US5087911A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Data communication network
Assignee: GEC PLESSEY TELECOMMUNICATIONS Ltd A BRITISH Co
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Filing: 1988-06-20
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Granted: 1992-02-11
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Expires: 2008-06-20
Abstract
Abstract A data communications network comprises a plurality of terminals (30, 31, . . . 34) which are interconnected by a contra-rotative ring pair of lines (35, 36), so as to be able to send data to and receive data from all the other terminals in the network. Each terminal has a pair of stations (A, B), each linked to said pair. The network is characterized in that one station associated with any one terminal is arranged to be as distant as possible in a topological sense from its associated pair.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard Green
- 👤 Anthony P. Lumb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:30
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/42; H04L12/437
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A fault-tolerant data communications network, comprising: (a) a plurality of user terminals, each terminal having two stations, each station being independently operable and having means for receiving data and means for transmitting data; (b) ring means having a signal path along which the terminals are electrically interconnected, said ring means including a primary data line electrically interconnecting one station of each terminal for routing data in one direction around the ring means, and a secondary data line electrically interconnecting another station of each terminal for routing data in an opposite direction around the ring means; (c) said one station and said other station of each terminal being physically located adjacent each other at a particular terminal site on the ring means; and (d) said one station and said other station of each terminal being electrically interconnected at opposite ends of a portion of the signal path, along which path portion are located half of the remaining stations of the network.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A fault-tolerant data communications network, comprising: (a) a plurality of user terminals, each terminal having two stations, each station being independently operable and having means for receiving data and means for transmitting data; (b) ring means having a signal path along which the terminals are electrically interconnected, said ring means including a primary data line electrically interconnecting one station of each terminal for routing data in one direction around the ring means, and a secondary data line electrically interconnecting another station of each terminal for routing data in an opposite direction around the ring means; (c) said one station and said other station of each terminal being physically located adjacent each other at a particular terminal site on the ring means; and (d) said one station and said other station of each terminal being electrically interconnected at opposite ends of a portion of the signal path, along which path portion are located half of the remaining stations of the network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The network according to claim 1, wherein the primary and secondary data lines are twisted into a Mobius form at a predetermined location on the ring means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The network according to claim 1, wherein the lines are optical fibres.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The network according to claim 1, wherein the means for receiving data and the means for transmitting data include an encoder, a decoder and a controller for interfacing between a peripheral device at a respective terminal and at least one of the data lines.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-02-10 | 1995-08-12 | 1996-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-02-10 | 1999-08-12 | 2000-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-02-10 | 2003-08-12 | 2004-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |