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System and method for communication between nodes of a closed loop local communication path

  • US 4,604,693 A
  • Filed: 10/24/1983
  • Issued: 08/05/1986
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1981
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. In a closed loop data processing network,(a) a series of nodes having data processing units associated therewith each having a data input and a data output, and requiring at least one processing step in transmitting data between its data input and its data output, said nodes being selectively operable for sending a bid message seeking control of communication,(b) a series of communication links coupling the nodes in a loop communications path for enabling data communication therebetween, and including an incoming link path and an outgoing link path at each node,(c) transmission link switches at the respective nodes each having a first transmission mode and a second cutoff mode,(d) each transmission link switch in said first transmission mode providing a switch path directly coupling the incoming and outgoing link paths at the respective associated node so as to provide for undelayed date transmission independent of the data processing unit associated with the node,(e) each transmission link switch in said cutoff mode serving to interrupt said switch path such that the incoming and outgoing link paths at the respective associated node are not coupled via said switch path but are only coupled via the data input and the data output of the associated data processing unit, and(f) control means associated with each data processing unit for placing the associated transmission link switch is cutoff mode during the transmission of a data message from the data processing unit, while assuring against a communications gap of a predetermined time duration during reception of a response to the transmitted data message,(g) said control means associated with each data processing means being free of a common timing control common to said series of nodes and whenever ready to initiate communication with any other node being operable in response to a communications gap of the predetermined time duration occurring at any time to immediately place the associated transmission link switch in the cutoff mode in preparation for sending a bid message over the same communication path as data messages are transmitted.

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