US3866185A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for gathering peak load traffic data
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1974-01-16
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Granted: 1975-02-11
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Expires: 1994-01-16
Abstract
Abstract Specified signal state changes, occurring in a plurality of communication circuits during each of plural predetermined collection intervals are detected and stored in a first memory as traffic data. A comparison is made between this traffic data and peak traffic data collected during a predetermined measurement interval, a measurement interval including many collection intervals, the peak traffic data being stored in a second memory. When the traffic data of a present collection interval exceeds that of the measurement interval, this data is stored as the new peak data in the second memory. Periodically, an output reading of the second memory is effected, with the peak traffic data being either directly displayed or made available for transmission to a centralized collection facility upon request over dialed-up voice grade circuits.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Henry Etra
- 👤 Victor Llewellyn Ransom
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 18:00
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/22; H04M3/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
Apparatus for gathering peak load traffic data for signal communication circuits, said apparatus comprising, means for sequentially and recurrently sampling signal states on said circuits, means for counting separately, and over each of plural periodically recurring scan time intervals, specified signal state changes in samples for each of said circuits, first memory means for storing current numbers of said specified signal state changes occurring in each of said circuits in a predetermined collection interval, second memory means for storing peak numbers of said specified signal state changes occurring in each of said circuits during a predetermined measurement interval, a measurement interval being substantially larger than a collection interval, means for comparing the current numbers of specified signal state changes stored in said first memory means with the peak numbers of specified signal state changes stored in said second memory means, and control circuit means for routing the larger of the two numbers of specified signal state changes ascertained by the comparison to said second memory means for storage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
Apparatus for gathering peak load traffic data for signal communication circuits, said apparatus comprising, means for sequentially and recurrently sampling signal states on said circuits, means for counting separately, and over each of plural periodically recurring scan time intervals, specified signal state changes in samples for each of said circuits, first memory means for storing current numbers of said specified signal state changes occurring in each of said circuits in a predetermined collection interval, second memory means for storing peak numbers of said specified signal state changes occurring in each of said circuits during a predetermined measurement interval, a measurement interval being substantially larger than a collection interval, means for comparing the current numbers of specified signal state changes stored in said first memory means with the peak numbers of specified signal state changes stored in said second memory means, and control circuit means for routing the larger of the two numbers of specified signal state changes ascertained by the comparison to said second memory means for storage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The peak load traffic data gathering apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including means for generating a plurality of timing control signals, and means for controlling the duration of said predetermined collection interval.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
105 words
The peak load traffic data gathering apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said timing control signal generating means includes oscillator means for generating a continuous train of clock signals, means for periodically generating a carry pulse for inhibiting said continuous train of clock signals after a predetermined number have been generated, said predetermIned number set in accordance with a maximum traffic data count to be accommodated, counter means, enabled by a coincidence condition between said carry pulse and said continuous train of clock signals, for generating binary coded control signals, and means for decoding said binary coded control signals into said timing control signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The peak load traffic data gathering apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the sampling means includes a filter bank in which noise suppression filters are connected to each of said circuits, and multiplexing means for selecting the circuit to be sampled.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
The peak load traffic data gathering apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the sampling means includes a coincidence gate, means for applying a continuous enable signal to one gate input, means for applying samples to another gate input for actuating said gate, and means for coupling an output from said gate to said counting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
The peak load traffic data gathering apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the sampling means includes a last-look memory for storing samples of operational status of said circuits ascertained during a directly preceding scan, means for inverting the output status samples from said last-look memory, a coincidence gate, means for applying said inverted output status samples to one gate input enabling said gate, means for applying current circuit status samples to another gate input for actuating said gate, and means for coupling an output from said gate to said counting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The peak load traffic data gathering apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein the sampling means further includes a bias input, said means for applying said inverted output status samples to one input of said gate includes means for selectively enabling said gate from either said bias input or said inverter output.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
123 words
The peak load traffic data gathering apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first memory means comprises a first shift register having a bit serial input and a bit serial output, a second shift register having both bit serial and bit parallel inputs and outputs, means for coupling synchronously said bit serial output of said first shift register to said bit serial input of said second shift register and said bit serial output of said second shift register to said bit serial input of said first shift register, means for coupling said bit parallel output of said second shift register to said counting means, and means for applying said counting means output to said bit parallel input of said second shift register.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
123 words
The peak load traffic data gathering apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the second memory means comprises a first shift register having a bit serial input and a bit serial output, a second shift register having both bit serial and bit parallel inputs and outputs, means for coupling synchronously said bit serial output of said first shift register to said bit serial input of said second shift register and said bit serial output of said second shift register to said bit serial input of said first shift register, means for coupling said bit parallel output of said second shift register to said comparing means, and means for applying said counting means output to said bit parallel input of said second shift register.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The peak load traffic data gathering apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including output circuit means for utilizing said peak numbers of specified signal state changes stored in said second memory means, and means for coupling said second memory means to said output circuit means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
The peak load traffic data gathering apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein the output circuit means includes a buffer register having a bit parallel output and a bit serial output, display means, means for coupling said bit parallel Output of said buffer register to said display means, selectable data transmission means and means for coupling said bit serial output of said buffer register to said data transmission means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
88 words
The peak load traffic data gathering apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein the output circuit means further includes circuit means for controlling the loading of peak load traffic data stored in said second memory means into said buffer register, EXCLUSIVE NOR means for enabling said control loading circuit means, interface driver circuitry responsive to a remotely generated output request decoded by said data transmission means for enabling said EXCLUSIVE NOR means, and means for enabling said EXCLUSIVE NOR means in response to a locally generated output request.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
125 words
Apparatus for gathering peak load traffic data for signal communication circuits, said apparatus comprising means for sequentially and recurrently sampling signal states on said circuits, means for counting separately, and over each of plural periodically recurring collection time intervals, specified signals state changes in samples for each of said circuits, means, operative at the end of each of said collection intervals, for separately storing outputs from said counting means for each of said circuits, means for comparing corresponding outputs of said storing means and said counting means, and means, operative at the end of each of said collection intervals, for inhibiting input to said storing means from said counting means outputs unless signals at such outputs are greater than the contents of said storing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
125 words
Apparatus for gathering peak load traffic data for signal communication circuits, said apparatus comprising means for sequentially and recurrently sampling signal states on said circuits, means for counting separately, and over each of plural periodically recurring collection time intervals, specified signals state changes in samples for each of said circuits, means, operative at the end of each of said collection intervals, for separately storing outputs from said counting means for each of said circuits, means for comparing corresponding outputs of said storing means and said counting means, and means, operative at the end of each of said collection intervals, for inhibiting input to said storing means from said counting means outputs unless signals at such outputs are greater than the contents of said storing means.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
190 words
A method for gathering traffic data from signal communication circuits and manipulating the data between first and second memory means to obtain peak load traffic data for presentation to output circuitry comprising the steps of sampling sequentially and recurrently, signal states on said circuits, counting separately, and over each of plural periodically recurring scan time intervals, specified signal state changes in samples for each of said circuits, storing in said first memory means current numbers of specified signal state changes occurring in each of said circuits in a predetermined collection interval, storing in said second memory means peak numbers of specified signal state changes occurring in each of said circuits during a predetermined measurement interval, comparing during each of said plural periodically recurring scan time intervals the current numbers of specified signal state changes stored in said first memory means with the peak numbers of specified signal state changes stored in said second memory means, routing the larger of the two numbers of specified signal state changes to said second memory means for storage, and delivering said peak number of specified signal state changes to said output circuit for utilization.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
190 words
A method for gathering traffic data from signal communication circuits and manipulating the data between first and second memory means to obtain peak load traffic data for presentation to output circuitry comprising the steps of sampling sequentially and recurrently, signal states on said circuits, counting separately, and over each of plural periodically recurring scan time intervals, specified signal state changes in samples for each of said circuits, storing in said first memory means current numbers of specified signal state changes occurring in each of said circuits in a predetermined collection interval, storing in said second memory means peak numbers of specified signal state changes occurring in each of said circuits during a predetermined measurement interval, comparing during each of said plural periodically recurring scan time intervals the current numbers of specified signal state changes stored in said first memory means with the peak numbers of specified signal state changes stored in said second memory means, routing the larger of the two numbers of specified signal state changes to said second memory means for storage, and delivering said peak number of specified signal state changes to said output circuit for utilization.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-10 | 1978-08-12 | 1979-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-10 | 1982-08-12 | 1983-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-10 | 1986-08-12 | 1987-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |