US3778772A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Station interface unit for process control of a direct digital control and/or supervisory control system
Assignee: Bull HN Information Systems Italia SpA
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Filing: 1972-05-31
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Granted: 1973-12-11
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Expires: 1992-05-31
Abstract
Abstract A station interface unit provides to any one of a plurality of remote stations a control signal for effectuating a change in that station''s total charge. With a different charge the selected station''s operation is altered. The control signal is a current having a fixed amplitude and a variable duration time period. A two polarity current source provides for either a positive or negative control signal. Upon completion of the control signal''s variable duration time period, an interrupt signal is generated which indicates that another control signal may be provided to any one of the plurality of remote stations.
Inventors
- 👤 R Rhodes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:44
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q9/00; H04Q9/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for coupling a processor to a first station, said apparatus comprising: means for storing an input signal provided by said processor, said input signal comprising a representation of a duration, means for generating a control signal, means for controlling the transmission of said control signal from said generating means, means responsive to said input signal for regulating the duration during which said control signal is transmitted from said controlling means to said first station, whereby said first station in response to said control signal provides a predetermined operation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for coupling a processor to a first station, said apparatus comprising: means for storing an input signal provided by said processor, said input signal comprising a representation of a duration, means for generating a control signal, means for controlling the transmission of said control signal from said generating means, means responsive to said input signal for regulating the duration during which said control signal is transmitted from said controlling means to said first station, whereby said first station in response to said control signal provides a predetermined operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said generating means includes: a positive cuRrent source for providing a positive substantially constant current control signal to said first station, a negative current source for providing a negative substantially constant current control signal to said first station, and wherein said apparatus further includes means for selecting said control signal from either said positive current source or said negative current source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said regulating means includes: clock means for providing a first series of clock pulses, timing means coupled to said clock means for altering said first series of clock pulses and providing a second series of clock pulses to said storing means, and means responsive to said second series of pulses for changing said input signal such that said control signal is regulated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said storing means includes a magnitude register and a sign register, each of which holds a part of said input signal therein, said magnitude register coupled to receive said second series of pulses from said timing means and providing a signal to said controlling means for regulating the duration of said control signal, said sign register coupled to said source means and selecting one of said source means such that the polarity of said control signal is determined.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein: said magnitude register provides a carry signal when said part of input signal representing a duration indicates that said duration is completed, and said carry signal provides an interrupt of predetermined duration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 5 and further including: enabling means coupled to said magnitude register for enabling transmission of said first series of pulses from said clock means to said timing means, said enabling means responsive to said carry signal and providing said interrupt for the duration of said carry signal.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
138 words
An apparatus for coupling a processor to a plurality of stations, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of storing means each for receiving different segments of an input signal provided by said processor, source means coupled to said plurality of stations for generating a control signal, address means coupled to one of said plurality of storing means and responsive to one segment of said input signal for selecting one station of said plurality of stations, regulating means responsive to a second segment of said input signal for regulating the duration of said control signal, and control means coupled to said address means and said regulating means for controlling the transmission of said control signal, said control means enabling said address means to select said one station and said source means to transmit said control signal to said one station.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
138 words
An apparatus for coupling a processor to a plurality of stations, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of storing means each for receiving different segments of an input signal provided by said processor, source means coupled to said plurality of stations for generating a control signal, address means coupled to one of said plurality of storing means and responsive to one segment of said input signal for selecting one station of said plurality of stations, regulating means responsive to a second segment of said input signal for regulating the duration of said control signal, and control means coupled to said address means and said regulating means for controlling the transmission of said control signal, said control means enabling said address means to select said one station and said source means to transmit said control signal to said one station.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said regulating means includes: clock means for providing a first series of clock pulses, timing means coupled to said clock means for altering said first series of clock pulses and providing a second series of clock pulses, and wherein said control means is responsive to said second series of clock pulses from said timing means to enable said address means and said source means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
84 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said regulating means further includes: a second storing means of said plurality of said storing means, said second storing means storing said second segment of input signal, said timing means providing a third series of clock pulses to said second storing means, said third series of pulses changing the representation of said second segment, said second storing means providing a carry signal when said representation of said second segment indicates that said control signal is completed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said control means includes control logic and busy logic: said control logic responsive to said timing means and enabling said address means to select said one station, said busy logic responsive to said carry signal from said second storing means and disabling said control logic, said control logic, in turn disabling said address means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 10 and further including: enabling means for enabling said clock means, said enabling responsive to said carry signal and providing an interrupt period, said enabling means also responsive to said busy logic for ending said interrupt period.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
79 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said source means includes: a positive current source for providing said control signal in the form of a positive, substantially constant current, a negative current source for providing said control signal in the form of a negative, substantially constant current, and means responsive to a third segment of said input signal stored in a third of said plurality of storing means for selecting either said positive or said negative current source.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
57 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said one station includes: capacitive storage means for storing a charge, an element responsive to the magnitude of said charge in said capacitive storage means, and wherein said control signal is coupled to charge said capacitive storage means to a predetermined storage level as determined by said input signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3557349A
Cited
US3576535A
Cited
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 |