Network Connection Switching Unit and Network Station
First Claim
1. Network connection switching unit having a number of network connection points, having switching means which set up physical connections between the network connection points intermittently or with periodic recurrence, comprising evaluation means for evaluating logoff messages from the network stations connected via the network connection points and also communication maintenance means which maintain the communication for an inactivated network station at least to a restricted extent instead of the inactivated network station.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to the field of data transmission in a network of distributed stations. One problem, particularly in a UPnP based network, is that the UPNP devices need to be constantly switched on in order to be available in the network. The invention intervenes at this point and describes ways in which unused network stations can be switched off but continue to be identified as devices in the network. If a device which is switched off is needed, it is automatically switched on. This allows a considerable power saving to be achieved in the network. The invention provides for a network connection switching unit to contain “communication maintenance means” which maintain the communication for an inactivated network station at least to a restricted extent instead of the inactivated network station. A network station matched thereto is also proposed.
33 Citations
19 Claims
- 1. Network connection switching unit having a number of network connection points, having switching means which set up physical connections between the network connection points intermittently or with periodic recurrence, comprising evaluation means for evaluating logoff messages from the network stations connected via the network connection points and also communication maintenance means which maintain the communication for an inactivated network station at least to a restricted extent instead of the inactivated network station.
- 16. Network station having a communication interface, having a normal mode of operation and a power-saving mode of operation in which the network station is inactive, the communication interface having evaluation means for a wakeup message which are activated when the network station is in the power-saving mode of operation, characterized in that the network station contains interrogation means which, when the network station has logged on in the network, transmit a special message to the stations in the network in order to establish whether they are connected to a network connection switching unit having communication maintenance means, and where the interrogation means are designed to evaluate the response from a network connection switching unit having communication maintenance means.
Specification