Patents by Inventor Norman Tang

Norman Tang has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20130202289
    Abstract: A method of capturing a failure log for an optical module may be provided. The optical module may have an optical monitoring circuit and a buffer memory. The method may include measuring environment variables of the optical module using the optical monitoring circuit, and storing the measured environment variables in the buffer memory. In addition, the method may also include receiving time of day information. The measured environment variables may then be associated with the time of day information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Norman Tang, Liang Ping Peng, David Lai, Anthony Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8499103
    Abstract: A converter apparatus is provided enabling conversion of data between different form factor pluggable standards. The converter comprises a first connector that connects to a first device according to a first form factor pluggable standard, and a second connector that connects to a second device according to a second form factor pluggable standard. The converter further comprises a signal processor coupled between the first connector and the second connector. The processor converts at least one of transmit signals in the first form factor pluggable standard to transmit signals in the second form factor pluggable standard and receive signals in the second form factor pluggable standard to receive signals in the first form factor pluggable standard. A controller in the converter is coupled to the processor and to the first and second connector. The controller configures the processor to be used for converting signals between the form factor pluggable standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam J. Carter, Karthik Ramaswamy, Marco Mazzini, Norman Tang
  • Patent number: 8457153
    Abstract: The practical transmission range of an electrical cable can be extended by converting between electrical and optical signals using an HDMI-optical converter that receives an SFP+ optics transceiver. A pair of SFP+-based HDMI adapters/extenders can connect to a pair of HDMI cables, where one of the HDMI cables is connected to an HDMI Source and one of the HDMI cables is connected to an HDMI Sink. Each of the SFP+-based HDMI cable extenders can terminate with an SFP+ port to house a hot pluggable SFP+ transceiver. The apparatus can transmit 10 G video data to the distance that is supported by the SFP+ product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Nguyen, David Lai, Norman Tang, Nick Peng
  • Publication number: 20130115803
    Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving a signal at an indicator activator provided on a first end of a data cable. The data cable comprises a second end that includes an indicator. The method also includes activating the indicator such that at least a portion of the data cable is illuminated. In more particular embodiments, the indicator activator is a switch, and the signal causes the switch to close such that a current is provided to the indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Norman Tang, Liang Ping Peng, Anthony Nguyen, David Lai
  • Publication number: 20130058444
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for fault-tolerant communications over a two-wire interface. A method for such communications includes iteratively initiating transfer of data between a master device and a slave device via a two-wire interface, and, prior to each iteration, transmitting a flushing bit-stream from the master device to the slave device. The flushing bit-stream is configured to align the operations of the slave device with the operations of the master device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman Tang, David Lai, Liang Ping Peng, Anthony Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20120331320
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein achieve Wake-on-LAN to allow optical modules the ability to wake up link partners instantaneously when there is data to be transmitted or received. As such, Wake-on-LAN features are provided for a side-band handshaking protocol and channel that is independent from the normal data traffic path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman Tang, Nick Peng, Anthony Nguyen, David Lai
  • Publication number: 20120263460
    Abstract: Adaptive power setting techniques for optical transceivers are provided. Optical signals are received at a first optical transceiver device that are transmitted from a second optical transceiver device. A receive power of the optical signals received at the first optical transceiver device from the second optical transceiver device is determined. A characteristic of optical signals transmitted by the first optical transceiver device to the second optical transceiver device is modulated to indicate to the second optical transceiver device a disparity of the receive power with respect to a target receive power level at the first optical transceiver device. Conversely, the first optical transceiver device adjusts a power level of optical signals transmitted by the first optical transceiver device to the second optical transceiver device based on a characteristic of the optical signals received at the first optical transceiver device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Mahan Movassaghi, Norman Tang, Liang Ping Peng
  • Publication number: 20120250735
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a transceiver device mounted on a printed circuit board and configured to transmit and receive signals that comply with a 10GBASE-T standard. A pluggable connector is disposed at one end of the printed circuit board and is coupled to the transceiver device. The pluggable connector is configured to plug into an X2 system port to convey signals that comply with the 10GBASE-T standard between the transceiver device and a system device. A port device is disposed at an opposing end of the printed circuit board and is coupled to the transceiver device. The port device is configured to receive a transmission cable to convey signals that comply with the 10GBASE-T standard between the transceiver device and a network device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Norman Tang, Liang Ping Peng, David Lai, Anthony Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20120254495
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a transceiver device mounted on a printed circuit board and configured to selectively transmit and receive signals at a first data rate or signals at a second data rate. An X2 form factor pluggable connector disposed at one end of the printed circuit board includes first and second pins that respectively convey signals at the first and second data rates between the transceiver device and a system device. A port device disposed at an opposite end of the printed circuit board conveys signals between the transceiver device and a network device. A management circuit determines which of the first and second data rates is selected based on transmissions between the system device and the network device and controls the transceiver device to transmit and receive signal at the first data rate via the first pins and at the second data rate via the second pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Norman Tang, Liang Ping Peng, David Lai, Anthony Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20120249871
    Abstract: The practical transmission range of an electrical cable can be extended by converting between electrical and optical signals using an HDMI-optical converter that receives an SFP+ optics transceiver. A pair of SFP+-based HDMI adapters/extenders can connect to a pair of HDMI cables, where one of the HDMI cables is connected to an HDMI Source and one of the HDMI cables is connected to an HDMI Sink. Each of the SFP+-based HDMI cable extenders can terminate with an SFP+ port to house a hot pluggable SFP+ transceiver. The apparatus can transmit 10 G video data to the distance that is supported by the SFP+ product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: ANTHONY NGUYEN, DAVID LAI, NORMAN TANG, NICK PENG
  • Publication number: 20120087675
    Abstract: An apparatus, in accordance with particular embodiments, includes an interface configured to establish connections within a copper network. The apparatus also includes a receptacle configured to receive a conventional small form-factor pluggable (SFP) module or a compact SFP module and to direct the SFP modules to a first connector. The first connector connects either of the SFP modules to the node. A pin of the first connector is configured to receive a module detection signal and to transmit data to the compact SFP module. The apparatus also includes a low pass filter coupled to the pin of the first connector that passes the module detection signal to the node. The apparatus is further configured to establish two duplex connections with an optical fiber network if the compact SFP module is connected and to establish one duplex connection with the optical fiber network if the conventional SFP module is connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Liang-Ping Peng, Norman Tang, David Lai
  • Publication number: 20110255574
    Abstract: A converter apparatus is provided that enables conversion of data (traffic) between different form factor pluggable standards. The converter apparatus comprises a first connector configured to connect to a first device according to a first form factor pluggable standard, and a second connector configured to connect to a second device according to a second form factor pluggable standard. The converter apparatus further comprises a signal processor configured to be coupled between the first connector and the second connector. The signal processor is configured to convert at least one of transmit signals in the first form factor pluggable standard received at the first connector to transmit signals in the second form factor pluggable standard and receive signals in the second form factor pluggable standard received at the second connector to receive signals in the first form factor pluggable standard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Adam J. Carter, Karthik Ramaswamy, Marco Mazzini, Norman Tang
  • Publication number: 20100325432
    Abstract: A method is provided, including (a) upon a standard small form-factor pluggable (SFP) module being inserted into an SFP jack on a network host device, determining if the SFP module is a legacy device or a smart device, (b) upon determining that the SFP module is a legacy device, receiving a magic code from the SFP module and determining if the magic code is a valid magic code, and (c) upon determining that the SFP module is a smart device, performing a smart authentication process with the SFP module. Associated apparatuses and additional methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Norman Tang, Adam Jonathan Carter, David C. Lai, Liang Ping Peng, Guoying Ding
  • Patent number: 7715369
    Abstract: A backplane having a switch card interface and an adapter card interface where the switch card interface has input/outputs in an arrangement that functionally mate to a networking layer system switch card and a physical layer system switch card. The adapter card interface is coupled to the switch card interface. The adapter card interface has input/outputs in an arrangement that functionally mates to a networking layer system adapter card and a physical layer system adapter card. A method that involves forming a first and second backplane according to a manufacturing process, integrating the first backplane into a networking layer system switch, and integrating the second backplane into a physical layer system switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene T. Wang, Nang Tran, Norman Tang, Vu Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7161930
    Abstract: A backplane having a switch card interface and an adapter card interface where the switch card interface has input/outputs in an arrangement that functionally mate to a networking layer system switch card and a physical layer system switch card. The adapter card interface is coupled to the switch card interface. The adapter card interface has input/outputs in an arrangement that functionally mates to a networking layer system adapter card and a physical layer system adapter card. A method that involves forming a first and second backplane according to a manufacturing process, integrating the first backplane into a networking layer system switch, and integrating the second backplane into a physical layer system switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene T. Wang, Nang Tran, Norman Tang, Vu Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20040019478
    Abstract: A method for interactive natural language query processing includes receiving a natural language query comprising a plurality of words. The received query is tokenized into individual words. The one or more tokenized words are then collapsed. An intersection of the collapsed words is then determined and one or more results are selected based at least in part on the intersection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: Electronic Data Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Brad L. Rucker, Stephen T. Hoffmann, Norman Tang