Patent ID: 7124222
Filing Date: 2006-10-17
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling data communications between a first external interface of an electronic device and at least first and second chips both included in the electronic device, each of the first and second chips configured for communicating with the first external interface, the first chip having a first universal asynchronous receiver-transmitters (UART), a first microcontroller, and a switching mechanism capable of connecting the first UART and the first microcontroller, and the second chip having a second microcontroller and a second UART connecting the second microcontroller to the first UART, the method comprising: monitoring signals communicated to the first chip from at least one of the first external interface and the second UART; and communicating data between the first external interface and the second microcontroller via the first and second UARTs without intervention of a second external interface of the electronic device, in response to the switching mechanism detecting a predetermined signal.