U.S. patent application number 14/095417 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-04 for data communication interface.
The applicant listed for this patent is Barry John Mc CLELAND, Eugene Christiaan van BELJON. Invention is credited to Barry John Mc CLELAND, Eugene Christiaan van BELJON.
Application Number | 20150156089 14/095417 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53266243 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150156089 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mc CLELAND; Barry John ; et
al. |
June 4, 2015 |
DATA COMMUNICATION INTERFACE
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention provide a data communication
interface which includes a controller module, a switching module
and a data port. The controller module is operable to monitor a
status of a power line of the data port and, if the power line has
a first status, to transmit a first communication mode instruction
to the switching module. If the power line has a second status, the
controller module is configured to transmit a second communication
mode instruction to the switching module. The switching module is
configured to receive a communication mode instruction from the
controller module and, if the first communication mode instruction
is received, to route data communication lines corresponding to a
first communication protocol to the data port. If the second
communication mode instruction is received, the switching module is
configured to route data communication lines corresponding to a
second communication protocol to the data port.
Inventors: |
Mc CLELAND; Barry John;
(Southlake, TX) ; van BELJON; Eugene Christiaan;
(Grapevine, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mc CLELAND; Barry John
van BELJON; Eugene Christiaan |
Southlake
Grapevine |
TX
TX |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53266243 |
Appl. No.: |
14/095417 |
Filed: |
December 3, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
307/1 ;
370/252 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 43/08 20130101;
H04L 69/18 20130101; Y02D 50/40 20180101; H04L 12/12 20130101; Y02D
30/50 20200801 |
International
Class: |
H04L 12/26 20060101
H04L012/26; H04L 29/06 20060101 H04L029/06 |
Claims
1. A data communication interface comprising a controller module, a
switching module and a data port, wherein: the controller module is
operable to monitor a status of a power line of the data port and,
if the power line has a first status, transmit a first
communication mode instruction to the switching module and, if the
power line has a second status, transmit a second communication
mode instruction to the switching module; the switching module is
configured to receive a communication mode instruction from the
controller module and, if the first communication mode instruction
is received, route inter-integrated circuit (I2C) data
communication lines to the data port; or, if the second
communication mode instruction is received, route universal serial
bus (USB) data communication lines to the data port, and wherein
the data communications interface is thus configurable for data
communication via the data port with either an external device
using an I2C data communication protocol or an external device
using a USB data communication protocol.
2. The data communication interface according to claim 1, wherein
monitoring the status of the power line monitors a voltage of the
power line.
3. The data communication interface according to claim 2, wherein
the power line has a first status if the voltage is less than a
first predetermined threshold and the power line has a second
status if the voltage is greater than a second predetermined
threshold.
4. The data communication interface according to claim 3, wherein
the first predetermined threshold corresponds to an operating
voltage of the first I2C data communication protocol and the second
predetermined threshold corresponds to an operating voltage of the
USB data communication protocol.
5. The data communication interface according to claim 3, wherein
the first and second predetermined thresholds are the same between
an operating voltage of the I2C data communication protocol and an
operating voltage of the USB data communication protocol.
6. The data communication interface according to claim 1, wherein
if the power line has a first status and the switching module
routes I2C data communication lines, the power line of the data
port is configured to supply power to an external device; and if
the power line has a second status and the switching module routes
USB data communication lines, the power line of the data port is
configured to receive power from an external device.
7. The data communication interface according to claim 1, wherein
if the power line has a second status and the switching module
routes USB data communication lines to the data port, the data
communication lines are not used and only power is received via the
data port.
8. The data communication interface according to claim 6, wherein
if the power line is configured to receive power from an external
device, using the received power to power and/or charge a power
source of a host of the data communication interface.
9. The data communication interface according to claim 1, wherein
the first communication mode instruction is a logic high and the
second communication mode instruction is a logic low or wherein the
first communication mode instruction is a logic low and the second
communication mode instruction is a logic high.
10. The data communication interface according to claim 1, wherein
the switching module is a multiplexer.
11. The data communication interface according to claim 1, wherein
the I2C data communication lines include a serial data line, a
serial clock line and optionally an interrupt line.
12. The data communication interface according to claim 1, wherein
the USB data communication lines include data plus (D+) and data
minus (D-) lines, and wherein wires of the data port include a
power line, two data lines, and a ground line and optionally an
additional line.
13. The data communication interface according to claim 12, wherein
the two data lines are in electrical communication with a serial
data line and a serial clock line when the switching module is in
the first communication mode and wherein the two data lines are in
electrical communication with a data plus line and a data minus
line when the switching module is in the second communication
mode.
14. The data communication interface according to claim 1, wherein
the switching module has a default setting to route I2C data
communication lines to the data port.
15. A monitoring device having one or more sensors associated
therewith for monitoring one or more parameters, the monitoring
device comprising a data communication interface comprising a
controller module, a switching module and a data port, wherein: the
controller module is operable to monitor a status of a power line
of the data port and, if the power line has a first status,
transmit a first communication mode instruction to the switching
module and, if the power line has a second status, transmit a
second communication mode instruction to the switching module; and,
the switching module is configured to receive a communication mode
instruction from the controller module and, if the first
communication mode instruction is received, route inter-integrated
circuit (I2C) data communication lines to the data port; or, if the
second communication mode instruction is received, route universal
serial bus (USB) data communication lines to the data port, and
wherein the data communications interface is thus configurable for
data communication via the data port with either an external device
using an I2C data communication protocol or an external device
using a USB data communication protocol.
16. A method for controlling a data communication interface for a
single data port, comprising the step of: monitoring the status of
a power line of the data port and, if the power line has a first
status, transmitting a first communication mode instruction to
route inter-integrated circuit (I2C) data communication lines to
the data port and, if the power line has a second status,
transmitting a second communication mode instruction to route
universal serial bus (USB) data communication lines to the data
port, wherein the data communications interface is thus
configurable for data communication via the data port with either
an external device using an I2C data communication protocol or an
external device using a USB data communication protocol.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the step of
monitoring the status of a power line of the data port monitors a
voltage of the power line of the data port.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the power line has a
first status if the voltage is less than a first predetermined
threshold and the power line has a second status if the voltage is
greater than a second predetermined threshold.
19. The method according to claim 16, wherein the method includes
further steps of either receiving a first communication mode
instruction and, responsive to which, activating a multiplexer to
route I2C data communication lines to the data port; or, receiving
a second communication mode instruction and, responsive to which,
activating a multiplexer to route USB data communication lines to
the data port.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a data communication interface
which may be operable to communicate using different communication
protocols.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] There are currently a variety of different communication
standards. Each communication standard may involve its own
communication protocol, as well as communication connectors,
sockets and/or ports, cables and the like. A communication standard
is typically chosen so as to meet certain criteria. For example,
data rate, number of devices to be connected, power consumption, or
simplicity may be criteria on which a communication standard is
chosen. The communication protocol of a particular communication
standard may define formats for exchanging messages. For example,
the universal serial bus (USB) defines a specific communication
protocol and corresponding communication ports and connectors which
are typically used in conjunction therewith.
[0003] It may be desirable to implement more than one communication
protocol using a common connector.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is
provided a data communication interface, the data communication
interface comprising a controller module, a switching module and a
data port, wherein:
[0005] the controller module is operable to monitor a status of a
power line of the data port and, if the power line has a first
status, transmitting a first communication mode instruction to the
switching module and, if the power line has a second status,
transmitting a second communication mode instruction to the
switching module;
[0006] the switching module is configured to receive a
communication mode instruction from the controller module and, if
the first communication mode instruction is received, route data
communication lines corresponding to a first communication protocol
to the data port; or, if the second communication mode instruction
is received, route data communication lines corresponding to a
second communication protocol to the data port.
[0007] In one embodiment of the invention, monitoring the status of
the power line monitors a voltage of the power line; wherein the
power line has a first status if the voltage is less than a first
predetermined threshold and the power line has a second status if
the voltage is greater than a second predetermined threshold.
[0008] Further features of the invention provide for the first
predetermined threshold to be a lower threshold of an operating
voltage of the first communication protocol and for the second
predetermined threshold to be an operating voltage of the second
communication protocol; the first and second predetermined
thresholds are the same between a lower threshold of an operating
voltage of the first communication protocol and an operating
voltage of the second communication protocol; for the lower
threshold of the operating voltage of the first communication
protocol to be about 2.8 V; for the operating voltage of the second
communication protocol to be about 5 V; for an increase in voltage
on the power line to correspond to a connection of a powered device
to the data port; for a decrease in voltage on the power line to
correspond to a removal of the powered device from the data
port.
[0009] Further features of the invention provide for, if the power
line has a first status and the switching module routes data
communication lines corresponding to a first communication
protocol, the power line of the data port is configured to supply
power to an external device; and if the power line has a second
status and the switching module routes data communication lines
corresponding to a second communication protocol, the power line of
the data port is configured to receive power from an external
device.
[0010] Further features of the invention provide for, if the power
line has a second status and the switching module routes data
communication lines corresponding to a second communication
protocol to the data port, the data communication lines are not
used and only power is received via the data port.
[0011] Further features of the invention provide for, if the power
line is configured to receive power from an external device, using
the received power to power and/or charge a power source of a host
of the data communication interface.
[0012] Further features of the invention provide for the first
communication mode instruction to be a logic high and for the
second communication mode instruction to be a logic low or for the
first communication mode instruction to be a logic low and for the
second communication mode instruction to be a logic high; for the
switching module to be a multiplexer; for the switching module to
include a 4-to-2 multiplexer; for the switching module to include
two 2-to-1 multiplexers.
[0013] Still further features of the invention provide for the data
communication lines corresponding to the first communication
protocol to be inter-integrated circuit (I2C) or system management
bus (SMBus) data communication lines; for the I2C or SMBus data
communication lines to include a serial data line and a serial
clock line; for the I2C or SMBus data communication lines to
include an additional line; for the additional line to be an
interrupt line; for the I2C or SMBus data communication lines to
include a positive power line for providing electrical power to an
external peripheral device; for the I2C or SMBus data communication
lines to include a negative power line for providing electrical
power to an external peripheral device.
[0014] Yet further features of the invention provide for the data
communication lines corresponding to the second communication
protocol to be universal serial bus (USB) data communication lines;
for the USB data communication lines to be data plus (D+) and data
minus (D-) lines; for the USB data communication lines to include
an additional line; for the additional line to be an identifier
(ID) line; for the USB data communication lines to include a
positive power line for receiving power from an external powered
device; for the USB data communication lines to include a negative
power line for receiving power from an external powered device.
[0015] Further features of the invention provide for the data port
to include four wires; for the wires to include a power line, two
data lines, and a ground line; for the data port to include an
additional interrupt line or ID line; for the two data lines to be
in electrical communication with the serial data line and the
serial clock line when the switching module is in the first
communication mode; for the two data lines to be in electrical
communication with the data plus line and the data minus line when
the switching module is in the second communication mode.
[0016] Further features of the invention provide for the switching
module has a default setting to route data communication lines
corresponding to the first communication protocol to the data
port.
[0017] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a monitoring device having one or more sensors associated
therewith for monitoring one or more parameters, the monitoring
device having a data communication interface comprising a
controller module, a switching module and a data port, wherein:
[0018] the controller module is operable to monitor a status of a
power line of the data port and, if the power line has a first
status, transmitting a first communication mode instruction to the
switching module and, if the power line has a second status,
transmitting a second communication mode instruction to the
switching module;
[0019] the switching module is configured to receive a
communication mode instruction from the controller module and, if
the first communication mode instruction is received, route data
communication lines corresponding to a first communication protocol
to the data port; or, if the second communication mode instruction
is received, route data communication lines corresponding to a
second communication protocol to the data port.
[0020] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a method for controlling a data communication interface
for a data port, comprising:
[0021] monitoring the status of a power line of the data port and,
[0022] if the power line has a first status, transmitting a first
communication mode instruction to route data communication lines
corresponding to a first communication protocol to the data port
and, [0023] if the power line has a second status, sending a second
communication mode instruction to route data communication lines
corresponding to a second communication protocol to the data
port.
[0024] Further features of the invention provide for the step of
monitoring the status of a power line of the data port to monitor a
voltage of the power line of the data port.
[0025] Further features of the invention provide for the power line
to have a first status if the voltage is less than a first
predetermined threshold and the power line to have a second status
if the voltage is greater than a second predetermined
threshold.
[0026] Further features of the invention provide for the method to
include further steps of either receiving a first communication
mode instruction and, responsive to which, activating a multiplexer
to route data communication lines corresponding to the first
communication protocol to the data port; or receiving a second
communication mode instruction and, responsive to which, activating
a multiplexer to route data communication lines corresponding to
the second communication protocol to the data port.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 is a block diagram which illustrates components of a
data communication interface according to an embodiment of the
invention;
[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram which illustrates components of a
data communication interface as integrated into a monitoring device
according to embodiments of the invention;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a block diagram which illustrates an I2C device
being connected to a monitoring device having a data communication
interface according to embodiments of the invention;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a block diagram which illustrates a USB device
being connected to a monitoring device having a data communication
interface according to embodiments of the invention;
[0031] FIG. 5 is a block diagram which illustrates USB power
charging device, which does not have data communication lines,
being connected to a monitoring device having a data communication
interface, according to embodiments of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 6 is a block diagram which illustrates a system
including a monitoring device having a data communication interface
according to embodiments of the invention and three exemplary
external devices;
[0033] FIG. 7 is a block flow diagram which illustrates a method
for controlling a data communication interface for a data port
according to embodiments of the invention;
[0034] FIG. 8 is a block diagram which illustrates an exemplary
computing device in which various aspects of the disclosure may be
implemented; and,
[0035] FIG. 9 is a block diagram which shows an exemplary
monitoring device that may be used in embodiments of the
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS
[0036] Many electronic devices, such as monitoring devices for
example, are capable of receiving and transmitting data, such as
sensor data for example, by using either wireless communications or
alternatively a data interface cable which may be connected between
the electronic device and an external device, which may be an
external electronic device such as a host computer, a sensor probe
or any other appropriate external device.
[0037] Data communication between the electronic device and
external device may oftentimes be "serial communications" which may
be either synchronous or asynchronous. Many of these existing
serial data communications are defined by communication standards
and/or protocols, such as universal serial bus (USB), universal
asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART), inter-integrated circuit
serial bus (I2C), recommended standard (RS-232), system management
bus (SMBus) and serial peripheral interface bus (SPI). Each of
these data communication standards or protocols, as the case may
be, may have differences making them incompatible with one another
in one way or another. For example, USB data communication from a
monitoring device to an external device being a host computer is
different to I2C data communication between the monitoring device
and an external device being a sensor probe.
[0038] FIG. 1 is a block diagram which illustrates components of a
data communication interface (100) according to a first embodiment
of the invention. The data communication interface (100) includes a
controller module (110), a switching module (120) and a data port
(130). The controller module (110), switching module (120) and data
port (130) are in electrical communication with each other such
that power and/or data signals may be communicated
therebetween.
[0039] The controller module (110) is operable to monitor a status
of a power line of the data port and, if the power line has a first
status, to transmit a first communication mode instruction to the
switching module (120). If the power line has a second status, the
controller module (110) is operable to send a second communication
mode instruction to the switching module (120).
[0040] Embodiments of the invention anticipate several alternatives
in monitoring the status of the power line. In one embodiment, the
controller module (110) monitors a voltage of the power line such
that the power line has a first status if the voltage is less than
a first predetermined threshold and the power line has a second
status if the voltage is greater than a second predetermined
threshold. The first predetermined threshold may be a lower
threshold of an operating voltage of the first communication
protocol and the second predetermined threshold may be an operating
voltage of the second communication protocol. In some embodiments,
the first and second predetermined thresholds may be the same
between a lower threshold of an operating voltage of the first
communication protocol and an operating voltage of the second
communication protocol The lower threshold of the operating voltage
of the first communication protocol may be about 2.8 V and the
operating voltage of the second communication protocol may be about
5 V.
[0041] In another embodiment, the controller module (110) monitors
the input or output of power on the power line such that the power
line has a first status if power is output on the power line and
the power line has a second status if power is received on the
power line.
[0042] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the controller
module (110) monitors an increase or decrease in voltage of the
power line such that the power line has a first status if the
voltage is decreased and the power line has a second status if the
voltage increased. For example, an increase in voltage on the power
line may correspond to a connection of an external device being a
powered device to the data port. Similarly, a decrease in voltage
on the power line may correspond to a removal of the external
device being a powered device from the data port.
[0043] The switching module (120) is configured to receive a
communication mode instruction from the controller module (110)
being either a first communication mode instruction or a second
communication mode instruction. If the first communication mode
instruction is received, the switching module (120) is configured
to route data communication lines (106) corresponding to a first
communication protocol to the data port (130). If, on the other
hand, the second communication mode instruction is received, the
switching module (120) is configured to route data communication
lines (108) corresponding to a second communication protocol to the
data port.
[0044] The data port (130) includes a number of pins which may be
used to communicate data signals and/or power signals between the
data communication interface (100) and an external device. The data
port may include a connector or socket for receiving a
corresponding connector of the external device or may alternatively
provide pins onto which wires of the external device may be
soldered. In some embodiments, the data port includes four wires
being a power line, two data lines, and a ground line. Embodiments
further provide for the data port to include an interrupt line
and/or a USB identifier (ID) line. In some embodiments, the
interrupt line and ID line share a common line.
[0045] FIG. 2 is a block diagram which illustrates components of a
data communication interface (100) according to embodiments of the
invention which are integrated into a monitoring device (160). The
components may be provided on the same printed circuit board of the
monitoring device, or on a separate printed circuit board which is
included in the monitoring device (160) and electrically coupled
thereto.
[0046] The monitoring device (160) at least includes a power source
(150) and a microcontroller (MCU) (140). The power source (150)
provides electrical power to one or more of the controller module
(130), the switching module (120), the data port (130) and the MCU
(140). The MCU (140) is in electrical communication with at least
the switching module (120) as well as the data port (130). In some
embodiments of the invention, the monitoring device (160) may
further include a communication module and optionally an antenna
for communicating in a wired or wireless manner with other
appropriate electronic devices. The monitoring device (160) may
further include a display screen on which information may be
displayed, as well as an input component, such as one or more
buttons, via which information may be input into the monitoring
device (160).
[0047] The monitoring device (160) in the illustrated embodiment
may be any appropriate monitoring device and is configured to
interface to, and communicate with, at least two different types of
external devices via the data communication interface (100). The
different types of external devices may utilise different
communication standards and consequently may communicate data using
different communication protocols. Depending on the external device
which is connected to the data port (130) and the communication
protocol to be used, the monitoring device may act as a slave
device or as a host, or master device. Furthermore, depending on
the external device which is connected to the data port (130) and
the communication protocol to be used, the monitoring device may
provide, or output, electrical power to the external device.
Alternatively, a different external device, once connected to the
monitoring device via the data port (130), may provide, or input,
electrical power to the monitoring device (160). It may often be
the case, in applications anticipated by embodiments of the
invention, that the electrical power input by the external device
is greater than the electrical power output by the power source
(150). Furthermore, it may often be the case that external devices
inputting electrical power to the monitoring device (160) may
utilise one communication standard, whilst those external devices
to which electrical power is output by the monitoring device (160),
may utilise another, different communication standard.
[0048] For example, a first external device, which may be an
external peripheral device, may utilize a first communication mode
and require electrical power from the monitoring device (160). A
second external device, which may be an external powered device, on
the other hand, may utilize a second communication protocol and may
provide electrical power to the monitoring device (160).
[0049] The term "monitoring device" is used generically throughout
this specification and may refer to any of a number of appropriate
electronic devices. In one embodiment, the monitoring device is an
asset monitoring device which may be configured to monitor one or
more parameters associated with an object. Such a monitoring device
may have one or more sensor probes attached thereto via a data port
according to embodiments of the invention and may alternatively
interface to a computing device via the same data port.
[0050] Electrical power output by the monitoring device may be
supplied by the power source (150) of the monitoring device (160).
Electrical power input to the monitoring device (160) from an
external device may be used to replenish the power source (150). As
such, a power line (104) is provided between the power source (150)
and the data port (130) via which electrical power may be input
from, or output to, an external device. In some embodiments, the
controller module (110) and switching module (120) are defaulted to
a first communication mode. As such, the switching module (120) is
by default configured to route data communication lines
corresponding to a first communication protocol to the data port
(130). Similarly, a voltage which is typically between 2.8 and 3.3
V, is applied by default to the power line (104) by the power
source (150). Thus an external device, not having its own power
source may be connected to the data port and, upon connection, may
receive electrical power from the power source (150) via the data
port (130).
[0051] Should an external device be connected to the data port, in
addition to providing electrical power, the monitoring device (160)
is further configured to send and receive data signals to the
external device via the data port (130). The data signals may be
sent to the microcontroller (140) from the external device via the
data port (130) and switching module (120), or vice versa.
Depending on the communication standards being utilized by the
external device, different input/output (I/O) pins of the MCU (140)
may be required.
[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, the power line (104) is
monitored by the controller module (110) at a point between the
data port (130) and the power source (150) of the monitoring device
(160). In an exemplary embodiment, the controller module (110) is
implemented as a comparator which may, for example have a reference
voltage being received from the power source and an input voltage
being received from the power line (104).
[0053] It is anticipated that a voltage corresponding to the
electrical power output by the power source (150) to the data port
may be less than the voltage corresponding to the electrical power
input to the monitoring device (160) by the external device via the
data port (130). Thus, by configuring the controller module (110)
to monitor a voltage of the power line (104), the controller module
(110) is operable to determine whether or not the voltage of the
power line (104) is greater than, or less than a predetermined
threshold. By setting the predetermined threshold in-between an
expected voltage corresponding to the electrical power output by
the power source (150) and an expected voltage corresponding to the
electrical power input to the monitoring device (160), the
controller module may be operable to determine whether a first
external device or a second external is connected to the data
port.
[0054] In some embodiments of the invention, the predetermined
threshold is an internal reference voltage which is compared to the
voltage of the power line (104). If the voltage of the power line
(104) is greater than the predetermined threshold a second
communication mode instruction is transmitted to the switching
device. If the voltage on the power line (104) is lower than the
predetermined threshold, a first communication mode instruction is
transmitted to the switching device. There is a small voltage
hysteresis when switching so that a control pin of the controller
module does not oscillate.
[0055] Embodiments of the invention anticipate the predetermined
threshold to be a voltage greater than 2.8 V and less than 5 V. It
may sometimes be the case that the voltage of the power line (104)
is the same as the first or second predetermined threshold. In such
a case the controller module (110) may be configured to either
output a first communication mode instruction or a second
communication mode instruction.
[0056] Should the status of the power line (104) monitored by the
controller module (110) be a first status, which may in turn
correspond to a first external device being connected to the data
port (130), the controller module (110) is configured to send a
first communication mode instruction to the switching module (120)
via, for example, a control pin. Should the status of the power
line (104) monitored by the controller module (110) be a second
status, which may in turn correspond to a second external device
being connected to the data port (130), the controller module (110)
is configured to send a second communication mode instruction to
the switching module (120) via the control pin. The first
communication mode instruction may be a logic high, or 1, while the
second communication mode instruction may be a logic low, or 0. In
other embodiments, the first communication mode instruction may be
a logic low, or 0, while the second communication mode instruction
may be a logic high, or 1.
[0057] The switching module (120), which in some embodiments
includes a multiplexer, receives the communication mode instruction
from the controller module (110) and routes communication lines to
the data port (130) accordingly. For example, if a first
communication mode instruction is received, the switching module
(120) routes data communication lines corresponding to a first
communication protocol to the data port (130). If a second
communication mode instruction is received, the switching module
(120) routes data communication lines corresponding to a second
communication protocol to the data port (130). In some embodiments
of the invention, the communication lines corresponding to the
first communication protocol include a serial data line and a
serial clock line which may be in electrical communication with
corresponding pins of the MCU (140). Similarly, in some embodiments
of the invention, the communication lines corresponding to the
second communication protocol include a data plus line and a data
minus line which may be in electrical communication with
corresponding pins of the MCU (140).
[0058] In some embodiments, the data communication lines
corresponding to a first communication protocol are
inter-integrated circuit (I2C) data communication lines which
include a serial data (SDA) line and a serial clock (SCL) line. In
other embodiments, the data communication lines corresponding to a
first communication protocol are system management bus (SMBus) data
communication lines which include a serial data (SDA) line and a
serial clock (SCL) line. Embodiments of the invention similarly
provide for the data communication lines corresponding to the
second communication protocol to be universal serial bus (USB)
communication lines and for the USB data communication lines to be
data plus (D+) and data minus (D-) lines.
[0059] Embodiments of the invention accordingly provide a
monitoring device (160) which is operable to communicate with an
external device either using the USB data communication protocol or
the I2C data communication protocol via a common data port (130).
Embodiments further provide for the monitoring device to act as a
peripheral device when communicating with an external device using
the USB data communication protocol and as a master node when
communicating with an external device using the I2C data
communication protocol. In some embodiments of the invention, the
data port provides a mini- or micro-USB type socket or port.
[0060] For example, an interface circuit for a USB data
communication protocol of a peripheral electronic device, such as a
monitoring device acting as a USB slave device, usually
incorporates a mini- or micro-USB port that has 5 wires/pins. Pin 1
is the VCC, or Vbus input, power pin, pin 2 is the D- data pin, pin
3 is the D+ data pin, pin 4 is the ID pin, and pin 5 is the GND
ground pin. The data pins 2 and 3 are generally specifically
interfaced for USB protocol and will typically not recognize any
other serial data communication. Pin 1 is typically used to provide
a +5.0V input voltage which may be used to power the monitoring
device, or to recharge the power source.
[0061] An interface circuit for an I2C data communication protocol
of an external device, such as an external peripheral device which
may connect to the monitoring device, usually consists of 4 wires.
However for more complex external devices, for example having
multiple integrated circuits connected to a common I2C bus, an
interrupt or wake-up line/pin may also be provided. Therefore
embodiments of this invention anticipate the use of 5 pins for the
I2C data communication protocol which include a power pin of +2.8V
to +3.3V, a SCL clock pin, a SDA data pin, an interrupt/wake-up pin
as well as a GND ground pin. In embodiments of the invention, both
the USB data communication protocol and the I2C data communication
protocol may interface with external devices via common data port
(130), which may include a mini- or micro-USB connector or any
other appropriate connector. Accordingly a standard USB pin layout
may be used.
[0062] Some USB devices, such as those supporting USB on-the-go
(OTG), may include an ID line. For example, USB devices having a
type A connector, typically only make use of four lines. Pin 4, or
the ID pin, in such devices is connected to the ground (pin 5).
Accordingly in some embodiments the USB ID line is not utilised by
the monitoring device (160). A pin on the data port (130), which
would correspond to an ID pin of an external USB device, is
connected to an interrupt pin of the MCU (140). In alternative
embodiments, the interrupt/ID line from the data port (130) may be
multiplexed by the switching module (120) to appropriate pins on
the MCU depending on whether a first or second communication mode
instruction is received. For example, if a first communication mode
instruction is received, the switching module, which may
accordingly include a 3:6 multiplexer, switches the interrupt/ID
line from the data port (130) to an interrupt pin on the MCU (140).
If a second communication mode instruction is received, the
switching module switches the interrupt/ID line from the data port
(130) to a USB ID pin on the MCU (140).
[0063] FIGS. 3 to 5 are block diagrams which illustrate a
monitoring device (160) having a data communication interface (100)
according to embodiments of the invention and to which different
external devices are connected.
[0064] In FIG. 3 the monitoring device (160) according to
embodiments of the invention has an external peripheral device
being an I2C device (170) connected to the data port (130) and in
electrical communication therewith. Such an I2C device (170)
corresponds to a first external device as described in the
foregoing description in that it does not have its own power source
but rather receives power from the monitoring device (160). As
such, when the I2C device (170) is connected to the data port
(130), a voltage on the power line (104) does not increase beyond
the predetermined threshold. The output at the control pin (112) of
the controller module (110) is accordingly a logic high. With the
voltage of the power line (104) already being below the
predetermined threshold and consequently a logic high being
received at the multiplexer (122), data communication lines, being
I2C data communication lines, are routed by the multiplexer (122)
of the switching module (120) to the data port (130).
[0065] The I2C data communication lines being routed to the data
port (130) include a serial data line in electrical communication
with a serial data pin (142) of the MCU (140) and a serial clock
line in electrical communication with a serial clock pin (144) of
the MCU (140). Thus the serial data pin (142) and the serial clock
pin (144) of the MCU (140) are routed by the multiplexer (122), via
the data port (130), to a corresponding serial data line (172) and
a serial clock line (174) of the I2C device (170). Furthermore, the
I2C device receives electrical power at its VCC IN line (171), from
the power source (150), and a ground signal at its 0V GND line
(175). An interrupt line is also provided between the interrupt pin
(147) of the MCU (140) and an interrupt line (177) of the I2C
device (170). The monitoring device (160) and I2C device (170) are
thereafter able to exchange data via the data communication lines
with the monitoring device (160) acting as the I2C master node and
the external I2C device (170) acting as the slave node. The I2C
device (170) connected to the data port (130) is shown to have a
VCC IN line (171) on a pin 1, SDA (172) on a pin 2, SCL (174) on a
pin 3, INT (177) on a pin 4, 0V GND (177) on a pin 5 which
correspond to pins of the data port. In some embodiments, the SDA
and SCL lines may be swapped around such that the SDA line is
routed to pin 3 and the SCL line is routed to pin 2. The invention
also anticipates that a negative voltage is also provided to the
I2C device (170) by the monitoring device (160) via the data port
(130).
[0066] The data communication interface (100) is configured to
output a voltage and route I2C data communication lines to the data
port (130) by default. The monitoring device (160) is accordingly
configured to act as an I2C master node by default and as a result,
the I2C device (170) may receive electrical power and communicate
with the monitoring device (160) shortly after being connected to
the data port (130) thereof. As connection of the I2C device (170)
does not increase the voltage of the power line (104), the
controller module (110) does not send a second communication mode
instruction to the switching module (120) and the switching module
(120) accordingly does not route data communication lines
corresponding to a second communication protocol to the data port
(130).
[0067] The function of an I2C master node is that it uses clock and
data I2C lines to communicate with an I2C devices (which may have
one or more I2C integrated circuits) using a specific address. Each
I2C integrated circuit has a specific, unique address. A master
node can be either a transmitter or receiver of data. Because more
than one I2C device may share a bus, there is the possibility for
any I2C device to have a fault and hang the entire I2C bus. For
example if any device holds the SDA line low it may prevent the
master node from sending START or STOP commands to reset the bus.
Embodiments of the invention provide for the power on the I2C bus
to be cycled in order to clear a jammed-up bus. The master node
also supplies power to the I2C peripherals which may be <=3.3V.
An I2C device, when connected to a master node typically acts as a
slave node, and is addressed by the master node. A slave node can
be either a receiver or transmitter of data. I2C slave nodes
according to embodiments of the invention use a 5 wire cable that
includes the SDA and SCL lines, Interrupt/Wake-up line, the 0V
Ground, and the input power line.
[0068] According to embodiments of the invention, once the I2C
device (170), acting as an I2C slave node, is connected to the data
port (130) of the monitoring device (160), acting as a master node,
the master node supplies a voltage between 2.8V to 3.3V to an I2C
bus circuit of the slave node via the power line (104) and data
port (130). A communication link is then initiated between the
master node and slave node by utilizing the SCL line. The master
node may be able to identify specific slave nodes. This may result
in "Plug and Play" functionality when the I2C device (170) is
plugged into the monitoring device (160), or master node. When the
I2C device (170), or slave node, is unplugged from the monitoring
device (160), or master node, the I2C data communication lines
remain routed to the data port as the power line (104) of the
monitoring device (160) remains at <=3.3V.
[0069] In FIG. 4 the monitoring device (160) according to
embodiments of the invention has an external device being a
universal serial bus (USB) device (180) connected to the data port
(130) and in electrical communication therewith. Such a USB device
(180) corresponds to a second external device as described in the
foregoing description in that it does have its own power source. As
such, when the USB device (180) is connected to the data port
(130), the electrical power supplied by the USB device (180) causes
a voltage on the power line (104) to increase above the
predetermined threshold. The controller module (110) detects that
the voltage on the power line (104) has increased above the
predetermined threshold and accordingly outputs a logic low at the
control pin (112) of the controller module (110). This logic low is
received at the multiplexer (122) which causes the multiplexer
(122) of the switching module (120) to route data communication
lines, being USB data communication lines, to the data port
(130).
[0070] The USB data communication lines being routed to the data
port (130) include a data plus line in electrical communication
with a data plus pin (146) of the MCU (140) and a data minus line
is in electrical communication with a data minus pin (148) of the
MCU (140). Thus the data plus pin (146) and the data minus pin
(148) of the MCU (140) are routed by the multiplexer (122), via the
data port (130), to a corresponding data plus line (182) and a data
minus pin (184) of the USB device (180). Furthermore, the USB
device (180) provides electrical power at its VCC OUT line (181),
to the monitoring device (160). The electrical power received by
the monitoring device may be used to recharge the power source
(150). The USB device (180) also receives a ground signal at its 0V
GND line (185) such that all devices have a common ground. The
monitoring device (160) and USB device (180) are thereafter able to
exchange data via the data communication lines. In the illustrated
embodiment, the USB device (180) connected to the data port (130)
is shown to have a VCC OUT line (181) on a pin 1, D- (184) on a pin
2, D+ (182) on a pin 3, USB ID/INT (187) on a pin 4 and 0V GND
(177) on a pin 5 which correspond to pins of the data port. The
invention also anticipates that a negative voltage is also supplied
to by the USB device (180) to the monitoring device (160) via the
data port (130).
[0071] The monitoring device (160) may now be recognizable by the
USB device (180) as a USB peripheral, and can now receive and
transmit USB data to and from the USB device (180). The power line
(104) may also have a voltage greater than or equal to 5.0V and
this can recharge the power source (150), or to power the
monitoring device (160). The USB device (180), acting as a USB
host, directs traffic flow and so the monitoring device (160)
cannot transfer any data on via the USB data communication protocol
without an explicit request from the host controller being the USB
device (180). When the USB device (180) is disconnected from the
data port (130) of the monitoring device (160), the power line
(104) loses the +5V power and the controller module (110) detects
that the voltage or power, as the case may be, has dropped below
the predetermined threshold and consequently sends a first
communication mode instruction to the switching interface which is
operable to then route the data communication lines corresponding
to the I2C data communication protocol to the data port (130).
[0072] In FIG. 5 the monitoring device (160) according to
embodiments of the invention has an external device being a
universal serial bus (USB) power charging device (190) connected to
the data port (130) and in electrical communication therewith. Such
a USB power charging device (190) corresponds to a second external
device as described in the foregoing description in that it has its
own power source. However, the USB power charging device (190)
merely provides electrical power and does not provide any data
communication lines. As such, when the USB power charging device
(190) is connected to the data port (130), the electrical power
supplied by the USB power charging device (190) causes a voltage on
the power line (104) to increase above the predetermined threshold.
The controller module (110) detects that the voltage on the power
line (104) has increased above the predetermined threshold and
accordingly outputs a logic low at the control pin (112) of the
controller module (110). This logic low is received at the
multiplexer (122) which causes the multiplexer (122) of the
switching module (120) to route data communication lines, being USB
data communication lines, to the data port (130).
[0073] The USB data communication lines being routed to the data
port (130) include a data plus line in electrical communication
with a data plus pin (146) of the MCU (140) and a data minus line
in electrical communication with a data minus pin (148) of the MCU
(140). However, the USB power charging device (180) does not
provide any lines for transmitting and receiving data communication
signals. The USB power charging device (190) provides electrical
power at its VCC OUT line (191), to the monitoring device (160).
The electrical power received by the monitoring device may be used
to recharge the power source (150). The USB device (180) also
transmits/receives a ground signal at its 0V GND line (195) such
that all devices have a common ground. When the USB power charging
device (190) is disconnected from the data port (130), the voltage
power line (104) drops to <=3.3V. This voltage drop is detected
by the controller module (110) and, being below the threshold, the
controller module (110) sends a first data communication mode
instruction is sent to the switching module (120) which causes data
communication lines being I2C data communication lines to be routed
to the data port (130) by the switching module (120).
[0074] FIG. 6 is a block diagram which illustrates a system (101)
including a monitoring device (160) having a data communication
interface (100) according to embodiments of the invention and three
exemplary external devices (270, 280 and 290). In the illustrated
embodiment, the exemplary devices are a sensor probe (270), which
corresponds to a first external device, or external peripheral
device, as has been described in the foregoing description, a
computing device (280) which corresponds to a second external
device, or external powered device, as has been described in the
foregoing description and a power supply (290) corresponding to a
second external device or a USB power charging device. The
exemplary external devices (270, 280 and 290) are all provided with
a cable. The cables of exemplary external devices (270, 280 and
290) all have the same type of connector (202) which may be
configured to be connected to a corresponding connector or socket
of the data port (130) of the monitoring device (160). Thus
exemplary external devices (270, 280 and 290) may be
interchangeably connected to the data port (130). The controller
module (110) of the data communication interface (100) is
configured to route data communication lines to the data port data
depending on which external device is connected to the data port
(130). The first external device (270) or second external device
(280), whichever is connected to the data port (130), may thus
communicate data with the monitoring device using a corresponding
data communication protocol or standard specific to that device.
The second external device being the USB power charging device
(290) is not provided with data communication lines and accordingly
does not communicate data via the data port (130). The USB power
charging device (290) only replenishes the power source (150). The
monitoring device (160) may thus act as either a host device (or
master node) or as a peripheral (or slave) device depending on
which of the two devices is connected to the data port (130).
Similarly the first external device (270) and second external
device (280) may respectively either receive electrical power from,
or provide electrical power to the monitoring device (160) via the
data port (130), as has been described in the foregoing
description.
[0075] FIG. 7 is a block flow diagram which illustrates a method
(300) for controlling a data communication interface for a data
port. The method (300) includes a first step (302) of monitoring
the status of a power line of the data port.
[0076] Embodiments of the invention anticipate various ways in
which the status of the power line of the data port may be
monitored. For example, monitoring the status of the power line may
include monitoring a voltage of the power line. In another
embodiment, monitoring the status of the power line includes
monitoring the input or output of power on the power line. In yet
another alternative embodiment, monitoring the status of the power
line includes monitoring an increase or decrease in voltage of the
power line.
[0077] The method includes a next step (304) of determining if the
power line has a first status or a second status. Depending on
which of the three status monitoring embodiments described above is
implemented, the power line may have a first status if the voltage
is less than a first predetermined threshold and the power line may
have a second status if the voltage is greater than a second
predetermined threshold. Alternatively, the power line may have a
first status if power is output on the power line and the power
line may have a second status if power is received on the power
line. Or, the power line may have a first status if the voltage is
decreased and the power line may have a second status if the
voltage increased.
[0078] Should it be determined that the power line has a first
status, a first branch of steps are executed. In such a first
branch, the method includes a step (312) of transmitting a first
communication mode instruction to route data communication lines
corresponding to a first communication protocol to the data port.
In some embodiments, the data communication lines corresponding to
a first communication protocol are inter-integrated circuit (I2C)
data communication lines which include a serial data line and a
serial clock line.
[0079] The method includes a following step (314) of receiving a
first communication mode instruction and activating a multiplexer
to route data communication lines corresponding to a first
communication protocol to the data port.
[0080] While the status of the power line has a first status,
electrical power is continually output (316) to a connected
external device via the data port.
[0081] If, on the other hand, it is determined that the power line
has a second status, a second branch of steps are executed. A first
step (322) of such a second branch includes sending a second
communication mode instruction to route data communication lines
corresponding to a second communication protocol to the data
port.
[0082] The method then includes a next step (324) of receiving a
second communication mode instruction and activating a multiplexer
to route data communication lines corresponding to a second
communication protocol to the data port. Embodiments of the
invention similarly provide for the data communication lines
corresponding to the second communication protocol to be universal
serial bus (USB) communication lines and for the USB data
communication lines to be data plus (D+) and data minus (D-)
lines.
[0083] While the status of the power line has a second status,
electrical power is continually input (326) from a connected
external device via the data port.
[0084] Embodiments of the invention accordingly provide a data
communication interface and an associated method which may allow
for a single data port to enable for multiple communication
protocols. Different external devices, communicating via different
communication protocols or standards, may be connected to and
communicate with an electronic device, for example a monitoring
device, via a common data port.
[0085] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a computing device (800) in
which various aspects of the disclosure may be implemented, such as
an external powered device, for example. The computing device (800)
may be suitable for storing and executing computer program code.
The various participants and elements in the previously described
diagrams may use any suitable number of subsystems or components of
the computing device (800) to facilitate the functions described
herein.
[0086] The computing device (800) may include subsystems or
components interconnected via a communication infrastructure (805)
(for example, a communications bus, a cross-over bar device, or a
network). The computing device (800) may include at least one
central processor (810) and at least one memory component in the
form of computer-readable media.
[0087] The memory components may include system memory (815), which
may include read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM).
A basic input/output system (BIOS) may be stored in ROM. System
software may be stored in the system memory (815) including
operating system software.
[0088] The memory components may also include secondary memory
(820). The secondary memory (820) may include a fixed disk (821),
such as a hard disk drive, and, optionally, one or more
removable-storage interfaces (822) for removable-storage components
(823).
[0089] The removable-storage interfaces (822) may be in the form of
removable-storage drives (for example, magnetic tape drives,
optical disk drives, floppy disk drives, etc.) for corresponding
removable storage-components (for example, a magnetic tape, an
optical disk, a floppy disk, etc.), which may be written to and
read by the removable-storage drive.
[0090] The removable-storage interfaces (822) may also be in the
form of ports or sockets for interfacing with other forms of
removable-storage components (823) such as a flash memory drive,
external hard drive, or removable memory chip, etc.
[0091] The computing device (800) may include an external
communications interface (830) for operation of the computing
device (800) in a networked environment enabling transfer of data
between multiple computing devices (800). Data transferred via the
external communications interface (830) may be in the form of
signals, which may be electronic, electromagnetic, optical, radio,
or other types of signal.
[0092] The external communications interface (830) may enable
communication of data between the computing device (800) and other
computing devices including servers and external storage
facilities. Web services may be accessible by the computing device
(800) via the communications interface (830).
[0093] The external communications interface (830) may also enable
other forms of communication to and from the computing device (800)
including, voice communication, near field communication,
Bluetooth, etc.
