Initialization Or Reinitialization Of Network Patents (Class 370/453)
  • Patent number: 7359315
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are disclosed in a data processing system for avoiding data loss during network port recovery. A first network port is linked to a second network port via a network. The second network port transmits data to the first network port via the network. A determination is made that the first network port needs to be reinitialized. Prior to the first network port executing a re-initialization process, the first network port notifies the second network port to pause its data transmissions to the first network port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: In-ernational Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Binh K. Hua, Hong Lam Hua, Sivarama K. Kodukula
  • Patent number: 7359340
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method whereby each module is determined from the address of the module located immediately upstream in the networked relative to the central unit, the detected address being transmitted by the upstream module in an attribution message, which triggers off an automatic search phase for the module without address, nearest downstream to a module with an address, during which each downstream module without address receives (50) the address attribution message, triggers (52) a delay whereof the duration is so much longer if the received message reception is low, and if at the end (54) of the delay, no address capture message is detected (53), it transmits (56) such a message, stores (57) the received address, determines the address of the nearest downstream module without address, and triggers (30) the search phase for the nearest downstream module without address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Inventor: René Duranton
  • Patent number: 7328010
    Abstract: Idle mobile stations are steered to a particular cell or service area to accommodate subscriber preferences or restrictions, subscription services, or network operator preferences or restrictions and/or to accomplish load redistribution or other network management functions. Multiple idle mobile station steering factors are considered. Steering may be accomplished using a variety of techniques such as rejecting registration attempts in certain cells and accepting those attempts in others and adjusting cell broadcast parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (pub)
    Inventors: Dalibor Turina, Ulrik Wahlberg
  • Patent number: 7269131
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a loop network, the loop network (200) including at least one loop (206, 208), a plurality of devices (210) connected to the at least one loop (206, 208) via ports (211, 212), wherein at least two of the devices are initiators (207, 209). The method includes each initiator (207, 209) sending a frame to all other initiators (207, 209) in the loop network (200) identifying any ports (211, 212) which should not be used. Each initiator (207, 209) merges the information from all other initiators (207, 209) with its own information identifying any ports (211, 212) which should not be used resulting in all the initiators (207, 209) generating a single list of ports (211, 212) to be used which is consistent across all the initiators (207, 209). Each initiator (207, 209) applies an algorithm (300) to determine a common set of ports (211, 212) to be used by all the initiators (207, 209) and to balance port accesses across the loop network (200).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Nicholas Cashman, Carlos Francisco Fuente
  • Patent number: 7173941
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are detailed that allows for improved detection of communication devices and/or doublers in an associated physical communication links, in particular on HDSL communication links. The improved device apparatus and method additionally allows for the communication device to identify when all devices on a communication link have been detected and prevent premature termination of a discovery process. The improved device apparatus and method also allows the avoidance of improper detection of communication devices or doublers due to corrupted discovery response messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: ADC DSL Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond Diaz
  • Patent number: 7073001
    Abstract: A method of synchronizing or initiating channel lock in a serial loop formed by an initializing transceiver and subject transceivers disclosed. Should a transceiver in the serial loop detect that its receiving serial channel is desynchronized, it sends an unlock signal to the next transceiver in the loop. The unlock signal guarantees that the next transceiver's receiving serial channel will be desynchronized. Only the initializing transceiver may initiate a channel lock sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Applied Micro Circuits Corporation
    Inventors: Nick Kucharewski, Yair Hadas
  • Patent number: 7043257
    Abstract: A positioning apparatus for determining a present position of a mobile station by using radio waves coming from a plurality of base stations arranged within a communication area is provided. The positioning apparatus receives the radio waves coming from the plurality of base stations to generate reception signals corresponding to the respective radio waves, and determines propagation ranges of the radio waves coming from the respective base stations. The apparatus further derives propagation ranges of direct waves coming from the respective base stations from the determined propagation ranges. Then, the present position of the mobile station is determined by performing positioning operation using the derived propagation ranges of the direct waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Manabu Nohara
  • Patent number: 6987981
    Abstract: In the AM RLC reset procedure of a wireless communication system, a delayed Reset ACK PDU will cause un-synchronization between the Sender and the Receiver. This invention of method and system checks for arriving of the first and the second Reset PDUs and the first and the second Reset ACK PDUs first, then selectively updates the status-related variables and HFN values to synchronize the Sender and the Receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: AsusTek Computer Inc.
