Method and apparatus for a flexible peripheral access router

• US 20030142683A1
• Filed: 09/24/2002
• Published: 07/31/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Quanta Computer
• Original Assignee: Quanta Computer
• Inventors: Chang, Chia-Yuan, Lam, Barry
• Granted Patent: US 7,873,028 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/401
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2898 Subscriber equipments DSL modems H04M11/062; cable modems H04L12/2801
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/631 Small computer system interface [SCSI] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/636 IEEE1394 identification numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/30 Peripheral units, e.g. input or output ports
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/351 for local area network [LAN], e.g. Ethernet switches
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/602 Multilayer or multiprotocol switching, e.g. IP switching
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/103 across network layers, e.g. resolution of network layer into physical layer addresses or address resolution protocol [ARP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/025 for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/14 Backbone network devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/00 Interfaces specially adapted for wireless communication networks

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for a local area network router, that allows communication between a number of remotely located users, and a plurality of peripheral devices connected to the local area network router. Users may access the local area network using wireless devices or the Internet. The peripheral devices, which may include a wide variety of multi-media storage, playback, printing, or other functions, are connected to the router via local interfaces, which communicate with the peripheral devices via established protocols. Each of the peripheral devices is provided with an IP address, which facilitates direct communication of the users with the peripheral devices and permits direct communication with the devices over the Internet. Data packets destined for the IP address of a peripheral device are router through the local interface, which converts the data utilizing compatible communication protocols for the target peripheral device.

Claims

1. A local area network router comprising:

a central processing apparatus;

a plurality of peripheral devices coupled to said central processing apparatus, each of said plurality of peripheral devices provided with an IP address; and

an Internet interface coupled to said central processing device to provide Internet connectivity to said peripheral devices.

2. A local area network router as recited in claim 1:

wherein said plurality of peripheral devices are coupled to at least one of a plurality of local interfaces, said at least one of a plurality of local interfaces being coupled to said central processing apparatus; and

wherein said plurality of peripheral devices communicate with said at least one of a plurality of local interfaces using peripheral interface protocols.

3. A local area network router as recited in claim 2:

wherein at least one of said plurality of local interfaces is wireless.

4. A local area network router as recited in claim 2:

wherein said at least one of a plurality of local interfaces comprises;

(a) a universal serial bus (USB) port

(b) a RS 232 serial port

(c) an IEEE 1394 Fire Wire port

(d) a line printer terminal (LPT) port

(e) a small computer system interface (SCSI) port

(f) an Ethernet port

(g) a digital subscriber line (DSL) port

(h) a video cable port

(i) a V.90 telephone line modem port

(j) an optical fiber port.

5. A local area network router as recited in claim 1:

wherein said at least one of a plurality of peripheral devices comprises;

(a) a camera

(b) a printer

(c) a scanner

(d) a copier

(e) a hard drive

(f) a CD-R/W drive

(g) a DVD drive/player

(h) a removable media storage device

(i) a streaming tape drive

(j) an Ethernet hub or router

(k) a telephone

(l) a modem

(m) a game controller

(n) a USB hub

(o) an MPEG player.

6. A local area network router as recited in claim 2:

wherein at least one of said plurality of local interfaces can be changed without re-booting said central processing apparatus.

7. A local area network router as recited in claim 1:

wherein said IP address of at least one of said plurality of peripheral devices is saved in memory.

8. A local area network router as recited in claim 1:

wherein a data packet with a destination IP address, originating from said Internet interface, is delivered to said IP address.

9. A local area network router as recited in claim 2:

wherein a data packet with a destination iP address, originating from said at least one of a plurality of local interfaces, is delivered to said IP address.

10. A method for providing a local area network router comprising:

detecting a data packet en route from an originating IP address to a destination IP address;

sending said data packet to a local interface coupled to a peripheral device having said destination EP address if said destination address is on said list of local addresses; and

translating said data packet into an appropriate protocol for said peripheral device.

11. A method for providing a local area network router as recited in claim 10:

wherein said local interface comprises;

(a) a universal serial bus (USB) port

(b) a RS 232 serial port

(c) an IEEE 1394 Fire Wire port

(d) a line printer terminal (LPT) port

(e) a small computer system interface (SCSI) port

(f) an Ethernet port

(g) a digital subscriber line (DSL) port

(h) a video cable port

(i) a V.90 telephone line modem port

(j) an optical fiber port.

12. A method for providing a local area network router as recited in claim 10:

wherein said peripheral device comprises;

(a) a camera

(b) a printer

(c) a scanner

(d) a copier

(e) a hard drive

(f) a CD-R/W drive

(g) -a DVD drive/player

(h) a removable media storage drive

(i) an Ethernet hub or router

(j) a telephone

(k) a modem

(l) a game controller

(m) a USB hub

(n) an MPEG player.

13. A method for providing a local area network router as recited in claim 10:

wherein said local interface is wireless.

14. A method for providing a local area network router as recited in claim 10 comprising:

changing said local interface without re-booting said local area network router.

15. A method for providing a local area network router as recited in claim 10 comprising:

changing said peripheral device without re-booting said local area network router.

16. A method for providing a local area network router as recited in claim 15 comprising:

removing said destination address of said peripheral device from said list of local addresses after uncoupling said peripheral device from said local interface.

17. A method for providing a local area network router as recited in claim 15 comprising:

adding a new destination address of a new peripheral device to said list of local addresses after coupling said new peripheral device to said local interface.