US 5,508,690 A · Programmable data alarm

Abstract

A programmable data alarm containing a dedicated microprocessor serially interfaced with a data communications network is configured to monitor the network's data transmission lines for transmission of preselected characters. A number of preselected character strings may be input into the data alarm through data terminals coupled to the communications network and stored in a non-volatile memory. The microprocessor compares each character string transmitted over the communications network to the stored preselected character strings and outputs an audible and visual alarm signal when a match between the transmitted and stored strings occurs. The microprocessor may also be configured to monitor the handshake lines of the data communications network for signal transitions that will trigger the alarm signal.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A programmable alarm to be interfaced with a data terminal in a computer network for monitoring the network for preselected character strings, comprising:

means for storing preselected character strings;
input means interfaced with a data terminal in a computer network for receiving strings transmitted over a communications link of the computer network;
a processor coupled to the means for storing character strings for comparing each character string received to each stored character string;
means coupled to the processor and the input means for responding to a user actuated input over the communications link and switching between an alarm programming mode wherein user preselected character strings are received from the communications link and stored in the means for storing and an alarm operating mode wherein character strings are received from the communications link of the computer network and compared to the stored preselected character strings;
and
means for outputting an alarm signal in response to a comparison between one of the character strings received from the communications link and one of the stored preselected character strings.

3 more elements

A programmable alarm to be interfaced with a data terminal in a computer network for monitoring the network for preselected character strings, comprising:

means for interfacing with the data terminal and a communications link of the computer network to receive both character string and handshake data strings transmitted thereon;
storage means for storing user preselected character strings;
means coupled to the means for interfacing for transmitting received user preselected character strings from the communications link to the storage means wherein the means for transmitting responds to a user actuated input transmitted over the communications link;
means responsive to an alarm signal for signalling an alarm;
and
a processor coupled to the means for interfacing, means for transmitting, said storage means and said means for signalling, said processor having:
means for receiving from the communications link in a first operating mode a transmitted alarm operation selection comprising a handshake data signal monitor selection or a character string data signal monitor selection;
and
means for monitoring character signal transmissions over the communications link via the means for interfacing in a second operating mode, said means for monitoring including:
means responsive to the receipt of the string data signal monitor selection in the first operating mode for outputting the alarm signal when a character string matching one of the stored user preselected strings is transmitted over the communications link;
and means responsive to the receipt of the handshake signal monitor selection in the first operating mode for outputting the alarm signal when a handshake data string is transmitted over the communications link.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Programmable data alarm

Life of this patent

Programmable data alarm

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims7