US5946670A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Data switching device and method of notifying charge information in data switching network
Assignee: Fujitsu Ltd
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Filing: 1996-10-22
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Granted: 1999-08-31
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Expires: 2016-10-22
Abstract
Abstract A data switching device includes a switch which performs a switch operation on data transferred via the data switching device. The switch forms a permanent link connecting terminals permanently. A charge information management unit manages charge information concerning a quantity of information transferred via the permanent link. A control unit sends one of the terminals a notification message including the charge information according to a predetermined sequence.
Inventors
- 👤 Daisuke Motohashi
- 👤 Eiichiro Takahashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 01:15
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0283; G06Q30/06; G06Q30/0645; H; H04; H04L; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A data switching device comprising: a switch which performs a switch operation on data transferred via the data switching device, said switch forming a permanent link connecting first and second terminals permanently via a network; a charge information management unit separate from the terminals, which unit manages charge information concerning a quantity of information transferred between said first and second terminals via the permanent link; and a control unit which receives said charge information and sends one of the first and second terminals a notification message including said charge information according to a predetermined sequence.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A data switching device comprising: a switch which performs a switch operation on data transferred via the data switching device, said switch forming a permanent link connecting first and second terminals permanently via a network; a charge information management unit separate from the terminals, which unit manages charge information concerning a quantity of information transferred between said first and second terminals via the permanent link; and a control unit which receives said charge information and sends one of the first and second terminals a notification message including said charge information according to a predetermined sequence.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The data switching device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control unit sends the notification message when a sequence number contained in a message sent from said one of the terminals to the data switching device reaches a predetermined value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The data switching device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said charge information indicates a charge for information transferred since a last notification of the charge information.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The data switching device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control unit sends the notification message when a status of the permanent link changes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The data switching device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said control unit sends said notification message in response to receipt of an enquiry message periodically sent from said one of the terminals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The data switching device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control unit sends the notification message at a given interval.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The data switching device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said control unit sends the notification message at the given interval in response to receipt of an enquiry message sent from said one of the terminals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The data switching device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control unit sends the notification message at a given time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The data switching device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said control unit sends the notification message at the given time in response to receipt of an enquiry message sent from said one of the terminals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The data switching device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control unit sends said notification message in response to receipt of an enquiry message periodically sent from said one of the terminals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The data switching device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said enquiry message is a message which enquires a status of said permanent link.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The data switching device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said enquiry message is a message which enquiries a charge for a transfer of information.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
111 words
A charge information notifying method for a network including a data switching device including a switch which performs a switch operation on data transferred via the data switching device, said switch forming a permanent link connecting first and second terminals permanently via a network, said method comprising the steps of: (a) managing separate from the terminals charge information concerning a quantity of information transferred between said first and second terminals via the permanent link; and (b) providing a control unit which receives said charge information and sending from said control unit to one of the first and second terminals a notification message including said charge information according to a predetermined sequence.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
111 words
A charge information notifying method for a network including a data switching device including a switch which performs a switch operation on data transferred via the data switching device, said switch forming a permanent link connecting first and second terminals permanently via a network, said method comprising the steps of: (a) managing separate from the terminals charge information concerning a quantity of information transferred between said first and second terminals via the permanent link; and (b) providing a control unit which receives said charge information and sending from said control unit to one of the first and second terminals a notification message including said charge information according to a predetermined sequence.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The charge information notifying method as claimed in 13, wherein the step (b) comprises a step of sending the notification message when a sequence number contained in a message sent from said one of the terminals to the data switching device reaches a predetermined value.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The charge information notifying method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said charge information indicates a charge for information transferred since a last notification of the charge information.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The charge information notifying method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the step (b) comprises a step of sending the notification message when a status of the permanent link changes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The charge information notifying method as claimed in 16, wherein the step (b) comprises a step of sending said notification message in response to receipt of an enquiry message periodically sent from said one of the terminals.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The charge information notifying method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the step (b) comprises a step of sending the notification message at a given interval.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
The charge information notifying method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the step (b) comprises a step of sending the notification message at the given interval in response to receipt of an enquiry message sent from said one of the terminals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The charge information notifying method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the step (b) comprises a step of sending the notification message at a given time.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
41 words
The charge information notifying method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the step (b) comprises a step of sending the notification message at the given time in response to receipt of an enquiry message sent from said one of the terminals.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
The charge information notifying method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the step (a) comprises a step of sending said notification message in response to receipt of an enquiry message periodically sent from said one of the terminals.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The charge information notifying method as claimed in claim 22, wherein said enquiry message is a message which enquiries a status of said permanent link.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The charge information notifying method as claimed in claim 22, wherein said enquiry message is a message which enquiries a charge for a transfer of information.
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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) | 2002-08-30 | 2003-03-01 | 2003-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-08-30 | 2007-03-01 | 2007-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-08-30 | 2011-03-01 | 2011-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |