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:
Dec. 02, 1997
Filed:
Jun. 06, 1995
John C Krause, Austin, TX (US);
William J Watson, Austin, TX (US);
David P Sonnier, Austin, TX (US);
Robert W Horst, Saratoga, CA (US);
Tandem Computers Incorporated, Cupertino, CA (US);
Abstract
A data communicating device, having a number of inputs whereat data is received for communication from one of a number of outputs of the device, includes apparatus for selecting one of the inputs based upon a comparison of accumulated bias values that can change over time when an input is kept waiting. Each input is provided an assigned bias value from which is developed the accumulated bias value that is compared with that of other inputs arbitrating for access to an output. The output selects one of the inputs, based upon the comparison, and the accumulated bias value of the selected input is diminished by the sum of the assigned bias values of the inputs participating in the arbitration, but not selected, while the accumulated bias values of the other participants are each increased by their corresponding assigned bias values. Thereby, numbers of inputs having data destined for the same output will have their chance of gaining access to the output increased the longer they wait; conversely, inputs which do gain access have their chances for immediate subsequent access decreased in favor of allowing other inputs access.