Datascape, Inc.

Robert Leslie Wagner

Richard Hiers Wagner

James R Behrens

A method and apparatus for coupling multiple computer peripherals to a computer system through a single I/O port is disclosed. The inventive apparatus includes an interface device having a first connector for coupling to the I/O interface of a computer system, a second connector for coupling a first computer peripheral to the I/O port and a third connector for coupling a second computer peripheral to the I/O port so that both peripherals are simultaneously coupled to the I/O port. Within the housing of the preferred embodiment of the interface device, control and data lines for receiving data associated with the I/O interface are coupled from the first connector to the third connector and control and data lines for transmitting data associated with the I/O interface are coupled from the first connector to the second connector. By separating the transmit and data functions of the I/O interface so they may be routed to separate connectors, computer peripherals of difference types, i.e., input and output, may be simultaneously coupled to the computer terminal. The device of the present invention may also be used to separate data functions having different hardware specifications and protocols supported by an I/O interface.

Method and apparatus for coupling multiple computer peripherals to a computer system through a single I/O port

A serial communication apparatus for directing data from a plurality of data input devices to a single data output device comprising a plurality of serial input connectors, a serial output connector, and logic and driver circuitry. The logic and driver circuitry automatically regulate the conditions under which a data input device transmits data to the data output device. In the illustrated embodiment of four data input devices, when all are idle, any of them may transmit data to the output device. If one data input device attempts to transmit data while the another data input device is transmitting data, then the logic and driver circuitry causes the second input device to pause until the first input device data transmission is complete. If both input devices attempt simultaneous data transmission, the logic and driver circuitry resolves the contest and allows only one data input device to transmit to the output device at a time.

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Rochester, NY, United States of America

Robert Leslie Wagner