Ethernet device

• US 9,812,825 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2015
• Issued: 11/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ChriMar Systems, Inc. (ChriMar Holding Company LLC)
• Original Assignee: ChriMar Systems, Inc. (ChriMar Holding Company LLC)
• Inventors: Austermann, III, John F., Cummings, Marshall B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Chi H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hyun, Soon-Dong D
• Application Number:
  US14/726,940
• Publication Number:
  US 20150263467A1
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2107/00 Four or more poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/64 for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5458 Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5466 using three phases conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/547 via DC power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5491 using filtering and bypassing
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5495 having measurements and testing channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/24 Testing correct operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/0278 Arrangements for impedance matching

Abstract

An Ethernet device having an Ethernet connector comprising first and second pairs of contacts to carry BaseT Ethernet communication signals wherein at least one of the contacts of the first pair of contacts and at least one of the contacts of the second pair of contacts are configured to conduct at least two different magnitudes of DC current flow without interfering with the BaseT Ethernet communication signals.

Claims

1. A BaseT Ethernet device configured to interrogate for predetermined response via at least one direct current (DC) signal, the Base T Ethernet device comprising:

an Ethernet jack connector of the BaseT Ethernet device, the Ethernet jack connector comprising first and second pairs of contacts, each of the first and second pairs configured to carry BaseT Ethernet communication signals wherein the first pair of contacts consists of a transmit pair of the Ethernet jack connector and wherein the second pair of contacts consists of a receive pair of the Ethernet jack connector; and

at least one direct current (DC) supply of the BaseT Ethernet device, the at least one direct current (DC) supply coupled to at least one of the contacts of the first pair of contacts and at least one of the contacts of the second pair of contacts of the Ethernet jack connector,

the BaseT Ethernet device configured to provide or receive at least one direct current (DC) signal via at least one of the contacts of the first pair and configured to receive or provide the at least one direct current (DC) signal via at least one of the contacts of the second pair, the predetermined response carried by at least two different magnitudes in the flow of the at least one direct current (DC) signal.

2. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein the at least one of the contacts of the first pair of contacts and at least one of the contacts of the second pair of contacts of the Ethernet jack connector are actually carrying the at least one direct current (DC) signal.

3. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the pairs of contacts of the first and second pairs of contacts of the Ethernet jack connector is actually carrying BaseT Ethernet communication signals.

4. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein the BaseT Ethernet communication signals comprise 10BaseT Ethernet communication signals.

5. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein the BaseT Ethernet device is configured to detect the predetermined response carried by at least one of the magnitudes in the flow of the at least one direct current (DC) signals.

6. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein a connectable Ethernet device is physically connected to the BaseT Ethernet device.

7. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein cessation in the flow of the at least one direct current (DC) signal indicates physical disconnection of a connectable Ethernet device.

8. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the pairs of contacts of the first and second pairs of contacts of the Ethernet jack connector is actually carrying BaseT Ethernet communication signals.

9. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein the different magnitudes in the flow of the at least one direct current (DC) signal comprises a frequency.

10. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 9 wherein the frequency is low compared to the BaseT Ethernet communication signals.

11. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein the at least two different magnitudes in the flow of the at least one direct current (DC) signal are part of an interrogation scheme.

12. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein the at least one direct current (DC) supply is physically coupled across at least one of the contacts of the first pair of contacts and at least one of the contacts of the second pair of contacts of the Ethernet jack connector.

13. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein the BaseT Ethernet device is configured to distinguish one connectable Ethernet device from at least one other connectable Ethernet device.

14. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein the BaseT Ethernet device is actually interrogating for the predetermined response carried by at least one of the magnitudes in the flow of the at least one direct current (DC) signal.

15. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein the BaseT Ethernet device comprises a controller coupled across at least one of the contacts of the first pair of contacts and at least one of the contacts of the second pairs of contacts of the Ethernet jack connector.

16. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 15 wherein the controller comprises firmware.

17. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein the BaseT Ethernet device controls application of an electrical signal to at least one of the contacts of the first and second pair of contacts based on the predetermined response carried by at least one of the magnitudes in the flow of the at least one direct current (DC) signal.

18. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 17 wherein the electrical signal is a blocking signal.

19. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein the BaseT Ethernet device is configured to measure at least one of the magnitudes in the flow of the at least one direct current (DC) signal.

20. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein the at least one direct current (DC) signal is actually flowing through at least one of the contacts of the first and second pair of contacts of the Ethernet jack connector.

21. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the magnitudes in the flow of the at least one direct current (DC) signal results from at least one voltage applied across at least one of the contacts of the first pair of contacts and at least one of the contacts of the second pair of contacts of the Ethernet jack connector.

22. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein the at least one direct current (DC) supply is a direct current (DC) voltage supply.

23. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein the BaseT Ethernet device is a BaseT Ethernet Hub.

24. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined response is a pre-programmed response from a communication device.

25. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein predetermined response comprises an identifier.

26. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 25 wherein the identifier is a unique identifier.

27. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein the BaseT Ethernet device is configured to provide or receive the at least one direct current (DC) signal by coupling one end of the direct current (DC) supply to at least one of the contacts of the first pair and configured to receive or provide the at least one direct current (DC) signal by coupling the other end of the at least one direct current (DC) supply to at least one of the contacts of the second pair.

28. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein the BaseT Ethernet device is further configured to receive the at least one direct current (DC) signal via a signal receiver.

29. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 28 wherein the signal receiver comprises a decoder.

30. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein the BaseT Ethernet device is further configured to provide the at least one direct current (DC) signal via an isolation power supply.

31. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined response is actually being carried by the different magnitudes in the flow of the direct current (DC) signal.

32. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined response is from a connectable powered-off Ethernet device.

33. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined response is from a connectable powered-off Ethernet data terminal device.

34. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined response is about an internal configuration of a connectable powered-off Ethernet device.

35. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined response is related to hard drive capacity.

36. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined response is based on a difference between the at least two different magnitudes in the flow of the at least one direct current (DC) signal.

37. The BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 1 wherein the Ethernet jack connector comprises third and fourth pairs of contacts, wherein the third pair of contacts consists of contacts 4 and 5 of the Ethernet jack connector, and wherein the fourth pair of contacts consists of contacts 7 and 8 of the Ethernet jack connector.

38. A powered-off BaseT Ethernet device configured to be interrogated for a predetermined response via at least one direct current (DC) signal, the Ethernet device comprising:

an Ethernet jack connector of the BaseT Ethernet device, the Ethernet jack connector comprising first and second pairs of contacts, each of the first and second pairs configured to carry BaseT Ethernet communication signals wherein the first pair of contacts consists of a transmit pair of the Ethernet jack connector and wherein the second pair of contacts consists of a receive pair of the Ethernet jack connector; and

at least one path of the BaseT Ethernet device, the at least one path for the purpose of drawing at least one direct current (DC) signal, the at least one path coupled across at least one of the contacts of the first pair and at least one of the contacts of the second pair of the Ethernet jack connector,

the powered-off BaseT Ethernet device configured to receive or return at least one direct current (DC) signal via at least one of the contacts of the first pair and configured to return or receive the at least one direct current (DC) signal via at least one of the contacts of the second pair, the predetermined response carried by at least two different magnitudes in the flow of the at least one direct current (DC) signal.

39. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 38 wherein the BaseT Ethernet communication signals comprise 10BaseT Ethernet communication signals.

40. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 38 wherein the powered-off BaseT Ethernet device is configured to be distinguishable from at least one other connectable BaseT Ethernet device.

41. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 38 wherein the powered-off BaseT Ethernet device is physically connected to a network.

42. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 38 wherein at least one of the pairs of contacts of the first and second pairs of contacts of the Ethernet jack connector is actually carrying BaseT Ethernet communication signals.

43. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 38 wherein the at least two different magnitudes in the flow of the at least one direct current (DC) signal comprises a frequency.

44. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 43 wherein the frequency is low compared to the BaseT Ethernet communication signals.

45. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 38 wherein the at least two different magnitudes in the flow of the at least one direct current (DC) signal are part of an interrogation scheme.

46. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 38 wherein the at least one path is physically coupled across at least one of the contacts of the first pair of contacts and at least one of the contacts of the second pair of contacts of the Ethernet jack connector.

47. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 38 wherein the BaseT Ethernet device is configured to be distinguishable from at least one other connectable Ethernet device.

48. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 38 wherein the BaseT Ethernet device is actually being interrogated for the predetermined response.

49. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 38 wherein the BaseT Ethernet device comprises a controller coupled across at least one of the contacts of the first pair of contacts and at least one of the contacts of the second pairs of contacts of the Ethernet jack connector.

50. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 49 wherein the controller comprises firmware.

51. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 38 wherein the BaseT Ethernet device is configured to respond to at least one of the magnitudes in the flow of the at least one direct current (DC) signal.

52. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 38 wherein the at least one direct current (DC) signal is actually flowing through at least one of the contacts of the first and second pair of contacts of the Ethernet jack connector.

53. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 38 wherein at least one of the magnitudes in the flow of the at least one direct current (DC) signal results from at least one voltage applied across at least one of the contacts of the first pair of contacts and at least one of the contacts of the second pair of contacts of the Ethernet jack connector.

54. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 38 wherein the at least one path comprises a voltage controlled switch.

55. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 38 wherein the BaseT Ethernet device is an Ethernet data terminal device.

56. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 38 wherein the predetermined response comprises an identifier.

57. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 56 wherein the identifier is a unique identifier.

58. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 38 wherein the predetermined response is a pre-programmed response from a communication device.

59. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 38 wherein the powered-off BaseT Ethernet device is configured to receive or return the at least one direct current (DC) signal by coupling one end of the at least one path to at least one of the contacts of the first pair and configured to return or receive the at least one direct current (DC) signal by coupling the other end of the at least one path to at least one of the contacts of the second pair.

60. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 38 wherein the BaseT Ethernet device is further configured to return the at least one direct current (DC) via a signal transmitter.

61. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 60 wherein the signal transmitter comprises an encoder.

62. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 38 wherein the BaseT Ethernet device is further configured to receive the at least one direct current (DC) signal via an isolation power supply.

63. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 38 wherein the predetermined response is actually being carried by the different magnitudes in the flow of the direct current (DC) signal.

64. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 38 wherein the BaseT Ethernet device is configured to provide the predetermined response about its internal configuration.

65. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 38 wherein the predetermined response is related to hard drive capacity.

66. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 38 wherein the predetermined response is based on a difference between the at least two different magnitudes in the flow of the at least one direct current (DC) signal.

67. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 38 wherein the Ethernet jack connector comprises third and fourth pairs of contacts, wherein the third pair of contacts consists of contacts 4 and 5 of the Ethernet jack connector, and wherein the fourth pair of contacts consists of contacts 7 and 8 of the Ethernet jack connector.

68. The powered-off BaseT Ethernet device according to claim 38 wherein impedance within the at least one path is greater than 10k ohms.