US4628511A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for analysis of computer channel failures
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
•
Filing: 1985-08-08
•
Granted: 1986-12-09
•
Expires: 2005-08-08
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for identifying the failing equipment in a computer system when a failure condition is experienced by a computer operator while accessing a computer input/output channel. The apparatus has a memory system which records pre- and post-failure events, which recordings are used for analyzing signal activity on the input/output channel. The signals retained in memory may be output to a hard copy device in an easily understood format to provide a picture or input/output bus activity for the time surrounding the failure event. The operator may utilize the hard copy output to rapidly diagnose the cause of computer failure.
Inventors
- 👤 Teddy K. Stitzlein
- 👤 William P. Simonds
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:44
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/0703; G06F11/0706; G06F11/0745; G06F11/079
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
Apparatus for monitoring signals on an input/output channel of a computer to passively detect communications failures between said computer and peripherals of said computer, comprising: means for accessing and detecting signals on said input/output channel of said computer, without interfering with said signals; first means interconnected with said means for accessing and detecting for preselecting at least one of said signals; control means interconnected with said first means for (i) detecting the signal level of said at least one preselected signal, (ii) generating time information about a particular point in relative time at which said at least one preselected signal is detected, and (iii) generating a predetermined command based upon said detection of said at least one preselected signal and predetermined internal logic; second means interconnected with said means for accessing and detecting and with said control means for storing signal, count, or time information, or combinations thereof, concerning said detection of said at least one preselected signal based upon said predetermined command; and analysis means interconnected with said second means for analysis of said stored information to determine from said stored information the cause of said communications failures on said channel and interconnected with said control means for predetermining said internal logic of said control means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
Apparatus for monitoring signals on an input/output channel of a computer to passively detect communications failures between said computer and peripherals of said computer, comprising: means for accessing and detecting signals on said input/output channel of said computer, without interfering with said signals; first means interconnected with said means for accessing and detecting for preselecting at least one of said signals; control means interconnected with said first means for (i) detecting the signal level of said at least one preselected signal, (ii) generating time information about a particular point in relative time at which said at least one preselected signal is detected, and (iii) generating a predetermined command based upon said detection of said at least one preselected signal and predetermined internal logic; second means interconnected with said means for accessing and detecting and with said control means for storing signal, count, or time information, or combinations thereof, concerning said detection of said at least one preselected signal based upon said predetermined command; and analysis means interconnected with said second means for analysis of said stored information to determine from said stored information the cause of said communications failures on said channel and interconnected with said control means for predetermining said internal logic of said control means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said analysis means includes an operator-controlled analysis computer having a separate memory.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said signal level of said control means may be preselected in functional relationship with said analysis computer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said control means further includes means for detecting at least one second signal wherein detection of said second signal freezes said second means after a preselected number of storing cycles responsive to said at least one second signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said preselected number of storing cycles is preselected by said analysis computer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said information concerning said detection includes all of said signals from said means for accessing and detecting.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US31407A
Cited
US3818458A
Cited
US3906454A
Cited
US4040025A
Cited
US4303987A
Cited
USRE31407E
Cited
US4166290A
Cited
US4351059A
Cited
US4367525A
Cited
US4363123A
Cited
US4425643A
Cited
US4434488A
Cited
US4489414A
Cited
US4498716A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-12-08 | 1990-06-09 | 1990-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-08 | 1994-06-09 | 1994-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-08 | 1998-06-09 | 1998-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |