Method and apparatus for ascertaining the status of multiple devices simultaneously over a data bus

In a computer system including a serial data bus, a method comprising steps of:

• (A) transmitting at least one status request message over the data bus to a first plurality of devices coupled to the data bus, wherein the at least one status request message comprises a first message defined according to a protocol associated with the serial data bus;
• and
• (B) receiving over the data bus a status indicator message including a plurality of status indicator bits indicating statuses of the first plurality of devices, wherein the status indicator message comprises a second message defined according to the protocol associated with the data bus.

In a computer system including a data bus, a device comprising:

• means for transmitting at least one status request message over the data bus to a first plurality of devices coupled to the data bus;
• and
• means for receiving over the data bus a status indicator message including a plurality of status indicators indicating statuses of the first plurality of devices.

In a computer system including a serial data bus, a device comprising:

• means for transmitting at least one status request message over the data bus to a first plurality of devices coupled to the data bus, wherein the at least one status request message comprises a first message defined according to a protocol associated with the serial data bus;
• and
• means for receiving over the data bus a status indicator message including a plurality of status indicator bits indicating statuses of the first plurality of devices, wherein the status indicator message comprises a second message defined according to the protocol associated with the data bus.

In a computer system including a data bus, a method comprising steps of:

• (A) receiving at least one status request message over the data bus from a master device;
• and
• (B) transmitting to the master device over the data bus a status indicator message including a plurality of status indicators indicating statuses of a plurality of slave devices coupled to the data bus.

In a computer system including a serial data bus, a method comprising steps of:

• (A) receiving at least one status request message over the data bus from a master device, wherein the at least one status request message comprises a first message defined according to a protocol associated with the serial data bus;
• and
• (B) transmitting to the master device over the data bus a status indicator message including a plurality of status indicator bits indicating statuses of a plurality of slave devices coupled to the data bus, wherein the status indicator message comprises a second message defined according to the protocol associated with the serial data bus.

In a computer system including a data bus, a system comprising:

• means for receiving at least one status request message over the data bus from a master device;
• and
• means for transmitting to the master device over the data bus a status indicator message including a plurality of status indicators indicating statuses of a plurality of slave devices coupled to the data bus.

In a computer system including a serial data bus, a system comprising:

• means for receiving at least one status request message over the data bus from a master device, wherein the at least one status request message comprises a first message defined according to a protocol associated with the serial data bus;
• and
• means for transmitting to the master device over the data bus a status indicator message including a plurality of status indicator bits indicating statuses of a plurality of slave devices coupled to the data bus, wherein the status indicator message comprises a second message defined according to the protocol associated with the serial data bus.