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:
May. 24, 1988
Filed:
Aug. 11, 1986
J Monte Roach, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Lester A Jones, Mentor, OH (US);
Wayne C Van Sickle, South Euclid, OH (US);
Ronald E Schultz, Solon, OH (US);
Allen-Bradley Company, Inc., Milwaukee, WI (US);
Abstract
A programmable controller is adapted to communicate in a token passing logical ring network in a peer-to-peer fashion. The programmable controller is a station on the network and contains an interface which implements the network protocol. The protocol requires that each station maintain an Active Node Table which stores a complete map of the logical ring and the order in which the token is passed. The Active Node Table is automatically updated by monitoring each token pass on the network, where each token pass identifies the source and destination of the token pass. The Active Node Table is used in performing all routine network maintenance functions, including passing the token, adding stations, and dropping stations. The Active Node Table allows the formation of an Active Node Status Word for use by high level processes within the station. The Active Node Table also facilitates the inclusion of data in the token pass message.