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Software engine having an adaptable driver for interpreting variables produced by a plurality of sensors

DC
  • US 5,161,222 A
  • Filed: 08/20/1990
  • Issued: 11/03/1992
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/20/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A software engine for interpreting variables produced by a plurality of sensors which communicate by means of serial, analog or local area network protocols, the software engine comprising:

  • means for interpreting an external process request for data information which includes the variable produced by the sensor, and wherein the external process request is an independently executable software program which includes a piece of software code which generates a message in a predetermined format requesting from the software engine the delivery of data which is in a specific format and syntax, and wherein the independently executable software program in otherwise unfamiliar with the software engine and which further includes;

    a. means for interfacing with an operating system to determine if an appropriate operating system is present and to execute the necessary memory and disk management functions such that the software engine can operate, the software engine otherwise being operating system independent, and wherein the interface means is included in a main module;

    b. means for creating a mailbox which is adapted to exchange information with the external process request, andc. means for opening an object queue loop, and wherein the object queue loop identifies an object type and initiates a predetermined process with the individual sensors requested by the external process;

    means for overlaying a predetermined adaptable driver, which, when adjusted in a predetermined fashion, corresponds to the data characteristics of the individual sensors and wherein the adaptable driver decodes the variables requested by the external process request;

    means for polling or listening to the individual sensors, thereby receiving the data information requested by the external process request, and wherein the data information received is in a predefined format, and in any syntax; and

    means for transmitting the data information generated by the individual sensors to a predetermined destination.

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