US5214774A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Segmented memory transfer and message priority on synchronous/asynchronous data bus
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1990-07-30
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Granted: 1993-05-25
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Expires: 2010-07-30
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for transferring segmented memory between memory units determines a need for memory transfer and searches a memory unit segment by segment until a valid data record is found. This valid data record is conveyed to another memory unit via the asynchronous mode. If a valid data records is not found within a predetermined amount of time, a message identifying the memory segment last searched is conveyed. If no remaining valid data records are found, a message with no information is conveyed. Priority is given to asynchronous messages.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary A. Welsch
- 👤 Donald A. Dorsey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:12
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/38; G06F13/42; G06F13/4204; G06F13/4221; G06F13/4226; G06F7/00; G06F7/38; G06F12/00; G06F12/02; G06F12/08; G06F12/10; G06F12/1027; G06F12/1036
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A data transfer apparatus employing a data bus having a synchronous mode and an asynchronous mode for communication between a first memory unit and a second memory unit, comprising: means for determining a need for memory transfer; means, responsive to said means for determining, for searching a plurality of memory segments in the second memory unit for a valid data record stored in one of said plurality of memory segments; means for communicating said valid data record from the second data unit to the first memory unit in the asynchronous mode when said means for searching finds a valid data record; and means for communicating an empty data record from the second data unit to the first memory unit in the asynchronous mode when said means for searching does not find a valid data record.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A data transfer apparatus employing a data bus having a synchronous mode and an asynchronous mode for communication between a first memory unit and a second memory unit, comprising: means for determining a need for memory transfer; means, responsive to said means for determining, for searching a plurality of memory segments in the second memory unit for a valid data record stored in one of said plurality of memory segments; means for communicating said valid data record from the second data unit to the first memory unit in the asynchronous mode when said means for searching finds a valid data record; and means for communicating an empty data record from the second data unit to the first memory unit in the asynchronous mode when said means for searching does not find a valid data record.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A data transfer apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising means for timing the time taken by said means for searching and means for halting said means for searching when a predetermined period of time has been exceeded.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A data transfer apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said means for halting further comprises means for recording which of said plurality of memory segments was being searched by said means for searching when said means for searching was halted.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A data transfer apparatus in accordance with claim 3 further comprising means for communicating to the first memory unit which of said plurality of memory segments was being searched by said means for searching when said means for searching was halted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A data transfer apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for searching further comprises means for compressing the data of said valid data record before communication of said valid data record to the first memory means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A data transfer apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising means for granting priority to asynchronous mode communication over synchronous mode communication.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A data transfer apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising means for accepting user-generated input and means for communicating said accepted user-generated input in the synchronous mode to the first memory unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A data transfer apparatus in accordance with claim 7 further comprising means for receiving said accepted user-generated input from the first memory unit communicated in the asynchronous mode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
119 words
A data transfer apparatus employing a data bus having a synchronous mode and an asynchronous mode for communication between a first memory unit and a second memory unit, comprising: means for determining a need for memory transfer; means for communicating said determined need for memory transfer in the asynchronous mode; means for receiving a message conveyed in the asynchronous mode from the second memory unit in response to said communicated need; means for interpreting said received message; means for storing information from said received message when a valid data record is interpreted from said received message; and means for saving a location number from said received message when a valid data record is not interpreted from said received message.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
119 words
A data transfer apparatus employing a data bus having a synchronous mode and an asynchronous mode for communication between a first memory unit and a second memory unit, comprising: means for determining a need for memory transfer; means for communicating said determined need for memory transfer in the asynchronous mode; means for receiving a message conveyed in the asynchronous mode from the second memory unit in response to said communicated need; means for interpreting said received message; means for storing information from said received message when a valid data record is interpreted from said received message; and means for saving a location number from said received message when a valid data record is not interpreted from said received message.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A data transfer apparatus in accordance with claim 9 further comprising means for ending memory transfer communication when said received message does not contain information.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A data transfer apparatus in accordance with claim 9 further comprising means for granting priority to asynchronous mode communication over synchronous mode communication.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of data transfer by a data bus having a synchronous mode and an asynchronous mode for communication between a first memory unit and a second memory unit, comprising the steps of: determining a need for memory transfer; searching a plurality of memory segments in the second memory unit for a valid data record stored in one of said plurality of memory segments in response to said determining step; communicating said valid data record from the second data unit to the first memory unit in the asychronous mode when said step of searching a plurality of memory segments finds a valid data record; and communicating an empty data record from the second data unit to the first memory unit in the asynchronous mode when said step of searching a plurality of memory segments does not yield a valid data record.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of data transfer by a data bus having a synchronous mode and an asynchronous mode for communication between a first memory unit and a second memory unit, comprising the steps of: determining a need for memory transfer; searching a plurality of memory segments in the second memory unit for a valid data record stored in one of said plurality of memory segments in response to said determining step; communicating said valid data record from the second data unit to the first memory unit in the asychronous mode when said step of searching a plurality of memory segments finds a valid data record; and communicating an empty data record from the second data unit to the first memory unit in the asynchronous mode when said step of searching a plurality of memory segments does not yield a valid data record.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method in accordance with the method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of timing the time taken by said means for searching and halting said searching step when a predetermined period of time has been exceeded.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method in accordance with the method of claim 13 wherein said step of halting further comprises the step of recording which of said plurality of memory segments was being searched by said searching step when said searching was halted.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method in accordance with the method of claim 14 further comprising the step of communicating to the first memory unit which of said plurality of memory segments was being searched by said searching step when said searching was halted.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method in accordance with the method of claim 12 wherein said step of searching further comprises the step of compressing the data of said valid data record before communication of said valid data record to the first memory means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method in accordance with the method of claim 12 further comprising the step of granting priority to asynchronous mode communication over synchronous mode communication.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method in accordance with the method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of accepting user-generated input and communicating said accepted user-generated input in the synchronous mode to the first memory unit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method in accordance with the method of claim 18 further comprising the step of receiving said accepted user-generated input from the first memory unit communicated in the asynchronous mode.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of data transfer by a data bus having a synchronous mode and an asynchronous mode for communication between a first memory unit and a second memory unit, comprising the steps of: determining a need for memory transfer; communicating said determined need for memory transfer in the asynchronous mode; receiving a message conveyed in the asynchronous mode from the second memory unit in response to said communicated need; interpreting said received message; storing information from said received message when a valid data record is interpreted from said received message; and saving a location number from said received message when a valid data record is not interpreted from said received message.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of data transfer by a data bus having a synchronous mode and an asynchronous mode for communication between a first memory unit and a second memory unit, comprising the steps of: determining a need for memory transfer; communicating said determined need for memory transfer in the asynchronous mode; receiving a message conveyed in the asynchronous mode from the second memory unit in response to said communicated need; interpreting said received message; storing information from said received message when a valid data record is interpreted from said received message; and saving a location number from said received message when a valid data record is not interpreted from said received message.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method in accordance with the method of claim 20 further comprising the step of ending memory transfer communication when said received message does not contain information.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method in accordance with the method of claim 20 further comprising the step of granting priority to asynchronous mode communication over synchronous mode communication.
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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) | 1996-05-24 | 1996-11-23 | 1997-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-24 | 2000-11-23 | 2001-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-24 | 2004-11-23 | 2005-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |