Method and system for addressing and controlling a network of modems
First Claim
1. A method of controlling a network of modems comprising link level cascaded pairs of primary and secondary modems, each pair being connected by a communication link level in a cascaded link communication system, said system comprising, a data terminal equipment (DTE), a first modem in communication with the data terminal equipment, and a second modem attached to the first modem through a given link level of a cascaded transmission medium, comprising steps of:
- transmitting a digital command message from the DTE to the first modem over the same path through which data is transmitted, said command message including a first digital identification means, a digital addressing means comprising a first segment containing the modem pair communication link level designation on which the desired modem resides and a second segment containing a constant for all primary modems or a second constant for all secondary modems or the address of the attached DTE for any secondary modem having an attached DTE, and a command means;
monitoring said path at said first modem to detect said first identification means;
monitoring said addressing means when said first identification means is detected; and
storing said command message when said addressing means is detected to contain the address of said first modem; and
decoding and acting on the command in said command means in said command message at said first modem.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A DTE can control the modems attached thereto by transmitting command messages over the data path and analyzing report messages supplied by the modems in return. Each command message is identified by a specific header. A command message intended for a remote modem (34) is intercepted by the local modem (30) and reformatted so as to obtain a supervisory message that is then transmitted at the rate of one bit per baud. A command message intended for a remote multichannel modem (48) is transmitted either by means of a supervisory message or in the data mode of operation. Messages are specifically addressed to individual modems by a special hierarchical address which utilizes information of the network link level on which the desired modem resides together with information as to which terminal (DTE), if any, the desired modem is attached. All locally attached primary modems are assigned an address comprising the link level designation and a first constant. All remotely attached primary modems are assigned an address comprising their link level designation and the first constant. All secondary modems are assigned an address comprising their link level designation and a second constant or, in the event they serve an attached terminal (DTE), the DTE address is used instead of the second constant.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a network of modems comprising link level cascaded pairs of primary and secondary modems, each pair being connected by a communication link level in a cascaded link communication system, said system comprising, a data terminal equipment (DTE), a first modem in communication with the data terminal equipment, and a second modem attached to the first modem through a given link level of a cascaded transmission medium, comprising steps of:
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transmitting a digital command message from the DTE to the first modem over the same path through which data is transmitted, said command message including a first digital identification means, a digital addressing means comprising a first segment containing the modem pair communication link level designation on which the desired modem resides and a second segment containing a constant for all primary modems or a second constant for all secondary modems or the address of the attached DTE for any secondary modem having an attached DTE, and a command means; monitoring said path at said first modem to detect said first identification means; monitoring said addressing means when said first identification means is detected; and storing said command message when said addressing means is detected to contain the address of said first modem; and decoding and acting on the command in said command means in said command message at said first modem. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5)
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4. A system for controlling a network of modems comprising a DTE, a first modem attached to said DTE, at least a second modem connected to said first modem through a transmission medium comprising:
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means for generating a digital command message, said digital command message including a first digital identification means, a digital addressing means comprising a first segment containing the modem pair communication link level designation on which the desired modem resides and a second segment containing a constant for all primary modems or a second constant for all secondary modems or the address of the attached DTE for any secondary modem having an attached DTE, and a command means, said digital command message further including a digital addressing means comprising a first segment containing the modem pair communication link level designation of the modem to be addressed and a second segment containing a first constant for all primary modems or a second constant for all secondary modems or the DTE address for any secondary modem having a DTE attached thereto; and means for transmitting said digital command message to said first modem over the same path as that over which said first modem receives data from said DTE to be transmitted. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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Specification