In-line coupling circuit for a closed-loop communication terminal

Claim 2

An in-line coupling circuit for coupling a closed-looped communication terminal to a communication line, comprising: coupling means inserted in said communication line, for electrically coupling said closed-loop communication terminal to said communication line, and including means for transferring to said closed-loop communication terminal a reception signal supplied from an upstream portion of said communication line, and means for transferring to a downstream portion of said communication line a transmission signal generated by said closed-loop communication terminal in response to said reception signal; monitoring means, coupled to receive said reception signal and said transmission signal, for monitoring specified character data included in each of said reception and transmission signals for indicating the end of a data frame, and for generating an abnormal detection signal when said monitoring means detects that said communication terminal has not responded to said reception signal within a predetermined period of time; and reporting means for generating a defective code inherent to said closed-loop communication terminal in response to said abnormal detection signal from said monitoring means, and for transferring said generated defective code to the downstream portion of said communication line.

Claim 3

An in-line coupling circuit according to claim 1 wherein said coupling means includes a relay circuit means for isolating said closed-loop communication terminal from said communication line in response to said abnormal detection signal.

Claim 4

An in-line coupling circuit according to claim 1 wherein said coupling means includes a relay circuit means for electrically isolating said closed-loop communication terminal from said communication line in response to said abnormal detection signal, and for forming a transmission path which permits a signal transmitted in said communication line to be passed therethrough.

Claim 5

An in-line coupling circuit according to claim 3, wherein said reporting means includes control circuit means for generating said defective code in response to said abnormal detection signal and for controlling said relay circuit means to transmit said defective code to said communication line.

Claim 6

An in-line coupling circuit according to claim 4, wherein said closed-loop communication terminal is a POS terminal.

Claim 7

A closed-loop communication system comprising: a communication line; a plurality of in-line coupling circuits; a plurality of communication terminals electrically coupled to said communication line via respective in-line coupling circuits to form a closed loop; and a communication control apparatus connected to said communication line, for performing communication control processing operations for giving opportunities to said communication terminals in said closed loop to transmit data; and wherein each of said in-line coupling circuits includes: coupling means inserted in said communication line, for electrically coupling said closed-loop communication terminal to said communication line, and including means for transferring to said closed-loop communication terminal reception signal supplied from an upstream portion of said communication line, and means for transferring to a downstream portion of said communication line a transmission signal generating by said communication terminal in response to said reception signal, monitoring means, coupled to receive said reception signal and said transmission signal, for monitoring specified character data included in each of said reception and transmission signals and for indicating the end of a data frame, and for generating an abnormal detection signal when said monitoring means detects that said communication terminal has not responded to said reception signal within a predetermined period of time, and reporting means for generating a defective code inherent to said communicating terminal in response to said abnormal detection signal from said monitoring means, and for transferring said generated defective code to the downstream portion of said communication line.

Claim 8

A closed-loop communication system comprising: a communication line; a plurality of in-line coupling circuits; a plurality of communication terminals electrically coupled to said communication line via respective in-line coupling circuits to form a closed loop; and a communication control apparatus connected to said communication line, for performing communication control processing operations for giving opportunities to said communication terminals in said closed loop to transmit data; and wherein each of said in-line coupling circuits includes: coupling means inserted in said communication line, for electrically coupling said closed-loop communication terminal to said communication line, and including means for transferring to said closed-loop communication terminal reception signal supplied from an upstream portion of said communication line, and means for transferring to a downstream portion of said communication line a transmission signal generating by said communication terminal in response to said reception signal, monitoring means, coupled to receive said reception signal and said transmission signal, for monitoring specified character data included in each of said reception and transmission signals and for indicating the end of a data frame, and for generating an abnormal detection signal when said monitoring means detects that said communication terminal has not responded to said reception signal within a predetermined period of time, and reporting means for generating a defective code inherent to said communicating terminal in response to said abnormal detection signal from said monitoring means, and for transferring said generated defective code to the downstream portion of said communication line.

Claim 9

A closed-loop communication system according to claim 6, wherein each of said coupling means includes a relay circuit means for isolating said respective closed-loop communication terminals from said communication line in response to said abnormal detection signal.

Claim 10

A closed-loop communication system according to claim 6, wherein each of said coupling means includes a relay circuit means for electrically isolating said respective closed-loop communication terminals from said communication line in response to said abnormal detection signal, and for forming a transmission path which permits a signal transmitted in said communication line to be passed therethrough.

Claim 11

A closed-loop communication system according to claim 8, wherein said reporting means includes control circuit means for generating said defective code in response to said abnormal detection signal and for controlling said relay circuit means to transmit said defective code to said communication line.

Claim 12

A closed-loop communication system according to claim 9, wherein said closed-loop communication terminals each comprise a POS terminal.