Xircom, Inc.

Intel Corporation

Timothy J Thornton

Robert Rosen

Eric K Henderson

Ian A Laity

George Q Gu

A user configurable, modular port expansion system allows the user of a host system such as a USB-enabled personal computer to customize a desired configuration of one or more peripheral device modules without the use of cables between modules. The peripheral device modules are physically and electrically connectable to each other side-by-side between a hub end module and a power end module in any sequence so that there can be provided, within the limits of the host port specification, virtually any number of selected, expanded functions in any combination. The peripheral device modules may include, by way of example, a standard parallel DB-25 port module, a two-port serial PS/2 module, a two-port serial DB-9 module, a four- or seven-port USB hub, an RJ-11 Ethernet LAN module, and an RJ-11 modem module. Where the host port is USB compliant, power to the peripheral device modules may be supplied by the host system via a USB standard cable connected to the USB port of the hub end module, or, if more power is required, by an external a.c. power adapter connectable to the power end module. The power end module may also include an USB expansion port.

Port expansion peripheral module system

Port expansion system

A method of bootstrapping executable code to a microprocessor controller from a personal computer (PC) via a bidirectional interface, e.g., a standard PC parallel port comprised of an external 25-pin D-shell connector. By bootstrapping its code from the PC, the microprocessor controller, which controls an adapter, e.g., a modem adapter, coupled to the PC is able to retrieve the most current version of the code stored in the PC.

Communication method for redirecting information to another port

A method of bootstrapping executable code to a microprocessor controller from a personal computer (PC) via a bidirectional interface, e.g., a standard PC parallel port comprised of an external 25-pin D-shell connector. By bootstrapping its code from the PC, the microprocessor controller, which controls an adapter, e.g., a modem adapter, coupled to the PC is able to retrieve the most current version of code stored in the PC.

Technique for bootstrapping executable code to an adapter

A modem adapter for use with a standard parallel port of a personal computer (PC) for interfacing to the public switched telephone network (PSTN). The modem adapter accepts digital data, eight bits at a time, from a standard PC parallel port and modulates this digital data into an analog format, compatible with the PSTN. Conversely, the modem adapter accepts analog data from the PSTN and converts it into digital data and transfers this data to the parallel port, at least four bits at a time. The modem adapter of the present invention thus neither requires any additional circuit cards in the PC's card slots nor dedication of any of the existing serial ports. Redirector software intercepts software I/O instructions directed toward a serial I/O port and redirects and reformats these instructions to the modem adapter through the parallel port. This redirection permits existing modem control software to be used without modification with the modem adapter of the present invention.

Growing community of inventors

Camarillo, CA, United States of America

Timothy J Thornton