US6078968A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Platform-independent communications protocol supporting communications between a processor and subsystem controller based on identifying information
Assignee: Vicom Systems Inc
•
Filing: 1997-12-17
•
Granted: 2000-06-20
•
Expires: 2017-12-17
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus implement a communications protocol whereby a host application program can communicate with a computer subsystem without the use of special driver software. In this way, the application program is able to invoke virtually any vendor-unique function on a compatible subsystem controller using only standard read/write system calls. This avoids platform dependency and greatly improves the portability of the application program.
Inventors
- 👤 Horitio Lo
- 👤 David Lee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:22
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/46; G06F9/54; G06F13/00; G06F13/38; G06F13/382; G06F13/385
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 67
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
A computer-implemented subsystem controller communication method comprising: issuing an identifier and a command from a host computer to a subsystem controller; identifying said command as a protocol command based on said identifier; and if said command is identified as said protocol command, causing said subsystem controller to perform an action, and otherwise, passing said command to a device controlled by said subsystem controller.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
A computer-implemented subsystem controller communication method comprising: issuing an identifier and a command from a host computer to a subsystem controller; identifying said command as a protocol command based on said identifier; and if said command is identified as said protocol command, causing said subsystem controller to perform an action, and otherwise, passing said command to a device controlled by said subsystem controller.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said protocol command is a sign-on command and said identifying further comprises: identifying said protocol command as said sign-on command using at least one of (1) a length of data associated with said command, (2) a length of said command, (3) a signature pattern within said command, and (4) an address associated with said command.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
93 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said identifying said protocol command uses said address and said method further comprises: issuing a subsequent command from a host computer to said subsystem controller, said subsequent command containing further address information; identifying said subsequent command as one of a plurality of protocol commands by comparing said further address information with said address; and if said subsequent command is identified as said one of said plurality of protocol commands, causing said subsystem controller to perform a further action, and otherwise, passing said subsequent command to said device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said device is a storage device and said command and said subsequent command are storage device commands.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said subsystem controller is a SCSI host adapter, said device is a SCSI hard disk drive, and said command and said subsequent command are SCSI commands.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said address information is a SCSI address.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein in said identifier is included in said command.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said subsystem controller is coupled to control a computer subsystem and said method further comprises: writing to said subsystem using said identifier; and reading from said subsystem using said identifier.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said writing comprises: issuing a write command to said subsystem controller, said write command communicating first identifying information to said subsystem controller; identifying said write command as a protocol write command by comparing said first identifying information with said identifier; and causing said subsystem controller to perform said action, if said write command is identified as said protocol write command, and and passing said write command to said computer subsystem, otherwise.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said reading comprises: issuing a read command to said subsystem controller, said read command communicating second identifying information to said subsystem controller; identifying said read command as a protocol read command by comparing said second identifying information with said identifier; and returning subsystem controller data from said subsystem controller to said host computer if said second identifying information matches said identifier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: executing an operating system on said host computer, wherein said operating system includes a device driver configured to communicate with said device, and said issuing employs said device driver.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
89 words
A computer-implemented communication method comprising: storing first identifying information in a subsystem controller, said subsystem controller coupled to control a computer subsystem; writing from a host computer to said subsystem controller, said writing communicating second identifying information from said host computer to said subsystem controller, wherein said second identifying information is used to identify protocol write commands; and reading from said subsystem controller, said reading communicating third identifying information from said host computer to said subsystem controller, wherein said third identifying information is used to identify protocol read commands.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
89 words
A computer-implemented communication method comprising: storing first identifying information in a subsystem controller, said subsystem controller coupled to control a computer subsystem; writing from a host computer to said subsystem controller, said writing communicating second identifying information from said host computer to said subsystem controller, wherein said second identifying information is used to identify protocol write commands; and reading from said subsystem controller, said reading communicating third identifying information from said host computer to said subsystem controller, wherein said third identifying information is used to identify protocol read commands.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said writing comprises: issuing a write command to said subsystem controller, said write command communicating said second identifying information to said subsystem controller identifying said write command as a protocol write command by comparing said second identifying information with said first identifying information; and causing said subsystem controller to perform an action if said write command is identified as said protocol command, and passing said write command to said computer subsystem, otherwise.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 13, wherein said write command is a SCSI write command.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
92 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said reading comprises: issuing a read command to said subsystem controller, said read command communicating third identifying information to said subsystem controller; identifying said read command as a protocol read command by comparing said third identifying information with said first identifying information, said read command being identified as a protocol read command if said third identifying information matches said first identifying information; and returning subsystem controller data from said subsystem controller to said host computer if said read command is identified as a protocol read command.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 15, wherein said read command is a SCSI read command.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 12, further comprising: executing an operating system on said host computer, wherein said operating system includes a device driver configured to communicate with said computer subsystem, and said writing and said reading employ said device driver.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
103 words
A computer-implemented method for communicating with a computer subsystem, said method comprising: writing a data packet from a host computer to a subsystem controller coupled thereto, wherein said data packet contains first identifying information and second identifying information and said subsystem controller is coupled to control the computer subsystem; comparing said first identifying information to stored identifying information stored in said subsystem controller; storing said second identifying information in said subsystem controller, if said first identifying information matches said stored identifying information, and passing said data packet to the computer subsystem, otherwise; and reading from said subsystem controller using said second identifying information.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
103 words
A computer-implemented method for communicating with a computer subsystem, said method comprising: writing a data packet from a host computer to a subsystem controller coupled thereto, wherein said data packet contains first identifying information and second identifying information and said subsystem controller is coupled to control the computer subsystem; comparing said first identifying information to stored identifying information stored in said subsystem controller; storing said second identifying information in said subsystem controller, if said first identifying information matches said stored identifying information, and passing said data packet to the computer subsystem, otherwise; and reading from said subsystem controller using said second identifying information.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 18, wherein said writing comprises issuing a write command to said subsystem controller, said write command writing said data packet to said subsystem controller, and said method further comprises: detecting said first identifying information.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 18, wherein said reading comprises: issuing a read command to said subsystem controller, said read command including third identifying information; comparing said third identifying information with said second identifying information; and returning information from said subsystem controller to said host computer if said third identifying information matches said second identifying information.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 18, further comprising: executing an operating system on said host computer, wherein said operating system includes a device driver configured to communicate with the computer subsystem, and said writing and said reading employ said device driver.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
96 words
A computer-implemented method of communicating using a communications protocol, said method comprising: issuing a write command from a host computer to a subsystem controller coupled thereto, wherein said write command contains identifying information and said subsystem controller is coupled to control a computer subsystem; determining if said write command is a protocol write command by analyzing said identifying information; and causing said subsystem controller to perform an action specified by said write command, if said write command is determined to be said protocol write command, and to pass said write command to said computer subsystem, otherwise.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
96 words
A computer-implemented method of communicating using a communications protocol, said method comprising: issuing a write command from a host computer to a subsystem controller coupled thereto, wherein said write command contains identifying information and said subsystem controller is coupled to control a computer subsystem; determining if said write command is a protocol write command by analyzing said identifying information; and causing said subsystem controller to perform an action specified by said write command, if said write command is determined to be said protocol write command, and to pass said write command to said computer subsystem, otherwise.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 22, wherein said determining comprises: detecting said identifying information; and comparing said identifying information with identification information stored in said subsystem controller.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method of claim 22, wherein said method further comprises: issuing a read command from said host computer to said subsystem controller, said read command containing further identifying information; determining if said read command is a protocol read command using said further identifying information; and causing said subsystem controller to send a response to the host computer if said read command is identified as said protocol read command.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 24, wherein said determining if said read command is said protocol read command comprises analyzing said read command by: detecting said further identifying information; and comparing said further identifying information with identification information stored in said subsystem controller.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 24, wherein said response comprises requested information generated by a previously-issued write command.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 22, further comprising: executing an operating system on said host computer, wherein said operating system includes a device driver configured to communicate with said computer subsystem, and said issuing employs said device driver.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
115 words
A computer-implemented method for communicating with a computer subsystem, said method comprising: writing a data packet from a host computer to a subsystem controller coupled thereto, wherein said data packet contains a signature and a first identifier and said subsystem controller is coupled to control the computer subsystem; comparing said signature to a stored signature stored in said subsystem controller; storing said first identifier as a stored identifier in said subsystem controller, if said signature matches said stored signature, and passing said data packet to the computer subsystem, otherwise; and reading from said subsystem controller using a second identifier, said subsystem providing information to said host computer if said second identifier matches said stored identifier.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
115 words
A computer-implemented method for communicating with a computer subsystem, said method comprising: writing a data packet from a host computer to a subsystem controller coupled thereto, wherein said data packet contains a signature and a first identifier and said subsystem controller is coupled to control the computer subsystem; comparing said signature to a stored signature stored in said subsystem controller; storing said first identifier as a stored identifier in said subsystem controller, if said signature matches said stored signature, and passing said data packet to the computer subsystem, otherwise; and reading from said subsystem controller using a second identifier, said subsystem providing information to said host computer if said second identifier matches said stored identifier.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 28, wherein said writing comprises issuing a write command to said subsystem controller, said write command writing said data packet to said subsystem controller, and said method further comprises: detecting said signature.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 28, wherein said reading comprises: issuing a read command to said subsystem controller, wherein said second identifier is included within said read command; analyzing said second identifier; and returning information from said subsystem controller to said host computer if said second identifier matches said stored identifier.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 30, wherein said issuing comprises writing to a file.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 30, wherein said issuing comprises writing to a partition.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 30, wherein said analyzing comprises: detecting said second identifier; and comparing said second identifier with said stored identifier.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 28, further comprising: executing an operating system on said host computer, wherein said operating system includes a device driver configured to communicate with the computer subsystem, and said writing and said reading employ said device driver.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
116 words
A computer-implemented method for communicating with a computer subsystem, said method comprising: issuing a write command from a host computer to a subsystem controller, said write command writing a data packet to said subsystem controller, said data packet containing a signature and a first identifier, and said subsystem controller coupled to control the computer subsystem; detecting said signature; storing said first identifier; issuing a read command to said subsystem, said read command including a second identifier; detecting said second identifier; comparing said second identifier with said first identifier; and returning information from said subsystem to said host computer if said second identifier matches said first identifier, and passing said data packet to the computer subsystem, otherwise.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
116 words
A computer-implemented method for communicating with a computer subsystem, said method comprising: issuing a write command from a host computer to a subsystem controller, said write command writing a data packet to said subsystem controller, said data packet containing a signature and a first identifier, and said subsystem controller coupled to control the computer subsystem; detecting said signature; storing said first identifier; issuing a read command to said subsystem, said read command including a second identifier; detecting said second identifier; comparing said second identifier with said first identifier; and returning information from said subsystem to said host computer if said second identifier matches said first identifier, and passing said data packet to the computer subsystem, otherwise.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 35, further comprising: executing an operating system on said host computer, wherein said operating system includes a device driver configured to communicate with the computer subsystem, and said issuing employs said device driver.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
97 words
A computer-implemented method for communicating with a computer subsystem, said method comprising: issuing a write command from a host computer to a subsystem controller coupled thereto, said write command writing a data packet to said subsystem controller, said data packet containing a signature and an identifier, and said subsystem controller coupled to control the computer subsystem; detecting said signature; storing said identifier; issuing a read command to said subsystem controller, said read command including said identifier; detecting said identifier within said read command; and returning information from said subsystem to said host computer upon detecting said identifier.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
97 words
A computer-implemented method for communicating with a computer subsystem, said method comprising: issuing a write command from a host computer to a subsystem controller coupled thereto, said write command writing a data packet to said subsystem controller, said data packet containing a signature and an identifier, and said subsystem controller coupled to control the computer subsystem; detecting said signature; storing said identifier; issuing a read command to said subsystem controller, said read command including said identifier; detecting said identifier within said read command; and returning information from said subsystem to said host computer upon detecting said identifier.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 37, further comprising: executing an operating system on said host computer, wherein said operating system includes a device driver configured to communicate with the computer subsystem, and said issuing and said returning employ said device driver.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
134 words
A computer system comprising: a computer subsystem; a subsystem controller, coupled to control said computer subsystem; and a processor coupled to said subsystem controller and configured to communicate with said subsystem controller by virtue of being configured to: issue a write command to write a data packet from said processor to said subsystem controller, wherein said data packet contains a signature and an identifier, said subsystem controller is configured to compare said signature to a stored signature stored in said subsystem controller, and said subsystem controller is configured to store said identifier in said subsystem controller, if said signature matches said stored signature, and to pass said write command to said computer subsystem, otherwise, and issue a read command, said read command including said identifier and reading from the subsystem controller using said identifier.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
134 words
A computer system comprising: a computer subsystem; a subsystem controller, coupled to control said computer subsystem; and a processor coupled to said subsystem controller and configured to communicate with said subsystem controller by virtue of being configured to: issue a write command to write a data packet from said processor to said subsystem controller, wherein said data packet contains a signature and an identifier, said subsystem controller is configured to compare said signature to a stored signature stored in said subsystem controller, and said subsystem controller is configured to store said identifier in said subsystem controller, if said signature matches said stored signature, and to pass said write command to said computer subsystem, otherwise, and issue a read command, said read command including said identifier and reading from the subsystem controller using said identifier.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 39, wherein said subsystem is further configured to: detect said signature.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
72 words
The computer system of claim 39, wherein: said processor is further configured to read from said subsystem controller using said identifier by virtue of being configured to send a read command to said subsystem controller, said read command reading from a location identified by said identifier; and said subsystem controller is further configured to detect said identifier, and return information from said subsystem controller to said processor if said identifier is detected.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer system of claim 39, further comprising: an operating system configured to be executed on said processor, wherein said operating system includes a device driver configured to communicate with the computer subsystem, and said issuing said write and said read commands employ said device driver.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
101 words
A computer program product for communicating with a computer subsystem, said product comprising: code that writes a data packet from a host computer to a subsystem controller coupled thereto, wherein said data packet contains a signature and an identifier and said subsystem controller is coupled to control the computer subsystem; code that compares said signature to a stored signature stored in said subsystem controller; code that stores said identifier in said subsystem controller, if said signature matches said stored signature, and passes said data packet to the computer subsystem, otherwise; and code that reads from said subsystem controller using said identifier.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
101 words
A computer program product for communicating with a computer subsystem, said product comprising: code that writes a data packet from a host computer to a subsystem controller coupled thereto, wherein said data packet contains a signature and an identifier and said subsystem controller is coupled to control the computer subsystem; code that compares said signature to a stored signature stored in said subsystem controller; code that stores said identifier in said subsystem controller, if said signature matches said stored signature, and passes said data packet to the computer subsystem, otherwise; and code that reads from said subsystem controller using said identifier.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer program product of claim 43, further comprising: code that executes an operating system on said host computer, wherein said operating system includes a device driver configured to communicate with the computer subsystem, and said code that writes is configured to employ said device driver.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
62 words
A computer-implemented method comprising: issuing a write command from a host computer to a subsystem controller, wherein said subsystem controller is coupled to control a computer subsystem; and determining if said write command contains a signature, and if said write command contains a signature, executing said write command on said subsystem controller, and otherwise, passing said write command to said computer subsystem.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
62 words
A computer-implemented method comprising: issuing a write command from a host computer to a subsystem controller, wherein said subsystem controller is coupled to control a computer subsystem; and determining if said write command contains a signature, and if said write command contains a signature, executing said write command on said subsystem controller, and otherwise, passing said write command to said computer subsystem.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 45, wherein said issuing comprises writing to a file.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 45, further comprising: executing an operating system on said host computer, wherein said operating system includes a device driver configured to communicate with said computer subsystem, and said issuing said write command employs said device driver.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
76 words
A computer-implemented method comprising: issuing a write command from a host computer to a subsystem controller, wherein said write command writes a data packet to said subsystem controller and said subsystem controller is coupled to control a computer subsystem; detecting a signature within said data packet; and executing a command contained in said data packet on said subsystem controller if said data packet contains a signature, and otherwise, passing said data packet to said computer subsystem.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
76 words
A computer-implemented method comprising: issuing a write command from a host computer to a subsystem controller, wherein said write command writes a data packet to said subsystem controller and said subsystem controller is coupled to control a computer subsystem; detecting a signature within said data packet; and executing a command contained in said data packet on said subsystem controller if said data packet contains a signature, and otherwise, passing said data packet to said computer subsystem.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 48, further comprising: executing an operating system on said host computer, wherein said operating system includes a device driver configured to communicate with said computer subsystem, and said issuing said write command employs said device driver.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
99 words
A computer-implemented method for controlling a subsystem controller via protocol commands issued by a host computer, said method comprising: issuing a write command from the host computer to the subsystem controller, wherein said subsystem controller is coupled to control a computer subsystem; and determining if said write command contains a signature, and, if said write command contains a signature, executing a sign-on command on the subsystem controller, said sign-on command enabling the subsystem controller to receive the protocol commands by causing the subsystem controller to store a first identifier, and otherwise, passing said write command to said computer subsystem.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
99 words
A computer-implemented method for controlling a subsystem controller via protocol commands issued by a host computer, said method comprising: issuing a write command from the host computer to the subsystem controller, wherein said subsystem controller is coupled to control a computer subsystem; and determining if said write command contains a signature, and, if said write command contains a signature, executing a sign-on command on the subsystem controller, said sign-on command enabling the subsystem controller to receive the protocol commands by causing the subsystem controller to store a first identifier, and otherwise, passing said write command to said computer subsystem.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 50, further comprising: issuing a second write command to the subsystem controller, said second write command containing a second identifier; and analyzing said second write command, and, if said second identifier matches said first identifier, executing a protocol command on the subsystem controller, said protocol command being included in a data packet of said second write command, and otherwise, passing said data packet to said computer subsystem.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 51, wherein said analyzing comprises: detecting said second identifier; and comparing said second identifier with said first identifier.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 50, further comprising: issuing a read command to the subsystem controller, wherein a second identifier is included within said read command; analyzing said read command; and returning subsystem controller information from the subsystem controller to the host computer if said second identifier matches said first identifier, and otherwise, passing said read command to said computer subsystem.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 53, wherein said analyzing comprises: detecting said second identifier; and comparing said second identifier with said first identifier.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 50, further comprising: executing an operating system on said host computer, wherein said operating system includes a device driver configured to communicate with said computer subsystem, and said issuing said write command employs said device driver.
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) | 2003-06-20 | 2003-12-20 | 2004-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-06-20 | 2007-12-20 | 2008-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-06-20 | 2011-12-20 | 2012-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |