Analog data generating and processing device having a multi-use automatic processor
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. An analog data generating and processing device (ADGPD), comprising:
- an input/output (i/o) port;
a program memory;
a data storage memory;
a processor operatively interfaced with the i/o port, the program memory and the data storage memory;
wherein the processor is adapted to implement a data generation process by which analog data is acquired from each respective analog acquisition channel of a plurality of independent analog acquisition channels, the analog data from each respective channel is digitized, coupled into the processor, and is processed by the processor, and the processed and digitized analog data is stored in the data storage memory as at least one file of digitized analog data;
wherein the processor also is adapted to be involved in an automatic recognition process of a host computer in which, when the i/o port is operatively interfaced with a multi-purpose interface of the host computer, the processor executes at least one instruction set stored in the program memory and thereby causes at least one parameter identifying the analog data generating and processing device, independent of analog data source, as a digital storage device instead of as an analog data generating and processing device to be automatically sent through the i/o port and to the multi-purpose interface of the computer (a) without requiring any end user to load any software onto the computer at any time and (b) without requiring any end user to interact with the computer to set up a file system in the ADGPD at any time, wherein the at least one parameter is consistent with the ADGPD being responsive to commands issued from a customary device driver;
wherein the at least one parameter provides information to the computer about file transfer characteristics of the ADGPD; and
wherein the processor is further adapted to be involved in an automatic file transfer process in which, when the i/o port is operatively interfaced with the multi-purpose interface of the computer, and after the at least one parameter has been sent from the i/o port to the multi-purpose interface of the computer, the processor executes at least one other instruction set stored in the program memory to thereby cause the at least one file of digitized analog data acquired from at least one of the plurality of analog acquisition channels to be transferred to the computer using the customary device driver for the digital storage device while causing the analog data generating and processing device to appear to the computer as if it were the digital storage device without requiring any user-loaded file transfer enabling software to be loaded on or installed in the computer at any time.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An interface device (10) provides fast data communication between a host device with input/output interfaces and a data transmit/receive device, wherein the interface device (10) comprises a processor means (13), a memory means (14), a first connecting device (12) for interfacing the host device with the interface device, and a second connecting device (15) for interfacing the interface device (10) with the data transmit/receive device. The interface device (10) is configured by the processor means (13) and the memory means (14) in such a way that, when receiving an inquiry from the host device via the first connecting device (12) as to the type of a device attached to the host device, regardless of the type of the data transmit/receive device, the interface device sends a signal to the host device via the first connecting device (12) which signals to the host device that it is communicating with an input/output device.
177 Citations
45 Claims
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1. An analog data generating and processing device (ADGPD), comprising:
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an input/output (i/o) port; a program memory; a data storage memory; a processor operatively interfaced with the i/o port, the program memory and the data storage memory; wherein the processor is adapted to implement a data generation process by which analog data is acquired from each respective analog acquisition channel of a plurality of independent analog acquisition channels, the analog data from each respective channel is digitized, coupled into the processor, and is processed by the processor, and the processed and digitized analog data is stored in the data storage memory as at least one file of digitized analog data; wherein the processor also is adapted to be involved in an automatic recognition process of a host computer in which, when the i/o port is operatively interfaced with a multi-purpose interface of the host computer, the processor executes at least one instruction set stored in the program memory and thereby causes at least one parameter identifying the analog data generating and processing device, independent of analog data source, as a digital storage device instead of as an analog data generating and processing device to be automatically sent through the i/o port and to the multi-purpose interface of the computer (a) without requiring any end user to load any software onto the computer at any time and (b) without requiring any end user to interact with the computer to set up a file system in the ADGPD at any time, wherein the at least one parameter is consistent with the ADGPD being responsive to commands issued from a customary device driver; wherein the at least one parameter provides information to the computer about file transfer characteristics of the ADGPD; and wherein the processor is further adapted to be involved in an automatic file transfer process in which, when the i/o port is operatively interfaced with the multi-purpose interface of the computer, and after the at least one parameter has been sent from the i/o port to the multi-purpose interface of the computer, the processor executes at least one other instruction set stored in the program memory to thereby cause the at least one file of digitized analog data acquired from at least one of the plurality of analog acquisition channels to be transferred to the computer using the customary device driver for the digital storage device while causing the analog data generating and processing device to appear to the computer as if it were the digital storage device without requiring any user-loaded file transfer enabling software to be loaded on or installed in the computer at any time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. An analog data generating and processing device (ADGPD) for acquiring analog data and for communicating with a host computer comprising:
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a program, memory; a data storage memory; a digital processor configured to interface to a multi-purpose interface of the host computer, the program memory, and the data storage memory; an analog to digital converter operatively coupled to the digital processor and configured to acquire analog data from each respective analog acquisition channel of a plurality of analog acquisition channels, the analog to digital converter configured to convert the acquired analog data to digitized acquired analog data and to couple the digitized acquired analog data from the plurality of analog acquisition channels into the digital processor for processing by the digital processor; the digital processor configured to automatically generate and transmit to the host computer via the multipurpose interface an identification parameter which identifies the analog data generating and processing device to the host computer as a digital storage device but which is different than an analog data generating and processing device and independent of analog data source, and the processor communicating with the host computer through the multi-purpose interface as if the analog data generating and processing device were the digital storage device including transferring the digitized acquired analog data acquired from at least one of the analog acquisition channels, wherein the identification parameter is consistent with the ADGPD being responsive to commands issued from a customary device driver, using the customary device driver present for a digital storage device in the host computer without requiring the user to load the customary device driver; and wherein the digital processor is configured to transmit to the host computer active commands through the multipurpose interface to access a system bus of the host computer to enable communication directly with other devices of the host computer while bypassing the host computer processor without requiring the user to load enabling software. - View Dependent Claims (40)
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41. An analog data generating and processing device (ADGPD) for acquiring analog data and for communicating with a host computer which includes a manufacturer installed BIOS comprising:
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a program memory; a data storage memory; a digital processor configured to interface to a multi-purpose interface of the host computer, the program memory, and the data storage memory; an analog to digital converter operatively coupled to the digital processor and configured to simultaneously acquire analog data from each respective analog source of a plurality of analog sources on a respective one of a plurality of independent analog acquisition channels, the analog to digital converter configured to convert the acquired analog data to digitized acquired analog data and to couple the digitized acquired analog data into the digital processor for processing by the digital processor; the digital processor configured to automatically generate and transmit to the host computer via the multipurpose interface an identification parameter which identifies the analog data generating and processing device to the host computer as a digital mass storage device but which is different than an analog data generating and processing device and independent of the analog sources, and the processor communicating with the host computer through the multi-purpose interface as if the analog data generating and processing device were the digital mass storage device including transferring the digitized analog data acquired from at least one of the analog sources, wherein the identification parameter is consistent with the ADGPD being responsive to commands issued from a customary device driver, using the customary device driver present in the BIOS of the host computer for the digital mass storage device in the host computer without requiring the user to load the customary device driver. - View Dependent Claims (42)
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43. An analog data generating and processing method for acquiring analog data and for communicating with a host computer comprising:
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operatively interfacing an analog data device including a digital processor, a program memory and a data storage memory, to a multi-purpose interface of the host computer; acquiring analog data on each respective analog acquisition channel of a plurality of independent analog acquisition channels, converting the acquired analog data to digitized acquired analog data, and coupling the digitized acquired analog data into the digital processor for processing by the digital processor; automatically generating and transmitting to the host computer via the multipurpose interface an identification parameter which identifies the analog data generating and processing device to the host computer as a digital storage device but which is different than an analog data device, and independent of analog data source, and the analog data generating and processing device communicating with the host computer through the multi-purpose interface as if the analog data generating and processing device were the digital storage device including transferring the digitized acquired analog data acquired from at least one of the analog acquisition channels, wherein the identification parameter is consistent with the ADGPD being responsive to commands issued from a customary device driver, using the customary device driver present for the customary digital storage device in the host computer without requiring the user to load the device driver. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45)
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Specification