US5835737A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for arbitrating access to selected computer system devices
Assignee: Apple Inc
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Filing: 1996-05-10
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Granted: 1998-11-10
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Expires: 2016-05-10
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for arbitrating access to a selected device in a computer system comprises a routine for registering access rules for accessing the selected system device, a plurality of competing clients which may each request a connection to the selected device, and an arbitrator which uses the registered access rules to negotiate access to the requested connection on behalf of the competing clients.
Inventors
- 👤 Jonathan Sand
- 👤 Carl Sutton
- 👤 Holly Knight
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 01:04
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/46; G06F9/50; G06F9/5005; G06F9/5011; G06F13/00; G06F13/14; G06F9/52; G06F9/526; G06F2209/00; G06F2209/52; G06F2209/522
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for arbitrating access to a selected device in a computer system, comprising: a routine for registering connection rules for accessing said selected device; a plurality of competing system clients each requesting a connection to said selected device; and an arbitrator for granting said connection to selected ones of said plurality of competing system clients based upon said registered connection rule, said arbitrator being configured to distinguish between and among a plurality of connection options specified by said plurality of competing system clients and to grant said connection in accordance with the specified connection options.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for arbitrating access to a selected device in a computer system, comprising: a routine for registering connection rules for accessing said selected device; a plurality of competing system clients each requesting a connection to said selected device; and an arbitrator for granting said connection to selected ones of said plurality of competing system clients based upon said registered connection rule, said arbitrator being configured to distinguish between and among a plurality of connection options specified by said plurality of competing system clients and to grant said connection in accordance with the specified connection options.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said connection rules specify whether said selected ones of said plurality of competing system clients will relinquish said connection when requested.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said connection is always initially created in a dormant state and then is subsequently upgraded to an active state whenever said arbitrator grants said connection.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said arbitrator notifies said selected ones of said plurality of competing system clients whenever said connection is granted.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for arbitrating access to a selected system device in a computer system, comprising the steps of: registering connection rules for accessing said selected device; requesting a connection to said selected device for a plurality of competing system clients; and granting said connection to one or more of said plurality of competing system clients based upon said registered connection rules, wherein said granting step includes distinguishing between and among a plurality of specified connection options and granting said connection in accordance therewith.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for arbitrating access to a selected system device in a computer system, comprising the steps of: registering connection rules for accessing said selected device; requesting a connection to said selected device for a plurality of competing system clients; and granting said connection to one or more of said plurality of competing system clients based upon said registered connection rules, wherein said granting step includes distinguishing between and among a plurality of specified connection options and granting said connection in accordance therewith.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said connection rules specify whether said one or more of said plurality of competing system clients will relinquish said connection when requested.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said connection is initially created in a dormant state and then is subsequently upgraded to an active state whenever said arbitrator grants said connection.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of notifying said one or more of said plurality of competing system clients whenever said connection is granted.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
87 words
A computer-readable medium containing instructions which cause a computer system to arbitrate access to a selected device by performing the steps of: registering connection rules for accessing said selected device; requesting a connection to said selected device for a plurality of competing system clients; and granting said connection to one or more of said plurality of competing system clients based upon said registered connection rules, wherein said granting step includes distinguishing between and among a plurality of specified connection options and granting said connection in accordance therewith.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
87 words
A computer-readable medium containing instructions which cause a computer system to arbitrate access to a selected device by performing the steps of: registering connection rules for accessing said selected device; requesting a connection to said selected device for a plurality of competing system clients; and granting said connection to one or more of said plurality of competing system clients based upon said registered connection rules, wherein said granting step includes distinguishing between and among a plurality of specified connection options and granting said connection in accordance therewith.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 9 wherein said connection rules specify whether said one or more of said plurality of competing system clients will relinquish said connection when requested.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 9 wherein said connection is initially created in a dormant state and then is subsequently upgraded to an active state whenever said arbitrator grants said connection.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 9 further comprising the step of notifying said one or more of said plurality of competing system clients whenever said connection is granted.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
99 words
An apparatus for arbitrating access to selected computer system devices, comprising: means for registering connection rules for accessing said selected device; means for requesting a connection to said selected device for a plurality of competing system clients; and; and means for granting said connection to one or more of said plurality of competing system clients based upon said registered connection rules, said means for granting said connection being configured to distinguish between and among a plurality of connection options specified by said plurality of competing system clients and to grant said connection in accordance with the specified connection options.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
99 words
An apparatus for arbitrating access to selected computer system devices, comprising: means for registering connection rules for accessing said selected device; means for requesting a connection to said selected device for a plurality of competing system clients; and; and means for granting said connection to one or more of said plurality of competing system clients based upon said registered connection rules, said means for granting said connection being configured to distinguish between and among a plurality of connection options specified by said plurality of competing system clients and to grant said connection in accordance with the specified connection options.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said connection rules specify whether said one or more of said plurality of competing system clients will yield said connection when requested.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said connection is initially created in a dormant state and then is subsequently upgraded to an active state whenever said connection is granted.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said means for granting notifies said one or more of said plurality of competing system clients whenever said connection is granted.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for arbitrating access to a selected device in a computer system, comprising: a routine for registering connection rules for accessing said selected device; a plurality of competing system clients each requesting a connection to said selected device; and an arbitrator for granting said connection to selected ones of said plurality of competing system clients based upon said registered connection rules; wherein said routine includes a discrete access point which is registered to connect said selected ones of said plurality of said competing system clients with said selected device.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for arbitrating access to a selected device in a computer system, comprising: a routine for registering connection rules for accessing said selected device; a plurality of competing system clients each requesting a connection to said selected device; and an arbitrator for granting said connection to selected ones of said plurality of competing system clients based upon said registered connection rules; wherein said routine includes a discrete access point which is registered to connect said selected ones of said plurality of said competing system clients with said selected device.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for arbitrating access to a selected system device in a computer system, comprising the steps of: registering connection rules for accessing said selected device; requesting a connection to said selected device for a plurality of competing system clients; and granting said connection to one or more of said plurality of competing system clients based upon said registered connection rules; wherein said step of registering is performed by a routine which also registers an ownership relationship between said routine and said selected device.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for arbitrating access to a selected system device in a computer system, comprising the steps of: registering connection rules for accessing said selected device; requesting a connection to said selected device for a plurality of competing system clients; and granting said connection to one or more of said plurality of competing system clients based upon said registered connection rules; wherein said step of registering is performed by a routine which also registers an ownership relationship between said routine and said selected device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
88 words
A computer-readable medium containing instructions which cause a computer system to arbitrate access to a selected device by performing the steps of: registering connection rules for accessing said selected device; requesting a connection to said selected device for a plurality of competing system clients; and granting said connection to one or more of said plurality of competing system clients based upon said registered connection rules; wherein said step of registering is performed by a routine which also registers an ownership relationship between said routine and said selected device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
88 words
A computer-readable medium containing instructions which cause a computer system to arbitrate access to a selected device by performing the steps of: registering connection rules for accessing said selected device; requesting a connection to said selected device for a plurality of competing system clients; and granting said connection to one or more of said plurality of competing system clients based upon said registered connection rules; wherein said step of registering is performed by a routine which also registers an ownership relationship between said routine and said selected device.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for arbitrating access to selected computer system devices, comprising: means for registering connection rules for accessing said selected device; means for requesting a connection to said selected device for a plurality of competing system clients; and means for granting said connection to one or more of said plurality of competing system clients based upon said registered connection rules; wherein said means for registering includes a discrete access point which is registered to connect said selected ones of said plurality of said competing system clients with said selected device.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for arbitrating access to selected computer system devices, comprising: means for registering connection rules for accessing said selected device; means for requesting a connection to said selected device for a plurality of competing system clients; and means for granting said connection to one or more of said plurality of competing system clients based upon said registered connection rules; wherein said means for registering includes a discrete access point which is registered to connect said selected ones of said plurality of said competing system clients with said selected device.
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) | 2001-11-09 | 2002-05-11 | 2002-11-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-09 | 2006-05-11 | 2006-11-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-09 | 2010-05-11 | 2010-11-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |