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:
Oct. 26, 2004
Filed:
Feb. 18, 2003
Anthony Joseph Benson, Roseville, CA (US);
Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
An apparatus capable of determining whether connections are properly mated includes a control device that monitors the state of input lines associated with connectors. The input lines are held at a predetermined state until a device is connected to or disconnected from one or more of the connectors. The control device detects the change in state on the input line and determines whether a connection or disconnection is occurring. When a connection is occurring, the state of an output signal is set to provide connection feedback to the device being connected via another signal line coupled to the connector. The capability to monitor connections and disconnection of multiple devices allows a system to determine whether devices are properly connected to provide the required functionality, such as properly terminating a communication port, and enabling communication with other devices.