Apparatus and method for bidirectional data communication in a game port
US5628686A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 31, 1995 |
| Grant date | May 13, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 31, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA63F2300/1087
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A game port interface is disclosed which permits bidirectional communication between a game port and a peripheral device. In one embodiment, the peripheral device is a digital joystick and the game port sends commands to the digital joystick. The game port interface includes one or more timers whose inputs are coupled to resistances within the joystick. Also coupled to the timer inputs are capacitors such that the resistors in the joystick form a charging network with the capacitors in the game port interface. When an output instruction to the game port is executed, the capacitors coupled to the timer inputs are charged to a predetermined voltage. The timer input is also coupled to an inverter within the joystick. The output of the inverter switches to a low logic level when the timer input is charged above a logic threshold. The output of the inverter is coupled to an interrupt input on a microprocessor within the joystick. The microprocessor interprets one or more interrupts as commands and takes appropriate action. In one embodiment, the first interrupt causes the digital joystick to transmit data corresponding to the position of the joystick. If a second interrupt is transmitte…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.