EP0205968A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Local area network station connector
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1986-05-28
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-05-28
Abstract
Abstract @ A wiring methodology for attaching office machines to a communications network includes at least one central wiring facility or concentrator with lobe segments emanating or fanning out in a "Star Fashion" configuration to terminal points within offices. A plurality of switch control elements are provided in the concentrator. When activated, each switch control element inserts a lobe segment and attaches machines into the communications network. Lobe segments not in use are bypassed (disconnected) within the concentrator. A single station connector (SSC) can be used to increase the number of office machines that may be attached to a single lobe segment. In addition, the SSC may be used to configure a mobile Local Area Network - (LAN) System without resorting to permanent wiring schemes.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene Joseph Annunziata
- 👤 James Michael Ii Faress
- 👤 Thomas Edward Stammely
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 09:40
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
Circuit arrangement for attaching office machines to a communications network characterized in that it comprises: a signal concentrator means having a plurality of switching modules therein with each switching module being responsive to an enabling signal and operable for placing said switching module into electrical communication with said network; at least one connector means operable for conveying electrical signals therethrough; at least a length of communications media adapted for carrying electrical signals between the connector means and said signal concentrator means; at least one length of communication media operable coupled to said connector means; and a single station connector means coupled to the . communication medium and operable for selectively forwarding the enabling signal to the switching module thereby enabling the office machine being attached to said single station connector to be placed in electrical communication with said communications network.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
Circuit arrangement for attaching office machines to a communications network characterized in that it comprises: a signal concentrator means having a plurality of switching modules therein with each switching module being responsive to an enabling signal and operable for placing said switching module into electrical communication with said network; at least one connector means operable for conveying electrical signals therethrough; at least a length of communications media adapted for carrying electrical signals between the connector means and said signal concentrator means; at least one length of communication media operable coupled to said connector means; and a single station connector means coupled to the . communication medium and operable for selectively forwarding the enabling signal to the switching module thereby enabling the office machine being attached to said single station connector to be placed in electrical communication with said communications network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
Circuit arrangement according to claim 1 characterized in that it includes a conductive means positioned in said concentrator means and operable when activated to provide a secondary communicating path whereby the switching modules are being bypassed by electrical signals traveling through said signal concentrator means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
Circuit arrangement according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the connector means is of the wraparound signal type.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
Circuit arrangement according to claim 1, 2 or 3charactzrized in that the switching modules include an input terminal means; a first isolation means coupled to the terminal means and operable for controlling the passing of electrical signals; a switching means coupled to the first isolation means; a second isolation means coupled to the switching means and operable for controlling the passage of electrical signals; and a circuit means coupled to the switching means said circuit means being operable for generating signals for controlling the switching means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
Circuit arrangement according to claim 4 characterized in that it includes an output terminal means coupled to the second isolation means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Circuit arrangement according to claims 4 or 5 characterized in that the terminal means includes a pair of wire conductors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
Circuit arrangement according to claim 4, 5 or 6 characterized in that the switching means includes a relay arrangement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
Circuit arrangement according to claim 7 characterized in that the relay arrangement includes four form C relays and energization coils for positioning the relay contacts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
Circuit arrangement according to claim 4 wherein the isolation means includes a signal transformer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
124 words
Circuit arrangement according to claim 1 for inserting a data terminal equipment (DTE) into a communications highway characterized in that the switching module comprises: a control means operable for providing d.c. isolation and common mode electrical noise rejection to electrical signals flowing through said control means; -an insertion/bypass " circolt arrangement operable when activated to operate in a first mode wherein the circuit arrangement is being placed in series with the communications highway or in a second mode wherein the circuit arrangement is being bypassed by electrical signals flowing on said communications highway; and an activation logic circuit means responsive to the electrical signals outputted from the control means and operable for generating electrical signals for controlling the mode of the insertion/bypass circuit arrangement.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
Circuit arrangement according to claim 10 wherein the control means include a signal transformer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
Circuit arrangement according to claim 10 or 11 characterized in that it uncludes communications media means operable for interconnecting said switching modules in tandem.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
Circuit arrangement according to claim 10, 11 or 12 characterized in that it includes a plurality of connectors one of each being coupled to a module and operable for providing communication paths to and from the module; a first connector means operable for interfacing the concentrator with a communications highway; and a second connector means operable for outputting electrical signals from said concentrator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
Circuit arrangement according to claim 13 characterized in that it includes an alternate communications path operable for conveying electrical signals from the first connector to the second connector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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