Patent · US Expired

Adaptable multiple port data buffer

US5214760A · kind A · utility

47Cited by
21References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 26, 1988
Grant dateMay 25, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 26, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F13/385
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A data buffer includes parallel and serial data ports connected to one or more equipment modules that produce output data or respond to input commands. The data buffer also includes a serial control port communicating with a host computer. The data buffer receives and stores output data from the equipment modules via the data ports. The buffer configures each data port to match the data transfer protocol (baud rate, parity checking etc.) of the equipment module to which it is connected in response to input commands transmitted from the host computer via the control port. The host computer may also command the buffer to immediately route incoming data on one data port outward on one or more other selected data or control ports or to store incoming data for later transmission via a selected port in response to an input command. The host computer may additionally command the buffer to periodically transmit a stored data string outward on one or more designated data ports. The data buffer also includes a real time clock producing data indicating current time and date. When the data buffer detects a state change in an input bit at a parallel port, it generates an indicating message incl…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.