Abstract: A device controller having an autodisk controller is presented. The autodisk controller in monitor mode is capable of monitoring the address of incoming data blocks and, when a target address is reached, triggers a switch of the device controller to buffer mode. In buffer mode, the autodisk controller is capable of monitoring parameters regarding incoming data blocks and reporting status or errors to a microprocessor. The autodisk controller can, for example, check for Id errors, EDC errors, copyright errors, addressing errors, or data area errors. The autodisk controller can also monitor the memory buffer and determine when it is full. The autodisk controller, therefore, relieves the microprocessor of the duties of monitoring incoming data blocks and error checking those data blocks.

Abstract: A device controller for interfacing a host computer with an external storage device has an autohost controller. The device controller, at the end of a read operation, fills a memory buffer with data blocks contiguous with the read operation. On a subsequent read operation, the autohost controller checks the subsequent read operation and, if the requested data is within the memory buffer, directs the device controller to transfer the data from the memory buffer without intervention from an external microprocessor. If the autohost controller does not intervene, the device controller operates under the control of the microprocessor, as normal.

Abstract: An embodiment of an automated cache manager includes a word/block converter, which generates a word count from a valid cache block register, a current block register, and a total block transfer register. For example, the word/block converter obtains the number of valid cache blocks and calculates a partial transfer length based on the number of valid cache blocks, the total block transfer length, and the maximum partial transfer length. The automated cache manager then initiates a partial transfer with the calculated partial transfer length.