US3665303A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for automatically and manually testing lines for determining if information can be accurately transmitted thereon
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-12-04
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Granted: 1972-05-23
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Expires: 1989-12-04
Abstract
Abstract A hardline monitoring system for monitoring a plurality of lines over which signals are transmitted in order to determine if the characteristics of the lines are within certain predetermined tolerances. The monitoring system includes a programmer, an electronic scanner, an analyzer, a display and control panel, a signal generator, a computer interface unit, and a checkout computer. In operation, the electronic scanner, which is under the control of the programmer, scans a plurality of hardlines or cables over which the signals are transmitted. The programmer, in turn, couples these lines through the scanner to an analyzer which analyzes the signals to determine if there is any distortion or deterioration of the line. If the signals being transmitted are out of tolerance, then the analyzer sends such information to a display and control panel to illuminate a lamp indicating such. Such information is also fed to a checkout computer through a computer interface unit and the programmer. A signal generator is provided for placing continuous data signals, FM signals and wordburst signals on the line when such is necessary.
Inventors
- 👤 Leo O Richards
- 👤 Walter E Parsons
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:07
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L43/00; H04L43/50; G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/50; G01R31/66; G01R31/67; H04B; H04B3/00; H04B3/02; H04B3/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
235 words
An apparatus for monitoring a plurality of hardlines in order to determine if the information being transmitted comes within certain predetermined tolerances comprising: A. an electronic scanner coupled to said hardlines for selectively making connection with said hardlines; B. an analyzing circuit coupled to said scanner; C. a plurality of hardline selection switches; D. means for setting said selection switches to select the hardline upon which the scanning cycle begins and ends, E. means for coupling said hardlines to said selection switches; F. said scanner incLuding; 1. a plurality of input strobe gates; 2. means for coupling said selection switches to said input strobe gates; 3. a ring counter having a plurality of stages; and 4. means for coupling the output of each of said strobe gates to a respective stage of said ring counter for enabling a particular sequence of stages according to the setting on said selection switches; G. said analyzing circuit including analyzers for generating signals indicative of the condition of said information being transmitted over said hardlines; H. means for interrupting the scanning operation when a particular type of information is being transmitted over one of said hardlines; I. means for coupling at least one of said analyzers to said one of said hardlines for analyzing said particular type information while said scanning operation is interrupted; and J. means for resuming the scanning operation after said particular information has been analyzed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
235 words
An apparatus for monitoring a plurality of hardlines in order to determine if the information being transmitted comes within certain predetermined tolerances comprising: A. an electronic scanner coupled to said hardlines for selectively making connection with said hardlines; B. an analyzing circuit coupled to said scanner; C. a plurality of hardline selection switches; D. means for setting said selection switches to select the hardline upon which the scanning cycle begins and ends, E. means for coupling said hardlines to said selection switches; F. said scanner incLuding; 1. a plurality of input strobe gates; 2. means for coupling said selection switches to said input strobe gates; 3. a ring counter having a plurality of stages; and 4. means for coupling the output of each of said strobe gates to a respective stage of said ring counter for enabling a particular sequence of stages according to the setting on said selection switches; G. said analyzing circuit including analyzers for generating signals indicative of the condition of said information being transmitted over said hardlines; H. means for interrupting the scanning operation when a particular type of information is being transmitted over one of said hardlines; I. means for coupling at least one of said analyzers to said one of said hardlines for analyzing said particular type information while said scanning operation is interrupted; and J. means for resuming the scanning operation after said particular information has been analyzed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
means for coupling said selection switches to said input strobe gates;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
means for coupling said selection switches to said input strobe gates;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising: A. a plurality of output gates coupled to respective stages of said ring counter, and B. said analyzers being coupled to said output gates for analyzing information on predetermined hardlines according to when said output gates are enabled by said ring counter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further comprising: A. a plurality of random scan gates interposed between respective stages of said ring counter and said output gates for blocking signals from said ring counter to said output gates when said random scan gates are disabled.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
9 words
a ring counter having a plurality of stages; and
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
9 words
a ring counter having a plurality of stages; and
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
119 words
means for coupling the output of each of said strobe gates to a respective stage of said ring counter for enabling a particular sequence of stages according to the setting on said selection switches; G. said analyzing circuit including analyzers for generating signals indicative of the condition of said information being transmitted over said hardlines; H. means for interrupting the scanning operation when a particular type of information is being transmitted over one of said hardlines; I. means for coupling at least one of said analyzers to said one of said hardlines for analyzing said particular type information while said scanning operation is interrupted; and J. means for resuming the scanning operation after said particular information has been analyzed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
119 words
means for coupling the output of each of said strobe gates to a respective stage of said ring counter for enabling a particular sequence of stages according to the setting on said selection switches; G. said analyzing circuit including analyzers for generating signals indicative of the condition of said information being transmitted over said hardlines; H. means for interrupting the scanning operation when a particular type of information is being transmitted over one of said hardlines; I. means for coupling at least one of said analyzers to said one of said hardlines for analyzing said particular type information while said scanning operation is interrupted; and J. means for resuming the scanning operation after said particular information has been analyzed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 further comprising: A. a random scan register coupled to said ring counter for being enabled when said scan gates are disabled, and B. a patchboard coupled between said random scan register and said output gates for setting up minor random scan sequences of said hardlines.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further comprising: A. a memory register coupled to the output of each of said output gates and said analyzers; B. said memory register including lamp means for being illuminated indicative of the condition of said information being transmitted on said hardlines.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
210 words
An apparatus for monitoring a plurality of hardlines in order to determine the condition of information being transmitted thereover comprising: A. a plurality of selection switches coupled to said hardlines for selecting a predetermined group of said hardlines to be monitored; B. a ring counter having a plurality of stages; C. means for coupling said hardlines to said stages of said ring counter through said selection switches; D. means for sequentially enabling said stages of said ring counter for scanning said hardlines coupled thereto; E. a plurality of output gates coupled to respective stages of said ring counter; F. a plurality of bus bars coupled to said output gates, one of said bus bars for each different type of information to be analyzed; G. an analyzer coupled to each of said bus bars for analyzing a particular type of information appearing on said bus bars; H. switch means interposed between said output gates and said bus bars for selectively connecting said output gates to a particular bus bar so that information can be fed to a designated one of said analyzers, and I. memory means coupled to said output gates and said analyzers for generating a signal indicative of the condition of the information being transmitted over a particular hardline.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
210 words
An apparatus for monitoring a plurality of hardlines in order to determine the condition of information being transmitted thereover comprising: A. a plurality of selection switches coupled to said hardlines for selecting a predetermined group of said hardlines to be monitored; B. a ring counter having a plurality of stages; C. means for coupling said hardlines to said stages of said ring counter through said selection switches; D. means for sequentially enabling said stages of said ring counter for scanning said hardlines coupled thereto; E. a plurality of output gates coupled to respective stages of said ring counter; F. a plurality of bus bars coupled to said output gates, one of said bus bars for each different type of information to be analyzed; G. an analyzer coupled to each of said bus bars for analyzing a particular type of information appearing on said bus bars; H. switch means interposed between said output gates and said bus bars for selectively connecting said output gates to a particular bus bar so that information can be fed to a designated one of said analyzers, and I. memory means coupled to said output gates and said analyzers for generating a signal indicative of the condition of the information being transmitted over a particular hardline.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
90 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 6 further comprising: A. a plurality of random scan gates interposed between respective stages of said ring counter and said output gates for blocking signals from said ring counter to said output gates when said scan gates are disabled; B. a random scan register means coupled to said ring counter being enabled when said scan gates are disAbled; and C. a patchboard coupled between said random scan register means and said output gates for setting up minor random scan sequences of said hardlines.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said analyzers include: A. an analyzer for analyzing wordburst signals.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said analyzers include: A. an analyzer for analyzing continuous data signals, and B. an analyzer for analyzing frequency modulated signals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said analyzers further include: A. an analyzer for analyzing wordburst signals; B. means for interrupting said scanning operation when a wordburst signal appears on a hardline, and C. means for automatically switching said wordburst analyzer to said hardline upon which said wordburst signal appears.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-23 | 1975-11-22 | 1976-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-23 | 1979-11-22 | 1980-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-23 | 1983-11-22 | 1984-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |