Intel Corporation

Michael E Pierce

David C Scheer

Duncan D MacGregor

Wayne D Tran

Patrick Edward Weston

Chengwu Chen

John A Horn

Robert J Gormley

James L Foote, Iii

A modem device is described. The modem device comprises a first connector allowing coupling to a telecommunications transmission system, a second connector allowing coupling to a computer system, and a selector capable of receiving a mode select signal and capable of automatically selecting between operational modes in response to the mode select signal. It also comprises a circuit capable of receiving signals from the telecommunications transmission system in a selected operational mode and transmitting signals to a computer system. The circuit also is capable of receiving signals from the computer system and transmitting signals to the telecommunications transmission system in the selected operational mode.

Method and apparatus for configuring a modem capable of operating in a

An apparatus and a method for upgrading the memory contents of a removable computer card in a computer system. The computer card includes a specialized random access memory and circuitry that allows the computer system read only access to the contents of a first portion of the specialized random access memory device during normal operations. To upgrade the contents in the specialized random access memory, the circuitry allows the computer system write access privileges to the entire random access memory device. The computer card also includes a microcontroller which controls read and write access requests by the computer system to the specialized random access memory device. The microcontroller is placed in a reduced power consumption state when the computer system is performing read only access to the specialized random access memory device so that overall power consumption by the card in the computer system is reduced.

Method and apparatus for upgrading reprogrammable memory contents in a

A system for accessing attribute memory on a card using the interrupt capability of a microcontroller on the PCMCIA card intended to perform I/O functions for the host. The attribute memory interfaces directly with the microcontroller. A PLD is connected between the host bus and the microcontroller decodes the host's bus signals and generates an interrupt signal when it detects a request for access to the attribute memory which signal is supplied to the microcontroller. Upon receipt of the interrupt signal, the microcontroller runs a special routine that accesses attribute memory and supplies the results to the host. The PCMCIA card has a configured state in which the host has read the configuration information from attribute memory and has allocated necessary system resources. The PCMCIA card is in an unconfigured state if the foregoing has not been accomplished. The programmable logic device contains an AND gate having one of its inputs connected to the lines of the bus relating to the I/O function and a second input connected to the microprocessor for receiving a card enable signal, having at least two logic states. The control signals are passed to the microcontroller when the card enable signal is in one of the two logic states. The method consists of the steps of decoding the bus signals; when the host requests access to attribute memory, generate an interrupt signal and supply it to the microcontroller; the microcontroller runs an interrupt routine that includes saving the microcontroller registers, disabling the I/O functions, accessing the attribute memory, and providing the results to the host.

High speed access to PC card memory using interrupts

An integrated circuit (IC) card and corresponding computer IC card receptacle apparatus is described which provides for enhanced electrical isolation of the IC card's side contacts during insertion, and which provides for enhanced IC card security features. The apparatus includes an IC card containing a side contact located within a recessed keyed notch along a side edge. The apparatus also includes an IC card receptacle containing the corresponding side electrical contact on a keyed control arm. The keyed control arm is keyed for the recessed keyed notch of the IC card, such that the electrical contact on the keyed control arm remains electrically isolated until the IC card is completely inserted into the receptacle. The control arm may be coupled to a locking mechanism so that the IC card is forcibly retained in the IC card receptacle until released. Additional electrical isolation of the IC card receptacle's side contact may provided for by an IC card insertion detector and switch, which keeps the IC card receptacle side contact electrically isolated from the remainder of the computer system until the IC card is detected as being fully inserted.

Keying notches for side contacts on a thin form factor computer card

A system for controlling the power consumption of an add-in PC card operating within a host computer. The host computer includes a power supply that provides all power used by the PC card. The PC card includes communication registers required for communication between the host computer and the PC card. The PC card also includes a microcontroller connected to an I/O subsystem and a multi-pin I/O connector. A first side of the multi-pin I/O connector is connected to the I/O subsystem and a second side is connected to a source of I/O signals external to the host computer. An external register module is connected to the microcontroller and communicates with the host computer. The external register module contains the communication registers. A status detector located on the PC card detects whether the I/O subsystem is processing I/O information, and supplies a status signal indicative thereof. A power management module is also located on the PC card and is connected to the status connector. The power management module receives the status signal from the status detector and supplies one or more predetermined power levels as a result of the status signal.

Active power down for PC card I/O applications

An apparatus and method for removing and applying power to circuitry within a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) PC card so as to reduce power consumption and, thus, prolong battery life for a portable computer system or electronic device, hereinafter referred to as a host system, in which the PC card is plugged is described. The PC card employs logic controlled by the host system to properly sequence control lines to and removal of power from the PC card circuitry to be powered down so as to prevent the occurrence of a CMOS latchup condition, allow for data to be saved and later restored when the circuitry is powered up, and maximize reduction in power consumption by the host system.

Power down state machine for PCMCIA PC card applications

A right-angle surface-mounted light-emitting diode is mounted on a printed circuit board within a thin form factor computer cartridge. The LED is mounted, inside the cartridge assembly, close to, and facing toward, the opaque edge of the cartridge. The edge of the cartridge frame has a small diameter hole, through which a clear light-transmitting material is installed. This light-transmitting material forms a light pipe which conducts the light emanating from the LED out of the card.

Growing community of inventors

Orangevale, CA, United States of America

Michael E Pierce