US5734208A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dynamic termination for signal buses going to a connector
Assignee: Dell USA LP
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Filing: 1996-06-14
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Granted: 1998-03-31
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Expires: 2016-06-14
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for dynamically providing an AC termination for a signal bus going to a connector. A circuit is provided that senses whether the connector is occupied. If the connector is un-occupied, an AC termination circuit is dynamically enabled to provide appropriate termination of the signal bus. If the connector is occupied, the AC termination circuit is dynamically disabled so that the signal bus has no termination at the connector. The circuit has application in a personal computer.
Inventors
- 👤 Leroy Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:56
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/38; G06F13/40; G06F13/4063; G06F13/4068; G06F13/4072; G06F13/4077
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
In a computer comprising a signal bus and a connector for connecting the signal bus to a device, a circuit for dynamically providing termination to the signal bus, the circuit comprising; a terminator circuit with two terminals, wherein the first terminal is connected to the signal bus; and a switch directly connected to the second terminal for selectively connecting the second terminal to a first voltage source, wherein completion of an internal circuit in the plug in card causes to switch to be activated when a device is connected to the connector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
In a computer comprising a signal bus and a connector for connecting the signal bus to a device, a circuit for dynamically providing termination to the signal bus, the circuit comprising; a terminator circuit with two terminals, wherein the first terminal is connected to the signal bus; and a switch directly connected to the second terminal for selectively connecting the second terminal to a first voltage source, wherein completion of an internal circuit in the plug in card causes to switch to be activated when a device is connected to the connector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The circuit of claim 1 further comprising a pull-up resistor connected between the second terminal and a second voltage source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The circuit of claim 1 wherein the switch is a FET.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The circuit of claim 2 wherein the switch is a FET which has a gate connected to the pull-up resistor, a source connected to the voltage source, and a drain connected to the second terminal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The circuit of claim 1 wherein the switch is a relay.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The circuit of claim 4 wherein the base is connected to the first voltage source when the connector is occupied.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The circuit of claim 6 wherein the base is connected to the second voltage source through the pull-up resistor when the connector is unoccupied.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The circuit of claim 1 wherein the terminator circuit comprises a resistor and a capacitor.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for dynamically terminating a signal bus that runs to a connector, the method comprising: placing a termination circuit for the signal bus near the connector; connecting a first node of the termination circuit to the signal bus and a switch; and connecting a second node of the termination circuit to the switch, wherein the switch selectively connects the second node to a first voltage source in in response to completion of an internal circuit in the plug in card which causes a switch to be activated when a device is connected to the connector.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for dynamically terminating a signal bus that runs to a connector, the method comprising: placing a termination circuit for the signal bus near the connector; connecting a first node of the termination circuit to the signal bus and a switch; and connecting a second node of the termination circuit to the switch, wherein the switch selectively connects the second node to a first voltage source in in response to completion of an internal circuit in the plug in card which causes a switch to be activated when a device is connected to the connector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising connecting a pull-up resistor to the second node.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the switch is a FET.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the switch is a FET and further comprising: connecting a gate of the FET to the pull-up resistor; connecting a source of the FET to the first voltage source; and connecting a drain of the FET to the second node.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the switch is a relay.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising connecting the base to the first voltage source when the connector is occupied.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising connecting the gate of the FET to a second voltage source through the pull-up resistor when the connector is un-occupied.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the termination circuit comprises a resistor and a capacitor.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
75 words
An apparatus for connecting a first signal bus from a first device to a second signal bus from a second device, comprising: a terminator circuit with two terminals, wherein the first terminal is connected to the first signal bus; and a switch directly connected to the first signal bus for selectively connecting the second terminal to a voltage source, wherein the switch is responsive to whether or not the first and second device are connected.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
75 words
An apparatus for connecting a first signal bus from a first device to a second signal bus from a second device, comprising: a terminator circuit with two terminals, wherein the first terminal is connected to the first signal bus; and a switch directly connected to the first signal bus for selectively connecting the second terminal to a voltage source, wherein the switch is responsive to whether or not the first and second device are connected.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the switch is a FET.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the switch is a FET which has a gate connected to a pull-up resistor, a source connected to the voltage source, and a drain connected to the second terminal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the switch is a relay.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the terminator circuit comprises a resistor and a capacitor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-03-30 | 2001-09-29 | 2002-03-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-30 | 2005-09-29 | 2006-03-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-30 | 2009-09-29 | 2010-03-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |