Tape drive emulation software objects, and emulation of other peripheral systems for computers
US6766520B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 8, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 20, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 19, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/0682
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Emulation of a hardware peripheral is accomplished through use of object oriented software and runs in an object oriented environment. Particular adaptation of an emulation to enable specific data storage magnetic tape drive peripheral is described. Use of emulators in general enables continued reliance on legacy hardware and software without maintaining an entire suite of legacy hardware. Simplified emulation structure enabled by object oriented programming described herein makes migration from legacy systems feasible in stages at relatively low cost. In set-up and in use, users can have control over instances of emulator objects, including association with data files that operate as virtual storage media whether initially associated with the emulator or not, using a simple window-based interface for choosing particular data files, opening them, opening new instances of emulator objects and so forth. Variations are also described. Legacy programming is handled by use of legacy instructions communicated to the emulated object instances, which the object instances respond to appropriately.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.