System and method for establishing a point-to-multipoint DSL network
First Claim
1. A method for a computer to establish a digital subscriber line connection with a WAN, from within a LAN, comprising the steps of:
- communicating a broadcast message over the LAN, wherein the step of communicating a broadcast message over the LAN includes communicating a message in a frequency band exceeding a highest frequency of the WAN;
awaiting a reply;
assuming a master configuration, if no reply is received within a timeout period; and
assuming a slave configuration, if a reply is received, wherein the reply identifies a computer that is configured as a master.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a system and method for establishing a point to multipoint communication network. Preferable, the point to multipoint communication network is established in the environment of a home of small office, and the invention is realized through a computer that may dynamically establish both LAN and WAN communications. Broadly, the system and method of the present invention are realized by a computer that is configured to assume a role as either a Master or a Slave on a LAN. If the computer is the first (or only) computer powered up on the LAN, then it assumes the role of Master. In this role, the computer establishes a communication link with a WAN (such as with an Internet Service Provider), and directs all WAN communications over the WAN, using a WAN frequency and protocol (such as DSL). As other computers join the LAN, then WAN communications from those computers are relayed through the Master to the WAN. These communications are relayed to the Master using a LAN frequency band. If upon power-up, however, another computer is identified as already being on the LAN (and configured as a Master), then the computer assumes a Slave configuration. In this configuration, all WAN communications are directed to the WAN by way of the Master computer, and are communicated to the Master computer using a LAN frequency band. Return communications, received from the WAN, are received by the Master, and directed to the appropriate Slave computer, using a LAN frequency band.
187 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for a computer to establish a digital subscriber line connection with a WAN, from within a LAN, comprising the steps of:
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communicating a broadcast message over the LAN, wherein the step of communicating a broadcast message over the LAN includes communicating a message in a frequency band exceeding a highest frequency of the WAN;
awaiting a reply;
assuming a master configuration, if no reply is received within a timeout period; and
assuming a slave configuration, if a reply is received, wherein the reply identifies a computer that is configured as a master. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
communicating a second broadcast message over the LAN, in response to the identification of the discontinued operation of the master, if no other broadcast message is received from another computer within the predetermined timeout period;
assuming a master configuration, if no reply is received within a timeout period; and
assuming a slave configuration, if a reply is received, wherein the reply identifies a computer that is configured as a master.
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7. A communication circuit for equipping a computer to communicate over both a LAN and a WAN comprising:
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WAN communication circuitry for generating signals for communication over the WAN in accordance with a predetermined transmission frequency and protocol;
LAN communication circuitry for generating signals for intra-LAN communication, the LAN communication circuitry configured to generate a signal that is transmitted in a frequency band that exceeds the highest transmission frequency of signals communicated over the WAN;
first logic, operable upon a reset condition, configured to determine whether any other computer is presently in communication with the LAN;
second logic configured to establish WAN communications from the computer within a WAN frequency band, if the first logic indicates that no other computer is presently in communication with the LAN; and
third logic configured to direct WAN communications through another computer on the LAN, communicating these communications through the another computer, within a LAN frequency band. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
directing WAN communications directly over the WAN, within the WAN frequency band; and
directing WAN communications through another computer, within the LAN frequency band.
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16. A computer configured to communicate over both a LAN and a WAN comprising:
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WAN communication circuitry for generating signals for communication over the WAN in accordance with a predetermined transmission frequency and protocol;
LAN communication circuitry for generating signals for intra-LAN communication, the LAN communication circuitry configured to generate a signal that is transmitted in a frequency band that exceeds the highest transmission frequency of signals communicated over the WAN;
first logic, operable upon a reset condition, configured to determine whether any other computer is presently in communication with the LAN;
second logic configured to establish WAN communications from the computer within a WAN frequency band, if the first logic indicates that no other computer is presently in communication with the LAN; and
third logic configured to direct WAN communications through another computer on the LAN, communicating these communications through the another computer, within a LAN frequency band.
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17. A computer configured to communicate over both a LAN and a WAN comprising:
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WAN communication circuitry for generating signals for communication over the WAN in accordance with a predetermined transmission frequency and protocol;
LAN communication circuitry for generating signals for intra-LAN communication, the LAN communication circuitry configured to generate a signal that is transmitted in a frequency band that exceeds the highest transmission frequency of signals communicated over the WAN;
detection circuitry for detecting whether another at least one other computer is communicating with the LAN;
master circuitry, responsive to the detection circuitry, for configuring the computer as a Master computer on the LAN, if no other computers are initially in communication with the LAN; and
slave circuitry, responsive to the detection circuitry, for configuring the computer as a Slave computer on the LAN, if at least one other computer is detected as being in communication with the LAN. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A communication circuit for configuring a computer to communicate over both a LAN and a WAN comprising:
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WAN communication circuitry for generating signals for communication over the WAN in accordance with a predetermined transmission frequency and protocol;
LAN communication circuitry for generating signals for intra-LAN communication, the LAN communication circuitry configured to generate a signal that is transmitted in a frequency band that exceeds the highest transmission frequency of signals communicated over the WAN;
detection circuitry for detecting whether another at least one other computer is communicating with the LAN;
master circuitry, responsive to the detection circuitry, for configuring the computer as a Master computer on the LAN, if no other computers are initially in communication with the LAN; and
slave circuitry, responsive to the detection circuitry, for configuring the computer as a Slave computer on the LAN, if at least one other computer is detected as being in communication with the LAN.
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Specification