Method and apparatus for detecting the type of interface to which a peripheral device is connected

• Main Authors: SHERMAN NATHAN C, MULLINS KEITH, HOLO DAVID L, DRAKE VICTOR P, HANSON MARK T, FEATHERSTON LORD NIGEL, CASEBOLT MARK W, LIPSCOMB TERRY M
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 17.08.2010
• Subjects: CALCULATING; COMPUTING; COUNTING; ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING; PHYSICS

A peripheral device is connectable to a computer having one of a first interface and a second interface. The first interface communicates with the peripheral device over a differential data connection having a first data conductor and a second data conductor. The second interface communicates with the peripheral device over a clock conductor and a single ended data connection which includes a data conductor. The peripheral device has first and second communication conductors configured for connection to the first and second data conductors in the differential data connection when the computer includes the first interface and is configured for connection to the first data conductor in the single ended data connection and the clock conductor when the computer is provided with the second interface. The peripheral device includes an interface detection component coupled to the first and second communication conductors and configured to detect which of the first and second interfaces the peripheral device is connected to. The peripheral device also includes a controller component configured to communicate between the peripheral device according to a protocol corresponding to the detected interface.