Terminal adapter for connecting a terminal to a computer local area network capable of identifying any of several terminal types

• US 6,992,599 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2001
• Issued: 01/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alcatel SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Vergnaud, Gérard, Dortu, Giovanni
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US09/995,721
• Publication Number:
  US 20020089997A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,524 Days
• Field of Search: 340/999, 713/310, 710/15, 710/68, 709/220, 709/228, 370/254, 379/413.02
• US Class Current: 340/999
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/44 Star or tree networks

Abstract

A terminal adapter connects a terminal to a computer local area network capable of identifying any of several terminal types by detecting the presence of a particular identifier electronic circuit specific to one type, even though the terminal does not include any such identifier circuit as standard. The terminal adapter includes first connectors for inserting the adapter between two sections of a connection between the terminal and the network and an identifier circuit specific to one type of terminal that the network is able to detect. The identifier circuit is connected to at least two conductors of a network side section of the connection.

Claims

1. A terminal adapter for connecting a terminal to a computer local area network capable of identifying any of several terminal types by detecting the presence of a particular identifier electronic circuit specific to one type, even though said terminal does not include any such identifier circuit as standard, which terminal adapter includes:

first connectors for inserting said adapter between two sections of a connection between said terminal and said network, and

a passive identifier circuit specific to one type of terminal that said network is able to detect, said passive identifier circuit being connected to at least two conductors of a network side section of said connections,

wherein said terminal adapter is external to said terminal and said network, and said passive identifier circuit is encompassed within said terminal adapter.

2. The adapter claimed in claim 1 wherein said passive identifier circuit is connected to at least two conductors of said network side section of said connection that convey said remote power feed.

3. The terminal adapter claimed in claim 1 further including conductors connecting some conductors of said network side section of said connection to some conductors of said terminal side section of said connection to apply a remote power feed voltage to the appropriate conductors of said terminal side section of said connection.

4. The terminal adapter claimed in claim 1 further including a second connector connected to some conductors of said network side section of said connection and wherein said conductors are adapted to provide a remote power feed voltage and said second connector is adapted to be connected to a power supply input of a terminal but not adapted to be connected to a data input of a terminal.

5. The terminal adapter claimed in claim 1, wherein said passive identifier circuit is one of a resistor and capacitor which is specific to said one type of terminal.