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:
Apr. 04, 2000
Filed:
Jul. 17, 1996
Gene H Olson, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Digi International Inc., Minnetonka, MN (US);
Abstract
A terminal server for providing communication between a host computer and a synchronous, asychronous or parallel communications port across a general purpose network is provided utilizing a unique device driver interface and multiplexing communication protocol. The server communicates data and control commands for multiple ports on a single connection, thereby reducing demands on the network. In addition, genuine TTY devices are made available across the general purpose network which have all the characteristics of local communication ports. The present invention also makes possible access to the ports on the server to multiple host computers located on the network, allowing fair access to shared resources such as modems and printers. Finally, the invention can also be implemented in hardware, further increasing compatibility with existing host computer software and further reducing host computer overhead.