Continuous, automatic reset of synchronous data receiver upon detection of loss of sync

Claim 1

In a synchronous serial data communications system wherein a data record is provided to a receiver over a predetermined time interval, said data record preceded by a first timing signal and including a plurality of data words having a second timing signal associated therewith, wherein a second timing signal is provided in the absence of a data word, a system for synchronizing said receiver with said serial data comprising: first timing means coupled to said receiver and responsive to said first timing signal for generating a third timing signal during each data word; detector means coupled to said receiver and responsive to said first and second timing signals and further coupled to said first timing means and responsive to said third timing signal for providing a disable signal when said first or second timing signal occurs during said third timing signal; reset means coupled to said receiver for providing a continuous reset signal to said receiver in initiating the synchronization of said receiver with the received serial data, said reset means further coupled to said detector means and responsive to said disable signal for terminating said reset signal when said first or second timing signal occurs during said third timing signals; and second timing means coupled to said detector means and responsive to said disable signal for generating a fourth timing signal greater in duration than said predetermined time interval and for providing said fourth timing signal to said reset means for continuing said disable signal in preventing the resetting of said receiver during receipt of a data record.