US5652887A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Dynamic Meta commands for peripheral devices
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1995-05-31
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Granted: 1997-07-29
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Expires: 2015-05-31
Abstract
Abstract A system for enabling expanded instruction sets, applications, data and parameters to be downloaded from one processor to another so that processors ordinarily intended for specific tasks can run other tasks without having an expanded instruction set and application code specifically developed or always resident. In an exemplary embodiment, four types of extended commands are issued by the system processor to the peripheral processor in which a command table is built to point to interpretable images resident therein. The interpretable image is downloaded by a first command and contains the executable code and parameters needed to perform the downloaded task. A second command is issued to execute the interpretable image and may include additional data. A third command is provided to delete previously downloaded interpretable images, and a fourth command is provided to enable the system processor to query other processors for resident interpretable images.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas William Dewey
- 👤 William Mark Doumas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:36
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/30; G06F9/38; G06F9/3877; G06F9/3885; G06F9/3893; G06F9/3895; G06F9/3897; G06F9/44; G06F9/445
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
In a system in which system control includes a system control processor, said processor connected to one or more subsystem processors, said system control processor having a system command instruction set for performing system functions and said one or more subsystem processors having limited command instruction sets for performing subsystem functions, the computer implemented method of moving a system function from said system processor to a subsystem processor incapable of performing said system function to enable the future execution of said system function by said subsystem processor, comprising the steps of: building a specific meta command in said system control comprised of an interpretable image, said image comprised of at least a portion of the executable code of a system application for performing a specific system function and a portion of the system command instruction set needed to execute the system application; adding a register meta command to the subsystem processor set of commands for enabling the subsystem to accept specific meta commands; and downloading said interpretable image from said system control to a selected subsystem for future execution by registering said specific meta command in said selected subsystem wherein the interpretable image is loaded into said selected subsystem.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
In a system in which system control includes a system control processor, said processor connected to one or more subsystem processors, said system control processor having a system command instruction set for performing system functions and said one or more subsystem processors having limited command instruction sets for performing subsystem functions, the computer implemented method of moving a system function from said system processor to a subsystem processor incapable of performing said system function to enable the future execution of said system function by said subsystem processor, comprising the steps of: building a specific meta command in said system control comprised of an interpretable image, said image comprised of at least a portion of the executable code of a system application for performing a specific system function and a portion of the system command instruction set needed to execute the system application; adding a register meta command to the subsystem processor set of commands for enabling the subsystem to accept specific meta commands; and downloading said interpretable image from said system control to a selected subsystem for future execution by registering said specific meta command in said selected subsystem wherein the interpretable image is loaded into said selected subsystem.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of adding an execute meta command to the subsystem processor set of commands for enabling the subsystem to execute a previously registered specific meta command when requested by said system processor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of building a specific meta command comprised of an interpretable image further includes building a parameter area in said interpretable image to include parameters needed to execute the system application and building a buffer area in said interpretable image to receive data for executing said system application.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 3 further including the step of adding an execute meta command to the subsystem processor set of commands for enabling the subsystem to execute a previously registered specific meta command when requested by said system processor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said step of downloading said interpretable image includes sending control data to said selected subsystem processor, said control data including a request to load the interpretable image, the address of said parameter area within said interpretable image, the size of the parameter area, the size of the buffer area and the address of a transfer buffer, wherein relative byte addressing may be used within the interpretable image to pick up parameters and access variables.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 5 further including the step of adding an execute meta command to the subsystem processor set of commands for enabling the subsystem to execute a previously registered specific meta command when requested by said system processor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 5 further including the step of building a command table within the selected subsystem including control data comprising a unique identifier for said interpretable image, the address in subsystem memory for said interpretable image and a pointer to the first command to be executed within said interpretable image.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 7 further including the step of adding an execute meta command to the subsystem processor set of commands for enabling the subsystem to execute a previously registered specific meta command when requested by said system processor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 8 further including the step of adding a query meta command to the subsystem processor set of commands for enabling the subsystem to list all specific meta commands registered in said subsystem by copying the contents of said command table into a transfer buffer for transfer to said system processor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of adding a query meta command to the subsystem processor set of commands for enabling the subsystem to list all specific meta commands registered in said subsystem.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of adding a deregister meta command to the subsystem set of commands to enable the deletion of a specific meta command by removing the interpretable image from subsystem memory.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 9 further including the step of adding a deregister meta command to the subsystem set of commands to enable the deletion of a specific meta command by removing the interpretable image from subsystem memory deleting its entry in said command table.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of building a command table within the selected subsystem including control data comprising a unique identifier for said interpretable image, the address in subsystem memory for said interpretable image and a pointer to the first command to be executed within said interpretable image.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 13 further including the step of adding a query meta command to the subsystem processor set of commands for enabling the subsystem to list all specific meta commands registered in said subsystem by copying the contents of said command table into a transfer buffer for transfer to said system processor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 14 further including the step of adding a deregister meta command to the subsystem set of commands to enable the deletion of a specific meta command by removing the interpretable image from subsystem memory.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 15 further including the step of adding an execute meta command to the subsystem processor set of commands for enabling the subsystem to execute a previously registered specific meta command when requested by said system processor.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of improving the efficiency of a distributed computing system, said distributed computing system including system control with a system control processor having a system command instruction set for performing system functions and one or more subsystem processors having limited command instruction sets for performing subsystem functions but incapable of performing system functions, said method comprising the steps of: providing for the building of a specific meta command in said system control comprised of an interpretable image, said image comprised of at least a portion of the executable code of a system application for performing a specific system function and a portion of the system command instruction set needed to execute the system application; providing for the addition of a register meta command to the subsystem processor set of commands for enabling the subsystem to accept specific meta commands to provide for the downloading of said interpretable image from said system control to a selected subsystem for future execution by registering said specific meta command in said selected subsystem wherein the interpretable image is loaded into said selected subsystem.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of improving the efficiency of a distributed computing system, said distributed computing system including system control with a system control processor having a system command instruction set for performing system functions and one or more subsystem processors having limited command instruction sets for performing subsystem functions but incapable of performing system functions, said method comprising the steps of: providing for the building of a specific meta command in said system control comprised of an interpretable image, said image comprised of at least a portion of the executable code of a system application for performing a specific system function and a portion of the system command instruction set needed to execute the system application; providing for the addition of a register meta command to the subsystem processor set of commands for enabling the subsystem to accept specific meta commands to provide for the downloading of said interpretable image from said system control to a selected subsystem for future execution by registering said specific meta command in said selected subsystem wherein the interpretable image is loaded into said selected subsystem.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 17 further including the step of providing for the addition of an execute meta command to the subsystem processor set of commands for enabling the subsystem to execute a previously registered specific meta command when requested by said system processor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said step of providing for the building of a specific meta command comprised of an interpretable image further includes providing for the building of a parameter area in said interpretable image to include parameters needed to execute the system application and providing for the building of a buffer area in said interpretable image to receive data for executing said system application.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 19 further including the step of providing for the addition of an execute meta command to the subsystem processor set of commands for enabling the subsystem to execute a previously registered specific meta command when requested by said system processor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
88 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said step of providing for the downloading of said interpretable image includes providing for the sending of control data to said selected subsystem processor, said control data including a request to load the interpretable image, the address of said parameter area within said interpretable image, the size of the parameter area, the size of the buffer area and the address of a transfer buffer, wherein relative byte addressing may be used within the interpretable image to pick up parameters and access variables.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 21 further including the step of providing for the addition of an execute meta command to the subsystem processor set of commands for enabling the subsystem to execute a previously registered specific meta command when requested by said system processor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 21 further including step of providing for the building of a command table within the selected subsystem including control data comprising a unique identifier for said interpretable image, the address in subsystem memory for said interpretable image and a pointer to the first command to be executed within said interpretable image.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 23 further including the step of providing for the addition of an execute meta command to the subsystem processor set of commands for enabling the subsystem to execute a previously registered specific meta command when requested by said system processor.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 24 further including the step of providing for the addition of a query meta command to the subsystem processor set of commands for enabling the subsystem to list all specific meta commands registered in said subsystem by copying the contents of said command table into a transfer buffer for transfer to said system processor.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 17 further including the step of providing for the addition of a query meta command to the subsystem processor set of commands for enabling the subsystem to list all specific meta commands registered in said subsystem.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 17 further including the step of providing for the addition of a deregister meta command to the subsystem set of commands to enable the deletion of a specific meta command by removing the interpretable image from subsystem memory.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 25 further including the step of providing for the addition of a deregister meta command to the subsystem set of commands to enable the deletion of a specific meta command by removing the interpretable image from subsystem memory deleting its entry in said command table.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 17 further including step of providing for the building of a command table within the selected subsystem including control data comprising a unique identifier for said interpretable image, the address in subsystem memory for said interpretable image and a pointer to the first command to be executed within said interpretable image.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 29 further including the step of providing for the addition of a query meta command to the subsystem processor set of commands for enabling the subsystem to list all specific meta commands registered in said subsystem by copying the contents of said command table into a transfer buffer for transfer to said system processor.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 30 further including the step of providing for the addition of a deregister meta command to the subsystem set of commands to enable the deletion of a specific meta command by removing the interpretable image from subsystem memory.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 31 further including the step of providing for the addition of an execute meta command to the subsystem processor set of commands for enabling the subsystem to execute a previously registered specific meta command when requested by said system processor.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
128 words
Distributed computing apparatus wherein a subsystem processor is enabled to perform system functions or portions thereof comprising: system control means including a system control processor with a system command instruction set for performing system functions; at least one subsystem control means including subsystem memory and a subsystem command instruction set for performing subsystem functions; a connection bus connecting said system control processor and said subsystem processor; an interpretable image means including the executable code of a system application or portion thereof, said interpretable image also including that portion of the system command instruction set needed for executing said executable code; and means for downloading said interpretable image over said bus from said system processor to said subsystem processor, said subsystem processor storing said interpretable image in subsystem memory.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
128 words
Distributed computing apparatus wherein a subsystem processor is enabled to perform system functions or portions thereof comprising: system control means including a system control processor with a system command instruction set for performing system functions; at least one subsystem control means including subsystem memory and a subsystem command instruction set for performing subsystem functions; a connection bus connecting said system control processor and said subsystem processor; an interpretable image means including the executable code of a system application or portion thereof, said interpretable image also including that portion of the system command instruction set needed for executing said executable code; and means for downloading said interpretable image over said bus from said system processor to said subsystem processor, said subsystem processor storing said interpretable image in subsystem memory.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 33 further including: means for building a command table in said subsystem memory for holding a pointer to the location of said interpretable image in said subsystem memory; and means for returning a handle identifier to said system processor.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said system processor further comprises means for issuing a request to execute said interpretable image.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said system processor further comprises means for issuing a request to delete said interpretable image and its table entry from said subsystem processor memory.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said system processor further comprises means for issuing a request to said subsystem processor to instruct said subsystem processor to transfer to said system processor a list of interpretable images resident in the memory of said subsystem.
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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) | 2000-07-28 | 2001-01-27 | 2001-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-07-28 | 2005-01-27 | 2005-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-07-28 | 2009-01-27 | 2009-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |