Stackable communications system
First Claim
1. A stackable communications apparatus, comprising:
- a base module and a plurality of modules, wherein;
the base module and the plurality of modules are physically stacked;
the plurality of modules are powered on in a sequence defined by a priority level of each module in the plurality of modules;
the base module receives power from a power source that is not one of the plurality of modules;
the base module determines a total available power upon a powering on of the base module; and
the base module determines a first module of the sequence and enables power to the first module;
the base module and each module in the plurality of modules comprising components that perform an individual function or group of functions of the apparatus, the base module and each module in the plurality of modules comprising an individual chassis stackable with at least another individual chassis of at least another module in the plurality of modules;
the base module and each module in the plurality of modules comprising surface contacts between adjacent modules by stacking, the surface contacts maintaining, without physical cabling and via at least one of an electrically conductive surface and a separable coupling transformer, at least one power connection between the base module and the plurality of modules;
wherein each module in the plurality of modules determines, via a respective power controller that is communicating with a power controller of a next module in the sequence, a power requirement of the next module in the sequence;
the respective power controller of each module in the plurality of modules enabling power to the next module in the sequence if a remaining part of the total available power unused by the module is determined by that module as greater than the power requirements of the next module in the sequence.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A stackable communications apparatus comprises modules to be powered on in a sequence. Each of the modules comprises components that perform an individual function or group of functions of the apparatus, each module in the plurality of modules comprising an individual chassis stackable with at least another individual chassis of at least another module in the plurality of modules. The modules comprise at least two modules establishing surface contacts by stacking. The surface contacts maintain, without physical cabling, power connection between the at least two modules. A preceding module in the sequence determines, via a power controller in communication with a power controller of a next module, a power requirement of the next module. The power controller of the preceding module in the sequence enables power to the next module if a remaining power from the preceding module is greater than the power requirements of the next module.
45 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A stackable communications apparatus, comprising:
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a base module and a plurality of modules, wherein; the base module and the plurality of modules are physically stacked; the plurality of modules are powered on in a sequence defined by a priority level of each module in the plurality of modules; the base module receives power from a power source that is not one of the plurality of modules; the base module determines a total available power upon a powering on of the base module; and the base module determines a first module of the sequence and enables power to the first module; the base module and each module in the plurality of modules comprising components that perform an individual function or group of functions of the apparatus, the base module and each module in the plurality of modules comprising an individual chassis stackable with at least another individual chassis of at least another module in the plurality of modules; the base module and each module in the plurality of modules comprising surface contacts between adjacent modules by stacking, the surface contacts maintaining, without physical cabling and via at least one of an electrically conductive surface and a separable coupling transformer, at least one power connection between the base module and the plurality of modules; wherein each module in the plurality of modules determines, via a respective power controller that is communicating with a power controller of a next module in the sequence, a power requirement of the next module in the sequence; the respective power controller of each module in the plurality of modules enabling power to the next module in the sequence if a remaining part of the total available power unused by the module is determined by that module as greater than the power requirements of the next module in the sequence. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for powering on a base module and a plurality of modules in a sequence, wherein the plurality of modules are powered on in a sequence defined by a priority level of each module in the plurality of modules, the method comprising:
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establishing, between the base module and the plurality of modules, surface contacts by stacking, the surface contacts maintaining at least one power connection between the base module and the plurality of modules without physical cabling and via at least one of an electrically conductive surface and a separable coupling transformer; determining, by the base module, a total available power upon a powering on of the base module; determining, by each module in the plurality of modules via a respective power controller that is in communication with a power controller of a next module in the sequence, a power requirement of the next module; determining, by each module in the plurality of modules, via the respective power controller of each module, a remaining part of the total available power unused by that module; and in response to determining, via the respective power controller of each module in the sequence, that the remaining part of the total available power unused by that module is greater than the power requirements of the next module in the sequence, enabling, by the respective power controller of each module in the sequence, power to the next module in the sequence; wherein; the base module and the plurality of modules are physically stacked; the base module receives power from a power source that is not one of the plurality of modules; and the base module and each module in the plurality of modules performs an individual function or group of functions of the apparatus, the base module and each module in the plurality of modules comprising an individual chassis stackable with at least another individual chassis of at least another module in the plurality of modules. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification