Address sharing network

• US 8,412,811 B1
• Filed: 11/09/2012
• Issued: 04/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Scott C Harris
• Original Assignee: Harris Technology LLC
• Inventors: Harris, Scott C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Wing F
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yohannes, Tesfay
• Application Number:
  US13/673,538
• Time in Patent Office: 144 Days
• Field of Search: 709/223, 370/331, 370/474
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5053 Lease time; Renewal aspects

Abstract

Network IP sharing techniques are described. An ip address can be assigned that is only valid for a specified time, so that the same IP address can be used for multiple different units, but each IP address is valid only for certain time periods. Another technique describes using the network to continually provide a time indication.

Claims

1. A network controller, comprising:

a network address reading device that receives internet protocol (IP) addresses from multiple different devices that are connected to said network address reading device over a network connection,

where the network address reading device recognizes a same IP address as said first IP address for communication with both of at least first and second different network connected devices among said multiple different devices, and where the network address reading device also recognizes at least one additional item of information in addition to said first IP address, where a first value of said additional item of information indicates that said first IP address represents communication from said first network connected device, and a second value of said additional item of information indicates that said first IP address represents communication from said second network connected device,

wherein said additional item of information is a code that is associated with said first IP address and without which said first IP address cannot be validly used.

2. The controller as in claim 1, wherein said additional item of information represents a time during which said first IP address is usable by one of said network connected devices and outside of which time said first IP address is not usable by said one of said network connected devices.

3. The controller as in claim 1, wherein said additional item of information allows said first IP address to be used only at specified times by a particular device, and not to be used outside said specified times.

4. The controller as in claim 1, wherein said network address reading device also receives information indicative of current time from both said first and second different network connected devices.

5. The controller as in claim 1, wherein said network address reading device also determines a condition where said first and second devices are using the same IP address without properly using said additional item of information, and automatically forces both said first and second devices to automatically update their respective additional item of information.

6. A network controller, comprising:

a network address assignment device that assigns internet protocol (IP) addresses to multiple different devices that are connected to said network address assignment device over a network connection,

where the network address assignment device assigns a same IP address as said first IP address to be used for communication with at least first and second different network connected devices, such that both said first and second network connected devices use the same first IP address, and where the network address assignment device also assigns at least one additional item of information in addition to said first IP address,

where said additional item of information is different for said first network connected devices than it is for said second network connected device;

wherein said device assigns said first IP address along with a first value of said additional item of information to represent said first network connected device, and assigns said first IP address along with a second value of said additional item of information, determines which of the first and second devices is represented by said first IP address,

wherein said additional item of information is a code that is associated with said first IP address and without which said first IP address cannot be validly used.

7. The controller as in claim 6, wherein said additional item of information represents a time during which said IP address is usable by one of said network connected devices and outside of which time said IP address is not usable by said one of said network connected devices.

8. The controller as in claim 6, wherein said additional item of information is one that allows said first IP address to be used only at specified times by a particular device.

9. The controller as in claim 6, wherein said network address assignment device also assigns and sends information indicative of current time to both said first and second different network connected devices.

10. The controller as in claim 6, wherein said network address assignment device also determines said first and second devices using the same first IP address without properly using said additional item of information, and automatically forces both said first and second device to automatically update their respective additional item of information.

11. A method of operating over a network, comprising:

receiving internet protocol (IP) addresses from multiple different devices that are connected to a network address reading device over a network connection;

recognizing a same IP address as said first IP address for communication with both of at least first and second different network connected devices among said multiple different devices, where said recognizing also recognizes at least one additional item of information in addition to said first IP address,

recognizing a first value of said additional item of information to indicate that said first IP address represents communication from said first network connected device, and

recognizing a second value of said additional item of information to indicate that said first IP address represents communication from said second network connected device, wherein said additional item of information is a code that is associated with said first IP address and without which said first IP address cannot be validly used.

12. The method as in claim 11, wherein said additional item of information represents a time during which said first IP address is usable by one of said network connected devices and outside of which time said first IP address is not usable by said one of said network connected devices.

13. The method as in claim 11, wherein said additional item of information allows said first IP address to be used only at specified times by a particular device, and not to be used outside said specified times.

14. The method as in claim 11, further comprising also receiving information indicative of current time from both said first and second different network connected devices.

15. The method as in claim 11, further comprising determining a condition where said first and second devices are using the same IP address without properly using said additional item of information, and automatically forcing both said first and second devices to automatically update their respective additional item of information.