[0094] The computer-readable media in the form of the various
memory components may provide storage of computer-executable
instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data. A
computer program product may be provided by a computer-readable
medium having stored computer-readable program code executable by
the central processor (810).
[0095] A computer program product may be provided by a
non-transient computer-readable medium, or may be provided via a
signal or other transient means via the communications interface
(830).
[0096] Interconnection via the communication infrastructure (805)
allows a central processor (810) to communicate with each subsystem
or component and to control the execution of instructions from the
memory components, as well as the exchange of information between
subsystems or components.
[0097] Peripherals (such as printers, scanners, cameras, or the
like) and input/output (I/O) devices (such as a mouse, touchpad,
keyboard, microphone, joystick, or the like) may couple to the
computing device (800) either directly or via an I/O controller
(835). These components may be connected to the computing device
(800) by any number of means known in the art, such as a serial
port.
[0098] One or more display screens or monitors (845) may be coupled
via a display or video adapter (840) to the computing device
(800).
[0099] FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a monitoring device (900)
that may be used in embodiments of the disclosure. Exemplary
monitoring devices include a mobile phone such as a smart phone,
feature phone; any appropriate microcontroller device which may
interface with one or more external devices acting as either a
slave or a host device; any appropriate electronic device which may
interface with one or more external devices acting as either a
slave or a host device; a computing device such as a laptop
computer, desktop computer, tablet computer; a gaming console, such
as a Sony.RTM. PlayStation.RTM. or the like; a digital camera; or
any other appropriate monitoring device which may or may not have a
phone capability.
[0100] The monitoring device (900) may include a processor (905)
(e.g., a microprocessor) for processing the functions of the
monitoring device (900) and a display (920) to allow a user to see
the phone numbers and other information and messages. The
monitoring device (900) may further include an input element (925)
to allow a user to input information into the device (e.g., input
buttons, touch screen, etc.), a speaker (930) to allow the user to
hear voice communication, music, etc., and a microphone (935) to
allow the user to transmit his or her voice through the monitoring
device (900).
[0101] The processor (910) of the monitoring device (900) may
connect to a memory (915). The memory (915) may be in the form of a
computer-readable medium that stores data and, optionally,
computer-executable instructions.
[0102] The monitoring device (900) may also include a communication
element (940) for connection to communication channels (e.g., a
cellular telephone network, data transmission network, Wi-Fi
network, satellite-phone network, Internet network, Satellite
Internet Network, etc.). The communication element (940) may
include an associated wireless transfer element, such as an
antenna.
[0103] The communication element (940) may include a subscriber
identity module (SIM) in the form of an integrated circuit that
stores an international mobile subscriber identity and the related
key used to identify and authenticate a subscriber using the
monitoring device (900). One or more subscriber identity modules
may be removable from the monitoring device (900) or embedded in
the monitoring device (900).
[0104] The monitoring device (900) may further include a
contactless element (950), which is typically implemented in the
form of a semiconductor chip (or other data storage element) with
an associated wireless transfer element, such as an antenna. The
contactless element (950) may be associated with (e.g., embedded
within) the monitoring device (900) and data or control
instructions transmitted via a cellular network may be applied to
the contactless element (950) by means of a contactless element
interface (not shown). The contactless element interface may
function to permit the exchange of data and/or control instructions
between mobile device circuitry (and hence the cellular network)
and the contactless element (950).
[0105] The contactless element (950) may be capable of transferring
and receiving data using a near field communications (NFC)
capability (or near field communications medium) typically in
accordance with a standardized protocol or data transfer mechanism
(e.g., ISO 14443/NFC). Near field communications capability is a
short-range communications capability, such as radio-frequency
identification (RFID), Bluetooth, infra-red, or other data transfer
capability that can be used to exchange data between the monitoring
device (900) and an interrogation device. Thus, the monitoring
device (900) may be capable of communicating and transferring data
and/or control instructions via both a cellular network and near
field communications capability.
[0106] The data stored in the memory (915) may include: operation
data relating to the operation of the monitoring device (900),
parameters sensed by associated sensors of the monitoring device,
events detected by associated sensors of the monitoring device,
personal data (e.g., name, date of birth, identification number,
etc.), financial data (e.g., bank account information, a bank
identification number (BIN), credit or debit card number
information, account balance information, expiration date, loyalty
provider account numbers, etc.), transit information (e.g., as in a
subway or train pass), access information (e.g., as in access
badges), etc. A user may transmit this data from the monitoring
device (900) to selected receivers.
[0107] The monitoring device (900) may be, amongst other things, a
notification device that can receive alert messages and access
reports, a portable merchant device that can be used to transmit
control data identifying a discount to be applied, as well as a
portable consumer device that can be used to make payments.
[0108] The foregoing description of the embodiments of the
invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration; it is
not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the
precise forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the relevant art can
appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in
light of the above disclosure.
[0109] Some portions of this description describe the embodiments
of the invention in terms of algorithms and symbolic
representations of operations on information. These algorithmic
descriptions and representations are commonly used by those skilled
in the data processing arts to convey the substance of their work
effectively to others skilled in the art. These operations, while
described functionally, computationally, or logically, are
understood to be implemented by computer programs or equivalent
electrical circuits, microcode, or the like. The described
operations may be embodied in software, firmware, hardware, or any
combinations thereof.
[0110] The software components or functions described in this
application may be implemented as software code to be executed by
one or more processors using any suitable computer language such
as, for example, Java, C++, or Perl using, for example,
conventional or object-oriented techniques. The software code may
be stored as a series of instructions, or commands on a
non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a random access
memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a magnetic medium such as a
hard-drive or a floppy disk, or an optical medium such as a CD-ROM.
Any such computer-readable medium may also reside on or within a
single computational apparatus, and may be present on or within
different computational apparatuses within a system or network.
[0111] Any of the steps, operations, or processes described herein
may be performed or implemented with one or more hardware or
software modules, alone or in combination with other devices. In
one embodiment, a software module is implemented with a computer
program product comprising a non-transient computer-readable medium
containing computer program code, which can be executed by a
computer processor for performing any or all of the steps,
operations, or processes described.
[0112] Finally, the language used in the specification has been
principally selected for readability and instructional purposes,
and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the
inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope
of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but
rather by any claims that issue on an application based hereon.
Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the invention is
intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the
invention, which is set forth in the following claims.
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