Data compression controller

A data compression controller for streaming data transfers between a host system and at least one device, said host system coupled to said controller through a host channel, said data compression controller comprising:

• first buffer means for storing data of first format;
• second buffer means for storing data of second format;
• compression coprocessor coupled to said first buffer means and said second buffer means for converting data between said first format and second format at a determined compression ratio, said compression coprocessor maintaining a compression history corresponding to data of said first and second formats, said compression coprocessor generating a first completion interrupt upon completion;
• input/output (I/O) means coupled to said second buffer means for transferring data of said second format between said device and said second buffer means, said I/O means generating a second interrupt upon completion;
• compression coprocessor interface means coupled to said compression coprocessor for initiating transfer of one of said data of first and second formats into said compression coprocessor, said compression coprocessor interface means also causing the output of said compression coprocessor to be coupled to one of said second and first buffer means, respectively, said compression coprocessor interface means monitoring said compression coprocessor and transferring said first completion interrupt when said compression coprocessor is completed;
• application interface means coupled to said host channel, said application interface means communicating with said host system for loading and unloading said first buffer means and second buffer means, said application interface means monitoring said first buffer means and issuing a third completion interrupt when said first buffer means is filled to a predetermined level, said application interface means also monitoring said second buffer means and issuing a fourth completion interrupt when said second buffer means is filled to a predetermined level;
• I/O interface means for transferring said data of second format between said I/O means and said device, said I/O interface means coupling said I/O means to said device when said second buffer means is filled to said predetermined level, said I/O interface means monitoring said I/O means and transferring said second interrupt;
• processor means for performing multitasking among said compression compressor, said first buffer means, said second buffer means, said host channel and said I/O means responsive to one of said first, second, third, and fourth completion interrupts received, said processor means performing formatting and error checking of data of said second format in said second buffer means;
• and
• program memory means coupled to said processor means and said compression compressor, said program memory storing a predetermined operating system for operating said processor means, said program memory means storing one of a plurality of predetermined device drivers unique to said device coupled to said host system for driving said device.