Methods and systems for interfacing with an interface powered I/O device
AssigneeThe Foxboro Company
InventorDaniel Joseph Anderson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An I/O device powered by its computer interface is interfaced to a computer through a PC Card. A dongle is included with a cable assembly between the PC Card and the I/O device. Power for the I/O device is supplied thereto by an external power supply connected to the dongle. Using a power status input, the PC card can detect whether the external power supply is operational and connected, and accordingly, the PC Card manages operations with the I/O device.
Claims30
A computer interface couplable to an interface powered Input/Output ("I/O") device, said computer interface comprising:
- a PC Card, said PC Card including input-output circuitry and at least one power status input;
- a power source, external to said PC Card, for powering said I/O device;
- and
- a cable assembly adapted to connect said PC Card and said power source to said I/O device, wherein said cable assembly couples said power source to said at least one power status input such that a power status of said power source is detectable by said PC Card.
A method of interfacing a PC Card to an Input/Output ("I/O") device, said I/O device being powered by a power supply external to said PC Card, wherein a cable assembly connects said PC Card, said I/O device and said power supply, and wherein said method comprises:
- (a) initializing said PC Card;
- (b) said PC Card checking a condition indicated by at least one power status line received on said cable assembly, said condition being indicative of a status of said power supply;
- (c) if said at least one power status line indicates an unpowered condition, repeating said checking step (b) until said power status line indicates a powered condition;
- and
- (d) when said powered condition is detected by said PC Card, said PC Card initializing communications with said I/O device.
An Input/Output ("I/O") system comprising:
- an I/O subsystem comprising a chassis having at least one module receiving location, a first module receiving location of said at least one module receiving location adapted to receive an I/O type module, said I/O subsystem also including a connector adapted to couple with a control module that would power said I/O subsystem;
- a PC Card;
- a power source, external to said PC Card, for powering said I/O subsystem;
- and
- a cable assembly interconnecting said PC card, said power source and said connector of said I/O subsystem.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.