SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING WITH OBJECTS ON A NETWORK
First Claim
1. A system for conveying information on a network having objects that connect to the network by cables having a plurality of conductors therein said system comprising:
- a separate cable that connects between each object and a central module, each cable having a plurality of conductors therein, the central module utilized to alter a flow of current within at least two conductors in each cable so as to convey information about an object to the central module while the object is physically connected to the network via the cable.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a communication system (17) is provided for generating and monitoring data over pre-existing conductors (2A-2D) between associated pieces of networked computer equipment (3A-3D). The system includes a communication device (16) attached to the electronic equipment that transmits information to a central module (15) by impressing a low frequency signal on the pre-existing data lines of the remotely located equipment. A receiver (6) in the central module (15) monitors the low frequency data on the data lines to determine the transmitted information of the electronic equipment. The communication device may also be powered by a low current power signal from the central module (15). The power signal to the communication device may also be fluctuated to provide useful information, such as status information, to the communication device. Relocation of the electronic equipment with attached communication device to another location on the network is detected immediately and may be used to update a database. This invention is particularly adapted to be used with an existing Ethernet communications link or equivalents thereof.
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Citations
74 Claims
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1. A system for conveying information on a network having objects that connect to the network by cables having a plurality of conductors therein said system comprising:
a separate cable that connects between each object and a central module, each cable having a plurality of conductors therein, the central module utilized to alter a flow of current within at least two conductors in each cable so as to convey information about an object to the central module while the object is physically connected to the network via the cable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74)
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38. A method for conveying information on a network having objects that connect to the network by cables having a plurality of conductors therein, said method comprising:
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connecting a separate cable between each object and a central module, each cable having a plurality of conductors therein, selecting a number of conductors within each cable, applying at least one power source to the selected conductors, and utilizing the central module to alter a flow of current within the selected conductors of each cable so as to convey information about an object to the central module while the object is physically connected to the network via the cable. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification