Timothy L Erickson

US Patent:

7103062, Sep 5, 2006

Filed:

Nov 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/708172

Inventors:

Timothy Lee Erickson - Walnut Creek CA, US
John Franklin Anthony Jurrius - Hercules CA, US
Lewis Clark McCoy - Pleasanton CA, US

Assignee:

Clear Com - Emeryville CA

International Classification:

H04B 7/212
H04L 12/403

US Classification:

370442, 370451, 370489

Abstract:

An intercom system utilizing peer-to-peer computer network hardware that shares bandwidth between digital audio transport and inter-processor data communications on a common time-division-multiplexed (TDM) parallel bus. The system hardware automates symmetric, simultaneous, variable-length data block transfers among all of the microprocessor-controlled cards in the system. These cards communicate without intervention by or assistance from a central controller or intermediary communications processor, thereby improving system throughput and reliability and decreasing system complexity. An additional benefit of the communication scheme employed herein is that all system cards automatically track changes in the population of other cards in the system. The intercom system described employs a Configuration Card connected to a configuration computer to provides the system supervisor with the ability to quickly configure the system for a particular use without altering the system's hardware configuration.

US Patent:

61817074, Jan 30, 2001

Filed:

Apr 7, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/835339

Inventors:

Timothy Lee Erickson - Walnut Creek CA
John Franklin Anthony Jurrius - Hercules CA
Lewis Clark McCoy - Pleasanton CA

Assignee:

Clear Com - Berkeley CA

International Classification:

H04B 7212
H04M 100

US Classification:

370442

Abstract:

An intercom system utilizing peer-to-peer computer network hardware that shares bandwidth between digital audio transport and inter-processor data communications on a common time-division-multiplexed (TDM) parallel bus. The system hardware automates symmetric, simultaneous, variable-length data block transfers among all of the microprocessor- controlled cards in the system. These cards communicate without intervention by or assistance from a central controller or intermediary communications processor, thereby improving system throughput and reliability and decreasing system complexity. An additional benefit of the communication scheme employed herein is that all system cards automatically track changes in the population of other cards in the system. The intercom system described employs a Configuration Card connected to a configuration computer to provides the system supervisor with the ability to quickly configure the system for a particular use without altering the system's hardware configuration.