Infrared backbone communication network having a radio frequency backup channel
First Claim
1. A communication network for maintaining communication among a plurality of end-point devices in an environment sensitive to RF interference, said network comprising:
- a plurality of end-point devices;
a plurality of access point devices;
a communication pathway, comprising said plurality of access point devices, that supports communication among said plurality of end-point devices;
a device sensitive to RF interference;
a control link coupled to said device through which signals indicative of acceptable levels of RF interference are communicated;
said communication pathway being capable of generating different levels of RF interference; and
said communication pathway adjusting the level of RF interference generated based on the signals communicated via said control link.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A communication network which uses an infrared backbone and having a radio frequency backup channel is disclosed. The infrared backbone is generally located on a ceiling in a hallway of a building and comprises a plurality of hub access points. The hub access points communicate data on the backbone in a relay fashion using modulated infrared light. If infrared communications fail, the hub access points may, as a backup, communicate in the same fashion using low power radio frequency (RF) transmissions. In another embodiment, in an environment such as an airplane having equipment sensitive to RF noise, a communication network is installed having communication pathways which adapt in response to such equipment as need be to minimize RF noise. For example, high-bandwidth wired communicate on might be acceptable during some periods when the sensitive equipment is not in use. During other periods, the equipment may cause the communication pathways of the network to only utilize infrared transmissions or to enter an idle state. The access points use a sequential polling protocol and relay data throughout the network. Blocking and absorptive triangular shaped panels are used to absorb, deflect and contain infrared transmissions into cells
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A communication network for maintaining communication among a plurality of end-point devices in an environment sensitive to RF interference, said network comprising:
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a plurality of end-point devices; a plurality of access point devices; a communication pathway, comprising said plurality of access point devices, that supports communication among said plurality of end-point devices; a device sensitive to RF interference; a control link coupled to said device through which signals indicative of acceptable levels of RF interference are communicated; said communication pathway being capable of generating different levels of RF interference; and said communication pathway adjusting the level of RF interference generated based on the signals communicated via said control link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A communication network for maintaining communication among a plurality of end-point devices in an environment sensitive to RF interference, the communication network comprising:
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a communication pathway including a plurality of access point devices that supports communication among the plurality of end-point devices, the communication pathway being capable of generating different levels of RF interference; a control link coupled to the communication pathway that provides an indication of acceptable levels of RF interference; and the communication pathway adjusting the level of RF interference generated based on the indication from the control link. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A communication network for providing communication among a plurality of end devices in an RF sensitive environment, comprising:
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a backbone network; a plurality of access points, coupled to the backbone network, that supports communication among the plurality of endpoint devices; the plurality of access points and the backbone network being capable of operating at different levels of RF interference; and a control link coupled to the backbone network to control operation of the backbone network and the level of RF interference. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification