CONVERSATION BUS FOR A DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM

摘要

A data processing system which is comprised of a plurality of devices that carry on conversations with each other over a time-shared bus. These conversations can consist of a message from a device A to a device B which is immediately followed by a message from device B back to device A, or a message from device A to device B which is immediately followed by a message from device B to another device C, or a single message from device A to device B. In each case, the last device to receive a message assumes control of the bus; and it reliquishes this control by either sending a message to another device or by broadcasting a poll code to all devices on the bus.