Mode-selectable communications system
First Claim
1. A mode-selectable communications system for commanding at least one remote module from a controller unit by a command signal having an address and major communications mode command, the system comprising:
- a remote module, communicating with the controller unit through a communication link, including;
major mode identifier means for receiving the command signal from the controller unit, for identifying an address pertaining to the remote module, and for identifying a major communications mode for that module as a command response mode or a time slot mode;
command response means, responsive to said major mode identifier means, for implementing a task indicated by the identified command response mode; and
time slot response means, responsive to said major mode identifier means, for determining at least one time slot unique to that module and for communicating, based on the identified time slot mode, with the controller unit through the communications link during that time slot, said time slot response means includingtimer means for defining a first preselected timing period;
time slot identifier means, responsive to said major mode identifier means, for selecting a time slot response based on the identified time slot mode and for initializing said timer means; and
means, enabled by said timer means when the timing period expires, for executing the selected time slot response to communicate with the controller unit through the communications link during unique time slot.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mode-selectable communications system which commands one or more remote modules from a controller unit. The controller unit issues a command signal having an address and major communications mode command. Each remote module includes a major mode identifier for receiving the command signal from the control unit through a communications link. The major mode identifier identifies an address pertaining to the module and identifies a major communications mode for that module as a command response mode or a time slot mode. The module implements a task indicated by the command mode and selects a time slot response based on the time slot mode. A time slot unique to that module is determined and the module communicates with the control unit through the communications link during that time slot.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A mode-selectable communications system for commanding at least one remote module from a controller unit by a command signal having an address and major communications mode command, the system comprising:
a remote module, communicating with the controller unit through a communication link, including; major mode identifier means for receiving the command signal from the controller unit, for identifying an address pertaining to the remote module, and for identifying a major communications mode for that module as a command response mode or a time slot mode; command response means, responsive to said major mode identifier means, for implementing a task indicated by the identified command response mode; and time slot response means, responsive to said major mode identifier means, for determining at least one time slot unique to that module and for communicating, based on the identified time slot mode, with the controller unit through the communications link during that time slot, said time slot response means including timer means for defining a first preselected timing period; time slot identifier means, responsive to said major mode identifier means, for selecting a time slot response based on the identified time slot mode and for initializing said timer means; and means, enabled by said timer means when the timing period expires, for executing the selected time slot response to communicate with the controller unit through the communications link during unique time slot. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A mode-selectable communications system comprising:
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a controller unit for generating a command signal having an address and major communications mode command; at least two remote modules; a communications link interconnecting said controller unit and said modules; each module including; major mode identifier means for receiving the command signal from the controller unit, for identifying an address pertaining to that remote module, and for identifying a major communications mode for that module as a command response mode or a time slot mode; command response means, responsive to said major mode identifier means, for implementing a task indicated by the identified command response mode; and time slot response means, responsive to said major mode identifier means, for determining a time slot unique to that module and for communicating, based on the identified time slot mode, with said control unit through said communications link during that time slot, said time slot response means including timer means for defining a first preselected timing period unique to that module; time slot identifier means, responsive to said major mode identifier means, for selecting a timer slot response based on the identified time slot mode and for initializing said timer means; and means, enabled by said timer means when the timing period expires, for executing the selected time slot response to communicate with the controller unit through said communications link during the unique time slot. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification