US5634070A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Distributed processing systems having a host processor and at least two object oriented processors which communicate directly with each other
Assignee: IQ Systems
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Filing: 1995-09-08
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Granted: 1997-05-27
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Expires: 2015-09-08
Abstract
Abstract Distributed processing systems having a host processor and at least one object oriented processor are provided. An object oriented processor according to the invention has a communications interface, an intelligent message handler, and a task-specific functionality. The communications interface is coupled to a host processor via a message based communications link. A high level command language is provided which is easily implemented in a host processor program. The command language includes subsets of commands which are understood by different object oriented processors having different functionality. According to one embodiment, the object oriented processor includes support for a broad array of input and output devices. The command language includes high level commands for initializing, reading from and/or writing to the peripherals supported by the object oriented processor. According to another embodiment, the object oriented processor is addressable and several object oriented processors having similar functionality can be coupled to a single host via the same comms link. According to yet another embodiment, an object oriented processor further includes a linking table and a periodic message generator which allows one object oriented processor to communicate directly with another object oriented processor without supervision by the host processor.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey I. Robinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:56
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/46; G06F9/54; G06F9/465
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
289 words
A distributed processing system, comprising: a) a host processor; b) a message based communications link coupled to said host processor; c) a first object oriented processor, said first object oriented processor having a first communications interface coupled to said message based communications link, a first intelligent message handler coupled to said first communication interface, and a first task-specific functionality coupled to said first intelligent message handler; d) a second object oriented processor, said second object oriented processor having a second communications interface coupled to said message based communications link, a second intelligent message handler coupled to said second communication interface, a second task-specific functionality coupled to said second intelligent message handler, a linking table coupled to said second intelligent message handler, and a periodic message generator coupled to said second intelligent message handler; and e) a high level command language, said high level command language including a first subset of commands to call on said first task-specific functionality, a second subset of commands to call on said second task-specific functionality, and a third subset of commands to call on said periodic message generator and said linking table, wherein said host processor is programmed to call on said second object oriented processor using messages composed from said second subset of commands and transmitted via said message based communications link to access said second task-specific functionality of said second object oriented processor, and said host processor is programmed to call on said linking table and said periodic message generator using said third subset of commands and said first subset of commands to direct said second object oriented processor to transmit a message to said first object oriented processor to call on said first task-specific functionality via said message based communications link.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
289 words
A distributed processing system, comprising: a) a host processor; b) a message based communications link coupled to said host processor; c) a first object oriented processor, said first object oriented processor having a first communications interface coupled to said message based communications link, a first intelligent message handler coupled to said first communication interface, and a first task-specific functionality coupled to said first intelligent message handler; d) a second object oriented processor, said second object oriented processor having a second communications interface coupled to said message based communications link, a second intelligent message handler coupled to said second communication interface, a second task-specific functionality coupled to said second intelligent message handler, a linking table coupled to said second intelligent message handler, and a periodic message generator coupled to said second intelligent message handler; and e) a high level command language, said high level command language including a first subset of commands to call on said first task-specific functionality, a second subset of commands to call on said second task-specific functionality, and a third subset of commands to call on said periodic message generator and said linking table, wherein said host processor is programmed to call on said second object oriented processor using messages composed from said second subset of commands and transmitted via said message based communications link to access said second task-specific functionality of said second object oriented processor, and said host processor is programmed to call on said linking table and said periodic message generator using said third subset of commands and said first subset of commands to direct said second object oriented processor to transmit a message to said first object oriented processor to call on said first task-specific functionality via said message based communications link.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
A distributed processing system according to claim 1, wherein: said host processor is programmed to call on said linking table and said periodic message generator using said third subset of commands and said first subset of commands to direct said second object oriented processor to transmit a message to said first object oriented processor including results of said second task-specific functionality.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A distributed processing system according to claim 2, wherein: said first task-specific functionality utilizes said results of said second task-specific functionality.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A distributed processing system according to claim 3, further comprising: f) at least one input device coupled to said second object oriented processor, wherein said second task-specific functionality includes obtaining input from said at least one input device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A distributed processing system according to claim 4, further comprising: g) at least one output device coupled to said first object oriented processor, wherein said first task-specific functionality includes directing output to said at least one output device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A distributed processing system according to claim 5, wherein: said second object oriented processor transmits said input to said first object oriented processor and directs said first object oriented processor to output said input.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A distributed processing system according to claim 6, wherein: said periodic message generator is programmed to cause said second object oriented processor to repeatedly transmit said input to said first object oriented processor and direct said first object oriented processor to output said input.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
