The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 20, 1982
Filed:
Oct. 22, 1980
John T Beckman, Granville, OH (US);
Paul S Sanik, Westerville, OH (US);
Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Toledo, OH (US);
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. The subject invention comprises: starting the timing of a predetermined period of time when the first electronic means transmits a second signal after a first signal; resetting the time period when the first electronic means transmits a first signal; inhibiting the transmission of signals transmitted by the first electronic means to the communication line if the predetermined period of time has elapsed; and providing a first signal to the communication line if the predetermined period of time has elapsed.