Abstract: In a communication system having a communication line with a plurality of ports to which electronic means are attached for transmitting and receiving sets of signals, a method of and apparatus for detecting a malfunction in a first electronic means associated with a first port of the plurality of ports and preventing such first electronic means from interfering with the operation of the remainder of the system when such malfunction occurs. The sets of signals comprise combinations of a first signal having a first magnitude and a second signal having a second magnitude, which is different than the first magnitude. In addition, the sets have a predetermined total number of first and second signals and always start with a second signal and end with a first signal. Each of the electronic means is adapted to provide a first signal when it is not transmitting a set of signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the simultaneous winding of glass strands into more than one package by sensing when a first package has reached a predetermined size, sensing when a second package has reached a predetermined size, determining when a predetermined period of time has elapsed after one of the packages has been sensed and increasing the distance between the packages and the strand guides when either both packages have been sensed or the predetermined period of time has elapsed.

Abstract: An improved microcomputer controlled winder for attenuating a plurality of streams of molten glass issuing from a bushing into fibers and for collecting a strand of such attenuated fibers into a package. The microcomputer controls the winder speed in accordance with error between programmed data and a winder collet speed signal from a tachometer. The tachometer signal is modified to compensate for temperature variations in the bushing when a package is started after the bushing has been shut down for a period of time.