System and method for connection of multiple protocol terminals
First Claim
1. For use with a plurality of network workstations and a plurality of network equipment, each workstation and each network equipment being a protocol type of a set of protocol types, a system for automatically connecting a workstation of a particular protocol type with a network equipment of the same protocol type, each workstation of a particular protocol type having a unique physical characteristic as compared to workstations of other protocol types, said system comprising:
- a plurality of workstation ports for connecting to one or more workstations;
a plurality of network equipment ports for connecting to one or more network equipment, at least one of said one or more network equipment being of the same protocol type as at least one of said one or more workstations;
means connected to said workstation ports for determining the protocol type of said set of protocol types of each of said workstations connected to said workstation ports by determining said unique physical characteristic of said workstation, said protocol determining means generating an output indicative of each said protocol type; and
means, connected between said workstation ports and said network equipment ports, for establishing connections between said workstation ports and said network equipment pens, said establishing connections means being responsive to said protocol determining means output.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A network port configurator device for automatically configuring a system having network workstations and corresponding network equipment of various physical protocols. The network port configurator comprises a plurality of input and output ports for receiving physical wiring to which the workstations and network equipment are attached. Detection circuitry attached to the input and output ports determine the physical protocol of the attached workstations and network equipment by determining a characteristic of the attached equipment. Examples of identifying characteristics include a characteristic impedance, a characteristic voltage, and a characteristic cable identification of the workstation. Logic circuitry uses this information to control a circuit switching mechanism that connects the input ports to the output ports.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. For use with a plurality of network workstations and a plurality of network equipment, each workstation and each network equipment being a protocol type of a set of protocol types, a system for automatically connecting a workstation of a particular protocol type with a network equipment of the same protocol type, each workstation of a particular protocol type having a unique physical characteristic as compared to workstations of other protocol types, said system comprising:
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a plurality of workstation ports for connecting to one or more workstations; a plurality of network equipment ports for connecting to one or more network equipment, at least one of said one or more network equipment being of the same protocol type as at least one of said one or more workstations; means connected to said workstation ports for determining the protocol type of said set of protocol types of each of said workstations connected to said workstation ports by determining said unique physical characteristic of said workstation, said protocol determining means generating an output indicative of each said protocol type; and means, connected between said workstation ports and said network equipment ports, for establishing connections between said workstation ports and said network equipment pens, said establishing connections means being responsive to said protocol determining means output. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. For use with a system for configuring networks, said networks comprising a plurality of network workstations and a plurality of network equipment, each workstation and each network equipment being a protocol type of a set of protocol types, a method for automatically connecting a workstation of a particular protocol type with a network equipment of the same protocol type, each workstation of a particular protocol type having a unique physical characteristic as compared to workstations of other protocol types, said method comprising the steps of:
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determining the protocol type of said set of protocol types of a first workstation by determining said unique physical characteristic of said workstation, said protocol determining means generating an output indicative of said protocol type; and establishing a connection, based upon said output, between said first workstation and a network equipment having the same protocol type of said set of protocol types as said first workstation. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. An automatically reconfigurable network comprising:
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a plurality of network workstations and a plurality of network equipment, each workstation and each network equipment being a protocol type of a set of protocol types, each workstation of a particular protocol type having a unique physical characteristic as compared to workstations of other protocol types; means connected between said workstations and said network equipment for automatically connecting a workstation of a particular protocol type of said set of protocol types with a network equipment of the same protocol type of said set of protocol types comprising a plurality of workstation ports for connecting to one or more workstations, a plurality of network equipment ports for connecting to one or more network equipment, at least one of said one or more network equipment being of the same protocol type as at least one of said one or more workstations, means connected to said workstation ports for determining the protocol type of said one or more workstations by determining said unique physical characteristic of each said one or more workstations, said protocol determining means generating an output indicative of said protocol type, and means, connected between said workstation ports and said network equipment ports, for establishing connections between said workstation ports and said network equipment ports, said establishing connections means being responsive to said protocol determining means output. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. For use with a plurality of network workstations and a plurality of network equipment, each workstation and each network equipment being a protocol type of a set of protocol types, and a switch for connecting said workstations with said network equipment, a system for determining the particular protocol type of said set of protocol types of each workstation so that a workstation of a particular protocol type may be connected by said switch with a network equipment of the same protocol type, each workstation of a particular protocol type having a unique physical characteristic as compared to workstations of other protocol types, said system comprising:
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a plurality of workstation ports for connecting to one or more workstations; and means connected to said workstation ports for determining the protocol of said one or more workstations based upon said unique physical characteristic of each workstation, said protocol determining means generating an output to said switch indicative of said protocol type. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. For use with a plurality of network workstations, each workstation being a protocol type of a set of protocol types, a system for automatically connecting a workstation of a particular protocol type with another workstation of the same protocol type, each workstation of a particular protocol type having a unique physical characteristic as compared to workstations of other protocol types, said system comprising:
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a plurality of workstation ports for connecting to one or more workstations; means connected to said workstation ports for determining the protocol type of said set of protocol types of each of said workstations connected to said workstation ports by determining said unique physical characteristic of said workstation, said protocol determining means generating an output indicative of each said protocol type; and means, connected to said workstation ports, for establishing connections between said workstation ports, said establishing connections means being responsive to said protocol determining means output. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification