Abstract This invention relates to a novel two-wire, two-way optically insulated communication technique for minimizing hardware and wiring of a data communication system. A control station (20) is in data communication with a plurality of remote stations (22-1, 22-2, .... 22-n). Each remote station includes a receiving opto-isolator device (26) and a transmitting opto-isolator device (28), each having an LED and an associated light detector. The LED (40) of the receiving opto-isolator is in series circuit arrangement with the detector (46) of the transmitting opto-isolator. A plurality of remote stations are provided either in series or parallel circuit configuration. If in series configuration, a bypass circus (90) may be provided in the event of a failure of a particular remote station.
A data communication system comprising: a control station for requesting information and for receiving said requested information; at least one remote station operable to receive a request for information from said control station and for providing said requested information, characterized in that said remote station includes data processing means and a receiving opto-isolator having an optical transmitter element for receiving and passing an electrical signal from said control station for transmitting an optical signal in response to said electrical signal, and a detector for detecting said optical signal to provide an output signal indicative thereof to said data processing means; said remote station also includes a transmitting opto-isolator having an optical transmitter element for transmitting an optical signal in response to an electrical signal governed by said data processing means, and a detector for detecting said last named optical signal for allowing electrical signals to be passed by said last named detector; said optical transmitter element of said receiving opto-i solator being connected in series circuit arrangement with said detector of said transmitting opto-isolator such that the electrical signal through said series connected transmitter element is modulated by said detector; said control station including receiver means; and means for providing said modulated signal to said receiver means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
A data communication system comprising: a control station for requesting information and for receiving said requested information; at least one remote station operable to receive a request for information from said control station and for providing said requested information, characterized in that said remote station includes data processing means and a receiving opto-isolator having an optical transmitter element for receiving and passing an electrical signal from said control station for transmitting an optical signal in response to said electrical signal, and a detector for detecting said optical signal to provide an output signal indicative thereof to said data processing means; said remote station also includes a transmitting opto-isolator having an optical transmitter element for transmitting an optical signal in response to an electrical signal governed by said data processing means, and a detector for detecting said last named optical signal for allowing electrical signals to be passed by said last named detector; said optical transmitter element of said receiving opto-i solator being connected in series circuit arrangement with said detector of said transmitting opto-isolator such that the electrical signal through said series connected transmitter element is modulated by said detector; said control station including receiver means; and means for providing said modulated signal to said receiver means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A data communication system as defined in claim 1 characterized in that a plurality of remote stations each include data processing means and receiving and transmitting opto-isolators in the same relationship as said one remote station.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A data communication system as defined in claim 2 characterized in that said remote stations are in series circuit configuration so that said series circuit arrangement of the optical transmitter element of each receiving opto-isolator and the detector of each transmitting opto-isolator is connected in series with said control station.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A data communication system as defined in claim 2 characterized in that said remote stations are in parallel circuit configuration so that each detector element of a transmitting opto-isolator is connected directly to said control station.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A data communication system as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, it includes an electrical path connected in parallel with said series circuit arrangement; said path including normally open contacts; and means for closing said contacts upon a predetermined fault within said remote station.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A data communication system as defined in any of the preceding claims characterized in that said receiver means includes a receiving opto-isolator having an optical transmitter element for transmitting an optical signal in response to a signal from said remote station, and a detector for detecting said optical signal.