Method and apparatus for replicating peripheral device ports in an expansion unit
US5805833A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 16, 1996 |
| Grant date | Sep 8, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 16, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F13/385
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A device for replicating input/output protocols (265, 290, 310, 340, 360) in an expansion unit configuration (20, 60) implemented in a semiconductor chip (85) that supports a the protocols including one or more pass-through signal pathways (265), at least one serial protocol (310), at least one parallel logic protocol (340), and a peripheral component interface target device protocol (290). The device (85) may also support a dedicated data bus protocol (360) such as an 8-bit or 16-bit port and provides an interface pathway between various types of expansion units (20, 60) and a portable computer system (15) using the peripheral component interface bus (22) on the portable computer (15) as an interface between the system processor (17) and stand-alone peripheral devices (35, 110, 115, 117, 120, 125).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.