US4290102A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Data processing system with read operation splitting
Assignee: Digital Equipment Corp
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Filing: 1978-10-25
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Granted: 1981-09-15
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Expires: 1998-10-25
Abstract
Abstract A digital data processing system including an interconnection for the various elements that constitute the system. Each element that connects to the interconnection is called a nexus. For one element to communicate with another element, the one element, as a commanding nexus, seeks control of the interconnection and then transmits a command and address of a storage location in the other element when it receives control of the interconnection. Control is then relinquished unless the one element is to send data to the other element whereupon the data is sent immediately. If data is to be retrieved, the other element retrieves the data, requests control of the interconnection and, when it receives control, transmits the data onto the interconnection with an identification of the one element. The one element then retrieves the data from the interconnection when it recognizes its own identification. If the other element is a memory element, it also contains storage file for storing commands and data if it already is operating in response to another element's command.
Inventors
- 👤 John V. Levy
- 👤 David Rodgers
- 👤 Robert E. Stewart
- 👤 Richard J. Casabona
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 13:47
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/38; G06F13/42; G06F13/4204; G06F13/4208; G06F13/4217; G06F13/14; G06F13/36; G06F13/368; G06F13/378
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
373 words
A data processing system including a first data means, a second data means including at least one storage location, transfer means including timing, function, identification, address and confirmation signal conveying means connected to said first data means and said second data means for transferring information between said first and second means and timing means connected to said timing signal conveying means for transmitting timing signals for establishing consecutive transfer intervals: A. said first data means including means for transmitting onto said transfer means during a first transfer interval one of a plurality of commands, each command having a function signal portion for defining a transfer function to be performed, an identification signal portion for identifying said first data means and an address signal portion for identifying a location in said second data means to or from which the transfer of data is to occur, said first data means transmitting the function, identification and address signal portions onto said function, identification and address signal conveying means in said transfer means, and further including means for receiving confirmation signals from said confirmation signal conveying means in the transfer means during a subsequent transfer interval a predetermined number of transfer intervals after the first transfer interval, B. said second data means including: i. control means connected to said timing signal conveying means for controlling a transfer in response to signals from said timing means, ii. command responsive transfer means connected to said control means, said function signal conveying means and said address signal conveying means, responsive to the receipt of a command for transferring data between the location identified by the address portion received from said address signal conveying means and said transfer means, iii. identification means connected to said control means and said identification signal conveying means for storing the identification portion from said identification signal conveying means that identifies said first data means, and iv. confirmation means connected to said confirmation signal conveying means, said timing signal conveying means and said command responsive transfer means responsive to the receipt of a command from said first data means for transferring a confirmation signal on said confirmation signal conveying means said predetermined number of transfer intervals after said command responsive transfer means has received the command.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
373 words
A data processing system including a first data means, a second data means including at least one storage location, transfer means including timing, function, identification, address and confirmation signal conveying means connected to said first data means and said second data means for transferring information between said first and second means and timing means connected to said timing signal conveying means for transmitting timing signals for establishing consecutive transfer intervals: A. said first data means including means for transmitting onto said transfer means during a first transfer interval one of a plurality of commands, each command having a function signal portion for defining a transfer function to be performed, an identification signal portion for identifying said first data means and an address signal portion for identifying a location in said second data means to or from which the transfer of data is to occur, said first data means transmitting the function, identification and address signal portions onto said function, identification and address signal conveying means in said transfer means, and further including means for receiving confirmation signals from said confirmation signal conveying means in the transfer means during a subsequent transfer interval a predetermined number of transfer intervals after the first transfer interval, B. said second data means including: i. control means connected to said timing signal conveying means for controlling a transfer in response to signals from said timing means, ii. command responsive transfer means connected to said control means, said function signal conveying means and said address signal conveying means, responsive to the receipt of a command for transferring data between the location identified by the address portion received from said address signal conveying means and said transfer means, iii. identification means connected to said control means and said identification signal conveying means for storing the identification portion from said identification signal conveying means that identifies said first data means, and iv. confirmation means connected to said confirmation signal conveying means, said timing signal conveying means and said command responsive transfer means responsive to the receipt of a command from said first data means for transferring a confirmation signal on said confirmation signal conveying means said predetermined number of transfer intervals after said command responsive transfer means has received the command.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A data processing system as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of said first or second data units further includes asignment means for generating signals that uniquely identify it in said system and identification transmitter means for transmitting the identification signals onto said corresponding identification signal conveying means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
A data processing system as recited in claim 2 wherein said at least one of said first or second data units includes receiver means connected to said identification signal conveying means and comparison means connected to said assignment means and said receiver means for generating a fault signal when said at least one of said first or second data units transmits information onto said transfer means and the received and transmitted identification signals differ.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
A data processing system as recited in claim 2 wherein said at least one of said first or second data units includes receiver means connected to said identification signal conveying means and comparison means connected to said receiver means and said assignment means for enabling a transfer of information into said at least one of said first or second data units when the received identification signals correspond to the signals from said assignment means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A data processing system as recited in claim 4 wherein said at least one of said first or second data units further includes fault means connected to said comparison means for generating a fault signal when the received identification and assignment signals differ.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
84 words
A data processing system as recited in claim 2 wherein said at least one of said first or second data units further includes latch means for storing the identification signals when the function signal portion identifies the information as comprising a command for initiating a retrieval of data from said at least one of said first or second data units, said control means transferring the identification information from said latch means to said transmitting means when the data is transferred to said transfer means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
302 words
A data storage unit that connects to a data processing system including means for transmitting information signals including data and commands, means for transmitting first and second control signals for controlling the transfer of the information signals, means for transmitting tag signals for identifying the information signals as data or commands, means for transmitting identification signals for identifying the source of information signals that are identified as commands, and information connection means, tag connection means, identification connection means and control connection means for conveying the information, tag, identification and control signals respectively to and from said data storage unit, said data storage unit comprising: A. addressable storage location means for storing data signals, B. control means for establishing control states in response to first control signals on the control connection means, C. interfacing latch means connected to said control means for storing the information, tag, identification and second control signals during a predetermined one of the control states, D. tag means connected to said control means and said interfacing latch means for decoding the tag signals thereby to determine the nature of the information signals. E. transfer means connected to said information connection means and said addressable storage location means for affecting transfers of data to and from the information connection means in response to the function signals and the address signals that are transferred with a command, F. identification latch means connected to said tag means, said interfacing latch means and said control means for storing the identification signals from the identification connection means when said tag means decodes a command, and G. identification circuit means connected to said tag means, said identification connection means and said control means for utilizing the signals from said identification connection means during the operation of said transfer means when said tag means decodes data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
302 words
A data storage unit that connects to a data processing system including means for transmitting information signals including data and commands, means for transmitting first and second control signals for controlling the transfer of the information signals, means for transmitting tag signals for identifying the information signals as data or commands, means for transmitting identification signals for identifying the source of information signals that are identified as commands, and information connection means, tag connection means, identification connection means and control connection means for conveying the information, tag, identification and control signals respectively to and from said data storage unit, said data storage unit comprising: A. addressable storage location means for storing data signals, B. control means for establishing control states in response to first control signals on the control connection means, C. interfacing latch means connected to said control means for storing the information, tag, identification and second control signals during a predetermined one of the control states, D. tag means connected to said control means and said interfacing latch means for decoding the tag signals thereby to determine the nature of the information signals. E. transfer means connected to said information connection means and said addressable storage location means for affecting transfers of data to and from the information connection means in response to the function signals and the address signals that are transferred with a command, F. identification latch means connected to said tag means, said interfacing latch means and said control means for storing the identification signals from the identification connection means when said tag means decodes a command, and G. identification circuit means connected to said tag means, said identification connection means and said control means for utilizing the signals from said identification connection means during the operation of said transfer means when said tag means decodes data.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A data processing system as recited in claim 7 wherein said data storage unit further includes assignment means for generating identification signals that uniquely identify said data storage unit is said system and identification transmitting means for transmitting the identification signals onto the identification connection means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
A data processing system as recited in claim 8 wherein said data unit includes receiver means connected to said identification transfer channel means and comparison means connected to said transmitter means and said receiver means for generating a fault signal when said data unit transmits information onto said connection means and the received and transmitted identification signals differ.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
A data processing system as recited in claim 8 wherein said data unit includes receiver means connected to said identification connection means and comparison means connected to said receiver means and said assignment means for enabling a transfer of information into said data unit when the received identification signals correspond to the signals from said assignment means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A data processing system as recited in claim 10 wherein said data unit further includes fault means connected to said comparison means for generating a fault signal when the received identification and assignment signals differ.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
A data processing system as recited in claim 8 wherein said data unit further includes means in said identification circuit means for transferring the identification information from said latch means to said identification transmitting means when the data is transferred to said transfer means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-09-14 | 1985-03-16 | 1985-09-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-09-14 | 1989-03-16 | 1989-09-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-09-14 | 1993-03-16 | 1993-09-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |