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:
Nov. 03, 1998
Filed:
Mar. 08, 1996
Ronald J Sullivan, Elgin, IL (US);
Brett W Chaveriat, Arlington Heights, IL (US);
Robert C Suffern, Chicago, IL (US);
Khodor S Elnashar, Dallas, TX (US);
3 Com Corporation, Skokie, IL (US);
Abstract
A processor on an add-on card that arbitrates demand on a memory unit on the add-on card. The processor and memory unit are used for the underlying functionality of the add-on card. The processor determines an appropriate time to allow interface operations to the memory unit when the memory unit is not already being accessed for the underlying functionality of the card. By using the processor and memory unit on the add-on card for interface operations to the host computer, the add-on interface circuitry on the add-on card can be minimized and simplified.