US6105097A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device and method for interconnecting universal serial buses including power management
Assignee: Monterey Research LLC
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Filing: 1998-10-14
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Granted: 2000-08-15
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Expires: 2018-10-14
Abstract
Abstract A device and method for interconnecting two universal serial buses (USBs) is provided in which the device controls the current supplied to the device from the USBs via a power manager. In particular, when one or both of the buses connected to the device enter a suspended state, the power manager reduces the current consumed by the device so that the device does not exceed a maximum suspend current. The device may also have a power manager controller which permits one or both device drivers connected to the USBs to control the power manager.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven P. Larky
- 👤 Scott Swindle
- 👤 John Boynton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:04
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/26; G06F1/32; G06F1/3203; G06F1/3206; G06F1/3215; G06F1/266
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A device for interconnecting two universal serial buses, the device comprising: a first interface for connecting to a first USB, said first interface receiving a first power signal over the first USB, the first USB having (i) an operational state when signals are being received over the first USB and (ii) a suspended state when signals are not received over the first USB for a predetermined period of time; a second interface for connecting to a second USB, said second interface receiving a second power signal over the second USB, the second USB having (i) an operational state when signals are being received over the second USB and (ii) a suspended state when signals are not received over the second USB for a predetermined period of time; and a power manager configured to (i) determine a source of current for the device selected from the first power signal and the second power signal based on the states of the first and second USBs in order to meet the maximum suspended state current limitation and (ii) supply current to the selected device when the first interface is in the operational state and the second device is in the suspend state.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
199 words
A device for interconnecting two universal serial buses, the device comprising: a first interface for connecting to a first USB, said first interface receiving a first power signal over the first USB, the first USB having (i) an operational state when signals are being received over the first USB and (ii) a suspended state when signals are not received over the first USB for a predetermined period of time; a second interface for connecting to a second USB, said second interface receiving a second power signal over the second USB, the second USB having (i) an operational state when signals are being received over the second USB and (ii) a suspended state when signals are not received over the second USB for a predetermined period of time; and a power manager configured to (i) determine a source of current for the device selected from the first power signal and the second power signal based on the states of the first and second USBs in order to meet the maximum suspended state current limitation and (ii) supply current to the selected device when the first interface is in the operational state and the second device is in the suspend state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the power manager is further configured to halt one or more clocks in the first and second interfaces when the first and second interfaces are both in the suspended state.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said power manager is further configured to select the second power signal when the first USB is not plugged into the first interface and the second interface is in the operational state.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 3, wherein said power manager is further configured to temporarily halt the one or more clocks in the second interface until the second interface exits the suspended state.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the power manager is further configured to select the first power signal to (i) supply current to the device and (ii) provide current to a pull-up resistor attached to the second USB to reduce the current load on the first USB when the first and second interfaces are both in the suspend state.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 5, wherein the current is generated in response to a voltage regulator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 1, further comprising: a control circuit configured to control (i) switching the power between the first and second interfaces and (ii) halting the one or more clocks in the first and second interfaces.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 7, wherein each interface comprises: a request circuit configured to request permission to enter the suspended state.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for interconnecting two universal serial buses, comprising the steps of: receiving a first power signal over a first USB, the first USB having (i) an operational state when signals are being received over the first USB and (ii) a suspended state when signals are not received over the first USB for a predetermined period of time; receiving a second power signal over a second USB, the second USB having (i) an operational state when signals are being received over the second USB and (ii) a suspended state when signals are not received over the second USB for a predetermined period of time; and determining the source of current for the device selected from the first power signal and the second power signal based on the states of the first and second USBs in order to meet the maximum suspended state current limitation, wherein said determining step comprises supplying current when the first USB is in the operational state and the second USB is in the suspended state.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for interconnecting two universal serial buses, comprising the steps of: receiving a first power signal over a first USB, the first USB having (i) an operational state when signals are being received over the first USB and (ii) a suspended state when signals are not received over the first USB for a predetermined period of time; receiving a second power signal over a second USB, the second USB having (i) an operational state when signals are being received over the second USB and (ii) a suspended state when signals are not received over the second USB for a predetermined period of time; and determining the source of current for the device selected from the first power signal and the second power signal based on the states of the first and second USBs in order to meet the maximum suspended state current limitation, wherein said determining step comprises supplying current when the first USB is in the operational state and the second USB is in the suspended state.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the determining step further comprises halting one or more clocks in the first and second USBs when the first and second USBs are both in the suspended state.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 9, wherein when the first USB is not plugged in and the second USB is in the operational state, the determining step comprises selecting the second power signal to supply current.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 11, wherein when the second USB is in the suspended state, the determining step further comprises temporarily halting the clocks in the second USB until the second USB exits the suspended state.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 9, wherein when the first and second USBs are both in the suspended state, the determining step comprises selecting the first power signal to supply current to the device and providing current to a pull-up resistor attached to the second USB to reduce the current load on the first USB.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 13, wherein said providing step comprises using a voltage regulator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising: controlling the determination of the current to control switching the power between the first and second USBs; and halting the clocks in the first and second USBs.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 15, wherein said determining step comprises: requesting permission to enter the suspended state.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
194 words
A device for interconnecting two universal serial buses comprising: means for connecting to a first USB, said means (i) receiving a first power signal and (ii) having (a) an operational state when signals are being received over the first USB and (b) a suspended state when signals are not received over the first USE for a predetermined period of time; means for connecting to a second USB, said means (i) receiving a second power signal and (ii) having (a) an operational state when signals are being received over the second USB and (b) a suspended state when signals are not received over the second USB for a predetermined period of time; and means for determining a source of current for a device selected from the first power signal and the second power signal, said current based on the states of the first and second USBs in order to meet the maximum suspended state current limitation, wherein said current is supplied to the selected device when (i) the means for connecting to a first USB is in the operational state and (ii) the means for connecting to a second USB is in the suspend state.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
194 words
A device for interconnecting two universal serial buses comprising: means for connecting to a first USB, said means (i) receiving a first power signal and (ii) having (a) an operational state when signals are being received over the first USB and (b) a suspended state when signals are not received over the first USE for a predetermined period of time; means for connecting to a second USB, said means (i) receiving a second power signal and (ii) having (a) an operational state when signals are being received over the second USB and (b) a suspended state when signals are not received over the second USB for a predetermined period of time; and means for determining a source of current for a device selected from the first power signal and the second power signal, said current based on the states of the first and second USBs in order to meet the maximum suspended state current limitation, wherein said current is supplied to the selected device when (i) the means for connecting to a first USB is in the operational state and (ii) the means for connecting to a second USB is in the suspend state.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
52 words
The device of claim 17, wherein when (i) said means for connecting to the first USB is in the operational state and (ii) said means for connecting to the second USB is in the suspended state, said device further comprises: means for supplying current to the device from the first power signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
53 words
The device of claim 17, wherein when (i) the means for connecting to the first USB is not plugged in and (ii) the means for connecting to the second USB is in the operational state, said device further comprises: means for selecting the second power signal to supply current to the selected device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device of claim 17, wherein when the means for connecting to the second USB is in the suspended state, said device further comprises: means for temporarily halting one or more clocks in said second USB until the suspended state is exited.
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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) | 2003-08-15 | 2004-02-14 | 2004-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-08-15 | 2008-02-14 | 2008-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-08-15 | 2012-02-14 | 2012-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |