Methods and apparatus for performing data acquisition and control
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- generating a set of commands, each of which is configured to elicit a response from a different one of multiple data acquisition modules;
providing timing information associated with the set of commands to coordinate responses from the multiple data acquisition modules over a shared communication link; and
transmitting the set of commands to the multiple data acquisition modules; and
receiving the responses from the multiple data acquisition modules over the shared communication link in accordance with the timing information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Mechanisms and techniques provide a data acquisition basic input output system between a central controller and a set of modules networked to the central controller. The central controller obtains at least one command to be sent to at least one module of the set of modules networked to the central controller and composing a request message containing the command. The request message has an associated timing pattern selected from a plurality of available timing patterns, such as a fixed timing pattern or a variable timing pattern. The central controller transmits the request message to the module(s) according to the associated timing pattern and receives, according to the associated timing pattern, a response message from the module(s). The data acquisition basic input output system communications do not require reliance on transport layer protocols or collision avoidance techniques.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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generating a set of commands, each of which is configured to elicit a response from a different one of multiple data acquisition modules; providing timing information associated with the set of commands to coordinate responses from the multiple data acquisition modules over a shared communication link; and transmitting the set of commands to the multiple data acquisition modules; and receiving the responses from the multiple data acquisition modules over the shared communication link in accordance with the timing information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A central controller comprising:
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a communications interface; a memory; a processor; and an interconnection mechanism coupling the communications interface, the memory and the processor; wherein the memory is encoded with a data acquisition basic input output system application that when performed on the processor, produces a data acquisition basic input output system process that enables the central controller to perform operations of; generating a set of commands, each of which is configured to elicit a response from a different one of multiple data acquisition modules; providing timing information associated with the set of commands to coordinate responses from the multiple data acquisition modules over a shared communication link; and transmitting the set of commands to the multiple data acquisition modules; and receiving the responses from the multiple data acquisition modules over the shared communication link in accordance with the timing information. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A controller comprising:
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means for generating a set of commands, each of which is configured to elicit a response from a different one of multiple data acquisition modules; means for providing timing information associated with the set of commands to coordinate responses from the multiple data acquisition modules over a shared communication link; means for transmitting the set of commands to the multiple data acquisition modules; and means for receiving the responses from the multiple data acquisition modules over the shared communication link in accordance with the timing information.
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Specification