The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 03, 1996
Filed:
Oct. 02, 1995
David P Sonner, Austin, TX (US);
David A Brown, Austin, TX (US);
Carl W Kagy, Cedar Park, TX (US);
William J Watson, Austin, TX (US);
Tandem Computers Incorporated, Cupertino, CA (US);
Abstract
A digital control circuit is constructed to use a single signal line for the dual functions of control and sensing the presence of the controlled device. The control circuit includes a driver element having an output capable of being placed in a high impedance allowing the signal line to be pulled to a first predetermined voltage potential when the controlled device is connected thereto, and a second voltage potential when the controlled device is absent therefrom. A receiver circuit monitors the signal line to sense presence of the one or the other of the voltage potentials.