US3778767A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dynamic debug aid for computer data communication networks
Assignee: Unisys Corp
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Filing: 1972-05-30
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Granted: 1973-12-11
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Expires: 1992-05-30
Abstract
Abstract For trouble-shooting problems in synchronous, asynchronous, twowire voltage, or two-wire current communication links between a terminal and a data processor, a line monitor observes the signals going to or coming from a terminal unit and sends them to the processor. The processor translates them into hexadecimal and mnemonic code messages, and causes their print-out, completely or selectively, along with an indication of the time of day the printed messages were received and the monitoring station (line monitor) they were received from.
Inventors
- 👤 K Volk
- 👤 B Carlyle
- 👤 R Rawlings
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:07
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L5/00; H04L1/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A dynamic trouble-shooting tool for aiding in the detection of problems in half-duplex communication links between a central data processor and a terminal, comprising: means for monitoring binary data and control signals on a said communication link, means for interfacing the monitored signals with an input/output circuit of the central data processor; and means in said central data processor and said input/output circuit for translating said signals into code messages, and causing these messages to be displayed, along with the time of day said signals were received by said central processor means and the time differential between the displayed code messages.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A dynamic trouble-shooting tool for aiding in the detection of problems in half-duplex communication links between a central data processor and a terminal, comprising: means for monitoring binary data and control signals on a said communication link, means for interfacing the monitored signals with an input/output circuit of the central data processor; and means in said central data processor and said input/output circuit for translating said signals into code messages, and causing these messages to be displayed, along with the time of day said signals were received by said central processor means and the time differential between the displayed code messages.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The trouble-shooting tool of claim 1 wherein said monitoring means includes high impedance means connected to the signal lines being monitored.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The trouble-shooting tool of claim 1 wherein said monitoring means includes signal level changing means for restricting signal level swing to within a desirable range.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The trouble-shooting tool of claim 1 wherein said interfacing means includes means for indicating to said input/output circuit when the direction of data signal flow in the communication link changes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The trouble-shooting tool of claim 4, wherein said indicating means comprises: means for detecting a change in signal level on a request to send control line in the communication link; and means responsive to this change in signal level for indicating a change in the direction of data signal flow in the communication link.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
141 words
A dynamic trouble-shooting tool for aiding in the detection of problems in communication links between a central data processor and a terminal which may be used on long-distance communication links, direct connect current links, and direct connect voltage links, comprising: means for monitoring binary data and control signals on one of said type links without loading the circuits in the link; means for interfacing the monitored signals with an input/output circuit of the central data processor; means for selectively adapting said interfacing means to function with one of said type communication links; and means in said central data processor and said input/output circuit for translating said signals into code messages, and causing these messages to be displayed along with the time of day said signals were received by said central processor means and the time differential between the displayed code messages.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
141 words
A dynamic trouble-shooting tool for aiding in the detection of problems in communication links between a central data processor and a terminal which may be used on long-distance communication links, direct connect current links, and direct connect voltage links, comprising: means for monitoring binary data and control signals on one of said type links without loading the circuits in the link; means for interfacing the monitored signals with an input/output circuit of the central data processor; means for selectively adapting said interfacing means to function with one of said type communication links; and means in said central data processor and said input/output circuit for translating said signals into code messages, and causing these messages to be displayed along with the time of day said signals were received by said central processor means and the time differential between the displayed code messages.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
The trouble-shooting tool of claim 6 wherein said selectively adapting means includes; first switching means for selecting the type communication link to be monitored; and second switching means, operative only when said first switching means is selecting the long-distance link, for selecting whether transmitted signals only, received signals only, or both transmitted and received signals are to be monitored.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
The trouble-shooting tool of claim 7 wherein said first switching means comprises: means for activating request-to-send, receive clock, transmit clock, transmit data, and receive data signal lines when the long-distance type communication link is selected; means for activating only the receive data signal line when the current communication link is selected; and means for activating only a direct input/output voltage line when the voltage communication link is selected.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
The trouble-shooting tool of claim 8 further comprising means responsive to the signal level of said request-to-send line for causing either the receive clock signal line or the transmit clock signal line to the input/output circuit to be inhibited, depending on the signal level of the request-to-send line.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The trouble-shooting tool of claim 6 wherein said interfacing means includes means for indicating to said input/output circuit when the direction of data signal flow in the communication link changes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
The trouble-shooting tool of claim 10 wherein said indicating means comprises: means for detecting a change in signal level on the request-to-send line in the communication link; and means responsive to this change in signal level for indicating a change in the direction of data signal flow in the communication link.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
126 words
A dynamic trouble-shooting tool for aiding in the detection of problems in communication links between a central data processor and a terminal which may be used on synchronous and asynchronous communication links comprising: means for interfacing monitored binary data and control signals from a synchronous or asynchronous communication link with an input/output circuit of the central data processor; means for indicating to the input/output circuit when the direction of data signal flow in the communication link changes; and means in said central data processor and said input/output circuit for translating said signals into code messages, and causing these messages to be displayed, along with the time of day said signals were received by said central processor means and the time differential between the displayed code messages.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
126 words
A dynamic trouble-shooting tool for aiding in the detection of problems in communication links between a central data processor and a terminal which may be used on synchronous and asynchronous communication links comprising: means for interfacing monitored binary data and control signals from a synchronous or asynchronous communication link with an input/output circuit of the central data processor; means for indicating to the input/output circuit when the direction of data signal flow in the communication link changes; and means in said central data processor and said input/output circuit for translating said signals into code messages, and causing these messages to be displayed, along with the time of day said signals were received by said central processor means and the time differential between the displayed code messages.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
The trouble-shooting tool of claim 12 wherein said indicating means comprises: means for detecting a change in signal level on a request-to-send control line in the communication link; and means responsive to this change in signal level for indicating a change in the direction of data signal flow in the communication link.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
The trouble-shooting tool of claim 13 further comprising means responsive to the signal level of said request-to-send line for causing either the receive clock signal line or the transmit clock signal line to the input/output circuit to be inhibited, depending on the signal level of the request-to-send line.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
89 words
A dynamic trouble-shooting tool for aiding in the detection of problems in communication links between a central data processor and a terminal, comprising: means for monitoring binary data and control signals on a said communication link; means for interFacing the monitored signals with an input/output circuit of the central data processor; means in said input/output circuit for forming a message with the monitored digital signals, and means in said central data processor for translating said messages into two display code messages and causing these code messages to be displayed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
89 words
A dynamic trouble-shooting tool for aiding in the detection of problems in communication links between a central data processor and a terminal, comprising: means for monitoring binary data and control signals on a said communication link; means for interFacing the monitored signals with an input/output circuit of the central data processor; means in said input/output circuit for forming a message with the monitored digital signals, and means in said central data processor for translating said messages into two display code messages and causing these code messages to be displayed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The trouble-shooting tool of claim 15 wherein said data processor means includes means for editing the messages received from said input/output means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The trouble-shooting tool of claim 16 wherein said data processor means further includes means for activating, inhibiting, and altering said editing means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
The trouble-shooting tool of claim 15 wherein said data processor means includes means for retrieving timing information from the messages received from said input/output means and causing it to be displayed in relation to said code messages.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The trouble-shooting tool of claim 18 wherein said data processor means further includes means for causing the display of monitor station identification in relation to said code messages.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
51 words
A method for trouble-shooting communication links between a central data processor and a terminal comprising: monitoring binary signals on a communication link; translating said signals into code messages; displaying said code messages; and displaying the time of day said signals were monitored and the time differential between the displayed code messages.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
51 words
A method for trouble-shooting communication links between a central data processor and a terminal comprising: monitoring binary signals on a communication link; translating said signals into code messages; displaying said code messages; and displaying the time of day said signals were monitored and the time differential between the displayed code messages.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
65 words
The trouble-shooting method of claim 20 further comprising, after the monitoring step and before the translating step, the steps of: detecting changes in signal level on a request-to-send control link in said communication link; and indicating a change in the direction of data signal flow in response to a detected change in signal level on said request-to-send line as part of the monitored digital signals.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |