Author: claimsbot

1. A pedal mechanism for a wheeled device comprising:
a frame;
at least one wheel having a geared hub, said wheel rotatably supported by said frame;
at least one pedal lever pivotably mounted to said frame at a mounted end, each said lever having a drive end opposite said mounted end;
a rotatable drive gear carried by said frame, said rotatable drive gear having an axle extending from at least one side;
a crank coupled between said pedal lever drive end and said axle; and
an endless chain coupled between said geared hub and said rotatable drive gear, wherein movement of said at least one pedal lever causes rotation of said wheel.
2. The pedal mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising:
a foot plate extending from said drive end of said pedal lever, said foot plate having an elongated slot; and
a bushing slidably retained in said elongated slot, said crank having a bushing end coupled to said bushing, wherein linear motion of said foot plate rotates said crank and said drive gear.
3. The pedal mechanism according to claim 2, further comprising:
opposed pedal levers, wherein a first pedal lever is mounted to one side of said frame and a second pedal lever is mounted to an opposite side of said frame, wherein said mounted ends are radially positioned on one side of said geared hub and said drive ends are radially positioned on an opposite side of said geared hub.
4. The pedal mechanism according to claim 3, wherein each said pedal lever has an elbow between said mounted end and said drive end, wherein each said mounted end angularly extends from said elbow at an angle of between 15 to 75\xb0.
5. The pedal mechanism according to claim 4, wherein a distance from said elbow to said mounted end is less than or equal a distance from a center of said geared hub to where said mounted end is mounted.
6. The pedal mechanism according to claim 3, wherein said mounted ends are coaxially aligned with one another.
7. The pedal mechanism according to claim 3, wherein said crank has pedal ends that are substantially diametrically opposed to one another, wherein one said pedal end is connected to one said pedal lever drive end and the other said pedal end is connected to the other said pedal lever drive end.
8. The pedal mechanism according to claim 7 wherein said bushings slide from end to end of said elongated slots as said drive ends are linearly moved up and down.
9. A wheeled locomotion device, comprising:
a frame;
at least one wheel coupled to said frame;
a human-effort pedal mechanism coupled to and adapted to rotate said at least one wheel, said pedal mechanism having a motion detection sensor;
a motor coupled to and adapted to rotate said at least one wheel;
a system controller connected to and receiving input from said motor and said motion detection sensor; and
a user control panel connected to said system controller, said system controller programmed to:
receive input from said motor;
receive input from said motion detection sensor;
receive user input from said user control panel as to at least one of a speed setting and a mode setting; and
generate a control signal to selectively adjust operation of said motor based on at least two of said inputs.
10. The device according to claim 9, further comprising:
a brake connected to said controller and generating a brake input signal received by said system controller, said system controller programmed to adjust operation of said motor based upon said brake input signal.
11. The device according to claim 10, wherein said user control panel provides at least one of the following modes:
a power off mode that only allows use of said human-effort pedal mechanism;
a power cruising mode that only allows use of said motor to propel the device;
a power assist mode which allows use of said human-effort pedal mechanism and said motor; and
a parking mode which allows only use of said motor at a pre-selected speed.
12. The device according to claim 11, wherein said motor is allowed to operate at at least three speeds designated as low, medium and high, where said power assist mode allows use of all three speeds and use of said motor is initiated by detected input from said human-effort pedal mechanism.
13. The device according to claim 12, wherein in said parking mode, said system controller generates said control signal to provide a constant walking speed for said device by said motor without any need of input from said motion detection sensor.
14. The device according to claim 13, further comprising:
a microcontroller receiving inputs from said motor, said motion detection sensor and said user control panel;
a battery pack with a power line, said power line generating a voltage sense signal received by said microcontroller; and
three phase MOSFET drivers connected to said power line, said drivers providing power to said motor and generating a current sense signal received by said microcontroller;
said microcontroller generating pulse-width modulated control signals received by said drivers to control operation of said motor.
15. The device according to claim 14, wherein said motor generates a rotor position feedback signal received by said microcontroller for adjustment of said pulse-width modulation control signals.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An automated pill dispensing system, comprising:
an output chute configured to hold pill-containing vials;
an optical sensor located at a predetermined location in the output chute, the optical sensor comprising an optical emitter and an optical detector configured to be operated cooperatively to output a detection signal indicating a presence or absence of a vial at the predetermined location of the output chute;
a filter circuit coupled to the optical sensor and configured to adjust the detection signal to account for ambient light conditions after the detection signal is output from the optical detector to provide a filtered detection signal; and
a controller coupled to the filter circuit and configured to receive the filtered detection signal therefrom, detect the presence or absence of the vial at the predetermined location of the output chute in response to the filtered detection signal, and control a next depositing event whereby a next vial is deposited in the output chute responsive to the detection.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor is configured to output an ambient light signal indicative of the ambient light conditions prior to output of the vial detection signal therefrom, and wherein the filter circuit is configured to provide the filtered detection signal representing a difference between the detection signal and the ambient light signal.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to:
correlate the filtered detection signal to a present sample value;
compare the present sample value to a current output value, wherein the current output value is based on a previous sample value;
increment or decrement the current output value by an offset value in response to the comparison to update the current output value; and
detect the presence or absence of the vial at the predetermined location of the output chute responsive to the updated current output value.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein:
the controller is configured to provide a pulsed input signal to operate the optical sensor;
the controller is configured to provide an interrupt signal to the optical sensor at about a midpoint of each pulse of the pulsed input signal; and
the optical detector is configured to be activated in response to each interrupt signal to provide a pulsed output signal as the detection signal.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to allow a predetermined number of pulses of the pulsed input signal prior to providing the interrupt signal.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the next depositing event to deposit the next vial in the output chute responsive to detecting the absence of the vial.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein:
the optical sensor comprises a reflective type sensor;
the optical emitter is configured to output an optical signal in response to a signal from the controller;
the optical detector is configured to output an electrical signal representative of a portion of the optical signal received at the optical detector as the detection signal;
the controller is configured to detect the presence of the vial in the predetermined location responsive to the electrical signal indicating that an intensity of the optical signal received at the optical detector exceeds a threshold value; and
the controller is configured to detect the absence of the vial in the predetermined location responsive to the electrical signal indicating that the intensity of the optical signal received at the optical detector is less than the threshold value.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein:
the optical sensor comprises a break-beam type sensor;
the optical emitter is configured to output an optical signal in response to a signal from the controller;
the optical detector is configured to output an electrical signal representative of a portion of the optical signal received at the optical detector as the detection signal;
the controller is configured to detect the presence of the vial in the predetermined location responsive to the electrical signal indicating that an intensity of the optical signal received at the optical detector is less than a threshold value; and
the controller is configured to detect the absence of the vial in the predetermined location responsive to the electrical signal indicating that the intensity of the optical signal received at the optical detector exceeds the threshold value.
9. A method of operating an automated pill dispensing system including an output chute configured to hold pill-containing vials and an optical sensor comprising an optical emitter and an optical detector at a predetermined location in the output chute therein, the method comprising:
receiving a detection signal from the optical detector responsive to operation of the optical emitter;
adjusting the detection signal to account for ambient light conditions responsive to receiving the detection signal from the optical detector;
detecting a presence or absence of a vial at the predetermined location of the output chute responsive to the adjusting of the detection signal; and
controlling a next depositing event whereby a next vial is deposited in the output chute responsive to the detecting.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
receiving an ambient light signal indicative of the ambient light conditions from the optical sensor,
wherein adjusting the detection signal to account for the ambient light conditions comprises adjusting the detection signal output from the optical sensor to represent a difference between the detection signal and the ambient light signal prior to detecting the presence or absence of the vial responsive thereto.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
correlating the detection signal to a present sample value;
comparing the present sample value to a current output value, wherein the current output value is based on a previous sample value; and
incrementing or decrementing the current output value by an offset value in response to the comparison to provide an updated current output value,
wherein detecting the presence or absence of the vial comprises detecting the presence or absence of the vial at the predetermined location of the output chute responsive to the updated current output value.
12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
providing a pulsed input signal to operate the optical sensor;
providing an interrupt signal to the optical sensor at about a midpoint of each pulse of the pulsed input signal; and
activating the optical detector in response to each interrupt signal to provide a pulsed output signal as the detection signal.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
allowing a predetermined number of pulses of the pulsed input signal prior to providing the interrupt signal.
14. The method of claim 9, wherein controlling the next depositing event comprises:
controlling the next depositing event to deposit the next vial in the output chute responsive to detecting the absence of the vial.
15. A computer program product for operating an automated pill dispensing system including an output chute configured to hold pill-containing vials and an optical sensor comprising an optical emitter and an optical detector at a predetermined location in the output chute, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code comprising:
computer readable program code that is configured to adjust a detection signal to account for ambient light conditions after the detection signal is output from the optical detector;
computer readable program code that is configured to detect a presence or absence of a vial at the predetermined location of the output chute responsive to the detection signal that was adjusted; and
computer readable program code that is configured to control a next depositing event whereby a next vial is deposited in the output chute responsive to the detection.
16. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising:
computer readable program code that is configured to receive an ambient light signal indicative of the ambient light conditions from the optical sensor,
wherein the computer readable program code that is configured to adjust the detection signal to account for the ambient light conditions comprises computer readable program code that is configured to adjust the detection signal output from the optical sensor to represent a difference between the detection signal and the ambient light signal prior to detection of the presence or absence of the vial.
17. The computer program product of claim 16, further comprising:
computer readable program code that is configured to correlate the detection signal to a present sample value;
computer readable program code that is configured to compare the present sample value to a current output value, wherein the current output value is based on a previous sample value; and
computer readable program code that is configured to increment or decrement the current output value by an offset value in response to the comparison to provide an updated current output value,
wherein the computer readable program code that is configured to detect the presence or absence of the vial comprises computer readable program code that is configured to detect the presence or absence of the vial at the predetermined location of the output chute responsive to the updated current output value.
18. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising:
computer readable program code that is configured to provide a pulsed input signal to operate the optical sensor;
computer readable program code that is configured to provide an interrupt signal to the optical sensor at about a midpoint of each pulse of the pulsed input signal; and
computer readable program code that is configured to activate the optical detector in response to each interrupt signal to provide a pulsed output signal as the detection signal.
19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer readable program code that is configured to provide the interrupt signal is further configured to allow a predetermined number of pulses of the pulsed input signal prior to providing the interrupt signal.
20. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the computer readable program code that is configured to control the next depositing event is further configured to deposit the next vial in the output chute responsive to the detection of the absence of the vial.

1. A valve in a fluid delivery system, comprising:
a valve seat comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a conical well having an opening, a beveled surface and a bottom; and
a valve membrane comprising a conical portion having a base and a tip, the conical portion configured to fit within the conical well of the valve seat, the valve membrane configured to fluidly connect the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet when in an undeformed position and fluidly disconnect the fluid inlet from the fluid outlet when in a radially deformed position.
2. The valve of claim 1, wherein:
the tip of the conical portion is separated from the bottom of the conical well by a gap when the valve membrane is in the undeformed position; and
wherein the tip of the valve membrane touches the bottom of the conical well when the valve is in the radially deformed position.
3. The valve of claim 2 wherein the valve membrane comprises a pushable portion such that pushing against the pushable portion by an external force puts the valve into the radially deformed position.
4. The valve of claim 2, wherein the conical portion is separated from the conical well by a clearance when the valve membrane is in the undeformed position and the conical portion touches the conical well when the valve membrane is in the radially deformed position.
5. The valve of claim 1 wherein:
the valve seat comprises a rigid material; and
the valve membrane comprises an elastomeric material.
6. The valve of claim 5, wherein the elastomeric material comprises silicone.
7. The valve of claim 1, wherein a disposable portion of an intravenous fluid pump comprises the valve.
8. The valve of claim 1, wherein a positive displacement pump comprises a first one of the valve on a fluid intake side and a second one of the valve on a fluid delivery side.
9. The valve of claim 1, further comprising a retaining cap, the retaining cap provided to fit over the valve seat to secure the valve membrane in place during operation of the valve.
10. A fluid delivery system for delivering fluid from a fluid source to a patient, comprising:
a durable portion comprising an actuator mechanism;
a disposable portion comprising a first valve fitted on the durable portion to allow the actuator mechanism to exert a pushing force on an actuation area of the first valve;
the first valve coupled to a first fluid inlet and a fluid outlet such that the first valve fluidly connects the first fluid inlet and the fluid outlet when the pushing force is not applied and deforms radially to fluidly disconnects the first fluid inlet from the fluid outlet when the pushing force is applied to the actuation area of the first valve.
11. The fluid delivery system of claim 10, further comprising:
a second valve coupled to a second fluid inlet and a fluid outlet such that the second valve fluidly connects the second fluid inlet and the fluid outlet when the pushing force is not applied and deforms radially to fluidly disconnects the second fluid inlet from the fluid outlet when the pushing force is applied to the actuation area of the second valve.
12. The fluid delivery system of claim 11, wherein the actuator mechanism is configured to control a ratio of fluid delivered from the first fluid inlet to the fluid outlet and from the second fluid inlet to the fluid outlet by controlling a timing of application of pushing force on the first valve and the second valve.
13. A valve for controlling delivery of fluid between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, comprising:
a first portion having a chamber fluidly connected to the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet;
a second portion having a protruding portion fitted within the chamber such that fluid can flow from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet through the chamber around the protruding portion when the protruding portion is not deformed and fluid cannot flow from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet through the chamber when the protruding portion is deformed to touch at least a portion of a wall of the chamber.
14. The valve of claim 13, wherein the protruding portion is conically shaped and wherein the portion of the wall of the chamber has a beveled surface corresponding to the conically shaped protruding portion.
15. The valve of claim 14, wherein the first portion comprises a rigid material and the second portion comprises an elastomeric material.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A system interface comprising:
a plurality of first directors;
a plurality of second directors;
a data transfer section having a cache memory, such cache memory being coupled to the plurality of first and second directors;
a message network, operative independently of the data transfer section, coupled to the plurality of first directors and the plurality of second directors; and
wherein the first and second directors control data transfer between the first directors and the second directors in response to messages passing between the first directors and the second directors through the message network to facilitate data transfer between first directors and the second directors with such data passing through the cache memory in the data transfer section.
2. The system interface recited in claim 1 wherein each one of the first directors includes:
a data pipe coupled between an input of such one of the first directors and the cache memory;
a controller for transferring the messages between the message network and such one of the first directors.
3. The system interface recited in claim 2 wherein each one of the second directors includes:
a data pipe coupled between an input of such one of the second directors and the cache memory;
a controller for transferring the messages between the message network and such one of the second director.
4. The system interface recited in claim 1 wherein each one of the second directors includes:
a data pipe coupled between an input of such one of the second directors and the cache memory;
a controller for transferring the messages between the message network and such one of the second directors.
5. The system interface recited in claim 1 wherein each one of the first directors includes:
a data pipe coupled between an input of such one of the first directors and the cache memory;
a microprocessor; and
a controller coupled to the microprocessor and the data pipe for controlling the transfer of the messages between the message network and such one of the first directors and for controlling the data between the input of such one of the first directors and the cache memory.
6. The system interface recited in claim 5 wherein each one of the second directors includes:
a data pipe coupled between an input of such one of the second directors and the cache memory;
a microprocessor; and
a controller coupled to the microprocessor and the data pipe for controlling the transfer of the messages between the message network and such one of the second directors and for controlling the data between the input of such one of the second directors and the cache memory.
7. The system interface recited in claim 1 wherein each one of the second directors includes:
a data pipe coupled between an input of such one of the second directors and the cache memory;
a microprocessor; and
a controller coupled to the microprocessor and the data pipe for controlling the transfer of the messages between the message network and such one of the second directors and for controlling the data between the input of such one of the second directors and the cache memory.
8. The system interface recited in claim 1 wherein the message network comprises a switch network having a plurality of ports, each one of the ports being coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of first and second directors.
9. A data storage system for transferring data between a host computerserver and a bank of disk drives through a system interface, such system interface comprising:
a plurality of first directors coupled to host computerserver;
a plurality of second directors coupled to the bank of disk drives;
a data transfer section having a cache memory, such cache memory being coupled to the plurality of first and second directors;
a message network, operative independently of the data transfer section, coupled to the plurality of first directors and the plurality of second directors; and
wherein the first and second directors control data transfer between the host computerserver and the bank of disk drives in response to messages passing between the first directors and the second directors through the message network to facilitate the data transfer between host computerserver and the bank of disk drives with such data passing through the cache memory in the data transfer section.
10. The system interface recited in claim 9 wherein each one of the first directors includes:
a data pipe coupled between an input of such one of the first directors and the cache memory;
a controller for transferring the messages between the message network and such one of the first directors.
11. The system interface recited in claim 10 wherein each one of the second directors includes:
a data pipe coupled between an input of such one of the second directors and the cache memory;
a controller for transferring the messages between the message network and such one of the second directors.
12. The system interface recited in claim 9 wherein each one of the second directors includes:
a data pipe coupled between an input of such one of the second directors and the cache memory;
a controller for transferring the messages between the message network and such one of the second directors.
13. The system interface recited in claim 9 wherein each one of the first directors includes:
a data pipe coupled between an input of such one of the first directors and the cache memory;
a microprocessor; and
a controller coupled to the microprocessor and the data pipe for controlling the transfer of the messages between the message network and such one of the first directors and for controlling the data between the input of such one of the first directors and the cache memory.
14. The system interface recited in claim 13 wherein each one of the second directors includes:
a data pipe coupled between an input of such one of the second directors and the cache memory;
a microprocessor; and
a controller coupled to the microprocessor and the data pipe for controlling the transfer of the messages between the message network and such one of the second directors and for controlling the data between the input of such one of the second directors and the cache memory.
15. The system interface recited in claim 9 wherein each one of the second directors includes:
a data pipe coupled between an input of such one of the second directors and the cache memory;
a microprocessor; and
a controller coupled to the microprocessor and the data pipe for controlling the transfer of the messages between the message network and such one of the second directors and for controlling the data between the input of such one of the second directors and the cache memory.
16. A method of operating a system interface having a plurality of first directors, a plurality of second directors and a data transfer section having a cache memory, such cache memory being coupled to the plurality of first and second directors, such method comprising;
providing a message network, operative independently of the data transfer section, coupled to the plurality of first directors and the plurality of second directors to control data transfer between the first directors and the second directors in response to messages passing between the first directors and the second directors through the message network to facilitated data transfer between first directors and the second directors with such data passing through the cache memory in the data transfer section.
17. The method recited in claim 16 including providing each one of the first directors is provided with:
a data pipe coupled between an input of such one of the first directors and the cache memory;
a controller for transferring the messages between the message network and such one of the first directors.
18. The method recited in claim 17 including providing each one of the second directors with:
a data pipe coupled between an input of such one of the second directors and the cache memory;
a controller for transferring the messages between the message network and such one of the second directors.
19. The method recited in claim 16 including providing each one of the second directors with:
a data pipe coupled between an input of such one of the second directors and the cache memory;
a controller for transfer the messages between the message network and such one of the second directors.
20. The method recited in claim 16 including providing each one of the first directors with:
a data pipe coupled between an input of such one of the first directors and the cache memory;
a microprocessor; and
a controller coupled to the microprocessor and the data pipe for controlling the transfer of the messages between the message network and such one of the first directors and for controlling the data between the input of such one of the first directors and the cache memory.
21. The method recited in claim 20 including providing each one of the second directors with:
a data pipe coupled between an input of such one of the second directors and the cache memory;
a microprocessor; and
a controller coupled to the microprocessor and the data pipe for controlling the transfer of the messages between the message network and such one of the second directors and for controlling the data between the input of such one of the second directors and the cache memory.
22. The method recited in claim 16 including providing each one of the second directors with:
a data pipe coupled between an input of such one of the second directors and the cache memory;
a microprocessor; and
a controller coupled to the microprocessor and the data pipe for controlling the transfer of the messages between the message network and such one of the second directors and for controlling the data between the input of such one of the second directors and the cache memory.
23. A system interface comprising:
a plurality of first directors;
a plurality of second directors;
a data transfer section having a cache memory, such cache memory being coupled to the plurality of first and second directors;
a message network comprising a switch network having a plurality of ports, each one of the ports being coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of first directors and second directors, such message network being operative independently of the data transfer section; and
wherein the first and second directors control data transfer between the first directors and the second directors in response to messages passing between the first directors and the second directors through the message network to facilitate data transfer between first directors and the second directors with such data passing through the cache memory in the data transfer section.
24. A system interface comprising:
a plurality of first directors;
a plurality of second directors;
a data transfer section having a cache memory, such cache memory being coupled to the plurality of first and second directors;
a message network, operative independently of the data transfer section, coupled to the plurality of first directors and the plurality of second directors; and
wherein the first an second directors control data transfer between the first directors and the second directors in response to messages passing between the first directors and the second directors through the message network with such messages by-passing the data transfer section and with such data transfer comprising passing data through the directors to the cache memory in the data transfer section.
25. The system interface recited in claim 24 wherein the message network comprises a switch network having a plurality of pats, each one of the posts being coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of first and second directors.
26. A system interface comprising:
a plurality of first directors;
a plurality of second directors;
a data transfer section having a cache memory, such cache memory being coupled to the plurality of first and second directors;
a message network coupled to the plurality of first directors and the plurality of second directors; and
wherein the first and second directors control data transfer between the first directors and the second directors in response to messages passing between the first directors and the second directors through the message network with such messages by-passing the data transfer section and with such data transfer comprising passing data through the directors to the cache memory in the data transfer section.
27. The system interface recited in claim 26 wherein the message network comprises a switch network having a plurality of ports, each one of the ports being coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of first and second directors.
28. A system interface comprising;
a plurality of fist directors;
a plurality of second directors;
a data transfer section having a cache memory, such cache memory being coupled to the plurality of first and second directors;
a message network comprising a switch network having a plurality of ports, each one of the ports being coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of first and second directors; and
wherein the first and second directors control data transfer between the first directors and the second directors in response to messages passing between the first directors and the second directors through the message network with such messages by-passing the data transfer section and with such data transfer comprising passing data through the directors to the cache memory in the data transfer section.
29. A system interface comprising:
a plurality of directors
a data transfer section having a cache memory, such cache memory being coupled to the plurality of directors;
a message network, operative independently of the data transfer section, coupled to the plurality of directors; and
wherein the directors control data transfer in response to messages passing between the directors through the message network with such data passing through the cache memory in the data transfer section.
30. The system interface recited in claim 29 wherein each one of the directors includes:
a data pipe coupled between an input of such one of the directors and the cache memory; and
a controller for transferring the messages between the message network and such one of the directors.
31. The system interface recited in claim 29 wherein the message network comprises a switch network having a plurality of ports, each one of the ports being coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of directors.
32. The system interface recited in claim 31 wherein each one of the directors includes:
a data pipe coupled between an input of such one of the directors and the cache memory; and
a controller for transferring the messages between the message network and such one of the directors.
33. A data storage system for transferring data between a host computerserver and a bank of disk drives through a system interface, such system interface comprising:
a plurality of first directors coupled to host computerserver;
a plurality of second directors coupled to the bank of disk drives;
a data transfer section having a cache memory, such cache memory being coupled to the plurality of first and second directors;
a message network, operative independently of the data transfer section, coupled to the plurality of first directors and the plurality of second directors; and
wherein the first and second directors control transfer between the host computerserver and the bank of disk drives in response to messages passing between at least a pair of the plurality of first and second directors through the message network with such data passing through the cache memory in the data transfer section.
34. The system interface recited in claim 33 wherein each one of the first and second directors includes:
a data pipe coupled between an input of such one of the first and second directors and die cache memory;
a controller for transferring the messages between the message network and such one of the first and second directors.
35. The system interface recited in claim 33 wherein the message network comprises a switch network having a plurality of ports, each one of the ports being coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of first and second directors.
36. The system interface recited in claim 35 wherein each one of the directors includes:
a data pipe coupled between an input of such one of the directors and the cache memory; and
a controller for transferring the messages between the message network and such one of the directors.
37. A system interface comprising:
a plurality of directors;
a data transfer section having a cache memory, such cache memory being coupled to the plurality of directors;
a message network, operative independently of the data transfer section, coupled to the plurality of directors; and
wherein the directors control data transfer in response to messages passing between the directors through the message network with such data passing through the cache memory in the data transfer section.
38. The system interface recited in claim 36 wherein each one of the directors include:
a data pipe coupled between an input of such one of the directors and the cache memory;
a controller for transferring the messages between the message network and such one of the directors.
39. The system interface recited in claim 38 wherein the message network comprises a switch network having a plurality of ports, each one of the ports being coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of directors.
40. The system interface recited in claim 39 wherein each one of the directors includes:
a data pipe coupled between an input of such one of the directors and the cache memory; and
a controller for transferring the messages between the message network and such one of the directors.
41. A system interface comprising:
a plurality of directors;
a data transfer section having a cache memory, such cache memory being coupled to the plurality of directors;
a message network comprising a switch network having a plurality of ports, each one of the ports being coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of directors, such message network being operative independently of the data transfer section; and
wherein the directors control data transfer in response to messages passing between the directors through the message network with such data passing through the cache memory in the data transfer section.
42. A system interface comprising:
a plurality of directors;
a data transfer section having a cache memory, such cache memory being coupled to the plurality of directors;
a message network, operative independently of the data transfer section, coupled to the plurality of directors; and
wherein the directors control data transfer in response to messages passing between the directors through the message network with such messages by-passing the data transfer section and with such data transfer comprising passing data through the directors to the cache memory in the data transfer sections.
43. The system interface recited in claim 42 wherein the message network comprises a switch network having a plurality of ports, each one of the ports being coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of directors.
44. A system interface comprising:
a plurality of directors;
a data transfer section having a cache memory, such cache memory being coupled to the plurality of directors;
a message network coupled to the plurality of directors; and
wherein the first and second directors control data transfer in response to messages passing between the directors through the message network with such messages by-passing the data transfer section and with such data transfer comprising passing data through the directors to the cache memory in the data transfer section.
45. The system interface recited in claim 44 wherein the message network comprises a switch network having a plurality of ports, each one of the ports being coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of directors.
46. A system interface comprising:
a plurality of directors;
a data transfer section having a cache memory, such cache memory being coupled to the plurality of directors;
a message network comprising a switch network having a plurality of ports, each one of the ports being coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of directors; and
wherein the directors control data transfer in response to messages passing between the directors through the message network with such messages by-passing the data transfer section and with such data transfer comprising passing data through the directors to the cache memory in the data transfer section.
47. A system, comprising:
a first director;
a second director;
a cache memory coupled to the first director and the second director;
a message network coupled to the first director and the second director;
wherein the first and second directors control data transfer between first director and the second director with the data in the data transfer passing through the cache memory in response to messages passing between the first director and the second director through the message network; and
wherein the messages passing through the message network by-pass the cache memory.
48. A system, comprising:
a first director;
a second director;
a cache memory;
a message network coupled to die first director and the second director;
wherein the first and second directors control data transfer between first director and the second director with data in such data transfer passing through the cache memory in response to messages passing between the first director and the second director through the message network; and
wherein each ore of the messages includes a destination field.
49. A data storage system for transferring data between a host computerserver and a bank of disk drives through a system interface, such system interface comprising:
a plurality of first directors coupled to host computerserver;
a plurality of second directors coupled to the bank of disk drives;
a cache memory, such cache memory being coupled to the plurality of first and second directors;
a message network coupled to the plurality of first directors and the plurality of second directors;
wherein the first and second directors control data transfer between the host computerserver and the bank of disk drives with data in such data transfer pas through the cache memory in response to messages passing between the first director and the second director through the message network; and
wherein the messages passing through the message network by-pass the cache memory.
50. A system, comprising:
a plurality of first directors;
a plurality of second directors;
a cache memory;
a message network, coupled to the plurality of first directors and the plurality of second directors;
wherein the cache memory is coupled the plurality of first directors and to the plurality of second directors;
wherein data is transferred between fist directors and the second directors through the cache memory in response to messages passing between the first directors and the second directors through the message network; and
wherein the messages passing through the message network by-pass the cache memory.
51. The system recited in claim 50 wherein the each one of the messages comprises a packet, such packet having a destination field.
52. A system, comprising:
a first director;
a second director;
a cache memory;
a message network, coupled to the first director and the second director;
wherein where the cache memory is coupled the first director and to the second director;
wherein data is transferred between the first director and the second director through the cache memory in response to messages passing between the fist director and the second director through the message network; and
wherein the messages passing through the message network by-pass the cache memory.
53. The system recited in claim 52 wherein the each one of the messages comprises a packet, such packet having a destination field.
54. A system, comprising:
a plurality of directors, each one having a data port for data and a separate message port for messages;
a cache memory coupled to the data ports of the plurality of directors;
a message network coupled to the message ports of the plurality of directors;
wherein the plurality of directors control data transfer between the directors with said data in such data transfer passing through the cache memory in response to said messages passing between the directors through the message network; and
wherein the messages passing tough the message network by-pass the cache memory.
55. The system recited in claim 54 wherein each one of the messages includes a destination field.
56. A system, comprising:
a plurality of directors, each one having message port for messages;
a cache memory coupled to the plurality of directors;
a message network coupled to the message ports of the plurality of directors;
wherein the plurality of directors control data transfer between the directors with said data in such data transfer passing through the cache memory in response to said messages passing between the directors through the message network; and
wherein with messages passing through to message network by-pass the cache memory.
57. The system recited in claim 56 wherein each one of the messages includes a destination field.
58. A system, comprising:
a plurality of direction, each one having message port for messages;
A cache memory in communication with the plurality of directors;
a message network coupled to the message ports of the plurality of directors;
wherein the plurality of director control data between the directors with said data in such data transfer passing through the cache memory in response to said messages passing between the directors through the message network; and
wherein the messages passing through the message network by-pass the cache memory.
59. The system recited in claim 58 wherein each one of the messages includes a destination field.
60. The system recited in claim 58 wherein each one of the messages includes a destination field.
61. A data storage system for transferring data between a host computerserver and a bank of disk drives through a system interface, such system interface comprising:
a plurality of directors coupled to the host computerserver and to the bank of disk drives;
a global memory accessible to the plurality of directors through arbitration;
a message network coupled to the plurality of directors, such directors controlling data transfer between the host computerserver and the bank of disk drives in response to messages passing between the directors through the message network as such data passes through the memory with such messages by-pass the cache memory.
62. The data storage system recited in claim 61 wherein the message network includes a plurality of ports each one coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of directors.
63. The data storage system recited in claim 62 wherein the message network is a packet switching network and wherein the messages are packets for passing between the ports through the packet switching network.