US4630256A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bidirectional dual network
Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
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Filing: 1985-04-19
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Granted: 1986-12-16
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Expires: 2005-04-19
Abstract
Abstract Two, operationally independent networks are established along a common transmission bus by having the signals for the respective networks propagate in opposite directions, and directionally coupling the station units of the respective networks to the transmission bus so as to receive and transmit signals in one of the two directions. The two networks can operate at different bit rates and wavelengths and, being operationally independent, can be installed and added to at different times.
Inventors
- 👤 Andres Albanese
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:11
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/40; H04L12/403
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A communication system, comprising: a first network, including at least two station units; a second network, including at least two station units; means for allocating the resources of said first and second networks; a communication pathway over which said station units are capable of communicating with each other and with said means; and wherein said first and second networks are capable of simultaneous operation, and at any point along said pathway common to said station units, signals between the station units of said first network propagate in a direction opposite to that of the signals between the station units of said second network, the latter signals being unrelated to the former signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A communication system, comprising: a first network, including at least two station units; a second network, including at least two station units; means for allocating the resources of said first and second networks; a communication pathway over which said station units are capable of communicating with each other and with said means; and wherein said first and second networks are capable of simultaneous operation, and at any point along said pathway common to said station units, signals between the station units of said first network propagate in a direction opposite to that of the signals between the station units of said second network, the latter signals being unrelated to the former signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said communication pathway includes an optical fiber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein each of said station units includes signal transmitting means and signal receiving means directionally coupled to said communication pathway.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said signals are optical signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system according to claim 4 wherein the wavelength of the signals between the station units of said first network is different from the wavelength of the signals between the station units of said second network.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said means includes at least one central control unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system according to claim 6 wherein each of the station units of said first network includes means for communicating with one of the station units of said second network; and wherein said one central control unit allocates network resources for both networks.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system according to claim 6 wherein said means includes first and second central control units, said first central control unit allocating the resources of said first network and said second central control unit allocating the resources of said second network.
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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) | 1989-12-15 | 1990-06-16 | 1990-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-15 | 1994-06-16 | 1994-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-15 | 1998-06-16 | 1998-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |