Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Input/output data processing – Input/output access regulation
Utility Patent
1999-11-23
2001-01-02
Follansbee, John A. (Department: 2783)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Input/output data processing
Input/output access regulation
C381S104000
Utility Patent
active
06170024
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a computer control system and, more particularly, to a dual path computer control system for regulating the operation of a peripheral device associated with a computer system.
2. Description of Related Art
Computer users have long recognized the need for controlling peripheral devices associated with a computer system Prior control systems were limited, however, due to certain limitations inherent to computer systems. Computer systems have traditionally been designed as single task systems. In such systems, the computer queues jobs to be performed and processes the queued jobs in the order received. If a higher priority job arises, the computer will suspend operations associated with the current job to process the higher priority job. For this reason, computer system control of peripheral devices was often avoided because, in order to exercise control of the peripheral device, other operations such as data processing had to be suspended This suspension of processing produces lower efficiency in computer processing power and, thus, longer processing time.
Furthermore, computer system control of peripheral devices has typically required software implementation Such software routines most commonly arise in connection with keyboard inputs where an operator programs the computer to accept a single keystroke in substitution for a series of key strokes, which series of key strokes orders the computer to perform a predetermined task The key designated to substitute for this programmed series of steps is often dubbed a “hot key.” Several deficiencies accompany the use of the pre-programmed hot key. The first liability associated with the use of the hot key arises in the step requiring the operator to program the machine to accept the single key stroke as a substitute for the series of key commas. While computers have evolved into an almost essential element of modern society, few users have achieved a level of proficiency that would enable them to draft such a program. The second liability associated with the use of the hot key lies in the fact that the computer must process the program initiated by the hot key rather than process a utility program in use at the time the hot key program was initiated. Initiation of the hot key program, therefore, may cause deterioration of the computer efficiency similar to that associated with suspensions of operations resulting from computer system control of peripheral devices. A third liability associated with use of the hot key program relates to program compatibility. Hot key programs are often referred to as “terminate and stay resident programs” because they are loaded into random access memory (or “RAM”). Problems arise when other, non-compatible, software, is loaded into the machine and interferes with the “terminate and stay resident program” While a hot key created out of hardware may avoid many of these liabilities, thus far, a “hardware hot key” has not been developed.
To avoid these problems, many computer systems provided for the control of peripheral devices through an independent interface. A leading example would be the technique in which audio speakers are incorporated into a computer system Audio speakers are typically utilized to resonate sound signals generated by the computer system. In incorporating an audio speaker into the computer system, manufacturers have either neglected to provide any type of volume control for the audio speaker or have provided a manually operated electro-mechanical volume controller, for example, a potentiometer, which interfaces directly with the audio speaker for the control thereof. However, the use of such electro-mechanical volume controllers tend to increase the cost of the computer system associated therewith since the incorporation of mechanical components into the design of an electronic device tends to increase manufacturing expenses. The use of such volume controllers may also result in reduced efficiency in operating the associated computer system. To operate the volume controller, a computer user must physically discontinue data input or other ongoing activities and manually adjust the volume, thereby suspending or delaying other operations in order to operate the volume controller.
Also, such volume controllers lack feedback signals to indicate to the user that proper volume adjustment has been achieved. For example, the computer system may only activate the audio speaker periodically. If the user adjusts the audio speaker during an inactive period, no feedback will be received until the next activation of the speaker.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment, the present invention is a computer system which includes a host computer, an independent control circuit and a peripheral device electrically connected to the host computer and the independent control circuit. A single input means for generating control inputs for the peripheral device and data and/or control inputs for the host computer is provided. The peripheral device control inputs are directed to the independent control circuit for processing and the data and/or control inputs for the host computer are directed to the host computer for processing. The independent control circuit transmits control signals produced by processing the control inputs to the peripheral device. In one aspect, the host computer generates controls signals for transmission to the peripheral device and, in this aspect, the independent control circuit further comprises an arbitrator for arbitrating between the peripheral device control signals output by the independent control circuit and the peripheral device control signals output by the host computer. In another aspect, the control inputs for the peripheral device and data and/or control inputs for the host computer are directed to the independent control circuit and the host computer, respectively, by an input controller having a first section dedicated to the host computer and a second section dedicated to the independent control circuit. In yet another aspect, the input controller further comprises parallel programmed code which enables the input controller to trap specific programmable key sequences input thereto for transmission to the independent control circuit. In still yet another aspect, the independent control circuit may include a state machine which generates timing signals in response to the receipt of the input signals from the input controller.
In another embodiment, the present invention is a system for controlling a peripheral device independent of and simultaneous with ongoing operations being performed by a host computer electrically associated with the peripheral device. The control system includes a computer keyboard for generating data and/or control signals for the host computer and host-independent control signals for the peripheral device, an input controller for transmitting the data and/or control signals to the host computer and the host-independent control signals to a state machine. The state machine generates timing signals for controlling the peripheral device in response to the input signals received from the input controller. The timing signals are then transmitted to a multiplexer which selectively transmits control signals from the state machine or control signals from the host computer to the peripheral device. In one aspect, the host computer transmits signals to the state machine which indicate that the host computer is controlling the peripheral device. In another aspect, the state machine further includes combinatorial logic circuitry which disables the host-independent control signals when the host computer is controlling the peripheral device. In still another aspect, the system further includes a counter which indicates the level at which the peripheral device is being operated. In yet another aspect, the system further includes a tone generator which generates an audio signal upon the transmission of a control signal to the peripheral device and, in still yet another
Prickett John M.
Wakeland Carl K.
AST Research Inc.
Follansbee John A.
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
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