Method and apparatus for asynchronously controlling state information within a circuit
US6420907B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 29, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 16, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 29, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05B2219/25306
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for asynchronously controlling state information within a circuit. This system includes a first conductor that carries a voltage indicating a state of the circuit, as well as a first drive circuit coupled to the first conductor that is configured to drive the first conductor to a first voltage level to indicate a first state. The system also includes a second drive circuit coupled to the first conductor that is configured to drive the first conductor to a second voltage level to indicate a second state. The system additionally includes a condition input that indicates a condition. The system is configured so that the first drive circuit drives the first conductor to the first voltage level based upon the condition indicated by the condition input. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first drive circuit is additionally configured to drive the first conductor to the first voltage level based upon the state indicated by the voltage carried on the first conductor. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system additionally includes a keeper circuit coupled to the first conductor that is configured to hold the…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.