Patent ID: 6636923
Filing Date: 2003-10-21
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
An apparatus for use as a hub station in a communication bus system that contains a host station connected to a host connector of the apparatus and a slave station connected to a slave connector of the apparatus, the communication bus system operating according to a communication protocol wherein the hub station generates a presence signal on the host connector upon incorporation of the hub station into the system via the host connector, the presence signal being dependent on whether the hub station detects a slave device connected to the slave connector, wherein the apparatus comprisesan alternative host port; and a hub circuit operatively connected to the host connector, the slave connector and the alternative host port, the hub circuit being arranged to pass communication between an alternative host processor and the slave device via the alternative host port and said slave connector and to generate the presence signal simulating absence of a connection to the slave connector when the hub station is incorporated into the system at a time when the alternative host processor uses the slave device connected to the slave connector.