Peripheral-unit controller apparatus
US4124888A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 24, 1975 |
| Grant date | Nov 7, 1978 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 24, 1995 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F13/22
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A distributed input/output system is disclosed for controlling numerous peripheral devices and the transfer of data signals and control signals between those devices and a general purpose digital computer. The control system described includes a multiplexer which can accommodate as many as eight input/output devices under the control of separate programmable microcoded peripheral-unit controllers. Each controller is adapted to be located at or on an individual peripheral device and each is connected to the multiplexer by an identical ribbon cable that is employed to carry both signals and power. Each controller employs a substantially identical microengine, that is, a microcoded processor, currently of five integrated circuit chips. The peripheral-unit controllers may be configured somewhat differently depending upon whether the peripheral device utilizes data signals in parallel or in series. Data may be transferred directly between a computer memory unit and the peripheral devices without requiring the use of any computer working registers and without requiring subroutines to preserve an ongoing main program. Each peripheral-device controller can issue interrupt signals which are…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.