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Communication processor for personal computer

  • US 4,974,192 A
  • Filed: 08/04/1989
  • Issued: 11/27/1990
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1987
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A communications processor for use with a personal computer having address and data busses connected to a female connector to receive a male edge connector formed on said communications processor comprising:

  • a rectangular printed circuit board having said male edge connector formed on one of its long edges for mating with the female connector of the personal computer;

    a line cord having a first end for connection to an AC electric power line and a second end connected to said printed circuit board;

    electronic components supported on the printed circuit board and interconnected with one another by conductors formed on the printed circuit board to form a microcomputer, said components including an address/data bus, a microprocessor connected to said address/data bus, a random access memory connected to said address/data bus, a read only memory connected to said address/data bus, a line-powered power supply connected to said line cord, said microprocessor, said random access memory and said read only memory for powering said microcomputer via the AC electric power line and a battery operated power supply connected to said microprocessor, said random access memory, said read only memory and said line-powered supply for powering said microcomputer upon failure of the AC electric power line;

    a second connector formed on a short edge of the printed circuit board;

    electronic components forming two I/O ports supported on the printed circuit board and interconnected by conductors formed on the printed circuit board, the first of the I/O ports being connected to said male edge connector and to said address/data bus, and the second of the I/O ports being connected to said address/data bus and to said second connector;

    wherein said communications processor receives commands from the personal computer via said first I/O port from said male edge connector, said communications processor further including;

    means responsive to a first command for controlling said communications processor toreceive data via said first I/O port from said male edge connector,store said received data in a file within said random access memory, andinitiate communication via said second I/O port and transmit data stored in said file within said random access memory via said second I/O port to said second connector independent of whether the personal computer is performing other tasks or is de-energized,means responsive to a second command for controlling said communications processor to transmit data stored in an identified file within said random access memory via said first I/O port to said male edge connector, andmeans responsive to a third command for controlling said communications processor to enter a standby mode independent of whether the personal computer is performing other tasks or is de-energized torespond to communication initiated via said second I/O port from said second connector,receive data via said second I/O port from said second connector, andstore said received data in a file within said random access memory.

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