EP0353383A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for switching incoming data communications between processes in a multi-process system in response to the type of communication
Assignee: Compaq Telecommunications Corp
•
Filing: 1989-03-30
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2009-03-30
Abstract
Abstract A method is provided which allows two or more processes (or processors) to share a communications device such as a modem. This is accomplished by providing the multitasking communications-receiving computer (or multiple-processor system) with software which switches control of the modem among different processes after a communications link has been established. In the method, a communication connection is established while the communications device is controlled by a control process. The control process determines the type of incoming communication. The appropriate process for handling the incoming communication is then selected on the basis of the type determination. Finally, the control process delivers control of the connected communications device to the selected process.
Inventors
- 👤 Shirley M. Bobco
- 👤 Paul M. Garner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:56
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/38; G06F13/382; G06F13/387
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
49 words
A process for assigning control of a shared communications device in a multitasking system which comprises: establishing a communications connection via the shared communications device; determining the type of communication; and, transferring control of the communications device to a specific process on the basis of the type of communication.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
49 words
A process for assigning control of a shared communications device in a multitasking system which comprises: establishing a communications connection via the shared communications device; determining the type of communication; and, transferring control of the communications device to a specific process on the basis of the type of communication.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A process for sharing a communications device in a system comprising multiple processors which comprises: establishing a communications connection via the communications device; determining the type of communication; transferring control of the communications device to a specific processor on the basis of the type of communication.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A process for sharing a communications device in a system comprising multiple processors which comprises: establishing a communications connection via the communications device; determining the type of communication; transferring control of the communications device to a specific processor on the basis of the type of communication.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
In a system running multiple processes at least two of which processes require control of a communications device for their operation, the improvement which comprises: providing a control process which determines the type of a communication coming into the system via the communications device and transfers control of the communications device to a specific process selected on the basis of the type of the incoming communication.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
In a system running multiple processes at least two of which processes require control of a communications device for their operation, the improvement which comprises: providing a control process which determines the type of a communication coming into the system via the communications device and transfers control of the communications device to a specific process selected on the basis of the type of the incoming communication.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process as recited in claim 1 wherein the communications device is an RS-232 serial port of a digital computer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process as recited in claim 1 wherein the communications device is a modem.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as recited in claim 1 wherein one type of communication is electronic mail and another type of communication is remote access.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process as recited in claim 1 wherein transferring control of the communications device comprises issuing an I/O command.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process as recited in claim 1 wherein determining the type of communication comprises a handshaking routine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process as recited in claim 1 wherein the communications device is a UART.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process as recited in claim 1 wherein the communications device is a USART.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process as recited in claim 2 wherein the communications device is an RS-232 serial port of a digital computer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process as recited in claim 2 wherein the communications device is a modem.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as recited in claim 2 wherein one type of communication is electronic mail and another type of communication is remote access.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process as recited in claim 2 wherein transferring control of the communications device comprises issuing an I/O command.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process as recited in claim 2 wherein determining the type of communication comprises a handshaking routine.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process as recited in claim 2 wherein the communications device is a UART.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process as recited in claim 2 wherein the communications device is a USART.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
83 words
In a system which comprises a general-purpose processor, a communications processor, and a modem which is shared by both such processors, the improvement which comprises: providing a control process which determines whether data communications coming into the system via the modem is of a type which is to be handled by the communications processor and which transfers control of the modem to the general-purpose processor if the incoming communication is not of a type which is to be handled by the communications processor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
83 words
In a system which comprises a general-purpose processor, a communications processor, and a modem which is shared by both such processors, the improvement which comprises: providing a control process which determines whether data communications coming into the system via the modem is of a type which is to be handled by the communications processor and which transfers control of the modem to the general-purpose processor if the incoming communication is not of a type which is to be handled by the communications processor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus for assigning control of a shared communications device in a multitasking system which comprises: means for establishing a communications connection via the shared communications device; means for determining the type of communication; and, means for transferring control of the communications device to a specific process on the basis of the type of communication.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus for assigning control of a shared communications device in a multitasking system which comprises: means for establishing a communications connection via the shared communications device; means for determining the type of communication; and, means for transferring control of the communications device to a specific process on the basis of the type of communication.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 19 wherein the shared communications device is a modem.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.