Intermediate memory system for connecting microcomputers to a rotating disk memory

• US 4,949,245 A
• Filed: 10/21/1988
• Issued: 08/14/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Modular Computer Systems, Inc. (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Modular Computer Systems, Inc. (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Rabbat, Guy, Martin, Peter D., Wolner, Sandra, Groshart, Larry
• Primary Examiner(s): Zache, Raulfe B.
• Application Number:
  US07/260,714
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 364/200, 364/300, 364/900
• US Class Current: 710/30
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0601 Interfaces specially adapted for storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0673 Single storage device
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/1252 for discontinuous data, e.g. digital information signals, computer programme data
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/20 Disc-shaped record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 5/02 Recording, reproducing, or erasing methods; Read, write or erase circuits therefor

Abstract

A method of storing data on a peripheral rotating disk memory system, which is connected to one of a plurality of central processor units via a common bus including temporarily storing, in an intermediate memory system connected to the bus, original data packets which are to be stored in the disk memory system separating data block and commands of the original data packets received by the intermediate memory system from each other, creating composite data packets containing a new command and all data of a number of original data packets received by the intermediate memory system, writing the composite data packets via the bus on the rotating disk memory device, and purging the intermediate memory system after completing a write operation.

Claims

1. A computer system including at least one central processor unit, a rotating disk memory device in which data is stored on a disk in sectors, and an intermediate memory system for controlling data transfer between said at least one central processor unit and said rotating disk memory device, all connected to a common bus;

and wherein said intermediate memory system comprises;

means, coupled to said bus, for separating data and commands of original data packets received by said intermediate memory system;

means, coupled to said means for separating, for creating composite data packets, wherein each composite packet consists of a new command and of all data blocks of a number of original data packets received by the intermediate memory system and wherein said new command contains a size indication of each data block; and

means, coupled to said means for creating for sending the created said composite data packets via said bus to said rotating disk memory device.

2. A computer system according to claim 1, comprising

means for reading said composite data packets from said rotating disk memory into said intermediate system via said bus;

means, in said intermediate memory system, for identifying data blocks in the received said composite data packets and for separating individual data blocks in said composite data packets from each other; and

means, coupled to said means for identifying, for sending said individual data blocks from said intermediate memory system to said at least one CPU via said bus.

3. A computer system according to claim 2, wherein each of a sequence of consecutive original data packets contains data blocks of a same size.

4. A computer system according to claim 1, wherein said intermediate memory system comprises a Random Access Memory.

5. A method of storing data on a peripheral rotating disk memory system, which is connected to one or a plurality of central processor units via a common bus, comprising the steps of:

temporary storing orginal data packets, which are to be stored in said disk memory system, in an intermediate memory system

separating data blocks and commands of original data packets, received by intermediate memory system, from each other

creating composite data packets, wherein a composite packet contains a new command and all data of a number of original data packets received by said intermediate memory system

writing said composite data packets via said bus on said rotating disk memory device

purging said intermediate memory system after completing a write operation.

6. A method according to claim 5 and including a method of retrieving data from said disk memory system comprising the steps of

reading said composite data packets from said rotational disk memory into said intermediate memory system

identifying data blocks in said data packets and separating individual data blocks from each other

purging said intermediate memory system after sending said individual data blocks from said intermediate memory system to one of said CPUs.