US4390981A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microprocessor controlled message handling system
Assignee: Syscom Inc
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Filing: 1980-12-29
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Granted: 1983-06-28
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Expires: 2000-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A message handling system includes a computer controlled message processor for use in network configurations to store and forward low-speed messages between long distance and international communicators. Its use is based on dial-up connections between network nodes. Each message handler unit includes a microprocessor, program and buffer storage memories, line multiplexing circuitry, modems and input/output peripheral devices. The message handler unit may comprise a 32 port system, 30 of which are used as input ports and two of which are used as high-speed output ports. A journal of all message numbers is maintained on a printer for complete message accountability.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard J. Wood
- 👤 Balakrishna Parasuraman
- 👤 Edwin H. Williams
- 👤 Mark G. Alexander
- 👤 Richard C. Montgomery, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 06:42
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L51/00; H04L51/21; H04L51/222
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A microprocessor controlled message handling system for use in a dial-up environment and for transmitting messages to and receiving messages from existing telex, TWX and DDD terminals, comprising: a system bus; first memory means coupled to said bus for storing system operating programs; second memory means coupled to said bus for storing said messages; multichannel multiplexing means coupled between said bus and said telex terminals, said multichannel multiplexing means including a first plurality of low-speed input ports and a second plurality of high speed output ports; modulator-demodulator means coupled between said multiplexing means and said TWX and DDD terminals; and microprocessor means for providing on said bus write memory and read memory command signals and a signal representation of a memory location of said memory and multiplexing means connected to said bus to cause said memory location to respectively store a signal on data lines of said bus and to cause said memory location to provide a signal on said data lines.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A microprocessor controlled message handling system for use in a dial-up environment and for transmitting messages to and receiving messages from existing telex, TWX and DDD terminals, comprising: a system bus; first memory means coupled to said bus for storing system operating programs; second memory means coupled to said bus for storing said messages; multichannel multiplexing means coupled between said bus and said telex terminals, said multichannel multiplexing means including a first plurality of low-speed input ports and a second plurality of high speed output ports; modulator-demodulator means coupled between said multiplexing means and said TWX and DDD terminals; and microprocessor means for providing on said bus write memory and read memory command signals and a signal representation of a memory location of said memory and multiplexing means connected to said bus to cause said memory location to respectively store a signal on data lines of said bus and to cause said memory location to provide a signal on said data lines.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system according to claim 1 further comprising: a display panel coupled to said microprocessor means that provides a visual display of messages that pass through said multiplexing means; and a terminal bidirectionally coupled to said microprocessor means operable to provide a printed record representative of signals provided on said bus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 2 wherein said first memory means is a programmable read-only memory.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 3 wherein said second memory means is a random access memory.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system according to claim 4 wherein said multiplexing means includes 32 channels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 5 wherein said multiplexing means includes 30 low-speed input ports and two high-speed output ports.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system according to claim 5 wherein said multiplexing means includes 16 channels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 5 wherein said modulator-demodulator means includes automatic answering and dialling apparatus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein said command console includes means for entering system parameters and for logging message data.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 9 wherein said third memory means is a printer for dumping data including undelivered messages.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 10 wherein said second memory means includes a disk storage system for message buffering.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
173 words
A dial-up communication system for transmitting and receiving messages over telex, TWX and DDD lines, comprising: dial-up means; first and second message handling units; a communication line coupling said first and second message handling units together; and a plurality of low-speed communication terminals coupled to each of said message handling units via said dial-up means for communication therewith, each of said message handling units comprising: a system bus first memory means coupled to said bus for storing system operating programs; second memory means coupled to said bus for storing said messages; multichannel multiplexing means coupled between said bus and said telex terminals; modulator-demodulator means coupled between said multiplexing means and said TWX and DDD terminals; and microprocessor means for providing on said bus write and read memory command signals and a signal representation of a memory location of means connected to said bus to cause said memory location to respectively store a signal on data lines of said bus and to cause said memory location to provide a signal on said data lines.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
173 words
A dial-up communication system for transmitting and receiving messages over telex, TWX and DDD lines, comprising: dial-up means; first and second message handling units; a communication line coupling said first and second message handling units together; and a plurality of low-speed communication terminals coupled to each of said message handling units via said dial-up means for communication therewith, each of said message handling units comprising: a system bus first memory means coupled to said bus for storing system operating programs; second memory means coupled to said bus for storing said messages; multichannel multiplexing means coupled between said bus and said telex terminals; modulator-demodulator means coupled between said multiplexing means and said TWX and DDD terminals; and microprocessor means for providing on said bus write and read memory command signals and a signal representation of a memory location of means connected to said bus to cause said memory location to respectively store a signal on data lines of said bus and to cause said memory location to provide a signal on said data lines.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
A system according to claim 12 wherein each of said message handling units further comprises: a display panel coupled to said microprocessor means that provides a visual display of messages that pass through said multiplexing means; and a terminal bidirectionally coupled to said microprocessor means operable to provide a printed record representative of signals provided on said bus.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 13 wherein said multi-channel multiplexing means includes a first plurality of low-speed input ports and a second plurality of high-speed output ports.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 14 wherein said first memory means is a programmable read-only memory.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 15 wherein said second memory means is a random access memory.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system according to claim 16 wherein said multiplexing means includes 32 channels.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 17 wherein said multiplexing means includes 30 low-speed input ports and two high-speed output ports.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system according to claim 17 wherein said multiplexing means includes 16 channels.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 17 wherein said modulator-demodulator means includes automatic answering and dialling apparatus.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 20 wherein said command console includes means for entering system parameters and for logging message data.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 21 wherein said third memory means is a printer for dumping data including undelivered messages.
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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) | 1986-06-27 | 1986-12-27 | 1987-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-06-27 | 1990-12-27 | 1991-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-06-27 | 1994-12-27 | 1995-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |