US5608341A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electrical circuit for setting internal chip functions without dedicated configuration pins
Assignee: Level One Communications Inc
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Filing: 1995-05-09
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Granted: 1997-03-04
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Expires: 2015-05-09
Abstract
Abstract A circuit for selecting different applications based upon the manner in which external elements are attached. The selection of the applications is controlled based on the potential detected at a pin immediately following reset. The voltage at a node of the application sense pin is compared with a reference voltage. The pin used to sense the application is used as a sense immediately after reset has occurred. After this it can function as either an output or an input. A flip-flop is connected such that the output of the application sense pin and the condition of reset is directed appropriately to the flip-flop. When the condition of not-in-reset is sensed, the flip-flop latches to a first condition or to a second condition based on the potential at the application sense pin. A binary select allows 2 n different applications to be selected where n is the number of pins used to select the application. When a first binary code is sensed, a first application is implemented. When a second binary code is existent, a second application is implemented. The application sense may be used to select an LED display scheme or another application function.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph E. Andersson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:01
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K19/00; H03K19/02; H03K19/173; H03K19/1731; H03K19/1732
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A device for selectively controlling internal functions of an integrated circuit comprising means for sensing an application indication by means of a potential detected at a pin, and circuit means for internally adjusting the potential of the pin in response to the detected potential, the sensing means being operative following a reset to provide a control signal for determining an application associated with the application indication selected by a user.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
70 words
A device for selectively controlling internal functions of an integrated circuit comprising means for sensing an application indication by means of a potential detected at a pin, and circuit means for internally adjusting the potential of the pin in response to the detected potential, the sensing means being operative following a reset to provide a control signal for determining an application associated with the application indication selected by a user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for sensing is digital means having a high switching threshold.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sensing means comprises means for comparing the potential of the pin with a threshold voltage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the application is determined by a binary logic level at an application select pin, and having two applications select pins for selecting four applications.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the two pins for sensing an application select pin are used, after sensing, for a respective function unrelated to sensing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as claimed in claim 4 further comprising means for having the four applications being selectively one of three LED applications and a LED default application.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the signal provided by the sensing means chooses between a primary application and a secondary/alternate application.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the comparing means comprises flip-flop means and wherein the output from the sensing means is directed to an input of the flip-flop means, and wherein the flip-flop means is responsive to a condition of reset and not-in-reset.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
A device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the flip-flop means comprises means responsive to a control signal such that when the flip-flop means is not-in-reset, the flip-flop means latches to a first condition representative of a first potential, and in a second condition the flip-flop means latches to a potential other than the first potential.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising external resistor means for adjusting the potential of the pin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device as claimed in claim 3 further comprising, for at least one pin, at least one of a pull-up resistor for selecting a logic high or a pull-down resistor for selecting a logic low.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a floating pin or an input to an external logic device for selecting a logic low.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
118 words
A device for selectively controlling internal functions of an integrated circuit comprising: N application sense pins on an integrated circuit for selecting one of N 2 applications, the pins having an application sense function and a respective function unrelated to sensing; circuit means, coupled to the N application sense pins, for internally adjusting a potential of the pins; logic means, coupled to the N application sense pins, for comparing the potential at the pins with a reference voltage; and application select means, coupled to the logic means, for selecting one of the N 2 applications for the circuit in response to the comparison, the application being determined by a binary logic level at the N application select pins.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
118 words
A device for selectively controlling internal functions of an integrated circuit comprising: N application sense pins on an integrated circuit for selecting one of N 2 applications, the pins having an application sense function and a respective function unrelated to sensing; circuit means, coupled to the N application sense pins, for internally adjusting a potential of the pins; logic means, coupled to the N application sense pins, for comparing the potential at the pins with a reference voltage; and application select means, coupled to the logic means, for selecting one of the N 2 applications for the circuit in response to the comparison, the application being determined by a binary logic level at the N application select pins.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as claimed in claim 13 wherein the application select means chooses between a primary application and a secondary/alternate application.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device as claimed in claim 13 further comprising, for at least one pin, at least one of a pull-up resistor for selecting a logic high or a pull-down resistor for selecting a logic low.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device, as claimed in claim 13 further comprising a floating pin or an input to an external logic device for selecting a logic low.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
62 words
A device as claimed in claim 13 wherein the application select means further comprises flip-flop means and wherein the potential at the N application sense pins is converted to a logic level by the logic means, the logic level being directed to an input of the flip-flop means, and wherein the flip-flop means is responsive to a condition of reset and not-in-reset.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
56 words
A device as claimed in claim 17 wherein the flip-flop means comprises means responsive to a control signal such that when the flip-flop means is not-in-reset, the flip-flop means latches to a first condition representative of a first potential, and in a second condition the flip-flop means latches to a potential other than the first potential.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as claimed in claim 13 wherein the circuit means further comprises external resistor means for adjusting the potential of the N pins.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as claimed in claim 13 wherein the N 2 applications comprise one of three LED applications and a LED default application.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-03-03 | 2000-09-02 | 2001-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-03 | 2004-09-02 | 2005-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-03 | 2008-09-02 | 2009-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |