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US3710324A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Data processing system
Assignee: Digital Equipment Corp
•
Filing: 1970-04-01
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Granted: 1973-01-09
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Expires: 1990-04-01
Abstract
Abstract A data processing system with improved data transfer capabilities. All units in the system, including a random access memory unit, are connected in parallel. Data is transferred between any two units asynchronously with respect to a processor unit which normally controls the system. Other units can obtain system control by making a request which is honored if it has sufficient priority. Transfers requiring processor unit operation are made after an instruction is processed and may divert the processor unit to an interruption routine. Other transfers can be made whenever another unit in the system is not making a transfer. System control is returned to the processor unit or another peripheral unit when the data transfer is completed. If an interruption routine is to be executed, control is returned to the processor directly. Data transfers are controlled by synchronization signals from the controlling peripheral unit and the other unit involved in the transfer.
Inventors
- 👤 Farland H Mc
- 👤 J Young
- 👤 J Cohen
- 👤 P Janson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 19:46
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/46; G06F9/48; G06F9/4806; G06F9/4812; G06F13/00; G06F13/14; G06F13/20; G06F13/24; G06F13/36; G06F13/368; G06F13/37; G06F13/38; G06F13/42; G06F13/4204; G06F13/4208; G06F13/4213; G06F9/44; G06F9/448; G06F9/4482; G06F9/4484
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
322 words
A data processing system including a processor unit normally controlling the system for processing information including data and instructions and a plurality of other units each having means for transmitting or receiving information, said other units including a random access memory unit for storing information and at least one peripheral unit including means for generating a system control request signal when it is ready to transfer information, said system comprising: A. a bus for connecting said processor unit and each of said other units in parallel, said processor and peripheral units each having a relative priority in the system, B. priority means responsive to a system control request signal on said bus for selecting a requesting peripheral unit according to its priority and for enabling said selected peripheral unit to couple signals onto said bus, C. means in each peripheral unit for indicating an interval during which the peripheral unit can transfer data, each indicating means being enabled when its corresponding peripheral unit is selected by said priority means, D. means in each peripheral unit responsive to said indicating means for generating a busy signal onto said bus for transmission to said priority means and all peripheral units connected to said bus, said means in the selected peripheral unit generating the busy signal upon assuming control of said bus thereby indicating that the selected peripheral unit controls said bus, E. means in each peripheral unit responsive to said indicating means for disabling said busy signal generating means at the end of the interval, each disabling means being operable when its corresponding peripheral unit is selected by said priority means, and F. means in each peripheral unit for coupling signals onto said bus and to identify another unit in the system to thereby enable the selected peripheral unit to transfer information to or from that other unit, each coupling means being operable when its corresponding peripheral unit is selected by said priority means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
322 words
A data processing system including a processor unit normally controlling the system for processing information including data and instructions and a plurality of other units each having means for transmitting or receiving information, said other units including a random access memory unit for storing information and at least one peripheral unit including means for generating a system control request signal when it is ready to transfer information, said system comprising: A. a bus for connecting said processor unit and each of said other units in parallel, said processor and peripheral units each having a relative priority in the system, B. priority means responsive to a system control request signal on said bus for selecting a requesting peripheral unit according to its priority and for enabling said selected peripheral unit to couple signals onto said bus, C. means in each peripheral unit for indicating an interval during which the peripheral unit can transfer data, each indicating means being enabled when its corresponding peripheral unit is selected by said priority means, D. means in each peripheral unit responsive to said indicating means for generating a busy signal onto said bus for transmission to said priority means and all peripheral units connected to said bus, said means in the selected peripheral unit generating the busy signal upon assuming control of said bus thereby indicating that the selected peripheral unit controls said bus, E. means in each peripheral unit responsive to said indicating means for disabling said busy signal generating means at the end of the interval, each disabling means being operable when its corresponding peripheral unit is selected by said priority means, and F. means in each peripheral unit for coupling signals onto said bus and to identify another unit in the system to thereby enable the selected peripheral unit to transfer information to or from that other unit, each coupling means being operable when its corresponding peripheral unit is selected by said priority means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
A data processing system as recited in claim 1 wherein said bus includes control, address and data signal paths, said control and address signal paths being connected to each unit in said system, said system additionally comprising means in each unit responsive to signals on said address and control signal paths for selectively enabling itself to couple signals onto or from said data signal path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
means for generating control signals for coupling said bus data signal path to said addressed unit to effect the information transfer,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
means for generating control signals for coupling said bus data signal path to said addressed unit to effect the information transfer,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
means for generating control signals onto said control signal path including a delayed master synchronization signal, and
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
means for generating control signals onto said control signal path including a delayed master synchronization signal, and
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
means for generating control signals onto said control signal path including a delayed master synchronization signal, and
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
means for generating control signals onto said control signal path including a delayed master synchronization signal, and
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
means for generating control signals onto said control signal path including a delayed master synchronization signal, and B. said second unit comprising means responsive to said master synchronization signal for generating a slave synchronization signal and transferring information signals onto said data path, and C. said first unit additionally comprising means responsive to said slave synchronization signal for inhibiting the address and control signals, said second unit thereafter deactivating said information and slave synchronization signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
75 words
means for generating control signals onto said control signal path including a delayed master synchronization signal, and B. said second unit comprising means responsive to said master synchronization signal for generating a slave synchronization signal and transferring information signals onto said data path, and C. said first unit additionally comprising means responsive to said slave synchronization signal for inhibiting the address and control signals, said second unit thereafter deactivating said information and slave synchronization signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
75 words
means for generating control signals onto said control signal paths including a delayed master synchronization signal, and B. said second unit comprising means responsive to said master synchronization signal for generating a slave synchronization signal and transferring information signals onto said data path, and C. said first unit additionally comprising means responsive to said slave synchronization signal for inhibiting the address and control signals, said second unit thereafter deactivating said information and slave synchronization signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
75 words
means for generating control signals onto said control signal paths including a delayed master synchronization signal, and B. said second unit comprising means responsive to said master synchronization signal for generating a slave synchronization signal and transferring information signals onto said data path, and C. said first unit additionally comprising means responsive to said slave synchronization signal for inhibiting the address and control signals, said second unit thereafter deactivating said information and slave synchronization signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
70 words
means for transferring information signals onto the data signal path, B. said second unit comprising means responsive to the master synchronization signal for generating a slave synchronization signal and transferring information signals into said second unit from said data path, and C. said first unit comprising means responsive to said slave synchronization signal for inhibiting the address control and information signals, said second until thereafter deactivating said slave synchronization signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
70 words
means for transferring information signals onto the data signal path, B. said second unit comprising means responsive to the master synchronization signal for generating a slave synchronization signal and transferring information signals into said second unit from said data path, and C. said first unit comprising means responsive to said slave synchronization signal for inhibiting the address control and information signals, said second until thereafter deactivating said slave synchronization signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
71 words
means for transferring information signals onto the data signal path, B. said second unit comprising means responsive to said master synchronization signal for generating a slave synchronization signal and transferring informaTion signals into said second unit from said data path, and C. said first unit additionally comprising means responsive to said slave synchronization signal for inhibiting the address, control and information signals, said second unit thereafter deactivating said slave synchronization signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
71 words
means for transferring information signals onto the data signal path, B. said second unit comprising means responsive to said master synchronization signal for generating a slave synchronization signal and transferring informaTion signals into said second unit from said data path, and C. said first unit additionally comprising means responsive to said slave synchronization signal for inhibiting the address, control and information signals, said second unit thereafter deactivating said slave synchronization signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
said terminating means terminating the busy signal when said peripheral unit completes an information word transfer, and B. means in said processor unit responsive to a busy signal termination for causing said processor unit to assert a busy signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
said terminating means terminating the busy signal when said peripheral unit completes an information word transfer, and B. means in said processor unit responsive to a busy signal termination for causing said processor unit to assert a busy signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
75 words
A data processing system as recited in claim 2 wherein: A. said priority means is responsive to the availability of said bus for a transfer and the priority of the request signal for thereafter selecting a peripheral unit in response to a request signal and the relative peripheral priority, and B. said indicating means includes means responsive to a busy signal termination on said bus for enabling said selected peripheraL unit to assume system control.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
68 words
A data processing system as recited in claim 3 wherein said processor unit can have one of a plurality of priorities, said priority means additionally comprising: A. means for storing the current operating priority of the system, and B. a comparison unit for comparing the request signal priority with the current operating priority and for generating a selection signal when the request priority exceeds the current operating priority.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
95 words
A data processing system as recited in claim 4 wherein each peripheral unit additionally comprises: A. means responsive to the selection signal from said priority means for selecting itself when it has generated a system control request signal, B. means responsive to the coincidence of the selection signal and the request signal for transmitting an acknowledgement signal to said priority means, and C. said indicating means being responsive to the coincidence of the request signal and selection signal for selecting another unit to initiate a transfer of information to or from said selected peripheral unit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
60 words
A data processing system as recited in claim 5 wherein: A. said priority means includes means for disabling itself in response to the acknowledgement signal, and B. said processor unit is responsive to the acknowledgement signal and to the completion of a preceding transfer for terminating its busy signal and thereby enabling the selected peripheral unit to assume system control.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
108 words
A data processing system as recited in claim 6 wherein at least one of said peripheral units is adapted for transferring an information word independently of said processor unit after given information transfers to or from said processor unit, each independently operable peripheral unit comprising: A. means for generating a first request signal having the highest system priority to said priority unit, B. said priority means being responsive to the first request signal and a given transfer over said bus for transferring system control to said independently operable peripheral unit on the completion of the given transfer to enable said independently operable peripheral unit to transfer the information.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
A data processing system as recited in claim 7 wherein: A. said independently operable peripheral unit comprises:
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
79 words
A data processing system as recited in claim 6 wherein: A. at least one of said peripheral units is adapted to generate a second request signal having a predetermined priority level, and B. said priority unit includes means responsive an information transfer for an instruction executed by said processor unit for selecting a peripheral unit for control when it has made a control request, said selected peripheral unit assuming control after the instruction is executed by said processor unit.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
94 words
A data processing system as recited in claim 9 wherein: A. each peripheral unit includes means for energizing said address and control paths and means responsive to signals on said control and address signal paths for transferring data, said selected peripheral unit asserting its busy signal upon assuming system control and terminating the busy signal after the data transfer is finished, and B. said processor unit includes means responsive to the termination of the busy signal from said selected peripheral unit for enabling another peripheral unit or said processor unit to assume system control.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
66 words
A data processing system as recited in claim 9 wherein each peripheral unit includes: A. means for energizing said address, control and data paths, and B. means responsive to peripheral unit conditions requiring an interruption routine for generating an interrupting signal onto said control signal path and a memory unit address onto said data path for transfer to said processor unit to interrupt processor unit operations.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
81 words
A data processing system as recited in claim 11 additionally comprising: A. means in said processor unit responsive to the interruption signal and the memory address on said control and data signal paths, respectively, for transmitting an acknowledgement signal to said peripheral units when said processor unit finishes processing its current instruction, and B. means in each peripheral unit responding to the acknowledgement signal by terminating the busy signal, when generated, and enabling the processor unit to obtain immediate system control.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
149 words
A data processing system as recited in claim 9 wherein each of the second request signals has one of a plurality of priorities, a given request signal identifying a group of peripheral units having the same given priority, said data processing systems additionally comprising: A. means in said priority unit for generating a selection signal for each group of peripheral units with the same priority level, a control path being energized by the selection signals, B. means in each peripheral unit connected for serially coupling the selection signal through all peripheral units in its group adapted to make requests at the associated priority level, and C. means in each peripheral unit responsive to coincidence of request and selection signals for inhibiting the selection signal whereby each peripheral unit having a given priority level is further arranged into sub-priorities by its relative series position with respect to said priority unit.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
75 words
A data processing system as recited in claim 6 additionally comprising: A. means in each peripheral unit responsive to said indicating means and said processor unit for generating a master synchronization signal to effect an information transfer over said bus, and B. means in each unit responsive to a master synchronization signal and selection for transmitting a slave synchronization signal to acknowledge the data transfer, said terminating means being responsive to said slave synchronization signal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
A data processing system as recited in claim 6 wherein information is transferred as signals under the control of a first unit in said system from a second unit, A. said first unit comprising:
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
A data processing system as recited in claim 6 wherein information is transferred as signals under the control of a first unit in said system to a second unit, A. said first unit comprising:
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
288 words
A data handling system including a plurality of units, each having means for transmitting or receiving information, at least one of said units being a peripheral unit including means for generating a system control request signal when it is ready to transfer information, said system comprising: A. a bus for connecting each of said units in parallel, each unit having a relative priority in the system, B. priority means responsive to a system control request signal on said bus for selecting a requesting peripheral unit according to its priority and for enabling said selected peripheral unit to couple signals onto said bus, C. means in each peripheral unit for indicating an interval during which the peripheral unit can transfer data, each indicating means being enabled when its corresponding peripheral unit is selected by said priority means, D. means in each peripheral unit responsive to said indicating means for generating a busy signal onto said bus for transmission to said priority means and all peripheral units connected to said bus, said means in a selected peripheral unit generating the busy signal upon assuming control of the bus thereby indicating that the selected peripheral unit controls said bus, E. means in each peripheral unit responsive to said indicating means for disabling said busy signal generating means at the end of the interval, each disabling means being operable when its corresponding peripheral unit is selected by said priority means, and F. means in each peripheral unit for coupling signals onto said bus to identify another unit in the system to thereby enable the selected peripheral unit to transfer information to or from that other unit, each coupling means being operable when its corresponding peripheral unit is selected by said priority means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
288 words
A data handling system including a plurality of units, each having means for transmitting or receiving information, at least one of said units being a peripheral unit including means for generating a system control request signal when it is ready to transfer information, said system comprising: A. a bus for connecting each of said units in parallel, each unit having a relative priority in the system, B. priority means responsive to a system control request signal on said bus for selecting a requesting peripheral unit according to its priority and for enabling said selected peripheral unit to couple signals onto said bus, C. means in each peripheral unit for indicating an interval during which the peripheral unit can transfer data, each indicating means being enabled when its corresponding peripheral unit is selected by said priority means, D. means in each peripheral unit responsive to said indicating means for generating a busy signal onto said bus for transmission to said priority means and all peripheral units connected to said bus, said means in a selected peripheral unit generating the busy signal upon assuming control of the bus thereby indicating that the selected peripheral unit controls said bus, E. means in each peripheral unit responsive to said indicating means for disabling said busy signal generating means at the end of the interval, each disabling means being operable when its corresponding peripheral unit is selected by said priority means, and F. means in each peripheral unit for coupling signals onto said bus to identify another unit in the system to thereby enable the selected peripheral unit to transfer information to or from that other unit, each coupling means being operable when its corresponding peripheral unit is selected by said priority means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
65 words
A data handling system as recited in claim 17 wherein said bus includes control, address and data signal paths, said control and address signal paths being connected to each unit in said system, said system additionally comprising means in each unit responsive to signals on said addressing and control signal paths for selectively enabling itself to couple signals onto or from said data signal path.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
75 words
A data handling system as recited in claim 18 wherein: A. said priority means is responsive to the availability of said bus for a transfer and the priority of the request signal for thereafter selecting a peripheral unit in response to a request signal and the relative peripheral priority, and B. said indicating means includes means responsive to a busy signal termination on said bus for enabling said selected peripheral unit to assume system control.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
95 words
A data handling system as recited in claim 19 wherein each peripheral unit additionally comprises: A. means responsive to the selection signal from said priority means for selecting itself when it has generated a system control request signal, B. means responsive to the coincidence of the selection signal and the request signal for transmitting an acknowledgement signal to said priority means, and C. said indicating means being responsive to the coincidence of the request signal and selection signal for selecting another unit to initiate a transfer of information to or from said selected peripheral unit.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
64 words
A data handling system as recited in claim 20 wherein: A. said priority means includes means for disabling itself in response to the acknowledgement signal, and B. each of said peripheral units includes means responsive to the acknowledgement signal and to the completion of a preceding data transfer for terminating its busy signal and thereby enabliNg the selected peripheral unit to assume system control.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
64 words
A data handling system as recited in claim 21 wherein: A. each of said peripheral units comprises means for generating a request signal, and B. said priority means is responsive to the request signal and the absence of data on said bus for transferring system control to a peripheral unit which has generated a request signal to enable said peripheral unit to transfer information.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
68 words
A data handling system as recited in claim 22 wherein each peripheral unit comprises: A. means for addressing one of said other units in said system, and B. means for generating control signals for coupling said bus data path signal path to said addressed unit to effect the information transfer, C. said terminating means terminating the busy signal when said indicating means completes an information word transfer interval.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
108 words
A data handling system as recited in claim 23 wherein at least two peripheral units, arranged in a predetermined priority with respect to each other, generate their respective request signals onto the same control path, said data handling system additionally comprising: A. means in said priority unit for generating a selection signal onto another control path, B. means in each peripheral unit connected for coupling the selection signal through successive peripheral units in the order of their priority, and C. means in each peripheral unit responsive to the coincidence of request and selection signals for inhibiting the selection signal whereby each peripheral unit is selected in its priority.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
72 words
A data handling system as recited in claim 21 additionally comprising: A. means in each peripheral unit responsive to said indicating means for generating a master synchronization signal to effect an information transfer over said bus, and B. means in each unit responsive to a master synchronization signal and its selection for transmitting a slave synchronization signal to acknowledge the data transfer, said terminating means being responsive to said slave synchronization signal.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
35 words
A data handling system as recited in claim 21 wherein information is transferred as signals under the control of a first peripheral unit in said system from a second unit, A. said first unit comprising:
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
35 words
A data handling system as recited in claim 21 wherein information is transferred as signals under the control of a first peripheral unit in said system to a second unit, A. said first unit comprising:
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |