US3869573A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multipoint junction unit providing exclusive interconnections of branch pairs
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1974-03-07
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Granted: 1975-03-04
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Expires: 1994-03-07
Abstract
Abstract A synchronous multipoint data network is formed by symmetrical junction units. Each junction unit provides signal paths that interconnect four two-way branch lines which extend to station line loops or are connected to branch lines of other junction units. Data signals from any branch are broadcast by the junction unit to all other branches. If data signals are simultaneously received from two branches, an exclusive two-way connection is formed therebetween. Other branches may then broadcast data signals to each other or form a second exclusive two-way connection. The junction unit also generates ''''idle'''' control words and sends them to branches when they are not receiving data signals.
Inventors
- 👤 Leo Michael Kolensky
- 👤 Randolph John Pilc
- 👤 Gabriel Gary Schlanger
- 👤 Allan Howard Willand
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:44
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A junction unit for terminating at least four two-way branch lines, the junction unit including a signal path interconnecting an incoming side of each branch line with an outgoing side of each of the other branch lines, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the junction unit includes means individual to each signal path for selectively severing the individual signal path in response to concurrent reception of signals from either one of the branch lines interconnected by the signal path and from a different one of the branch lines.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A junction unit for terminating at least four two-way branch lines, the junction unit including a signal path interconnecting an incoming side of each branch line with an outgoing side of each of the other branch lines, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the junction unit includes means individual to each signal path for selectively severing the individual signal path in response to concurrent reception of signals from either one of the branch lines interconnected by the signal path and from a different one of the branch lines.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
106 words
A junction unit for terminating at least four two-way branch lines comprising, signal gating means for interconnecting an incoming side of each branch to an outgoing side of each of the other branches; means responsive to concurrent reception of signals from pairs of branches for storing a designation that the two branches are locked; and means for controlling each of the gating means in response to stored designations of branch pairs which include one of the two branches interconnected by the gating means, the controlling means being independent of stored designations of branch pairs which include none of the two branches interconnected by the gating means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
106 words
A junction unit for terminating at least four two-way branch lines comprising, signal gating means for interconnecting an incoming side of each branch to an outgoing side of each of the other branches; means responsive to concurrent reception of signals from pairs of branches for storing a designation that the two branches are locked; and means for controlling each of the gating means in response to stored designations of branch pairs which include one of the two branches interconnected by the gating means, the controlling means being independent of stored designations of branch pairs which include none of the two branches interconnected by the gating means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A junction unit in accordance with claim 2 wherein the controlling means includes means for disabling the gating means in response to a stored designation that at least one of the two interconnected branches is locked with a branch other than the other interconnected branch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
127 words
A four-branch junction unit for a digital data signaling system, each branch conveying, in two directions, data words defining message text information and control words defining branch conditions, the junction unit comprising, normally enabled gating means for interconnecting each branch with each of the other branches; means responsive to concurrent Reception of data words from any two branches for storing a designation that the two branches are locked to each other; and means for disabling each of the gating means in response to a stored designation that either one of the branches interconnected thereby is locked wtih a branch other than the other one of the interconnected branches; the disabling means being unresponsive to stored designations of pairs of branches not including one of the interconnected branches.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
127 words
A four-branch junction unit for a digital data signaling system, each branch conveying, in two directions, data words defining message text information and control words defining branch conditions, the junction unit comprising, normally enabled gating means for interconnecting each branch with each of the other branches; means responsive to concurrent Reception of data words from any two branches for storing a designation that the two branches are locked to each other; and means for disabling each of the gating means in response to a stored designation that either one of the branches interconnected thereby is locked wtih a branch other than the other one of the interconnected branches; the disabling means being unresponsive to stored designations of pairs of branches not including one of the interconnected branches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A junction unit in accordance with claim 4, and including means responsive to reception of control words from a locked branch for clearing the stored designation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
A junction unit in accordance with claim 4 wherein the storing means includes a plurality of storage units individual to each of the pairs of branches for storing the locked designation of the pair individual thereto and means responsive to the storage of the locked designation for precluding storage in units individual to pairs of branches which include one but not both branches of the locked pair.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A junction unit, in accordance with claim 4, and further including means for generating control words; means for applying the generated control words to each branch; and means responsive to the reception of control words from all other branches for enabling the applying means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A junction unit, in accordance with claim 5, wherein the enabling means is further responsive to the stored designation of other branches being locked and the reception of control words from all other unlocked branches.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-03 | 1978-09-02 | 1979-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-03 | 1982-09-02 | 1983-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-03 | 1986-09-02 | 1987-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |