The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 21, 1989
Filed:
Dec. 30, 1985
Howard Kazan, Raleigh, NC (US);
Ronald W Kohake, Cary, NC (US);
International Business Machines Corp., Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A multi-protocol communications adapter (MPCA) is used to interconnect a Local Area Network (such as a store computing system) to a communications highway. The MPCA includes a plurality of protocol controllers, each one of the controllers being operable for converting a data stream into a predetermined format. A programmable configuration register is provided for selecting one of the protocol controllers. A controlled interface is provided for gating the selected controller onto the communications highway. The MPCA is packaged as a card or module. It is coupled to a primary computer that controls the Local Area Network. The primary computer may effectuate a protocol change by changing the contents of the configuration register. Thus, the MPCA can be used with a pre-existing primary computer without significantly changing the architecture and/or programming of said computer.