Programmable controller with modular firmware for communication control
Patent 4079452 Issued on March 14, 1978. Estimated Expiration Date: 
March 14, 1995. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
March 14, 1995. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent References 3409880 3810105 3820079 3828325 3842405 InventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 05/696500 filed on 06/15/1976US Classes:710/11Protocol selectionExaminersPrimary: Nusbaum, Mark E.Attorney, Agent or FirmAbstractA programmable controller module (PCM) for operably coupling a plurality of peripheral devices (PDs) of various communication disciplines to a data processor (DP) or to remote PCMs through a serial interface adapter (SIA) or parallel interface adapter (PIA). The PCM is comprised of a special purpose computer having a program of subroutines arranged in memory modules which define and implement specific communication protocols (routines) for different communication disciplines. Each PD connected to a PCM by an SIA or PIA is assigned a channel code and is addressed by channel code. A discipline identification (DID) line is connected from each adapter channel to one of a predetermined number of terminals in the PCM. There is one terminal for each communication discipline for which there is stored in a memory module an appropriate protocol. Each channel has its DID line connected to the appropriate terminal according to the communication discipline of the PD connected to it. When a channel is addressed, its DID is activated. The PCM then scans the terminals to determine which is activated to ascertain the discipline of the device. | |
