Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus capable of adapting to a read / write control line regardless of hardware limitations. SOLUTION: A bidirectional voltage translator 102 includes a first port 200, a second port 202 and bidirectional translator circuits 208 to 215 coupled between the first and second ports. The first and second ports communicate signals at a first voltage level and a second voltage level, respectively. When a first port signal input at the first voltage level at the first port is detected, the bidirectional translator circuits translate the first port signal into the second voltage level at the second port and disables the translation of a signal at the second port to the first port. When a second port signal input at the second voltage level at the second port is detected, the bidirectional translator circuits translate the second port signal into the first voltage level at the first port and disables translation of a signal at the first port to the second port 202. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device which assures security of electronic information including a microcontroller and an external memory coupled thereto. SOLUTION: The microcontroller comprises a one-time programmable security flag that is programmed when the electronic information is stored in the memory. Once programmed, the security flag prevents reprogramming of the memory. Additionally, the microcontroller comprises an algorithm that generates electronic authentication information from the electronic information. The authentication information is stored in the memory along with the electronic information. Upon retrieval from the memory for registration, the electronic information is authenticated by generating new electronic authentication information to compare to the authentication information stored in the memory. Such authentication prevents swapping out of the memory to gain system access. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent electronic information from being illegally used by preventing the reprogramming of an ESN by using a one-time programmable security flag for a microcontroller. SOLUTION: A device 200 included in a controller includes a microcontroller 202 and an EEP ROM 204. The EEP ROM 204 interfaces with the microcontroller 202 through a serial format. The EEP ROM 204 includes addresses for storing electronic information. In this case, electronic information is an electronic serial number(ESN) 205 consisting of 32 binary bits. The microcontroller 202 is constituted of a one-time programmable security flag 230 to be programmed when the electronic information is stored in the memory 204. Once being programmed, the security flag 230 secretes the electronic information by preventing the reprogramming of the memory 204.
Abstract:
A bidirectional voltage translator (102) includes a first port (200/400), a second port (202/402) and a bidirectional translator circuit (208-215/404-408, 410, 412-415) coupled between the first and second ports (200/400,202/402). The first and second ports (200/400,202/402) communicate signals at a first voltage level and a second voltage level, respectively. The second voltage level is different from the first voltage level. When a first port signal input at the first voltage level at the first port (200/400) is detected, the bidirectional translator circuit (208-215/404-408, 410, 412-415) translates the first port signal into the second voltage level at the second port (202/402) and disables translation of a signal at the second port (202/402) to the first port (200/400). When a second port signal input at the second voltage level at the second port (202/402) is detected, the bidirectional translator circuit (208-215/404-408, 410, 412-415) translates the second port signal into the first voltage level at the first port (200/400) and disables translation of a signal at the first port (200/400) to the second port (202/402).
Abstract:
A bidirectional voltage translator 102 couples signals between ports 106,110 which have different voltage signal levels, for example 3 V and 5 V ports in a radiotelephone and an attached accessory. The data direction is controlled by a state machine (figures 4-6) based on a PLD or microprocessor. The translator 102 includes a first port 400, a second port 402 and a bidirectional translator circuit 404-408,410, 412-415 coupled between the first and second ports 400,402. The first and second ports 400,402 communicate signals at a first voltage level and a second voltage level, respectively. The second voltage level is different from the first voltage level. When a first port signal input at the first voltage level at the first port 400 is detected, the bidirectional translator circuit 404-408,410, 412-415 translates the first port signal into the second voltage level at the second port 402 and disables translation of a signal at the second port 402 to the first port 400. When a second port signal input at the second voltage level at the second port 402 is detected, the bidirectional translator circuit 404-408,410, 412-415 translates the second port signal into the first voltage level at the first port 400 and disables translation of a signal at the first port 400 to the second port 402.
Abstract:
A portable radio communication device (303) includes power control circuitry (315) for monitoring the voltage level incoming from a battery (317), and provides power to the rest of the radio communication device (303). The power control circuitry (315) includes a boost regulator (407) that is used to generate an internal reference signal for use throughout the radio communication device including an analog to digital converter (ADC) for digitizing the battery voltage for use by the power control circuitry (315). The power control circuitry (315) compares the digitized battery voltage to thresholds to control power to the remainder of the radio communication device (303). Additionally, a secondary comparator (413) is provided to prevent damage to the battery and radio communication device circuitry. The secondary comparator uses multiple undervoltage thresholds depending upon the power state of the radio communication device (303).
Abstract:
The bidirectional clocking apparatus provides automatic sensing of whether a reference clock being generated by another circuit needs to be divided down to a lower frequency. If this is true, the clock is divided down to a lower frequency and sent out to other circuits requiring the lower frequency clock. If the lower frequency clock is already generated from another circuit, the apparatus accepts this clock for use by other circuits. Only one terminal is required for either sourcing or accepting this lower frequency clock signal.
Abstract:
An apparatus (200) for securing electronic information (205) includes a microcontroller (202) and an external memory (204) coupled thereto. The microcontroller (202) comprises a one-time programmable security flag (230) that is programmed when the electronic information (205) is stored in the memory (204). Once programmed, the security flag prevents reprogramming of the memory (204). Additionally, the microcontroller (202) comprises an algorithm (400) that generates electronic authentication information (207) from the electronic information (205). The authentication information (207) is stored in the memory (204) along with the electronic information (205). Upon retrieval from the memory (204) for registration, the electronic information (205) is authenticated by generating new electronic authentication information (508) via the algorithm (400) to compare to the authentication information (207) stored in the memory (204). Such authentication prevents swapping out of the memory (204) to gain system access.
Abstract:
Power supply to parts of the a portable electronic device, particularly a portable radio telephone, is cut off when the battery voltage falls below a software threshold level. The battery voltage is supplied to a boost regulator 407 which provides an internal reference signal to various circuits, including an analog to digital converter (ADC) 403. ADC 403 uses the reference signal to sample the battery voltage to provide the digitized battery voltage 427 to a processor 405 for comparison therein with the software threshold. Use of boost regulator 407 to provide the internal reference signal allows shutoff at a lower undervoltage value. When the device is in a powered-up state, a hardware shutoff circuit 417 shuts off circuitry if a comparator 413 detects that the battery voltage is below a first hardware undervoltage threshold level which is lower than the software threshold; this provides a backup or failsafe if the software power control circuitry fails. A second hardware undervoltage threshold level, higher than the first, applies when the device is in a powered-off state. When the user operates a power key to power-on the device, the shutoff circuit 417 will prevent power-up if the battery voltage is below this higher second threshold; this prevents the radio communication device from powering-up in an illegal state. The power supply control is of particular use with batteries having a linear fall in voltage during discharge, especially lithium ion batteries, since it allows a larger portion of the energy in the battery to be used before powering-off.