Multi-option setting device for a peripheral control chipset
AssigneeVIA Technologies, Inc.
InventorNai-Shung Chang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multi-option setting device is provided for use in association with a connecting pin of a chipset for allowing user-selection from more than two setting options to set the chipset to perform one of more than two I/O functions through the associated connecting pin. The multi-option setting device includes voltage setting means for generating a user-specified input voltage; voltage comparison circuits for use to determine which pre-specified voltage range the user-specified input voltage lies; and latch circuits each for latching the corresponding output of the voltage comparison circuits. This allows the associated connecting pin to be optionally set to be used for a user-specified I/O function.
Claims17
A multi-option setting device for use in association with a connecting pin of a chipset, the multi-option setting device comprising:
- voltage setting means for generating a user-specified input voltage whose value corresponds to at least one input/output (I/O) function that can be performed by the chipset through the associated connecting pin, with the I/O function corresponding to a pre-specified range of voltage levels;
- a plurality of analog comparators, each having a positive input end connected to the user-specified input voltage and a negative input end connected to a preset reference voltage, wherein the analog comparators are used to generate a first logic signal when the user-specified input voltage is greater in level than the reference voltage connected thereto, and a second logic signal when the user-specified input voltage is lower in level than the reference voltage connected thereto;
- and
- a plurality of latch circuits, each connecting to the output of the corresponding analog comparator, for latching the output signal of the analog comparator, wherein output signals of the latch circuits are used for setting the connecting pin to the user-selected I/O function corresponding to the user-specified input voltage.
A multi-option setting device for use in association with a connecting pin of a chipset, the multi-option setting device comprising:
- an input/output pad for receiving a user-specified input voltage whose value corresponds to at least one input/output (I/O) function;
- a plurality of comparators, each receiving the user-specified input voltage and a preset reference voltage, to generate a first logic signal when the user-specified input voltage is greater than the reference voltage, or a second logic signal when the user-specified input voltage is lower than the reference voltage;
- and
- a plurality of latch circuits, each receiving and latching the first logic signal or the second logic signal of the corresponding comparator, wherein output signals of the latch circuits are used for setting the connecting pin to the user-selected I/O function corresponding to the user-specified input voltage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.