EP0442717A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control of peripherals in a multitasking system
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1991-02-13
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2011-02-13
Abstract
Abstract In a multitasking data processing system for executing a plurality of independent processes and including at least one peripheral device, a peripheral controller is provided that includes the capability for providing a first set of data structures where these data structures are independent upon the peripheral device, a second data structure where the second data structures are dependent upon each of the processes in the data processing system, and the capability for providing a process access to the peripheral device by combining the accesses to the first data structure and the second data structures, as appropriate.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory Alan Flurry
- 👤 Larry William Henson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:36
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/46; G06F9/52; G06F9/526; G06F2209/00; G06F2209/52; G06F2209/522
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A data processing system of the type adapted to execute a plurality of independent processes involving at least one peripheral device, characterised by a peripheral device controller comprising a device data store block for providing first data structures having data representing characteristics of the peripheral device; a process data storage block for providing second data structures having data representing characteristics of each process and access means operable to combine data from both the first data structure and the second data structure to permit access to said peripheral device by any given one of said processes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 further including a common data block for providing third data structures having data common to all processes and all peripheral devices.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system as claimed in claim 2, further including means for storing a plurality of context data structures, each context data structure being associated with a process and describing a state of the peripheral device and including at least a first and a second data structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
A system as claimed in claim 4 in which said peripheral device controller is operable to transfer access to said peripheral device from one process to another, including means for storing a first process context defining a state of the peripheral device when a first process relinquishes access, and means for loading a second process context into the peripheral device when said second process gains access.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
In a multitasking data processing system for executing a plurality of independent processes and including at least one peripheral device, a method for providing an interface between said processes and said peripheral device characterised by the steps of; providing first data structures having data determined by the peripheral device, providing second data structures having data determined by each process, and providing a process information transfer access with one peripheral device by combining accesses to both the first data structure and the second data structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 5 including the step of providing a third data structure having data common to all processes and all peripheral devices.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
46 words
A method as claimed in clam 6 including the step of storing a plurality of context data structures, each context data structure being associated with a process and describing a state of the peripheral device and including at least a first and a second data structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method according to claim 7 including, in response to a transfer of access to a second process from a first process, the step of storing a first process context defining a state of the peripheral device when the first process relinquishes access and loading a second process context into the peripheral device when said second process gains access.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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