Communication system with integrated services and adapting and connection device for an environment having several spatial zones

• US 20070028005A1
• Filed: 06/04/2004
• Published: 02/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Deutsche Telekom AG
• Original Assignee: Deutsche Telekom AG
• Inventors: Gommermann, Thomas, Grund, Nobert
• Application Number:
  US10/565,419
• Publication Number:
  US 20070028005A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/249
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/16 using machine learning or artificial intelligence

Abstract

A communication system for integrating services in an environment having a plurality of spatial zones, the communications system includes an IP-based communication network and at least one adapting and connecting device connected to the IP-based communication network and assigned to one of the plurality of spatial zones. The adapting and connecting device has an IP address, a first group of first interfaces configured to connect to non-IP-based devices, and a converting device. The converting device is configured to convert a message being supplied to or being supplied by at least one of the IP-based devices into IP data in accordance with an IP protocol.

Claims

1-19. -19. (canceled)

20. A communication system for integrating services in an environment having a plurality of spatial zones, the communications system comprising:

an IP-based communication network; and

at least one adapting and connecting device connected to the IP-based communication network and assigned to one of the plurality of spatial zones, the adapting and connecting device having an IP address, a first group of first interfaces configured to connect to non-IP-based devices, and a converting device, wherein the converting device is configured to convert a message being supplied to or being supplied by at least one of the IP-based devices into IP data in accordance with an IP protocol.

21. The communications system as recited in claim 20, wherein the environment is on a ship and the spatial zones include zones of the ship.

22. The communication system as recited in claim 20, further comprising a second group of second interfaces configured to connect to IP-based devices.

23. The communication system as recited in claim 20, wherein at least one of the first and second interfaces includes an assigned pre-specified priority and wherein the adapting and connecting device has a priority-controlled switching matrix for connecting the at least one of the first and second interfaces to the IP-based communication network.

24. The communication system as recited in claim 20, wherein the message includes an assigned pre-specified priority and the adapting and connecting device has a priority-controlled switching matrix configured to forward the message to the IP-based communication network in accordance with the pre-specified priority.

25. The communication system as recited in claim 20, wherein the adapting and connecting device includes an analog-to-digital and a digital-to-analog converter, each being assigned to one of the first interfaces.

26. The communication system as recited in claim 20, wherein the adapting and connecting device has a programmable device configured to activate or deactivate at least one of the first and second interfaces.

27. The communication system as recited in claim 20, wherein the adapting and connecting device is capable of being configured and maintained remotely.

28. The communication system as recited in claim 20, wherein the adapting and connecting device includes a storage unit, the storage unit configured to store at least one of configuration data, messages received at the first and second interfaces, and messages received over the IP-based communications network.

29. The communication system as recited in claim 20, wherein the IP-based communications network includes a management device, and wherein the adapting and connecting device has a monitoring device connected to at least one of the first and second interfaces and configured to generate and transmit at least one of a status and an error message to the management device.

30. The communication system as recited in claim 20, wherein the adapting and connecting device has an encryption device configured to encrypt and decrypt messages.

31. The communication system as recited in claim 20, wherein the adapting and connecting device has an internal power supply device configured to temporarily supply the IP-based devices and the non-IP-based devices connected to the first and second interfaces with electric power.

32. An adapting and connecting device comprising:

a first group of first interfaces configured to connect to non-IP-based devices; and

a converting device, wherein the converting device is configured to convert a message being supplied to or being supplied by at least one of the IP-based devices into IP data in accordance with an IP protocol.

33. The adapting and connecting device as recited in claim 32, further comprising a second group of second interfaces for connecting IP-based devices.

34. The adapting and connecting device as recited in claim 32, wherein at least one of the first and second interfaces has an assigned pre-specified priority, and further comprising a priority-controlled switching matrix configured to connect that at least one interface to an IP-based communication network.

35. The adapting and connecting device as recited in claim 32, wherein at least one message intended for at least one of the first and second interfaces has an assigned pre-specified priority, and further comprising a priority-controlled switching matrix configured to forward the at least one message to an IP-based communication network.

36. The adapting and connecting device as recited in claim 32, further comprising a programmable device configured to activate or deactivate at least one of the first and second interfaces.

37. The adapting and connecting device as recited in claim 32, further comprising a monitoring device configured to generate and transmit at least one of a status and an error message to a management device.

38. The adapting and connecting device as recited in claim 32, further comprising an encryption device configured to at least one of encrypt and decrypt a message.

39. The adapting and connecting device as recited in claim 32, further comprising an internal power supply device.