Programmable Switching System
First Claim
1. A programmable switching system comprising:
- a plurality of interconnected switching devices (ISDs), each having a unique network address, wherein each of the plurality of ISDs comprises;
a switch configured to operate in a switching mode and a programming mode;
a communication interface configured to interconnect the plurality of ISDs of the programmable switching system over a network;
a microprocessor configured to control operation of the ISD when the switch is in the switching mode and program the ISD when the switch is in the programming mode; and
a memory having a network address storage, and firmware, when executed at the microprocessor, configured to;
communicate with the plurality of ISDs of the programmable switching system through the communication interface;
receive user'"'"'s inputs at the switches of the plurality of the ISDs of the programmable switching system to program the plurality of ISDs,when the switch is in the programming mode; and
receive user'"'"'s input at the switch to perform switching functions of the ISD, when the switch is in the switching mode.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a programmable switching system having N interconnected switching devices (ISDs), each of the ISDs having a unique network address. An ISD includes a switch operating in switching mode and programming mode, a communication interface, a microprocessor, and a memory. The microprocessor controls operation of ISDs when switch is in switching mode and programs ISD when switch is in programming mode. The memory includes a network address storage, and firmware. When the firmware is executed at the microprocessor, firmware is configured to: communicate with all ISDs of programmable switching system through communication interface over a network, receive user'"'"'s inputs at switches of ISDs, and in response of the received user'"'"'s inputs, to program ISDs, when switch is in programming mode, and receive user'"'"'s input at the switch to perform switching functions of the ISD, when the switch is in switching mode.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A programmable switching system comprising:
a plurality of interconnected switching devices (ISDs), each having a unique network address, wherein each of the plurality of ISDs comprises; a switch configured to operate in a switching mode and a programming mode; a communication interface configured to interconnect the plurality of ISDs of the programmable switching system over a network; a microprocessor configured to control operation of the ISD when the switch is in the switching mode and program the ISD when the switch is in the programming mode; and a memory having a network address storage, and firmware, when executed at the microprocessor, configured to; communicate with the plurality of ISDs of the programmable switching system through the communication interface; receive user'"'"'s inputs at the switches of the plurality of the ISDs of the programmable switching system to program the plurality of ISDs, when the switch is in the programming mode; and receive user'"'"'s input at the switch to perform switching functions of the ISD, when the switch is in the switching mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
12. A method of programming a plurality of interconnected switching devices (ISD) to form a programmable switching system comprising:
-
designating an ISD of the plurality of ISDs as a master ISD, and designating the remainder of the plurality of the ISDs as slave ISDs, wherein each of the plurality of ISDs has a unique network address; communicating with the plurality of ISDs through a communication interface of the master ISD over a network; receiving a user'"'"'s input at a switch of the master ISD to set the switch into one of the two modes;
a programming mode, and a switching mode;when the switch of the master ISD is in the programming mode; receiving a user'"'"'s input at the switch of the master ISD to add one or more ISDs into the programmable switching system or remove one or more ISDs from the programmable switching system; and programming the plurality of ISDs in response to the user'"'"'s inputs at the switches of these ISDs of the programmable switching system; and when the switch of the master ISD is in the switching mode; receiving a user'"'"'s input at the switch of the master ISD to turn on or off the appliances of the plurality of ISDs with their network addresses stored in a remote network address storage of the master ISD; and turning on or off the appliances of the plurality of ISDs with their network addresses stored in the remote network address storage of the master ISD. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification