US5384783A — Network system and line switching method used the…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 173 words

A network system in which a plurality of computers and a terminal device are connected to one another through a node by telecommunication lines, and one computer is designated by an address from said terminal device to receive data communication from said terminal device through said node, said node comprising: means for detecting a stop or fault of said one computer, or a stop or fault of the telecommunication line connecting said one computer and said node to each other, in response to call for said one computer from said terminal device; means for switching said one computer from being designated to receive the data to another computer for receiving the data, in response to the detection of the stop or fault; and means for informing said terminal device that the switching to said another computer has been performed, said terminal device including means for changing the address of the designated computer from an address of said one computer to an address of said another computer, in response to the information of switching.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 173 words

A network system in which a plurality of computers and a terminal device are connected to one another through a node by telecommunication lines, and one computer is designated by an address from said terminal device to receive data communication from said terminal device through said node, said node comprising: means for detecting a stop or fault of said one computer, or a stop or fault of the telecommunication line connecting said one computer and said node to each other, in response to call for said one computer from said terminal device; means for switching said one computer from being designated to receive the data to another computer for receiving the data, in response to the detection of the stop or fault; and means for informing said terminal device that the switching to said another computer has been performed, said terminal device including means for changing the address of the designated computer from an address of said one computer to an address of said another computer, in response to the information of switching.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 31 words

The network system according to claim 1, wherein said node includes means for performing call setup to the said another computer, in response to the detection of the stop or fault.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 53 words

The network system according to claim 1, wherein said terminal device includes means for issuing a call to said another computer on the basis of the new address through said node, in the case where said one computer is designated as a computer to perform the communication, after the change of the address.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 93 words

The network system according to claim 1, wherein said node further comprises: means for detecting a stop or fault of said one computer, or a stop or fault of the telecommunication line connecting said one computer and said node to each other, during the data communication between said terminal device and said one computer through said node; and means for outputting a disconnection indication for disconnecting a call from said terminal device to said one computer to said terminal device, in response to the detecting of the stop or fault during the communication.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 109 words

The network system according to claim 1, wherein a telecommunication line connecting said node and said one computer to each other is constructed by a plurality of lines; said means for detecting a stop or fault of said node including means for inspecting stops or faults of said plurality of lines connecting said one computer and said node to each other in sequence, in response to a call issued from said terminal device to said one computer; and said information means including means for informing said terminal device of the stops or faults, in response to the detection of all the stops or faults of said plurality of lines.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 41 words

The network system according to claim 5, wherein said node includes means for setting call setup to said one computer through one line of said plurality of lines when said one line is judged to be normal by said inspection means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 174 words

A network system in which a plurality of computers and a terminal device are connected to one another through a node by telecommunication lines, and one computer is designated by said terminal device to receive data from said terminal device through said node, said node comprising: means for detecting a stop or fault of said one computer, or a stop or fault of the telecommunication line connecting said one computer and said node to each other, in response to an incoming call for said one computer from said terminal device; and means for switching designation from said one computer to another computer, in response to the detection of the stop or fault comprising means for informing said terminal device that communication is impractical, in response to the detection of the stop or fault; said terminal device including means for changing an address of the designated computer to perform the communication from an address of said one computer to an address of said another computer, in response to the information that the communication is impractical.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 174 words

A network system in which a plurality of computers and a terminal device are connected to one another through a node by telecommunication lines, and one computer is designated by said terminal device to receive data from said terminal device through said node, said node comprising: means for detecting a stop or fault of said one computer, or a stop or fault of the telecommunication line connecting said one computer and said node to each other, in response to an incoming call for said one computer from said terminal device; and means for switching designation from said one computer to another computer, in response to the detection of the stop or fault comprising means for informing said terminal device that communication is impractical, in response to the detection of the stop or fault; said terminal device including means for changing an address of the designated computer to perform the communication from an address of said one computer to an address of said another computer, in response to the information that the communication is impractical.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 168 words

A network system in which a plurality of computers and a terminal device are connected to one another through a node by telecommunication lines, and one computer is designated by said terminal device to communicate data from said terminal device through said node, said node comprising: means for detecting a stop or fault of said one computer, or a stop or fault of the telecommunication line connecting said one computer and said node to each other, in response to an incoming call for said one computer from said terminal device; means for informing said terminal device of address modification information, in response to the detection of the stop or fault; and means for switching designation from said one computer to another computer, in response to the address modification information, wherein said terminal device includes means for changing an address of the designated computer to perform the communication from an address of said one computer to a new address of another computer, in response to the address modification information.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 168 words

A network system in which a plurality of computers and a terminal device are connected to one another through a node by telecommunication lines, and one computer is designated by said terminal device to communicate data from said terminal device through said node, said node comprising: means for detecting a stop or fault of said one computer, or a stop or fault of the telecommunication line connecting said one computer and said node to each other, in response to an incoming call for said one computer from said terminal device; means for informing said terminal device of address modification information, in response to the detection of the stop or fault; and means for switching designation from said one computer to another computer, in response to the address modification information, wherein said terminal device includes means for changing an address of the designated computer to perform the communication from an address of said one computer to a new address of another computer, in response to the address modification information.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 190 words

A network system in which a plurality of terminal devices and a computer are connected to one another through a node by telecommunication lines, and one terminal device is designated by said computer to communicate data from said computer to said one terminal device through said node, said node comprising: means for detecting a stop or fault of said one terminal device, or a stop or fault of the telecommunication line connecting said one terminal device and said node to each other, in response to a call for said one terminal device in response to the designation of said one terminal device by said computer; means for informing said computer of the stop or fault, in response to the detection of the stop or fault; and means for switching destination from said one computer to another computer, in response to the detection of the stop or fault, wherein said computer includes means for changing an address of the designated terminal device to perform the communication from an address of said one terminal device to an address of another terminal device in response to the information of said stop or fault.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 190 words

A network system in which a plurality of terminal devices and a computer are connected to one another through a node by telecommunication lines, and one terminal device is designated by said computer to communicate data from said computer to said one terminal device through said node, said node comprising: means for detecting a stop or fault of said one terminal device, or a stop or fault of the telecommunication line connecting said one terminal device and said node to each other, in response to a call for said one terminal device in response to the designation of said one terminal device by said computer; means for informing said computer of the stop or fault, in response to the detection of the stop or fault; and means for switching destination from said one computer to another computer, in response to the detection of the stop or fault, wherein said computer includes means for changing an address of the designated terminal device to perform the communication from an address of said one terminal device to an address of another terminal device in response to the information of said stop or fault.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 30 words

The network system according to claim 9, wherein said node includes means for setting call setup said another terminal device, in response to the detection of the stop or fault.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 50 words

The network system according to claim 9 wherein said computer includes means for issuing a call to said another computer on the basis of the new address through said node, in the case where said one terminal device is designated to perform the communication, after the changing of the address.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 94 words

The network system according to claim 9, wherein said node further comprises: means for detecting a stop or fault of said one terminal device, or a stop or fault of the telecommunication line connecting said one terminal device and said node to each other, during the data communication between said computer and said one terminal device through said node; and means for outputting a disconnection indication for disconnecting a call from said computer to said one terminal device to said computer, in response to the detection of the stop or fault during the communication.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 142 words

The network system according to claim 9, wherein the telecommunication line connecting said node and said one terminal device to each other is constructed by a plurality of lines; said means for detecting a stop or fault includes means for inspecting stops or faults of said plurality of lines connecting said one terminal device and said node to each other in sequence, in response to a call issued from said computer to said one terminal device; said information means includes means for informing said computer of the stops or faults, in response to the detection of all the stops or faults of said plurality of lines; and said terminal device includes means for changing an address of the designated computer from an address of said one computer to a new address of said another computer, in response to the information of switching.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 42 words

The network system according to claim 13, wherein said node includes means for setting call setup to said one terminal device through one line of said plurality of lines, when said one line is judged to be normal by said inspection means.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 154 words

A line switching method using a network system in which a plurality of computers and a terminal device are connected to one another through a node by telecommunication lines, and one computer is designated by said terminal device to communicate data from said terminal device through said node, said method comprising the steps by said node of: detecting a stop or fault of said one computer, or a stop or fault of the telecommunication line connecting said one computer and said node to each other, in response to an incoming call for said one computer from said terminal device; and informing said terminal device of address modification information, in response to the detection of the stop or fault; and changing an address of the designated computer to perform the communicating from an address of said one computer to a new address of another computer, in response to said information of the stop or fault.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 154 words

A line switching method using a network system in which a plurality of computers and a terminal device are connected to one another through a node by telecommunication lines, and one computer is designated by said terminal device to communicate data from said terminal device through said node, said method comprising the steps by said node of: detecting a stop or fault of said one computer, or a stop or fault of the telecommunication line connecting said one computer and said node to each other, in response to an incoming call for said one computer from said terminal device; and informing said terminal device of address modification information, in response to the detection of the stop or fault; and changing an address of the designated computer to perform the communicating from an address of said one computer to a new address of another computer, in response to said information of the stop or fault.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 38 words

The line switching method used in a network system according to claim 15, further comprising the step by said node of: performing call setup in said another computer, in response to the detection of the stop or fault.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 58 words

The line switching method used in a network system according to claim 15, further comprising the step by said terminal device of: issuing a call to said another computer on the basis of the new address through said node, in the case where said one computer is designated to perform the communicating after the changing of the address.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 98 words

The line switching method used in a network system according to claim 15, further comprising the step by said node of: detecting a stop or fault of said one computer, or a stop or fault of the telecommunication line connecting said one computer and said node to each other, during the data communication between said terminal device and said one computer through said node; and outputting a disconnection indication for disconnecting a call from said terminal device to said one computer to said terminal device, in response to the detection of the stop or fault during the communication.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 117 words

The line switching method used in a network system according to claim 15, wherein the telecommunication line connecting said node and said one computer to each other is constructed by a plurality of lines; said step of detecting a stop or fault of said node includes a step of inspecting stops or faults of said plurality of lines connecting said one computer and said node to each other in sequence, in response to a call issued from said terminal device to said one computer; and said information step includes a step of informing said terminal device of the stops or faults, in response to the detection of all the stops or faults of said plurality of lines.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 49 words

The line switching method used in a network system according to claim 19, further comprising the step by said node of; setting call setup to said one computer through one line of said plurality of lines when said one line is judged to be normal by said inspection step.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 154 words

A line switching method used in a network system in which a plurality of terminal devices and a computer are connected to one another through a node by telecommunication lines, and one terminal device is designated to communicate data from said computer through said node, said method comprising the steps by said node of: detecting a stop or fault of said one terminal device, or a stop or fault of the telecommunication line connecting said one terminal device and said node to each other, in response to a call issued from said computer to said one terminal; informing said computer of the stop or fault, in response to the detection of the stop or fault; and changing an address of the designated terminal device to perform the communication from an address of said one terminal device to a new address of another terminal device, in response to the information of the stop or fault.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 154 words

A line switching method used in a network system in which a plurality of terminal devices and a computer are connected to one another through a node by telecommunication lines, and one terminal device is designated to communicate data from said computer through said node, said method comprising the steps by said node of: detecting a stop or fault of said one terminal device, or a stop or fault of the telecommunication line connecting said one terminal device and said node to each other, in response to a call issued from said computer to said one terminal; informing said computer of the stop or fault, in response to the detection of the stop or fault; and changing an address of the designated terminal device to perform the communication from an address of said one terminal device to a new address of another terminal device, in response to the information of the stop or fault.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 38 words

The line switching method used in a network system according to claim 21, further comprising the step by said node of; setting call setup to another terminal device, in response to the detection of the stop or fault.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 62 words

The line switching method used in a network system according to claim 21, further comprising the step by said computer of; issuing a call to said another computer on the basis of the new address through said node, in the case where said one terminal device is designated as a terminal device to perform the communication, after the change of the address.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 172 words

A line switching method used in a network system in which a plurality of computers and a terminal device are connected to one another through a node by telecommunication lines, and one computer is designated by said terminal device to communicate data with said terminal device through said node, said method comprising the steps by said node of: detecting a stop or fault of said one computer, or a stop or fault of the telecommunication line connecting said one computer and said node to each other, in response to an incoming call for said one computer from said terminal device; setting call setup to another computer, in response to the detection of the stop or fault; informing said terminal device of the stop or fault, in response to the call setup to said another computer; and changing an address of the designated computer to perform the communication from an address of said one computer to a new address of said another computer, in response to the informing of the stop or fault.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 172 words

A line switching method used in a network system in which a plurality of computers and a terminal device are connected to one another through a node by telecommunication lines, and one computer is designated by said terminal device to communicate data with said terminal device through said node, said method comprising the steps by said node of: detecting a stop or fault of said one computer, or a stop or fault of the telecommunication line connecting said one computer and said node to each other, in response to an incoming call for said one computer from said terminal device; setting call setup to another computer, in response to the detection of the stop or fault; informing said terminal device of the stop or fault, in response to the call setup to said another computer; and changing an address of the designated computer to perform the communication from an address of said one computer to a new address of said another computer, in response to the informing of the stop or fault.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 61 words

The line switching method used in a network system according to claim 24, further comprising the step by said terminal device of: issuing a call to said another computer on the basis of the new address through said node, in the case where said one computer is designated as a computer to perform the communication, after the changing of the address.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1998-01-23	1998-07-25	1999-01-24	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2002-01-23	2002-07-25	2003-01-24	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2006-01-23	2006-07-25	2007-01-24	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Network system and line switching method used therein

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