Method and apparatus for remote powering of device connected to network
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for remote line powering, comprising:
- operating in a discovery mode for receiving a discovery signal;
looping the discovery signal back when configured for remote line powering;
automatically switching to a remote power mode for receiving remote power after looping back the discovery signal; and
receiving remote power when operating in the remote power mode.
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Abstract
A network node determines the suitability of coupled devices for being remotely line powered before actually powering them. The node scan its ports to determine which ports are coupled to devices. The node then interrogates the coupled devices. A unique discovery tone or bit pattern is generated and sent to devices coupled to ports. The node then monitors the port for a return signal. If there is a return signal, it is compared to the transmitted discovery signal. The signal will be identical after allowing for line losses if the coupled device is suitable for remote line powering. If the comparison yields a match, the network node supplies remote line power to the device.
57 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for remote line powering, comprising:
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operating in a discovery mode for receiving a discovery signal; looping the discovery signal back when configured for remote line powering; automatically switching to a remote power mode for receiving remote power after looping back the discovery signal; and receiving remote power when operating in the remote power mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for remote line powering, comprising:
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means for receiving a remote power discovery signal at a terminal of a network interface; means for looping the remote power discovery signal back over the network interface to indicate a remote power capability; means for receiving remote power after looping the remote power discovery signal back over the network interface; and means for automatically connecting remote power from the terminal of the network interface to a device interface when remote power is received on the terminal of the network interface. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A network node, comprising:
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a processor configured to send a discovery signal over a network interface to determine if network devices are configured to receive remote power, the discovery signal causing the network devices that are configured to receive remote power to automatically switch from an interrogation state to a power receiving state; and the processor further configured to supply power over the network interface to the network devices that send back a reply signal that matches the discovery signal; wherein the network node comprises a network switch, router, gateway or controller connected to an Internet Protocol (IP) network and at least one of the network devices comprises an IP endpoint. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method for determining with a network node the suitability of providing remote power to a network device, comprising:
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generating a discovery signal; transmitting the discovery signal from the network node causing the network device to relay the discovery signal back to the network node when the network device is configured for remote powering; determining that the network device is suitable for powering when the discovery signal is relayed back from the network device; and determining the device is unsuitable for remote powering when the discovery signal is not relayed back from the network device or when a return signal is received back that does not match the discovery signal. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification