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External multiple peripheral interface to computer serial port using individually configured parallel port terminals

  • US 5,812,879 A
  • Filed: 04/19/1993
  • Issued: 09/22/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/19/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A personal computer parallel interface adapter connectible between an external process and an existing serial port of a personal computer for control of the process by the computer, said adapter comprising:

  • (a) adapter serial port means including adapter serial port terminals to enable interfacing to an externally accessible serial port connector of a serial port of a personal computer;

    (b) parallel port means including a plurality of parallel port terminals which can be individually configured as input terminals or output terminals, said parallel port means being adapted for connection thereto of components of a process external to said personal computer to enable control of said process by said personal computer;

    (c) controller means interfaced between said serial port means and said parallel port means, said controller means being programmed to configure said parallel port terminals individually as input terminals or output terminals, to write to said output terminals, to read from said input terminals, and to convey data read from said input terminals to said computer, in response to commands received by said controller means by way of said adapter serial port means and said serial port connector from said computer;

    (d) said controller means being programmed to translate ASCII coded commands and control data received by way of said adapter serial port means to machine language commands and control data to configure said parallel port terminals and to write said control data to selected ones of said output terminals;

    (e) said controller means being programmed to translate machine language data read from input terminals to ASCII coded process data and to transfer said process data to said personal computer by way of said adapter serial port means; and

    (f) said adapter being configured for being positioned and operated external to said computer.

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