Digital data communications device with standard option connection
First Claim
1. A communications device for communicating with a data processing system, said device being connected to the data processing system by a signal transfer means for transferring therewith communications signals having predetermined characteristics and being adapted to operate with a second communications device that includes circuit board means with circuit means for controlling said second communications device in response to certain of the communications signals, said communications device comprising:
- A. controller means for controlling the operation of said communications device in response to certain of the communications signals, andB. option connection means for transferring certain of said signals between said controller means and the signal transfer means, said option connection means including;
i. signal transfer connection means for connection to the signal transfer means, andii. normally conductive, circuit board actuated switching means connected to said controller means and to said signal transfer connection means, the insertion of said a circuit board means into said switching means interposing the circuit means in the second communications device between said controller means and the signal transfer means and the removal of a circuit board means providing the normally conducting connection between said controller means and the signal transfer means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A communications device is used for transferring data to and from a data processing system. A controller in the communications device responds to communications signals from a signal source associated with the data processing system. A standard option connection is interposed between the controller and the signal source. When an option device is to be used, a circuit board is positioned in the connection. Conductors on the circuit board control the transfer of signals between the communications device and the signal source. The option device also includes data handling circuitry that responds to signals on the conductors or that may interrupt and/or modify these signals. The board also controls an option present signal used by the communications device for control purposes.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A communications device for communicating with a data processing system, said device being connected to the data processing system by a signal transfer means for transferring therewith communications signals having predetermined characteristics and being adapted to operate with a second communications device that includes circuit board means with circuit means for controlling said second communications device in response to certain of the communications signals, said communications device comprising:
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A. controller means for controlling the operation of said communications device in response to certain of the communications signals, and B. option connection means for transferring certain of said signals between said controller means and the signal transfer means, said option connection means including; i. signal transfer connection means for connection to the signal transfer means, and ii. normally conductive, circuit board actuated switching means connected to said controller means and to said signal transfer connection means, the insertion of said a circuit board means into said switching means interposing the circuit means in the second communications device between said controller means and the signal transfer means and the removal of a circuit board means providing the normally conducting connection between said controller means and the signal transfer means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An optional communications device for use with a primary communications device that connects to a signal transfer means connected to a data processing system, the primary communications device including controller means for controlling the operation of the primary communications device in response to certain of communications signals received from the signal transfer means and normally conductive, connector actuated switching means connecting the controller means and the signal transfer means, said optional communications device comprising:
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A. circuit board means, B. data handling means on said circuit board means for responding to certain of the signals from the signal transfer means, C. board connector means on said circuit board means for insertion into the switching means thereby to interrupt the transfer of said communications signals through the switching means, and D. conductive means on said circuit board means interconnecting said board connector means and said data handling means for controlling the transfer of communications certain of said signals between the signal transfer means and both said data handling means and the controller means in the primary communications device. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A communications device for communicating with a data processing system by being connected to a signal transfer means for transferring therewith communications signals that have predetermined characteristics, said communications device comprising:
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A. controller means for controlling the operation of said communications device in response to certain of the communications signals, B. option connection means for transferring said signals between said controller means and the signal transfer means, said option connection means including; i. signal transfer connection means for connection to the signal transfer means, and ii. normally conductive, circuit board actuated switching means connected to said controller means and to said signal transfer connection means for normally providing a direct connection between said controller means and the signal transfer means, C. optional communications means for operation with said communications device including; i. circuit board means, ii. data handling means on said circuit board means for responding to certain of the signals from the signal transfer means, and iii. board connector means on said circuit board means for insertion into said switching means thereby to interrupt the transfer of said signals through said switching means, and iv. conductive means on said circuit board means interconnecting said board connector means and said data handling means for controlling the transfer of the signals between the signal transfer means and both said data handling means and said controller means. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification