System and method for shared use of common GPIO line

A method for sharing a general purpose input/output (GPIO) line of an integrated circuit, the method comprising:

• connecting a first circuit component to the GPIO line;
• connecting a second circuit component to the GPIO line concurrently with the first circuit component;
• wherein the first circuit component is to provide input to the integrated circuit using the GPIO line during a first time;
• and
• wherein the second circuit component is to receive an output from the integrated circuit using the GPIO line during a second time.

An electrical circuit having circuit components in electrical communication with an integrated circuit, the circuit being adapted to share a general purpose input/output (GPIO) line of the integrated circuit among at least two circuit components external to the integrated circuit, the circuit comprising:

• a first circuit component connected to the GPIO line;
• a second circuit component connected to the GPIO line concurrently with the first circuit component;
• the integrated circuit being adapted to receive an input from the first circuit component via the GPIO line during a first time;
• and the integrated circuit being adapted to provide an output to the second circuit component via the GPIO line during a second time.

In a system comprising electrical circuitry and components:

• an integrated circuit having a general purpose input/output (GPIO) line;
• a first circuit component coupled to the GPIO line, wherein the first circuit component is adapted to provide, at a first time, a first input to the integrated circuit using the GPIO line;
• and
• a second circuit component coupled to the GPIO line, wherein the second circuit component is adapted to receive, at a second time, a first output from the integrated circuit using the GPIO line.