US4075440A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic communication system reconfiguration apparatus
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
•
Filing: 1976-07-26
•
Granted: 1978-02-21
•
Expires: 1996-07-26
Abstract
Abstract A communication system is illustrated wherein the communication links include automatically reversible amplifiers with the termination means of two links closing a loop. Upon failure of detection of a carrier signal in one of the links at the terminating end due to a break in that link, switches are automatically actuated to connect the momentarily unconnected portion of the broken link to the link that is still intact such that communication is restored in a new link configuration thereby accomplishing "fail-safe" operation without undue redundancy.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Laubengayer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:35
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/74; H04B1/745
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
Apparatus for automatically reconfiguring a communication system upon a break in one of two links comprising, in combination: a first communication link having first and second ends and including therebetween, a plurality of first amplifying means, switch means associated with each of said first amplifying means, detection means, connected to said first link and to said switch means, for connecting said first amplifying means in a direction corresponding to the direction of travel of a reference signal, and a plurality of communication stations located along said first link; a second communication link having first and second ends and including therebetween, a plurality of second amplifying means, switch means associated with each of said second amplifying means, detection means, connected to said second link and to said switch means, for connecting said second amplifying means in a direction corresponding to the direction of travel of a reference signal, and a plurality of communication stations located along said second link; master communication means, connected to said first ends of said first and second communication links, for supplying said reference signal and communication signals to said first and second links; and termination means connected to both of said second ends for impedance matching the ends of said first and second links to reduce reflected signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
Apparatus for automatically reconfiguring a communication system upon a break in one of two links comprising, in combination: a first communication link having first and second ends and including therebetween, a plurality of first amplifying means, switch means associated with each of said first amplifying means, detection means, connected to said first link and to said switch means, for connecting said first amplifying means in a direction corresponding to the direction of travel of a reference signal, and a plurality of communication stations located along said first link; a second communication link having first and second ends and including therebetween, a plurality of second amplifying means, switch means associated with each of said second amplifying means, detection means, connected to said second link and to said switch means, for connecting said second amplifying means in a direction corresponding to the direction of travel of a reference signal, and a plurality of communication stations located along said second link; master communication means, connected to said first ends of said first and second communication links, for supplying said reference signal and communication signals to said first and second links; and termination means connected to both of said second ends for impedance matching the ends of said first and second links to reduce reflected signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising, in addition: detection means connected to said second ends for passing communication signals through said termination means upon failure of detection of the reference signal received from a given direction at one of said second ends.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
98 words
The method of automatically reconfiguring a pair of terminated communication links having reversible transmission capability, where the terminated sections are in close proximity, upon a break in one of the links to restore operation to the broken portion by connecting it to the other link comprising, the steps of: transmitting a carrier through each of the communication links; detecting the reception of said carrier at the termination section of one of the communications links; and electrically connecting the terminated sections to pass communication signals therethrough upon failure to detect the reception of said carrier from a given direction.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
98 words
The method of automatically reconfiguring a pair of terminated communication links having reversible transmission capability, where the terminated sections are in close proximity, upon a break in one of the links to restore operation to the broken portion by connecting it to the other link comprising, the steps of: transmitting a carrier through each of the communication links; detecting the reception of said carrier at the termination section of one of the communications links; and electrically connecting the terminated sections to pass communication signals therethrough upon failure to detect the reception of said carrier from a given direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
148 words
Apparatus for automatically reconfiguring a pair of terminated communication links at least one of which has reversible signal transmission capabilities where the terminated sections of the communication links are in close proximity upon a break in said at least one communication link having reversible transmission capability to restore operation to the broken portion by connecting it to the previous end of the other link comprising, in combination: means for transmitting a carrier through each of the communication links to the terminated sections; means for detecting the reception of said carrier at the termination section of said at least one communication link having reversible transmission capability; and means for electrically connecting the terminated sections to pass communication signals therethrough upon failure to detect the reception of said carrier being received from a given direction at the terminated section of said at least one communication link having reversible transmission capability.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
148 words
Apparatus for automatically reconfiguring a pair of terminated communication links at least one of which has reversible signal transmission capabilities where the terminated sections of the communication links are in close proximity upon a break in said at least one communication link having reversible transmission capability to restore operation to the broken portion by connecting it to the previous end of the other link comprising, in combination: means for transmitting a carrier through each of the communication links to the terminated sections; means for detecting the reception of said carrier at the termination section of said at least one communication link having reversible transmission capability; and means for electrically connecting the terminated sections to pass communication signals therethrough upon failure to detect the reception of said carrier being received from a given direction at the terminated section of said at least one communication link having reversible transmission capability.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3371165A
Cited
US3458661A
Cited
US3519935A
Cited
US3742155A
Cited
USRE28958E
Cited
US3983340A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-02-20 | 1981-08-22 | 1982-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-20 | 1985-08-22 | 1986-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-20 | 1989-08-22 | 1990-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |