Device-dependent selection between modes for asymmetric serial protocols
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for use in a portable communication device, the method comprising:
- establishing, by the portable communication device, a non-USB connection for communication with an accessory;
determining, by the portable communication device, whether a mode-selecting signal is received from the accessory via the non-USB connection, the mode-selecting signal indicating whether the portable communication device is to operate in a first mode or a second mode of a USB protocol;
in the event that the mode-selecting signal is received from the accessory, initializing, by the portable communication device, a USB connection for communication with the accessory in the mode indicated by the received mode-selecting signal; and
in the event that a mode-selecting signal is not received from the accessory, initializing the USB connection in the first mode of the USB protocol.
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Abstract
A portable communication device (PCD) can automatically switch into different operating modes of an asymmetric communication protocol (such as USB) depending on the type of accessory connected. For example, the accessory can signal whether the PCD should operate in a first mode or a second mode using a hardware indicator such as identification resistor across two pins of a multi-pin connector and/or a software indicator such as a command protocol. The PCD can detect the accessory'"'"'s signal and switch to the operating mode requested by the accessory.
90 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for use in a portable communication device, the method comprising:
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establishing, by the portable communication device, a non-USB connection for communication with an accessory; determining, by the portable communication device, whether a mode-selecting signal is received from the accessory via the non-USB connection, the mode-selecting signal indicating whether the portable communication device is to operate in a first mode or a second mode of a USB protocol; in the event that the mode-selecting signal is received from the accessory, initializing, by the portable communication device, a USB connection for communication with the accessory in the mode indicated by the received mode-selecting signal; and in the event that a mode-selecting signal is not received from the accessory, initializing the USB connection in the first mode of the USB protocol. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A portable communication device comprising:
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a processor; a power control module coupled to the processor; and an accessory interface coupled to the processor and the power control module, the accessory interface including; a connector having a plurality of pins, the plurality of pins including a data pin associated with a USB protocol, a power input pin coupled to the power control module, a power output pin coupled to the power control module, and a pair of pins associated with a non-USB connection; and a sensor connected to detect a resistance applied across the pair of pins associated with a non-USB connection and configured to generate a signal indicative of the detected resistance, wherein the power control module is configured to determine, based on the signal indicative of the detected resistance, whether to provide a first power to the power output pin or to receive a second power from the power input pin; and wherein the accessory interface is configured to determine, based at least in part on the signal indicative of the detected resistance, whether to operate in a first mode or a second mode of the USB protocol. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. An accessory for use with a portable communication device, the accessory comprising:
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a controller operable in a device mode of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol; a connector coupled to the controller and adapted to connect to a portable communication device, the connector having a plurality of pins, the plurality of pins including a USB power pin, a USB ground pin, two USB data pins, and a pair of pins associated with a non-USB connection; and a resistor connected between the pins associated with a non-USB connection, wherein the resistor has a resistance value indicating to the portable communication device that the portable communication device should operate in a host mode of the USB protocol. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for use in an accessory, the method comprising:
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establishing a connection to a portable communication device using a connector having a plurality of pins, wherein the portable communication device is switchable between a first mode and a second mode of USB protocol; applying a resistance across a first pin and a second pin of the plurality of pins, wherein the first pin and the second pin are associated with a non-USB connection, wherein the resistance has a value indicating to the portable communication device that the accessory operates in the first mode of the USB protocol; receiving power from the portable communication device via a third pin of the plurality of pins; and communicating with the portable communication device using the first device mode of the asymmetric communication protocol. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification