Patent Abstract:
A method including monitoring whether an externally originating signal reaches a predetermined threshold value in a host, producing an output value based on the monitoring, and identifying a power environment for the host based on the output value is described. Also described is a method for determining the power environment of a host. Systems and hosts for implementing the methods are also described.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to power management of circuits. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Secure integrated circuit cards, commonly referred to as smart cards, are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Smart cards can be used to store and share information. Smart cards can be small enough to fit into a user&#39;s pocket or into a variety of electronic devices. Smart cards can be used in various electronic devices, including phones and personal digital assistants. Smart cards can be used for a number of different applications, including electronic payment systems, and for storing personal information. For example, a smart card can be used to store user account information and be included in a set-top box to facilitate pay-per-view or video-on-demand features and assist in the decryption of encrypted digital video streams. The smart card may communicate with a video provider to accomplish these tasks. As another example, a smart card such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card can be used in a mobile phone to store a user&#39;s personal information, such as his or her phone book, device preferences, saved text or voice messages, service provider information, etc. Storage of such information in a SIM card can enable a user to change phones while retaining their individual information (i.e., on the SIM card). 
     Smart cards may be structured to be compliant to various standards. Examples of standards include the ISO 7816 standard, ETSI standard, and EMV standard. The smart cards may also communicate with external devices using a variety of communication interfaces, such as an ISO 7816 interface, a USB interface, a MMC interface, and/or a SWP interface. 
     Based on an given application, a smart card may be configured to operate in a particular voltage class. In current conventional applications, each class defines a different voltage level as follows: class A devices operate at a voltage level of 5 volts +/−10%, class B devices operate at a voltage level of 3 volts+/− 10%, and class C devices operate at a voltage level of 1.8 volts+/− 10%. Typically, a smart card is configured to operate in a singular desired voltage class. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a method is described that includes monitoring whether an externally originating signal reaches a predetermined threshold value in a host, producing an output value based on the monitoring, and identifying a power environment for the host based on the output value. The method may include setting an initial value. The host may be a smart card. The power environment may be identified from a plurality of possible power environments. The externally originating signal may be a power signal. The output value may be a logical output. 
     In another aspect, a method for determining the power environment of a host is provided that includes monitoring whether an externally originating signal reaches a predetermined threshold value in a host, producing a first output value based on the monitoring, identifying a first power environment for the host if the first output value meets a first specified criteria, producing a second output value based on the monitoring if the first output value does not meet a first specified criteria, and identifying a power environment for the host if the second output value meets a second specified criteria. 
     The method may include producing a third output value based on the monitoring if the second output value does not meet a second specified criteria, and identifying a power environment for the host if the third output value meets a third specified criteria. The method may include restarting a sequence with producing a first output value if the third output value does not meet a third specified criteria. The method may include using additional output values and additional specified criteria to identify the power environment. The first specified criteria and the second specified criteria may be the same. The host may be a smart card. Each output value may be a logical output. 
     In another aspect, a system for determining the voltage class of an environment is described that includes a hardware circuit including a signal monitoring circuit, a status register, and programmable control logic, and a software sequence to program the hardware circuit. The system may include one or more control registers. The system may include a central processing unit (CPU) bus that is able to communicate with the one or more control registers and the status register. The software sequence may change the values stored in the control registers. The values stored in the control registers may be used in generating an output from the signal monitoring circuit. 
     The signal monitoring circuit may include an analog supply monitor. The signal monitoring circuit may include a plurality of predetermined, selectable signal (e.g., voltage) levels. The predetermined, selectable signal levels may include a first selectable voltage level between class A voltage and class B voltage, and a second selectable voltage level between class B voltage and class C voltage. The signal monitoring circuit may be used to monitor a power signal. The status register may be modified based on output generated by the signal monitoring circuit. An output may be generated based on the power supplied to the signal monitoring circuit. An output may be generated based on the voltage level supplied to the signal monitoring circuit. 
     In another aspect, a host is described that includes a hardware circuit including a signal monitoring circuit for monitoring an externally originating signal, a status register to store output generated from the hardware circuit, a software sequence to program the hardware circuit including programming for the signal monitoring circuit to generate an output and programmable control logic to identify a power environment based on the generated output, and a bus to interface with the status register and obtain the generated output. The host may be a smart card. The host may include one or more communication interfaces. 
     In another aspect, a method for determining the power environment of a host is described that includes means located within the host for monitoring an externally originating signal, means for producing an output value based on the monitoring, and means for identifying the power environment of the host based on the output. The method may include means for programming a software sequence used in monitoring the externally originating signal. 
     Automatic detection methods may provide various possible advantages. Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may include or provide none, one or more of the following advantages. Automatic detection techniques for smart cards to determine a current operation voltage range can be beneficial for many reasons, including the ability to use the same smart card in a number of devices. Automatic detection techniques may reduce manufacturing costs as the same smart card could be manufactured for a number of different applications. These techniques may also reduce user costs and time, as the same smart card could be transferred from one device to another as the user upgrades devices, or could be transferred from one device to another to transfer information, etc. 
     The details of one or more implementations of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is block diagram illustrating an example system for determining the signal environment (e.g., voltage class) of a supplied signal. 
         FIG. 2  is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for a smart card to identify and operate in multiple signal environments. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating an example method to determine a signal class. 
         FIG. 4  is a graph showing example voltage ranges of multiple voltage classes. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a mobile phone that includes a smart card. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A smart card system is described that may use a combination of hardware and software to determine in which signal environment the smart card is powered. In one embodiment, the signal environment is a voltage class. In some implementations, the system can determine the signal environment by executing a software sequence to detect a voltage range of a supplied voltage. For example, the system may have the ability to determine that the supplied voltage is a class A voltage when the supplied voltage is greater than 4.0 V In another example, the system may determine that the supplied voltage is a class B voltage when the supplied voltage is greater than 2.4 V and not a class A voltage. In another example, the system may determine that the supplied voltage is a class C voltage when the supplied voltage is not a class A nor a class B voltage. Other configurations of signals and signal classes are possible. 
       FIG. 1  is block diagram illustrating an example system for determining the signal environment (e.g., voltage class) for a device given a supplied signal. By way of example, reference will be made to a signal voltage, though other forms of signals (e.g., currents) are possible. Further, reference will be made to three classes of voltage signals at particular voltage levels, though other numbers of classes at other signal levels are possible. In one implementation, the system  100  is capable of determining the voltage class of a voltage signal (i.e., the input signal) supplied to the system  100 . In one implementation, the system  100  includes a CPU  105 , a memory  110 , and a voltage class detector (“VCD”)  115 . In one implementation, the memory  110  includes a software sequence  120 . By executing the software sequence  120 , the CPU  105  can program the VCD  115  to determine the voltage class of the input signal (e.g., an input power signal). In one implementation, the system  100  may detect a voltage class of an input signal of a multiple voltage usage smart card (e.g., a smart card that can be used in different class devices or applications). 
     The CPU  105  can transmit data to and receive data from a CPU bus  125 . For example, the CPU  105  can read data, including the software sequence  120 , from the memory  110  via the CPU bus  125 . In one implementation, the CPU  105  can obtain and execute software instructions from the memory  110 . The software sequence  120  may be a sequence of the software instructions to be executed by the CPU  105 . In one implementation, the software sequence  120  can instruct the CPU  105  to perform a variety of operations during execution, such as transmitting signals, receiving signals, performing arithmetic operations, branching to another sequence of software instructions, and/or performing other CPU operations. 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , the CPU  105  can also transmit control signals to and receive output signals from the VCD  115  using the CPU bus  125 . In one implementation, the CPU  105  can transmit one or more signals to the VCD  115  which in turn can generate an output based on the input signal. The CPU  105  can receive the generated output from the VCD  115 . For example, the CPU  105  can transmit signals to the VCD  115  to determine whether the input signal is in voltage class A and receives an output signal from the VCD  115 . If the output signal meets certain parameters, for example, then the CPU  105  may determine that the input signal is voltage class A. If the output signal does not meet certain parameters, for example, the CPU  105  may determine that the input signal is not voltage class A signal. Some examples of methods that may be used to determine a supplied signal environment (e.g., voltage class) are described below with reference to  FIGS. 2-3 . 
     The VCD  115  may include a number of subsystems and circuits. In one implementation, the VCD  115  may include one or more control registers  130 ,  135 , an analog supply monitor  140 , and a status register  145 . The control registers  130 ,  135  may receive signals from the CPU  105  through the CPU bus  125 . In various implementations, the control registers  130 ,  135  may include control logic to generate selection signals for transmission to the analog supply monitor  140  to allow selection of one of the voltage levels. In some implementations, the selection signals may be generated based on the signals received from the CPU  105 . 
     The analog supply monitor  140  may include a plurality of predetermined selectable voltage monitoring levels. In one implementation, the analog supply monitor  140  may include two selectable voltage levels at 2.4 V and 4.0 V, respectively. In some implementations, the voltage monitoring levels may be set internally and defined by the outputs of the control registers  130 ,  135 . For example, the analog supply monitor  140  may include control logic to select one of the predetermined voltage monitoring levels based on the selection signals received from the control registers  130 ,  135 . 
     As discussed above, in various implementations the voltage monitoring level of the analog supply monitor  140  may be selected based on the inputs from the control registers  130 ,  135 . In one implementation, the control registers  130 ,  135  may include selection logic, such as a multiplexer, to select one of the predetermined voltage monitoring levels based on the received signals from the CPU  105 . In one implementation, the control register  130  can be configured such that a signal is generated to select a 2.4 V monitoring level. In one implementation, the control register  135  can be configured such that a signal is generated to select a 4.0 V monitoring level. In other implementations, other monitoring levels may be used. 
     The analog supply monitor  140  may be configured to receive an input signal  150  (e.g. a voltage) from an external environment. In one implementation, using the selected voltage monitoring level(s), the analog supply monitor  140  can determine the supplied voltage class of the external environment using the input signal  150 . In one implementation, the analog supply monitor  140  may compare the input signal  150  and the selected voltage level. Based on the comparison result, the analog supply monitor  140  may, for example, set a value, retain a value, or clear a stored value in the status register  145 . 
     In one example, the CPU  105  can execute the software sequence  120  to determine the voltage class of the input signal  150 . In one implementation, the CPU  105  may execute the software sequence  120  to determine the voltage class when the system  100  is powered up or reset. In another implementation, the CPU  105  can execute the software sequence  120  when there is a change in the voltage levels of the input signal  150 . For example, the system  100  may detect a change in a supplied voltage level of the input signal  150  and transmit an interrupt to the CPU  105 . After receiving the interrupt, the CPU  105  may then execute the software sequence  120  to determine the supplied voltage class of the input signal  150 . In another implementation, the CPU  105  may execute the software sequence  120  during a maintenance operation. For example, the CPU  105  may execute a maintenance operation, which includes determining the voltage class, periodically (e.g., every day, every hour, etc.) or non-periodically (e.g., execute when a user selects to execute the maintenance operation). 
     When the CPU  105  executes the software sequence  120 , the CPU  105  may execute instructions to transmit the one or more selection signals to the control registers  130 ,  135  to initiate selection of one or more of the predetermined voltage levels. The analog supply monitor  140  may compare the selected voltage level and the input signal level. Based on the comparison result, the analog supply monitor  140  may set or clear one or more values stored in the status register  145 . In one implementation, the analog supply monitor  140  may clear the status register  145  when the analog supply monitor  140  detects that the supplied voltage is higher than the selected voltage level. In one implementation, the analog supply monitor  140  may set the status register  145  when it detects that the supplied voltage is lower than the selected voltage level (i.e., when the supplied voltage is less than the selected voltage level). 
     The CPU  105  can access and read values stored in the status register  145  via the CPU bus  125 . Based on the values (e.g., set or clear) in the status register  145  of the analog supply monitor  140 , the CPU  105  may determine whether the voltage class of the input signal has been identified, and/or whether more operations are required to identify the voltage class of the input signal. 
       FIG. 2  is a flow diagram illustrating an example method  200  for a smart card to identify and operate in multiple signal environments. 
     Method  200  may be used by a smartcard to identify a voltage class and possibly adjust operating parameters based on the identified voltage class. In some implementations, the method  200  may be performed by a system including a processor. Examples of microprocessors that may be used include the microprocessor of a mobile device or the CPU of a video set-up box. An exemplary system  100  that may be used to identify a voltage class of an input signal is shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method  200  begins by initializing parameters  210 . In one implementation, a processor (e.g., CPU  105 ) may initialize parameters, such as reset registers, input power sources, and other hardware, by executing a startup code (e.g., a bootloader code). For example, a system reset of the system  100  ( FIG. 1 ) may trigger the CPU  105  to initialize parameters by executing the startup code stored in the memory  110 . 
     After initialization, the system may receive an input signal  220  (e.g., a supplied voltage VCC). In one implementation, an analog monitor circuit  140  may receive an input signal  150  from an external environment. For example, the system  100  ( FIG. 1 ) can receive the input signal  150  from an external source. 
     The voltage class  230  of the supplied signal may then be determined. In one implementation, a system  100  may determine whether the voltage class  230  of the supplied input signal  150  (e.g., voltage VCC) is a class A voltage, a class B voltage, or a class C voltage. For example, the CPU  105  ( FIG. 1 ) may execute the software sequence  120  to determine the voltage class of the input signal. An example of method that may be used to determine the voltage class  230  is described below with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     After the voltage class is determined, one or more actions may be initiated. In one implementation, operating parameters may be adjusted according to the determined voltage class  240 . 
       FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating an example method  300  to determine a signal class of an input signal. 
     In some implementations, the method  300  may be performed by a system (e.g., system  100 ). The system may include a processor (e.g., CPU  105 ). For example, the method  300  may be performed by a system including a circuit (e.g., analog monitor circuit  140 ) and a processor to determine a voltage class of a signal as required in step  230  shown in  FIG. 2 . An exemplary system  100  that may be used to identify a voltage class is shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     In one implementation, the system receives a supplied input signal for which the voltage class is to be determined. The supplied input signal may be an input voltage signal to a circuit that is provided from an external source (e.g., a battery). The method  300  may be performed by the processor that is executing a software sequence (e.g., sequence  120 ). In one implementation, the software sequence may include instructions that, when executed, instruct the processor to transmit control signals to a detector (e.g., analog supply monitor  140 ) to determine a voltage class of the input signal. 
     The method  300  may begin by selecting a first threshold  310 . In one implementation, the first threshold may be a voltage level. For example, the processor (e.g., CPU  105 ) can execute a software instruction to select a first threshold voltage level and transmit a control signal to a detector (e.g., voltage class detector  115 ) to set a detection level. In the exemplary system  100 , the CPU  105  can transmit a control signal to the control registers  130 ,  135  to configure the control registers  130 ,  135  and select a 4.0 V monitoring level. For example, the control registers  130 ,  135  can transmit signals to the analog signal monitor  140  to disable the 2.4 V selectable voltage level and enable the 4.0 V selectable voltage level. 
     Next, a determination is made whether the level of the supplied signal (e.g., voltage level) reaches or exceeds the selected threshold  320 . In one implementation, the detector (e.g., analog monitor circuit  140 ) may include a comparator to compare the selected threshold against the input signal. 
     In one embodiment, after the 4.0 V monitoring level is enabled, the analog supply monitor  140  may compare the input voltage VCC with the 4.0 V level. This operating condition is shown represented as operating state  410  in  FIG. 4 . The possible voltages of the supplied signal is shown in operating state  410  as either a shaded area (e.g., voltage less than 4.0V) or a clear area (e.g., voltage equal to or greater than 4.0V). In some implementations, the processor can read a status register (e.g., the status register  145 ) to determine whether the voltage level of the supplied signal has been identified. As an illustrative example, the detector may set or clear a value stored in the status register. In this implementation, the shaded area indicates voltages where the analog supply monitor  140  will set the status register  145  based on the comparison result, and the non-shaded area indicates voltages where the analog supply monitor  140  will clear the status register  145  based on the comparison result. In the depicted implementation, the CPU  105  may identify that the input voltage VCC is class A in the state  410  if the status register  145  is cleared. In contrast, if the status register  145  is set, the CPU  105  may identify that the input voltage VCC is not class A (e.g., class B or class C). 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , if the determination in step  320  fails (e.g., it is determined that the supplied voltage exceeds the selected threshold), then a first voltage class is detected  330  and the method  300  ends. Else, additional processing steps may be executed. 
