| 摘要 |
<p>A computer interface device (110) providing a networking and peripheral interface capability using an external port (114) of a host computer (112) is disclosed. The computer interface device (110) of the present invention provides an intelligent interface (110) between a standard external port (114) of a conventional computer (112) and both a peripheral device (122) and a computer network. The computer interface device (110) comprises a host interface (116) for connecting the computer interface device (110) to a host computer (112) via its external data interface. Control and data lines are received by the computer interface device (110) through the host interface (116). The control and data signals are passed to a control unit comprising switch logic for selectively switching the control and data lines received via the host interface (116) through to a peripheral device (122). The control logic may be used to alter the operation of the control signals and to communicate with a network via a pair of network ports (124) provided in the computer interface device (110).</p> |
