Multiple peripheral adapter device driver architecture
US5586268A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 3, 1995 |
| Grant date | Dec 17, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 3, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05B2219/33118
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A single instance of a device driver is used to control multiple peripheral devices in a computer system having a central processor for executing an operating system, a memory, and first and second interface buses permitting interconnection of peripheral adapters with the central processor. The interface buses each correspond to different classes of peripheral adapters. The device driver includes an initialization routine for scanning the interface buses to identify predetermined functionally related peripheral adapters. A communications path is provided between the operating system and each of the peripheral adapters of a form appropriate for the particular interface bus connected to each adapter. A control path is also provided between each of the peripheral adapters and the operating system of a form appropriate for the particular interface bus connected to each adapter. The device driver provides for the common control and management of the communications and control paths between the operating system and each of the peripheral adapters.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.