    Inventor: Lee-Chee Kuo
  • Patent number: 6920508
    Abstract: A WDM ring network and method for distributing within such ring network for feeding in data and for distributing both working signals and protection signals on different transmission paths and in oppositely directed transmission directions, and for forwarding data from subscribers and for distributing the working signals to the subscribers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Horst Müller
  • Patent number: 6870818
    Abstract: A process and a device for determining node address correspondence in a communication network in which each node is allocated a unique address after each network reset, wherein the addresses of a given node before and after a reset may differ. The process comprises the steps, at the level of a node connected to the network, of determining network topologies based on self-identification packets received before and after network reset, and of comparing these topologies for determining correspondence among addresses of a node before and after reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventors: Nicolas Burdin, Helmut Buerklin
  • Publication number: 20040233835
    Abstract: In an OFDM system with modulation and coding adaptation, the carriers are allotted a respective plurality of transmission modes characterised each by a specific combination of a modulation format and a coding scheme and consequently by a specific combination of values of bit rate and power. To allocate to each carrier, for a given OFDM symbol to be transmitted, an optimum value of bit rate and power resulting in the maximum bit rate for a given power or in a minimum power for a given bit rate, all carriers are initially allotted the mode characterised by the highest bit rate or power. If the constraints on the power (or respectively the bit rate) are not met, an iterative mode reduction is performed, the mode reduction at each iteration step being performed on the carrier for which said transition has a minimum cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Nevio Benvenuto, Aurelio A. Colosimo, Lino Moretti, Filippo Tosato
  • Patent number: 6778542
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for bridging of Ethernet frames between a subscriber LAN and the ATM network. In accordance with the invention a novel (time window discovery) method is used, with coordination of the network administrator and an access management system to provision a network bridging element or bridge with a set of provisioned devices authorized to forward data packets across the bridge. The bridge is allowed within a time window to learn machine-specific MAC addresses for the provisioned table. After the window is expired, or terminated by access management system, the bridge is switched back to learning mode to learn additional MAC addresses for a learned table in the traditional manner. The devices learned during the learning phase are not authorized to forward data packets across the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Mudhafar Hassan-Ali, Mark W. Cole, Kevin A. Jaeger
  • Patent number: 6763033
    Abstract: A segmented computer network topology has a plurality of network hosts, which are coupled in a ring. A method of resetting the segmented computer network topology includes initiating a reset sequence having a flushing phase, a subsequent scrubber selection phase, a next subsequent slot identification phase and a next subsequent ring start-up phase. Selected packets received by the network hosts are flushed from the ring during the flushing phase. A single one of the network hosts is selected as a scrubber host during the scrubber selection phase. A unique slot identifier is assigned to each of the network hosts during the slot identification phase. A ring start-up packet is sent from the scrubber host to each of the other network hosts over the ring during the ring start-up phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventor: Peter W. Runstadler
  • Publication number: 20030235213
    Abstract: A user equipment (UE) transmits a first START value to a serving radio network controller (RNC), and utilizes the first START value as a most-recently transmitted START value. A serving radio network subsystem (SRNS) relocation procedure is then initiated between the UE, the serving RNC and a target RNC. In response to the SRNS relocation procedure, the serving RNC transmits a SRNS relocation information container to the target RNC. The SRNS relocation information container includes the START value of each CN domain and the Latest configured core network (CN) domain. The target RNC utilizes the START value of the Latest configured CN domain to initialize the hyper-frame numbers (HFNs) of radio bearer RB2. The UE re-establishes RB2 and utilizes the first START value to initialize the HFNs of RB2. The UE then transmits a response message to the target RNC on RB2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventor: Lee-Chee Kuo
  • Patent number: 6614838
    Abstract: A communication system includes a master transceiver in communication with one or more transceivers, for example, a first tributary transceiver and a second tributary transceiver over a communication medium. The first tributary transceiver uses a primary modulation method for communication while the second tributary transceiver uses a secondary or embedded modulation method for communication. The master transceiver and tributary transceivers each include a processor, memory, and control logic for controlling their operation. While the primary modulation method is normally used for transmissions on the communication medium, the master transceiver can communicate with the second tributary transceiver by notifying the first tributary transceiver that the primary modulation method is being temporarily replaced by the secondary or embedded modulation method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Paradyne Corporation
    Inventor: Gordon Bremer
  • Publication number: 20030161342
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are detailed that allows for improved detection of communication devices and/or doublers in an associated physical communication links, in particular on HDSL communication links. The improved device apparatus and method additionally allows for the communication device to identify when all devices on a communication link have been detected and prevent premature termination of a discovery process. The improved device apparatus and method also allows the avoidance of improper detection of communication devices or doublers due to corrupted discovery response messages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: ADC DSL Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond Diaz
  • Publication number: 20030137987
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detection of a port name in a loop network is provided, particularly a loop network in the form of a Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL). The loop network (100) has a plurality of devices (120) each device (120) having at least one port (211, 212) on the loop network (100). The method includes determining which ports (211, 212) are populated with devices (120) for which the unique port name (WWPN) is not known. The populated ports are then all bypassed and a mode is entered on the loop network (100) in which idle frames are transmitted around the loop network (100). One port is un-bypassed at a time and the port name from the un-bypassed port is received and recorded. The port name is received from the un-bypassed port in a Loop Initialisation Select Master (LISM) frame transmitted by the un-bypassed port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Reginald Beer, Paul Nicholas Cashman, Paul Hooton, Neil Morris, Robert Frank Maddock, Robert Bruce Nicholson
  • Patent number: 6438285
    Abstract: An initialization facility is provided for a fiber optic data link wherein the link can be initialized in one of a plurality of fiber control modes, including one or more open fiber control (OFC) modes and a non-OFC mode. Initialization may be automatic, being responsive to received optical signals, or user determined. Along with the initialization facility, safety logic is presented which allows the facility to be fully compliant with industry standard laser safety requirements for inherently safe Class 1 operation. Further, logic is provided for controlling resetting of an OFC chip. In one embodiment, the facility can be implemented in an auto-sense circuit coupled between a conventional OFC chip and a transceiver of the fiber optic data link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Casimer M. DeCusatis, Thomas A. Gregg, Daniel J. Stigliani, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020071419
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for load balancing in CDMA/HDR networks. An access terminal is operably coupled to a plurality of access points. The access terminal monitors the quality of the forward communication links between the access terminal and the access points. The access terminal also monitors the capacity utilization of the access points. The access terminal then requests data to be transmitted to the access terminal from a selected access point as a function of the monitored quality of the forward communication links and the capacity utilizations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: David Paranchych, Farid Khafizov, Geng Wu
  • Patent number: 6366585
    Abstract: A communication system is described. The communication system includes a distribution network and a head end terminal adapted to transmit downstream control data and downstream telephony information in a first frequency bandwidth over the distribution network and adapted to receive upstream telephony information and upstream control data in a second frequency bandwidth over the distribution network. In addition the communication system includes a plurality of service units, each service unit operatively connected to the distribution network for upstream transmission of upstream telephony information and upstream control data in the second frequency bandwidth and for receipt of downstream control data and downstream telephony information in the first frequency bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Dapper, Michael J. Geile, Terrance Hill
  • Patent number: 6256324
    Abstract: Provided is a system which automatically determines and assigns an appropriate address for each chip in repeater system. All the ASICs in a system are chained together on a serial data ring for address allocation purposes. A “First On” ASIC in a system initializes the chip address map, assigns itself the first address. The First On ASIC then updates the address map by setting the next address and sends it down the chain to the next ASIC in the system. The second ASIC allocates the incoming address to itself, sets the address for the next ASIC, and passes the address signal on. The process repeats itself until the last ASIC in the chain has an address allocated. The last ASIC the notifies the First On ASIC of its address to close the loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Moshe Voloshin
  • Patent number: 6243783
    Abstract: An applications programming interface implements and manages isochronous and asynchronous data transfer operations between an application and a bus structure. During an asyncronous transfer the API includes the ability to transfer any amount of data between one or more local data buffers within the application and a range of addresses over the bus structure using one or more asynchronous transactions. An automatic transaction generator may be used to automatically generate the transactions necessary to complete the data transfer. The API also includes the ability to transfer data between the application and another node on the bus structure isochronously over a dedicated channel. During an isochronous data transfer, a buffer management scheme is used to manage a linked list of data buffer descriptors. This linked descriptor list can form a circular list of buffers and include a forward pointer to the next buffer in the list and a backward pointer to the previous buffer in the list for each buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics, Inc., Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Smyers, Bruce Fairman
  • Patent number: 6175556
    Abstract: A system and method for remotely powering an Ethernet network repeater through an attachment unit interface (AUI) between the repeater and a remote personal computer (“PC”) or workstation. The AUI includes logic circuitry to detect when the Ethernet is supporting a transmit signal and a receive signal. Associated with the AUI is a DC to DC converter which receives, remotely through the AUI interface, a DC voltage from the PC or workstation and converts the DC voltage into working voltages for the remote repeater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Johnson Allen, Jr., Ronald Julius Cooper
  • Patent number: 6151330
    Abstract: A communication protocol, designed for centralized power line networks, provides a solution for: automatic network mapping and adaptive routing, for automatic log-on of remote nodes and also for optimization of communication routes and control of the traffic volume.A Central Unit (CU) permanent polls all the known Remote Nodes (RN) and a polled RN replies with a message. A new Remote Node (RN), which hears any polling command from the CU, transmits a Burst Log-On Message direct to the CU. A new RN, which hears a reply of polled RN, but not the polling message itself, transmits a Burst Log-On Message, using the replying RN as a relay. There maybe a route of several relays between the new RN and the CU and all of them are registered in the Log On message itself. When the CU receives the message from the new RN, it performs a log on of the RN, stores its route, and starts to poll it.This process continues all the time, enabling an addition of new nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Powercom Control Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Isidor Liberman
  • Patent number: 6148421
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting and correcting error conditions on sequential devices in a private loop direct access fiber channel network respectively include the steps and instructions for determining the state of an exchange using an initiator and initiating an appropriate sequence level recovery using the initiator. The invention further includes determining whether a target response is overdue using a timer in conjunction with internal driver state information for indicating that packet information may have been lost. The invention further requests exchange and sequence state information from the target for determining the need for corrective action and takes the needed corrective action, such as resending sequence information, requesting that the target resend sequence information, or providing early indication to the ULP that an error has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Crossroads Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey B. Hoese, Brian R. Smith, Robert A. Reynolds, Neil T. Wanamaker
  • Patent number: 6134240
    Abstract: Provided is a system which automatically determines and assigns an appropriate address for each chip in a repeater system. All the ASICs in a system are chained together on a serial data ring for address allocation purposes. A "First On" ASIC in a system initializes the chip address map, and assigns itself the first address. The First On ASIC then updates the address map by setting the next address and sends it down the chain to the next ASIC in the system. The second ASIC allocates the incoming address to itself, sets the address for the next ASIC, and passes the address signal on. The process repeats itself until the last ASIC in the chain has an address allocated. The last ASIC then notifies the First On ASIC of its address to close the loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Moshe Voloshin
  • Patent number: 6098125
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing and transferring frames of data in a computer data link that maps incoming frames to a specific buffer ring in host memory based on routing control and type fields in each frame. More particularly, a Fibre Channel link port contains receiver routing code (RRCode) registers that allow host software to set up routing control (R.sub.-- CTL) match and mask fields, and TYPE match and mask fields. The link port uses these registers to match and mask against corresponding R.sub.-- CTL/TYPE fields in a received frame to determine which of several R.sub.-- CTL/TYPE host memory buffer rings should be used to store the received frame. The link port places a code (RRCode) in a start of frame (SOF) status word associated with a frame. The RRCode indicates a specific R.sub.-- CTL/TYPE host memory buffer ring, or indicates that no match was found or that multiple matches were found.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Peter Fiacco, Bradley Roach, Karl M. Henson
  • Patent number: 6091738
    Abstract: The method for assigning an identification number is constructed in that in a transmission system with transmission system managing equipment being connected to at least one of a plurality of pieces of connected transmission equipment, each of all or some of the transmission equipment acquires information peculiar to adjacent devices connected thereto and holds the information as peripheral connected-state data of each piece of transmission equipment. The transmission system managing equipment collects information from all of the transmission equipment which hold the peripheral connected-state data of each piece of transmission equipment, and on the basis of the information, determines and transmits an identification number for each piece of transmission equipment. Each of the plurality of pieces of transmission equipment carries out internal setting of the identification number thereof transmitted from the transmission system managing equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Tsujikado, Shuichi Kubota
  • Patent number: 6038235
    Abstract: A method for automatically arbitrating for mastership of a fiber channel loop in a host adapter circuit configured for coupling a host electronic device with the fiber channel loop. The host adapter circuit has a processor and a loop control circuit different from the processor. The loop control circuit is coupled to a memory of the host adapter circuit. The method includes sending out a host ARBITRATE primitive on the fiber channel loop. The method further includes employing the loop control circuit to monitor received ARBITRATE primitives received at the host adapter circuit from the fiber channel loop. There is also included ascertaining, using the loop control circuit, whether one of the received ARBITRATE primitives represents the host ARBITRATE primitive sent out previously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kin M. Ho, David C. Banks, John C. Schell, Tai Quan, Teshager Tesfaye
  • Patent number: 6014383
    Abstract: A computer system with a plurality of devices compatible with the Fibre Channel Protocol, wherein at least two of which devices are initiators. The computer system is provided with the capability to control and manage multiple initiators configured in an Arbitrated Loop. This capability is realized by manipulating the contents in outstanding.sub.-- link.sub.-- services arrays associated with the initiators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventor: James F. McCarty
  • Patent number: 5986350
    Abstract: A power supply system having a primary control power line for supplying electric power to control systems indispensable to driving the vehicle from an electric power source. The power supply system is provided with an ignition switch cooperating with an ignition switch system so as to connect the electric power source to the indispensable control systems when an ignition key is turned to the ignition position and to disconnect the electric power source when the ignition key is turned to the off position. The power supply system also includes a subordinate control power line including a removable fuse for supplying electric power from the electric power source through the ignition switch system to at least those control systems indispensable to driving the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Seiji Hirano
  • Patent number: 5909429
    Abstract: A method for installing a wireless network, which includes the steps of physically installing a plurality of nodes in respective different locations in a building, connecting the nodes to a power supply and powering up the nodes, using a wireless installation device to program a respective address into the nodes, using the wireless installation device to program one or more default settings into the nodes, using the wireless installation device to verify operation of the nodes, and, using the wireless installation device to dump at least information regarding the physical location and associated address of the nodes to a building computer. In a presently preferred embodiment, the wireless installation device is preferably an RF portable computer which has an RF transmitter which has a variable power setting, and an RF receiver which also has a variable power setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Philips Electronics North America Corporation
    Inventors: Srinagesh Satyanarayana, Frank C. Guida, George A. Melnik
  • Patent number: 5903561
    Abstract: A method of initializing a set of node addresses by using an apparatus having a CPU, a ROM and a NVSRAM for use in an electronic switching system comprises the steps of: (a) checking if there is a request to change the set of node addresses; (b) updating the NVSRAM with a new set of node addresses, and then going to step (f) if there is the request at the step (a); (c) checking if a flag in the NVSRAM is set or not when there is no request at the step (a); (d) going to the step (f) if the flag in the NVSRAM is determined to be set at the step (c); (e) copying the node addresses stored in the ROM to the NVSRAM if the flag in the NVSRAM is determined not to be set at the step (c); and (f) copying the set of node addresses stored in the NVSRAM onto the corresponding nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Daewoo Telecom, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hwan-Woo Kwon
  • Patent number: 5802321
    Abstract: A communication system between a programmable logic controller and a network of a plurality of remote input/output repeater modules uses a synchronous serial communications protocol. The programmable logic controller contains a transmitter module for generating a data packet containing the state of an output device connected to a remote input/output repeater module coupled to the network. A receiver module receives and decodes a returned modified data packet that indicates the state of input devices connected to the same or other remote input/output repeater modules also coupled to the network. The remote input/output repeater modules receive and decode the data packet to determine the state of the output devices that may be connected to it and modifies the data packet to indicate the state of its input device if there is one present. The modified data packet is sent to the next in-line remote input/output repeater module coupled to the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Paul Robert Buda, Gary Lynn Dowdy
  • Patent number: 5724510
    Abstract: In a local area network (LAN) test instrument, a method for detecting duplicate internet protocol (IP) addresses without disrupting the LAN is provided. The LAN test instrument provides a method of choosing an IP address for itself without disrupting the ARP caches of devices connected to the LAN. Duplicate IP addresses between devices on the LAN may then be tested using a series of network broadcasts chosen to elicit responses from as many nodes on the network as possible because some nodes respond to some types of broadcasts and not others. A data base of the various nodes is collected and the newly arriving responses are dynamically compared with the responses already in the data base to detect duplicate IP addresses. Separate entries in the data base for devices having duplicate IP addresses are maintained and then displayed to the user of the LAN test instrument to selectably and reliably communicate with the devices having duplicate IP addresses for further diagnosis and correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Manfred Ruediger Arndt, Frank John Actis
  • Patent number: 5687174
    Abstract: Support for a mixed network environment is provided which can contain multiple isochronous and/or non-isochronous LAN protocols such as isochronous-ethernet, ethernet, isochronous-token ring, token ring, other isochronous-LAN or other LAN systems. Support for a mixed environment includes a protocol detection mechanism which is embodied in a handshaking scheme. This handshaking scheme determines the signalling capability at the end points of the link and implements the correct protocol. This enables isochronous nodes and hubs to automatically detect the presence of ethernet, token ring, or other LAN equipment at the other end of the network cable. If this detection occurs, the isochronous LAN equipment will fall-back to a LAN compliant mode of operation. Typically, only the hub will have the capability of operating in different networking modes, such as ethernet, Token Ring isochronous modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Brian C. Edem, Debra J. Worsley
  • Patent number: 5651000
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining the address of the nearest downstream reconfiguration unit in a dual ring communication system. In a dual ring communication system having a plurality of reconfiguration units one of the reconfiguration units determines if a Reconfiguration Unit Monitor is active on the system. If a Reconfiguration Unit Monitor is not active the reconfiguration unit requests and stores address information from the remaining reconfiguration units in the ring and assembles a ring sequence reconfiguration unit ring map. The reconfiguration unit transmits the reconfiguration unit ring map to the remaining reconfiguration units in the ring. Reconfiguration units receive the reconfiguration unit ring map from the Reconfiguration Unit Monitor and extracts the address of the nearest downstream reconfiguration unit from the reconfiguration unit ring map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nai Po Lee, Jay Lee Smith
  • Patent number: 5604742
    Abstract: A communication adapter transfers synchronous or multimedia and asynchronous or packet data between a network which may be of a FDDI type and a host system in real time. The adapter can manage data transfer in both directions between the system and the network and automatically switches between multimedia and packet data while holding the token. The adapter includes a queue manager having a synchronous threshold register and counter and a packet data threshold register and counter. The queue manager is coupled among a host bus; a storage means; a FDDI network; and bandwidth control logic. The queue manager in conjunction with the bandwidth control logic can dynamically switch the adapter from transmitting packet or synchronous data to the FDDI without exceeding bandwidth. The queue manager is also adapted to initiate capture of the token on a FDDI and commence transmission of synchronous or packet data frames to the ring as early as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michel M. Colmant, William A. McIntosh, Alexander A. Smith
  • Patent number: RE39405
    Abstract: Support for a mixed network environment is provided which can contain multiple isochronous and/or non-isochronous LAN protocols such as isochronous-ethernet, ethernet, isochronous-token ring, token ring, other isochronous-LAN or other LAN systems. Support for a mixed environment includes a protocol detection mechanism which is embodied in a handshaking scheme. This handshaking scheme determines the signalling capability at the end points of the link and implements the correct protocol. This enables isochronous nodes and hubs to automatically detect the presence of ethernet, token ring, or other LAN equipment at the other end of the network cable. If this detection occurs, the isochronous LAN equipment will fall-back to a LAN compliant mode of operation. Typically, only the hub will have the capability of operating in different networking modes, such as ethernet, Token Ring isochronous modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Negotiated Data Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Edem, Debra J. Worsley