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US5388133A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Counter for attribute storage for use in a repeater

Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices Inc
•
Filing: 1993-02-22
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Granted: 1995-02-07
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Expires: 2013-02-22
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Abstract

Abstract A counter for attribute stored in an Ethernet system is partitioned such that the storage section is separated from the incrementors section. In so doing, counters are implemented in a significantly less space than if the counters were implemented as individual counters. The counter utilizes random access memory as the storage section and a 32 bit incrementor. As the incrementor section along with a pair of latches to implement the counter.

Inventors

  • 👤 Nader Vijeh
  • 👤 William Lo

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 02:10
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L43/00; G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/30; G06F11/34; G06F11/3466; G06F11/348; G06F2201/00; G06F2201/88

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim 184 words
A counter for attribute storage in a repeater based system, the repeater based system including an internal bus, the counter comprising: random access memory (RAM) means for storing attribute information; means coupled to the RAM means for reading the attribute information responsive to control signals from the repeater based system; first latching means for receiving attribute information read from the RAM means; means coupled to the first latching means for incrementing the attribute information; multiplexer means coupled to the internal bus and the incrementing means for receiving a source address, for receiving the incremented attribute information and for sending the source address at a predetermined bit rate; second latching means coupled to the multiplexer means and the RAM means for receiving the incremented attribute information and the source address at the predetermined bit rate to allow for access to the RAM means at the predetermined bit rate; and means coupled to the second latching means for writing the incremented attribute information into the RAM means responsive to the control signals wherein the reading means and the writing means comprises a media access controller (MAC).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 184 words
A counter for attribute storage in a repeater based system, the repeater based system including an internal bus, the counter comprising: random access memory (RAM) means for storing attribute information; means coupled to the RAM means for reading the attribute information responsive to control signals from the repeater based system; first latching means for receiving attribute information read from the RAM means; means coupled to the first latching means for incrementing the attribute information; multiplexer means coupled to the internal bus and the incrementing means for receiving a source address, for receiving the incremented attribute information and for sending the source address at a predetermined bit rate; second latching means coupled to the multiplexer means and the RAM means for receiving the incremented attribute information and the source address at the predetermined bit rate to allow for access to the RAM means at the predetermined bit rate; and means coupled to the second latching means for writing the incremented attribute information into the RAM means responsive to the control signals wherein the reading means and the writing means comprises a media access controller (MAC).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 17 words
The counter of claim 1 in which the first and second latching means are 32 bit latches.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 15 words
The counter of claim 2 in which the incrementing means is a 32 bit incrementor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 16 words
The counter of claim 3 in which the RAM means is a 32×64 random access memory.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 26 words
The counter of claim 1 in which the source address is transferred from the internal bus to the multiplexer means eight (8) bits at a time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 32 words
The counter of claim 1 which further includes a tristate buffer means coupled to the internal bus and the first latching means for receiving the attribute information from the first latching means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 179 words
A counter for attribute storage in a repeater based system, the repeater based system including an internal bus, the counter comprising: random access memory (RAM) means for storing attribute information; media access controller (MAC) means coupled to the RAM means for reading attribute information from the RAM means and writing incremented attribute information to the RAM means responsive to control signals from the repeater based system; a first latch coupled to the RAM means for receiving the attribute information from the RAM means; an incrementor coupled to the first latch for incrementing the attribute information; multiplexer coupled to the incrementor and the internal bus for receiving the incremented attribute information and a source address and for sending the source address at a predetermined bit rate; and a second latch coupled to the multiplexer and the RAM means for receiving the incremented attribute information and providing the incremented attribute information to the RAM means responsive to the MAC and the source address at the predetermined bit rate to allow for access to the RAM means at the predetermined bit rate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 179 words
A counter for attribute storage in a repeater based system, the repeater based system including an internal bus, the counter comprising: random access memory (RAM) means for storing attribute information; media access controller (MAC) means coupled to the RAM means for reading attribute information from the RAM means and writing incremented attribute information to the RAM means responsive to control signals from the repeater based system; a first latch coupled to the RAM means for receiving the attribute information from the RAM means; an incrementor coupled to the first latch for incrementing the attribute information; multiplexer coupled to the incrementor and the internal bus for receiving the incremented attribute information and a source address and for sending the source address at a predetermined bit rate; and a second latch coupled to the multiplexer and the RAM means for receiving the incremented attribute information and providing the incremented attribute information to the RAM means responsive to the MAC and the source address at the predetermined bit rate to allow for access to the RAM means at the predetermined bit rate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 17 words
The counter of claim 7 in which the first and second latch means are 32 bit latches.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 14 words
The counter of claim 8 in which the incrementor is a 32 bit incrementor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 16 words
The counter of claim 9 in which the RAM means is a 32×64 random access memory.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 25 words
The counter of claim 7 in which the source address is transferred from the internal bus to the multiplexer eight (8) bits at a time.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 32 words
The counter of claim 7 which further includes a tristate buffer means coupled to the internal bus and the first latching means for receiving the attribute information from the first latching means.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US5233545A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1998-02-06 1998-08-08 1999-02-07 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2002-02-06 2002-08-08 2003-02-07 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2006-02-06 2006-08-08 2007-02-07 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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