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AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsCharles Edward Kuhlmann, Francis Edward Noel JR., Ann Marie Rincon, Rosemary Venema Slager, Norman Clark Strole
Estimating the term…
An interface connection is described for joining a host device, such as a Network Processor, to peripherals such as modems, printers, local area networks, Ethernets and Token-Ring interfaces. The connection is particularly useful for joining portable computers, such as laptops, to these peripherals. The connector utilizes a programmable Network Processor (NP) either in the host device or in an external fan-out box. This programmable Network Processor adapts the host device to a variety of peripheral devices utilizing different protocols and I/O speeds. The NP can use a Digital Signal Processor to provide programmable services to the physical layers. The host device may contain a high-speed communication interface with the NP contained in the external connection box.
A computer system comprising an electronic device and one or more peripherals associated with the device, a universal interface joining the device to each peripheral and a programmable Network Processor (NP) for handling the I/O between the device and each peripheral, the NP further including a Media Access Control (MAC) function for each peripheral interface.
A method for establishing an information link between a computer and an external unit, comprising:
A universal interface connection for joining a plurality of peripherals to a portable computer, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.