US5678059A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Technique for time-sharing a microprocessor between a computer and a modem
Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Ltd
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Filing: 1994-02-18
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Granted: 1997-10-14
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Expires: 2014-02-18
Abstract
Abstract A personal computer's microprocessor is time-shared to provide the functions formerly provided by a microprocessor dedicated to a modem. This technique is transparent to software applications programs which interact with a modem. The personal computer utilizes an operating system, such as the Microsoft Windows operating system, in which a portion of the operating system, known as the communications driver, provides the interface between the operating system and the personal computer's serial and parallel communication ports. All communications between the communications driver and the rest of the operating system are examined. Those communications destined for a particular port associated with a modem not having a dedicated microprocessor are redirected while other communications destined for other ports are passed to the Microsoft Windows communications driver. The redirected communications are coupled to a software application program which utilizes the PC microprocessor to carry out the functions formerly provided by the modem microprocessor. As a result, the modem's microprocessor and associated RAM and ROM can be eliminated. The software application program can be loaded into the personal computer's memory only when required.
Inventors
- 👤 Velraj Ramaswamy
- 👤 Michael David Rauchwerk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:04
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/10; G06F13/105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
Apparatus for use in a personal computer having a microprocessor operatively coupled to at least one communication port, said personal computer utilizing an operating system including a communications driver under control of said microprocessor, said driver receiving communications between said operating system and said communication port, certain communications from said operating system to said communication port being destined for a modem, said apparatus comprising: means in said communications driver for receiving communications from the operating system destined for said communication port associated with said modem, and for receiving communications destined for other communication ports associated with peripheral devices other than said modem; means in said communications driver, responsive to said received communications, for redirecting the communications destined for the communication port associated with the modem to an application program which utilizes said microprocessor and for redirecting to said other communications ports the communications destined for these other ports; and means for utilizing said application program to operate said communication port to control communications through said communication port and through said modem, said application program performing the functionality of a modem microprocessor by utilizing the microprocessor in the personal computer on a time-shared basis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
Apparatus for use in a personal computer having a microprocessor operatively coupled to at least one communication port, said personal computer utilizing an operating system including a communications driver under control of said microprocessor, said driver receiving communications between said operating system and said communication port, certain communications from said operating system to said communication port being destined for a modem, said apparatus comprising: means in said communications driver for receiving communications from the operating system destined for said communication port associated with said modem, and for receiving communications destined for other communication ports associated with peripheral devices other than said modem; means in said communications driver, responsive to said received communications, for redirecting the communications destined for the communication port associated with the modem to an application program which utilizes said microprocessor and for redirecting to said other communications ports the communications destined for these other ports; and means for utilizing said application program to operate said communication port to control communications through said communication port and through said modem, said application program performing the functionality of a modem microprocessor by utilizing the microprocessor in the personal computer on a time-shared basis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said redirecting means causes said operating system to load said application program into memory associated with the personal computer microprocessor upon receipt of a particular communication.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said particular communication is one which opens a communication port.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said redirecting means causes said operating system to unload said application program from memory associated with the personal computer microprocessor upon receipt of a particular communication.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said particular communication is one which closes a communication port.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said modem comprises a digital signal processor.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
184 words
A method for use in a personal computer having a microprocessor operatively coupled to at least one communication port, said personal computer utilizing an operating system including a communications driver under the control of said microprocessor, said driver receiving communications between the operating system and said communication port, certain communications from said operating system to said communication port being destined for a modem, said method comprising the steps of: receiving in said communications driver communications from the operating system destined for said communication port associated with said modem and communications destined for other communication ports associated with peripheral devices other than said modem; redirecting in said communications driver the received communications destined for the communication port associated with the modem to an application program which utilizes said microprocessor, and to said other communication ports the communications destined for these other ports; and utilizing said application program to operate said communication port to control communications through said communication port and through said modem, said application program performing the functionality of a modem microprocessor by utilizing the microprocessor in the personal computer on a time-shared basis.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
184 words
A method for use in a personal computer having a microprocessor operatively coupled to at least one communication port, said personal computer utilizing an operating system including a communications driver under the control of said microprocessor, said driver receiving communications between the operating system and said communication port, certain communications from said operating system to said communication port being destined for a modem, said method comprising the steps of: receiving in said communications driver communications from the operating system destined for said communication port associated with said modem and communications destined for other communication ports associated with peripheral devices other than said modem; redirecting in said communications driver the received communications destined for the communication port associated with the modem to an application program which utilizes said microprocessor, and to said other communication ports the communications destined for these other ports; and utilizing said application program to operate said communication port to control communications through said communication port and through said modem, said application program performing the functionality of a modem microprocessor by utilizing the microprocessor in the personal computer on a time-shared basis.
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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) | 2000-10-13 | 2001-04-14 | 2001-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-10-13 | 2005-04-14 | 2005-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-10-13 | 2009-04-14 | 2009-10-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |