United States Patent 11 Ashkin et al, 4,875,158 Oct. 17, 1989 {11] Patent Number: (45) Date of Patent: [54] METHOD FOR REQUESTING SERVICE BY A DEVICE WHICH GENERATES A SERVICE REQUEST SIGNAL SUCCESSIVELY UNTIL IT IS SERVICED [75] Inventors: Peter B, Ashkin, Los Gatos; Michael Clark, Glendale, both of Calif. [73] Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc., Cupertino, Calif. [21] Appl. No.: 132,121 [22] Filed: Dec. 14, 1987 Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 765,396, Aug. 14, 1985. [51] Int, CLs... GO6F 13/14; GO6F 13/38 [52] U.S. CL. ... 364/200; 364/222; 364/240.8; 364/241; 364/245; 364/262.3; 364/284.3; 340/825.08; 340/825,52 [58] Field of Search ... 364/200 MS File, 900 MS File; 340/825.06, 825.07, 825.08, 825.5, 825.52 [56] References Cited U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 3,221,307 11/1965 3,646,534 2/1972 3,715,725 2/1973 3,836,888 9/1974 3,863,025 1/1975 3,979,723 9/1976 4,063,220 12/1977 4,071,908 1/1978 Brophy et al. .. (List continued on next page.) FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS 0051425 5/1982 European Pat. Off. . 0104542 4/1984 European Pat. Off. . 59-52331 3/1984 Japan . 1308854 4/1978 United Kingdom . 1518565 7/1978 United Kingdom . 2035636 6/1980 United Kingdom . 2070826 5/1984 United Kingdom . 0143160 6/1985 United Kingdom . 2167274 5/1986 United Kingdom . 0207313 1/1987 United Kingdom . OTHER PUBLICATIONS Hill et al, “Dynamic Device Address Assignment Mechanism”, IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 23, No. 8, Jan. 1981, pp. 3564-3565. Search Report, Dated May 21, 1986, for British Patent Application No. 8607632. Primary Examiner—Raulfe B. Zache Assistant Examiner—Thomas C. Lee Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Blakely, Sokoloff, Taylor & Zafman [57] ABSTRACT A method for requesting service by a device coupled to a host computer through a communication medium. The host computer sets a service request bit of the de- vice to a first logical value to allow the device to pro- duce a service request signal if the device requires ser- vicing. The device determines that it requires servicing and the device sets an internal flag bit to a first logical value to indicate that the device requires servicing. The device monitors a command from the host computer to see if the command is addressed to the device. If the command is not addressed to the device and if the ser- vice request bit is set to a first logical value, then the device generates a service request signal on the medium after the command by holding the communication me- dium low for a first period of time. If the command is addressed to the device, if the device determines that the command is not a command that services the device, and if the service request bit is set to the first logical value, then the device generates a service request signal on the medium after the command by holding the me- dium low for the first period of time and performs the command. If the command is addressed to the device, if the device determines that the command is not a com- mand that ser…

United States Patent 115 Ashkin et al. {11] Patent Number: 4,910,655 [45] Date of Patent: Mar. 20, 1990 [54] (75] (73] [21] (22] (51) [52] [58] [56] APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING SIGNALS AND DATA UNDER THE CONTROL OF A HOST COMPUTER Inventors: Peter B. Ashkin, Los Gatos; Michael Clark, Glendale, both of Calif. Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc., Cupertino, Calif. Appl. No.: 765,396 Filed: Ang. 14, 1985 Int. CL.*+ GO6F 13/42; GO6F 13/14 WS. CD. eeeccctesestsesserseeneeseeenes 364/200; 364/222.2; 364/242. 64/260.1; 364/261.2; 364/284.3; 371/57.2; 340/825.07; 340/825.52 Field of Search ... 364/200 MS File, 900 MS File, 364/514; 371/22, 57; 340/825.50, 825.52, 825.51, 825.53, 825.07, 825.06; 370/85, 94; 375/55 References Cited U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 3,221,307 11/1965 Manning . 364/200 360/40 . 364/200 370/67 - 364/200 375/55 3,646,534 2/1972 Miller 3,715,725 2/1973 Kievit . 3,787,627 1/1974 Abramson et 3,836,888 9/1974 Boenke et al. .. 3,863,025 1/1975 Gonsewski et al. 3,979,723 9/1976 Hughes et al. . 4,063,220 12/1977 Metcalfe et al. 340/825.5 4,071,908 1/1978 Brophy et al. . 364/900 4,345,250 8/1982 Jacobsthal 371/57 4,360,870 11/1982 McVey 4,373,181 2/1983 Chisholm . 364/900 - 340/825.52 - 364/200 - 340/825.08 4,628,478 12/1986 Henderson, Jr. ...... 4,638,313 1/1987 Sherwood, Jr. et al. 4,660,141 4/1987 4,667,193 5/1987 4,675,813 6/1987 364/200 4,677,613 6/1987 . 370/85 4,701,878 10/1987 Gunket et al. . 364/900 4,710,893 12/1987 McCutchean et al. 364/900 4,716,410 12/1987 Nozaki .... 340/825.52 4,760,553 7/1988 Buckley et al 4,773,005 9/1988 Sullivan .. 4,775,931 10/1988 Dickie et al. FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS 0051425 8/1982 European Pat. Off. . 0104545 4/1984 European Pat. Off. . 59-52331 3/1984 Japan . 1508854 4/1978 United Kingdom . 1518565 7/1978 United Kingdom . 2035636 6/1980 United Kingdom . 2070826 5/1984 United Kingdom . OTHER PUBLICATIONS Hill et al, “Dynamic Device Address Assignment Mechanism”, IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 23, No. 8, Jan. 1981, pp. 3564-3565. Primary Examiner—Thomas C. Lee Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Blakely, Sokoloff, Taylor & Zafman [57] ABSTRACT A communications medium for transmitting data be- tween a plurality of peripheral devices and a host com- puter. Only one device may talk on the bus at a time and only in response to a command from the host. When a peripheral device needs to be serviced, it sends out a 4,442,502 4/1984 Friend et al. 364/900 4,498,169 2/1985 Rozmus .... 340/825.5 service request signal by holding the bus low after any 4,562,535 12/1985 Vincent et al . 364/200 command signal. The device continues to request ser- 4,568,930 2/1986 Livingston et al. 340/825.52 vice until it receives a talk command from the host 4,570,220 2/1986 Tetrick et al. . 364/200 computer. When more than one device are the same 5ge.063 ¥ 1986 Shah et al. 364/200 type (for example, two mice) are coupled to the bus, the Weer eio8e pang ot a i 330/875 08 host computer assigns new addresses to the d…

United States Patent 15 [11] Patent Number: 4,918,598 Ashkin et al. [45] Date of Patent: Apr. 17, 1990 [54] METHOD FOR SELECTIVELY ACTIVATING 4,628,478 12/1986 Henderson, Jr. ... sso 364/900 AND DEACTIVATING DEVICES HAVING 4,638,313 1/1987 Sherwood, Jr. et al. ...... 340/825.52 AME FIRS AND DIFFERENT 4,660,141 4/1987 Ceccon et al. 364/200 SA TENDED ADDReSSs D 4,667,193 5/1987 Cotie et al. 40/825.08 : , 4,675,813 6/1987 Locke ...... 364/200 [75] Inventors: Peter B. Ashkin, Los Gatos; Michael 4,677,613 6/1987 Salmond et . 370/85 ; Clark, Glendale, both of Calif. 4,680,583 7/1987 Grover ... 340/825.52 [73] Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc., Cupertino, 4,701,878 10/1987 Gunkel et al. 364/900 Calif. 4,710,893 12/1987 McCutcheon et al 364/900 [21] Appl. No.: 132,124 4,716,410 12/1987 Nozaki . 340/825.52 led. 4,727,475 2/1988 Kiremidjian .. 364/200 [22] Filed: Dec. 14, 1987 4,760,553 7/1988 Buckley et al 364/900 icati 4,773,005 9/1988 Sullivan ... 364/200 Related U.S. Application Data 4,775,931 10/1988 Dickie et al. 364/200 [62] Division of Ser. No. 765,396, Aug. 14, 1985, Pat. No. 4,910,655. FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS (51] | Int. Ci.* GOGF 13/42 0051425 5/1982 European Pat. Off. . [52] U.S. Cl. . 364/200; 364/229.2; 0104545 4/1984 European Pat. Off. . 364/240.8; 364/261; 364/284.3; 340/825.03; 59-52331 3/1984 Japan . 340/825.52 1508854 4/1978 United Kingdom . [58] Field of Search ... 364/200 MS File, 900 MS File, 1518565 7/1978 United Kingdom . . 02, 03, .07, nite ingdom . 364/137, 138, 514; 340/ i ° 8s “a eve 2070826 5/1984 United Kingdom . woe 0143160 6/1985 United Kingdom . [56] References Cited 2167274 5/1986 United Kingdom . U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 0207313 1/1987 United Kingdom . 3,221,307 11/1965 Manning . . 364/200 OTHER PUBLICATIONS 3,646,534 2/1972 Miller . +. 360/40 3,715,725 2/1973 Kievit et al. 340/825.07 X 3,787,627 1/1974 Abramson et al ss» 370/67 3,836,888 9/1974 Boenke et al. . 364/200 3,863,025 1/1975 Gonsewski et al. 375/55 3,979,723 9/1976 Hughes et al. .. 370/31 4,063,220 12/1972 Metcalfe et al. 340/825.5 4,071,908 1/1978 Brophy et al }40/825.02 4,345,250 8/1982 Jacobsthal 340/825.5 4,360,870 11/1982 McVey ... 364/200 4,373,181 2/1983 Chisholm et al. 64/200 4,442,502 4/1984 Friend et al. 364/900 4,498,169 2/1985 Rozmus .. 370/85 4,562,535 12/1985 Vincent et al. 364/200 4,568,930 2/1986 Livingston et al. 340/825.5 4,570,220 2/1986 Tetrick et al. 364/200 4,589,063 5/1986 Shah et al. 364/200 4,595,921 6/1986 Wang et al. 340/825.08 4,608,559 8/1986 Friedman et al. 340/825.5 4,608,689 8/1986 Sato ...... 371/15 4,611,274 9/1986 Machino et al. 364/200 4,620,278 10/1986 Ellsworth et al 364/200 4,626,846 12/1986 Parker et al. .... Hili et al., “Dynamic Device Address Assignment Mechanism,” IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 23, No. 8, Jan. 1981, pp. 3564-65. Search Report, dated May 21, 1986, for British Patent Application No. 8607632. Primary Examiner—Thomas C. Lee Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Blakely, Sokoloff, Taylor & cia A method …

° United States Patent [19] [11] Patent Number: 4,912,627 Ashkin et al. [45] Date of Patent: Mar. 27, 1990 [54] METHOD FOR STORING A SECOND 0104545 4/1984 European Pat. Off. . NUMBER AS A COMMAND ADDRESS OF A 59-52331 3/1984 Japan . FIRST PERIPHERAL DEVICE AND A THIRD - 1508854 4/1978 United Kingdom . NUMBER AS A COMMAND ADDRESS OF A Moheeee lose uted Kingdom - SECOND PERIPHERAL DEVICE 2035636 6/1980 United Kingdom . 2070826 5/1984 United Kingdom . a 4 . 0143160 6/1985 United Kingdom . [75] Inventors: Gant Glenda Gatos: Michael 2167274 5/1986 United Kingdom . ? . 0207313 1/1987 United Kingdom . [73] Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc., Cupertino, OTHER PUBLICATIONS ; Hill et al., “Dynamic Device Address Assignment [21] Appl. No.: 132,123 Mechanism”, IBM TDB vol. 23, No. 8, Jan. 1981, pp. [22] Filed: Dec, 14, 1987 3564-3565. 7 Search Report, dated May 21, 1986, for British Patent Related U.S. Application Data Application No. 8607632. sotct Primary Examiner—Thomas C. Le: 62] Di . No. 765,396, Aug. 14, 1985. ry © [62] ivision of Ser. No ue 9 Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Blakely, Sokoloff, Taylor & [51] Int. C14 GO6F 13/42 Zafman [52] U.S. Cl. 364/200; 364/229.2; 364/240.8; 364/261; 364/284.3; 340/825.52 [57] ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search ... 364/200 MS File, 900 MS File, 4 method for transferring data on a communication 364/514; 340/825.08, 825.07, 825.50, 825.52, medium between a host computer and a plurality of 825.22; 370/85 peripheral devices coupled to the medium at a plurality [56] References Cited of first address locations, including first and second U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 3,221,307 11/1965 3,646,534 3,715,725 3,787,627 3,836,888 3,863,025 3,979,723 4,063,220 12/1977 4,071,908 4,345,250 4,360,870 4,373,181 4,442,502 4,498,169. 4,562,535" 12/1985 4,568,930 Manning et al. . Miller ........ Kievit et al. .. Abramson et Boenke et al. Gonsewski et al. . Hughes et al. ... Metcalfe et al. .. Brophy et al. Jacobsthal McVey ...... Chisholm et al. Friend et al. Rozumus .. Vincent et al. Livingston et al. 2/1972 2/1973 1/1974 9/1974 1/1975 9/1976 1/1978 8/1982 11/1982 2/1983 4/1984 2/1985 2/1986 (List continued on next page.) 364/200 - 360/40 364/900 - 370/67 364/200 « 375/55 - 370/88 X 340/825.5 .-. 364/900 340/825.5 364/200 364/200 364/900. - 370/85 364/200 340/825.5 FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS 0051425 5/1982 European Pat. Off. . ‘STO SENDING SET COLLISION tare Wective Tue AS SET cOLLisiON unre 73" peripheral devices at a one of the first address locations. The host computer transmits a plurality of first signals to the one of the first address locations requesting any peripheral devices at the one of the first address loca- tions to transmit data to the host computer. The first peripheral device senses the medium to determine if the medium is currently in use. The second peripheral de- vice senses the medium to determine if the medium is currently in use. The first peripheral device transmit data to the host computer when the medium is not in use.…