     If processing continues, a second threshold is selected  340 . In one implementation, the second threshold may be less than the first threshold. In one implementation, the first threshold may be a voltage level. For example, the processor (e.g., CPU  105 ) can execute a software instruction to select a second threshold voltage level and transmit a control signal to a detector (e.g., voltage class detector  115 ) to set a detection level. In the exemplary system  100 , the CPU  105  can transmit a control signal to the control registers  130 ,  135  to configure the control registers  130 ,  135  and select a 2.4 V monitoring level. For example, the control registers  130 ,  135  can transmit signals to the analog signal monitor  140  to disable the 4.0 V selectable voltage level and enable the 2.4 V selectable voltage level. 
     Next, a determination is made whether the level of the supplied signal (e.g., voltage level) reaches or exceeds the second selected threshold  350 . In one implementation, the detector (e.g., analog monitor circuit  140 ) may include a second comparator to compare the selected threshold against the input signal. 
     In one embodiment, after the 2.4 V monitoring level is enabled, the analog supply monitor  140  may compare the input voltage VCC with the 2.4 V level. This operating condition is shown represented as operating state  440  in  FIG. 4 . The possible voltages of the supplied signal are shown in operating state  440  as either a shaded area (e.g., voltage less than 2.4V) or a clear area (e.g., voltage equal to or greater than 2.4V). In some implementations, the processor can read a status register (e.g., the status register  145 ) to determine whether the voltage level of the supplied signal has been identified. As an illustrative example, the detector may set or clear a value stored in the status register. In this implementation, the shaded area indicates voltages where the analog supply monitor  140  will set the status register  145  based on the comparison result, and the non-shaded area indicates voltages where the analog supply monitor  140  will clear the status register  145  based on the comparison result. In the depicted embodiment, the CPU  105  may identify that the input voltage VCC is either class A or class B in the state  440  if the status register  145  is cleared. In contrast, if the status register  145  is set, the CPU  105  may identify that the input voltage VCC is class C. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , if the determination in step  350  fails (e.g., it is determined that the supplied voltage exceeds the selected threshold), then a second voltage class is detected  360  and the method  300  ends. Else, a third voltage class is detected  370  and the method  300  ends. 
     In other implementations, the system can execute the process steps  310 - 370  using different threshold values. Although 4.0V and 2.4V exemplary threshold values have been used for clarity throughout the description, many other selectable voltage levels (e.g. 3.9V and 2.5V, 4.1V and 2.3V, etc), may also be used. 
     In some implementations, the system can execute process steps using different threshold values in different order to determine the voltage class of a system. For example, the detector can first select a second voltage threshold (e.g., the lower voltage threshold). Next, the detector can determine whether the supplied voltage is less than the second voltage threshold. If the determination passes (e.g., it is determined that the supplied voltage exceeds the selected threshold), then a third voltage class is detected. Else, the detector can select the first threshold. Using the first threshold, the detector can determine whether the level of the supplied signal (e.g., voltage level) is less than the selected threshold. If the determination fails (e.g., it is determined that the supplied voltage exceeds the selected threshold), then a second voltage class is detected and the method ends. Else, a first voltage class is detected and the method ends. 
     In various implementations, an additional confirmation test may be conducted. For example, the confirmation test can be implemented in the method after a third voltage class is detected. In one implementation, a third threshold, which may be lower than the second threshold may be used. In some implementations, additional thresholds may be selected to identify additional signal environments (e.g., additional voltage classes). In one implementation, the method  300  can be augmented by having additional thresholds to identify additional voltage classes. In another implementation, the system  100  may include additional control registers to select the additional thresholds to accommodate the extra comparisons. 
       FIG. 4  is a graph showing example voltage ranges in different operating states  410 ,  440 ,  470 . The graph  400  illustrates examples of how the values stored in the status register  145  ( FIG. 1 ) may be based on the settings of the control registers  130 ,  135  and an input signal  150 . In the examples shown, the analog supply monitor  140  may set one or more values in the status register  145  based on the results from one or more of the three operating states  410 ,  440 ,  470 . The value in the status register  145  may be set or cleared by determining whether the level of the input signal (e.g., voltage VCC) is higher or lower than a selected voltage level (e.g. 2.4 V and 4.0 V). In one implementation, the CPU  105  can use the control registers  130 ,  135  to control the operating states  410 ,  440 ,  470  of the analog supply monitor  140 , and read the stored value in the status register  145  in order to determine the voltage class of the input voltage VCC. 
     As described in  FIG. 3 , in one specific implementation, a system receiving an input signal (e.g., an input voltage signal to smart card) above 4.0 V will be detected as a Class A system.  FIG. 4  illustrates this as operating state  410 . Similarly, a system operating and providing an input signal in the range of 2.4 V to 4.0 V will be detected as a Class B system.  FIG. 4  illustrates this as operating state  440 , which may follow operating state  410  in a testing sequence. In one embodiment, if the system is not a Class A system, then the detector can determine whether the system is a Class B system or a Class C system by operating in the state  440 . Also, a system operating and providing an input signal below 2.4 V (such as at around 1.8 V) will be detected as a Class C system. In addition, an operating state can be used to confirm the presence of a signal.  FIG. 4  illustrates this as operating state  470 . 
     A CPU (e.g. the CPU  105  in  FIG. 1 ) can control the detector to be operating in one of the operating states to determine a voltage class of a presently supplied signal. In one implementation, the software sequence  120  can include selecting an initial (e.g., voltage) monitoring level at the analog supply monitor  140 . Based on the output of the analog supply monitor  140 , the software sequence  120  can include logic (e.g., the logic implemented in the method  300  described with reference to  FIG. 3 ) for determining the supplied signal class or alternating the operating states  410 ,  440 ,  470  of the analog supply monitor  140  to identify the input voltage VCC. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a mobile phone that includes a smart card. An example of a smart phone  500  including a smart card  505  is shown. The phone  500  includes a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) smart card  505 , a battery  510 , and a communication interface  515 . In some examples, the battery  510  and/or the communication interface  515  may provide operating power to the smart phone  500 , including the SIM  505 . In this example, the SIM  505  is used in a mobile phone application. In some implementations, the SIM  505  may also be used in multiple models of the phone  500 . However, the battery  510  and the communication interface  515  in different smart phones  500  may supply power at different voltage ranges. According to the supplied voltage ranges, some operating parameters of the SIM  505  may require adjustment. By executing a software sequence (e.g., the software sequence  120  in  FIG. 1 ), the SIM  505  can identify a supplied voltage range provided by the battery  510  and/or the communication interface  515 . In some examples, the SIM  505  may adjust operating parameters based on the identified voltage class using, for example, the method  300 . Consequently, the detection of a voltage class level can lead to the subsequent setting of internal parameters in the device (e.g., the smart card can adjust an output of an internal voltage regulator to allow for proper operation of the device given the input power provided). 
     As shown in the example of  FIG. 5 , the SIM  505  is connected to a memory  520 , a processor  525 , a display driver  530 , and a user interface (UI)  535  using a data bus  540 . Data may be transmitted through the data bus. For example, the processor  525  may process data received from the communication interface  515 . The processor  525  may also store the resulting data in the memory  520  using the data bus  540 . In another example, a user may use the UI  535  to input a phone number to be displayed on a display  545  using the display driver  530 . In some implementations, the SIM  505 , the memory  520 , the processor  525 , the display driver  530 , the UI  535 , and the display  545  may be powered by the battery  5   10  and/or the communication interface  515 . 
     In some examples, the communication interface  515  may be compliant to one or more industry standards, such as European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), ISO 7816, or EMV Some of these industry standards may require the communication interface to supply power in different voltage ranges (e.g., class A, class B, or Class C). In some implementations, the phone  500  may include more than one communication interface. For example, the phone  500  ma include an ISO 7816 interface, an USB interface, a MMC interface, and a SWP interface. To feature these interfaces and to be compatible with different industry standards, the SIM  505  may include the system  100  to detect the supplied voltage range. In some implementations, an operating system embedded in the phone  500  can control the SIM to execute the software sequence to determine a voltage class and adjust operation parameters. For example, the SIM  505  may use the method  300  to determine the supplied voltage class. 
     After the voltage class detection has been completed, the CPU may send additional instructions, or may provide control or input to other processes or components. 
     In one approach, the system may include a regulator, and the programming of the regulator may be guided by instructions from the CPU. The instructions may be based on the results obtained from a supply monitor. The instructions may be based on the determined voltage class. The regulator may regulate the incoming supplied power, enabling a smart card to operate in the identified power environment. The CPU may send a control signal, enabling the regulator to establish and maintain a desired voltage level output. 
     In another approach the CPU may be used by the Operating System to send instructions to parametrize oscillators and clock dividers in order to fit the power consumption restrictions specified for the detected voltage class. This approach may be used with a SIM card application, or in other applications. 
     In another approach, multiple application programs could be present in the memory. For example, there could be different application programs for voltage class A, voltage class B, and voltage class C. After having detected the voltage class, the operating system could be instructed to jump to the dedicated application. 
     In another implementation, the voltage class detection could be used to confirm that the integrated circuit (“chip”) is operating in the proper environment. In one embodiment, a chip could feature multiple interfaces. For example, a chip may work with the new high speed communication interface standard, USB-IC (Inter-Chip). The protocol is close to USB 2.0, with the major differences from USB 2.0 being electrical points (e.g., power ranges and driver characteristics). For instance, in USB 2.0 the power range is 5V and the data signaling level is 3.3V. In USB-IC, the power range can be 3V or 1.8V and the data signaling level is the same level as the VCC. 
     In one implementation, a chip may feature multiple interfaces multiplexed on the same pads, enabling the chip and circuit to target multiple applications. For example, in one implementation, the circuit may be used to target mobile applications that require USB-IC and IT applications that require USB 2.0. The interface selection between IC and 2.0 may be done, for example, in software (such as programming a control register) following determination of the power environment. 
     In one implementation, the operating system may know that the chip is in a mobile environment by the detection of any activity on the standard communication ISO 7816 interface, and can program the USB interface in USB-IC mode. If no activity on that interface is detected, the chip may determine that the chip is in an IT world and the OS can program the USB interface in USB 2.0 mode. The voltage class detector can be used to confirm the chip is programmed for the right environment. 
     In another implementation, a chip may not include a low speed ISO 7816 interface. The voltage class detector may be used by the OS to know in which application the chip is used. 
     EXAMPLES 
     A smart card may be used to power a flash memory chip. Depending on the determined voltage class, the smartcard may enable or disable an on-chip voltage regulator that regulates voltage supplied to the flash memory chip. For example, the flash memory chip may be designed to operate at 1.8 V. 
     If the determined voltage class of the external environment is class B voltage (3 V), then the smartcard may enable the voltage regulator to regulate a 3 V supply VCC to 1.8 V for the flash memory chip. 
     If, however, the determined voltage class of the external environment is class C voltage, the smartcard may disable the voltage regulator because the supplied voltage is 1.8 V. 
     If, in another example, the voltage class of an external environment is class A (5 V), then the smartcard may enable the voltage regulator to regulate a 5 V supply VCC to 1.8 V In some cases, two sets of operating parameters may be used for regulating a 5 V input voltage and a 3 V input voltage. Based on the identified voltage class, the smart card can control the parameters to maintain the 1.8 V level for the flash memory chip. 
     A number of implementations of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, a voltage class detector may include other hardware, such as additional registers, multiplexers, and/or voltage sensors, to enhance performance of the voltage class detector. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6