Computer system with peripheral device characteristic sensing and automatic communications speed setting
US5922056A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 3, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jul 13, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 3, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F13/4256
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A computer system automatically senses characteristics of diverse peripheral devices connected to a common communications port, and automatically maximizes the communications speed with the devices. Coupled in daisy chain fashion to the communications port, all peripheral devices receive every signal issued from the controller port, each device responding only to signals addressed to that device or signals addressed to a universal address. The controller first receives an identifier from peripheral devices attached to the controller port. The controller then interprets the received identifiers to determine a maximum communications speed for each device. Next, the controller and the attached peripheral devices are configured to communicate at the maximum communications speed of the slowest device. This guarantees that all messages sent by the controller are compatible with all peripheral devices. Devices subsequently coupled to the communications port are considered by the controller, and the port and other devices are reconfigured as necessary to ensure the fastest possible communications speed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.