METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND DEVICES FOR PROVIDING AN INTERRUPT SCHEME IN AUTOMATED PHARMACEUTICAL DISPENSING MACHINES WITHOUT CENTRALIZED ARBITRATION
First Claim
1. A method for communication between a master node and a plurality of slave nodes connected by a bus therebetween, the method comprising:
- asserting, by one of the plurality of slave nodes, a first interrupt request via a primary interrupt line electrically connecting the plurality of slave nodes, wherein each of the plurality of slave nodes has a unique delay time associated therewith for requesting an interrupt;
asserting, by the one of the plurality of slave nodes, a second interrupt request via a secondary interrupt line electrically connecting the plurality of slave nodes in response to successfully asserting the first interrupt request and after the unique delay time associated with the one of the plurality of slave nodes; and
thentransmitting a message from the one of the plurality of slave nodes to the master node via the bus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a method for communication between a master node and a plurality of slave nodes connected by a bus therebetween, a first interrupt request is asserted by one of the plurality of slave nodes via a primary interrupt line. The plurality of slave nodes are electrically connected by the primary interrupt line. A unique delay time for requesting an interrupt is associated with each of the plurality of slave nodes. A second interrupt request is asserted by the one of the plurality of slave nodes via a secondary interrupt line electrically connecting the plurality of slave nodes. The second interrupt request is asserted in response to successfully asserting the first interrupt request and after the unique delay time associated with the one of the plurality of slave nodes. A message is then transmitted from the one of the plurality of slave nodes to the master node via the bus. Related systems and devices are also discussed, including the use of the primary and secondary interrupt request lines to provide bus arbitration between the plurality of slave nodes for communication with the master node.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for communication between a master node and a plurality of slave nodes connected by a bus therebetween, the method comprising:
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asserting, by one of the plurality of slave nodes, a first interrupt request via a primary interrupt line electrically connecting the plurality of slave nodes, wherein each of the plurality of slave nodes has a unique delay time associated therewith for requesting an interrupt; asserting, by the one of the plurality of slave nodes, a second interrupt request via a secondary interrupt line electrically connecting the plurality of slave nodes in response to successfully asserting the first interrupt request and after the unique delay time associated with the one of the plurality of slave nodes; and
thentransmitting a message from the one of the plurality of slave nodes to the master node via the bus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for bus communication without centralized arbitration, comprising:
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a master node; a plurality of slave nodes respectively associated with unique delay times for requesting an interrupt; a bus electrically connecting the master node to the plurality of slave nodes and configured to provide communication therebetween; a primary interrupt line electrically connecting the plurality of slave nodes; and a secondary interrupt line electrically connecting the plurality of slave nodes, wherein one of the plurality of slave nodes is configured to assert a first interrupt request via the primary interrupt line, assert a second interrupt request via the secondary interrupt line in response to successful assertion of the first interrupt request and after the unique delay time associated therewith, and then transmit a message to the master node via the bus. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An automated pill dispensing system, comprising:
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a plurality of bins configured to dispense pills; a plurality of controller boards, wherein each controller board is configured to be coupled to at least one of the plurality of bins and is associated with a unique delay time for requesting an interrupt; a master controller configured to communicate with the plurality of controller boards; a system bus electrically connecting the master node to the plurality of controller boards and configured to provide communication therebetween; a primary interrupt line electrically connecting the plurality of controller boards; and a secondary interrupt line electrically connecting the plurality of controller boards, wherein one of the plurality of controller boards is configured to assert a first interrupt request via the primary interrupt line, assert a second interrupt request via the secondary interrupt line in response to successful assertion of the first interrupt request and after the unique delay time associated therewith, and then transmit a message to the master controller via the system bus. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A controller board for communication with a master device via a bus shared with at least one other controller board, comprising:
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a microprocessor configured to assert a first interrupt request via a primary interrupt line electrically connecting the controller board to the at least one other controller board and configured to assert a second interrupt request via a secondary interrupt line electrically connecting the controller board to the at least one other controller board in response to successful assertion of the first interrupt request and after a unique delay time associated therewith for requesting an interrupt; and a bus translator coupled to the microprocessor and configured to transmit a message therefrom to the master device via the shared bus after successful assertion of both the first and second interrupt requests by the microprocessor.
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Specification