Contactless replacement for cabled standards-based interfaces
First Claim
1. A method of communicating data comprising:
- at a first device;
determining an electrical condition of a first signal line carrying data, wherein data carried on the first signal line is data that will be contactlessly transmitted, and wherein the signal line is configured for transporting the data according to a Standards-based protocol; and
contactlessly transmitting an electromagnetic (EM) signal indicative of the determined electrical condition such that communication of data between the first device and a second device is transparent to the Standard-based protocol, wherein the EM signal indicative of the determined electrical condition is contactlessly transmitted out of band with respect to any data carried on the first signal line that will be contactlessly transmitted, and wherein the determined electrical condition is based on the first signal line carrying data that will be contactlessly transmitted.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A contactless, electromagnetic (EM) replacement (substitute, alternative) for cabled (electric) Standards-based interfaces (such as, but not limited to USB) which effectively handles the data transfer requirements (such as bandwidth, speed, latency) associated with the Standard, and which is also capable of measuring and replicating relevant physical conditions (such as voltage levels) on data lines so as to function compatibly and transparently with the Standard. A contactless link may be provided between devices having transceivers. A non-conducting housing may enclose the devices. Some applications for the contactless (EM) interface are disclosed. A dielectric coupler facilitating communication between communications chips which are several meters apart. Conductive paths may provide power and ground for bus-powered devices.
130 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of communicating data comprising:
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at a first device; determining an electrical condition of a first signal line carrying data, wherein data carried on the first signal line is data that will be contactlessly transmitted, and wherein the signal line is configured for transporting the data according to a Standards-based protocol; and contactlessly transmitting an electromagnetic (EM) signal indicative of the determined electrical condition such that communication of data between the first device and a second device is transparent to the Standard-based protocol, wherein the EM signal indicative of the determined electrical condition is contactlessly transmitted out of band with respect to any data carried on the first signal line that will be contactlessly transmitted, and wherein the determined electrical condition is based on the first signal line carrying data that will be contactlessly transmitted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for communicating data from signal lines configured for a Standards-based protocol comprising:
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a first device comprising a transceiver operative to; convert electrical signal inputs into electromagnetic (EM) signal outputs to support an extremely high frequency (EHF) contactless communication link; determine an electrical condition of a first signal line carrying data that will be contactlessly transmitted; and contactlessly transmit an electromagnetic (EM) signal indicative of the determined electrical condition such that communication of data between the first device and a second device is transparent to the Standard-based protocol, wherein the EM signal indicative of the determined electrical condition is contactlessly transmitted out of band with respect to any data carried on the first signal line that will be contactlessly transmitted, and wherein the determined electrical condition is determined based on the first signal line carrying data that will be contactlessly transmitted. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification