EP0915601A2

Input/output device for peripheral equipment

Abstract

An input/output device (34) is connected to peripheral equipment (33). The input/output device (34) includes a plurality of network transport modules (43-46). Each network transport module (43-46) implements a different network protocol. The input/output device (34) includes a communication mechanism (56) for communication with the peripheral equipment (33). The input/output device (34) also includes a gateway module (41), which interacts with each of the network transport modules (43-46) and with the communication mechanism (56). For each endpoint (61-66) within an application programming interface (API) module (54) within the peripheral equipment (33), a corresponding endpoint (71-76) is implemented within the gateway module (41). A control channel (59) between the gateway module (41) and the API module (54) is used to transport control messages between the gateway module (41) and the API module (54). For a network transport module (43-46) which requires data stream communication, control messages are exchanged over the control channel (59) and data stream communication is established via a separate communmication channel (58,60) between the gateway module (41) and the API module (54).

EP0915601A2, drawing sheet 1
Sheet 1 of 59

Term

Term ended

Projected expiry passed 21 October 2018, 7.9 years ago.

  1. Priority
  2. Filed
  3. Published
  4. Projected expiry
  5. Today

10 claims: 2 independent, 8 dependent

  1. 1
    An input/output device (34) for connection to peripheral equipment (33), the input/output device (34) comprising:a plurality of network transport modules (43-46), each network transport module (43-46) implementing a different network protocol;a communication mechanism (56) for communication with the peripheral equipment (33);and, a gateway module (41), coupled to each of the network transport modules (43-46) and to the communication mechanism (56);wherein for each endpoint (61-66) within an application programming interface (API) module (54) within the peripheral equipment (33), a corresponding endpoint (71-76) is implemented within the gateway module (41), wherein a control channel (59) between the gateway module (41) and the API module (54) is used to transport control messages between the gateway module (41) and the API module (54), and wherein for a network transport module (43-46) which requires data stream communication, control messages are exchanged over the control channel (59) and data stream communication is established via a separate communication channel (58,60) between the gateway module (41) and the API module (54).
  2. 10
    A method of using an input/output device (34) to connect peripheral equipment (33) and a remote host using a network transport protocol, the method comprising the following steps:(a) managing endpoint (61-66) within an application programming interface (API) module (54) within the peripheral equipment (33);(b) for each endpoint (61-66) within an application programming interface (API) module (54) within the peripheral equipment (33), implementing a corresponding endpoint (71-76) within a gateway module (41) within the input/output device (34);(c) using a control channel (59) between the gateway module (41) and the API module (54) to transport control messages between the gateway module (41) and the API module (54), the control channel (59) being used to transport control messages for a plurality of network transport modules (43-46);and, (d) for a network transport module (43-46) which requires data stream communication, exchanging control messages over the control channel (59) and establishing data stream communication via a separate communication channel (58,60) between the gateway module (41) and the API module (54).