Patents Examined by Douglas W. Olms
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Patent number: 6172984Abstract: A device (104) transmitting or receiving low priority data may receive or be directed to transfer higher priority data for transmission. If the incoming data is of sufficiently high priority, the device (104) will interrupt transmission of the outgoing data by generating a signal on the bus (102) indicative of a collision. The receiving device (106) will then back-off. To prevent another device (106, 108) from seizing the bus after the back-off, the device (104) immediately (i.e., before expiration of a single slot time), proceeds with the high priority transmission. Once it is finished, the device (104) may resume its earlier lower priority transmission.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1997Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: Siemens Information and Communication Networks, Inc.Inventors: William Joseph Beyda, Shmuel Shaffer
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Patent number: 6172977Abstract: The invention is an ATM system to route DS0 traffic from T1 Extended Superframe (ESF) or Superframne (SF) systems that use robbed bit signaling. The invention is able to route the call selecting the ATM VPI/VCI that routes the call within the ATM system. DS0s with robbed bit signaling are transported transparently by the ATM system.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 1996Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: Sprint Communications Company, L. P.Inventors: Joseph Michael Christie, Albert Daniel Duree, Michael Joseph Gardner, Mark Sucharczuk, William Lyle Wiley
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Patent number: 6172966Abstract: An n-tuple defines an envelope of a variable over a time interval. An input memory receives blocks of measurements made at known points of the network and converts them into initial n-tuples. In a base memory, a functional model comprises a list of components, (Lv), and the designation (Df, Dg) of at least one particular function of the measurements (Lp). Management will, repetitively, (a) match together available initial n-tuples, and at least one model applicable to them, (b) through computations on n-tuples, with the function designation (Df, Dg) of the model, and these n-tuples, obtain at least one result n-tuple (Nf, Ng), (c) apply the result n-tuple (Nf, Ng) to test for a standard expression, and (d) associate the output from the test with the list of components (Lv) of the model. Decision logic analyzes various outputs from the test, with a view to determining one or more defective components.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1998Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: Dassault ElectroniqueInventors: Patrick Taillibert, Etienne Loiez
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Patent number: 6172979Abstract: A CDV-reducing algorithm circuit self-monitoring system is operative for detecting a non-data cell contained in a cell flow and arriving at a predictable time, executing a CDV-reducing algorithm operation on the detected non-data cell using self-monitoring parameters, comparing the result of the reduced CDV algorithm operation and an estimated value, and determining, when the two compared data are equal, that the CDV-reducing algorithm is normal, while making, when the two compared data fail to be equal, a determination that the CDV-reducing algorithm is abnormal and also notification of an alarm to a function control system.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1997Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Rie Kozakai
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Patent number: 6172988Abstract: A method is disclosed for supplying arbitrary types of information in a digital signal conformant to the structures defined in ISO standard ISO/IEC 13818-1, known generally as MPEG2 Systems. The method extends Program Stream and Transport Stream structures by application of principles developed for standardization of bidirectional data communications protocols to define a universal messaging syntax applicable to all types of information, including Internet data streams, VBI data streams, other types of data streams, as well as MPEG2 video, audio, and control; to define a multiplexing structure that is independent of the details of the MPEG2 signal structure; and to define a scheme for addressing such enhanced MPEG2 signals, or portions of signals, to individual decoders or to groups of decoders.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 1996Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: Tiernan Communications, Inc.Inventors: James C. Tiernan, Christopher J. Bennett
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Patent number: 6169730Abstract: A method for implementing a time division multiple access protocol for digital communications between a radio transceiver and a repeater or another radio transceiver has the steps of dividing a radio communication into a plurality of frames having a predetermined length of time; dividing each frame into: a plurality of downlink slots, each downlink slot containing a transmission from the repeater to the transceiver; and a plurality of uplink slots, each uplink slot containing a transmission from the transceiver to the repeater.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1998Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventors: William Edward Jacklin, Scott Alan Stratmoen
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Patent number: 6169748Abstract: A system and method for providing QoS levels to received data units, such as ATM cells and/or Frame Relay Frames. A QoS level associated with a virtual connection is supported through allocation and management of resources used to process data units received over the connection. Resources used to support QoS levels are assigned to groups of connections referred to as “QoS groups”. Resources used to support one group of connections may be isolated from resources supporting other connections. When a connection is established, if a QoS group exists having the QoS level of the new connection, the connection may be added to that QoS group. Similarly, where the QoS levels for multiple connections must be modified, if those connections are within a single QoS group, then modification of the QoS level for that group would advantageously result in modification of the QoS for each virtual connection within the QoS group.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 1999Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignees: Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc., Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Steve N. Barbas, Michael J. Homberg
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Patent number: 6169750Abstract: A voice packet multiplexer with a voice transit switching function, which is connected to a PBX in an office. It detects an originating logical channel according to digits sent from the PBX, and sets, when transmitting a signal packet or voice packet, the detected originating logical channel in its address field. It also stores an originating logical channel while receiving a packet from a packet communication network. It further extracts an office number from a received packet containing the digit information, makes a decision whether the office number is the number of its own office or of another office, and retrieves, if it is of the another office, a terminating logical channel for establishing connection with that office. To carry out the voice transit switching after determining the terminating logical channel, it transmits a packet after translating its address field into the terminating logical channel or into the originating logical channel.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1998Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignee: Logic CorporationInventors: Takamasa Tomono, Nobuki Sato, Shuhei Kokubun, Makoto Aoki, Junichi Kii
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Patent number: 6169728Abstract: The apparatus (101) and method for spectrum management in a multipoint communication system controls upstream channel usage for secondary stations (110) transmitting information to a primary station (101) and downstream channel usage for secondary stations (110) receiving information from a primary station (101). The preferred apparatus (101) embodiment includes a processor arrangement (120) having a master controller (121) and a plurality of processors (130), with the processor arrangement connected to a channel interface (125). The apparatus (101) and method controls channel load balancing, channel congestion, and channel assignment in a multipoint communication system, and controls upstream channels independently from downstream channels. Factors and parameters utilized in such channel control and allocation include error parameters, channel noise parameters, transmit and receive loading factors, and congestion parameters.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1997Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignee: Motorola Inc.Inventors: John A. Perreault, Dennis J. Picker, Sunil K. Menon
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Patent number: 6169725Abstract: An apparatus and method for the restoration of internal connections of consumer electronic devices in a home audio/video network. The present invention automatically maintains and manages the internal connections for each of the devices on the network. In the currently preferred embodiment, each internal connection is labeled according to its status (e.g., active or inactive) and/or condition (e.g., network compliancy). Whenever a new device is added to or an old device is removed from the network, a network reset is initiated. The network reset causes a device control module to terminate its normal mode of operation and enter into a “restore” mode of operation. During the restore mode, the device control module accepts connection information sent by the various stream managers of those devices currently coupled to the network. Based on this information, the device control module updates the label data for each of the internal connections.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1998Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignees: Sony Corporation of Japan, Sony Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Simon J. Gibbs, Feng Zou, Rodger J. Lea
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Patent number: 6169741Abstract: A bridge (62) capable of reducing unwanted WAN multicast packet traffic in a LAN and an associated method and an associated LAN is disclosed. The bridge examines the contents of WAN multicast query and report packets and WAN multicast router-to-router discovery packets and includes this information in its filtering database (88). The bridge designates ports on which query packets or MRRDPs are received as router ports. When there is no WAN router generating multicast query packets into the LAN, the bridge simulates the behavior of a WAN router and generates WAN multicast query packets so as to cause report packet generation by end systems. A timeout interval for undesignating router ports and a method for determining an appropriate timeout for a port is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1999Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignee: 3Com CorporationInventors: Thomas LeMaire, Floyd Backes, Cyndi Jung
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Patent number: 6167046Abstract: In a communication network in which a plurality of equipments each having a function implementing unit having a plurality of functions and a communication control unit having communication function communicating with each other, the communication control unit includes a recording medium and stores on the recording medium in advance a plurality of pieces of function information related to at least one function held by the corresponding function implementing unit, and inquires function information of each of other equipments at the time of communication. Therefore, management of various equipments and function information of various equipments in correspondence with each other becomes unnecessary, load in processing including communication is relieved and functions of respective equipments can be controlled efficiently.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 1998Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Satoshi Terada, Toru Ueda, Hirohisa Wakai, Takashi Nishimura
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Patent number: 6167049Abstract: A scheduler in accord with the invention schedules available bit rate (ABR) traffic over an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) link in such a manner as to provide circuits having the ABR traffic service a minimum cell rate (MCR) that may be greater than zero. The scheduler uses static scheduling information to schedule traffic for high priority services, such as constant bit rate service. The static information also specifies transmit opportunities for an ABR circuit, in a manner analogous to that for CBR traffic. The statically scheduled transmit opportunities provide a negotiated minimum cell rate that is greater than zero, for the ABR circuit. The scheduler maintains dynamic scheduling information, which it uses to schedule traffic in otherwise available transmit times. For example, the scheduler may use the dynamic information to create a work list of virtual circuit connections for ABR service. During any cell transmit time that is not used by a higher priority service (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1997Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Assignees: Cabletron Systems, Inc., Kabushiki Kaisya ToshibaInventors: Tong-Bi Pei, Kohei Abe, Robert E. Thomas
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Patent number: 6167051Abstract: A mechanism for performing multicast packet transfer when a certain one of the destination nodes participating in the multicast communication requires resource reservation for a certain packet flow specified among the packet flows to that destination node. A system may transfer multicast packets using a plurality of virtual connections based on which flow the packets to be transferred belong to, so that each node receives the packets without duplication. Alternatively, a system may selectively discard received packets to avoid processing duplicated packets, although duplicated packets are received at each node.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1997Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Kenichi Nagami, Hisako Tanaka, Yasuhiro Katsube
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Patent number: 6167039Abstract: Mobile stations using antenna diversity are described. Techniques for combining CDMA signals received over plural antennas at a mobile unit are provided which suppress interference from undesired base stations.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1997Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Assignee: Telefonaktiebolget LM EricssonInventors: Jonas Karlsson, Bjorn Gudmundson, Ulf Forssen, Sara Mazur
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Patent number: 6163543Abstract: A port aggregation protocol (PAGP) dynamically aggregates redundant links between two neighboring devices in a computer network through the exchange of aggregation protocol data unit (AGPDU) frames between the two devices. Each AGPDU frame contains a unique identifier corresponding to the device sourcing the frame and a port number corresponding to the port through which the frame is forwarded. The exchange of AGPDU frames and the information contained therein allows the neighboring devices to identify those ports corresponding to the redundant links. Each device then dynamically aggregates its ports corresponding to the redundant links into a logical aggregation port (agport) which appears as a single, high-bandwidth port or interface to other processes executing on the device.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1999Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Hon Wah Chin, Michael Fine, Norman W. Finn, Richard J. Hausman
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Patent number: 6163539Abstract: A datapath packet transmission controller which includes a central processing unit (CPU), a transmit FIFO buffer operative to receive and temporarily store data packets, and a disposition FIFO buffer coupled to said CPU for holding packet disposition commands received from said CPU. The CPU controls reception and storage of data packets in the transmit FIFO buffer, accesses data in data packets in the transmit FIFO buffer, provides disposition commands which control the disposition of packets after storage in the transmit FIFO buffer.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1998Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignee: PMC-Sierra Ltd.Inventors: Thomas Alexander, Bradley H. Smith, Alexander D. Rekow
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Patent number: 6163531Abstract: The present invention is a method of throttling connections to a multipoint controller in a loosely-coupled conference. The loosely-coupled conference includes at least one receiver terminal and a H.323 panel having a multipoint controller and one or more H.323 terminals coupled to the multipoint controller and each to transmit and receive media streams on a multicast address. The method includes the steps of receiving a callable address of a receiver terminal on the multicast address, determining whether sufficient resources are available to allow the receiver terminal to join the panel, and connecting to the receiver terminal using the callable address and allowing the receiver terminal to join the H.323 panel and transmit and receive media streams on the multicast address if sufficient resources are available.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1997Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignee: Intel CorporationInventor: Vineet Kumar
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Patent number: 6160816Abstract: A first group of asynchronous clock converters effect the conversion between a DNE clock and an RDT clock to which DS-0 data and signalling data are synchronized, for the data items which are transferred between a cross-connector and a DNE. A second group of asynchronous clock converters effect the conversion between a CPE clock and the RDT clock to which DS-0 data and signalling data are synchronized, for the data items which are transferred between the cross-connector and a CPE. As a result, cross-connect processes based on the single RDT clock are realized, and loop timings are guaranteed for the DNE and the CPE.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1997Date of Patent: December 12, 2000Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Kazuo Tanaka, Eiji Shimose
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Patent number: 6160818Abstract: A method is provided for admitting new requests for service in a shared resource having a capacity. The new request has service priority levels associated therewith. In one embodiment of the invention, for example, the shared resource may be a packet communications network and the service request may be a request to admit a new connection. The method proceeds as follows. First, for each service priority level on said shared resource, a total effective bandwidth is generated which is represented by a sum of individual effective bandwidths of previously admitted requests for service. Subsequent to receiving a new request for service having a specified priority of service level, a plurality of effective bandwidths are accessed for the new request. The plurality of effective bandwidths are respectively associated with the specified service priority level and service priority levels therebelow.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1997Date of Patent: December 12, 2000Assignee: AT &T CorpInventors: Arthur W. Berger, Ward Whitt