Analog Devices,inc.

Steven E Austin

Dale F Stolitzka

Shawn W Scarlett

A data bus and message handling method provide a definitive means of indicating a client-aborted message for data bus systems which employ a message protocol that requires each message conveyed between a client device and an originating device to automatically and atomically include a frame check sequence (FCS). When a message is not to be client-aborted, a 'good' FCS is generated by a first method, typically based on the message's data content. However, when a message is to be client-aborted, the FCS is generated by a second method which requires modifying the good FCS value to create a 'bad' FCS, preferably using a mathematical means that preserves the uniqueness of the bad FCS to a high degree.

Data bus with client-aborted message handling method

A plug-in device discrimination circuit is connected to the contacts of a jack. When a plug-in device is plugged into the jack, the circuit discerns the type of device it is, thereby enabling proper interface circuitry to be connected to the plug-in device. The discrimination circuit includes a comparison circuit, a switching network, and a controller. The controller operates the switching network to connect the comparison circuit to the jack contacts. When so connected, the comparison circuit compares the electrical characteristics of at least two of the circuits contained within the plug-in device, and produces an output which varies with the results of the comparison. The controller receives the output of the comparison circuit and may configure additional circuitry to present an appropriate interface to the plug-in device.

Plug-in device discrimination circuit and method

A system and method for portable computer battery management using host processing relocates analog and digital components needed to implement the SBDS standard from the battery pack to the computer, which processes the acquired battery data using the host processor. The battery pack requires only battery temperature and voltage sensing circuits, and an interface circuit for conveying the sensed data out of the battery pack. The portable computer includes a circuit which senses current provided to or drawn from the battery. Battery temperature, voltage and current data is provided to the computer's host system, which executes a battery management application program to determine battery status in accordance with the SBDS standard.

System and method for battery management using host processing

A rechargeable battery measurement and calibration system for use with a removable battery pack suitably used to power a mobile computer locates current measurement and battery status intelligence outside of the battery pack, thereby reducing the cost, complexity, and power consumption of the battery pack when compared with prior art systems. A system host controls the measurement and calibration of the battery system; the host requests current measurements under both zero-current and non-zero calibration current conditions, with the resulting calibration values enabling linearity errors that might otherwise be present in the current measurements to be totally and easily identified and accounted for in a fuel gauge measurement. The present system complies with the SBS-IF specification for Smart Battery systems.

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Penn Valley, CA, United States of America

Steven E Austin