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US6601124B1 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Universal interface for selectively coupling to a computer port type and method therefor

Assignee: Google LLC
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Filing: 2000-02-14
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Granted: 2003-07-29
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Expires: 2020-02-14
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Abstract

Abstract Provided is an universal Interface that is electrically coupled and physically embedded in a peripheral device. The universal Interface allows the peripheral device to be electrically coupled to a host computer having either a universal Serial Bus (USB) port or Legacy RS232 or RS485 ports, thus allowing a single product for different types of serial buses that are presently being sold within the market place.

Inventors

  • 👤 Brian Edward Blair

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 05:00
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/38; G06F13/40; G06F13/4063; G06F13/4068

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 165 words
A universal interface comprising: a microcontroller; a detection line coupled to said microcontroller, wherein said detection line is configured to sense a voltage at a port of a host computer coupled to said universal interface; a crossbar switch coupled to said microcontroller, wherein said crossbar switch is configured to establish a data communication link between said universal interface and a first type port of said host computer, wherein said crossbar switch is enabled to establish said data communication link between said universal interface and said first type port of said host computer upon said detection line sensing a first logic state; and a transceiver coupled to said microcontroller, wherein said transceiver is configured to establish a data communication link between said universal interface and a second type port of said host computer, wherein said transceiver is enabled to establish said data communication link between said universal interface and said second type port of said host computer upon said detection line sensing a second logic state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 165 words
A universal interface comprising: a microcontroller; a detection line coupled to said microcontroller, wherein said detection line is configured to sense a voltage at a port of a host computer coupled to said universal interface; a crossbar switch coupled to said microcontroller, wherein said crossbar switch is configured to establish a data communication link between said universal interface and a first type port of said host computer, wherein said crossbar switch is enabled to establish said data communication link between said universal interface and said first type port of said host computer upon said detection line sensing a first logic state; and a transceiver coupled to said microcontroller, wherein said transceiver is configured to establish a data communication link between said universal interface and a second type port of said host computer, wherein said transceiver is enabled to establish said data communication link between said universal interface and said second type port of said host computer upon said detection line sensing a second logic state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 22 words
The universal interface as recited in claim 1 , wherein said first type port is electrically coupled to a universal serial bus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 22 words
The universal interface as recited in claim 1 , wherein said second type port is electrically coupled to a non-universal serial bus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 20 words
The universal interface as recited in claim 1 , wherein said first logic state is a logic slate of zero.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 20 words
The universal interface as recited in claim 1 , wherein said second logic state is a logic state of non-zero.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 23 words
The universal interface as recited in claim 1 , wherein said universal interface physically resides within a physical embodiment of a peripheral device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 16 words
The universal interface as recited in claim 6 , wherein said peripheral device is a mouse.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2006-07-28 2007-01-27 2007-07-29 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2010-07-28 2011-01-27 2011-07-29 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2014-07-28 2015-01-27 2015-07-29 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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