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:
Jul. 15, 1997
Filed:
Sep. 29, 1994
Charles M Allen, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Maxim Integrated Products, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for interfacing a computer system with another system is described including an interface circuit. The interface circuit detects if the voltage level on a signal line represents a valid logic level and if so, provides a valid signal in response. The valid signal allows the computer system to which the interface circuit is coupled to provide power to the interface circuit such that network communication may be established and the interface circuit can internally turn on and off sections of its circuitry without intervention or control by the computer system. In addition, the computer system can use the Invalid signal to control software and/or to notify the user of the status of the computer system. When the interface circuit detects that the voltage level on the signal line does not represent a valid logic level, an Invalid signal is provided allowing the application of power to certain portions of the interface circuit to be suspended so that overall power consumption by the computer system is reduced.