Electronic equipment communications system and repeater

A repeater comprising:

• a) a plurality of control terminal connectors to which control terminals are connected,
• b) a plurality of external storage device connectors adapted to correspond to said plurality of control terminal connectors and to which external storage devices are connected, and
• c) a system connection terminal adapted for connection to electronic equipment and that permits communication between connected control terminals and connected external storage devices with said electronic equipment,
• d) wherein communication between said plurality of control terminal connectors through a control terminal communication system and said electronic equipment occurs independent of communication between said plurality of external storage devices through an external storage device communication system and said electronic equipment, and
• e) wherein control signals output from said electronic equipment are input to said repeater via said external storage device communications system.

Electronic equipment comprising:

• a) a control terminal connector to which a control terminal is connected,
• b) an external storage device connector to which an external storage device is connected, and
• c) a repeater to which is connected a plurality of control terminals and a plurality of external storage devices,
• d) wherein said repeater is controlled based on a control signal output from said electronic equipment or from said external storage device connector.

A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions for causing a computer control system to manage communications between said computer control system and a repeater control system where a plurality of control terminals and a plurality of external storage devices may be connected to said repeater control system, the communications is managed by performing the steps of:

• a) signaling from said computer control system a data transmission start notification;
• b) signaling from said repeater control system a consent to begin transmission;
• c) providing a synchronizing clock signal for synchronizing transmission and reception of data;
• d) transmitting data to said repeater control system, said data including identification codes for identifying an object of control and commands for performing control of said the object of control;
• and
• e) transmitting response data to said computer control system, said response data including identification codes for identifying an object of control and results of control on said object of control, wherein
• f) the object of control comprises at least one of said repeater control system, said plurality of control terminals and/or said plurality of external storage devices.

A method for managing communications between a computer control system and a repeater control system, said repeater control system having a plurality of slots for connecting control terminals and external storage devices, comprising the steps of:

• a) signaling from said computer control system a data transmission start notification;
• b) signaling from said repeater control system a consent to begin transmission;
• c) providing a synchronizing clock signal for synchronizing transmission and reception of data;
• d) transmitting data to said repeater control system, said data including identification codes for identifying an object of control and commands for performing control of said the object of control;
• and
• e) transmitting response data to said computer control system, said response data including identification codes for identifying an object of control and results of control on said object of control, wherein
• f) the object of control comprises at least one of said repeater control system, said plurality of control terminals and/or said plurality of external storage devices.