Programmable P/C compatible communications card
Patent 4807282 Issued on February 21, 1989. Estimated Expiration Date: 
February 21, 2006. 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.
February 21, 2006. 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 ReferencesProgrammable controller with modular firmware for communication control Patent #: 4079452 InventorsApplicationNo. 06/814436 filed on 12/30/1985US Classes:379/284, With processor375/222Modems (data sets)ExaminersPrimary: Shaw, Gareth D.Assistant: Mills, John G. Attorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassG06F 13/38 (20060101)AbstractA multi-protocol communications adapter (MPCA) is used to interconnect a Local Area Network (such as a store computing system) to a communications highway. The MPCA includes a plurality of protocol controllers, each one of the controllers being operable for converting a data stream into a predetermined format. A programmable configuration register is provided for selecting one of the protocol controllers. A controlled interface is provided for gating the selected controller onto the communications highway. The MPCA is packaged as a card or module. It is coupled to a primary computer that controls the Local Area Network. The primary computer may effectuate a protocol change by changing the contents of the configuration register. Thus, the MPCA can be used with a pre-existing primary computer without significantly changing the architecture and/or programming of said computer. | |
