Multi-layered interface for interconnecting application programs to system bus lines for electronic devices

An apparatus for interfacing application programs with a plurality of hardware devices within an electronic device, the apparatus comprising:

• a lower level module for providing point-to-point communications between and with the plurality of hardware devices, the lower level module further including a plurality of independent modules, each of the plurality of independent modules able to interface to a particular hardware device;
• an upper level module for providing software communication protocols between application programs and application program interfaces of the electronic device, the upper level module further including a plurality of independent modules, each of the plurality of independent modules able to interface with a particular application program, each of the independent modules including:
• a plurality of system procedures responsive to at least one input
• parameter for generating a protocol frame containing source and destination addresses and the at least one input parameter;
• a router for routing protocol frames between the upper level module and the lower level module, between respective ones of the of plurality of independent modules in the lower level module and between respective ones of the plurality of independent modules of the upper level module, the router further able to convert between protocols to enable routing of data between the upper level module and the lower level module.

An apparatus for interfacing application programs with a plurality of hardware devices within an electronic device, the apparatus comprising:

• a lower level module for providing point-to-point communications between and with the plurality of hardware devices, the lower level module further including a plurality of independent modules, each of the plurality of independent modules able to interface to a particular hardware device;
• an upper level module for providing software communication protocols between application programs and application program interfaces of the electronic device, the upper level module further including a plurality of independent modules, each of the plurality of independent modules able to interface with a particular application program, each of the independent modules including:
• a plurality of system procedures responsive to at least one input parameter for generating a protocol frame containing source and destination addresses and the at least one input parameter;
• a router for routing data between the upper level module and the lower level module, between the plurality of independent modules in the lower level module and between the plurality of independent modules of the upper level module, the router further able to convert between protocols to enable routing of data between the upper level module and the lower level module;
• and
• wherein the upper level module includes a second plurality of independent modules and wherein the router is configured to route data from a first module in the first plurality of independent modules and a second module in the second plurality of independent modules and to route data from a third module in the second plurality of independent modules and a fourth module in the second plurality of independent modules.