US5113391A
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Intelligent channel unit
Assignee: Inc INTEGRATED NETWORK Corp
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Filing: 1990-07-20
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Granted: 1992-05-12
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Expires: 2010-07-20
Abstract
Abstract An Intelligent Channel Unit for interfacing end user stations to a DDS digital data communications network and for processing network and end user data according to digital data communications applications is described. The ICU comprises data processing circuitry consisting of a programmable processing circuitry (PPC), a microprocessor controller, and a memory device; a bypass circuit; three input/output data ports; and interface units for the control, maintenance, and test functions.
Inventors
- 👤 Dev V. Gupta
- 👤 Y. Brian Chen
- 👤 Joel T. Tarantino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 08:49
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04J; H04J3/00; H04J3/02; H04J3/04; H04J3/047; H04J3/16; H04J3/1605; H04J3/1623; H04J3/1647; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/50; H04L12/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
A communication system wherein a plurality of end user stations are each coupled by communication lines to a communication port of one of a plurality of intelligent channel units that processes data from either a first data stream carrying data bytes in one direction or a second data stream carrying data bytes in the reverse direction, each said channel units comprising: a) first, second and third communication ports wherein end user equipment is coupled to said first port and the remaining ports of said unit are coupled in a chain to ports of other such units to form a cascade connection ending with a remote end unit, such that the third port of a first unit is coupled to the second port of a second unit, and so on, with the exception of units located at ends of this cascade, said remote end unit having one of said second port or said third port coupled to a less remote unit; and b) data processing circuitry for interconnecting said ports and for processing data on said streams, comprising a programmable processing circuit, a controller means and a memory device, in which the controller means reads data bits stored in the memory device to program the programmable processing circuit with a desired interconnection circuit configuration and directs the functional operation of the programmable processing circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
A communication system wherein a plurality of end user stations are each coupled by communication lines to a communication port of one of a plurality of intelligent channel units that processes data from either a first data stream carrying data bytes in one direction or a second data stream carrying data bytes in the reverse direction, each said channel units comprising: a) first, second and third communication ports wherein end user equipment is coupled to said first port and the remaining ports of said unit are coupled in a chain to ports of other such units to form a cascade connection ending with a remote end unit, such that the third port of a first unit is coupled to the second port of a second unit, and so on, with the exception of units located at ends of this cascade, said remote end unit having one of said second port or said third port coupled to a less remote unit; and b) data processing circuitry for interconnecting said ports and for processing data on said streams, comprising a programmable processing circuit, a controller means and a memory device, in which the controller means reads data bits stored in the memory device to program the programmable processing circuit with a desired interconnection circuit configuration and directs the functional operation of the programmable processing circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said intelligent channel unit further includes rerouting means for rerouting data streams around the programmable processing circuit in response to a signal from the controller means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the rerouting means generates delayed versions of said first data stream entering the second port of said unit and delayed versions of said second data stream entering the third port of said unit and selects one of said delayed versions of said first data stream as output through the third port and selects one of said delayed versions of said second data stream as output through the second port.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 3 wherein each of said first and second data streams is delayed by N 1 , N 2 , . . . , and N m bytes to produce M delayed versions, wherein {Ni} and M are integers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 4 wherein the amount of delay in the selected data streams matches the delay along the non-rerouted route, for synchronization.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
91 words
A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein M=2 and the rerouting means comprises: a) delay means to delay each data stream by N 1 and N 2 . . . N m bytes to produce M delayed versions of each data stream; b) a first selector means to select either the N 2 byte delayed or N m byte delayed versions; c) synchronizer means for synchronizing the delayed versions with a clock signal; and d) a second selector means for selecting either the undelayed or the delayed versions as output.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
9 words
The system of claim 6 wherein N 1 =1.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the programmable processing circuit operates as a subrate data multiplexer, and means for inserting data from the first communication port into a first data stream entering through the second port, with the resulting data stream exiting through the third port, and means for extracting data from a second data stream entering through the third data port, the extracted data exiting through the first port and the second data stream exiting through the second data port.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the rate of the data entering/exiting through the first port includes the following subrates: 2.4 kb/s, 4.8 kb/s, 9.6 kb/s or 19.2 kb/s.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
195 words
A method of communicating wherein a plurality of end user stations are each coupled by communication lines to a communication port of an intelligent channel unit that processes data from either a first data stream carrying data bytes in one direction or a second data stream carrying data bytes in the reverse direction, comprising the steps of: a) coupling end user stations to a first port of an intelligent channel unit and coupling a second and third port of the first unit to ports of other such units to form a cascade connection, such that the third port of a first unit is coupled to a second port of a second unit, and so on, with the exception of units located at ends of this cascade, said units having either said second port or said third port coupled to another unit; and b) processing the data on the data streams with a programmable processing circuit controlled by controller means and a memory device, wherein the controller means reads data bits stored in the memory device to program the programmable processing circuit with a desired configuration and to direct the operation of the programmable processing circuit.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
195 words
A method of communicating wherein a plurality of end user stations are each coupled by communication lines to a communication port of an intelligent channel unit that processes data from either a first data stream carrying data bytes in one direction or a second data stream carrying data bytes in the reverse direction, comprising the steps of: a) coupling end user stations to a first port of an intelligent channel unit and coupling a second and third port of the first unit to ports of other such units to form a cascade connection, such that the third port of a first unit is coupled to a second port of a second unit, and so on, with the exception of units located at ends of this cascade, said units having either said second port or said third port coupled to another unit; and b) processing the data on the data streams with a programmable processing circuit controlled by controller means and a memory device, wherein the controller means reads data bits stored in the memory device to program the programmable processing circuit with a desired configuration and to direct the operation of the programmable processing circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 further comprising rerouting data streams around the programmable processing circuit based on a signal from the controller means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
78 words
A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the rerouting includes producing delayed versions of said first data stream entering the second port of said unit and producing delayed versions of said second data stream entering the third port of said unit and selecting one of said delayed versions of said first data stream as output through the third port and selecting one of said delayed versions of said second data stream as output through the first port.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein each of said first and second data streams is delayed by N 1 , N 2 , . . . and N m bytes to produce M delayed versions, wherein M and {Ni} are intergers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the amount of delay in the selected data streams is chosen to match the delay along the non-rerouted route.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
77 words
A method as claimed in claim 14 wherein M=2 and: a) each entering data stream is delayed by N 1 and N 2 , . . . N m bytes to produce M delayed versions of each data stream; b) either the N 2 byte delayed or N m byte delayed versions are selected; c) the delayed versions are synchronized with a clock signal; and d) either the undelayed or the delayed verions are selected as output.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein N 1 =1.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
84 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the programmable processing circuit inserts data from the first communication port into a first data stream entering through the second port, with the resulting data stream exiting through the third port, and extracts data from a second data stream entering through the third data port, the extracted data exiting through the first port and the second data stream exiting through the second data port, so that the intelligent channel unit operates as a subrate data multiplexer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein the rate of the data entering/exiting through the first port includes the following subrates: 2.4 kb/s, 4.8 kb/s, 9.6 kb/s or 19.2 kb/s.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
217 words
A communication system wherein a plurality of end user stations are each coupled by communication lines to a communication port of an intelligent channel unit that processes data from either a first data stream carrying data bytes in one direction or a second data stream carrying data bytes in the reverse direction, having an intelligent channel unit comprising: a) first, second and third communication ports wherein end user equipment is coupled to said first port and the remaining ports of said unit are coupled to ports of other such units to form a cascade connection, such that the third port of a first unit is coupled to the second port of a second unit, and so on, with the exception of units located at ends of this cascade, said units having either said second port or said third port coupled to another unit; b) data processing circuitry, comprising a programmable processing circuit, a controller means and a memory device, wherein the controller means reads data bits stored in the memory device to program the programmable processing circuit with a desired configuration and to direct the operation of the programmable processing circuit; and c) a bypass circuit comprising a rerouting means for rerouting data streams around the programmable processing circuit based on a signal from the controller means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
217 words
A communication system wherein a plurality of end user stations are each coupled by communication lines to a communication port of an intelligent channel unit that processes data from either a first data stream carrying data bytes in one direction or a second data stream carrying data bytes in the reverse direction, having an intelligent channel unit comprising: a) first, second and third communication ports wherein end user equipment is coupled to said first port and the remaining ports of said unit are coupled to ports of other such units to form a cascade connection, such that the third port of a first unit is coupled to the second port of a second unit, and so on, with the exception of units located at ends of this cascade, said units having either said second port or said third port coupled to another unit; b) data processing circuitry, comprising a programmable processing circuit, a controller means and a memory device, wherein the controller means reads data bits stored in the memory device to program the programmable processing circuit with a desired configuration and to direct the operation of the programmable processing circuit; and c) a bypass circuit comprising a rerouting means for rerouting data streams around the programmable processing circuit based on a signal from the controller means.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
212 words
A method of communicating wherein a plurality of end user stations are each coupled by communication lines to a communication port of an intelligent channel unit that processes data from either a first data stream carrying data bytes in one direction or a second data stream carrying data bytes in the reverse direction, comprising the steps of: a) coupling end user equipment to a first port of an intelligent channel unit and coupling a second and third port of the first unit to ports of other such units to form a cascade connection, such that the third port of a first unit is coupled to a second port of a second unit, and so on with the exception of units located at ends of this cascade, said units having either said second port or said third port coupled to another unit; b) processing the data on the data streams with a programmable processing circuit controlled by controller means and a memory device, wherein the controller means reads data bits stored in the memory device to program the programmable processing circuit with a desired configuration and to direct the operation of the programmable processing circuit; and c) rerouting data streams around the programmable processing circuit based on a signal from the controller means.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
212 words
A method of communicating wherein a plurality of end user stations are each coupled by communication lines to a communication port of an intelligent channel unit that processes data from either a first data stream carrying data bytes in one direction or a second data stream carrying data bytes in the reverse direction, comprising the steps of: a) coupling end user equipment to a first port of an intelligent channel unit and coupling a second and third port of the first unit to ports of other such units to form a cascade connection, such that the third port of a first unit is coupled to a second port of a second unit, and so on with the exception of units located at ends of this cascade, said units having either said second port or said third port coupled to another unit; b) processing the data on the data streams with a programmable processing circuit controlled by controller means and a memory device, wherein the controller means reads data bits stored in the memory device to program the programmable processing circuit with a desired configuration and to direct the operation of the programmable processing circuit; and c) rerouting data streams around the programmable processing circuit based on a signal from the controller means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
173 words
An intelligent channel unit that processes and inserts data from end user equipment and from either a first data stream carrying data bytes in one direction or a second data stream carrying data bytes in the reverse direction comprising: a) first, second and third communication ports wherein end user equipment is coupled to said first port and the remaining ports of said unit are coupled to ports of other such units to form a cascade connection, such that the third port of a first unit is coupled to the second port of a second unit, and so on, with the exception of units located at ends of this cascade, said units having either said second port or said third port coupled to another unit; and b) data processing circuitry, comprising a programmable processing circuit, a controller means and a memory device, wherein the controller means reads data bits stored in the memory device to program the programmable processing circuit with a desired configuration and to direct the operation of the programmable processing circuit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
173 words
An intelligent channel unit that processes and inserts data from end user equipment and from either a first data stream carrying data bytes in one direction or a second data stream carrying data bytes in the reverse direction comprising: a) first, second and third communication ports wherein end user equipment is coupled to said first port and the remaining ports of said unit are coupled to ports of other such units to form a cascade connection, such that the third port of a first unit is coupled to the second port of a second unit, and so on, with the exception of units located at ends of this cascade, said units having either said second port or said third port coupled to another unit; and b) data processing circuitry, comprising a programmable processing circuit, a controller means and a memory device, wherein the controller means reads data bits stored in the memory device to program the programmable processing circuit with a desired configuration and to direct the operation of the programmable processing circuit.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
A unit as claimed in claim 21 further comprising a rerouting means for rerouting data streams around the programmable processing circuit based on a signal from the controller means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
77 words
A unit as claimed in claim 22 wherein the rerouting means produces delayed versions of said first data stream entering the second port of said unit and delayed versions of said second data stream entering the third port of said unit and selects one of said delayed versions of said first data stream as output through the third port and selects one of said delayed versions of said second data stream as output through the second port.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
43 words
A unit as claimed in claim 23 wherein each of said first and second data streams is delayed by N 1 , N 2 , . . . and N m bytes to produce M delayed versions, wherein M and N{i} are integers.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
A unit as claimed in claim 24 wherein the amount of delay in the selected data strams is chosen to match the delay along the non-rerouted route, for synchronization.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
93 words
A unit as claimed in claim 25 wherein M=2 and the rerouting means comprises: a) delay means to delay each data stream by N 1 , N 2 , . . . and N m bytes to produce M delayed versions of each data stream; b) a first selector means to select either the N 2 byte delayed or N m byte delayed versions; c) synchronizer means for synchronizing the delayed versions with a clock signal; and d) a second selector means for selecting either the undelayed or the delayed versions as output.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
11 words
A unit as claimed in claim 26 wherein N 1 =1.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
176 words
A method of processing data from end user equipment and from either a first data stream carrying data bytes in one direction or a second data stream carrying data bytes in the reverse direction, comprising the steps of: a) coupling end user equipment to a first port of an intelligent channel unit and coupling a second and third port of the first unit to ports of other such units to form a cascade connection, such that the third port of a first unit is coupled to a second port of a second unit, and so on, with the exception of units located at ends of this cascade, said units having either said second port or said third port coupled to another unit; and b) processing the data on the data streams with a programmable processing circuit controlled by controller means and a memory device, wherein the controller means reads data bits stored in the memory device to program the programmable processing circuit with a desired configuration and to direct the operation of the programmable processing circuit.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
176 words
A method of processing data from end user equipment and from either a first data stream carrying data bytes in one direction or a second data stream carrying data bytes in the reverse direction, comprising the steps of: a) coupling end user equipment to a first port of an intelligent channel unit and coupling a second and third port of the first unit to ports of other such units to form a cascade connection, such that the third port of a first unit is coupled to a second port of a second unit, and so on, with the exception of units located at ends of this cascade, said units having either said second port or said third port coupled to another unit; and b) processing the data on the data streams with a programmable processing circuit controlled by controller means and a memory device, wherein the controller means reads data bits stored in the memory device to program the programmable processing circuit with a desired configuration and to direct the operation of the programmable processing circuit.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 28 further comprising rerouting data streams around the programmable processing circuit based on a signal from the controller means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
78 words
A method as claimed in claim 29 wherein the rerouting includes producing delayed versions of said first data stream entering the second port of said unit and producing delayed versions of said second data stream entering the third port of said unit and selecting one of said delayed versions of said first data stream as output through the third port and selecting one of said delayed versions of said second data stream as output through the first port.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as claimed in claim 30 wherein each of said first and second data streams is delayed N, N+1, . . . , and N+M-1 bytes to produce M delayed versions, wherein M and N are integers.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 31 wherein the amount of delay in the selected data streams is chosen to match the delay along the non-rerouted route.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method as claimed in claim 32 wherein M=2 and: a) each entering data stream is delayed by N and N+1 bytes; b) either the N byte delayed or N+1 byte delayed versions are selected; c) the delayed versions are synchronized with a clock signal; and d) either the undelayed or the delayed versions are selected as output.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method as claimed in claim 33 wherein N 1 =1.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
127 words
A bypass circuit for a channel unit having at least a first port, a second port and a third port comprising a rerouting means for rerouting data streams around processing circuitry of the channel unit in response to a signal from a controller means and wherein said rerouting means produces delayed versions of a first data stream travelling in a first direction entering the second port of said unit and delayed versions of a second data stream travelling in a direction opposite the first direction entering the third port of said unit and selects one of said delayed versions of said data streams as output through the third port and selects one of said delayed versions of a remaining data stream as output through the second port.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
127 words
A bypass circuit for a channel unit having at least a first port, a second port and a third port comprising a rerouting means for rerouting data streams around processing circuitry of the channel unit in response to a signal from a controller means and wherein said rerouting means produces delayed versions of a first data stream travelling in a first direction entering the second port of said unit and delayed versions of a second data stream travelling in a direction opposite the first direction entering the third port of said unit and selects one of said delayed versions of said data streams as output through the third port and selects one of said delayed versions of a remaining data stream as output through the second port.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
38 words
A circuit as claimed in claim 35 wherein each of said first and second data stream is delayed N, N+1, . . . , and N+M-1 bytes to produce M delayed versions, wherein M and N are integers.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
29 words
A circuit as claimed in claim 36 wherein the amount of delay in the selected data streams is chosen to match the delay along the non-rerouted route, for synchronization.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
86 words
A circuit as claimed in claim 37 wherein M=2 and the rerouting means comprises: a) delay means to delay each data stream by N and N+1 bytes to produce N byte and N+1 byte delayed versions of each data stream; b) a first selector means to select either the N byte delayed or N+1 byte delayed versions; c) synchronizer means for synchronizing the delayed versions with a clock signal; and d) a second selector means for selecting either the undelayed or the delayed versions as output.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method as claimed in claim 38 wherein N 1 =1.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for rerouting data stream around processing circuitry of a channel unit having first, second, and third ports based on a signal from a controller means wherein the rerouting includes the steps of producing delayed versions of a first data stream travelling in a first direction entering the second port of said unit and producing delayed versions of a second data stream travelling in a direction opposite the first direction entering the third port of said unit and selecting one of said delayed versions of said first data stream as output through the third port and selecting one of said delayed versions of said second data stream as output through the first port.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for rerouting data stream around processing circuitry of a channel unit having first, second, and third ports based on a signal from a controller means wherein the rerouting includes the steps of producing delayed versions of a first data stream travelling in a first direction entering the second port of said unit and producing delayed versions of a second data stream travelling in a direction opposite the first direction entering the third port of said unit and selecting one of said delayed versions of said first data stream as output through the third port and selecting one of said delayed versions of said second data stream as output through the first port.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 40 wherein each of said first and second data streams is delayed by N 1 , N 2 , . . . and N m bytes to produce M delayed versions, wherein M and {Ni} are integers.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 41 wherein the amount of delay in the selected data stream is chosen to match the delay among the non-rerouted route.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
76 words
A method as claimed in claim 42 wherein M=2 and: a) each entering data stream is delayed by N 1 and N 2 . . . N m bytes to produce M delayed versions of each data stream; b) either the N 2 byte delayed or N m byte delayed versions are selected; c) the delayed versions are synchronized with a clock signal; and d) either the undelayed or the delayed versions are selected as output.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method as claimed in claim 43 wherein N 1 =1.
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) | 1995-05-12 | 1995-11-11 | 1996-05-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-05-12 | 1999-11-11 | 2000-05-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-05-12 | 2003-11-11 | 2004-05-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |