Method of coupling open systems to a proprietary network

• US 5,530,844 A
• Filed: 02/10/1994
• Issued: 06/25/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Honeywell Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Staggs, Kevin P., Phillips, David L., Rodrigo, Tina M., Kahn, Wayne C., Clawson, Laurence A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kim, Sang Hui
• Application Number:
  US08/194,777
• Time in Patent Office: 866 Days
• Field of Search: 395/200, 395/250, 395/162, 395/163, 395/164, 395/165, 395/500, 395/200.18, 395/200.08
• US Class Current: 709/213
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/46 Interconnection of networks

Abstract

An interface provides a path to transfer data from a proprietary network to an open system. The proprietary network includes at least one module central processing unit (CPU) and a module memory associated therewith operatively connected to the proprietary network. A shared memory and shared memory logic are interposed between the proprietary network and the open system, thereby forming the data path. The method comprises the steps of accepting requests for data from the open system by a parasitic task function within the module CPU. The data requested of the proprietary network is obtained and placed in a predetermined location of the module memory in a form understandable to the open systems. A pointer value is placed in the shared memory, the pointer value containing the value of the predetermined location of the module memory, the shared memory being mapped in the addressable memory space of the shared memory logic using virtual memory techniques. The data is obtained directly from the module memory utilizing the pointer value corresponding to the data requested, thereby allowing open systems to access the proprietary system while maintaining the integrity of the proprietary network.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing an interface between a first system and a second system, the first system having a proprietary protocol and further having a first network bus having a plurality of physical modules operatively connected to the first network bus, each of the physical modules capable of communicating with each other via the proprietary protocol over the first network bus, said apparatus comprising:

a) a module bus;

b) a bus interface unit connected to the module bus and to the first network bus, for providing an interface between the apparatus and the first system;

c) a module memory, connected to the module bus, for storing information of the apparatus, information including programs and data;

d) a module CPU, connected to the module bus, for controlling a graphics function of the first system;

e) a shared memory, connected to the module bus;

f) a graphics card, connected to the module bus, for performing the graphics function of the apparatus, the graphics card further interfacing with a display unit and a keyboard; and

g) a co-processor, operatively connected to the shared memory and to the graphics card, and further connected to the second system, the co-processor and the module CPU communicating with each other via the shared memory, the co-processor also communicating with the second system via a known predetermined protocol, the co-processor translating requests from the second system into a form compatible with the proprietary protocol of the first system, the co-processor transmitting commands to the graphics card for controlling the display unit such that information from the first system and the second system is displayed in a windows format, the apparatus thereby providing an opening of the graphical interface to the second system while maintaining the integrity of the first system.