A distributed processing system according to claim 7, wherein: commands causing said second object oriented processor to transmit said input to said first object oriented processor and direct said first object oriented processor to output said input are linked to a primary message and said primary message is repeatedly generated by said periodic message generator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
A distributed processing system according to claim 6, wherein: said at least one input device includes one of a keypad, a rotary encoder, and an analog-to-digital converter, and said at least one output device includes one of an LED, an LCD, a sound generator, a digital-to-analog converter, and a pulse width modulator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
A distributed processing system according to claim 1, wherein: said third subset of commands includes commands for downloading a script to said second object oriented processor and linking said script with a command chosen from said second subset of commands, such that said script is executed by said second in conjunction with the command linked to said script.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
302 words
A method of distributing processing tasks in a distributed processing system, comprising: a) providing a host processor; b) providing a message based communications link and coupling the link to the host processor; c) providing a first object oriented processor, the first object oriented processor having a first communications interface coupled to the message based communications link, a first intelligent message handler coupled to the first communication interface, and a first task-specific functionality coupled to the first intelligent message handler; d) providing a second object oriented processor, the second object oriented processor having a second communications interface coupled to the message based communications link, a second intelligent message handler coupled to the second communication interface, a second task-specific functionality coupled to the second intelligent message handler, a linking table coupled to the second intelligent message handler, and a periodic message generator coupled to the second intelligent message handler; e) providing a high level command language, the high level command language including a first subset of commands to call on the first task-specific functionality, a second subset of commands to call on the second task-specific functionality, and a third subset of commands to call on the periodic message generator and the linking table; f) programming the host processor to call on the second object oriented processor using messages composed from the second subset of commands and transmitted via the message based communications link to access the second task-specific functionality of the second object oriented processor; and g) programming the host processor to call on the linking table and the periodic message generator using the third subset of commands and the first subset of commands to direct the second object oriented processor to transmit a message to the first object oriented processor to call on the first task-specific functionality via the message based communications link.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
302 words
A method of distributing processing tasks in a distributed processing system, comprising: a) providing a host processor; b) providing a message based communications link and coupling the link to the host processor; c) providing a first object oriented processor, the first object oriented processor having a first communications interface coupled to the message based communications link, a first intelligent message handler coupled to the first communication interface, and a first task-specific functionality coupled to the first intelligent message handler; d) providing a second object oriented processor, the second object oriented processor having a second communications interface coupled to the message based communications link, a second intelligent message handler coupled to the second communication interface, a second task-specific functionality coupled to the second intelligent message handler, a linking table coupled to the second intelligent message handler, and a periodic message generator coupled to the second intelligent message handler; e) providing a high level command language, the high level command language including a first subset of commands to call on the first task-specific functionality, a second subset of commands to call on the second task-specific functionality, and a third subset of commands to call on the periodic message generator and the linking table; f) programming the host processor to call on the second object oriented processor using messages composed from the second subset of commands and transmitted via the message based communications link to access the second task-specific functionality of the second object oriented processor; and g) programming the host processor to call on the linking table and the periodic message generator using the third subset of commands and the first subset of commands to direct the second object oriented processor to transmit a message to the first object oriented processor to call on the first task-specific functionality via the message based communications link.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method according to claim 11, further comprising: h) programming the host processor to call on the linking table and the periodic message generator using the third subset of commands and the first subset of commands to direct the second object oriented processor to transmit a message to the first object oriented processor including results of the second task-specific functionality.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein: the first task-specific functionality utilizes the results of the second task-specific functionality.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 12, further comprising: i) providing at least one input device coupled to the second object oriented processor, wherein the second task-specific functionality includes obtaining input from the at least one input device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 14, further comprising: j) providing at least one output device coupled to the first object oriented processor, wherein the first task-specific functionality includes directing output to the at least one output device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein: the second object oriented processor transmits the input to the first object oriented processor and directs the first object oriented processor to output said input.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 16, wherein: the periodic message generator is programmed to cause the second object oriented processor to repeatedly transmit the input to the first object oriented processor and direct the first object oriented processor to output the input.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein: commands causing the second object oriented processor to transmit the input to the first object oriented processor and direct the first object oriented processor to output the input are linked to a primary message and the primary message is repeatedly generated by the periodic message generator.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 18, wherein: the at least one input device includes one of a keypad, a rotary encoder, and an analog-to-digital converter, and the at least one output device includes one of an LED, an LCD, a sound generator, a digital-to-analog converter, and a pulse width modulator.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein: said third subset of commands includes commands for downloading a script to said second object oriented processor and linking said script with a command chosen from said second subset of commands, such that said script is executed by said second in conjunction with the command linked to said script.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-05-26 | 2000-11-25 | 2001-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-05-26 | 2004-11-25 | 2005-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-05-26 | 2008-11-25 | 2009-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |