WO1989001202A1 - Processeur de communications pour ordinateur personnel - Google Patents

Processeur de communications pour ordinateur personnel Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1989001202A1
WO1989001202A1 PCT/US1988/002449 US8802449W WO8901202A1 WO 1989001202 A1 WO1989001202 A1 WO 1989001202A1 US 8802449 W US8802449 W US 8802449W WO 8901202 A1 WO8901202 A1 WO 8901202A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
computer
personal computer
printed circuit
connector
circuit board
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1988/002449
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
William W. Face
Richard G. Barnich
Original Assignee
Face Technologies, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Face Technologies, Inc. filed Critical Face Technologies, Inc.
Publication of WO1989001202A1 publication Critical patent/WO1989001202A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F13/00—Interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units
    • G06F13/38—Information transfer, e.g. on bus
    • G06F13/40—Bus structure
    • G06F13/4063—Device-to-bus coupling
    • G06F13/409—Mechanical coupling
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F13/00—Interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units
    • G06F13/10—Program control for peripheral devices
    • G06F13/12—Program control for peripheral devices using hardware independent of the central processor, e.g. channel or peripheral processor
    • G06F13/124—Program control for peripheral devices using hardware independent of the central processor, e.g. channel or peripheral processor where hardware is a sequential transfer control unit, e.g. microprocessor, peripheral processor or state-machine

Definitions

  • This invention relates to electronic digital computers of the personal computer type and more particularly to a microcomputer formed on a single board adapted to act as an input/output communication processor for a personal computer and to connect to that personal computer through the computer's data and address bus.
  • the mother board includes female connectors of the type adapted to receive edge connectors formed on printed circuit boards, termed the "system expansion slot,” which are electrically interconnected to the address and data bus of the personal computer.
  • the system expansion slot and associated mechanical elements within the housing for the personal computer, the personal computer may be expanded by adding printed circuit boards containing specialized electronic circuits so that they interconnect directly with the personal computer.
  • Personal computers are used for two broad purposes: self-contained processing of data, including text, and communication with remote data sources and sinks. Some personal computers are dedicated solely to self-contained processing activities such accounting functions or as word processing using text introduced by a keyboard or magnetic disks, and require no communication with remote stations. Other personal computers are used for communications such as electronic mail terminals, data collection devices, terminals for remote computers or data bases, and the like. Often a personal computer will be dedicated to one of these tasks but in other situations such dedication is not economical and it is preferable for a personal computer to perform a variety of mixed local processing and communication tasks often on an overlapping time basis.
  • the present invention is accordingly directed to an attachment for a personal computer that enables the computer to receive and transfer files automatically, while at the same time performing other local processing tasks.
  • the attachment has its own power source so that files can be transferred even while power to the personal computer is turned off.
  • the preferred embodiment of the invention takes the form of a printed circuit board configured to be insertable into a system expansion slot of the personal computer.
  • the board supports, and circuit lines imprinted on the board interconnect, electronic components forming a microcomputer. These include an integrated circuit microprocessor chip, semiconductor dynamic random access memory, and semi-conductor read only memory encoded with an operating system program for the communications processor.
  • the card also supports a line powered power supply connected to a line cord through an end connector on the board.
  • a battery on the board provides back-up power for the memory in the event of line power failure.
  • At least two and preferably three input/output ports are provided on the communications processor board.
  • One connects the communications processor computer to the address/data bus of the host personal computer via an edge connector formed on the board which plugs into the system expansion slot of the host computer.
  • the second input/output port connects the communication processor to the outside world via an end connector on the board.
  • the end connection may be used to couple the communications processor to the telephone system or networks via a modem, or may provide a direct wired connection to other data sources and/or sinks.
  • a third input/output port may alternatively be formed on the communications processor board and provided to another end connector. Under the control of appropriate signals from the host computer the communication processor can switch this auxiliary input/output port directly to the data/address bus of the host.
  • the communication processor acts under the control of the host computer.
  • Application programs for the communication processor are preferably stored on diskettes or the like useful with the mass memory of the host personal computer and are loaded into the random access memory of the communication processor. These programs allow any program, file or document stored in the personal computer to be transferred to the RAM memory of the communications processor. Commands entered via the host keyboard can cause these files to be transmitted automatically or at a preprogrammed later time even if the personal computer is performing other processing tasks at that time or is de-energized.
  • the communication processor may also be placed in a stand-by mode by appropriate commands from the personal computer wherein files can be received from external data sources at any time, independent of the status of the personal computer at that time. The received files may be tften transferred to the host.
  • the communications processor generates signals which are provided to the personal computer host indicated its memory capacity, files received, or operation condition.
  • FIGURE 1 is a schematic drawing of a communications processor formed in accordance with the present invention and of a host personal computer interconnected to the processor;
  • FIGURE 2 is a partial perspective view of a printed circuit board containing a communications processor of the present invention, interconnected in a system expansion slot of a host personal computer.
  • the preferred embodiment of the invention takes the form of a communication processor, generally indicated at 10 in Figure 1, used in connection with a personal computer, generally indicated at 12 in Figure 1.
  • the communications processor 10 is formed on a printed circuit board 14, illustrated in Figure 2 as being interconnected in a system expansion slot of the personal computer 12, the pertinent section of which, in the vicinity of the system expansion slot, is generally indicated at 16 in Figure 2.
  • the personal computer 12 has a conventional electronic architecture of the Von Neumann variety. It employs a central processing unit 18 taking the form of an integrated circuit microprocessor.
  • a random access memory 20 is conventionally formed by integrated circuit chips.
  • An electronically programmed read only memory 22 permanently encodes pertinent portions of the operating system for the personal computer 12.
  • the operator control signals for the system as well as data input may be provided by a keyboard 26.
  • An input/output port (I/O port) 32 enables communication with external devices via a connector 34.
  • address/data bus 36 which also provides means for connecting various options and peripheral subsystems to the personal computer.
  • the physical arrangement of the components of the personal computer 12 is preferably of the type made popular by the IBM PC series. A pertinent portion of the physical arrangement of this type of system as illustrated in Figure 2.
  • the electronic components or connectors for them are physically supported on a large printed circuit board 38, termed the mother board. These components include a number of female connectors 40 which make electrical connection to the address/data bus 36 of the personal computer.
  • the connectors 40 are used to electrically interconnect and mechanically support optional electronic subsystems to be added to the basic personal computer such as the communication processor 14 of the present invention.
  • the connectors are adapted to receive male edge connectors 42 formed on one long edge of the rectangular printed circuit cards such as 14, to be interconnected to the system.
  • edge connectors When the edge connectors are inserted in the system expansion slot connectors 40 of the personal computer, one of the short ends of their cards extend along holes formed in the rear panel 44 of the personal computer housing so that electrical connectors formed on that edge of the printed circuit board are accessible from the rear of the personal computer.
  • the components of the communication processor 10 include the integrated circuit microprocessor CPU 46, a dynamic random access memory, 48, preferably providing 256 K words, and an electronically programmable read only memory 50 encoded with pertinent portions of the operating system for the communications processor. These electronic subsystems are interconnected by an address/data bus 52.
  • An independent power supply 54 for the communications processor is provided on the printed circuit board 14.
  • the power supply derives electrical power from an AC line via a line cord 56 which may be connected to the system through an end connector on the board 14.
  • the board also supports a memory back-up battery 58, preferably of a rechargable variety such as a nickel cadmium battery.
  • the battery 58 is capable of supplying operating power to the communication processor for short periods of time and to protect the memory for a longer period, such as eight hours. Circuitry on the board automatically switches in the battery back-up when the communications processor is turned on by appropriate control signals introduced from the personal computer and no power is received via the line cord 56.
  • the communication processor 10 includes a first I/O circuit 60 electrically connected via the edge connector 42 to the socket 40 of the personal computer bus 36 and to the bus 52.
  • a second I/O circuit 62 connects to the bus 52 of the communication processor and to an electrical connector 64 formed on the rear edge of the printed circuit card 14. This port is adapted to be connected to remote communication sources and sinks, such as other computers, process sensors and the like, via appropriate communication links.
  • a modem 66 which may be used to connect the system to a phone line or other broad band network is illustrated in Figure 1. In other embodiments of the invention the modem could be formed as part of the communication processor on the printed circuit board 14.
  • the communication processor preferably includes a third I/O circuit 68, joined to a connector 70 formed on the rear edge of the printed circuit card 14. This third I/O port could be used to provide communications directly to and from the personal computer 12. Appropriate control signals provided to the communication processor switch the port 68 to the personal computer bus 36 via the communication processor bus 52.
  • application programs for the communication processor 10 are provided to the personal computer through the mass memory 24, preferably in the form of signals on diskettes.
  • the personal computer stores ortionf of these programs in its RAM 20 and loads other portions of these programs into the RAM 48 of the communication processor.
  • These preferably include a file management program and an automatic file transfer program.
  • the file management program assigns file numbers, dates and times whenever files are stored in the memory of the communication processor. It also coordinates the routine housekeeping of erasing files and allocating memory.
  • the automatic file transfer program handles all the transfers of files in and out of memory. It also supplies the communication protocol between the input/output port 62 and the modem 66.
  • a file stored in the personal computer on the mass memory 24 or the RAM 20 can be transferred to the RAM 48 of the communication processor.
  • Appropriate control signals will enable either the immediate transmission of that file to a remote receiver via the input/output port 62, or, alternatively, such transmission at a later time encoded in the control signals.
  • the time can be selected to synchronize the transmission with the availability of a receiver, or to obtain low-cost data transmission rates available at off hours.
  • Commands from the keyboard 26 can also place the communication processer 10 in a stand-by mode in which the processor is ready to receive files from remote data sources automatically, independently of whether the personal computer is being used for other purposes or is even de-energized. Once a file is received, a file number is assigned along with the time and date received. If the available memory space is too small for the received file the communication processor 10 will reject the file but will record the attempted communication in its memory.
  • the communication processor enables an associated personal computer to perform a plurality of tasks simultaneously at a substantially lower cost than would be required to provide two independent personal computers.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Computer And Data Communications (AREA)

Abstract

Un micro-ordinateur est adapté pour être utilisé comme un processeur de communications (10) pour un ordinateur personnel (12). Le processeur de communications (10) comprend au moins deux points d'accès I/O, l'un pour introduction dans un connecteur à fente de l'ordinateur personnel (60) et l'autre pour être accessible à des connecteurs externes (62). Le processeur de communications (10) possède une alimentation de puissance électrique (54) et une alimentation de puissance par batterie de réserve ou sauvegarde (58). Le processeur de communications (10) peut recevoir des communications de sources éloignées et transmettre des communications à des sources éloignées pendant que l'ordinateur personnel (12) est utilisé à d'autres fins. Les messages reçus sont stockés dans la mémoire à accès sélectif (48) (RAM) du processeur de communications (10) et sont déchargés dans l'ordinateur personnel (12) à l'aide de son clavier (26) selon la convenance de l'opérateur. Les messages à transmettre peuvent également être chargés dans la RAM (48) du processeur de communication à partir de l'ordinateur personnel (12) ainsi que des instructions à transmettre à tout moment approprié, l'ordinateur personnel (12) pouvant se trouver soit mis sous tension soit dans un autre état d'utilisation.
PCT/US1988/002449 1987-07-23 1988-07-20 Processeur de communications pour ordinateur personnel WO1989001202A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US7694587A 1987-07-23 1987-07-23
US076,945 1987-07-23

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1989001202A1 true WO1989001202A1 (fr) 1989-02-09

Family

ID=22135142

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1988/002449 WO1989001202A1 (fr) 1987-07-23 1988-07-20 Processeur de communications pour ordinateur personnel

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2253888A (fr)
WO (1) WO1989001202A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2248128A (en) * 1990-09-10 1992-03-25 Online Computing Ltd A single board computer
EP0578386A2 (fr) * 1992-06-17 1994-01-12 Texas Instruments Incorporated Méthode, appareil et protocole de connexion hiérarchique
FR2695790A1 (fr) * 1992-09-16 1994-03-18 Jerome Jacky Procédé de liaison de cartes électroniques.
EP0821505A1 (fr) * 1996-07-25 1998-01-28 Hewlett-Packard Company Dispositif assurant une connexion entre des appareils rattachés à différentes interfaces du dispositif

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4575793A (en) * 1983-08-19 1986-03-11 Cxi, Inc. Personal-computer to 3270 system interfacing apparatus
US4641262A (en) * 1983-03-07 1987-02-03 International Business Machines Corporation Personal computer attachment for host system display station
US4683550A (en) * 1984-07-30 1987-07-28 Burr-Brown Corporation Personal computer instrumentation system including carrier board having bus-oriented plug-in instrumentation modules
US4748656A (en) * 1986-03-21 1988-05-31 American Telephone And Telegraph Company Personal computer--as an interface between a telephone station set and a business communication system

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4641262A (en) * 1983-03-07 1987-02-03 International Business Machines Corporation Personal computer attachment for host system display station
US4575793A (en) * 1983-08-19 1986-03-11 Cxi, Inc. Personal-computer to 3270 system interfacing apparatus
US4683550A (en) * 1984-07-30 1987-07-28 Burr-Brown Corporation Personal computer instrumentation system including carrier board having bus-oriented plug-in instrumentation modules
US4748656A (en) * 1986-03-21 1988-05-31 American Telephone And Telegraph Company Personal computer--as an interface between a telephone station set and a business communication system

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
KAYPRO CORPORATION, KAYPRO Professional Computer User'S Guide, published May 1986, see chapter 13, pages 2 to 10. *

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2248128A (en) * 1990-09-10 1992-03-25 Online Computing Ltd A single board computer
EP0578386A2 (fr) * 1992-06-17 1994-01-12 Texas Instruments Incorporated Méthode, appareil et protocole de connexion hiérarchique
EP0578386A3 (fr) * 1992-06-17 1994-03-09 Texas Instruments Inc
FR2695790A1 (fr) * 1992-09-16 1994-03-18 Jerome Jacky Procédé de liaison de cartes électroniques.
EP0821505A1 (fr) * 1996-07-25 1998-01-28 Hewlett-Packard Company Dispositif assurant une connexion entre des appareils rattachés à différentes interfaces du dispositif
US6098138A (en) * 1996-07-25 2000-08-01 Hewlett-Packard Company Apparatus providing connectivity between devices attached to different interfaces of the apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2253888A (en) 1989-03-01

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