US4168532A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multimode data distribution and control apparatus
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
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Filing: 1977-02-24
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Granted: 1979-09-18
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Expires: 1997-02-24
Abstract
Abstract A multiplex telecommunications system for simultaneously handling digital data, video and voice traffic on a local level using either broadband coaxial cable or optic fibers as a transmission medium.
Inventors
- 👤 Gayle C. Dempsey
- 👤 Richard P. Witt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:43
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04J; H04J3/00; H04J3/24; H04J3/245; G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/14; G06F13/20; G06F13/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
376 words
A multimode data distribution and control apparatus comprising in combination: remote terminals providing data and control signals, means for processing data and control signals from said remote terminal, said processing means utilizes said control signal to recognize requests for data from remote terminals and to provide the required message codes for the transfer of data between remote terminals, said processing means utilizing time division multiplexing for the transmission and receipt of data and control signals, said processing means receives data signals from one remote terminal for transmittal to a second remote terminal, said processing means indexing incoming data signals with an address code and transmitting the address-coded data signals to the receiving terminal, a coaxial cable providing a plurality of multiplexing channels therein, each terminal of said plurality of multiplexing channels providing a two-way transfer of signals, said two-way transfer of signals being upstream and downstream from said processing means, a first channel to transfer data signals, a second channel to transfer control signals, and a plurality of data/control units for transmitting and receiving data between each data/control unit of said plurality of data/control units, each of said plurality of data control units comprising a different one of said remote terminals which are remote to each other and to said processing means, said remote terminals being connected to said coaxial cable and thereby connected to said processing means, each of said plurality of data/control units being connected respectively to said first and second channel of said coaxial cable, each of said plurality of data control units transmitted and receiving control signals from said data processing means, each of said plurality of data/control units transmitting on demand data signals to said processing means, said data signals having a data signal rate, each of said data signal rates being equal to or different from one another, each of said data/control units having a data rate change means to change the state of the data rate signal in accordance with the state of the respective data/control unit, said data signal rate being variable according to the capability and state of the respective data/control unit, each data/control unit transmitting a rate signal indicating the loading state of the transmitting data/control unit, said rate signal being transmitted with said data signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
376 words
A multimode data distribution and control apparatus comprising in combination: remote terminals providing data and control signals, means for processing data and control signals from said remote terminal, said processing means utilizes said control signal to recognize requests for data from remote terminals and to provide the required message codes for the transfer of data between remote terminals, said processing means utilizing time division multiplexing for the transmission and receipt of data and control signals, said processing means receives data signals from one remote terminal for transmittal to a second remote terminal, said processing means indexing incoming data signals with an address code and transmitting the address-coded data signals to the receiving terminal, a coaxial cable providing a plurality of multiplexing channels therein, each terminal of said plurality of multiplexing channels providing a two-way transfer of signals, said two-way transfer of signals being upstream and downstream from said processing means, a first channel to transfer data signals, a second channel to transfer control signals, and a plurality of data/control units for transmitting and receiving data between each data/control unit of said plurality of data/control units, each of said plurality of data control units comprising a different one of said remote terminals which are remote to each other and to said processing means, said remote terminals being connected to said coaxial cable and thereby connected to said processing means, each of said plurality of data/control units being connected respectively to said first and second channel of said coaxial cable, each of said plurality of data control units transmitted and receiving control signals from said data processing means, each of said plurality of data/control units transmitting on demand data signals to said processing means, said data signals having a data signal rate, each of said data signal rates being equal to or different from one another, each of said data/control units having a data rate change means to change the state of the data rate signal in accordance with the state of the respective data/control unit, said data signal rate being variable according to the capability and state of the respective data/control unit, each data/control unit transmitting a rate signal indicating the loading state of the transmitting data/control unit, said rate signal being transmitted with said data signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
103 words
A multimode data distribution and control apparatus as described in claim 1 further including a host processor unit to provide data distribution at on automatically variable data traffic rate, said data traffic rate varies directly as the demand from said plurality of data/control units, a front-end processor connected to said host processor unit to provide data signals to and from said host processor unit, and, a multiport data buffer unit connected to said first and second channels respectively to receive and transmit data and control signals therefrom, said multiport data buffer unit being connected to said front-end processor to provide data signals thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A multimode data distribution and control apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said first and second channels respectively have an upstream and a downstream cable therein for the transmission of information.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A multimode data distribution and control apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said plurality of data/control units may equal up to 1024 units.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A multimode data distribution and control apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said data traffic rate may be varied from 600 bits/second up to 19.2 kilobits/second.
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) | 1982-09-17 | 1983-03-19 | 1983-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-09-17 | 1987-03-19 | 1987-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-09-17 | 1991-03-19 | 1991-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |