Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Lord Nigel Featherston

Victor P Drake

Nathan C Sherman

Keith Mullins

Mark T Hanson

David L Holo

Mark William Casebolt

Terry M Lipscomb

Thomas Walter Getzinger

Mark R Lee

Ceasar Barcenas De Leon

Greg S Gibson

Brett T Ostrum

Dennis M Lee

Charles Salvatore Mauro, Jr

A peripheral device is connectable to a computer having one of a first interface and a second interface. The first interface communicates with the peripheral device over a differential data connection having a first data conductor and a second data conductor. The second interface communicates with the peripheral device over a clock conductor and a single ended data connection which includes a data conductor. The peripheral device has first and second communication conductors. The peripheral device includes an interface detection component coupled to the first and second communication conductors and configured to detect which of the first and second interfaces the peripheral device is connected to.

Method and apparatus for detecting the type of interface to which a peripheral device is connected

A peripheral device, with first and second communication conductors, is connectable to a computer having one of a first interface and a second interface. The first interface communicates with the peripheral device over a differential data connection having a first data conductor and a second data conductor. The second interface communicates with the peripheral device over a clock conductor and a single ended data connection which includes a data conductor. The peripheral device includes an interface detection component coupled to the first and second communication conductors to detect which of the first and second interfaces the peripheral device is connected to.

A peripheral device, connected to a computer, has either a first or second interface. The first interface communicates over a differential data connection and the second interface communicates over a clock conductor and a single ended data connection. The peripheral device has first and second communication conductors that are either connected to the differential data connection when the computer includes the first interface or to the single ended data connection and the clock conductor when the computer includes the second interface. The peripheral device has an interface detection component that detects which of the first and second interfaces the peripheral device is connected to. The peripheral device also has a controller that communicates according to a protocol corresponding to the detected interface.

A peripheral device is connectable to a computer having one of a first interface and a second interface. The first interface communicates with the peripheral device over a differential data connection having a first data conductor and a second data conductor. The second interface communicates with the peripheral device over a clock conductor and a single ended data connection which includes a data conductor. The peripheral device has first and second communication conductors configured for connection to the first and second data conductors in the differential data connection when the computer includes the first interface and is configured for connection to the first data conductor in the single ended data connection and the clock conductor when the computer is provided with the second interface. The peripheral device includes an interface detection component coupled to the first and second communication conductors and configured to detect which of the first and second interfaces the peripheral device is connected to. The peripheral device also includes a controller component configured to communicate between the peripheral device according to a protocol corresponding to the detected interface.

A method and system for automatically detecting a wide area network (WAN) communication connection to a selected one of a plurality of substantially equivalent communication ports. An initiation event, such as a link detect or a power on event, is detected for the selected port. An attempt is then made to access the WAN through the selected port. For example, an Internet connection request may be sent through the selected port. If a response is received through the selected port, the response is evaluated to determine if the attempt to access the WAN was successful. If the attempt was successful, the selected port is set as the WAN communication connection. Otherwise, the selected port is set as a local area network communication connection. Preferably, the dynamic WAN port detection is performed by a network device, such as a gateway, or by a computer in communication with a network device.

Dynamic WAN port detection

A peripheral device is connectable to a computer having one of a first interface and a second interface. The first interface communicates with the peripheral device over a differential data connection having a first data conductor and a second data conductor. The second interface communicates with the peripheral device over a clock conductor and a single ended data connection which includes a data conductor. The peripheral device includes an interface detection component coupled to at least one of first and second communication conductors used to communicate between the peripheral device and the computer. The interface detection component is configured to detect which of the first and second interfaces the peripheral device is connected to.

Peripheral device configured to detect the type of interface to which it is connected and configuring itself accordingly

Changes in the detent position of a detented control wheel used for the Z-axis in a pointing device are determined in a manner that avoids problems previously experienced. A detented wheel is coupled to an optical encoder that produces a quadrature output signal. A quadrature state table containing entries defining quadrature state change conditions that invoke position change indications is used to determine when transitions between detent positions are reported and includes provision for reporting transitions between detent positions even if quadrature states are missed. Also employed is a physical-to-logical quadrature state conversion scheme that enables the transition point between adjacent detent positions to be correctly determined within a controlled range relative to the adjacent detent positions, regardless of the physical quadrature state while the wheel is in a detent position. The invention also enables the use of unmatched photo-optic sets by combining a duty-cycle encoding scheme and feedback mechanism, and by providing a continuous readjustment throughout of sampling time during use of the pointing device. The duty-cycle encoding scheme is implemented by a microcontroller or logic device that processes the quadrature output signal.

Determining the position of a detented optical encoder

Sampling of a phototransistor in an optical encoding system is controlled by &ldquo;turning on&rdquo; the phototransistor, after light has already charged the base of the phototransistor at least somewhat, by applying a potential difference across the collector and emitter of the phototransistor, producing an essentially instantaneous emitter response, which is then sampled.

Apparatus and method for sampling a phototransistor

An apparatus and method for setting a sensitivity level of an optical encoding circuit in an input device includes an adjuster for adjusting the sensitivity level, a threshold locator for detecting a sensitivity threshold of the occurrence of a prescribed output from a light detector circuit, and a motion encoder for encoding motion from the output of the light detector circuit. The threshold locator locates a sensitivity threshold by setting the sensitivity level to one extreme, then repeatedly sampling the light detector circuit output for a prescribed state most likely at the one extreme, while incrementally changing the sensitivity level each time the prescribed state is detected. The sensitivity level used by the threshold locator thus approaches the sensitivity threshold of the prescribed state. A sensitivity level for motion encoding is set based on the sensitivity level for threshold location. Motion encoding samples from the output of the light detector may be interleaved with threshold location samples, and the absolute total motion is tracked. When the sensitivity level has not changed through a prescribed amount of total motion, the threshold location process terminates, the sensitivity level is set for motion encoding, all samples are used for motion encoding, and encoded motion is reported by the device. The prescribed amount of total motion is selected such that the threshold location process completes within a finite displacement, with an optimal-level resulting set point for motion encoding, regardless of the motion of the device throughout the process.

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Redmond, WA, United States of America

Lord Nigel Featherston