Computer Automation, Inc.

Phillip A Kaufman

Jerry R Washburn

George C Henry

Victor A Wagner, Jr

Roy Blacksher

Paul A Stapinski

Donald W Goodrich

Kenneth C Gorman

Michael L Saccomano

An improved distributed input/output system is disclosed for controlling numerous high speed peripheral devices (both low speed, medium speed, and high speed) and the transfer of data signals, status signals, and control signals between those devices and a general purpose digital computer. The control system described includes a direct-memory-access multiplexer which can accommodate a plurality of low or medium-speed input/output services and also high-speed input/output devices under the control of separate programmable microcoded peripheral-unit controllers. The direct-memory-access multiplexer of this invention is fully compatible with controllers that can also be used with an indirect-memory access multiplexer. Each controller, being an element of a distributed system, is adapted to be located at an individual peripheral device and each is connected to the multiplexer by an identical ribbon cable. The direct-memory-access multiplexer employs a microengine, that is, a microcoded processor, and an arithmetic logic circuit to simulate operations of a computer's central processor unit. The peripheral-unit controllers may be configured somewhat differently depending upon whether the peripheral device utilizes data signals in a parallel format or in a series format. Data is transferred directly between a computer memory unit and the periperhal devices without requiring the use of any computer working registers, without requiring subroutines to store data and status signals of an ongoing main program that is temporarily halted and without involving operations of the central processor unit. Each peripheral-device controller can issue interrupt signals which are processed on a priority basis when they occur simultaneously.

Distributed input/output controller system

A special broadcast communication link is provided between a central processing unit and plural computer peripheral devices, the communication link being in addition to normal data and addressing communication lines, and providing a distributed control channel which is used to inhibit selected classes of interrupt signals from controllers associated with the peripheral devices in accordance with an interrupt classification system. This communication channel permits the central processing unit to issue a data command which selectively inhibits the peripheral devices from issuing selected classes of interrupt signals.

Remote distributed interrupt control for computer peripherals

The input/output system for a computer of this invention permits a peripheral device and its associated peripheral processor to be connected either (a) directly to the central processor unit of the computer, or (b) to a remote hardware peripheral control device which permits the central processor unit to directly control the peripheral processor, or (c) to a remote input/output controller which controls the peripheral processor independently of the central processor unit of the computer. The input/output system of this invention permits the use of the same software set stored in memory to control the input/output operations of a selected peripheral device regardless of where the peripheral device is connected.

Integrated and distributed input/output system for a computer

A distributed input/output system is disclosed for controlling numerous peripheral devices and the transfer of data signals and control signals between those devices and a general purpose digital computer. The control system described includes a multiplexer which can accommodate as many as eight input/output devices under the control of separate programmable microcoded peripheral-unit controllers. Each controller is adapted to be located at or on an individual peripheral device and each is connected to the multiplexer by an identical ribbon cable that is employed to carry both signals and power. Each controller employs a substantially identical microengine, that is, a microcoded processor, currently of five integrated circuit chips. The peripheral-unit controllers may be configured somewhat differently depending upon whether the peripheral device utilizes data signals in parallel or in series. Data may be transferred directly between a computer memory unit and the peripheral devices without requiring the use of any computer working registers and without requiring subroutines to preserve an ongoing main program. Each peripheral-device controller can issue interrupt signals which are processed by the computer on a priority basis when they occur simultaneously. Some microengines employ two sets of programmed microcodes and each set is selectable by a switch, such as a wire jumper, for controlling either of two different kinds of devices.

A distributed input/output system is disclosed for controlling numerous peripheral devices and the transfer of data signals and control signals between those devices and a general purpose digital computer. The control system described includes a multiplexer which can accommodate as many as eight input/output devices under the control of separate programmable microcoded peripheral-unit controllers. Each controller is adapted to be located at or on an individual peripheral device and each is connected to the multiplexer by an identical ribbon cable that is employed to cary both signals and power. Each controller employs a substantially identical microengine, that is, a microcoded processor, currently of five integrated circuit chips. The peripheral-unit controllers may be configured somewhat differently depending upon whether the peripheral device utilizes data signals in parallel or in series. Data may be transferred directly between a computer memory unit and the peripheral devices without requiring the use of any computer working registers and without requiring subroutines to preserve an ongoing main program. Each peripheral-device controller can issue interrupt signals which are processed by the computer on a priority basis when they occur simultaneously. Some microengines employ two sets of programmed microcodes and each set is selectable by a switch, such as a wire jumper, for controlling either of two different kinds of devices. The multiplexer of this invention includes circuits for forcing the truth value of a selected data signal to a predetermined level and for recognizing a particular data term for terminating data transfer operations. These capabilities are especially useful for data signals that include a parity bit and for data signals that represent an alphanumeric character.

Multiplexer for a distributed input/out controller system

A modular minicomputer is provided which is assembled from a central processor unit module and a plurality of memory modules. Small calculators on the memory modules are so interlocked that when the computer is powered up, memory address boundaries are calculated automatically. As a result, the bank of memory modules appears to the central processing unit the same as a single large memory unit.

Growing community of inventors

Irvine, CA, United States of America

Phillip A Kaufman