Single-pin serial communication link with start-bit flow control

A method comprising:

• (a) detecting a remote start bit on a single-wire communication bus, wherein a target device detects the remote start bit;
• (b) supplying initial data bits onto the single-wire communication bus, wherein the target device supplies the initial data bits, wherein the single-wire communication bus is coupled to a pull-up resistor and wherein a voltage is present on the single-wire communication bus;
• and
• (c) allowing the pull-up resistor to pull the voltage on the single-wire communication bus to a digital logic high, wherein the remote start bit has a pulse duration, wherein a first of the initial data bits is a digital logic low and a second of the initial data bits is a digital logic high, and wherein the digital logic high is supplied onto the single-wire communication bus by driving the voltage on the single-wire communication bus high for a time period less than the pulse duration.

A method comprising:

• (a) detecting a remote start bit on a single-wire communication bus;
• (b) supplying initial data bits onto the single-wire communication bus;
• (c) waiting until a subsequent remote start bit is detected on the single-wire communication bus;
• and
• (d) supplying subsequent data bits onto the single-wire communication bus.

A computer-readable storage medium comprising program instructions for performing the steps of:

• (a) detecting a remote start bit on a single-wire communication bus, wherein a target device detects the remote start bit;
• (b) determining a pulse duration of the remote start bit;
• and
• (c) supplying initial data bits onto the single-wire communication bus, wherein each of the initial data bits is supplied by the target device for one pulse duration onto the single-wire communication bus.

A computer-readable storage medium comprising program instructions for performing the steps of:

• (a) detecting a remote start bit on a single-wire communication bus:
• (b) determining a pulse duration of the remote start bit;
• (c) supplying initial data bits onto the single-wire communication bus, wherein each of the initial data bits is supplied for one pulse duration onto the single-wire communication bus;
• (d) waiting until a subsequent remote start bit is detected on the single-wire communication bus;
• and
• (e) supplying subsequent data bits onto the single-wire communication bus.

A method comprising:

• (a) receiving initial data bits from a single-wire communication bus;
• (b) holding a voltage low on the single-wire communication bus after receiving the initial data bits to prevent a stop bit from being supplied onto the single-wire communication bus;
• (c) supplying a remote start bit onto the single-wire communication bus;
• and
• (d) receiving subsequent data bits from a single-wire communication bus.

A method comprising:

• (a) receiving initial data bits from a single-wire communication bus;
• (b) holding a voltage low on the single-wire communication bus after receiving the initial data bits to prevent a stop bit from being supplied onto the single-wire communication bus;
• (c) supplying a remote start bit onto the single-wire communication bus;
• and
• (d) receiving subsequent data bits from a single-wire communication bus, wherein the initial data bits are received by a host device, and wherein the host device supplies the remote start bit in (c) after the host device has accepted the initial data bits.

A system comprising:

• a host device;
• a microcontroller having a plurality of input/output pins;
• a communication bus coupled to said host device and to a single input/output pin of said microcontroller, wherein plural data bits flow from said microcontroller to said host device over said communication bus;
• and
• means for controlling the flow of said plural data bits over said communication bus from said microcontroller integrated circuit to said host device, wherein said means controls the flow of said plural data bits by receiving a remote start bit from said host device, and wherein an RS232 character comprises said remote start bit and said plural data bits.