METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING THE CAPABILITIES OF PERSONAL COMPUTERS

Abstract: A fixed capability, both in hardware and software, of any PC can be temporarily enhanced by networking with a main frame (14) through a network (15) which permits any PC (13) to access the capabilities of the mainframe for limited period of time.

Description: METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING THE CAPABILITIES OF PERSONAL COMPUTERS Background of the invention This invention relates to the capabilities and operation of personal computers (PC). Ownership and operation of PCS has enjoyed phenomenal growth during the recent years. The capabilities of each generation of new PCS has increased based on better and faster central processing units (CPUs), such as the Intel 320, 386, 486, and Pentium. Apple computers have also progressed from the lib through the Mclntosh. There are also numerous companies producing clones under their own labels. With the explosion of the number of PCS in use, an even greater explosion of uses, otherwise known as software, is taking place. As the capabilities of the CPUs increase, the amount of computing power, or speed, available to run the software increases, as well as the amount of ROM and RAM memory. This progression allows the programmers to develop more sophisticated software that can accomplish more difficult and complex tasks. The availability and applications of software have greatly increased over the years. However, the ever increasing requirements of the new software quickly outpaces the capability of the old PC hardware. In order to run the new software, the PC owner must upgrade the old PC or invest in a more capable PC. It has been stated that the consumer usually upgrades every 3 to 5 years. Most PCS are purchased by the consumers as an integral whole or name brand complete computer with fixed motherboard, CPU, RAM, and ROM elements and some software already programmed into the computer. The normal consumer probably does not know, or care, what is inside the computer case. The more "computer literate" consumers may upgrade the capabilities of their computer by adding after-market elements, such as faster CPUs and increased memory. However, software that requires more capability than the hardware can deliver cannot be successfully operated on the computer. In the normal course of events, the consumer discards the old, less capable, computer and purchases the newer model so that the more sophisticated software can be run. Certainly, this expensive solution economically drives the computer industry. Summary of invention It is an object this invention to replace the fixed or limited capability of a PC with a greater and more flexible capability. It is an object of this invention to reduce the requirement to upgrade a PC in order to get the benefits of more sophisticated programs available to more capable computers. It is an object of this invention to provide hardware and method whereby a PC operator with an occasional need for a complex program, beyond the fixed capabilities of the PC or the already loaded software, may temporarily access (log on) a more capable host computer and work the program on the more capable host computer using the PC and a modem or conventional communication lines between the computers. It is an object of this invention to expand the limited or fixed capabilities of the PC by accessing a host or main frame computer to obtain unlimited processing speed, storage and software programs. It is an object of this invention to establish a temporary network, in the nature of a client/server format, in which an older or less capable PC may be operatively connected to a more capable host or main frame computer. It is an object of this invention to program the host or main frame with a selection of software packages and operating systems compatible with conventional PCS. The host or main frame also includes an emulation-like processing capability for translating PC language into host or main frame language and vice versa whereby the input and the output would be in PC language but the manipulation of the data would be in the host or main frame language. It is also an object of this invention to provide the host or main frame with a PC interface which interrogates and stores information concerning the location and capabilities of the PC. The PC interface operates to determine the specifics of each individual PC logging on regarding CPU speed, RAM, ROM, and operating system. The interface determines the host or main frame I/O necessary to communicate with the PC. The interface accepts the requested program, determines the amount of memory necessary to complete the task including the amount of host or main frame memory required until the results are downloaded, the host or main frame computing time, the total transaction time, and the fee, if any. While the capabilities of the PC and the host are described above in terms of less capable PC and more capable host, it is also an object of this invention to establish communication between the PC and host irregardless of their relative capabilities. In other words, the invention is not limited to hardware deficiencies but to lack of programming, as well. Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 is an illustration of the overall system; Fig. 2 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the system Description of the preferred embodiment In Fig. 1, the operating system 10 is shown with several PCS 11, 12, 13 logged on to the host or main frame computer 14. The particular data link between the PCS and the main frame, may be by way of a modem where the main frame may serve PCS in a wide area. This construction would allow PC owners or operators to log on to the system using commercial lines without leaving their home location. Of course, the system could be a hard wired construction. In Fig. 1 the connection of the main frame computer 14 to the PCS is illustrated by a large area network (LAN) 15. The modem connects the PC with the PC interface 16. The PC interface 16 is programmed to interrogate the PC electronically or by menu to determine the capability of the PC. Based on the interrogation, the PC interface 16 offers a selection of programs that are compatible between the particular PC and the host. For example, the extremes of the available programs for selection could range form those instances in which the PC requires only the use of software with no additional hardware capability through those instances where the PC is used merely as a terminal for the host or main frame. In those instances which require the computing power of a much greater magnitude than the PC, the PC interface 16 directs the PC I/O to the host or main frame emulation port/program 17. The emulation program, in effect, makes the PC perform as a terminal to the host or main frame. The emulation program allows the PC user to access the main frame using the PC language and receive the results in the PC language. The emulation program translates the PC instructions into main frame language and translates the main frame results into PC language for distribution. Fig. 2 is a flow chart depicting the operation of the system. After start-up 20 of both the main frame and any PCS, a PC and the main frame are connected by modem. Main frame log-on 21 includes all the elements of information required by the system, such as, capabilities and/or operating parameters of the PC, the location/address of the user, billing instructions, etc.. The system then offers a menu 22 of programs available to the PC or may permit the PC user to request 23. The menu of available programs may be offered in categories with submenus of specific programs 24. This portion of the system is handled by the PC interface 16. Once the specific program 25 is selected, the PC is interrogated for the information that the main frame requires to operate the program. These interrogations and answers may go though the emulation port/program 17, if the programming of the PC and the main frame is dissimilar. The subsequent screen displays to the PC would depend on the selected program and the amount of input necessary to complete the task. When the selected program is completed by the main frame, the PC user may select to download to the PC 26, archive in the main 27, or log off 28. Archiving of programs and results allows repeat users to store and collect information in the main frame rather than using PC capacity. In the context of this invention, the main frame computer has the traditional capability of doing a multitude of tasks or calculations simultaneously. The main frame does not have to embody a monolithic mechanism but may be composed of several separate computers which can be network with a log-on PC in a random sequence based on the next available main frame time slot. In such a setup, the PC interface would control the log-on and direct the PC to the free main frame. In some instances, the PC interface can have the ability to allocate the amount of main frame capability, in addition to the capability of the logged-on PC, necessary to accomplish the requested program. Both the main frame and the PC would contribute capability to the end product. The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. The network has been described with regards to a few possible applications of the invention to illustrate the operation thereof. This description is not intended to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, however. Consequently, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings as expressed in the specification and appended claims.

Claims: Claims I claim: 1. A computer network comprising a host computer capable of being selectively connected to a multiplicity of personal computers, said host computer capable of running many applications simultaneously and having (1) a personal computer interface means for interrogating said personal computers to determine an address, the CPU capability, RAM, ROM, and operating system of said personal computers, said interface means stores said interrogation, and an (2) emulation means connected to said personal computer interface means for synchronizing the machine language of said host computer and said personal computers, whereby said personal computers provide input to said emulation means in the personal computer language to select a particular task, said host computer executing said task using host language, and communicating the results of said task to said emulation means, and said emulation means translates said host results into personal computer language and relays said results to said personal computer interface means. 2. A computer network as in claim 1 wherein said personal computer interface means presents a menu of personal computer programs available in response to said interrogation of said personal computer. 3. A computer network as in claim 1 wherein said personal computer interface means quires said personal computer to determine if said results are to be downloaded or stored in said host, said personal computer interface means returning said results to the address or assigning a storage address. 4. A system providing the capabilities of a main frame computer to a plurality of PCS comprising a main frame computer, a data link means for connection between said mainframe and said plurality of PCS, said data link means including a PC interface, said PC interface interrogating and storing information concerning the PC address, capabilities including CPU speed, RAM, ROM and operating system, whereby any one of said plurality of PCS may be connected to said main frame and provide input through said PC interface, said main frame performs the operations required of said input, and said results are returned to said PC through said PC interface. 5. A system of claim 4 wherein said main frame computer includes an emulation means for converting said PC input to main frame language and returning said results to said PC input language. 6. A method for enhancing the capabilities of a plurality of PCS through networking with a main frame computer comprising the steps of 1) providing a main frame computer, 2) providing a network connecting at least one PC with said main frame, 3) said at least one PC logging on to the network, 4) requesting a particular program or application be accomplished by said main frame, 5) providing required input data to said main frame from said PC through said network, 6) manipulating said data by said main frame and producing a result, and 7) retrieving said results from said main frame to said PC through said network thereby enhancing the capability of said PC with the attributes of said main frame computer. 7. A method of claim 6 including the steps of providing said main frame computer with a PC interface, connecting said interface with said network, said interface creating an address for each PC logged on the network, providing said interface with the operating parameters of each PC logged on, and said interface allocating the main frame capabilities requires by the logged on PC to accomplish the requested program or application. 8. A method of claim 7 further providing said main frame computer with an emulation capability, said emulation capability translating incoming PC data and requests into main frame readable data and translating main frame out going data to PC readable data.

Inventors: HAHN VICTOR C, HAHN, VICTOR, C.
Applicants: HAHN VICTOR C, HAHN, VICTOR, C.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: G06F15
IPC codes: G06F9, G06F15