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Universal device for coupling a computer bus to a specific link of a network and operating system therefor

  • US 5,455,950 A
  • Filed: 07/15/1992
  • Issued: 10/03/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A universal device for coupling a computer bus of a computer to a controller of a group of peripherals connected to one another by a specific link to which the controller is physically connected, said universal device comprising:

  • a memory;

    a microprocessor connected to the memory, said microprocessor having an operating system associated therewith;

    a controller interface for linkage with the controller and enabling transfer of data defining frames and control blocks;

    a double-port random-access buffer memory connected by a first bus to said controller interface and by a second bus to the computer bus via a specific interface of the computer;

    means for organizing transfer of data by the microprocessor between said controller interface and the double-port memory, and between the double-port memory and the computer bus;

    a direct memory access controller operatively connected between said double-port memory and the computer, said transfer of data being effected under control of said direct memory access controller, wherein conversion of control blocks of protocols used on the computer bus into those used on the link and vice versa is performed by the microprocessor, which enables a transfer of control blocks used on the link over an internal bus of the microprocessor to or from said controller interface;

    said operating system being associated with a plurality of applications independent of one another, wherein said operating system includes;

    a central core for managing and organizing the work of each of the applications in real time, when each application is running;

    an applications manager for supervising and defining an operational condition for each of the applications;

    an intercommunications server for enabling each of said applications to request the services of another of said applications when necessary;

    means for establishing intercommunication between the central core, the applications manager and the intercommunications server via system calls; and

    means for enabling said applications to communicate with each of the services provided by said central core, said applications manager and said intercommunications manager via monitor calls.

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