Abstract: A protocol-based communication between a host device (e.g., MP3 player, digital camera, palmtop, etc.) and an interface (e.g., flash mass storage card) is established automatically by providing protocol-supporting facilities in the interface, each facility supporting communication with the host device based on a respective protocol, by sending a query message from the host device to the interface specifying at least one protocol for use in protocol-based communication, by searching, within the plurality of protocol-supporting facilities provided in the interface one protocol-supporting facility supporting the protocol proposed in the query message, and if such protocol-supporting facility is found within the plurality of protocol-supporting facilities provided in the interface, by setting up the protocol-based communication between the host device and the interface based on the protocol proposed in the query message issued from the host device.

Abstract: A protocol-based communication between a host device (e.g., MP3 player, digital camera, palmtop, etc.) and an interface (e.g., flash mass storage card) is established automatically by providing protocol-supporting facilities in the interface, each facility supporting communication with the host device based on a respective protocol, by sending a query message from the host device to the interface specifying at least one protocol for use in protocol-based communication, by searching, within the plurality of protocol-supporting facilities provided in the interface one protocol-supporting facility supporting the protocol proposed in the query message, and if such protocol-supporting facility is found within the plurality of protocol-supporting facilities provided in the interface, by setting up the protocol-based communication between the host device and the interface based on the protocol proposed in the query message issued from the host device.

Abstract: In order to estimate power consumption, over a given time interval, of digital circuits described at the level of functional elements provided with input/output terminals associated additional elements are emulated at the hardware level. The said additional emulated elements are able to detect, during said time interval, at least one signal indicative of the behavior of the functional element associated during hardware emulation of the circuit. Preferably the number of transitions performed during the aforesaid time interval of the associated functional element is recorded, as well as the fraction of time in which the state of said functional element is stable. The value of said signals is acquired to perform an estimation of the power consumption of the functional element during the aforesaid time interval.