US5459453A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Integrated I/O interface device and connector module
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1991-12-23
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Granted: 1995-10-17
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Expires: 2011-12-23
Abstract
Abstract An interface connector device for interconnecting a plurality of input/output devices including a signal bus connected to a control and to the input/output devices for multiplexing the signals between the control and the input and output devices, the bus interconnecting a plurality of interface and connector devices, and each of the interface and connector devices including address recognition circuitry as well as programmable configuration selection logic to configure the connector device to respond to a variety of input/output devices. In addition, the signal bus and connector devices are adapted to recognize and convey various levels of signals, for example, different voltage levels representing control information, framing signals, and diagnostic command signals.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy M. Minerd
- 👤 Benjamin D. Brown
- 👤 Alan K. Robertson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:31
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/04; G05B19/042; G05B19/0423; G05B19/0425; G08; G08C; G08C15/00; G08C15/06; G08C15/12; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/20; G05B2219/21; G05B2219/21037; G05B2219/21038; G05B2219/21076; G05B2219/21156; G05B2219/21162; G05B2219/21168; G05B2219/21169; G05B2219/24; G05B2219/24054; G05B2219/24117; G05B2219/24132; G05B2219/25; G05B2219/25133; G05B2219/25315; G05B2219/25324; H; H04; H04L; H04L7/00; H04L7/04; H04L7/06; H04L7/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
An interface and connector system in an imaging machine comprising: a plurality of connector devices, each connector device electrically connected to load devices, a control connected to the plurality of connector devices, the control including timing means defining a time frame, a time division, multiplex bus interconnected to the control and to the connector devices, the bus including a discrete clock line and a plurality of data lines, the control and connector devices simultaneously exchanging data within the time frame, each connector device communicating with the control during a designated time slot within the time frame, the timing means including means to provide first voltage level clock pulses defining a clock cycle and second voltage level framing pulses, the framing pulses being determined by a change in voltage level of the clock pulses, each time frame being determined by the framing pulses, the clock pulses designating the beginning and end of a packet of data within a designated time slot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
An interface and connector system in an imaging machine comprising: a plurality of connector devices, each connector device electrically connected to load devices, a control connected to the plurality of connector devices, the control including timing means defining a time frame, a time division, multiplex bus interconnected to the control and to the connector devices, the bus including a discrete clock line and a plurality of data lines, the control and connector devices simultaneously exchanging data within the time frame, each connector device communicating with the control during a designated time slot within the time frame, the timing means including means to provide first voltage level clock pulses defining a clock cycle and second voltage level framing pulses, the framing pulses being determined by a change in voltage level of the clock pulses, each time frame being determined by the framing pulses, the clock pulses designating the beginning and end of a packet of data within a designated time slot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
128 words
The system of claim 1 including: means for synchronizing communication between the control and the plurality of connector devices during said time frame by raising the voltage level of a clock pulse to the framing pulse level for one half cycle, the connector devices simultaneously detecting the framing pulse level, means for each of the plurality of connector devices to set detection logic in response to detecting the framing pulse level, means to detect the rising level of a first clock pulse to convey a first packet of data on said bus during a first designated time slot within said time frame, and means for one of said plurality of connector devices to sample the first packet of data on the trailing edge of said first clock pulse.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system of claim 2 including means to detect the rising level of a second clock pulse to convey a second packet of data on said bus during a second designated time slot within said time frame, and means for one of said plurality of connector devices to sample the second packet of data on the trailing edge of said second clock pulse.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the means for synchronizing includes means for initiating and terminating communication between the control and the plurality of connector devices during said time frame by raising the voltage level of a clock pulse to the framing pulse level for one half cycle, the connector devices simultaneously detecting the framing pulse level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
139 words
An interface and connector system comprising: a plurality of connector devices, each connector device electrically connected to load devices, a control with timing means connected to the plurality of connector devices, each connector device communicating with the control during a designated time slot within a time frame, a time division, multiplex bus interconnected to the control and to the connector devices for simultaneously conveying data to and from the control and the connector devices within said time frame, the timing means including means to provide first voltage level clock pulses defining a clock cycle and second voltage level framing pulses, the framing pulses being determined by a change in voltage level of the clock pulses, each time frame being determined by the framing pulses, the clock pulses designating the beginning and end of data within a designated time slot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
139 words
An interface and connector system comprising: a plurality of connector devices, each connector device electrically connected to load devices, a control with timing means connected to the plurality of connector devices, each connector device communicating with the control during a designated time slot within a time frame, a time division, multiplex bus interconnected to the control and to the connector devices for simultaneously conveying data to and from the control and the connector devices within said time frame, the timing means including means to provide first voltage level clock pulses defining a clock cycle and second voltage level framing pulses, the framing pulses being determined by a change in voltage level of the clock pulses, each time frame being determined by the framing pulses, the clock pulses designating the beginning and end of data within a designated time slot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the conveying of data from a given connector device to the control is offset by one clock cycle from the conveying of data from the control to said given connector device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
77 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the timing means includes means to detect the rising level of a first clock pulse to convey a first packet of data on said bus during a first designated time slot within said time frame and means for a given connector device to sample the first packet of data on said bus on the trailing edge of said first clock pulse during said first designated time slot within said time frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The duplex interface and connector system of claim 5 including means for initiating a diagnostic mode for verifying communications between the the control and the plurality of connector devices.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The duplex interface and connector system of claim 8 wherein the means for initiating a diagnostic mode for verifying communications includes means for each of the connector modules initiating the diagnostic mode simultaneously.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The duplex interface and connector system of claim 8 wherein each of the connector modules includes an output drive and input interface including means for interconnecting the output driver to the input interface for transmission back to the control.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The duplex interface and connector system of claim 8 including means for a each connector to disable the sampling of load devices.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The duplex interface and connector system of claim 8 including an output data line wherein the means for initiating a diagnostic mode for verifying communications includes means for detecting both a high signal on said output data line and a framing pulse.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The duplex interface and connector system of claim 12 including means for the system to remain in the diagnostic mode until the detection of both a low signal on said output data line and a framing pulse.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
185 words
An interface and connector system comprising: a plurality of connector devices, each connector device electrically connected to load devices, a control with timing means connected to the plurality of connector devices, each connector device communicating with the control during a designated time slot within a time frame, a time division, multiplex bus interconnected to the control and to the connector devices for concurrently conveying data to and from the control and the connector devices within said time frame, the bus including at least one input and one output line, and means to provide clock pulses including first level clock pulses defining a clock cycle and second level clock pulses defining a time frame, each time frame being determined by the second level clock pulses, the clock pulses designating data within a designated time slot within a given time frame on the input and output lines for a given connector device, the control including watch dog timer means to arrest communications on the multiplex bus upon the detection of the failure of communications between the control and a connector device within a given period of time.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
185 words
An interface and connector system comprising: a plurality of connector devices, each connector device electrically connected to load devices, a control with timing means connected to the plurality of connector devices, each connector device communicating with the control during a designated time slot within a time frame, a time division, multiplex bus interconnected to the control and to the connector devices for concurrently conveying data to and from the control and the connector devices within said time frame, the bus including at least one input and one output line, and means to provide clock pulses including first level clock pulses defining a clock cycle and second level clock pulses defining a time frame, each time frame being determined by the second level clock pulses, the clock pulses designating data within a designated time slot within a given time frame on the input and output lines for a given connector device, the control including watch dog timer means to arrest communications on the multiplex bus upon the detection of the failure of communications between the control and a connector device within a given period of time.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The interface and connector system of claim 14 wherein the watch dog timer means includes means to determine the failure to designate a connector device within a given period of time including means to disable predetermined load devices.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The interface and connector system of claim 15 including means to automatically recover from the detection of the failure of communications between the control and a connector device within a given period of time.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The interface and connector system of claim 14, the control including protection circuitry to arrest operation of the system upon detection of system low voltage.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The interface and connector system of claim 14, the control including protection circuitry to arrest operation of the system upon detection of excessive operating temperatures.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The duplex interface and connector system of claim 14 including load driving circuits, the control including protection circuitry to arrest operation of the system upon detection of malfunctions in the load driving circuits.
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) | 1998-10-16 | 1999-04-17 | 1999-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-10-16 | 2003-04-17 | 2003-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-10-16 | 2007-04-17 | 2007-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |