US4138599A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular communication system having self-identifying modules
Assignee: Nortel Networks Ltd
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Filing: 1977-10-31
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Granted: 1979-02-06
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Expires: 1997-10-31
Abstract
Abstract Trunk and line circuits packaged as modules are provided with circuitry for generating self-identifying type-code information which is retrievable on request by the central control unit of the system. The received information is compared with the type-code information contained in the data memory of the central control unit. Upon non-correlation between the received and the stored type-code information, an alarm signal is generated. In the described embodiment, the type-code information generating circuitry on each board comprises a voltage level source individual of the type of board and an analog to digital converter circuit associated with the board.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernst A. Munter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 07:14
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/22; H04M3/2218; H04M3/24; H04M3/244; H04M3/26; H04M3/28; H04Q1/00; H04Q1/02; H04Q1/03; H04Q1/10; H04Q1/13; H04Q1/135; H04Q1/136; H04M3/229; H04Q2201/00; H04Q2201/04; H04Q2201/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
In an electronic modular system having a central control unit and a plurality of types of modules each one being located at a respective addressable location accessible by the central control unit, said central control unit having data storage means containing type-code information associated with respective ones of the modules of the system, a system for surveying the integrity of the modular system comprising: each module of the system having a respective memory means containing type-code information associated therewith, each of said modules comprising means responsive to a polling signal for transferring said type-code information to the central control unit; means located in the central control unit for comparing the received type-code information with the type-code information contained in its data storage means at the location associated with said polling signal; and means for generating an error signal upon non-correlation between the received type-code information and the data storage means type-code information.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
In an electronic modular system having a central control unit and a plurality of types of modules each one being located at a respective addressable location accessible by the central control unit, said central control unit having data storage means containing type-code information associated with respective ones of the modules of the system, a system for surveying the integrity of the modular system comprising: each module of the system having a respective memory means containing type-code information associated therewith, each of said modules comprising means responsive to a polling signal for transferring said type-code information to the central control unit; means located in the central control unit for comparing the received type-code information with the type-code information contained in its data storage means at the location associated with said polling signal; and means for generating an error signal upon non-correlation between the received type-code information and the data storage means type-code information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
146 words
In an electronic modular system having a central control unit and a plurality of types of modules each one being located at a respective addressable location accessible by the central control unit, said central control unit having data storage means containing type-code information associated with respective ones of the modules of the system, and each module of the system having a respective memory means containing type-code information associated therewith, a method for surveying the integrity of the modular system comprising: polling each of the modules to cause them to transfer the type-code information stored in their respective memory means to the central control unit; comparing the received type-code information from the modules with the type-code information contained in the data storage means of the central control unit; and generating an error signal upon non-correlation between the received type-code information and the data storage means type-code information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
146 words
In an electronic modular system having a central control unit and a plurality of types of modules each one being located at a respective addressable location accessible by the central control unit, said central control unit having data storage means containing type-code information associated with respective ones of the modules of the system, and each module of the system having a respective memory means containing type-code information associated therewith, a method for surveying the integrity of the modular system comprising: polling each of the modules to cause them to transfer the type-code information stored in their respective memory means to the central control unit; comparing the received type-code information from the modules with the type-code information contained in the data storage means of the central control unit; and generating an error signal upon non-correlation between the received type-code information and the data storage means type-code information.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
150 words
In an electronic modular system having a central control unit and a plurality of types of modules each one being located at a respective addressable location accessible by the central control unit, said central control unit having data storage means containing type-code information associated with respective ones of the modules of the system, a system for surveying the integrity of the modular system, comprising: each module of the system having means for generating type-code information associated therewith, each of said modules comprising means responsive to a polling signal for transferring said type-code information to the central control unit; means located in the central control unit for comparing the received type-code information with the type-code information contained in its data storage means at the location associated with said polling signal; and means for generating an error signal upon non-correlation between the received type-code information and the data storage means type-code information.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
150 words
In an electronic modular system having a central control unit and a plurality of types of modules each one being located at a respective addressable location accessible by the central control unit, said central control unit having data storage means containing type-code information associated with respective ones of the modules of the system, a system for surveying the integrity of the modular system, comprising: each module of the system having means for generating type-code information associated therewith, each of said modules comprising means responsive to a polling signal for transferring said type-code information to the central control unit; means located in the central control unit for comparing the received type-code information with the type-code information contained in its data storage means at the location associated with said polling signal; and means for generating an error signal upon non-correlation between the received type-code information and the data storage means type-code information.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
A system as defined in claim 3 wherein the electronic modular system is a pulse code modulation system and each module has an analogue to digital converter associated therewith, said generating means comprising said converter and a voltage level source for providing an analogue signal to the converter for conversion to a pulse code modulation word representing said type-code information associated with the module.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system as defined in claim 4 wherein said electronic modular system is a time division multiplex system and wherein said generating means further comprises a register means for storing said pulse code modulation word for timely transfer of said word to the central control unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as defined in claim 4 wherein said voltage level source is a resistor bridge connected across a voltage power supply, said voltage level source being accessible to the converter through a pulse amplitude modulation gate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as defined in claim 6 wherein said voltage level source includes means for inverting the connection of the voltage power supply across the resistor bridge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as defined in claim 7 wherein said voltage power supply is derived from the reference voltage supply of the converter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as defined in claim 7 wherein said voltage power supply is a differential reference voltage supply derived from the reference voltage supply of the converter.
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) | 1982-02-05 | 1982-08-07 | 1983-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-02-05 | 1986-08-07 | 1987-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-02-05 | 1990-08-07 | 1991-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |