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`Figs. Dnwg.
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`EXHIBIT 1007
`IPR Petition for U.S. Patent No. 6,012,103
`
`(
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`,4
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`\ !
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`- PATENT
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`U.S, UTILITY Patent Application
`O.I.P.E. ~-~1~ PATENT DATE
`
`JUN 1 9 2O011
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`FILED WITH: r-! DISK (CRF) D FICHE D CD-ROM
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`INITIALS
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`CONTENTS
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`Oato Received
`(Incl, C. of M.)
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`Date Received
`(Incl. C, of M,)
`or
`Date Mailed
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`1, Application ~ papers,
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`42,
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`(LEFT OUTSIDE)
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`SEARCHED
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`SEARCH NOTES
`(INCLUDING SEARCH STRATEGY)
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`Date
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`Exmr.
`
`Date
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`T’Y"
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`ISSUE SLIP STAPLE AREA (for additional cross references)
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`ID NO.
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`FEE DETERMINATION
`O.I.P.E. CLASSIFIER
`FORMALITY REVIEW
`RESPONSE FORMALITY REVIEW
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`1, t
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`INDEX OF CLAIMS
`Rejected
`N ................................. Non-elected
`I ................................. Interference
`.................................. Allowed
`A ................................. Appeal
`-- (Through numeral)... Canceled
`0 ................................. Objected
`+ .............. : .................. Restricted
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`Date
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`If more than 150 claims or 10 actions
`staple additional sheet here
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`(LEFT INSIDE)
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`
`
`PATENT APPLICATION SERIAL NO.
`
`U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`FEE RECORD SHEET
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`PTO-1556
`(5/87)
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`¯ U.8. GPO: I~9M4
`
`Page 6
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`
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`SERIAL NUMBER
`
`09/476,~J23
`
`FILING DATE
`ol/o41oo
`
`CLASS
`710
`
`GROUP ART UNiT
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`2782
`
`0325.0C251C
`
`RONALD H. SARTORE, SAN DIEGO, CA; 8TEVEN P. LARKY, DEL MAR, CA.
`
`**CONTINUING DOMESTIC *************************
`VERIFIED THIS APPLN IS A CON OF 08/886,923 07/02/97 PAT
`
`6,012,103
`
`*’371 (NAT’L STAGE) *************************
`VERIFIED
`
`J
`
`o.
`
`/o
`
`//
`
`.
`
`**FOREIGN APPLICATIONS************
`VERIFIED
`
`IF ~QUI~D, FO~IGN FILING T.IC~NS~ G~U~T~.D .02/.1.1/00
`Forei n Priodty claimed D~ I~no STATE OR SHEETS
`35U~C 119 (a-d) conditionm met Oyesl~o OMetafte~ Allowance ScTATNETBOyR ! ~RAWING
`CA
`7
`Verified and Acknowledged ~
`,
`~xan~ip~r’s InmalS
`SEE CUSTOMER NUMBER= 021363
`
`II~mals
`
`]
`I
`
`70TAL
`CLAIMS
`2O
`
`CLAIMS
`3
`
`] INOEPENDENT
`
`UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS INTERFACE SYSTEM AND METHOD
`
`FILING FEE
`RECEIVED
`
`$690
`
`FEES: Authority has been given in Paper
`to charge/credit DEPOSIT ACCOUNT
`No.
`NO.
`for the following’.
`
`[] All Fees
`I. 16 Fees (Filing)
`I. 17 Fees (Processing Ext. of time)
`1.18 Fees (Issue)
`[] Other
`[] Credit
`
`Page 7
`
`
`
`Attorney Docket No., ~I-IB
`
`25
`
`ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
`
`~ and method for reconfiguring a peripheral device connected by a computer
`
`bus and port to a~ a first generic configuration to a second manufacturer specific
`
`configuration is provided in~e configuration of a peripheral device may be
`
`5
`
`od o , o ro dod
`
`dectronicaUy reset. _A peripheral int~t’f~ce for a standardized computer peripheral
`
`rooo oo
`
`dtheeviPceeripheral device is emulated t° reconfigure the bus a~~r a Particular peripheral
`
`PA~642118.4
`
`Page 8
`
`
`
`_UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS ._.INTERFACE SYSTEM AND METHOD
`
`This is a continuation of U.S. Serial No. 08/886,923,
`filed July 2,
`
`Background of the invention
`
`This invention relates generally to a system and method for connecting a computer
`
`5
`
`system to a computer bus anti in particular to a system and method for interfacing a computer
`
`system to a standard universal serial peripheral device bus.
`
`In a typical computer system, a computer having a microprocessor may be connected
`
`to a pltuality of peripheral devices, such as a printer or a modem, by one or more electrical
`
`buses ami several different communications ports. Different peripheral devices have
`
`interfaces with diR’erent form factors and electrical characteristics, and these communications
`
`ports are used for a variety of different peripheral devices. A typical desktop com r~Iter may
`
`have a modem, a printer, a keyboard and a mouse connected to it. The modem may be
`
`connected to a serial port, the printer may be connected to a parallel port, the keyboard may
`
`be connected to a dedicated keyboard port and the mouse may be connected to a dedicated
`
`mouse port. Each of these communication ports may have different electrical characteristics,
`
`require different connectors and each has a different cable that rims from the peripheral
`
`device to the connector which connects to the computer communications port. For example,
`
`the serial port, the parallel port, the keyboard port and the mouse port all have different
`
`2O
`
`characteristics, cables and ~fferent connectors. The result is a large number of diverse
`
`PA~642118,4
`
`/
`f
`
`Page 9
`
`
`
`Attorney Docket No. ?HR- 1120
`
`2
`
`interfaces and cables that must be used. In addition, the electrical design of these
`
`communications ports typically requires that the computer be turned offbefore connecting
`
`and/or disconnecting a peripheral device from the port because the port may be permanently
`
`damaged otherwise. This prompted the design of a single standardized peripheral interface
`
`connection system which reduces the need for multiple connectors and cables, and permits
`
`the connection and disconnection of a peripheral device while the computer is turned on.
`
`A new emerging technology called the Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a system
`
`intended to create a single standardized peripheral device connection system. The USB
`
`IO
`
`makes the task of connecting peripheral devices to computers easier and more reliable since it
`
`T.j
`
`"if
`
`t=
`
`uses ~ standardized connector and form factor, and makes operating those peripheral devices
`
`with the computer, easier and more reliable than with the various different types of
`
`(cid:128)olrnmunication ports. The computer to which these peripheral devices are connected by the
`
`USB is known as the "host computer". The USB replaces the multiple cable and connector
`
`15
`
`types with a single standardized connection system. The USB also permits the connection
`
`and disconnection of USB compatible peripheral devices while the computer is turned on
`
`which eliminates the typical turning off and rebooting of the computer in order to connect or
`
`disconnect a peripheral device to the computer.
`
`2O
`
`When a peripheral device is first connected to the USB and the host computer
`
`through a standard USB communications port, the presence of the connected peripheral
`
`device is detected and a configuration process of the USB for the connected peripheral
`
`PA~42118.4
`
`Page 10
`
`
`
`Attorney Docket No.
`
`",HR.-1120
`
`3
`
`d~vice, known as device enumeration, begins. The enumeration process assigns a unique
`
`USB address to the connected peripheral device, queries the connected peripheral device
`
`about its requirements and capabilities, writes data about the connected peripheral device into
`
`the host computer’s operating system, and loads the appropriate sothvare device driver from
`
`5
`
`a storage location into the host computer’s operating system During the query, a data table
`
`stored in the peripheral device, which contA!n~ the particular peripheral device’s configuration
`
`information, is read from the peripheral device into the host computer’s memory. Upon
`
`completion of the enumeration process, the connected peripheral device is recognized by the
`
`host computer’s operating system and may be used by application soft, are being executed by
`
`10
`
`the microprocessor of the host computer. The association of the device with the software
`
`device’driver cannot be subsequently changed.
`
`~.=~
`
`=-=
`
`.-.,,
`
`In a serial bus system, such as the USB, the only opportunity for associating soi~are
`
`device drivers with a peripheral device is at the time when the peripheral device is plugged
`
`15
`
`into the USB and the enumeration process occurs. Thus, to alter the configuration or
`
`personality of a peripheral device, such as downloading new code or configuration
`
`information into the memory of the peripheral device, the host computer system must detect a
`
`peripheral device connection or a disconnection and then a reconnection.
`
`20.
`
`The USB provides a number of advantages, as described above, over standard
`
`peripheral device connection techniques. The USB, however, does not provide a system and
`
`o
`
`method for easily altering the configuration data for a peripheral device. In addition, the
`
`PA~6421 ! 8.4
`
`.,,(cid:128)
`
`Page 11
`
`
`
`Attorney Docket No.
`
`CHR-1120
`
`4
`
`USB also does not provide a method for easily changing the software device driver
`
`associated with a particular peripheral device.
`
`Thus, there is a need for a system and method for interfacing to a universal serial bus
`
`which avoids these and other problems of known systems and methods, and it is to this end
`
`that the present invention is directed.
`
`Summary of the Invention
`
`I0
`
`The invention provides a universal serial bus interface system and method in which
`
`the configuration information for a plurality of different peripheral devices may be stored in
`
`-=~
`
`the host computer rather than in the peripheral devices themselves. The flexibility of the
`
`universal serial bus is thereby increased because each peripheral device does not need to store
`
`configuration information. In addition, the configuration information for any peripheral
`
`15
`
`device may be easily modified to accommodate changes in the peripheral devices or to take
`
`advantage of other peripheral device features because it is located in the file system of the
`
`host computers. The configuration information mey include configuration data,
`
`microprocessor code to be executed on the CPU in the peripheral device, and logic
`
`configuration data. The configuration information may be downloaded from the host
`
`2O
`
`computer into the peripheral device.
`
`PA~642 [ 18.4
`
`5
`
`Page 12
`
`
`
`Attorney Docket No.
`
`In addition, the universal serial bus interface system and method permits the
`
`configuration information associated with the peripheral device to be electroni~ly altered to
`
`match ch--ses in the peripheral devices. Instead of physically disconnecting and
`
`reconnecting a peripheral device to recontigure it, a peripheral device may be eIectronica~y
`
`disconnected and then reconnected to the USB (e.g. the disconnect/connect cycle may be
`
`electrically simulated) so that a change in the configuration information for a particular
`
`peripheral device may be impZemented. One of many advantages of the electric~ simuJation
`
`of the disconnect and reconnect cycle is that since the peripheral device is physicaay
`
`connected to the bus during the electrical simulation, the peripheral device may utitize the
`
`10
`
`electrical power supplied by the bus to operate the peripheral device. If the peripheral device
`
`is physic, any disconnected as in a conventional USB system, the peripheral device would
`
`require its own electrical power source. Thus, the computer system may, without human
`
`assistance, reeonfigure a peripheral device connected to the USB.
`
`.-" a
`
`-~
`.-=
`={=
`
`i!’
`
`= .
`
`:.-’.." 15
`
`In addition, the universal serial bus interface system and method may be a single
`
`semiconductor chip which may be incorporated into a plurality of pexipheral devices made by
`
`a plurality of manufacturers. The chip may initially have a genetic configuration (e.g., not
`
`specific to a particular peripheral device). Then, the appropriate configuration information
`
`for a particular peripheral device and manufacturer may be downloaded to the chip, an
`
`2O
`
`electronic simulation of the disconnection and reconnection of the peripheral device occurs,
`
`the peripheral device is recognized as a new, manufacturer specific peripheral device and the
`
`appropriate software device driver is loaded into the memory of the host computer.
`
`PA~642118.4
`
`Page 13
`
`
`
`Attorney Docket No.
`
`~HR-II20
`
`6
`
`In accordance with the invention, a system and method for reconfigudng a peripheral
`
`device connected by a computer bus and port to a host computer is provided in which a host
`
`computer detects a peripheral device connected to the port in which the peripheral device has
`
`a first configuration. A second set of configuration information may be downloaded from
`
`the host computer into the peripheral device over the computer bus, and the configuration of
`
`the peripheral device is electronically reset from said first configuration to a second
`
`configuration based on the second set of configuration information.
`
`lO
`
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a peripheral interface device for a
`
`standardized computer peripheral device bus and port is provided in which a peripheral
`
`device is physically connected to a computer system through a computer peripheral bus and
`
`port and the peripheral device has a first configuration. A second set of configuration
`
`information may be received from a computer system, and a physical disconnection and
`
`15
`
`reconnect.ion of the peripheral device is simulated to reconfigure the peripheral device to a
`
`second configuration based on the second configuration information.
`
`BHefDescdption of the Drawings
`
`/
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`2O
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`Figure l~a diagram illustrating a conventional universal serial bus system in a
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`computer system;
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`PA~64211g.4
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`f
`4" f
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`Page 14
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`
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`Attorney Docket Nc ,CHR-I I20
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`7
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`Figure2fis~a’diagram illustrating a universal serial bus system in accordance with the
`/
`
`invention;
`
`Figur~3~s a ~agram illustrating a conventional universal serial bus interface circuit;
`
`.,f
`
`Figur~ls a diagram illustrating a universal serial bus interface circuit in accordance
`
`with the invention;
`
`/i,~ r
`
`Figur~ a diagram illustrating a peripheral device with a first configuration being
`
`connected to a computer system through a USB port and configured in accordance with the
`
`invention;
`
`Figure~ts a diagram illustrating a peripheral device being configured with a second
`
`configuration in accordance with the invention;
`
`- Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating a peripheral device being reeonfigured with a third
`
`configuration in aec%dafi’ce with the invention; and
`/./
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`Figure~A~ a flowchart illustrating a method for changing the configuration
`
`information for a peripheral device connected to a universal serial bus in accordance with the
`
`invention.
`
`Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment
`
`The invention is particularly applicable to a universal serial bus interface system and
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`2O
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`method. It is in this context that the invention will be described. It will be appreciated,
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`however, that the system and method in accordance with the invention has greater utility,
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`such as with other different computer buses and standardized interfaces.
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`PA~642118.4
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`Page 15
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`Attorney Docket No CHR-t 120
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`8
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`Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a standardized bus interface, such as a conventional
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`computer system 20, that may include a host computer system 22 and a peripheral device 24.
`
`The peripheral device is connected to the host computer by a universal serial bus (USB) 26.
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`5
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`The host computer may include a central processing unit (CPU) 28 connected to a USB
`
`interface 0/F) circuit 30, and the USB standard provides a universal electrical and physical
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`interface for the peripheral devices via bus 26. The CPU executes software application code
`
`located in a memory 31 and communicates data to and from the peripheral device through the
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`USB interface and the USB 26. The host computer may also include an operating system 32
`
`10
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`which may include a software device driver 33. The peripheral device 24 may include a USB
`
`interface circuit 34, a CPU 36 and a non-volatile memory 38 that may store configuration
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`information describing the characteristics of the peripheral device.. The non-volatile memory
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`may be a read only memory (KOM) or an erasable programmable read only memory
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`(~ROM).
`
`15
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`When the peripheral device is initially connected to the USB, an enumeration process
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`is conducted in which the host computer determines the characteristics of the peripheral
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`device by receiving the configuration information from the memory 38 within the peripheral
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`device, and configures the USB according to the characteristics of’the peripheral device. As
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`2O
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`shown, the configuration information about the characteristics of’the peripheral device in a
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`conventional USB system is stored in a non-volatile memory 38 on the peripheral device.
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`The data about the characteristics of the peripheral device is programmed into the non-
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`PA~642118.4
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`Page 16
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`Attorney Docket No.
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`9
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`volatile memory at the factory, and the characteristics of the peripheral device may not be
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`easily altered. In addition, the memory in the peripheral device stores all of the configuration
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`information about the peripheral device which may require a large amount of memory in the
`
`peripheral device.
`
`.Jal~
`
`:.-[~
`=
`
`-=~
`
`:--~
`it;
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`Once the enumeration process has been completed, the CPU of the host computer
`
`may load an appropriate software device driver 33 for the peripheral device and the software
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`applications being executed by that CPU of the host computer may communicate with the
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`peripheral device using the USB. When the first peripheral device is disconnected and
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`10
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`another peripheral device is connected to the USB, the enumeration process for the new
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`peripheral device may be conducted and another software device driver may be loaded. The
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`configuration of the peripheral device cannot be easily altered. Now, a universal serial bus
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`system and method in accordance with the invention will be described.
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`15
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`Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating a computer system 50 that may have a universal
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`serial bus system in accordance with the invention. The computer system may include a host
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`computer 52 connected to a peripheral device 54 by a universal serial bus (USB) 60. The
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`host computer may include a CPU 62, a memory 64, an operating system 65 and a USB
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`interface circuit 66. One or more peripheral device drivers, such as a first peripheral device
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`2O
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`driver 68, may be stored in the operating system 65. Each device driver contains information
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`about the proper configuration oft he USB for a particular class of peripheral devices. The
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`operating system within the host computer may also contain a plurality of different
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`PAX64211 g.4
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`Page 17
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`Attorney Docket No
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`CHR-II20
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`I0
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`configuration information sets 70, which may include configuration data for a particular
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`peripheral device (including which device driver to use), microprocessor code to be executed
`
`by a CPU located in the peripheral device, or logic configuration data to configure logic
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`circuits in the peripheral device. This invention advantageously enables these configuration
`
`information sets to be updated or altered easily since they are located in the host computer
`
`and not in a non-volatile memory in the peripheral device.
`
`The peripheral device 54 may include a USB interface system 71 and a CPU 72. The
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`USB interface system may include an alterable memory 74 such as a random access memory
`
`I0
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`(RAM) or a flash electrically erasable programmable read only memory (flash EPP,.OM), and
`
`a USB interface cirodt 76. The memory 74 may initially contain an identification code to
`
`indicate which configuration information set should be downloaded to the pcriph~al device.
`
`The USB interface system 71 may be a semiconductor chip containing the USB interface
`
`circuit as well as the memory that may be added onto the peripheral device. The USB
`
`:;h~.
`h:i
`
`~=’,~
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`15
`
`interface circuit in accordance with the invention is designed to meet USB standard
`
`specifications, such as communications protocols, electrical specifications and the USB form
`
`factor, and may permit the peripheral device to be disconnected and connected to the USB
`
`without the physical disconnection or connection of the peripheral device, as described
`
`below.
`
`2O
`
`The various configuration information sets are stored in the host computer so that
`
`they may be easily updated or altered and then, using the electronic disconnect and reconnect
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`PA~6421 lg.4
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`//
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`Page 18
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`Attorney Docket No. ~HR-1120
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`II
`
`method in accordance with the invention, the peripheral devices attached to the host
`
`computer may be dynamically reconfigured using the updated configuration information sets
`
`without the necessity to physically disconnect and reconnect the peripheral devices,
`
`In operation, during the initial factory configuration of the peripheral device with the
`
`USB interface system in accordance with the invention, the memory may store an
`
`identification code indicating the appropriate configuration information set to be loaded.
