In A Bus System Patents (Class 370/257)
  • Patent number: 8305938
    Abstract: To enable an Ethernet ring to be dual homed into a spanning tree protocol controlled Ethernet network, spanning tree control packets (Bridged Protocol Data Units or BPDUs) are transported as data frames over the Ethernet ring. This allows the Ethernet ring to appear as a single link to the spanning tree protocol so that the spanning tree can extend over the link. However, since the spanning tree does not have visibility as to the internal structure of the ring, the spanning tree cannot block links on the Ethernet ring network. Conversely, BPDUs from the Ethernet ring are not transmitted into the Ethernet domain that is implementing the spanning tree, so that the spanning tree is not affected by the control mechanism in place on the Ethernet ring network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Marc Holness, Abdullah Bashar
  • Patent number: 8300654
    Abstract: A broadband multi-drop local network, interface and method for multimedia access. A local network architecture include a wired bus coupleable directly to an external data network terminal and configured for carrying broadband packetized data traffic over a frequency spectrum uninterrupted by other defined data channels or services; and one or a plurality of network transceivers operable individually for coupling an addressable network device processing a defined class of information to the bus wherein each network appliance is configured for and further operable for providing communication interfacing of the class of information of each addressable network appliance with the packetized IP data traffic on the wired bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Bernard F. Bareis
  • Patent number: 8295208
    Abstract: A method for providing communication control functionality at a remotely located site using a distributed feature architecture which provides communication features and data records to an Enhanced Network User (ENU). The ENU connects to a Distributed Feature Network (DFN) in order to gain access to communications features contained in the DFN. Based on the type of communication requested, one or more feature boxes are created in order to implement the requested communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Eric Cheung, Mark Jeffrey Foladare, Shelley B. Goldman, James Christopher Ramming
  • Patent number: 8274920
    Abstract: In a token bus system a node with the token can transmit on the bus a packet that contains two destination addresses. One address specifies the node that should receive the data component (payload) of the transmitted packet. The other address specifies the node that should receive the token. The network protocol specifies that a node with the token must immediately transmit a packet containing just the token or a packet with token and data if it has data to send. When no data is being passed from one node to another on the network, the token may be passed from one node to the next in order. Each node will pass the token to the next highest node number. If a node has the token has some data for sending it transmits a packet with the token for the next node and data for any of the nodes. The bus system requires every node to receive all packets and process them to determine whether the token or the data (or both) is destined for that node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Aker Subsea Limited
    Inventor: Richard H Carter
  • Patent number: 8248969
    Abstract: The invention provides a stacking system and a method for traffic switching in the stacking system, comprising: when newly joined devices in the stacking system make the daisy chain topology change to ring topology, block a stack port of one of the newly joined devices; after the devices in the stacking system perform another topology convergence process, the master restores the configuration of the newly joined devices; after the configuration of the newly joined device one of whose stack ports is blocked is restored, it sets its blocked stack port to the forwarding state, calculates the shortest path based on the ring topology, and sends first notification packets for topology change from daisy chain type to ring type through its two stack ports; each device that receives the first notification packets re-calculates its shortest forwarding path respectively and switches the traffic, and then forwards the first notification packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Hangzhou H3C Technologies Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Dehan Yan
  • Patent number: 8243611
    Abstract: Method and system for configuring a device that has failed to obtain a network address. In one aspect of the invention, a method for remotely configuring a device includes attempting to obtain a network address from a network server over a network, and receiving a valid network address over the network from a remote device connected to the network in response to failing to obtain the network address from the network server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael H. Nolterieke, David B. Rhoades, Norman C. Strole
  • Patent number: 8233407
    Abstract: After every bus reset operation in an IEEE 1394 network, the network is reconfigured. This involves a table with further station-specific information being created after the bus initialization phase, the tree structure identification phase and the self identification phase. Each network station returns its station-specific information to the requesting network station. In the first phase, all that information which has been received up to a time determined by a first abort criterion is sorted into the table. Next, the still incomplete table is enabled for use by an application program in the requesting network station. In the second phase, the still missing station-specific information is then requested again and is sorted into the table when it is delivered by the stations to which requests have been sent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Frank Glaeser, Ralf Koehler, Jens Brocke, Kurt Knuth
  • Patent number: 8228913
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing system to system communication in a switchless non-InfiniBand (IB) compliant environment. IB architected multicast facilities are used to communicate between HCAs in a loop or string topology. Multiple HCAs in the network subscribe to a predetermined multicast address. Multicast messages sent by one HCA destined to the pre-determined multicast address are received by other HCAs in the network. Intermediate TCA hardware, per IB architected multicast support, forward the multicast messages on via hardware facilities, which do not require invocation of software facilities thereby providing performance efficiencies. The messages flow until picked up by an HCA on the network. Architected higher level IB connections, such as IB supported Reliable Connections (RCs) are established using the multicast message flow, eliminating the need for an IB Subnet Manager (SM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Roy Block, Thomas Rembert Sand, Timothy Jerry Schimke
  • Patent number: 8180882
    Abstract: A distributed messaging system and method allows servers in a network to share data, such as network status data associated with all of the servers in the network. In one embodiment, the distributed messaging system and method may be used in element management system (EMS) servers in a distributed network management system (NMS). The servers in the network share the data in a distributed manner by transmitting messages including the network status data, for example, using a star/broadcast method or a circular message queue (CMQ) method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Subsea Communications LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Liss, Sameh A. Sabet, Jeffrey A. Deverin
  • Patent number: 8149873
    Abstract: A data transmission apparatus connecting to a network consisted of a plurality of data transmission apparatuses comprises a disconnecting device that disconnects a connection established between a transmission plug of a transmitting node and a reception plug of a receiving node, both nodes being connected to the network, an optimization requesting device that requests optimization of transmitting sequences to the transmitting node, a receiver that receives information about a transmission plug newly assigned to the transmitting sequence used by the transmitting nodes of which connection has been disconnected by the disconnecting device, the information being received as an answer for the optimization request from the transmitting node, and a connecting device that establishes a new connection between the newly assigned transmission plug and the reception plug of the receiving node of which connection has been disconnected by the disconnecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsutoshi Abe, Takashi Furukawa, Shoichi Matsumoto, Shinsuke Saba, Kunihiko Maeda
  • Patent number: 8144630
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, methods, algorithms, and software for distributed control and/or configuration of network switching devices. The apparatus generally comprises a plurality of network I/O ports, a local control I/O port, and a controller configured to, when the apparatus is a master, receive control input data from at least one of the network I/O ports, process the control input data, and provide control output data to at least one of the network I/O ports, and when the apparatus is a slave, receive the control input data from the local control I/O port, provide the control input data to at least one of the network I/O ports, receive the control output data from at least one of the network I/O ports, and provide the control output data to the local control I/O port. The present disclosure advantageously enables control and/or configuration of a stack of network switch devices by communicating through a local control port of at least one of the devices in the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Orr
  • Patent number: 8140881
    Abstract: The network node includes a local crystal oscillator for providing a time reference derived from the clock signal produced by the local crystal oscillator, a reset stage for resetting the network node in response to a bus reset pulse received through the network and a control means for issuing a bus reset pulse of a predetermined length substantially greater than a clock period of the clock signal of the local crystal oscillator. Further the network node includes a bus reset detector for determining a length of the received bus reset pulse based on the local time reference. The bus reset detector in the network node is also adapted to adjust the local time reference based on the determined length of the received bus reset pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Johann Zipperer
  • Patent number: 8135284
