Methods, systems, and devices for providing an interrupt scheme in automated pharmaceutical dispensing machines without centralized arbitration
US7668998B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 5, 2008 |
| Grant date | Feb 23, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 30, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F13/24
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In a method for communication between a master node and a plurality of slave nodes connected by a bus therebetween, a first interrupt request is asserted by one of the plurality of slave nodes via a primary interrupt line. The plurality of slave nodes are electrically connected by the primary interrupt line. A unique delay time for requesting an interrupt is associated with each of the plurality of slave nodes. A second interrupt request is asserted by the one of the plurality of slave nodes via a secondary interrupt line electrically connecting the plurality of slave nodes. The second interrupt request is asserted in response to successfully asserting the first interrupt request and after the unique delay time associated with the one of the plurality of slave nodes. A message is then transmitted from the one of the plurality of slave nodes to the master node via the bus. Related systems and devices are also discussed, including the use of the primary and secondary interrupt request lines to provide bus arbitration between the plurality of slave nodes for communication with the master node.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.