Method and apparatus for detecting and supplying power by a first network device to a second network device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A first network device for supplying power to a second network device in communication therewith comprising:
- a first transformer in communication with the second network device;
a second transformer in communication with the second network device;
a switch;
a power supply in communication with first and second transformers via said switch;
a physical layer device comprising;
a transmitter in communication with said first transformer;
a receiver in communication with said second transformer;
a signal generator in communication with said transmitter;
a detector in communication with said receiver; and
a controller in communication with said switch, said signal generator and said detector;
wherein said signal generator generates a test signal comprising n sub-pulses to be transmitted by said transmitter, wherein n being greater than 2; and
wherein when said detector, in response to said receiver, detects j pulses which are greater than a predetermined threshold, 1≦
j<
n, said controller, responsive to said detector, enables said switch to supply power from said power supply to the second network device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A first network device supplies power to a second network device in communication therewith. The first network device comprises a physical layer device which includes a pulse generator to generate a test signal comprising n sub-pulses to be transmitted to the second network device, wherein in n being greater than 2. A detector is responsive to the second network device, and a controller is in communication with the detector and the pulse generator. When the detector detects j pulses which are greater than a predetermined threshold, 1≦j<n, the controller, responsive to the detector, enables power to be transmitted to the second network device.
106 Citations
121 Claims
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1. A first network device for supplying power to a second network device in communication therewith comprising:
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a first transformer in communication with the second network device; a second transformer in communication with the second network device; a switch; a power supply in communication with first and second transformers via said switch;
a physical layer device comprising;a transmitter in communication with said first transformer; a receiver in communication with said second transformer; a signal generator in communication with said transmitter; a detector in communication with said receiver; and a controller in communication with said switch, said signal generator and said detector; wherein said signal generator generates a test signal comprising n sub-pulses to be transmitted by said transmitter, wherein n being greater than 2; and wherein when said detector, in response to said receiver, detects j pulses which are greater than a predetermined threshold, 1≦
j<
n, said controller, responsive to said detector, enables said switch to supply power from said power supply to the second network device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A physical layer device of a first network device for supplying power to a second network device in communication therewith, comprising:
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a pulse generator to generate a test signal comprising n sub-pulses to be transmitted to the second network device, wherein n being greater than 2; a detector responsive to the second network device; a controller in communication with said detector and said pulse generator; and
wherein when said detector detects j pulses which are greater than a predetermined threshold, 1≦
j<
n, said controller, responsive to said detector, enables power to be transmitted to the second network device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A network comprising:
- a first network device comprising;
a first transformer; a second transformer;
a switch;a power supply in communication with said first and second transformers via said switch; a physical layer device comprising; a transmitter in communication with said first transformer; a receiver in communication with said second transformer; a signal generator in communication with said transmitter; a detector in communication with said receiver; and a controller in communication with said switch, said receiver and said detector; a cable in communication with said first network device; and a second network device in communication with said cable, wherein said signal generator generates a test signal comprising n sub-pulses to be transmitted by said transmitter, wherein in n being greater than 2; and wherein when said detector, in response to said receiver, detects j pulses which are greater than a predetermined threshold, 1≦
j<
n, said controller, responsive to said detector, enables said switch to supply power from said power supply to the second network device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
- a first network device comprising;
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26. A first network device for supplying power to a second network device in communication therewith comprising:
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first transformer means for communicating with the second network device second transformer means for communicating with the second network device power supply means for supplying power in communication with first and second transformer means; switch means for enabling and disabling said power supply means; physical layer means comprising; transmitter means for transmitting a signal to said first transformer means; receiver means for receiving a signal from said second transformer means; signal generator means for generating a signal to said transmitter means; detection means for detecting a signal from said receiver means; and controller means for controlling said switch means and said signal generator means, and responsive to said detection means; wherein said signal generator means generates a test signal comprising n sub-pulses to be transmitted by said transmitter means, wherein in being greater than 2; and wherein when said detection means, in response to said receiver means, detects j pulses which are greater than a predetermined threshold, 1≦
j<
n, said controller means, responsive to said detection means, enables said switch means to supply power from said power supply means to the second network device. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A physical layer device of a first network device for supplying power to a second network device in communication therewith, comprising:
- pulse generator means for generating a test signal comprising n sub-pulses to be transmitted to the second network device, wherein in being greater than 2;
detector means responsive to the second network device; controller means for controlling said pulse generator means and responsive to said detector means; and wherein when said detector means detects j pulses which are greater than a predetermined threshold, 1≦
j<
n, said controller means, responsive to said detector means, enables power to be transmitted to the second network device. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
- pulse generator means for generating a test signal comprising n sub-pulses to be transmitted to the second network device, wherein in being greater than 2;
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42. A network comprising:
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first networking means comprising; first transformer means for transforming a signal; second transformer means for transforming a signal; power supply means for supplying power to said first and second transformer means; switch means for enabling/disabling said power supply means; physical layer means comprising; transmitter means for transmitting a signal to said first transformer means; receiver means for receiving a signal from said second transformer means; signal generator means for generating a signal to said transmitter means; detection means for detecting a signal from said receiver means; and controller means for controlling said switch means, said signal generator means and responsive to said detection means; second networking means; and cable means for electrically connecting said first and second networking means; wherein said signal generator means generates a test signal comprising n subpulses to be transmitted by said transmitter means, wherein in n being greater than 2; and wherein when said detection means, in response to said receiver means, detects j pulses which are greater than a predetermined threshold, 1≦
j<
n, said controller means, responsive to said detection means, enables said switch means to supply power from said power supply means to said second networking means. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. A method of supplying power from a first network device to a second network device in communication therewith, comprising the steps of:
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(a) transmitting a test signal comprising n sub-pulses to the second network device, wherein n being greater than 2; (b) detecting a signal from the second network device in response to step (a); and (c) enabling power to be transmitted to the second network device when in step (b) j pulses are detected which are greater than a predetermined threshold, 1≦
j<
n. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57)
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58. A computer program stored on a tangible storage medium for controlling a first network device to supply power to a second network device in communication therewith, comprising the steps of:
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(a) transmitting a test signal comprising n sub-pulses to the second network device, wherein n being greater than 2; (b) detecting a signal from the second network device in response to step (a); (c) enabling power to be transmitted to the second network device when in step (b) j pulses are detected which are greater than a predetermined threshold, 1≦
j<
n. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65)
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66. A first network device in communication with a second network device via a data cable for supplying power thereto, said first network device comprising:
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a first transformer in communication with the second network device; a second transformer in communication with the second network device; a switch; a power supply in communication with first and second transformers via said switch; a physical layer device comprising; a transmitter in communication with said first transformer; a receiver in communication with said second transformer; a signal generator in communication with said transmitter; a detector in communication with said receiver; and a controller in communication with said switch, said signal generator and said detector; wherein said signal generator generates a test signal be transmitted by said transmitter; wherein said detector selects a threshold in accordance with a length of the data cable, wherein said controller, in accordance with a comparison by said detector of the selected threshold and a received test signal from received by the receiver, controls said switch to enable or disable said power supply, and wherein said detector comprises a memory to store a plurality of threshold values and a corresponding plurality of cable lengths. - View Dependent Claims (67, 68, 69)
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70. A first network device in communication with a second network device via a data cable for supplying power thereto, said first network device comprising:
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a first transformer in communication with the second network device; a second transformer in communication with the second network device; a switch; a power supply in communication with first and second transformers via said switch; a physical layer device comprising; a transmitter in communication with said first transformer; a receiver in communication with said second transformer; a signal generator in communication with said transmitter; a detector in communication with said receiver; and a controller in communication with said switch, said signal generator and said detector; wherein said signal generator generates a test signal be transmitted by said transmitter; wherein said detector selects a threshold in accordance with a length of the data cable, wherein said controller, in accordance with a comparison by said detector of the selected threshold and a received test signal from received by the receiver, controls said switch to enable or disable said power supply, and wherein said detector determines the length of the cable. - View Dependent Claims (71)
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72. A first network device for supplying power to a second network device in communication therewith comprising:
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first transformer means for communicating with the second network device; second transformer means for communicating with the second network device; power supply means for supplying power in communication with first and second transformer means; switch means for enabling and disabling said power supply means; Physical layer means comprising; transmitter means for transmitting a signal to said first transformer means; receiver means for receiving a signal from said second transformer means; signal generator means for generating a signal to said transmitter means; detection means for detecting a signal from said receiver means; and controller means for controlling said switch means and said signal generator means, and responsive to said detection means; wherein said signal generator means generates a test signal be transmitted by said transmitter means; wherein said detection means selects a threshold in accordance with a length of the data cable, wherein said controller means, in accordance with a comparison by said detection means of the selected threshold and a received test signal received by the receiver means, controls said switch means to enable or disable said power supply means, and wherein said detection means comprises a memory means to store a plurality of threshold values and a corresponding plurality of cable lengths. - View Dependent Claims (73, 74, 75)
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76. A first network device for supplying power to a second network device in communication therewith comprising:
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first transformer means for communicating with the second network device; second transformer means for communicating with the second network device; power supply means for supplying power in communication with first and second transformer means; switch means for enabling and disabling said power supply means; physical layer means comprising; transmitter means for transmitting a signal to said first transformer means; receiver means for receiving a signal from said second transformer means; signal generator means for generating a signal to said transmitter means; detection means for detecting a signal from said receiver means; and controller means for controlling said switch means and said signal generator means, and responsive to said detection means; wherein said signal generator means generates a test signal be transmitted by said transmitter means; wherein said detection means selects a threshold in accordance with a length of the data cable, wherein said controller means, in accordance with a comparison by said detection means of the selected threshold and a received test signal received by the receiver means, controls said switch means to enable or disable said power supply means, and wherein said detection means determines the length of the cable. - View Dependent Claims (77)
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78. A physical layer device of a first network device for supplying power to a second network device in communication therewith, comprising:
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a pulse generator to generate a test signal comprising; a detector, responsive to the second network device, to receive a received test signal; a controller in communication with said detector and said pulse generator; wherein said detector circuit selects a threshold in accordance with a length of the data cable, wherein said controller, in accordance with a comparison by said detector of the selected threshold and the received test signal, enables or disables supplying power to the second network device, and wherein said detector comprises a memory to store a plurality of threshold values and a corresponding plurality of cable lengths. - View Dependent Claims (79, 80, 81)
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82. A physical layer device of a first network device for supplying power to a second network device in communication therewith, comprising:
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a pulse generator to generate a test signal comprising; a detector, responsive to the second network device, to receive a received test signal; a controller in communication with said detector and said pulse generator; wherein said detector circuit selects a threshold in accordance with a length of the data cable, wherein said controller, in accordance with a comparison by said detector of the selected threshold and the received test signal, enables or disables supplying power to the second network device, and wherein said detector determines the length of the cable. - View Dependent Claims (83)
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84. A physical layer device of a first network device for supplying power to a second network device in communication therewith, comprising:
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pulse generator means for generating a test signal comprising; detector means, responsive to the second network device, for receiving a received test signal; controller means in communication with said detector means for controlling said pulse generator means; and wherein said detector means circuit selects a threshold in accordance with a length of the data cable, wherein said controller means, in accordance with a comparison by said detector means enables or disables supplying power to the second network device, and wherein said detector means comprises memory means for storing a plurality of threshold values and a corresponding plurality of cable lengths. - View Dependent Claims (85, 86, 87)
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88. A physical layer device of a first network device for supplying power to a second network device in communication therewith, comprising:
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pulse generator means for generating a test signal comprising; detector means, responsive to the second network device, for receiving a received test signal; controller means in communication with said detector means for controlling said pulse generator means; and wherein said detector means circuit selects a threshold in accordance with a length of the data cable, wherein said controller means, in accordance with a comparison by said detector means enables or disables supplying power to the second network device, and wherein said detector means determines the length of the cable. - View Dependent Claims (89)
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90. A network comprising:
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a first network device comprising; a first transformer; a second transformer; a switch; a power supply in communication with said first and second transformers via said switch; a physical layer device comprising; a transmitter in communication with said first transformer; a receiver in communication with said second transformer; a signal generator in communication with said transmitter; a detector in communication with said receiver; and a controller in communication with said switch, said receiver and said detector; a cable in communication with said first network device; and a second network device in communication with said cable, wherein said signal generator generates a test signal be transmitted by said transmitter; wherein said detector selects a threshold in accordance with a length of said cable, wherein said controller, in accordance with a comparison by said detector of the selected threshold and a received test signal from received by the receiver, controls said switch to enable or disable said power supply, and wherein said detector comprises a memory to store a plurality of threshold values and a corresponding plurality of cable lengths. - View Dependent Claims (91, 92, 93)
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94. A network comprising:
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a first network device comprising; a first transformer; a second transformer; a switch; a power supply in communication with said first and second transformers via said switch; a physical layer device comprising; a transmitter in communication with said first transformer; a receiver in communication with said second transformer; a signal generator in communication with said transmitter; a detector in communication with said receiver; and a controller in communication with said switch, said receiver and said detector; a cable in communication with said first network device; and a second network device in communication with said cable, wherein said signal generator generates a test signal be transmitted by said transmitter; wherein said detector selects a threshold in accordance with a length of said cable, wherein said controller, in accordance with a comparison by said detector of the selected threshold and a received test signal from received by the receiver, controls said switch to enable or disable said power supply, and wherein said detector determines the length of the cable. - View Dependent Claims (95)
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96. A network comprising:
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first networking means comprising; first transformer means for transforming a signal; second transformer means for transforming a signal; power supply means for supplying power to said first and second transformer means; switch means for enabling/disabling said power supply means; physical layer means comprising; transmitter means for transmitting a signal to said first transformer means; receiver means for receiving a signal from said second transformer means; signal generator means for generating a signal to said transmitter means; detection means for detecting a signal from said receiver means; controller means for controlling said switch means, said signal generator means and responsive to said detection means; second networking means; and cable means for electrically connecting said first and second networking means; wherein said signal generator means generates a test signal be transmitted by said transmitter means; and wherein said detection means selects a threshold in accordance with a length of said cable means, wherein said controller means, in accordance with a comparison by said detection means of the selected threshold and a received test signal from received by the receiver means, controls said switch means to enable or disable said power supply means, wherein said detection means comprises a memory means to store a plurality of threshold values and a corresponding plurality of cable lengths. - View Dependent Claims (97, 98, 99)
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100. A network comprising:
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first networking means comprising; first transformer means for transforming a signal; second transformer means for transforming a signal; power supply means for supplying power to said first and second transformer means; switch means for enabling/disabling said power supply means; physical layer means comprising; transmitter means for transmitting a signal to said first transformer means; receiver means for receiving a signal from said second transformer means; signal generator means for generating a signal to said transmitter means; detection means for detecting a signal from said receiver means; controller means for controlling said switch means, said signal generator means and responsive to said detection means; second networking means; and cable means for electrically connecting said first and second networking means; wherein said signal generator means generates a test signal be transmitted by said transmitter means; and wherein said detection means selects a threshold in accordance with a length of said cable means, wherein said controller means, in accordance with a comparison by said detection means of the selected threshold and a received test signal from received by the receiver means, controls said switch means to enable or disable said power supply means, wherein said detection means determines the length of the cable. - View Dependent Claims (101)
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102. A method of supplying power via a cable from a first network device to a second network device in communication therewith, comprising:
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(a) transmitting a test signal the second network device; (b) detecting a signal from the second network device in response to step (a); (c) selecting a threshold in accordance with a length of the cable; (d) comparing the signal detected in step (b) with a threshold selected in step (c); (e) enabling power to be transmitted to the second network device when in accordance with a comparison of step (d); and storing a plurality of threshold values and a corresponding plurality of cable lengths. - View Dependent Claims (103, 104, 105)
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106. A method of supplying power via a cable from a first network device to a second network device in communication therewith, comprising:
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(a) transmitting a test signal the second network device; (b) detecting a signal from the second network device in response to step (a); (c) selecting a threshold in accordance with a length of the cable; (d) comparing the signal detected in step (b) with a threshold selected in step (c); (e) enabling power to be transmitted to the second network device when in accordance with a comparison of step (d); and measuring the length of the cable.
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107. A method of supplying power via a cable from a first network device to a second network device in communication therewith, comprising:
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(a) transmitting a test signal the second network device; (b) detecting a signal from the second network device in response to step (a); (c) selecting a threshold in accordance with a length of the cable; (d) comparing the signal detected in step (b) with a threshold selected in step (c); (e) enabling power to be transmitted to the second network device when in accordance with a comparison of step (d), wherein the measuring step comprises the step of comparing a phase of the test signal to a phase of the signal detected in step (b).
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108. A computer program stored on a tangible storage medium for supplying power via a cable from a first network device to a second network device in communication therewith, comprising:
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(a) transmitting a test signal the second network device; (b) detecting a signal from the second network device in response to step (a); (c) selecting a threshold in accordance with a length of the cable; (d) comparing the signal detected in step (b) with a threshold selected in step (c); (e) enabling power to be transmitted to the second network device when in accordance with a comparison of step (d); and storing a plurality of threshold values and a corresponding plurality of cable lengths. - View Dependent Claims (109, 110, 111)
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112. A computer program stored on a tangible storage medium for supplying power via a cable from a first network device to a second network device in communication therewith, comprising:
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(a) transmitting a test signal the second network device; (b) detecting a signal from the second network device in response to step (a); (c) selecting a threshold in accordance with a length of the cable; (d) comparing the signal detected in step (b) with a threshold selected in step (c); (e) enabling power to be transmitted to the second network device when in accordance with a comparison of step (d); and measuring the length of the cable. - View Dependent Claims (113)
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114. A first network device in communication with a second network device via a data cable for supplying power thereto, said first network device comprising:
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a first transformer in communication with the second network device; a second transformer in communication with the second network device; a switch; a power supply in communication with first and second transformers via said switch; a physical layer device comprising; a transmitter in communication with said first transformer; a receiver in communication with said second transformer; a signal generator in communication with said transmitter; a detector in communication with said receiver; and a controller in communication with said switch, said signal generator and said detector; wherein said signal generator generates a test signal be transmitted by said transmitter; and wherein said detector selects a threshold in accordance with a length of the data cable, wherein said controller, in accordance with a comparison by said detector of the selected threshold and a received test signal from received by the receiver, controls said switch to enable or disable said power supply, wherein said controller, in accordance with a comparison by said detector of the selected threshold and a received test signal received by the receiver, performs one of providing an indication, providing an interrupt and setting a bit.
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115. A first network device for supplying power to a second network device in communication therewith comprising:
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first transformer means for communicating with the second network device; second transformer means for communicating with the second network device; power supply means for supplying power in communication with first and second transformer means; switch means for enabling and disabling said power supply means; physical layer means comprising; transmitter means for transmitting a signal to said first transformer means; receiver means for receiving a signal from said second transformer means; signal generator means for generating a signal to said transmitter means; detection means for detecting a signal from said receiver means; and controller means for controlling said switch means and said signal generator means, and responsive to said detection means; wherein said signal generator means generates a test signal be transmitted by said transmitter means; and wherein said detection means selects a threshold in accordance with a length of the data cable, wherein said controller means, in accordance with a comparison by said detection means of the selected threshold and a received test signal received by the receiver means, controls said switch means to enable or disable said power supply means, wherein said controller means, in accordance with a comparison by said detection means of the selected threshold and a received test signal received by the receiver means, performs one of providing an indication, providing an interrupt and setting a bit.
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116. A physical layer device of a first network device for supplying power to a second network device in communication therewith, comprising:
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a pulse generator to generate a test signal comprising; a detector, responsive to the second network device, to receive a received test signal; a controller in communication with said detector and said pulse generator; and wherein said detector circuit selects a threshold in accordance with a length of the data cable, wherein said controller, in accordance with a comparison by said detector of the selected threshold and the received test signal, enables or disables supplying power to the second network device, wherein said controller, in accordance with a comparison by said detector of the selected threshold and the received test signal, performs one of providing an indication, providing an interrupt and setting a bit.
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117. A physical layer device of a first network device for supplying power to a second network device in communication therewith, comprising:
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pulse generator means for generating a test signal comprising; detector means, responsive to the second network device, for receiving a received test signal; controller means in communication with said detector means for controlling said pulse generator means; and wherein said detector means circuit selects a threshold in accordance with a length of the data cable, wherein said controller means, in accordance with a comparison by said detector means enables or disables supplying power to the second network device, wherein said controller means, in accordance with a comparison by said detector means, performs one of providing an indication, providing an interrupt and setting a bit.
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118. A network comprising:
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a first network device comprising; a first transformer; a second transformer; a switch; a power supply in communication with said first and second transformers via said switch; a physical layer device comprising; a transmitter in communication with said first transformer; a receiver in communication with said second transformer; a signal generator in communication with said transmitter; a detector in communication with said receiver; and a controller in communication with said switch, said receiver and said detector; a cable in communication with said first network device; and a second network device in communication with said cable, wherein said signal generator generates a test signal be transmitted by said transmitter; and wherein said detector selects a threshold in accordance with a length of said cable, wherein said controller, in accordance with a comparison by said detector of the selected threshold and a received test signal from received by the receiver, controls said switch to enable or disable said power supply, wherein said controller, in accordance with a comparison by said detector of the selected threshold and a received test signal received by the receiver, performs one of providing an indication, providing an interrupt and setting a bit.
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119. A network comprising:
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first networking means comprising; first transformer means for transforming a signal; second transformer means for transforming a signal; power supply means for supplying power to said first and second transformer means; switch means for enabling/disabling said power supply means; physical layer means comprising; transmitter means for transmitting a signal to said first transformer means; receiver means for receiving a signal from said second transformer means; signal generator means for generating a signal to said transmitter means; detection means for detecting a signal from said receiver means; controller means for controlling said switch means, said signal generator means and responsive to said detection means; second networking means; and cable means for electrically connecting said first and second networking means; wherein said signal generator means generates a test signal be transmitted by said transmitter means; and wherein said detection means selects a threshold in accordance with a length of said cable means, wherein said controller means, in accordance with a comparison by said detection means of the selected threshold and a received test signal from received by the receiver means, controls said switch means to enable or disable said power supply means, wherein said controller means, in accordance with a comparison by said detection means of the selected threshold and a received test signal received by the receiver means, performs one of providing an indication, providing an interrupt and setting a bit.
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120. A method of supplying power via a cable from a first network device to a second network device in communication therewith, comprising:
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(a) transmitting a test signal the second network device; (b) detecting a signal from the second network device in response to step (a); (c) selecting a threshold in accordance with a length of the cable; (d) comparing the signal detected in step (b) with a threshold selected in step (c); (e) enabling power to be transmitted to the second network device when in accordance with a comparison of step (d); and performing one of providing an indication, providing an interrupt and setting a bit.
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121. A computer program stored on a tangible storage medium for supplying power via a cable from a first network device to a second network device in communication therewith, comprising:
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(a) transmitting a test signal the second network device; (b) detecting a signal from the second network device in response to step (a); (c) selecting a threshold in accordance with a length of the cable; (d) comparing the signal detected in step (b) with a threshold selected in step (c); (e) enabling power to be transmitted to the second network device when in accordance with a comparison of step (d); and performing one of providing an indication, providing an interrupt and setting a bit.
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Specification
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Current AssigneeMarvell Asia Pte Limited (Marvell Technology Group Limited)
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Original AssigneeMarvell International Limited (Marvell Technology Group Limited)
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InventorsLo, William, Cheng, Yi, Fang, Calvin, Yiu, Leechung
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Primary Examiner(s)Elamin; A.
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Application NumberUS10/098,865Time in Patent Office1,852 DaysField of Search713/310, 379/413, 379/307, 379/322, 379/323US Class Current713/310CPC Class CodesH04B 2203/547 via DC power distributionH04B 3/46 Monitoring; TestingH04B 3/548 the power on the line being...
