US5818343A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Redundantly coded visual indication system
Assignee: Nortel Networks Ltd
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Filing: 1996-11-29
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Granted: 1998-10-06
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Expires: 2016-11-29
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a visual indication system for a field replaceable unit. The system includes two or more visual indicators on a face of the field replaceable unit (FRU), each indicator having a unique shape and being switchable between an on state and an off state. Diagnostic and administrative control within the FRU functions to monitor overall operation of the FRU and, under the control of Network Operations Systems, selectively turns on or off the visual indicators to reflect status of the FRU.
Inventors
- 👤 Jay Richard Sobel
- 👤 Thomas Winlow
- 👤 Miguel Planas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:57
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/30; G06F11/32; G06F11/324; G06F11/328; G08; G08B; G08B5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for indicating status of a field replaceable unit, comprising the steps of: providing, on a face of the field replaceable unit, a plurality of visual indicators being switchable between on and off states and having respective unique shapes; and controlling each visual indicator to select either the on state or the off state, whereby the plurality of visual indicators in respective selected states indicates the status of the field replaceable unit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for indicating status of a field replaceable unit, comprising the steps of: providing, on a face of the field replaceable unit, a plurality of visual indicators being switchable between on and off states and having respective unique shapes; and controlling each visual indicator to select either the on state or the off state, whereby the plurality of visual indicators in respective selected states indicates the status of the field replaceable unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of visual indicators have respective unique colours.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plurality of visual indicators are arranged in substantial vertical alignment on the face.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plurality of visual indicators includes first and second visual indicators, with the shape of the first visual indicator being rectangular and the shape of the second visual indicator being triangular.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the colour of the first visual indicator is green and the colour of the second visual indicator is red.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second visual indicator is positioned above the first visual indicator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plurality of visual indicators includes at least one of a third visual indicator being positioned above the second visual indicator, with the shape of the third visual indicator being round and the colour of the third visual indicator being yellow.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
A visual indication system of a field replaceable unit, comprising: a plurality of visual indicators on a face of the field replaceable unit, the plurality of visual indicators being switchable between on and off states and having respective unique shapes; and means for controlling each visual indicator to select either the on state or the off state, whereby the plurality of visual indicators in respective selected states indicates the status of the field replaceable unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
A visual indication system of a field replaceable unit, comprising: a plurality of visual indicators on a face of the field replaceable unit, the plurality of visual indicators being switchable between on and off states and having respective unique shapes; and means for controlling each visual indicator to select either the on state or the off state, whereby the plurality of visual indicators in respective selected states indicates the status of the field replaceable unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A visual indication system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the plurality of visual indicators have respective unique colours.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A visual indication system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the plurality of visual indicators are arranged in substantial vertical alignment on the face.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
A visual indication system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the plurality of visual indicators includes first and second visual indicators, with the shape of the first visual indicator being rectangular and the shape of the second visual indicator being triangular.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A visual indication system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the colour of the first visual indicator is green and the colour of the second visual indicator is red.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A visual indication system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the second visual indicator is positioned above the first visual indicator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
A visual indication system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the plurality of visual indicators includes at least one of a third visual indicator being positioned above the second visual indicator, with the shape of the third visual indicator being round and the colour of the third visual indicator being yellow.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for guiding action of a craftperson in relation to a field replaceable unit (FRU) in use in an equipment bay, comprising the steps of: providing, on a face of the FRU, first and second visual indicators being switchable between on and off states and having respective unique shapes; selecting the on state of the first visual indicator and the off state of the second visual indicator, responsive to which no action is taken by the craftperson.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for guiding action of a craftperson in relation to a field replaceable unit (FRU) in use in an equipment bay, comprising the steps of: providing, on a face of the FRU, first and second visual indicators being switchable between on and off states and having respective unique shapes; selecting the on state of the first visual indicator and the off state of the second visual indicator, responsive to which no action is taken by the craftperson.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising selecting the off state of the first visual indicator and the on state of the second visual indicator, responsive to which the craftperson removes the FRU from the equipment bay.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising selecting, in response to initial insertion of the FRU by the craftperson into the equipment bay, the on state of the first visual indicator and the on state of the second visual indicator.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising selecting the off state of the first visual indicator and cycling between the on and off states of the second visual indicator, responsive to which the removes the FRU first from the equipment bay.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as claimed in claim 18, further comprising selecting the off state of the first visual indicator and the off state of the second visual indicator, responsive to which the craftperson does not remove the FRU until further information is obtained.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
72 words
A method as claimed in claim 18, further comprising: providing, on the face of the FRU, a third visual indicator being switchable between on and off states and having a unique shape in relation to the first and second visual indicators; and selecting the off state of the third indicator when a live signal is being received by the field replaceable unit, responsive to which no action is taken by the craftperson.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as claimed in claim 20, further comprising selecting the on state of the third indicator when the FRU has lost the signal, responsive to which the craftperson checks one or more connectors of the FRU.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the shape of the first visual indicator is rectangular, the shape of the second visual indicator is triangular, and the shape of the third visual indicator is round.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the first, second and third visual indicators have respective unique colours.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the colour of the first visual indicator is green, the colour of the second visual indicator is red, and the colour of the third visual indicator is yellow.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the first, second and third visual indicators are arranged in substantial vertical alignment on the face, with the third visual indicator being positioned above the second visual indicator which is positioned above the first visual indicator.
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) | 2001-10-05 | 2002-04-06 | 2002-10-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-05 | 2006-04-06 | 2006-10-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-05 | 2010-04-06 | 2010-10-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |