Automatic detecting unit for diagnosing a connection and identifying an external device, information processing apparatus, and external device
US6339831B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 11, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 15, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 11, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F13/4077
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method for detecting connection of an external device, and for identifying the connected external device. The external device comprises: a first identification pin group consisting of one or more connector pins arranged in the longitudinal direction at one end of the connector; a second identification pin group consisting of more than one connector pins arranged in the longitudinal direction at the other end of the connector; and a control pin assigned for one pin on one end of the connector. In the external device, identification information is formed in accordance with a connection of the control pin and at least one pin among the second identification pin group, and a connection or disconnection of the control pin relative to each pin in the pin groups. When a control signal at the first signal level is supplied to the control pin of the external device through the control signal line, and when the signal level at at least one pin in the second identification pin group is the first signal level, it is assumed that there is normal contact at both ends of the oblong connector, and that the connection for the external device is preferable. The connections of the pins i…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.