Techniques for detection of an active connection to a network
First Claim
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1. An apparatus comprising:
- a network signal detection device to receive an input signal from a device that is electrically isolated from a network medium, the network signal detection device comprising;
a comparator to compare the input signal from the network medium to a predetermined standard and to signal to a computing device when the input signal from the network medium is an active network signal based in part on the comparison, wherein the network medium comprises a positive signal electrical conductor and a negative signal electrical conductor and the comparator is to compare the input signal regardless of the connection orientation of the positive signal electrical conductor and the negative signal electrical conductor.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for detecting a connection to a data transmission network functions by detecting the network signal energy on a network cable while avoiding the problems of excessive power consumption and generation of excessive electrical noise. By monitoring the receive network lines and determining if there is electrical energy on the cable in the form particular to the type of network supported by the network adaptor card, the host computing device can power-down the transceiver associated with the network adaptor card until an active network connection is detected.
35 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
a network signal detection device to receive an input signal from a device that is electrically isolated from a network medium, the network signal detection device comprising; a comparator to compare the input signal from the network medium to a predetermined standard and to signal to a computing device when the input signal from the network medium is an active network signal based in part on the comparison, wherein the network medium comprises a positive signal electrical conductor and a negative signal electrical conductor and the comparator is to compare the input signal regardless of the connection orientation of the positive signal electrical conductor and the negative signal electrical conductor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method comprising:
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receiving an input signal from a source that is electrically isolated from a network medium; comparing the input signal with a predetermined standard; and selectively signaling when the input signal is an active network signal to a computing device based in part on the comparison between the input signal and the predetermined standard, wherein the network medium comprises a positive signal electrical conductor and a negative signal electrical conductor and the act of comparing comprises comparing the input signal regardless of the connection orientation of the positive signal electrical conductor and the negative signal electrical conductor. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A system comprising:
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a host computer including an interface; a network adapter capable of at least receiving signals from a network medium and communicatively coupled to the interface, the network adapter comprising; a network signal detection device to receive an input signal from a device that is electrically isolated from the network medium, the network signal detection device comprising; a comparator to compare the input signal from the network medium to a predetermined standard and to signal to the host computer when the input signal from the network medium is an active network signal based on the comparison; and a medium attachment unit communicatively coupled to the network medium, wherein a power use level of the medium attachment unit is capable of adjustment based on instruction from the host computer and wherein the host computer is to determine whether to adjust the power use level of the medium attachment unit in part on the signal of when the input signal from the network medium unit is an active network signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system comprising:
a network comprising a first node and at least one of a hub, switch or router, wherein the first node comprises; a host computer including an interface; a network adapter capable at least to receive signals from a network medium and communicatively coupled to the interface, the network adapter comprising; a network signal detection device to receive an input signal from a device that is electrically isolated from the network medium, the network signal detection device comprising; a comparator to compare the input signal from the network medium to a predetermined standard and to signal to the host computer when the input signal from the network medium is an active network signal based on the comparison; and a medium attachment unit communicatively coupled to the network medium, wherein a power use level of the medium attachment is capable of adjustment based on instruction from the host computer and wherein the host computer is to determine whether to adjust the power use level of the medium attachment unit based in part on the signal of when the input signal from the network medium unit is an active network signal. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A system comprising:
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a media access controller to perform MAC processing operations; a medium attachment unit to communicatively couple a network medium with the media access controller; and an active network signal detector comprising; a filtering device to receive an input signal from the network medium, an electrical isolation device to provide electrical isolation from the network medium, and a network signal detection device to selectively indicate whether the input signal is an active network signal in response to a comparison with a reference signal. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification