Patent ID: 7313096
Filing Date: 2007-12-25
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. In a target system comprising a target port that provides a communication channel to a target port device connected to the target port, a method of multiplexing the target port to provide an additional independent communication channel, wherein the additional independent communication channel shares at least a portion of hardware otherwise dedicated to the target port, the method comprising: asserting an out-of-band signal to indicate that at least a portion of hardware otherwise dedicated to a target port is being used for communicating data, wherein, while asserting the out-of-band signal, at least a portion of hardware otherwise dedicated to the target port is multiplexed to provide an additional independent communication channel, and wherein the target port comprises an Integrated Device Electronics (“IDE”) port; and sending data through the additional independent communication channel in a manner such that if received by the target port device, the target port device determines that the data is intended for another device.