US6199137B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and device for controlling data flow through an IO controller
Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Ltd
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Filing: 2000-01-04
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Granted: 2001-03-06
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Expires: 2020-01-04
Abstract
Abstract An IO controller device and method for controlling data flow, the method including determining a desired configuration for the IO controller, reprogramming the IO controller to allow for processing of one or more descriptor lists, modifying the configuration of the IO controller to reflect the addition or deletion of one or more virtual controllers, re-enumerating the IO controller, and processing a descriptor list for each of the IO controller and the one or more virtual controllers. The integrated circuit device for use as an IO controller includes a system bus interface, a programmable list processor and a port router. The integrated circuit device is adapted for reconfiguration to add or delete one or more virtual controllers. The virtual controllers provide substantially the full bandwidth supported by the integrated circuit device. The IO controller device and apparatus may be applied to personal computer systems, information appliances, set-top boxes, cable modems, game consoles, smart appliances, handheld computers, palm-sized computers, embedded control systems, workstations, servers and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Raul A. Aguilar
- 👤 Kevin Joseph Lynch
- 👤 James Thomas Clee
- 👤 James Edward Guziak
- 👤 Farrukh Amjad Latif
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 09:33
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/4401; G06F9/4411; H; H04; H04L; H04L49/00; H04L49/25; H04L49/35; H04L49/351
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of controlling data flow through an IO controller from one or more port interfaces to internal circuitry of a computer system comprising: determining a desired configuration for said IO controller; reprogramming said IO controller to allow for processing of one or more descriptor lists; modifying the configuration of said IO controller to reflect the addition or deletion of one or more virtual controllers; re-enumerating said IO controller; processing a descriptor list for each of said IO controller and said one or more virtual controllers; and wherein port interfaces support a maximum bandwidth, and said one or more virtual controllers are discovered and initialized during said re-enumeration and provide the maximum bandwidth supported by said port interfaces.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of controlling data flow through an IO controller from one or more port interfaces to internal circuitry of a computer system comprising: determining a desired configuration for said IO controller; reprogramming said IO controller to allow for processing of one or more descriptor lists; modifying the configuration of said IO controller to reflect the addition or deletion of one or more virtual controllers; re-enumerating said IO controller; processing a descriptor list for each of said IO controller and said one or more virtual controllers; and wherein port interfaces support a maximum bandwidth, and said one or more virtual controllers are discovered and initialized during said re-enumeration and provide the maximum bandwidth supported by said port interfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein modifying the configuration of said IO controller includes creating one or more new configuration descriptors which indicate the presence of said one or more virtual controllers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 , further comprising re-routing connections to said IO controller to a desired routing configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein determining a desired configuration for said IO controller and modifying the configuration of said IO controller is controlled by drivers in said computer system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein determining a desired configuration for said IO controller and modifying the configuration of said IO controller is controlled by firmware embedded in said IO controller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein determining a desired configuration for said IO controller includes determining whether an existing configuration of said IO controller should be changed based on existing conditions and determining an optimized configuration for said IO controller based on said existing conditions.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of controlling data flow through an IO controller in a computer system comprising: entering a reconfiguration mode upon the existence of one or more predetermined conditions; determining a desired configuration for said IO controller; reprogramming said IO controller to allow for processing of one or more descriptor lists; modifying the configuration of said IO controller to reflect the addition or deletion of one or more virtual controllers; re-enumerating said IO controller; creating a descriptor list for each of said IO controller and said one or more virtual controllers; and wherein said predetermined conditions include increased or decreased data flow through said IO controller.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of controlling data flow through an IO controller in a computer system comprising: entering a reconfiguration mode upon the existence of one or more predetermined conditions; determining a desired configuration for said IO controller; reprogramming said IO controller to allow for processing of one or more descriptor lists; modifying the configuration of said IO controller to reflect the addition or deletion of one or more virtual controllers; re-enumerating said IO controller; creating a descriptor list for each of said IO controller and said one or more virtual controllers; and wherein said predetermined conditions include increased or decreased data flow through said IO controller.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 7 , wherein entering a reconfiguration mode includes suspending operation of devices connected to said computer system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
118 words
An integrated circuit device for use as an IO controller comprising: a system bus interface; a programmable list processor; and a port router; wherein said system bus interface, said programmable list processor and said port router are operatively connected; wherein said IO controller processes one or more descriptor lists; said IO controller reflects the addition or deletion of one or more virtual controllers; said IO controller is re-enumerated; a descriptor list is processed for each of said IO controllers and said one or more virtual controllers; and wherein port interfaces support a maximum bandwidth, and said one or more virtual controllers are discovered and initialized during said re-enumeration and provide the maximum bandwidth supported by said port interfaces.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
118 words
An integrated circuit device for use as an IO controller comprising: a system bus interface; a programmable list processor; and a port router; wherein said system bus interface, said programmable list processor and said port router are operatively connected; wherein said IO controller processes one or more descriptor lists; said IO controller reflects the addition or deletion of one or more virtual controllers; said IO controller is re-enumerated; a descriptor list is processed for each of said IO controllers and said one or more virtual controllers; and wherein port interfaces support a maximum bandwidth, and said one or more virtual controllers are discovered and initialized during said re-enumeration and provide the maximum bandwidth supported by said port interfaces.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of controlling data flow through an IO controller from one or more port interfaces to internal circuitry of a computer system comprising: determining a desired configuration for said IO controller; reprogramming said IO controller to allow for processing of one or more descriptor lists; modifying the configuration of said IO controller to reflect the addition or deletion of one or more virtual controllers; re-enumerating said IO controller; processing a descriptor list for each of said IO controller and said one or more virtual controllers; and wherein one or more port interfaces support a maximum bandwidth, and said one or more virtual controllers are discovered during said re-enumeration and provide the maximum bandwidth supported by said one or more port interfaces.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of controlling data flow through an IO controller from one or more port interfaces to internal circuitry of a computer system comprising: determining a desired configuration for said IO controller; reprogramming said IO controller to allow for processing of one or more descriptor lists; modifying the configuration of said IO controller to reflect the addition or deletion of one or more virtual controllers; re-enumerating said IO controller; processing a descriptor list for each of said IO controller and said one or more virtual controllers; and wherein one or more port interfaces support a maximum bandwidth, and said one or more virtual controllers are discovered during said re-enumeration and provide the maximum bandwidth supported by said one or more port interfaces.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said one or more virtual controllers are initialized during said re-enumeration after being discovered.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
122 words
An integrated circuit device for use as an IO controller comprising: a system bus interface; a programmable list processor; and a port router; wherein said system bus interface, said programmable list processor and said port router are operatively connected; wherein said IO controller processes one or more descriptor lists; said IO controller reflects the addition or deletion of one or more virtual controllers; said IO controller is re-enumerated; a descriptor list is processed for each of said IO controllers and said one or more virtual controllers; and wherein one or more port interfaces support a maximum bandwidth, and said one or more virtual controllers are discovered during said re-enumeration and provide the maximum bandwidth supported by said one or more port interfaces.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
122 words
An integrated circuit device for use as an IO controller comprising: a system bus interface; a programmable list processor; and a port router; wherein said system bus interface, said programmable list processor and said port router are operatively connected; wherein said IO controller processes one or more descriptor lists; said IO controller reflects the addition or deletion of one or more virtual controllers; said IO controller is re-enumerated; a descriptor list is processed for each of said IO controllers and said one or more virtual controllers; and wherein one or more port interfaces support a maximum bandwidth, and said one or more virtual controllers are discovered during said re-enumeration and provide the maximum bandwidth supported by said one or more port interfaces.
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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) | 2004-03-05 | 2004-09-04 | 2005-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-03-05 | 2008-09-04 | 2009-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-03-05 | 2012-09-04 | 2013-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |