Method and apparatus for controlling communications

• US 6,934,945 B1
• Filed: 03/16/1998
• Issued: 08/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cardsoft Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cardsoft Incorporated
• Inventors: Ogilvy, Ian Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Wiley, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUOC H
• Application Number:
  US09/381,143
• Time in Patent Office: 2,717 Days
• Field of Search: 718/1, 719/310, 719/313, 719/315, 719/316, 703/23, 703/26, 703/27, 709/2, 709/201, 709/208, 709/219, 709/200, 713/201, 395/500
• US Class Current: 718/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/206 Software aspects at ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

The present invention relates to preparing and processing information to be communicated via a network or to or from other data carriers. For implementation of a novel “virtual machine” of the present invention, a minimal amount of hardware is required. Prior art virtual machines tend to slow down operation of the device as they interface between an application program and device drivers. The novel virtual machine incorporates a virtual message processing means that is arranged to construct, deconstruct and compare messages and applied in the native code of the processor. The message instruction means directs and controls the message processor. Similarly, a protocol processor means governs and organs communications, under the direction of a protocol instruction means in the application. These elements of the novel virtual machine increase the speed and efficiency and allow implementation of a practical device for use in communications, able to be implemented on different hardware having different BIOS/OS.

Claims

1. A communication device which is arranged to process messages for communications, comprising a virtual machine means which includes

a virtual function processor and function processor instructions for controlling operation of the device, and

message induction means including a set of descriptions of message data;

a virtual message processor, which is arranged to be called by the function processor and which is arranged to carry out the message handling tasks of assembling the messages, disassembling messages and comparing the messages under the direction of the message instruction means that is arranged to provide directions for operation of the virtual message processor, whereby when a message is required to be handled by the communications device the message processor is called to carry out the message handling task,

wherein the virtual machine means is emulatable in different computers having incompatible hardwares or operating systems.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a virtual protocol processor arranged to organize communications to and from the device, and

protocol processor instruction means arranged to provide directions for operation of the protocol processor means.

3. A device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the device includes a microprocessor which runs in accordance with native software code and the protocol processor is implemented as a native software code of the microprocessor.

4. A device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the device includes a microprocessor which runs in accordance with native software code and wherein the protocol instruction means are implemented in software defined by the protocol processor means, and do not require translation to the native code of the microprocessor.

5. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the device includes a microprocessor which runs in accordance with native software code, and the message processor is implemented as the native software code of the microprocessor.

6. A device in accordance with claim 5, wherein the function processor is implemented as native code of the microprocessor.

7. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the message processor instruction means is implemented in software defined by the message processor, wherein the device includes a microprocessor, and wherein the message instruction means do not require translation to the native software code of the microprocessor.

8. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the device includes a microprocessor which runs in accordance with native software code, and wherein the function processor instruction means are implemented in software defined by the function processor means and do not require translation to the native code of the microprocessor.

9. A device in accordance with claim 1, including a hardware abstraction layer comprising a series of routines which provide an application program interface to exercise an operating system, BIOS or hardware drivers of the device.

10. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the device is a specialized network access device arranged for communication over a network.

11. A device in accordance with claim 10, the device being a remote payment terminal and the messages being messages relating to remote payment transactions.

12. A method of programming a device for processing communications, comprising the steps of loading a processing means of the device with a virtual machine which includes a virtual function processor and function processor instructions for controlling operation of the device, and a virtual message processor which is arranged to be called by the functions processor and which is arranged to carry out the task of assembling, disassembling and comparing messages, under the direction of the message instruction means that is arranged to provide directions for operation of the virtual message processor, whereby when a message is required to be handled by the communications device the message processor is called to carry out the message handling task, wherein the virtual machine means is emulatable in different computers having incompatible hardwares or operating systems.

13. A method in accordance with claim 12, comprising the further step of loading the processor means of the device with a virtual protocol processor arranged to organize communications to and from the device, and protocol processor instructions arranged to provide directions for operation of the protocol processor.

14. A computer memory storing instructions for controlling a computing device to implement a virtual machine means which includes a virtual function processor and function processor instructions for controlling operation of the device, and a virtual message processor which is arranged to be called by the function processor and which is arranged to carry out the task of assembling, disassembling and comparing messages, under the direction of the message instruction means that is arranged to provide directions for operation of the virtual message processor, whereby when a message is required to be handled by the communications device the message processor is called to carry out the message handling task, wherein the virtual machine means is emulatable in different computers having incompatible hardwares or operating systems.

15. A computer readable memory in accordance with claim 14, further storing instructions for implementing message processor instruction means arranged to provide directions for operation of the message processor.

16. A computer readable memory in accordance with claim 14, further storing instructions for implementing a virtual protocol processor arranged to organize communications to and from the computing device.

17. A computer readable memory in accordance with claim 16, further storing instructions for implementing protocol processor instructions arranged to provide directions for operation of the protocol processor means.