    Abstract: In a method and device which can quickly detect a fiber misconnection without setting an expected value, a node identifier of source node and an identifier of an interface for inputting/outputting a signal are set in a predetermined first field of a header to be transmitted to a destination node, and when both identifiers set in the first field are received from the destination node, both identifiers are set in a predetermined second field of the header to be transmitted and stored with the first field. When the identifiers set in the first and second fields are received and the identifiers of the second field among the identifiers are consistent with the identifiers of the first field stored at the second step (means), a connection is determined to be correct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Harada, Masayuki Tsuda, Takuya Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8069287
    Abstract: An SE0 timer detects that an SE0 state of a universal serial bus continues for 3 ms or more, and asserts an SE03ms detected signal to a suspending/reset discriminating circuit. The suspending/reset discriminating circuit connects a pull-up resistor to a D+ data line, detects that the universal serial bus is in the SE0 state, and asserts a reset detected signal to a reset control circuit. The reset control circuit asserts a threshold level changing signal to a receiver for a high-speed mode. The receiver changes the threshold into 250 mV. When the reset control circuit detects a K state of the universal serial bus after chirp driving K is executed and ended, the reset control circuit negates the threshold level changing signal to the receiver. The receiver changes the threshold back to 125 mV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Manabu Nakano
  • Patent number: 8031638
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of modular analytical systems. The invention enables the topology of a modular analytical system to be determined without requiring additional complicated measures such as a system reset. The method/system is also adapted to industry standards such that CAN-busses can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Friedrich Ackermann, Guido Abel, Udo Manser, Michael Schabbach, Manfred Augstein
  • Patent number: 8028095
    Abstract: A network device includes a media access control (MAC) device that transmits a first data stream at a first data rate, the first data stream including first symbols having M bits. A translator converts the first data stream to a second data stream at a second data rate. The translator includes a data appender that appends N bits to the first symbols in the first data stream to generate second symbols having M+N bits. A data duplicator duplicates the second symbols X times to produce the second data stream at the second data rate. M and X are integers greater than one, and N is greater than or equal to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: William Lo, Nafea Bishara
  • Patent number: 8009590
    Abstract: Method for linking a first and a second communication bus through a wireless link, comprising a first portal connected to the first bus and a second portal connected to the second bus, said first and second portal communicating over a wireless connection. The method comprises the steps of: associating the two portals to the wireless network; exchanging, between the two portals of self identification packets of nodes connected to their respective local busses, including the self identification packets of the portals themselves; generating a reset on each bus; carrying out a self identification procedure on each bus, where each portal generates self identification packets for itself and for nodes of the respective remote bus, using the self identification packets received following the association step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Gilles Straub, Sébastien Perrot, Caroline Landry, Christophe Vincent, Helmut Burklin
  • Patent number: 8005021
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for transmitting packets in a network comprising at least a first sub-network and a second sub-network connected through a transparent communication link, said link comprising at least a first interface device connected to the first sub-network and a second interface device connected to the second sub-network. The method comprises the steps of: attributing a first set of addresses to the interface devices on the communication link; attributing a second set of addresses to nodes connected to the sub-networks, the attribution of the second set being done independently from the attribution of the first set; checking whether there appears a conflict between an address of the first set and an address of the second set, and in the affirmative: changing the conflicting address of the first set to a non conflicting address. The invention also concerns a device for implementing the method as well as a method for detecting and transmitting packets to be transmitted over the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Nathalie Thomas, Gilles Straub, Sébastien Perrot
  • Patent number: 7990898
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system comprises a plurality of nodes and an IEEE 1394 bus. Each of the plurality of nodes comprises at least one IEEE 1394 interface for communicating over the IEEE 1394 bus. The plurality of nodes communicates over the IEEE 1394 bus in accordance with a rooted, half-binary tree topology. In another embodiment, a node comprises an IEEE 1394 interface to communicate over an IEEE 1394 bus. The node encapsulates logical data packets into IEEE 1394 data packets and maps a traffic class associated with each logical data packet to an IEEE 1394 class of service for the IEEE 1394 data packet into which that logical data packet is encapsulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Haowei Bai, Allalaghatta Pavan, Brian VanVoorst, Vicraj T. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20110182209
