Arrangement for redefining an interface while maintaining backwards compatibility
US6574233B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 9, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jun 3, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 9, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F13/38
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed is a way of enhancing capabilities of an interface, such as a communications bus (100), while retaining backwards compatibility of the interface. The bus has a plurality of signal lines (250) including critical control signal lines. Legacy devices (102-103) present a legacy interface to each other over the bus by communicating with each other via a legacy protocol (251) over the bus. Critical control signals of the legacy protocol are conveyed by the critical control signal lines. New devices (104-105) present an enhanced interface to each other over the same bus by communicating with each other via an enhanced protocol (252) over the bus. Control signals of the enhanced protocol are conveyed by signal lines other than the critical control signal lines for the legacy protocol, so that the critical control signal lines remain idle or invalid for the legacy protocol. The new devices signal to each other an intent to use the enhanced protocol by sending a signal on a signal line (253) that is not used by the legacy protocol. The new devices preferably can communicate on the bus via either protocol, and thus can communicate not only with each other but also with the legacy de…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.