US5594907A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for locking/unlocking a number of units connected to a master unit
Assignee: Sony Corp
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Filing: 1995-07-24
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Granted: 1997-01-14
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Expires: 2015-07-24
Abstract
Abstract A power controlling apparatus turns off a power to an apparatus whose connection to a central apparatus has been cut by a connection change, thus selectively turning off a power to an apparatus not required by the central apparatus. A locking/unlocking apparatus determines a value of the locking timer in the interrupt timer routine and, when the value has exceeded a predetermined level, takes a slave apparatus out of the locked state, thereby simplifying programming.
Inventors
- 👤 Shigeo Tanaka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 03:11
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/44; H04N5/445; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/4104; H04N21/4112; H04N21/43; H04N21/436; H04N21/43622; H04N21/442; H04N21/44227; H04N21/443; H04N21/4436; H04N5/63; H04W; H04W52/00; H04W52/02; H04W52/0209; H04W52/0225; H04W52/0241; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/06; H04B1/16; H04B1/1607; H04B1/1615; H04N5/45; H04N5/76; H04N5/765; Y; Y02; Y02D; Y02D30/00; Y02D30/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
A locking/unlocking apparatus included in a master apparatus comprising: a main controller for controlling a main operation of said master apparatus including said locking/unlocking apparatus; a sub controller for controlling a communication operation between said master apparatus including said locking/unlocking apparatus and other apparatus units including at least a designated upper-layer apparatus and a designated lower-layer apparatus; a memory for storing any of a command and data necessary for said main controller, said sub controller, and a processing member of said other apparatus units to perform their processing; a display for displaying data, an image, and a message including a control state; and a selector for selecting a signal for connection to said display from among a plurality of input signals from said other apparatus units, said selector being controlled by said main controller; said sub controller including means for performing processing comprising the steps of: checking if a locking mode clear execution flag is set; if said locking mode clear execution flag is set, proceeding to clear the locking mode execution flag; if said locking mode clear execution flag is not set, causing a locking timer register to indicate that a predetermined unit of time as measured by said sub controller has elapsed and if a value of said locking timer register is greater than a predetermined total time value clearing the locking timer register and preparing for returning a locking mode flag to unlocking; and when a system is ready to be unlocked again, clearing said locking mode flag.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
251 words
A locking/unlocking apparatus included in a master apparatus comprising: a main controller for controlling a main operation of said master apparatus including said locking/unlocking apparatus; a sub controller for controlling a communication operation between said master apparatus including said locking/unlocking apparatus and other apparatus units including at least a designated upper-layer apparatus and a designated lower-layer apparatus; a memory for storing any of a command and data necessary for said main controller, said sub controller, and a processing member of said other apparatus units to perform their processing; a display for displaying data, an image, and a message including a control state; and a selector for selecting a signal for connection to said display from among a plurality of input signals from said other apparatus units, said selector being controlled by said main controller; said sub controller including means for performing processing comprising the steps of: checking if a locking mode clear execution flag is set; if said locking mode clear execution flag is set, proceeding to clear the locking mode execution flag; if said locking mode clear execution flag is not set, causing a locking timer register to indicate that a predetermined unit of time as measured by said sub controller has elapsed and if a value of said locking timer register is greater than a predetermined total time value clearing the locking timer register and preparing for returning a locking mode flag to unlocking; and when a system is ready to be unlocked again, clearing said locking mode flag.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
147 words
A locking/unlocking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sub controller includes means for performing processing comprising the steps of: executing a sequence of an outer bus receiving procedure for an outer bus connecting said sub controller to said other apparatus units; executing a sequence of an outer bus sending procedure for the outer bus; executing a sequence of an inner bus receiving procedure from said main controller for an inner bus connecting said main controller and said sub controller; executing a sequence of an inner bus sending procedure to said main controller for the inner bus; executing a sequence of sending a connection command to said lower-layer apparatus via said outer bus; executing a sequence of receiving an acknowledge signal for said connection command for said lower-layer apparatus via said outer bus; and executing a sequence of sending said acknowledge signal to said upper-layer apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
134 words
A locking/unlocking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sub controller includes means for performing processing comprising the steps of: determining whether a connection command has been received from said upper-layer apparatus; determining whether another type of a command has been received from said upper layer apparatus; if the connection command has been received, starting a connecting procedure; determining whether said connection command is for connection to said master apparatus including said locking/unlocking apparatus; if said connection command is for connection to said master apparatus, executing connection to said master apparatus; and if said connection command is not for connection to said master apparatus, sending said connection command to said lower-layer apparatus, receiving an acknowledge signal for a completed connection form said lower-layer apparatus, and sending the acknowledge signal to said upper-layer apparatus.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-01-14 | 2000-07-15 | 2001-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-14 | 2004-07-15 | 2005-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-14 | 2008-07-15 | 2009-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |