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US4752940A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and apparatus for transmission of digital data over a line

Assignee: AND YET Inc A CORP OF CA
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Filing: 1986-07-28
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Granted: 1988-06-21
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Expires: 2006-07-28
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Abstract

Abstract A method and apparatus for transmitting data over a line where the data is received for transmission at a fixed rate. The data is buffered and transmitted over the line at a rate faster than the fixed rate to create "dead" times used for calibration. Calibration signals are transmitted over the line during the dead time to determine the characteristics of the line.

Inventors

  • 👤 Martin H. Graham

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 08:21
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L25/00; H04L25/02; H04L25/12

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 144 words
A method for transmitting data over a line comprising the steps of: receiving the data in a buffer at a first rate; transmitting the data received by said buffer over said line at a second rate which is faster than said first rate so as to create periods of time during which data need not be transmitted; receiving said data from said line in a receiver at said second rate; transmitting calibration signals over said line during said periods of time; determining the characteristics of said line from received calibration signals; adjusting the characteristics of said receiver based on said received calibration signals; buffering the data received by said receiver such that the data is received at said second rate and outputted at said first rate; whereby the characteristics of said line can be determined when data is not being transmitted over said line.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 144 words
A method for transmitting data over a line comprising the steps of: receiving the data in a buffer at a first rate; transmitting the data received by said buffer over said line at a second rate which is faster than said first rate so as to create periods of time during which data need not be transmitted; receiving said data from said line in a receiver at said second rate; transmitting calibration signals over said line during said periods of time; determining the characteristics of said line from received calibration signals; adjusting the characteristics of said receiver based on said received calibration signals; buffering the data received by said receiver such that the data is received at said second rate and outputted at said first rate; whereby the characteristics of said line can be determined when data is not being transmitted over said line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method defined by claim 1 wherein said periods of time are of fixed duration and occur periodically.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method defined by claim 2 wherein said calibration signals comprise a plurality of zeros followed by at least one pulse.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 30 words
The method defined by claim 3 wherein the duration of said plurality of zeroes is sufficiently long to permit transients from said transmission of data in said line to subside.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 211 words
An apparatus for transmitting data over a line comprising: first buffering means for receiving data at a first rate; transmitting means coupled to said first buffering means and said line for generating a timing signal corresponding to a second rate which is faster than said first rate and for transmitting said data received at said first rate by said buffering means over said line at said second rate said data being coupled from said buffering means to said transmission means at said second rate thereby creating periods of time when data is not being transmitted; calibration signal generation means for generating calibration signals coupled to said transmitting means to provide transmission of calibration signals over said line during said periods of time when data is not being transmitted over said line by said transmitting means; receiving means coupled to said line for receiving data from said line, said receiving means adjusting its receiving characteristics based on said calibration signals received over said line; second buffering means for receiving data from said receiving means at said second rate and for providing data at said first rate; whereby the characteristics of said line are readily determined from said calibration signals transmitted during said periods when data is not being transmitted over said line.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 211 words
An apparatus for transmitting data over a line comprising: first buffering means for receiving data at a first rate; transmitting means coupled to said first buffering means and said line for generating a timing signal corresponding to a second rate which is faster than said first rate and for transmitting said data received at said first rate by said buffering means over said line at said second rate said data being coupled from said buffering means to said transmission means at said second rate thereby creating periods of time when data is not being transmitted; calibration signal generation means for generating calibration signals coupled to said transmitting means to provide transmission of calibration signals over said line during said periods of time when data is not being transmitted over said line by said transmitting means; receiving means coupled to said line for receiving data from said line, said receiving means adjusting its receiving characteristics based on said calibration signals received over said line; second buffering means for receiving data from said receiving means at said second rate and for providing data at said first rate; whereby the characteristics of said line are readily determined from said calibration signals transmitted during said periods when data is not being transmitted over said line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 31 words
The apparatus defined by claim 5 wherein said receiving means includes an oscillator and the frequency of said oscillator is adjusted based on said calibration signals to match said second rate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 28 words
The apparatus defined by claim 5 wherein said calibrating signal generation means generates a calibration signal which comprises a plurality of zeros followed by at least one pulse.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3217258A Cited
US4072987A Cited
US4025854A Cited
US4330858A Cited
US4633464A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1991-06-21 1991-12-21 1992-06-21 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1995-06-21 1995-12-21 1996-06-21 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1999-06-21 1999-12-21 2000-06-21 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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