    Abstract: A method of re-configuring connections for a plurality of network access nodes arranged to communicate with a network. The network access nodes connected in a series configuration with only one of the access nodes being connected to the network, the method comprises: connecting a switch node between the network and each of the access nodes using a respective link. Prior to connecting the switch node the method further comprises collecting connection configuration data from the network access nodes connected in series and using at least some of the connection configuration data, and/or data derived from the connection configuration data, to configure the switch node to allow communication between the access nodes and the network via the switch node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Fabio De Ponti, Gianluca Colla
  • Patent number: 7975092
    Abstract: The invention provides a bus interface converter for converting from AMBA AHB bus protocol to i960-like bus protocol. The converter comprises an AHB interface which can accomplish interface processing for AMBA AHB bus protocol; an i960-like interface which can accomplish interface processing for i960-like bus protocol; and a main controller which can accomplish protocol converting between the AHB interface and the i960-like interface, wherein the AHB interface comprises an AHB bus signal register module which can judge and register control signal from AMBA AHB bus; and an AHB bus signal response module which can generate corresponding response indicating signal of AMBA AHB bus protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventor: Xiaokun Xiong
  • Patent number: 7958263
    Abstract: A data storage enclosure management system of a plurality of service processors is configured to communicate externally via a pair of FC-AL loops. Lead and subsidiary service processors are defined and lead service processors connect to ones of the FC-AL loops with an FC-AL address, and the lead and subsidiary service processors are connected by a secondary communication link. The lead service processor(s) employ an identifier unassociated with the FC-AL address to differentiate communications of the lead service processor from communications of an associated subsidiary service processor, the lead service processor serving as a proxy for the associated subsidiary service processor with respect to the FC-AL address and communicating with the associated subsidiary service processor via the secondary communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Charles Elliott, Robert Akira Kubo, Gregg Steven Lucas
  • Patent number: 7944937
    Abstract: A data transmission apparatus connecting to a network consisted of a plurality of data transmission apparatuses comprises a disconnecting device that disconnects a connection established between a transmission plug of a transmitting node and a reception plug of a receiving node, both nodes being connected to the network, an optimization requesting device that requests optimization of transmitting sequences to the transmitting node, a receiver that receives information about a transmission plug newly assigned to the transmitting sequence used by the transmitting nodes of which connection has been disconnected by the disconnecting device, the information being received as an answer for the optimization request from the transmitting node, and a connecting device that establishes a new connection between the newly assigned transmission plug and the reception plug of the receiving node of which connection has been disconnected by the disconnecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsutoshi Abe, Takashi Furukawa, Shoichi Matsumoto, Shinsuke Saba, Kunihiko Maeda
  • Patent number: 7933281
    Abstract: Several local IEEE1394 buses are bridged together over a second bus type to create a global bus wherein each local bus node is able to address nodes across the global bus without the local nodes being aware of the bridging operation. A bridging device operates by translating local bus node addresses to a global bus for communication over the second bus type. Alternatively, the local bus node identification process is controlled by the bridging device operating as the root node to cause the local nodes to be identified with a node address that is unique for the global network. The second bus type operates as a backbone for the global network and can be any type of communication bus or network with capability to transport the local bus traffic. The bridging devices that interface the local IEEE1394 buses to the backbone contain portals specific to each bus type that can communicate data between the dissimilar buses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Entropic Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Zong Liang Wu, Ronald B. Lee, Yusuf Ozturk
  • Patent number: 7929461
    Abstract: A method of measuring bus traffic on a controller area network (CAN) is described. Accordingly, in one embodiment, a digital oscilloscope acquires the CAN bus signal in the form of a waveform in real-time. The waveform is converted into a bit stream, and the bitstream is analyzed to carry out various measurements in a CAN measurement system. The method may be used for continuous monitoring of bus traffic and measuring of various parameters related thereto, such as bus occupancy by a particular node. The acquired data may be analyzed for measuring bus occupancy by various types of CAN message frames. The user is presented with a data display and a graphical display of the measurements. Also, the user is allowed to enter an identifier for a node to obtain measurements relating to that particular node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Tekronix, Inc.
    Inventors: PE Ramesh, Godfree Coelho, RN Prasanna
  • Patent number: 7907547
    Abstract: A method is provided in order to determine connection topology of a home network. The main idea of the present invention is to send out a topology determination message on each link of the network, wherein the topology determination message is constituted of two consecutive packets, first one being a broadcast packet with a predetermined payload that identifies it as a topology determination packet, and second one being a unicast packet with the same content and a non-existent destination MAC address. If a node receives both the broadcast and unicast packet from a sending node, the sending node is determined to be on the same physical link with said receiving node and the MAC address of the sending node is added into a local link nodes list of said receiving node, otherwise if said receiving node receives only the broadcast packet from the sending node, the send node is determined not to be on the same physical link with said receiving node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Fleury, Nicolas Burdin, Jean-Baptiste Henry
  • Patent number: 7898987
    Abstract: A method for exchanging data in messages between at least two users connected by a bus system, where each of the at least two users includes a predefinable and/or ascertainable timing mark, includes causing the at least two users to transmit, via the bus system, messages including the data. The method also includes causing a first user, in a function as timer, to control the messages as a function of time in such a way that it repeatedly transmits a reference message, which contains time information of the first user, via the bus at a specifiable time interval. Further, if the timing mark of the second user is reached without a reference message of the first user reaching the second user, the second user is caused to take over the function of timer by transmitting its own reference message with its own time information via the bus system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Weigl, Thomas Fuehrer, Bernd Müller, Florian Hartwich, Robert Hugel
  • Patent number: 7886324
    Abstract: In a system in which an IEEE 1394 interface is provided for an IRD, connected equipment can be easily selected and the operability is improved. Data can be transmitted among the equipment by providing the IEEE 1394 interface for the IRD. For example, five equipment units are selected from the equipment connected to the IEEE 1394 interface and node ID numbers are allocated to the five equipment units and registered. Thus, even if the equipment is removed from the interface and connected again, the IRD can recognize the equipment. The registration may easily be changed by user input. When the registration is changed, the change of the registration is inhibited among equipment units in which a program reservation has been set or the connected equipment. Thus, even if the registration is changed, an erroneous operation does not occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hajime Inoue, Tatsuya Wakahara, Naoki Murayama, Masao Mizutani
  • Patent number: 7869918
    Abstract: In a motor vehicle air conditioning installation comprising a central control unit (12), a computer network (14) connected to the central control unit (12) and a plurality of peripherals (101, 102, 103, . . . , 10n) connected to nodes (N1, N2, N3, . . . , Nn) of the computer network, the peripherals are connected in series via a common conductor (18). The installation comprises means (120) for inputting at the level of each peripheral an electric signature on a common conductor, means (130) for detecting an electric signal depending upon the electric signatures of the peripherals situated upstream on the common conductor (18), means for generating a data item representing the relative position of the peripheral on the basis of the electric signal detected, and means for identifying the node of the network to which it is connected on the basis of the relative position data item generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Valeo Climatisation
    Inventors: Christophe Bruzy, Vincent Aubry, Bertrand Puzenat, Laurent Rede
  • Patent number: 7869385
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for testing the bus interface assembly in order to determine if the bus interface assembly is configured to interface with a data bus between an aircraft and a store. If the bus interface assembly is determined not to be properly configured, a troubleshooting routine can be deployed to more specifically identify a malfunction of the bus interface assembly, thereby facilitating the repair of the bus interface assembly. Moreover, the system and method may also program the bus interface assembly. By providing the capability to test and troubleshoot and, in some instances, program the bus interface assembly, the bus interface assembly may be more readily deployed and the performance of the bus interface assembly may be assured, thereby promoting the reliability of the bus interface assembly and the associated communications transferred across the data bus between the aircraft and the store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James V. Leonard, Robert K. Menzel, Richard E. Meyer, Aaron L. Eggemeyer, William J. Ebert
  • Patent number: 7869432
    Abstract: A virtual link aggregation-capable service provider network and network edge device are described. In at least one embodiment, the service provider edge devices forward packets across the service provider network between pairs of customer ports, including link aggregation packets that would ordinarily be consumed by the edge device. This allows the customer to bridge a link aggregation across a service provider network. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Force 10 Networks, Inc
    Inventor: Suresh Mollyn
  • Publication number: 20100322110
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement (10), for connecting high speed digital subscriber lines, comprising a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (1) which is adapted to be in communication with a distribution arrangement (6) interconnecting external trunk lines and internal subscriber lines. The distribution arrangement (6) is adapted to comprise or communicate with a detecting arrangement (11) adapted to detect presence of a high frequency digital signal and a connector arrangement (7) which in a second state is adapted to connect, or enable connection, of subscriber lines and a high frequency signal interface. In a first state it is adapted to disable/disconnect subscriber lines from a high frequency signal interface. The distribution arrangement (6) comprises switching or activating means for activating the second state of the connector arrangement (7) at detecting the presence of a high frequency signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET L M ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventor: Lars Houmark
  • Patent number: 7855635
    Abstract: A communication system is provided that can be added to a legacy alarm system to provide a plurality of communication modes to a remote server system from the legacy alarm system and provide remote control and monitoring to a user of the system via two-way communication links. The communication system can be configured to communicate with an alarm processor of the legacy alarm system through use of a keypad bus typically used by the legacy alarm system for communications between the alarm processor and one or more keypads. Communication modes that can be provided by embodiments of the present invention can include, for example, communication over a public switched telephone network, cellular transmission, broadband transmission, wireless broadband, and the like. The communication system can monitor all configured communication modes and determine which communication mode is the best for providing communication between the alarm system and the remote server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: uControl, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Wade Cohn, Ronald E. Battles, David Proft, Scott William Shumate
  • Patent number: 7852790
    Abstract: The present invention provides a communication master station startup period control method of being able to securely prevent malfunction of a PLC system, even if at least two communication master stations are connected to the PLC system which permits only one communication master station on the network. After the startup, when it is determined that the communication master stations exist redundantly by a master plurality determination process performed in advance of a link establishment process, the transition to a predetermined master plurality avoidance process is made without making the transition to the link establishment process. Further, when it is determined that the communication master stations exist redundantly by the master plurality determination process performed in parallel with the link establishment process, the transition to the predetermined master plurality avoidance process is made without making the transition to an operation state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Norio Furuishi, Masanori Fujikawa
  • Patent number: 7848232
    Abstract: A time division multiplexed communication bus is disclosed that provides a low latency, low pin count solution for communications among information handling systems. The time division multiplexed serial bus is advantageous in providing communications among modular computing systems, passthrough modules and chassis management controllers, as part of a modular computing system chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: John Loffink, Sandor T. Farkas
  • Patent number: 7817583
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a map describing a correct configuration attribute for communicatively coupling a storage area network device with another device is accessed. An actual configuration attribute of the storage area network device is requested. The actual configuration attribute of the storage area network device is then compared to the correct configuration of the storage area network device and a result is generated in response to the comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: David A. Graves
  • Patent number: 7801053
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for setting consistent values for a parameter in a network of distributed stations (10 to 14), and to a corresponding network subscriber station. In certain circumstances, it has been found that inconsistent entries can occur for the gap count parameter on the local bus in an IEEE 1394 network. If the bus management instance (25, 26) relies on the automatic behavior, as provided in the Standard, of all the network subscriber stations (10 to 11) to automatically set the maximum value of 63 after the second bus resetting process without any intermediate resetting of this parameter, this can lead to progressive resetting of the network, and this can result in blocking of the network. The problem is solved by immediate transmission of a parameter setting message for the critical network parameter once an inconsistency has been found.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Jens Brocke, Frank Gläser, Ralf Köhler, Kurt Knuth
  • Patent number: 7792137
    Abstract: A self-organized and self-managed ad hoc network operates without the intervention of arbitration, collision detectors, hubs, master controllers, switches, or routers. The network may include both fixed and/or mobile stations. A self-organized and self-managed order of transmission sequence is automatically determined by the stations in the network, and then each station transmits in the order defined by that sequence. Stations can join in, or drop out of, the network at any time with little to no disruption of the network, and the transmission sequence is automatically updated to accommodate a joinder or removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Abidanet, LLC
    Inventors: David M. Smith, G. Allan Whittaker
  • Patent number: 7792056
    Abstract: A method for dynamic path failover in a network with two or more redundant and interconnected bridges, is described. A first bridge operates as a root bridge and each node includes two ports where each port is coupled to a respective one of the bridges. The method includes defining a bridge identifier at a node which presents the node as a capable bridge to the two or more fully compliant, RSTP enabled MAC bridges, forwarding a BPDU message from the node that defines the node as an inferior alternate path to the root bridge, facilitating the dynamic sensing of the absence of communication between the root bridge and the node, receiving a topology change message at the node from the second redundant bridge, and sending an agreement message from the node to the second redundant bridge such that the node automatically begins receiving messages from the second redundant bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, David A. Naumann
  • Publication number: 20100218003
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a powered device (PD) (402) has a PHY module (410) and a media access controller (419) (MAC), the PD (402) adapted to connect to power sourcing equipment (PSE) via a cable, (408) where the PD (402) is adapted to communicate with and receive power from the PSE via the cable, in accordance with the Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) standard. The PD (402) extracts (413) from the cable (408) a DC signal used to power the PD without using a transformer. Capacitors (420) located in the signal paths between the MAC (419) and the cable (408) support electrical isolation of the MAC (419).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: AGERE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Blaha, Luis de La Torre, Alan L. Ellis, Gary D. Polhemus, Patrick J. Quirk
  • Patent number: 7782800
    Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for detection and management of daisy-chain system topologies. A method is disclosed for auto-discovery and auto-enumeration. The method may be performed in a daisy-chain system of serially inter-connected devices. The method may include identifying each port of each device in a system of serially inter-connected devices, discovering each device in the system, and enumerating each device in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Tushara K. Swain
  • Patent number: 7773543
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining the length of node-to-node links in a computer network. The method includes measuring the forwarding time for each node-to-node link in the network, eliminating queuing time from each forwarding time measurement, determining and subtracting store-forward time from each forwarding time measurement, determining and subtracting execution time from each forwarding time measurement to obtain a propagation time for a signal being transmitted on each node-to-node link and, based upon the propagation time for each node-to-node link, calculating a length of each node-to-node link. A network map may also be derived by identifying internal nodes in the network, translating each store-forward time into a hop count, constructing a connectivity map of the network including a connection map of internal nodes and superimposing the calculated link lengths onto the connectivity map to determine cable length between any internal nodes with more than two connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin P. Gross
  • Patent number: 7769056
    Abstract: A communication interface element for a communication module is provided, which module contains a message memory and a first data path to and from the message memory via which data and/or messages are transmitted to and from the message memory. The communication interface element provides an additional, second data path in the communication module and includes switching arrangement configured in such a way that predefinable data and/or messages of the first data path are transmitted over the additional, second data path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Florian Hartwich
  • Patent number: 7733803
    Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods provide a user interface for modifying host configuration data that has been automatically and passively determined and for adding or modifying other parameters associated with a host. A host data table can store various parameters descriptive of a host including the applicability of specific vulnerabilities. If it is determined that one or more hosts should not be identified as associated with a specific vulnerability, a graphical user interface can be used to modify the vulnerability parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Sourcefire, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Vogel, III, Dina L. Bruzek
  • Patent number: 7734296
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes storing, in a data store, a physical network model of a network environment, the network environment comprising one or more central controllers and one or more access points each operative to associate with a central controller, the physical network model comprising one or more region objects, each region object corresponding to a physical region of the network environment, each region object further including one or more radio frequency (RF) coverage maps, each RF coverage map defining a location of one or more access points and RF properties of a physical space; receiving a first mapping definition between a location server and a one or more region objects of the physical network model; receiving a second mapping definition between the location server and one or more central controllers; transmitting the one or more region objects in the first mapping definition to the location server; and configuring the location server and the one or more central controllers in the sec
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan Thomson, Bhautik Doshi, Emilio Maldonado, Madhavi Vulpala
  • Patent number: 7724689
    Abstract: An interface device and interface device control method that switches a transmission rate to enable high-speed transmission when necessary. In devices (nodes) provided with an interface device, a transmission rate control circuit decreases the frequency of a clock signal to only enable low-speed transmission operations during low-speed transmission and when a transfer operation is not being performed. A node requiring switching to a high-speed transmission rate negotiates with each node included in a route to a transfer destination and reads the device information stored in the register to confirm whether or not each node has a transmission capacity applicable for high-speed transmission. Then, when the transmission capacity is applicable for high-speed transmission, the transmission rate control circuit increases the frequency of the clock signal to change the operating speed of its node and each of the nodes requiring the switching of the transmission rate to high-speed transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Fujitsu Microelectronics Limited
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Tsujimoto
  • Patent number: 7720469
    Abstract: A wireless telecommunication device, a method of frequency calibrating a wireless telecommunication device, and a computer program are provided. The method comprises: receiving a reference radio signal of the wireless telecommunications system; frequency synchronizing the wireless telecommunication device with the reference radio signal by adjusting a control parameter controlling a reference frequency generated by a reference frequency generator; measuring a temperature parameter characterizing the temperature of the reference frequency generator; and generating calibration information for calibrating the wireless telecommunication device on the basis of the control parameter and the temperature parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Erik Olaf Kerstenbeck
  • Patent number: 7710897
    Abstract: A method and system for automated discovery of logical network elements in a communications network speeds up and reduces the cost of discovering network elements and mapping network topology of network inter-connections. The method comprises the steps of building a cache of protection mechanisms in the communications network, building a network graph based on physical links of the communications network, traversing the network graph, comprising the step of, at each vertex of the network graph, determining whether there is a deterministic path that leads to a next vertex of the network graph, performing a depth first search on the network graph to determine connected components of the network graph, and creating the logical network elements based on the connected components of the network graph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Salim Galou, Amitava Bhattacharyya, An-chung Man
  • Patent number: 7701877
    Abstract: A topology representation stores the topology in database tables corresponding to a topology schema for representing the manageable entities and relations in the SAN. A management application performs topology manipulations via database queries operable to process the database tables representing the topology, thus avoiding loading the entire topology into memory. Accordingly, configurations herein need not store the entire topology representation in order to process the topology by performing relational database queries that effectively perform the topology processing via the database query engine rather than a memory resident data structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventors: Vitaly Rozenman, Benjamin Bushoy, Dmitry Gritsay
  • Patent number: 7697532
    Abstract: A method for communication includes encapsulating multiple data packets, which carry data and have respective drop precedence (DP) values selected from a range of possible DP values, to produce a concatenated frame of a transport protocol. A composite drop precedence (CDP) value is assigned from the range to the concatenated frame using a pseudo-random assignment function that depends on a distribution of the DP values of the data packets in the concatenated frame. The concatenated frame is transported through a communication network using the transport protocol, in accordance with the pseudo-randomly assigned CDP value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Corrigent Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Rafi Ram, Leon Bruckman