US6286060B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for providing modular I/O expansion of computing devices
Assignee: Oracle America Inc
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Filing: 1998-06-26
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Granted: 2001-09-04
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Expires: 2018-06-26
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for providing modular I/O expansion. Apparatus are provided on a host computing device and an expansion unit to support multiple port types, and multiplexing apparatus are provided to support simultaneous I/O sessions between multiple applications on the host computing device and multiple I/O ports on the expansion unit over a single host I/O port. The expansion unit is equipped with one or more port interface modules that are each configured to support data transmission in accordance with one port type from a set of port types. Apparatus on the expansion unit perform multiplexing and demultiplexing of data transmitted between the host computing device and the port interface modules of the expansion unit. Port interface objects in the host computing device each support data transmission in accordance with one port type from the set of port types. A host multiplexor on the host computing device performs multiplexing and demultiplexing of data between the expansion unit and the port interface objects. A registry is maintained to map port interface objects to port interface modules.
Inventors
- 👤 Rinaldo DiGiorgio
- 👤 Michael Bender
- 👤 Stephen Uhler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:59
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/38; G06F13/40; G06F13/4004; G06F13/4022; G06F13/382; G06F13/385
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus comprising: a main port for interfacing with a host computing device; a bus; a plurality of port interface modules coupled to said bus; a multiplexor coupled to said main port and said bus, said multiplexor configured to route data between said main port and said plurality of port interface modules based on a current routing state, said multiplexor configured to change said routing state in response to a control signal received from said main port.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus comprising: a main port for interfacing with a host computing device; a bus; a plurality of port interface modules coupled to said bus; a multiplexor coupled to said main port and said bus, said multiplexor configured to route data between said main port and said plurality of port interface modules based on a current routing state, said multiplexor configured to change said routing state in response to a control signal received from said main port.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is portable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein said apparatus has dimensions equal to or smaller than 1″×2.5″×3″.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said port interface modules are pluggable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said multiplexor is configured to recognize said plurality of port interface modules and to recognize devices coupled thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein said multiplexor is configured to transmit identity information of said plurality of port interface modules to said host computing device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of port interface modules have a plurality of port types.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said main port comprises: a plurality of ports of different port types; and a host interface adapter coupled to said plurality of ports of different port types, said host interface adapter configured to communicate with each of said plurality of ports of different port types.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said host interface adapter is configured to detect an active port from said plurality of ports types.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
196 words
An apparatus comprising: a host computing device having a host port, said host computing device comprising: at least one port interface object accessible by at least one application executing within said host computing device; a first multiplexor coupled to said at least one port interface object and said host port, said first multiplexor comprising a current first routing state specifying a flow of data between said at least one port interface object and said host port, said first multiplexor configured to change said current first routing state in response to a control signal received from said host port; an expansion unit having a main port linked to said host port, said expansion unit comprising: at least one port interface module configured to couple at least one device to said expansion unit; and a second multiplexor coupled to said at least one port interface module and said main port, said second multiplexor comprising a current second routing state specifying a flow of data between said at least one port interface module and said main port, said second multiplexor configured to change said second current routing state in response to a control signal received from said main port.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
196 words
An apparatus comprising: a host computing device having a host port, said host computing device comprising: at least one port interface object accessible by at least one application executing within said host computing device; a first multiplexor coupled to said at least one port interface object and said host port, said first multiplexor comprising a current first routing state specifying a flow of data between said at least one port interface object and said host port, said first multiplexor configured to change said current first routing state in response to a control signal received from said host port; an expansion unit having a main port linked to said host port, said expansion unit comprising: at least one port interface module configured to couple at least one device to said expansion unit; and a second multiplexor coupled to said at least one port interface module and said main port, said second multiplexor comprising a current second routing state specifying a flow of data between said at least one port interface module and said main port, said second multiplexor configured to change said second current routing state in response to a control signal received from said main port.
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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) | 2004-09-03 | 2005-03-05 | 2005-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-09-03 | 2009-03-05 | 2009-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-09-03 | 2013-03-05 | 2013-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |