Bruce Barton Allen

US Patent:

44919468, Jan 1, 1985

Filed:

Mar 9, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/241688

Inventors:

J. Michael Kryskow - Hudson NH
Jeffery J. Bobzin - Salem NH
Bruce S. Allen - East Kingston NH

Assignee:

Gould Inc. - Rolling Meadows IL

International Classification:

H04J 602

US Classification:

370 89

Abstract:

A data communication system is disclosed that utilizes a synchronized serial bus for communication between multiple stations connected to the bus. A token is employed such that when owned by a station it allows that station to transmit high level messages over the bus and command other stations to transmit high level messages to it if required by the token owner. Fundamental events called primitives are perceived by stations. Each station capable of token ownership embodies the same set of rules, the rules in turn defining the circumstances when perceived events cause a station to change from one state to another. Fundamental sets of rules, or modules, are used in the communication system to achieve a system for the automatic generation of a token list of stations with periodic ownership of the token, as well as for expansion or contraction of this token list. In addition, automatic change in the token pass handshake protocol is described. The communication system allows bus interconnection to stations having no potential token access, with communication control provided by master stations which have token ownership capability.

US Patent:

58417630, Nov 24, 1998

Filed:

Jun 13, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/489742

Inventors:

Arthur P. Leondires - Mount Vernon NH
Bruce S. Allen - East Kingston NH
Marshall B. Garrison - Derry NH
Philip J. Baun - Andover MA

Assignee:

MultiLink, Inc. - Andover MA

International Classification:

H04L 1216
H04Q 1100

US Classification:

370260

Abstract:

A processor unit for a multipoint audio-video conferencing system, wherein the processor unit includes a host processor for controlling operation of the audio-video conferencing system. Controlling operation includes controlling the performance of a plurality of functions associated with servicing each of a plurality of communications connections, each of the connections being between a conferee terminal and the audio-video conferencing system. The processor unit also includes a plurality of digital signal processors, in communication with each other over a first bus and in communication with and controlled by the host processor over a second bus. Each digital signal processor includes an associated configuration element for adaptively configuring a selected digital signal processor to perform processing required by a selected one of the functions associated with servicing a selected one of the communications connections. The processing required by the conferencing functions is distributed between the plurality of digital signal processors.