EP0356113A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adaptable multiple port data buffer
Assignee: Tektronix Inc
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Filing: 1989-08-15
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-08-15
Abstract
Abstract A data buffer includes parallel and serial data ports connected to one or more equipment modules that produce output data or respond to input commands. The data buffer also includes a serial control port communicating with a host computer. The data buffer receives and stores output data from the equipment modules via the data ports. The buffer configures each data port to match the data transfer protocol (baud rate, parity checking etc.) of the equipment module to which it is connected in response to input commands transmitted from the host computer via the control port. The host computer may also command the buffer to immediately route incoming data on one data port outward on one or more other selected data or control ports or to store incoming data for later transmission via a selected port in response to an input command. The host computer may additionally command the buffer to periodically transmit a stored data string outward on one or more designated data ports. The data buffer also includes a real time clock producing data indicating current time and date. When the data buffer detects a state change in an input bit at a parallel port, it generates an indicating message including the bit state along with the current time and date and forwards the message to the host computer.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Hammond
- 👤 Thomas M. Cooper
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:14
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/38; G06F13/382; G06F13/385
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A data buffer for interfacing a plurality of equipment modules to a data processing apparatus, each equipment module including a module data port for producing output data and receiving input data utilizing a preset data transfer mode, the data buffer comprising: a plurality of buffer data ports, each buffer data port being connected to a separate one of said module data ports for transmitting data thereto and receiving data therefrom, each buffer data port utilizing a selected one a plurality of differing data transfer modes when transmitting and receiving data to and from a module data port; a control port for receiving commands from the data processing apparatus and for transmitting data to the data processing apparatus; and means for selecting the one data transfer mode utilized by each buffer data port in response to mode selection input commands transmitted from the data processing apparatus to the control port.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A data buffer for interfacing a plurality of equipment modules to a data processing apparatus, each equipment module including a module data port for producing output data and receiving input data utilizing a preset data transfer mode, the data buffer comprising: a plurality of buffer data ports, each buffer data port being connected to a separate one of said module data ports for transmitting data thereto and receiving data therefrom, each buffer data port utilizing a selected one a plurality of differing data transfer modes when transmitting and receiving data to and from a module data port; a control port for receiving commands from the data processing apparatus and for transmitting data to the data processing apparatus; and means for selecting the one data transfer mode utilized by each buffer data port in response to mode selection input commands transmitted from the data processing apparatus to the control port.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The data buffer in accordance with claim 1 further comprising means for routing data received by one buffer data port to a selected one of said buffer data and control ports for transmission thereby, the one port being selected in response to a routing input command transmitted from the data processing apparatus to the control port.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
The data buffer in accordance with claim 1 further comprising means for routing data received by one buffer data port to a selected set of more than one of said buffer data and control ports for transmission thereby, the more than one ports being selected in response to a routing input command transmitted from the data processing apparatus to the control port.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The data buffer in accordance with claim 1 further comprising means for storing data received by one buffer data port and then, in response to a dump input command from the data processing apparatus, routing the stored data to the control port for transmission to the data processing apparatus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
89 words
The data buffer in accordance with claim 1 further comprising means for selectively either routing data received by one buffer data port to one of said buffer data and control ports for transmission thereby, or storing the data received and then, in response to a dump input command from the data processing apparatus, routing the stored data to the control port for transmission to the data processing apparatus, selection of routing or storing being determined by a selection input command from the data processing apparatus to the control port.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
The data buffer in accordance with claim 1 further comprising: means for storing a data string in response to a first input command conveying said data string from said data processing apparatus to the control port; and means for periodically routing the stored data string to one of said buffer data ports for transmission thereby to one of said module data ports in response to a second input command from said data processing apparatus to the control port, the second command indicating an interval between successive transmissions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
The data buffer in accordance with claim 1 further comprising: a real time clock circuit producing output data indicating a time; and means for detecting a state change in a bit of data received by one of said buffer data ports, for thereupon generating message data including the time indicated by the output data of said real time clock circuit, and routing the message data to said control port for transmission the data processing apparatus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
170 words
A data buffer for interfacing a plurality of equipment modules to a data processing apparatus, each equipment module including a module data port for producing output data and receiving input data, the data buffer comprising: a plurality of buffer data ports, each buffer data port being connected to a separate one of said module data ports for transmitting data thereto and receiving data therefrom; a control port for receiving commands from the data processing apparatus and for transmitting data to the data processing apparatus; and means for selectively routing data received by one buffer data port to one of said buffer data and control ports for transmission thereby, or storing the data received by said one buffer data port and then, in response to a dump input command from the data processing apparatus, routing the stored data to the control port for transmission to the data processing apparatus, selection of routing or storing being determined by a selection input command transmitted by the data processing apparatus to the control port.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
170 words
A data buffer for interfacing a plurality of equipment modules to a data processing apparatus, each equipment module including a module data port for producing output data and receiving input data, the data buffer comprising: a plurality of buffer data ports, each buffer data port being connected to a separate one of said module data ports for transmitting data thereto and receiving data therefrom; a control port for receiving commands from the data processing apparatus and for transmitting data to the data processing apparatus; and means for selectively routing data received by one buffer data port to one of said buffer data and control ports for transmission thereby, or storing the data received by said one buffer data port and then, in response to a dump input command from the data processing apparatus, routing the stored data to the control port for transmission to the data processing apparatus, selection of routing or storing being determined by a selection input command transmitted by the data processing apparatus to the control port.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
87 words
The data buffer in accordance with claim 8 further comprising: means for storing a data string in response to a first input command conveying said data string from said data processing apparatus to the control port; and means, responsive to a second input command from said data processing apparatus to the control port, for periodically passing the stored data string to one of said buffer data ports for transmission thereby to one of said module data ports, the second input command indicating an interval between successive transmissions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
73 words
The data buffer in accordance with claim 9 further comprising: a real time clock producing output data indicating a time; and means for detecting a state change in a bit of data received by one of said buffer data ports and for generating message data including a reference to the time indicated by said real time clock, and for routing the message data to said control port for transmission the data processing apparatus.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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