Patent ID: 7378896

Claim:
A method for using a single pin at a device to support both power input and power control functions for an integrated circuit, wherein the integrated circuit is in communication with a system and the device having a data pad and a control signal generating circuit, the method comprising the steps of: receiving at the pin a power input signal from the system; adjusting at a first Schmitt trigger digital inputs from the system; adjusting at a second Schmitt trigger adjusted digital inputs from the first Schmitt trigger after a time delay; receiving at a level shifter twice adjusted digital inputs from the second Schmitt trigger; receiving at the control signal generating circuit the power input signal from the single pin; generating at the control signal generating circuit a power control signal based on the power input signal, the power control signal have a level; receiving at the data pad the power control signal; controlling data transmission between the data pad and the integrated circuit according to the level of the power control signal and the twice regulated digital inputs; and sending the power control signal from the control signal generating circuit to the integrated circuit to control a power status of the integrated circuit.