`
`Thus, when the pexipheral device is first connected to the USB, the configuration information
`
`70, including any microprocessor code applicable to the peripheral device and the appropriate
`
`10
`
`configuration data for the peripheral device may be downloaded over the USB into the
`
`mem0ry 74 of the peripheral device 54 as shown by the dashed arrow 78. The electrical
`
`simulation oft.he, disconnection and reconnection of the peripheral device from the USB, as
`
`described below, may be initiated and a re-enumeration process may occur. During the re-
`
`enumeration process, the newly downloaded configuration information may be used to
`
`15
`
`reconfigure the USB for the peripheral device and the host computer may select the
`
`appropriate soi~’are device driver 68 for the peripheral device based on the configuration
`
`information and load the device driver into memory 64 as shown by arrow 80. For example,
`
`a plurality of different peripheral devices manufactured by different companies may each
`
`include a USB interface system in accordance with the invention. The USB interface system
`
`2O
`
`for each peripheral device is identical (e.g. has a USB interface circuit and a memory) except
`
`that each memory may contain an identification code that is unique to, for example, a
`
`particular manufacturer. When one of the peripheral devices is connected to the USB and the
`
`PA~4211 g.4
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`t
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`Page 19
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`Attorney Docket No CHR-1120
`
`12
`
`host computer, the appropriate configuration information for the peripheral device, based on
`
`the identification code, is downloaded over the USB to the memory of the peripheral device
`
`and the appropriate soRware device driver is loaded into the memory of the host computer.
`
`Thus, a plurality of different peripheral device may include the same USB interface system
`
`hardware since the configuration information is located in the operating system of the host
`
`computer. Now, a conventional USB interface circuit and the universal serial bus interface
`
`circuit in accordance with the invention that permits the electronic disconnection and
`
`reconnection of the peripheral device will be described.
`
`I0
`
`Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a conventional host computer universal serial bus
`
`interface circuit 100 and a peripheral device USB interface circuit 101. The host computer
`
`USB interface 100 may include two USB data leads 102, 103 that may be labeled D+ and D-,
`
`which are both connected to ground through a resistor 112, 113 respectively. The peripheral
`
`~,=-a
`
`device USB interface 101 may include a buffer amplifier 104, having a first normal output of
`
`15
`
`the buffer 03+) 106 and a second inverted output of the buffer (D-) 108. The D+ output of
`
`the buffer may be connected to a supply voltage, which may be 3.3 volts for example,
`
`through a 1.5 1~ resistor 110. In operation, the host computer detects the connection of a
`
`peripheral device by monitoring the voltage levels of one of the two USB data leads. In
`
`particular, in the computer host, the D+ data line is terminated with a 15 k£2 resistor 1 I2 to
`
`2O
`
`ground. Thus, when the D+ line is not connected to a peripheral device, the measured
`
`voltage of the D+ line is approximately zero volts and the host computer determines that no
`
`peripheral device is connected to the USB port. When a peripheral device is connected to the
`
`PA~642118.4
`
`Page 20
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`
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`Attorney Docket No.
`
`CHR-1120
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`13
`
`USB port, the 1.Sk~ resistor 110 connected to a supply voltage of’the peripheral device USB
`
`interface 101 adds a voltage to the D+ line and the D+ line at the host computer is pulled to
`
`above 3 volts which is detected as a connected peripheral device by the host computer and
`
`the host computer begins the enumeration process. Now, the USB interface circuit in
`
`5
`
`accordance with the invention will be described.
`
`Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating a USB interface circuit for a peripheral device in
`
`accordance with the invention which permits the peripheral device to be electronically
`
`disconnected and/or reconnected to the USB without physically disconnecting and
`
`10
`
`reconnecting the peripheral device from the USB (e.g., the electric simulation of a
`
`disconnect/connect cycle). As with the conventional USB interface, the host computer USB
`
`interface circuit 100 may include two USB data leads 102, 103 which may be labeled as D+
`
`and D- as shown. As above, each data lead is connected to ground through a resistor and a
`
`15 kfl resistor 1 I2 connects the D+ data lead to ground. A peripheral device USB interface
`
`,,=
`
`.(cid:128) :: -
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`!,j
`
`15
`
`circuit 120 in accordance with the invention will now be described.
`
`:=%
`
`The peripheral USB interface circuit 120 may include a buffer amplifier 122, a first
`
`buffer output 124 labeled D+ and a second buffer output 126 labeled D-. In accordance with
`
`the invention, the D+ data lead may be connected to a supply voltage, which may be 3.3
`
`2O
`
`volts, through a 1.5 kgl resistor 128 and an electrical switch 130, that may be a
`
`semiconductor switch such as a field effect transistor (FET). The electrical switch may have
`
`a control lead 132 which may control the operation of the electrical switch. The elcctdcaI
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`PA~642118.4
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`,,,(cid:128)
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`Page 21
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`
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`Attorney Docket No,
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`CHK-1120
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`14
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`switch is normally controUed by the peripheral device, but the host computer may download
`
`configuration information containing a command instructing the peripheral device to actuate
`
`the electrical switch. Thus, both the peripheral device itself and the host computer may
`
`control the electrical switch. As above, when no peripheral device is physically connected to
`
`the USB, the host computer reads zero volts on the D+ data lead.
`
`When a peripheral device is connected to the USB, the electrical switch permits the
`
`peripheral device to disconnect and then reconnect itself to the USB without the physical
`
`disconnection of the peripheral device fi’om the USB. In particular, if the peripheral device is
`
`10
`
`physically connected to the USB, but the electrical switch is open, the D+ data lead is no
`
`longer connected to the supply voltage and the host computer determines that the peripheral
`
`device has been disconnected even though the peripheral device is still physically connected
`
`to the USB. Similarly, when the electrical switch is closed again, the D+ data Iead is again
`
`connected to the supply voltage and the host computer will detect that the peripheral device
`
`15
`
`has been reconnected to the USB. Therefore, the physical disconnection and/or connection
`
`of the peripheral device may be effected without actually physically disconnection and/or
`
`connecting the peripheral device. This electronic disconnection and reconnection of the
`
`peripheral device, as described above, in combination with the storage of the configuration
`
`information sets on the host computer permits the configuration of the peripheral devices to
`
`20
`
`be changed easily without requiting the physical disconnection and reconnection of a
`
`peripheral device. Now, an example of a system for connecting a plurality of different
`
`PA’,~42118.4
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`.(cid:128),
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`/
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`L ~"
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`/
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`Page 22
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`
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`Attorney Docket No. 2FIK-1120
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`15
`
`peripheral devices each containing a USB interface system in accordance with the invention,
`
`to a computer system will be described.
`
`Figures 5, 6, and 7 are diagram,~ illustrating three different peripheral devices from
`
`5
`
`different manufacturers, for example, being connected to a host computer in accordance with
`
`the inventiom In each Figure, a computer system 140 may include a host computer 142, a
`
`plurality of peripheral d~vices, such as peripheral device "A" 144 (shown in Figure 5),
`
`peripheral dmri~ "B" 146 (~hown in Figure 6), peripheral device "C" 148 (shown in Figure
`
`7) and a USB bus 149. The host computer 142 may include a CPU 150, a memory 152, an
`
`operating system 154 and a USB interface circuit 156. The operating system, in this
`
`~ample, may include a plurality of" software device drivers, such as device driver "A" 158,
`
`device driver "B" 160 and device driver "C" 162, and a plurality of configuration information
`
`sets, such as device "A" characteristics 154, device "B" characteristics 165 and
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