`
`U.S. UTILITY Patent Application
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`PATENTa
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`_ APPLNUM
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`[10219105|
`[APPLICANTS:
`
`| Get 16
`Tasler Michael’
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`EXAMINER
`
`1AROQ E/N
`
`| “CONTINUING DATA VERIFIED:
`
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`“CLAIMS ALLOWED
`TotalClaims
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`: DISCLAMER WARNING: The information disclosed hereinmayberestricted.may be restricted.
`i ‘Unauthorized disclosure. may be prohibited by the United States CodeTitle 35,
`‘ ections.122, 181.and 368,Possessionoutside the U.S. Patent & Trademark
`ficeis restricted toauthorizedemployees and contractors only.
`FILEDWITH:
`~ Cyoskecrr) eo.(ROM
`oe
`Be _ (AttachedIn pocket-en right:insid
`
`
`
`** FOREIGN APPLICATIONS VERIFIE Dy
`GERMANY ig70875s.8 03/04/1997
`
`yes O no.
`Payes O no
`
`\TTORNEY DOCKET NO
`
`paarai
`[PG-PUE[DONOT PUBLISH LI
`Foreign oriciy claimed
`35 USC 119 conditions met
`13189.129D1 (. 150)
`Verified ancl
`cknowledyed Examiners’sintials
`exibleinterface for communication between a host and an“analog 1/0 device confiectedtothe
`nteriace regardlesd the type of the I/O device
`
`gqim
`“Hoaral|
`Assistant Examiner
`
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`|
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`oe " AREVRAEMTERARTINPE cokes Boy
`
`
`
`ZTE (USA) 1002, Page 1
`
`ZTE (USA) 1002, Page 1
`
`
`
`.
`PATENT APPLICATION SERIAL No._/O/
`
`—
`"
`. eo
`“2 LG 105
`
`U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`PATENT AND TRADEMARK. OFFICE
`FEE RECORD SHEET
`
`ON/19/2008 WASFAWL
`
`00000035 501848
`
`10219105
`
`O. Flveot
`
`370.00 CH
`
`PTO-1556
`(5/87)
`
`*U.S, Govamment Printing Office: 2001 — 481-697/59173
`
`ZTE (USA) 1002, Page 2
`
`ZTE (USA) 1002, Page 2
`
`
`
`
`
`“i
`rank
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMER CIs
`ORS =mS
`AdkessCOMMISSIONER POR PATENTS
`\,
`2 aS J
`United States Patant and Trademark Office
`ren
`o.
`4
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`P.O. Box 1480
`FFE
`Alexandria, Vingumn 224-1180
`ews] HOY
`CONFIRMATION NO. 6042
`
`~P
`
`CONEY ATOETC
`
`B:b Data Sheet
`neiattttmmo
`
`
`
`FILING DATE
`
`08/15/2002
`
`RULE
`
`CLASS
`710
`
`
`GROUPART UNIT
`DockerNo
`2182
`13189.129D1 (.150)
`/
`
`
`:
`
`|
`
`SERIAL NUMBER
`10/219,105
`
`D1G
`
`ou
`
`“HAP PLICANTS
`
`Micheel Tasler, Wuerzburg, GERMANY;
`
`sie ae CONTINUING DATA FOI IRI OINIIOIGIOI In I IO
`
`This application is a DIV of 09/331 ,002 06/14/1999 PAT 6,470,399
`
`* FOREIGN APPLICATIONS **tttyttettseresess
`GERMANY 19708755.8 03/04/1997
`EUROPEAN PATENT OFFICE (EPO) PCT/EP98/01187 03/03/1998
`
`IF REQUIRED, FOREIGN FILING LICENSE GRANTED “* SMALL ENTITY **
`Linsancier
`aus
`Foreign Friority claimed
`C] yos (al no
`
`
`
`
`35 USC 119 (a-s) conettions Eyes Cl ng Cl Met atte STATE OR|SHEETS TOTAL |INDEPEND=NT
`
`
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`-
`met
`Allowance
`
`
`.
`__
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`COUNTRY
`DRAWING
`CLAIMS
`CLAIMS
`\Verified and
`
`Initials
`GERMANY
`18
`Examiner's Signature
`2
`3
`Acknowledged
`pelea
`waste
`nz aR
`n Akaba
`PiCPNAACR
`
`
`3
`
`=
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`"
`
`ADDRESS
`22862
`GLENN PATENT GROUP
`8475 EDISON WAY, SUITE L
`MENLO PARK , CA
`;
`94025
`ecmSERED21SETAAOATAAASGAAOOAHOGBGALEA8RANGAChi:ScNCRACOIEAAMSGMoWe
`
`
`
` FITLE
`
`FLEXIBLE INTERFACE FOR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A HOSTAND AN ANALOG |/O DEVICE
`CONNECTED TO THE INTERFACE REGARDLESS THE TYPE OF THE I/O DEVICE
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`|No.
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`http://reo:8000/Prex Servlet/PrexAction
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`4/14/05
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`ZTE (USA) 1002, Page 3
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`
`
`UTILITY
`_
`
`
`i
`PATENT APPLICATION |
`Michael Tasler
`Flexible Interface For Communication Between A Host And An Analag
`
`TRANSMITTAL
`/O Device Connected To The interface Regardiess The Type Of Os —
`VO Device
`!
`
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`— = I
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`(On(Only for naw nonprovisional applications under 37 C.F.R. 1.53/b))
`Express Mail Label No.
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`
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`—— PLICATION ELEMENTS
`Assistant Commissionerfor Patents Oren = 6
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`7 wi
`3
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`
`
`AP ADDRESS TO:_Box Patent Application" >¢ = |
`See MPEP chapter 600 concerningutilitypatent application contents.
`Washington, DC 20231
`RS
`s
`Fee Transmittal Form (e.g., PTO/SB/17)
`1.)
`7, .] CD-ROM or CD-Rin duplicate, largetable or
`ot:
`:
`(Submit an original and a duplicate for fae orocassing)
`Computer Program (Appendix)
`22)
`Applicant claims small entity status.
`8. Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Submission
`See 37 CFR1.27.
`(if applicabie, all necessary}
`3.)
`Specification
`[Total Pages La ]
`a. {_] Computer Readable Form (CRF)
`
`_
`
`.
`
`13.B]
`14. KX]
`
`15.)
`
`
`
`b. Specification Sequence Listing on:
`(preferred arrangementset forth below}
`i. () CD-ROM or GD-R(2 copies); or
`- Descriptive title of the Invention
`ii. C1 paper
`- Cross Reference to Related Applicatioris
`. Statement Regarding Fed sponsored R & D
`c. L] Staternents verifying identity of above copies
`- Refarence to sequencelisting, a table,
`
`ACCOMPANYING APPLICATIONS PARTS
`or a computer program listing appendix
`
`- Background of the Invention
`
`~ Brief Summary of the Invention
`Assignment Papers (cover sheet & documentis))
`40. [J
`37 C.F.R.§3.73(b) Statement
`CL] Powerof
`- Brief Description of the Drawings{ if filed)
`
`~ Detailed Description
`(when there is an assignee)
`Attorney
`- Claim(s)
`- Abstract of the Disclosure
`41.)—English Translation Document(if applicable}
`4, iad
`Drawing(s) (35 U.S.C. 113)
`[Total Sheets[2_|
`
`12.)
`Information Disclosure
`LJ Copies of IDS
`Statement (IDSYPTO-1449
`Citations
`5. Oath or Declaration
`{Total Pages [s_| ]
`
`Preliminary Amendment(9 pages}
`a.
`[] Newlyexecuted (original or copy)
`
`Return Receipt Postcard (MPEP 503)
`b. Bd Copyfroma prior application (37 CFR 1.63 (d))
`(Should be specifically itemized)
`(for a continuation/divisional with Box 18 completed)
`Certified Copyof Priority Document(s)
`i ()] DELETION OFINVENTOR(S)
`(if foreign priority is claimed)
`
`Signed statement attached deleting inventor(s)
`16. —Nonpublication Request under 35 U.S.C. 122
`namedIn the prior application, see 37 CFR
`(b)(2)(B\{i). Applicant must attach form PTO/SB/35
`1,63(d)(2) and 1,33(b).
`or its equivalent.
`
`6.) Application Data Sheet(3 pages). See 37 CFR 1.76
`17. Other: ExpressMailCertificate(1page)
`
`eteeen
`
`8. If a CONTINUING APPLICATION, check appropriate box, end supply the requisite information below andin a preliminary amendment,
`or in an Application Data Sheet under 37 CFR 1.76:
`of prior application No: 09 / 331,002
`[} Continuation
`B Divisional
`C) Continuation-in-part (CIP)
`
`Group / Art Unit: 2185
`Prior application information:
`Examiner Du,Thuan N,
`For CONTINUATION or DIVISIONAL APPSonly: The entire disclosure of the prior application, from which an oath or declaration is supplied
`f| under Bax 4b, js considered a part of the disclosure of the accompanying or divisional application and is hereby incorporated by reference
`The incorporation cacanonly be relied upon when a portion has been inadvertently omittecl fram the submitted application parts.
`19, CORRESPONDENCEADDRESS
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`—
`
`
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` Correspondence address below | Namo -- - . 24283 a ve
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`\nentnuromtinsottsemmnn
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`Name(Prini/Type)
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`Signature
`
`Burden Hour Statement: This form is‘estimatec to fake 0.2 hours to complete. Time will vary depending upon the needsof the individual case. Any
`comments on the amount of time you are required to complete this form should be sent to the Chief Information Officer, U.S. Patent and Trademark
`Offi
`astil
`Office, Washington, DC 20231. DO NOT SEND FEES OR COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS. SEND TO: Assistant Commissioner for
`Patents, Box Patent Application, Washington, D>. 20231.
`
`8388v1
`
` ZTE (USA) 1002, Page 4-—-—
`
`ZTE (USA) 1002, Page 4
`
`
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`U.S. Patent angled
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`Account 2,520|147PattonBaggsLLP ] 147 2,520 Forfilingarequestforreexamination [
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`Deposit 130~—-Non-English specification~~ — — 139 130 139 ae
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`
`
`
`‘95, no persons are required to respond to a collection of informat,.
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Au
`-niess it displays @ valid OMB contro! number,
` TS
`Complete if Known
`eee
`FEE TRANSMITTAL
`
`
`Application Number_ Applied For
`for FY 2002
`Herewith
`Filing Date
`First Named tnventor|Michael Tasler
`
`Patentfefaes are subject to annualrevision,
`Examiner Name
`Du, Thuan N.
`
`[X) Applicant claims small entity status.$See 37 CFRA27|Group/ Art Unit
`\ TOTALAMOUNT OF PAYMENT |
`($)__
`370
`Attorney Dacket No.
`13189,.129D1 (.150)
`
`
`Pe
`
`FEECALCULATION(continued)
`METHOD OF PAYMENT(checkall that apply)
`3, ADDITIONAL FEES
`
`
`[) None
`
`Small Entity
`;
`
`Deposit
`FeePaIa
`Fee Description
`_ a Code - ee io
`Account
`Surcharge- latefiling fee or oath |
`50-1848
`105
`130
`205
`«65
`Number
`Surcharge - late provisionalfiling fea
`127
`50
`227-28
`or cover sheet.
`—
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`
`
`
`
`
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`
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`
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`Name aS 112
`Requesting publication of SIR prior to SS
`Examineraction
`
`The CommissionerIs. authorized to: (check ail that apply)
`1,840" Requesting publication of SIR after
`© Charge fee(s) indicated below {& Credit any overpayments
`Examineraction
`f} Charge any additional fee(s) during the pendencyofthis application
`
`
`115 215=85110 Extension for reply within first month
`
`
`(2 Chargefee(s)indicated below, except for the filing fee
`:
`
`
`
`116 216=200400 Extension for reply within second
`_to the abave-identified de osit account.
`month
`FEE CALCULATION
`noemrcn8ReRPSSTRELAEL
`Extension for reply within third month
`117
`920
`217
`460
`1.
`BASIC FILING FEE
`
`
`118 1,440|218 720 Extension for reply within fourth
`
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`month
`LargeEntity| Small Entity
`
`
`
`Fee Fee|Fee Fee Fee Description
`Fee Pald
`228
`Extension for reply within fifth month
`128
`1,960
`980
`
`
`Code ($)|Code ($)
`119
`320
`219
`460
`Notice of Appeal
`
`
`
`
`101 370—_Utility filing fee74e 201 a
`406
`330
`208
`165
`Designfiling fee
`120
`320
`220
`160
`Fiting a brief in support of an appeal
`107
`510
`207
`255
`Plant filing fee
`121
`280
`221
`140
`Requestfor oral hearing
`
`
`
`
`
`108 740|208 138=1,510|138©1,510370 __—Reissuefillng fee Petitionhe institute a public use
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`114
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`142 1,280|242 640 Utility issue fee (or relssua)
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`230
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`2. EXTRA CLAIM FEES
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`Fee
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`144
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`244
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`Processing fee under 37 CFR 1.17 (q) |
`Independent
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`——
`“xX= ==
`[Claims
`126
`180
`426
`480
`Submission of Information Disclosure
`iol
`|
`Stmt
`.
`per property (times numberof
`LargeEnflty
`properties)
`
`Fee
`Fee
`Filing a submisslon afterfinal rejection
`146
`740
`246
`370
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`| Code ‘s)FeeDescription (37 CFR § 1.129(a))
`| 103
`18
`Claims in excess of 20
`149
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`For each additional invention to be
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`102
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`104 479=740«|278280 Multiple dependent claim, fnot paid 370 Requesl for Continued Examination (RCE)
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`109
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`“* Reissue Independentclaims over
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`440
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`** Reissueclaims in excess cf 20 and
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`overoriginal patent
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`a Otherfee (specify)
`SUBTOTAL(2) | 0
`|
`—__-_—
`“Reduced by BasicFiling FeePaid
`
`“or nuraber previously paid,if greater; For Reissues, see above
`-
`
`28,4940LIZ=saeTee
`
`
`CarlA, Forest[coirowst|RapstatonRegistrationNo. Attorney/Agent)
`
`
`Telephone
`_ Name (Priint’Type)
`
`
`WARNING: Information on this form may become public. Credit card information should not be
`Included on this form. Provide credit card information and authorization on PTO-2038.
`Burden Hour Statement: This form is estimated to take 0.2 hours to complete. Time will vary depending upon the needsof the individual case. Any comments onthe
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`amountof time you are required to complete this form should be sent to the Chief Information Officer, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Washington, DC 20231,
`DO NOT SENT FEES OR COMPLETED FORMSTQ THIS ADDRESS. SEND TO:Assistant Commissioner for Patents, Washington, DC 20231.
`
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`("SUBMITTED BY
`
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`SUBTOTAL(3)
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`_ a... LTE (USA) 1002, Page 5..--
`
`ZTE (USA) 1002, Page 5
`
`
`
`he ALSSLGCIMES TIER aLacneawe
`
`Application Information
`
`Application Type::
`
`Subject Matter:
`
`Suggested Classification:
`
`Suggested Group Art Unit:
`
`CD-ROM or CD-R ?::
`
`Numberof CD Disks::
`Numberof copies of CDs::
`
`Sequence submission?::
`
`Computer Readable Form (CRF)?::
`
`Numberof copies of CRF::
`
`Title::
`
`Divisional
`
`Flexible Interface For Communication Between
`A Host And An Analog I/O Device Connected
`To The Interface Regardless The Type Of Thie
`I/O Device
`
`710
`
`2185
`
`No
`
`N/A
`
`N/A
`
`N/A
`
`N/A
`
`N/A
`Flexible Interface For Communication Between
`A Host And An Analog I/O Device Connected
`To The Interface Regardless The Type Of The
`1/0 Device
`
`Attorney Docket Number::
`
`13189.129D1 (.150)
`
`Requestfor Early Publication?::
`
`Request for Non-Publication?::
`
`Suggested Drawing Figure::
`
`Total Drawing Sheets::
`
`Small Entity::
`
`Petition Included?::
`
`Petition Type::
`
`No
`
`No
`
`FIG. 1
`
`2 sheets
`
`Yes
`
`Yes
`
`PreliminaryAmendment
`
`Licensed US Govt. Agency::
`
`Contract or Grant Numbers::
`
`Secrecy Order in Parent Appl.?::
`
`No
`
`N/A
`
`‘ No
`
`8391v1
`
`oo
`
`ZTE (USA) 1002, Page 6
`
`ZTE (USA) 1002, Page 6
`
`
`
`LP OESIISIEEeSch Ge
`
`Applicant Information
`
`Applicant Authority type::
`
`PrirnaryCitizenship
`Country::
`
`Status::
`
`Given Name::
`
`Middle Name::
`
`Family Name::
`
`NameSuffix::
`
`Inventor
`
`Germany
`
`Current
`
`Michael
`
`N/A
`
`Tasler
`
`N/A
`
`City of Residence::
`
`Wuerzburg
`
`State or Province of Residence::
`
`N/A
`
`Countryof Residence::
`
`Street cf mailing address::
`
`Germany
`
`Cronthalstrasse 6c
`
`City of mailing address::
`State or Province of mailing acldress::
`Countryof mailing address::
`
`Postal or Zip Code of mailing address::
`
`Wuerzburg
`
`N/A
`
`Germany
`
`D-97074
`
`CorrespondenceInformation
`
`Correspondence Customer Number::
`
`24283
`
`Narme::
`
`Carl A. Forest
`
`Street of mailing address::
`
`City of mailing address::
`
`State or Province of mailing address::
`
`Postal or Zip Code of mailing address::
`
`N/A
`
`N/A
`
`N/A
`
`N/A
`
`Phone Number::
`
`Fax Number::
`
`E-mail address::
`
`8391v1
`
`303-379-1114
`
`303-379-1155
`
`_CForest@pattonboggs.com
`
`now... LTE (USA) 1002, Page7...
`
`ZTE (USA) 1002, Page 7
`
`
`
`ole”
`
`ALESAACSASRSLRa ge
`
`Representative Information
`
`Representative Customer
`Number::
`'|24283
`
`
`oO [No morethan 9 digits] _
`___.
`
`DomesticPriority Information
`Continuity Type::
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Parent Application::
`09/331,002.
`
`Parent FilingDate::
`June 14,1999”
`
`
`
`
`
`Application No.::
`
`19708755.8
`Germariy
`‘PCT EP98/01187
`
`
`Filing Date::
`March 4, 1997 —
`March 3, 1998
`
`
`
`Assignee Information
`
`Assignee name::
`
`Street of mailing address::
`
`City of mailing address::
`
`.
`
`Labortechnik Tasler GmbH
`Cronthalstrasse 6c
`
`Wuerzburg
`
`State or Province of mailing acddress::
`
`N/A
`
`Country of mailing address::
`
`Germany
`
`Postal or Zip Code of mailing address::
`
`97074
`
`Recordation Date::
`
`Reel/Frame::
`
`July 23, 2001
`
`012023/0515
`
`8391v1
`
`Priority Claimed::_
`Yes
`Yes
`
`
`
`ZTE (USA) 1002, Page 8
`
`ZTE (USA) 1002, Page 8
`
`
`
`DIES ISRTR
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`National Phase of PCT/EP98/01187 in U.S.A.
`Title: Flexible Interface
`Applicant: TASLER, Michael
`x
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`Translation of PCT Application PCT/EP98/01187
`as originally filed
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`Flexible Interface
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`Description
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`The present invention relates to the transfer of data and in particular to interface
`devices
`for communication between a computer or host device and a data
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`transmit/receive device from which data is to be acquired or with which two-way
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`communication is to take place.
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`existing data acquisition systems for computers are very limited in their areas of
`application. Generally such systems can be classified into two groups.
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`In the first group host devices or computer systems are attached by means of an
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`interface to a device whose data is to be acquired. The interfaces of this group are
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`normally standard interfaces which, with specific driver software, can be used with a
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`variety of host systems. An advantage of such interfaces is that they are largely
`irrdependentof the host device. However, a disadvantage is that they generally require
`very sophisticated drivers which are prone to malfunction and which limit data
`transfer rates betweenthe device connectedto the interface and the host device and
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`vice versa. Further,it is often very difficult to implement such interfaces for portable
`systems and they offer few possibilities for adaptation with the result
`that such
`systems offer little flexibility.
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`The devices from which data is to be acquired cover the entire electrical engineering
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`spectrum.In a typical case,it is assumed that a customer who operates, for example, a
`diagnostic radiology system in a medical engineering environmentreports a fault. A
`field service technician of the system manufacturer visits the customer and reads
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`system log files generated by the diagnostic radiology system by means aportable
`‘computer or laptop for example. If the fault cannot be localized or if the fault is
`intermittent, it will be necessary for the service technician to read not only an error
`log file but also data from current operation. It is apparent that in this case fast data
`transfer and rapid data analysis are necessary.
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`Another case requiring the use of an interface could be, for example, when an
`electronic measuring device, e.g. a multimeter, is attached to a computer system to
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`transfer the data measured by the multimeter to the computer. Particularly when long-
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`term measurements or large volumes of data are involved is it necessary for the
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`iriterface to support a high data transfer rate.
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`From these randomly chosen examples it can be seen that an interface may be put to
`totally different uses. It is therefore desirable that an interface be sufficiently flexible
`to permit attachment ofvery different electrical or electronic systems to a host device
`by means of the interface. To prevent operatorerror,it is also desirable that a service
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`technician is not required to operate different interfaces in different ways for different
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`applications but that, if possible, a universal method of operating the interface be
`provided for a large numberof applications. .
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`To increase the data transfer rates across an interface, the route chosen in the second
`group of data acquisition systems for the interface devices was to specifically match
`the interface very closely to individual host systems or computer systems. The
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`advantage of this solution is that high data transfer rates are possible. However, a
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`disadvantage is that the drivers for the interfaces of the second group are very Closely
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`matched to a single host system with the result that they generally cannot be used with
`other host systems or their use is very ineffective. Further, such types of interface
`have the disadvantage that they must be installed inside the computer casing to
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`achieve maximum datatransfer rates as they access the internal host bus system. They
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`are therefore generally not suitable for portable host systems in the form of laptops
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`whose minimum possible size leaveslittle internal space to plug in an interface card.
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`A. solution to this problem is offered by the interface devices of IOtech (business
`address: 25971 Cannon Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44146, USA) which are suitable for
`laptops such as the WaveBook/512 (registered trademark). The interface devices are
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`connected by means of a plug-in card, approximately the size of a credit card, to the
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`PCMCIA interface which is now a standard feature in laptops. The plug-in card
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`converts the PCMCIAinterface into an interface knowninthe art as JEEE 1284. The
`said plug-in card provides a special printer interface which is enhanced as regards the
`data transfer-rate and delivers a data transfer rate of approximately 2 MBps as
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`1 MBps for known printer interfaces. The known
`compared with a rate of approx.
`interface device generally consists of a driver component, a digital signal processor, a
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`buffer and a hardware module which terminates in a connector to which the device
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`whose data is to be acquired is attached. The driver componentis attached directly to
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`the enhanced printer interface thus permitting the known interface device to establish
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`a connection between a computer and the device whose datais to be acquired.
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`In order to work with the said interface, an interface-specific driver must be installed
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`on the host device so that the host device can communicate with the digital signal
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`processorof the interface card. As described above,the driver must be installed on the
`host device. If the driver is a driver developed specifically for the host device, a high
`data transfer rate is achieved but the driver cannot be easily installed on a different
`host system. However, if the driver is a general driver whichis as flexible as possible
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`and which can be used on many host devices, compromises must be accepted with
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`regard to the data transferrate.
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`Particularly in an application for multi-tasking systems in which several different
`tasks such as data acquisition, data display and editing are to be performed quasi-
`simultaneously, each task: is normally assigned a certain priority by the host system. A
`driver supporting a special task requests the central processing system of the host
`device for processor resources in order to perform its task. Depending on the
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`particular priority assignment method and on the driver implementation, a particular
`share of processor resources is assigned to a special task in particular time slots.
`Conflicts arise if one or more drivers are implemented in such a way that they have
`the highest priority by default, ie. they are incompatible, as happens in practice in
`many applications. It may occur that both drivers are set to highest priority which, in
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`the worst case, can result in a system crash.
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`EP 0685799 Al discloses an interface by means of which several peripheral devices
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`can be attached to a bus. An interface is connected between the bus of a host device
`and various peripheral devices. The interface comprises a finite state machine and
`several branches each of which is assigned to a peripheral device. Each branch
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`comprises a data manager, cycle control, user logic and a buffer. This knowninterface.
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`device provides optimal matching between a host device and a specific peripheral
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`device.
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`The specialist publication IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 38, No. 05, page
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`245; "Communication Method between Devices through FDD Interface" discloses an
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`interface which connects a host device to a peripheral device via a floppy disk drive
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`interface. The interface consists in particular of an address generator, an MFM
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`encoder/decoder, a serial/parallel adapter and a format signal generator. The interface
`makesit possible to attach not only a floppy disk drive but also a further peripheral
`device to the FDD host controller of a host device. The host device assumes that a
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`floppy disk drive is always attached to its
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`floppy disk drive controller and
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`communication is initiated if the address is correct. However, this document contains
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`no information as to how communication should be possible if the interface is
`connected toa multi-purpose interface instead ofto a floppydisk drive controller.
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`It
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`is
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`the object of the present
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`invention to provide an interface device for
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`communication between a host device and a data transmit/receive device whose use is
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`host device-independent and whichdelivers a high data transferrate.
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`This object is achieved by an interface device according to claim 1 or 12 and by a
`method according to claim 15.
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`The present invention is based on the finding that both a high data transfer rate and
`host device-independent use can be achieved if a driver for an input/output device
`customary in a host device, normally present in most commercially available host
`devices, is utilized, Drivers for input/output devices customary in a host device which
`are found in practically all host devices are, for example, drivers for hard disks, for
`graphics devices or for printer devices. As however the hard disk interfaces in
`common host devices which can be, for example, IBM PCs, IBM-compatible PCs,
`Commodore PCs, Apple computers or even workstations, are the interfaces with the
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`highest data transfer rate, the hard disk driver is utilized in the preferred embodiment
`of the interface device of the present invention. Drivers for other storage devices such
`as floppy disk drives, CD-ROM drives or tape drives couldalso be utilized in order to
`implement the interface device according to the present invention.
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`Ag described in the following, the interface device according to the present invention
`is to be attached to a host device by means of a multi-purpose interface of the host
`device which can be implemented, for example, as an SCSI interface or as an
`enhanced printer interface. Multi-purpose interfaces comprise both an interface card
`and specific driver software for the interface card. The driver software can be
`designed so that it can replace the BIOS driver routines. Communication betweenthe
`host device and the devices attached to the multi-purpose interface then essentially
`takes place by means of the specific driver software for the multi-purpose interface
`and no longer primarily by means of BIOS routines of the host device. Recently
`however drivers for multi-purpose interfaces can also already be integrated in the
`BIOS system of the host device as, alongside classical input/outputinterfaces, multi-
`purpose interfaces are becoming increasingly commonin host devices. It is of course
`also possible to use BIOSroutines in parallel with the specific driver software for the
`multi-purpose interface,if this is desired.
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`The interface device according to the present invention comprises a processor means,
`a memory means,a first connecting device for interfacing the host device with the
`interface device, and a second connecting device for interfacing the interface device |
`with the data transmit/receive device. The interface device is configured by the
`processor means and the memory means in such a waythat the interface device, when
`receiving an inquiry from the host device via the first connecting device as to the type
`of a device attached to the host device, sends a signal, regardless of the type of the
`data transmit/receive device,
`to the host devicevia the first connecting device which
`signals to the host device that it is communicating with an input/output device. The
`interface device according to the present invention therefore simulates, both in terms
`of hardware and software,
`the way in which a conventional input/output device
`functions, preferably that of a hard disk drive. As support
`for hard disks is
`implementedas standard in all commercially available host systems, the simulation of
`a hard disk, for example, can provide host device-independent use. The interface
`device according to the present invention therefore no longer communicates with the
`host device or computer by means of a specially designed driver but.by means of a
`program which is present in the ‘BIOS system (Basic Input/Output System) and is
`normally precisely matched to the specific computer system on whichit is installed,
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`or by means of a specific program for the multi-purpose interface. Consequently, the
`interface device according to the present invention combines the advantages of both
`eroups. On the one hand, communication between the computer and the interface
`takes place by meansof a host device-specific BIOS program or by means of a driver
`program which is matchedto the multi-purpose interface and which could be regarded
`as a "device-specific driver". On the other hand,
`the BIOS program or
`a
`corresponding multi-purpose interface program which operates one of the common
`input/output interfaces in host systemsis therefore present in all host systems so that
`the interface device according to the present invention is host device-independent.
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`In the following, preferred embodimentsof the present invention will be explained in
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`more detail with reference to the drawings enclosed, in which:
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`Fig. 1
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`shows a general block diagram ofthe interface device accordingto the
`present invention; and
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`Fig. 2 showsa detailed block diagram of an interface device according to a preferred
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`embodimentof the present invention,
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`1 shows a general block diagram of an interface device 10 according to the
`Fig.
`present invention. A first connecting device 12 of the interface device 10 can be
`attached to a host device (not shown) via a host line 11. The first connecting device is
`attached both to a digital signal processor 13 and to a memory means 14. The digital
`signal processor 13 and the memory means 14 are also attached to a second
`connecting device 15 by means of bi-directional communication lines (shownfor all
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`lines by means of two directional arrows). The second connecting device can be
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`attached by means of an output line 16 to a data transmit/receive device which is to
`receive data from the host device or from which data is to be read, ie. acquired, and
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`transferred to the host device. The data transmit/receive device itself can also
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`communicate actively with the host device via the first and second connecting device,
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`as described in more detail in the following.
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`Communication between the host system or host device and the interface device is
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`based on known standard access commands as supported by all known operating
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`systems (e.g. DOS, Windows, Unix). Preferably, the interface device according to the
`present
`invention simulates a hard disk with a root directory whose entries are
`“virtual
`files which can be created for the most varied functions. When the host
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`device system with which the interface device according to the present invention is
`connectedis booted and a data transmit/receive deviceis also attached to the interface
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`device 10, usual BIOS routines or multi-purpose interface programs issue an
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`instruction, known by those skilled in the art as the INQUIRY instruction,
`to the
`input/outputinterfaces in the host device. The digital signal processor 13receives this
`inquiry instruction via the first connecting device and generates a signal whichis sent
`to the host device (not shown) again via the first connecting device 12 and the host
`line 11, This signal indicates to the host device that, for exarnple, a hard disk drive is
`attached at the interface to which the INQUIRY instruction was sent. Optionally, the
`host device can send aninstruction, known by those skilled in the art as "Test Unit
`Ready", to the interface device to request more precise details regarding the queried
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`.
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`device.
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`Regardless of which data transmit/receive device at the output line 16 is attached to
`the second connecting device, the digital signal processor 13 informs the host device
`that it
`is communicating with a hard disk drive. If the host device receives the
`response that a drive is present, it then sends a request to the interface device 10 to
`read the boot sequence which, on actual hard disks, normally resides on the first
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`sectors of the disk. Thedigital signal processor 13, whose operating system in stored
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`in the memory means 14, respondsto this instruction by sending to the host device a
`vi