Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US5537558?dq=7143430
Timestamp: 2014-10-01 08:48:41
Document Index: 754263657

Matched Legal Cases: ['ART 32', 'ART 32', 'ART 32', 'ART 32', 'ART 32', 'ART 32', 'ART 32', 'ART 32', 'ART 32', 'ART 32', 'ART 32', 'ART 32', 'ART 32', 'ART 32', 'ART 32', 'ART 32']

Patent US5537558 - Apparatus and method for communicating multiple devices through one PCMCIA ... - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsAn apparatus that connects to a standard PCMCIA interface of a microprocessor-based computer which typically communicates with only a single external device through the interface enables the computer to communicate with multiple external devices through the one PCMCIA interface. The apparatus operates...http://www.google.com/patents/US5537558?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US5537558 - Apparatus and method for communicating multiple devices through one PCMCIA interfaceAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS5537558 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 08/321,057Publication dateJul 16, 1996Filing dateOct 5, 1994Priority dateOct 5, 1994Fee statusLapsedPublication number08321057, 321057, US 5537558 A, US 5537558A, US-A-5537558, US5537558 A, US5537558AInventorsJ. Douglas Fletcher, Robert D. Kehn, Mark L. SlagleOriginal AssigneeHalliburton CompanyExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (6), Non-Patent Citations (2), Referenced by (31), Classifications (6), Legal Events (4) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetApparatus and method for communicating multiple devices through one PCMCIA interfaceUS 5537558 AAbstract An apparatus that connects to a standard PCMCIA interface of a microprocessor-based computer which typically communicates with only a single external device through the interface enables the computer to communicate with multiple external devices through the one PCMCIA interface. The apparatus operates to implement a method which transfers data from multiple devices to a personal computer through a single PCMCIA interface.
What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for communicating multiple devices with a personal computer through only one PCMCIA interface of the computer, said apparatus comprising:computer connector means for connecting to a PCMCIA connector of one PCMCIA interface of a personal computer; first device connector means for connecting to a first device; second device connector means for connecting to a second device; first communication channel means, connected to said first device connector means, for communicating first device data within said apparatus; second communication channel means, connected to said second device connector means, for communicating second device data within said apparatus; and adapter means, connected to said first and second communication channel means and said computer connector means, for transferring first device data between said first communication channel means and said computer connector means and for transferring second device data between said second communication channel means and said computer connector means. 2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said computer connector means has a single interrupt line which connects to a corresponding single interrupt request line of the PCMCIA connector in response to connecting said computer connector means to the PCMCIA connector.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to computer communications through an interface defined by the standards of the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA), which interface is hereinafter referred to as a PCMCIA interface. The invention more specifically relates to an apparatus and a method for communicating multiple devices, whether of the same or different operating features (i.e., protocols), with a personal computer through a single PCMCIA interface of the computer (i.e., the computer may have more than one PCMCIA interface, but the present invention connects to and communicates with only one of them in a given installation).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the above-noted and other shortcomings of the prior art by providing a novel and improved apparatus, and a novel and improved method, for communicating multiple devices, whether of the same or different operating features (i.e., protocols), with a personal computer through a single PCMCIA interface of the computer. Such multiple communications occur substantially-simultaneously despite having only one interrupt line in the interface between the present invention and the personal computer. [Although broader than its conventional definition, but for simplifying the terminology used hereinbelow, "personal computer" as used immediately above and subsequently in this specification and the claims encompasses the various types of microprocessor-based computers that use one or more PCMCIA interfaces.]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a personal computer to which an apparatus of the present invention is connected through one PCMCIA interface of the computer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Relevant features of a personal computer 2 (as defined above) will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The personal computer 2 has a microprocessor (not shown) which communicates with external devices through one or more ports. One of these ports is defined by a PCMCIA interface 4 (specifically the PCMCIA Type II input/output and memory card interface in the preferred embodiment). The interface 4 has a mechanical coupling 6 and a PCMCIA interface circuit 8.
RS-232 Communications Process Operation The RS-232 process is initiated when a reset or power-on occurs. Information is read from the flash EEPROM 50 by the microprocessor 38. The microprocessor 38 interprets the information and sets up the UART 32 to the appropriate settings for communication. Once the UART has been set-up, it operates independently from the microprocessor 38 and behaves like an industry standard 16550 UART. Once a program on the personal computer 2 sets up the appropriate configuration for communicating with the serial port through Card and Socket Services (FIG. 1), Card and Socket Services handles the details of transferring the data between the personal computer 2 and the PCMCIA device 22. In the particular implementation of FIGS. 3A and 3B, RS-232 communications, both control and data, are handled through the PCMCIA adapter 62 as apparent from the signal labeling in those drawings.
RS-232 Transmission Process Data flows from the personal computer 2 through the PCMCIA interface port 24 to the transmit holding register of the UART 32 via the PCMCIA adapter 62. The PCMCIA adapter 62 routes the data to the appropriate device (in this case, the UART 32) depending upon its configuration. For example, if the PCMCIA adapter 62 is configured to use serial communications port number two, then when the personal computer 2 sends data to serial communications port number one, no data is sent to the UART 32 on the PCMCIA device 22. Only when the serial communications port request matches the configuration of the PCMCIA adapter 62 is the data sent to the UART 32. The PCMCIA adapter 62 can be configured to handle multiple devices and route data accordingly. Once the data (a single byte) is in the transmit holding register of the UART 32, it is copied to the transmit shift register of the UART 32 where it is shifted out serially through the serial bus of the communication channel 30 to the RS-232 port connector 26. After the data has been shifted out of the transmit shift register, the UART 32 signals the personal computer 2 through the PCMCIA adapter 62 that the transmit holding register is empty. The personal computer 2 then sends the next byte of data and the process is repeated until the personal computer 2 has no more data to transmit. One having knowledge of an 16550 UART can readily operate the UART 32 in accordance with the foregoing.
RS-232 Reception Process Data flows in serially from the RS-232 port 26 through the serial bus of the communication channel 30 into the receive shift register of the UART 32. Once the complete data (a single byte) has been shifted into the receive shift register, it is transferred to the receive holding register of the UART 32. After the data has entered the receive holding register, the UART transmits an interrupt signal. This interrupt signal is captured by the PCMCIA adapter 62 and is re-transmitted to the personal computer 2 through the PCMCIA port 24. The PCMCIA adapter 62 transmits the interrupt signal according to its configuration. For example, if the PCMCIA apparatus 22 serial port has been configured to use interrupt request line 3 (IRQ3), then a receive interrupt from the UART 32 would cause the PCMCIA adapter 62 to send IRQ3 to the personal computer 2. Once the personal computer 2 has detected the interrupt, it obtains the data from the UART 32 receive holding register through the PCMCIA port 24 via the PCMCIA adapter 62. This process occurs each time data is received by the UART 32. Note that the personal computer 2 must retrieve the data from the receive holding register of the UART 32 before the next byte of data has been shifted into the receive shift register because the receive shift register automatically overwrites the receive holding register once it becomes full. One having knowledge of the 16550 UART can readily operate the UART 32 in accordance with the foregoing.
LAN Communications Process Operation The LAN process is initiated when a reset or power-on occurs. Information is read from the flash EEPROM 50 by the microprocessor 38. The microprocessor 38 interprets the information and sets up the SCC 40 and the DMAC 42 to the appropriate settings for communication. The PCMCIA adapter 62 is configured by information in the serial EEPROM 64 upon reset or power-on to retrieve information sent to a particular set of memory addresses. This set of memory addresses corresponds to the memory of the dual port RAM 46 which is "mapped" into the personal computer 2 memory area at the location specified in the PCMCIA adapter 62 configuration. When data is written by the personal computer 2 to the "mapped" area of the dual port RAM 46 via the PCMCIA adapter 62, it can be read by the PCMCIA microprocessor 38 from the dual port RAM 46. Also, when data is written to the dual port RAM 46 by the microprocessor 38, it can be read by the personal computer 2 through the PCMCIA adapter 62 and the PCMCIA port 24. The "mapped" memory area can be changed by modifying the PCMCIA interface circuit 8 configuration in the personal computer 2 through the card services program 16.
LAN Transmission Process A data frame to be transmitted is placed into the "mapped" memory area by the personal computer 2 via the PCMCIA adapter 62. This "mapped" memory area corresponds to the dual port RAM memory 46 on the PCMCIA device 22. When the microprocessor 38 detects, via a control bit in the memory 46, that data has been placed in the dual port RAM 46, it transfers the data frame to the static RAM 52. The microprocessor 38 then activates the DMAC 42, which then transfers the data frame from the static RAM 52 to the SCC 40. The SCC 40 transmits the data frame serially through the bus of the communication channel 44 to the LAN port 28 where it is sent out on the network. The SCC 40 appends the data frame with a CRC checksum for data validation.
LAN Reception Process A data frame is received serially from the port 28 through the bus of the communication channel 44 to the SCC 40 thereof. The microprocessor 38 detects that data is being received and activates the DMAC 42, which transfers the data frame into the static RAM 52. Once the data has been received, the SCC 40 checks the CRC checksum that was appended to the data frame. If the data frame is valid, the microprocessor 38 receives a valid signal from the SCC. If the data is not valid, no valid signal is received by the microprocessor 38 and the data is discarded. Once the data is validated, the microprocessor 38 transfers the data from the static RAM 52 to the dual port RAM 46 where it is then read by the personal computer 2 at the "mapped" memory area. In the particular implementation, reading by the personal computer 2 occurs via a polling process rather than by an interrupt process as used in the aforementioned RS-232 process. Polling occurs by the personal computer causing appropriate addresses to be output through the PCMCIA interface 4 to the address lines of the computer connector 24 to which the memory 46 is connected.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS4637012 *Dec 23, 1985Jan 13, 1987Gte Communication Systems CorporationFlexible duplex dual port serial link controllerUS5183404 *Apr 8, 1992Feb 2, 1993Megahertz CorporationSystems for connection of physical/electrical media connectors to computer communications cardsUS5336099 *Oct 1, 1993Aug 9, 1994Megahertz CorporationMedia connector interface for use with a PCMCIA-architecture communications cardUS5338210 *Mar 31, 1993Aug 16, 1994Megahertz CorporationMedia connector interface for use with a PCMCIA-architecture communications cardUS5359570 *Nov 13, 1992Oct 25, 1994Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.Solid state peripheral storage deviceUS5423086 *Oct 19, 1992Jun 6, 1995Motorola, Inc.Dual port memory communication for a radio frequency device and a personal computer* Cited by examinerNon-Patent CitationsReference1"Run Up to Seven Devices Off One PCMCIA Slot", Windows Sources, p. 48, Oct. 1993.2 *Run Up to Seven Devices Off One PCMCIA Slot , Windows Sources, p. 48, Oct. 1993.* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS5611055 *Sep 27, 1994Mar 11, 1997Novalink TechnologiesMethod and apparatus for implementing a PCMCIA auxiliary port connector for selectively communicating with peripheral devicesUS5615344 *Mar 16, 1995Mar 25, 1997New Media Corp.Apparatus used to interface a peripheral device to a computer employing a reconfigurable interface circuitUS5664198 *Oct 26, 1994Sep 2, 1997Intel CorporationHigh speed access to PC card memory using interruptsUS5687346 *Sep 28, 1995Nov 11, 1997Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaPC card and PC card system with dual port ram and switchable rewritable ROMUS5691926 *Dec 20, 1994Nov 25, 1997Ncr CorporationIntegrated test tools for portable computerUS5748912 *Jun 13, 1995May 5, 1998Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.User-removable central processing unit card for an electrical deviceUS5768615 *Nov 30, 1995Jun 16, 1998Compaq Computer Corp.Method and apparatus for functional expansion through predefined signal interfacesUS5797031 *Aug 26, 1997Aug 18, 1998Systemsoft CorporationMethod and apparatus for peripheral device control by clients in plural memory addressing modesUS5826068 *Jun 7, 1995Oct 20, 1998Adaptec, Inc.Integrated circuit with a serial port having only one pinUS5884102 *May 30, 1997Mar 16, 1999Intel CorporationMethod and apparatus for a configurable means of connection between an embedded processor and a personal computerUS5887198 *Apr 7, 1997Mar 23, 1999The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The NavyProgrammable stand-alone drive apparatus for interfacing a host computer with PCMCIA memory cards having multiple formatsUS5909596 *Jul 11, 1996Jun 1, 1999Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaSelf-configuring PC card with connector capable of using the pin configuration of an attached peripheral to identify the peripheralUS5920708 *Jan 26, 1996Jul 6, 1999Adaptec, Inc.Serial port having only a single terminal for information transfer to and from an integrated circuitUS5978591 *Feb 24, 1998Nov 2, 1999Franklin Electronics Publishers, Inc.Personal information device and method for downloading reprogramming data from a computer to the personal information device via the PCMCIA port or through a docking station with baud rate conversion meansUS5978862 *Aug 8, 1997Nov 2, 1999Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc.PCMCIA card dynamically configured in first mode to program FPGA controlling application specific circuit and in second mode to operate as an I/O deviceUS6003100 *Dec 2, 1997Dec 14, 1999Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.User-removable central processing unit card for an electrical deviceUS6073183 *Feb 25, 1997Jun 6, 2000Intel CorporationTransparent communication with multiple devices over a single serial or parallel port of a computerUS6079623 *Nov 7, 1997Jun 27, 2000Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Ltd.Apparatus for mapping memory PCMCIA cards into I/O window address space to select an internal register and perform read and write operations using an index mechanismUS6202209 *Aug 5, 1999Mar 13, 2001Xircom, Inc.Personal information device and method for downloading reprogramming data from a computer to the personal information device via the PCMCIA port or through a docking station with baud rate conversion meansUS6389029Nov 10, 1998May 14, 2002Nortel Networks LimitedLocal area network incorporating universal serial bus protocolUS6393576Sep 29, 1997May 21, 2002Adaptec, Inc.Apparatus and method for communication between integrated circuit connected to each other by a single lineUS6408333 *Aug 2, 2000Jun 18, 2002Horizon Technologies Inc.System for portable establishing network serverUS6516366May 25, 2000Feb 4, 2003Adaptec, IncorporatedSerial bus for connecting two integrated circuits with storage for input/output signalsUS6546442 *Oct 30, 1995Apr 8, 2003International Business Machines CorporationCommunications adapter having analog and digital interfaces for communications with remote systemsUS6633934Jul 8, 1999Oct 14, 2003Clearcube Technology, Inc.Computer system having reduced cabling requirementsUS6940868Apr 20, 1999Sep 6, 2005Abb Inc.Digital serial communications hubUS7441089Oct 25, 2004Oct 21, 2008Searete LlcPreserving content of serial use devices in view of purgeUS7664898 *Feb 1, 2006Feb 16, 2010BroadcomMethod and system for efficient framing on addressed busesUS7995542 *Mar 18, 1999Aug 9, 2011Gigaset Communications GmbhData adapter or communication devices for the telecommunication of useful data, particularly of packet data and/or voice dataWO2001011467A1 *Nov 16, 1999Feb 15, 2001Paul R BartholomewPersonal information device and method for downloading reprogramming data from a computerWO2001037229A1Nov 17, 2000May 25, 2001Dusty KeashlyElectronic system having variable functions* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification710/305, 710/2, 710/100International ClassificationG06F13/38Cooperative ClassificationG06F13/387European ClassificationG06F13/38A4Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionSep 26, 2000FPExpired due to failure to pay maintenance feeEffective date: 20000716Jul 16, 2000LAPSLapse for failure to pay maintenance feesFeb 8, 2000REMIMaintenance fee reminder mailedDec 12, 1994ASAssignmentOwner name: HALLIBURTON COMPANY, OKLAHOMAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:FLETCHER, J. DOUGLAS;KHEN, ROBERT D.;SLAGLE, MARK L.;REEL/FRAME:007234/0482;SIGNING DATES FROM 19941128 TO 19941205RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google