Method and apparatus for detecting a compatible phantom powered device using common mode signaling
First Claim
1. A communication device comprising:
- a port having a plurality of electrical conductors for communicating with a data terminal equipment (DTE) device;
a signal generator for providing a detection signal over a first pair of the plurality of electrical conductors using common mode signaling;
a signal analyzer for receiving a response signal responsive to the detection signal from the DTE device over a second pair of the plurality of electrical conductors using common mode signaling;
a source of electrical power for providing a phantom power signal to the DTE device;
a switch responsive to the signal analyzer for connecting the source of electrical power to one of the first and second pairs of the plurality of electrical conductors; and
a physical layer device coupled to receive data signals from a selected one of the first and second pair of the plurality of electrical conductors, and wherein the signal analyzer is responsive to a signal from the physical layer device indicating that data signals are being received by the physical layer device over the selected one of the pairs of the plurality of electrical conductors to prevent the connection of electrical power to the one of the first and second pairs of the plurality of electrical conductors.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and an apparatus provide for determining whether a data terminal equipment (DTE) device represents a compatible device lacking an independent power supply and adapted to be powered using phantom power over a wired connection from a communications device such as a switch. A detection signal may be transmitted from the communications device to an identity network connected to the DTE. A response detection signal may be returned and checked in a receiver at the communications device. A switch may then be closed to provide phantom power if the result of the check indicates that the DTE is a compatible device adapted to receive phantom power. Compatible DTE device may include telephones, Voice over IP (VoIP, IP or Ethernet) telephones, network access devices, computers, and the like.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A communication device comprising:
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a port having a plurality of electrical conductors for communicating with a data terminal equipment (DTE) device; a signal generator for providing a detection signal over a first pair of the plurality of electrical conductors using common mode signaling; a signal analyzer for receiving a response signal responsive to the detection signal from the DTE device over a second pair of the plurality of electrical conductors using common mode signaling; a source of electrical power for providing a phantom power signal to the DTE device; a switch responsive to the signal analyzer for connecting the source of electrical power to one of the first and second pairs of the plurality of electrical conductors; and a physical layer device coupled to receive data signals from a selected one of the first and second pair of the plurality of electrical conductors, and wherein the signal analyzer is responsive to a signal from the physical layer device indicating that data signals are being received by the physical layer device over the selected one of the pairs of the plurality of electrical conductors to prevent the connection of electrical power to the one of the first and second pairs of the plurality of electrical conductors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A communication device comprising:
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a port having a plurality of electrical conductors for communicating with a data terminal equipment (DTE) device; a signal generator for providing a detection signal over a first pair of the plurality of electrical conductors using common mode signaling; a signal analyzer for receiving a response signal responsive to the detection signal from the DTE device over a second pair of the plurality of electrical conductors using common mode signaling; a source of electrical power for providing a phantom power signal to the DTE device; and a switch responsive to the signal analyzer for connecting the source of electrical power to one of the first and second pairs of the plurality of electrical conductors, wherein the first pair of electrical conductors are coupled to a first transformer having a first center tap, the second pair of electrical conductors are coupled to a second transformer having a second center tap, and the source of power includes two leads, one of which is connected to the first center tap and the other of which is connected to the second center tap, and wherein the first and second center tap are each coupled to a termination network. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A method for detecting the presence of a compatible data terminal equipment (DTE) device coupled to a port of a communications device, the method comprising:
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transmitting a common mode detection signal over a first pair of conductors of the port; repeating the transmitting until a response signal is received over a second pair of conductors of the port; receiving a response signal over a second pair of conductors of the port; analyzing the response signal to determine whether the response signal indicates that a phantom power signal should be provided to the port; and closing a switch to provide the phantom power signal to the port if the response signal indicates that the phantom power signal should be provided to the port, unless data signals are received over a selected one of the first and second pair of conductors to a physical layer device to indicate that the port has access to an independent power source. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for detecting the presence of a compatible data terminal equipment (DTE) device coupled to a port of a communications device, the apparatus comprising:
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means for transmitting a common mode detection signal over a first pair of conductors of the port; means for repeating the transmitting until a response signal is received over a second pair of conductors of the port; means for analyzing the response signal to determine whether the response signal indicates that a phantom power signal should be provided to the port; means for receiving data signals over a selected one of the first and second pair of conductors to a physical layer device, the data signals indicating that the port has access to an independent power source; and means for closing a switch to the provide phantom power signal to the port if the response signal indicates that the phantom power signal should be provided to the port, unless the data signals are received. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine for detecting the presence of a compatible data terminal equipment (DTE) device coupled to a port of a communications device, the method including:
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transmitting a common mode detection signal over a first pair of conductors of the port; repeating the transmitting until a response signal is received over a second pair of conductors of the port; receiving a response signal over a second pair of conductors of the port; analyzing the response signal to determine whether the response signal indicates that a phantom power signal should be provided to the port; and closing a switch to provide the phantom power signal to the port if the response signal indicates that the phantom power signal should be provided to the port, unless data signals are received over a selected one of the first and second pair of conductors to a physical layer device to indicate that the port has access to an independent power source. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification