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:
Jan. 16, 1996
Filed:
Jan. 08, 1990
Craig S Hyatt, Pewaukee, WI (US);
Gary A Turek, Menomonee Falls, WI (US);
Richard J Molus, Sr, Greenfield, WI (US);
Emmanuel G Hostria, Mukwonago, WI (US);
Allen-Bradley Company, Inc., Milwaukee, WI (US);
Abstract
A module interfaces a programmable controller to several serial communication networks over which data may be exchanged according to different protocols. A module has a central controller and a separate port circuit for each of the networks. Each port circuit includes a microprocessor and a shared memory to which both the central controller and the port microprocessor have access for the exchange of data. The central controller transfers data from the shared memories to a module output coupled to other components of the programmable controller. A removable memory cartridge stores a plurality of programs for execution by the port microprocessors to exchange data over the networks using different communication protocols. Configuration data is stored in the module defining which program is to be transferred from the memory cartridge into the shared memory of each port circuit. Protocol parameter configuration inquiries are stored for each program so that the user can be queried to select values for the parameters of the communication protocol used by the program.