US 7,467,240 B2Granted

Serial host interface generates index word that indicates whether operation is read or write operation

AssigneeSeiko Epson Corporation

InventorsYun Shon Low, Raymond Chow

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Abstract

Data throughput of the serial host interface is improved by combining command and register address data into a single index word to be transmitted through the serial host interface. The least significant bit (LSB) of the index word specifies the command and the remainder of the index word specifies the register address. Thus, transmission of just two words is required to transmit each of a single write data word and a single read data word. Additionally, the serial host interface provides for elimination of the dummy access word as required when performing a read transmission using a conventional serial host interface protocol.

Claims4

Dependent claims

A serial interface for conducting a data transmission operation between a processor and an external device using a serial interface protocol, comprising:

an input transmission line;
and
a command signal line;
and wherein
the serial interface protocol comprises:
an index word including both address data and a transmission command, the index word to be transmitted on the input transmission line;
one or more words of data to be transmitted following transmission of the index word;
and
a command signal to be transmitted on the command signal line, the command signal defined to indicate transmission of the index word, wherein an address corresponding to the address data is to be accessed during processing of a least significant bit (LSB) of the index word such that data residing at the address is available for transmission immediately following processing of the LSB of the index word.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.