuit has enabled the communication path between the second host I/F and the target device I/F,disable the communication path between the first host I/F and the target device I/F when the first host I/F is in the idle state and a target device is being accessed via the second host I/F, andrespond to communications received via the first host I/F while the target device is being accessed via the second host I/F,wherein the first host I/F is configured to communicate with the switch controller circuit using a first communication protocol, the second host I/F is configured to communicate with the switch controller circuit using a second different communication protocol, and the target device I/F is configured to communicate with the switch controller circuit using a universal serial bus (USB) protocol.

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