Patent ID: 6525832
Filing Date: 2003-02-25
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A dual purpose printer interface device, which is suitable for use of a printer or a joystick to connect to a computer, the dual purpose printer interface device comprising:a printer connector with a plurality of pins for connecting the printer or the joystick, wherein the joystick is connected to the printer connector through a connection adapter; a printer interface, used to transmit data and instruction signals from the computer to the printer for printing, and transmit a printer status signal responded by the printer to the computer; a joystick interface, used to receive motion signals from the joystick and transmit the motion signals to the computer; a selection device, including a first selector and a second selector, wherein the first selector is connected to the computer, the printer interface and the joystick interface so as to select one of the printer or the joystick to be connected to the computer according to a mode selection signal in which the first selector also receives the instruction signals generated by the computer, and the second selector is connected to the printer connector, the printer interface, and the joystick interface so as to connect the printer interface, and the joystick interface to the printer connector according to the mode selection signal; and a mode selection circuit, which is connected to the printer connector at least one of the pins so as to automatically distinguish which one of the printer or the joystick is connected to the printer connector through a voltage level of the connected pin and produce the mode selection signal (MODESEL) that is at least distributed to the first selector and the second selector of the selection device so as to switch the printer interface device into a printer operation mode or a joystick operation mode.