US5434845A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Infrequent event trace
Assignee: McData Services Corp
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Filing: 1994-02-16
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Granted: 1995-07-18
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Expires: 2014-02-16
Abstract
Abstract Protocol analysis is performed by identifying frame events of communication frames from a communication link, and determining which frame events have an occurrence below a preselected frequency. The results are displayed. The frame events having an occurrence below the preselected frequency are determined by counting the occurrence of each type of frame event for a preselected period and comparing against a count of the preselected periods. The frame event may be any of the plurality of data fields for a communication frame, the occurrence of a sequence or pairs of communications frames, or the time periods between pairs of communication frames.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip N. Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:03
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L43/00; H04L43/18; H04J; H04J3/00; H04J3/02; H04J3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A protocol analyzer for a communication link comprising: input means for receiving communication frames from a communication link, said communication frames having plural identifiable distinctive frame events; first filter means for identifying a plurality of said distinctive frame events, from said input means, each of which has an occurrence below a preselected frequency; and output means for selectively displaying only the plurality of distinctive frame events identified by said first filter means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
A protocol analyzer for a communication link comprising: input means for receiving communication frames from a communication link, said communication frames having plural identifiable distinctive frame events; first filter means for identifying a plurality of said distinctive frame events, from said input means, each of which has an occurrence below a preselected frequency; and output means for selectively displaying only the plurality of distinctive frame events identified by said first filter means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A protocol analyzer according to claim 1, wherein said first filter means includes a plurality of first counter means for counting the occurrence of each kind of frame event.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A protocol analyzer according to claim 2, wherein said first filter means includes timer means for generating a time signal defining said preselected frequency.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A protocol analyzer according to claim 3, wherein said first filter means includes: a timer counter means for counting said time signals; and comparator means for comparing the count in said timer counter means and in said first counters means to perform said identification.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A protocol analyzer according to claim 2, wherein said communication frames includes a plurality of data fields, and said first counter means includes a plurality of field counter means for counting the occurrence of each value of selected data fields.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A protocol analyzer according to claim 1, including buffer means for storing communication frames from said input means; wherein said first filter means identify frames in said buffer means; and wherein said output means also outputs all frames in said buffer means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
A protocol analyzer according to claim 6, including second filter means for identifying preselected flames from said buffer means; and wherein said output means includes selection means for selecting as an output results of said first filter means, results of said second filter means or all flames in said buffer means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A protocol analyzer according to claim 1, wherein said input means includes means for connecting said protocol analyzer to said communication link.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A protocol analyzer according to claim 8, wherein said first filters means perform identification in real time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
A protocol analyzer according to claim 9, wherein said protocol analyzer is portable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A protocol analyzer according to claim 1, wherein said first filter means identifies as said frame events the occurrence of values of a plurality of data fields of said communication frames.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A protocol analyzer according to claim 1, wherein said first filter means identifies as said frame events the occurrence of sequences of pairs of communication frames.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A protocol analyzer according to claim 1, wherein said first filter means identifies as said frame events the occurrence of ranges of time periods between pairs of communication frames.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of protocol analysis comprising: identifying a plurality of distinctive frame events in communication frames from a communication link, said communication frames having plural identifiable distinctive frame events; determining a plurality of identified distinctive frame events which each has an occurrence below a preselected frequency; and selectively displaying only the determined frame events.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of protocol analysis comprising: identifying a plurality of distinctive frame events in communication frames from a communication link, said communication frames having plural identifiable distinctive frame events; determining a plurality of identified distinctive frame events which each has an occurrence below a preselected frequency; and selectively displaying only the determined frame events.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein said determining includes counting the occurrence of each frame event for a preselected period and determining which identified frame events have an occurrence below a preselected frequency from the count of the counting step.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein said determining further includes counting said preselected periods and comparing the counted preselected periods with the counted occurrences.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein: said communication frames each include a plurality of data fields; said identifying includes identifying values of data fields; and said determining includes counting the occurrence of each value of selected data fields for said preselected period.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein said communication frames each include a plurality of data fields; and said identifying includes identifying, as said frame events, the occurrence of values of a plurality of data fields of said communication frames.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein said communication frames occur in sequence; and said identifying includes identifying, as said frame events, the occurrence of sequences of pairs of communication frames.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein said communication frames occur in sequence; and said identifying includes identifying, as said frame events, the occurrence of time periods between pairs of communication frames in said sequence.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-07-17 | 1999-01-16 | 1999-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-07-17 | 2003-01-16 | 2003-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-07-17 | 2007-01-16 | 2007-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |