United States Patent U9]
Cohen et al.
[54] MODULATOR DATA/CONTROL EQUIPMENT
[75] Inventors: Yitzak Cohen, Yahud; Rafael Brody, Ganei-Tikva; Tzvika Magril; Dan Eshet, both of Netanya, all of Israel
[73] Assignee: Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg, HI.
[21] Appl. No.: 308,475
[22] Filed: Sep. 19,1994
Related U.S. Application Data
[63] Continuation of Ser. No. 174,582, Dec. 28, 1993, abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 907,493, Jul. 1, 1992, abandoned.
[30] Foreign Application Priority Data
Jul. 6, 1991 [GB] United Kingdom 9114660
[51] Int. CI.6 G06F 13/36
[52] U.S. CI 395/733; 395/868; 364/DIG. 1;
364/229; 364/229.2; 364/230.1; 364/232.7;
364/240; 364/241.2; 364/241.3
[58] Field of Search 395/725, 275,
395/733, 868, 856
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 4,080,649 3/1978 Calle et al 395/725
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US005535396A
[ii] Patent Number: 5,535,396 [45] Date of Patent: Jul. 9, 1996
4,172,284 10/1979 Heinrich et al 395/725
4,438,189 3/1984 Heinrich et al 395/725
5,099,414 3/1992 Cole et al 395/200
5,146,597 9/1992 Williams 395/725
5,163,152 11/1992 Okamoto 395/725
5,212,796 5/1993 Allison 395/725
5,218,703 6/1993 Fleck et al 395/725
5,257,383 10/1993 Lamb 395/725
Primary Examiner—Ayaz R. Sheikh
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Wayne J. Egan
[57] ABSTRACT
Modular equipment for data acquisition/control of a system comprises a central unit (CPU Board), a plurality of input/ output modules and a bus coupled therebetween. The central unit has successive approximation generator means (2) for generating a plurality of unique system addresses. The plurality of input/output modules each acquire information from/administering control of said system, and each of said plurality of input/outout modules is located at one of said unique addresses. The bus comprises an interrupt control line (IRQ) for requesting an interrupt service, whereon one or more of said plurality of modules periodically places an interrupt service request. Identifcation means, responsive to said successive approximation generator means (2), identifies an address of a module from which an interrupt service request emanated.
15 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
