US5768541A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for hot-plugging peripheral device to computer bus and disconnecting peripheral device upon detecting predetermined sequence of keystrokes inputted by user through keyboard
Assignee: Dell USA LP
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Filing: 1995-06-15
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Granted: 1998-06-16
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Expires: 2015-06-15
Abstract
Abstract A system and method is disclosed for hot-plugging a peripheral device via an array of interface switches to a computer bus having active signals thereon. The peripheral device is electrically connected to the interface switches via a device controller. The interface switches are disabled from passing electrical signals through the switches to the controller and the peripheral device, operating power is supplied to the controller, the disabled interface switches are electrically connected to the computer bus, and the interface switches are electrically enabled to pass signals from the computer bus through the interface switches and the controller to the peripheral device.
Inventors
- 👤 Ruby Pan-Ratzlaff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 13:49
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/4401; G06F9/4411; G06F13/00; G06F13/38; G06F13/40; G06F13/4063; G06F13/4068; G06F13/4081; Y; Y02; Y02D; Y02D10/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of hot-plugging a peripheral device to an active computer bus via an interface device comprising an array of normally open interface switches and a device controller, said peripheral device being connected to said interface switches via said device controller, the method comprising: detecting connection of said interface device to said computer bus; responsive to said detecting, supplying operating power to said device controller; and responsive to said supplying, closing said interface switches, thereby electrically connecting said peripheral device to said computer bus; subsequent to said closing, detecting an impending disconnection of said interface device from said computer bus by detecting a predetermined sequence of keystrokes inputted by a user through a keyboard; and responsive to said detecting an impending disconnection, opening said interface switches, thereby electrically disconnecting said peripheral device from said computer bus.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of hot-plugging a peripheral device to an active computer bus via an interface device comprising an array of normally open interface switches and a device controller, said peripheral device being connected to said interface switches via said device controller, the method comprising: detecting connection of said interface device to said computer bus; responsive to said detecting, supplying operating power to said device controller; and responsive to said supplying, closing said interface switches, thereby electrically connecting said peripheral device to said computer bus; subsequent to said closing, detecting an impending disconnection of said interface device from said computer bus by detecting a predetermined sequence of keystrokes inputted by a user through a keyboard; and responsive to said detecting an impending disconnection, opening said interface switches, thereby electrically disconnecting said peripheral device from said computer bus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
218 words
Apparatus for enabling a peripheral device to be hot-plugged to an active bus of a computer, the apparatus comprising: a device controller; a peripheral device electrically connected to said device controller; an array of normally open interface switches electrically connected to said device controller; an interface controller for selectively actuating said interface switches; a first connector electrically connected to said interface controller and comprising a plurality of pins, wherein at least one of said pins is longer than the remainder of said pins; a second connector electrically connected to said computer bus and comprising a plurality of receptacles for receiving said pins of said first connector; means for generating a signal to said interface controller responsive to detection of a predetermined sequence of keystrokes inputted by a user through a keyboard, wherein responsive to receipt of said signal, said interface controller opens said switches to electrically isolate said peripheral device from said computer bus; wherein responsive to connection of said first connector to said second connector, a first signal is applied to said interface connector via said at least one pin; and wherein responsive to said first signal, said interface controller supplies operating power to said peripheral device via said device controller and then closes said interface switches, thereby electrically connecting said peripheral device to said computer bus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
218 words
Apparatus for enabling a peripheral device to be hot-plugged to an active bus of a computer, the apparatus comprising: a device controller; a peripheral device electrically connected to said device controller; an array of normally open interface switches electrically connected to said device controller; an interface controller for selectively actuating said interface switches; a first connector electrically connected to said interface controller and comprising a plurality of pins, wherein at least one of said pins is longer than the remainder of said pins; a second connector electrically connected to said computer bus and comprising a plurality of receptacles for receiving said pins of said first connector; means for generating a signal to said interface controller responsive to detection of a predetermined sequence of keystrokes inputted by a user through a keyboard, wherein responsive to receipt of said signal, said interface controller opens said switches to electrically isolate said peripheral device from said computer bus; wherein responsive to connection of said first connector to said second connector, a first signal is applied to said interface connector via said at least one pin; and wherein responsive to said first signal, said interface controller supplies operating power to said peripheral device via said device controller and then closes said interface switches, thereby electrically connecting said peripheral device to said computer bus.
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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) | 2001-06-15 | 2001-12-15 | 2002-06-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-15 | 2005-12-15 | 2006-06-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-15 | 2009-12-15 | 2010-06-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |