Patent ID: 6047337
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
An external device for use with a host computer having a host memory for storing program and data for use by the host computer, including:(a) a means for requesting a direct memory access, coupled to the host memory, for initiating a direct memory access operation in order to access information, including program instructions, stored within the host memory;(b) a secondary computer, coupled to the direct memory access controller, for transmitting and receiving information from the direct memory access controller, including program instructions to be executed by the secondary computer;further including:(c) a special function program memory, coupled to the secondary computer, for storing special function programs; and(d) a multiplexer, coupled to the secondary computer, the special function program memory, and the direct access memory device, for selectively coupling instructions to the secondary computer from either the direct memory access device or the local special function program memory, further including an instruction buffer, coupled to the host memory and to the direct memory access device, for buffering instructions received from the host memory, and making the received instructions available to the secondary computer.