Power indicating ethernet outlet and method therefor

• US 6,448,899 B1
• Filed: 10/25/2000
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Avaya Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Thompson, Geoffrey O
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HUNG T
• Application Number:
  US09/696,279
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: 340/815.4, 340/635, 340/644, 340/657, 340/660, 340/664, 340/310.01, 340/310.02, 340/825.72, 439/654, 439/131, 439/142, 439/719, 439/491, 439/490
• US Class Current: 340/815.4
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/326 for error or online/offline status
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements

Abstract

A telecommunications outlet with a visual indicator that informs a user that the outlet is capable of supplying power to a network device in a network system compliant with IEEE 802.3. The outlet includes a visual indicator which activates when the outlet receives a load verification signal in accordance with IEEE 802.3. A network core device transmits the load verification signal to the outlet to determine whether there is a qualified network device connected to the outlet, and the type of the connected network device for the purpose of transmitting the appropriate power level to the network device. If the load verification signal is not present at the outlet, the outlet is not capable of supplying power to a network device. The outlet includes a visual indicator and a visual indicator driver circuit. The driver circuit generates a driving signal in response to the load verification signal. Thus, when the load verification signal is present, the driver circuit generates the driving signal which causes the visual indicator to activate, thereby visually informing users of the outlet'"'"'s capability of supplying power. The load verification signal may include a train of low power and low duty cycle pulses. The driver circuit may include a charge accumulating device to form a voltage by accumulating charges each time it receives a pulse from the load verification signal, and an oscillator to generate a driving pulse when the voltage is greater than a threshold. The driving pulse causes the visual indicator to activate.

Claims

1. A telecommunications outlet, comprising:

a housing;

a first connector to receive a first cable from a network device;

a second connector to receive a second cable from a network core device, wherein said second cable is capable of carrying a load verification signal;

a visual indicator; and

a driver circuit for activating said visual indicator in response to said load verification signal.

2. The telecommunications outlet of claim 1, wherein said visual indicator comprises a light emitting diode.

3. The telecommunications outlet of claim 1, wherein said visual indicator comprises a liquid crystal device.

4. The telecommunications outlet of claim 1, wherein said visual indicator comprises an incandescent light source.

5. The telecommunications outlet of claim 1, wherein said driver circuit comprises:

a charge accumulating device for generating a voltage by accumulating charges in response to a pulse of said load verification signal; and

an oscillator for generating a pulse to drive said visual indicator when said voltage exceeds a threshold.

6. The telecommunications outlet of claim 1, wherein said first and second cables deliver a power signal and a data signal.

7. The telecommunications outlet of claim 6, wherein said data signal is compliant with IEEE 802.3.

8. The telecommunications outlet of claim 1, wherein said load verification signal is compliant with said IEEE 802.3 standard.

26. The telecommunications outlet of claim 1, wherein said housing is mounted to a wall.

9. A method of informing a user that a telecommunications outlet is capable of delivering power to a network device, comprising activating a visual indicator associated with said telecommunications outlet in response to receiving a load verification signal.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said load verification signal comprises a plurality of pulses.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

forming a voltage by accumulating charges each time a pulse of said load verification signal is received; and

generating a pulse to drive said visual indicator when said voltage exceeds a threshold.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said forming said voltage is performed by a charge accumulating device.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said generating said pulse is performed by an oscillator.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein said visual indicator comprises a light emitting diode.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein said visual indicator comprises a liquid crystal device.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein said visual indicator comprises a incandescent light source.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein said load verification signal is compliant with IEEE 802.3 standard.

27. The method of claim 9, further comprising mounting said telecommunications outlet to a wall.

18. A telecommunications outlet, comprising:

a first connector to receive a first cable from a network device;

a second connector to receive a second cable from a network core device, wherein said second cable is capable of carrying a load verification signal;

a visual indicator; and

a driver circuit for activating said visual indicator in response to said load verification signal.

19. The telecommunications outlet of claim 18, wherein said visual indicator comprises a light emitting diode.

20. The telecommunications outlet of claim 18, wherein said visual indicator comprises a liquid crystal device.

21. The telecommunications outlet of claim 18, wherein said visual indicator comprises an incandescent light source.

22. The telecommunications outlet of claim 18, wherein said driver circuit comprises:

a charge accumulating device for generating a voltage by accumulating charges in response to a pulse of said load verification signal; and

an oscillator for generating a pulse to drive said visual indicator when said voltage exceeds a threshold.

23. The telecommunications outlet of claim 18, wherein said first and second cables deliver a power signal and a data signal.

24. The telecommunications outlet of claim 23, wherein said data signal is compliant with EEE 802.3.

25. The telecommunications outlet of claim 18, wherein said load verification signal is compliant with IEEE 802.3 standard.

28. The telecommunications outlet of claim 18, further comprising a fixed member supporting said first and second connectors, said visual indicator, and said driver circuit, wherein said fixed member is mounted to a wall.