Distributed control of devices using discrete device interfaces over single shared input/output

A non-transitory program storage device readable by a computer, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the computer to perform method steps for controlling a device, the method steps comprising:

• using a plurality of virtual device interfaces for a device, wherein each virtual device interface enables client control of a discrete function of the device;
• controlling concurrent communication between the device and two or more virtual device interfaces operating on a single shared I/O connection using a device input/output (I/O) interface, wherein the instructions for controlling concurrent communication comprise instructions for:
• placing messages in separate client queues associated with each client operating a virtual device interface;
• moving messages from the client queues and placing the messages into a timeline in order of time and priority;
• periodically determining a priority of messages in the timeline;
• detecting if potential timing collisions exist for message transmission;
• and
• providing collision notification to the virtual device interfaces.

A system, comprising:

• a hardware component configured to interface with a plurality of virtual devices and a target device to concurrently control communications over a single connection between two or more of the virtual devices and the device, wherein the concurrent communications comprises the steps of:
• placing messages in separate queues associated with each client operated virtual device interface;
• moving messages from the client queues and placing the messages into a timeline in order of time and priority;
• periodically determining a priority of messages in the timeline;
• detecting if potential timing collisions exist for message transmission;
• and
• providing collision notification to the virtual device interfaces.