US 5,999,994 A · Dual path computer control system

Abstract

A computer system having dual paths for controlling a peripheral device electrically associated with a host computer. The peripheral device is electrically connected to the host computer and to an independent control circuit. Control inputs for the peripheral device and data and/or control inputs for the host computer are generated by a keyboard or other input device and transmitted to an input controller which directs certain data and/or control inputs to the host computer for processing and directs certain peripheral device control inputs to a state machine for the generation of peripheral device control signals. In such a manner, the independent control circuit provides for the control of the peripheral device while the host computer may process data unrelated to the control of the peripheral device. In one aspect, control of the peripheral device may be effected by both the host computer and the independent control circuit. Accordingly, in this aspect, the independent control circuit further comprises an arbitrator which resolves any control conflicts that arise between the host computer and the independent control circuit.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A computer system comprising:

a host computer;
an independent control circuit;
a peripheral device having inputs electrically connected to an output of said host computer and to an output of said independent control circuit, respectively;
a single input means for generating control signals to be input to said peripheral device and data and control signals to be input to said host computer;
means having an input connected to an output of said single input means and outputs connected to said independent control circuit and said host computer, respectively, and responsive to receipt of signals from said single input means for directing said peripheral device control signals to said independent control circuit for processing and for directing said host computer data and control signals only to said host computer for processing;
means connected between said independent control circuit and said peripheral device for transmitting control signals produced by said processing of said peripheral device control signals by said independent control circuit to said peripheral device;
and
wherein said independent control circuit is not subject to control by said host computer.

5 more elements

In a computer system which includes a peripheral device and a host computer electrically associated with said peripheral device for the control thereof, a system for controlling said peripheral device independent of and simultaneous with ongoing operations being performed by said host computer, said system comprising:

a computer keyboard for generating data and control signals for said host computer and host-independent control signals for said peripheral device, said computer keyboard having an output for transmitting said generated signals;
a state machine;
an input controller having an input connected to said computer keyboard output, a first output connected to an input of said host computer and a second output connected to an input of said state machine, said input controller directing said host-independent peripheral device control signals to said state machine for processing and directing said host computer data and control signals only to said host computer for processing, wherein said state machine generates timing signals for controlling said peripheral device at said state machine output in response to said host-independent peripheral device control signals received from said input controller;
a multiplexer having a first input connected to an output of said state machine, a second input connected to an output of said host computer, and an output connected to an input of said peripheral device, said multiplexer selectively transmitting signals generated by said state machine or signals generated by said host computer to said peripheral device;
and
wherein said state machine is not subject to control by said host computer.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dual path computer control system

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Dual path computer control system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21