US5754552A — Automatic communication protocol detection system…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 159 words

A communication protocol detection system for a network system including at least one port for interfacing at least one network device operating according to at least one of a plurality of different communication protocols, the communication protocol detection system comprising: a plurality of interface circuits for coupling to a port, each of said plurality of interface circuits corresponding to one of the plurality of different communication protocols for interfacing a compatible network device coupled to the port, for detecting link pulses from said compatible network device coupled to the port and for providing a corresponding one of a plurality of link detect signals indicative thereof, and control logic coupled to enable each one of said plurality of interface circuits and coupled to receive each of said plurality of link detect signals, wherein said control logic enables an appropriate one of said plurality of interface circuits based on detection of a corresponding one of said plurality of link detect signals.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 159 words

A communication protocol detection system for a network system including at least one port for interfacing at least one network device operating according to at least one of a plurality of different communication protocols, the communication protocol detection system comprising: a plurality of interface circuits for coupling to a port, each of said plurality of interface circuits corresponding to one of the plurality of different communication protocols for interfacing a compatible network device coupled to the port, for detecting link pulses from said compatible network device coupled to the port and for providing a corresponding one of a plurality of link detect signals indicative thereof, and control logic coupled to enable each one of said plurality of interface circuits and coupled to receive each of said plurality of link detect signals, wherein said control logic enables an appropriate one of said plurality of interface circuits based on detection of a corresponding one of said plurality of link detect signals.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 23 words

The communication protocol detection system of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of interface circuits comprises a transceiver for enabling bidirectional communication.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 47 words

The communication protocol detection system of claim 2, wherein said plurality of interface circuits comprises: a first transceiver for coupling to the port for enabling operation at 10 megabits per second (Mbps); and a second transceiver for coupling to the port for enabling operation at 100 Mbps.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 107 words

The communication protocol detection system of claim 3, wherein said control logic initially enables said first transceiver and disables said second transceiver, and in response to receiving a corresponding link detect signal being provided from said first transceiver, said control logic enables said second transceiver and disables said first transceiver to determine if a corresponding link detect signal is provided from said second transceiver, wherein if said control logic determines that a link signal is provided from said second transceiver said control logic keeps said second transceiver enabled and if a link signal is not provided from said second transceiver, said control logic re-enables said first transceiver.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 48 words

The communication protocol detection system of claim 4, wherein said control logic re-enables said second transceiver a predetermined number of times while monitoring said link detect signal corresponding to said second transceiver to determine if a network device is coupled to the port and operating at 100 Mbps.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 47 words

The communication protocol detection system of claim 4, wherein said control logic enables said second transceiver while monitoring said link detect signal corresponding to said second transceiver for a predetermined time period to determine if a network device coupled to the port is operating at 100 Mbps.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 28 words

The communication protocol detection system of claim 3, wherein said control logic toggles between enabling said first and second transceivers until a corresponding link detect signal is provided.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 48 words

The communication protocol detection system of claim 7, wherein said control logic re-enables said second transceiver a predetermined number of times while monitoring said link detect signal corresponding to said second transceiver to determine if a network device is coupled to the port and operating at 100 Mbps.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 39 words

The communication protocol detection system of claim 1, wherein said control logic comprises control circuitry for receiving each of said plurality of link detect signals and for enabling each of said plurality of interface circuits one at a time.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 40 words

The communication protocol detection system of claim 9, further comprising; a media access device coupled to said plurality of interface circuits; and wherein said control circuitry includes a processor for executing a software routing for controlling said media access device.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 78 words

The communication protocol detection system of claim 10, further comprising: a computer system incorporating said processor for executing said software routine, said computer system further including an input/output (I/O) bus for receiving I/O cards and interface circuitry for interfacing said processor to said I/O bus; and a network interface card including said media access device and said plurality of interface circuits, wherein said network interface card is implemented for plugging into an I/O slot of said computer system.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 205 words

A communication protocol detection system for a network system for interfacing a plurality of network devices, wherein each of the plurality of network devices operates according to at least one of a plurality of different communication protocols, the communication protocol detection system comprising: a plurality of network connectors; a plurality of interface circuits, each corresponding to one of said plurality of network connectors and each including a plurality of transceivers coupled to a corresponding one of said plurality of network connectors, wherein each of said plurality of transceivers of each of said plurality of interface circuits corresponds to one of said plurality of communication protocols, and wherein each of said plurality of transceivers is separately enabled for detecting link pulse signals indicative of connection of a compatible network device coupled to said corresponding one of said plurality of network connectors and for providing a corresponding link detect signal indicative thereof; and control logic coupled to said plurality of interface circuits for receiving and monitoring a plurality of link detect signals, each of said plurality of link detect signals corresponding to one of said plurality of transceivers, wherein said control logic enables one of said plurality of transceivers within each of said plurality of interface circuits.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 205 words

A communication protocol detection system for a network system for interfacing a plurality of network devices, wherein each of the plurality of network devices operates according to at least one of a plurality of different communication protocols, the communication protocol detection system comprising: a plurality of network connectors; a plurality of interface circuits, each corresponding to one of said plurality of network connectors and each including a plurality of transceivers coupled to a corresponding one of said plurality of network connectors, wherein each of said plurality of transceivers of each of said plurality of interface circuits corresponds to one of said plurality of communication protocols, and wherein each of said plurality of transceivers is separately enabled for detecting link pulse signals indicative of connection of a compatible network device coupled to said corresponding one of said plurality of network connectors and for providing a corresponding link detect signal indicative thereof; and control logic coupled to said plurality of interface circuits for receiving and monitoring a plurality of link detect signals, each of said plurality of link detect signals corresponding to one of said plurality of transceivers, wherein said control logic enables one of said plurality of transceivers within each of said plurality of interface circuits.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 34 words

The communication protocol detection system of claim 12, wherein said plurality of transceivers within each of said plurality of interface circuits further includes at least one 10Base-T transceiver and at least one 100Base-T transceiver.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 15 words

The communication protocol detection system of claim 12, wherein said control logic includes a processor.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 52 words

The communication protocol detection system of claim 14, further comprising: select logic for receiving and monitoring said plurality of link detect signals and for interrupting said processor in the event any one of said plurality of link detect signals indicates a change of a corresponding one of said plurality of interface circuits.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 48 words

The communication protocol detection system of claim 14, further comprising: select logic for receiving said plurality of link detect signals and select signals from said processor for providing a selected one of said plurality of link detect signals requested by said processor as indicated by said select signals.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 74 words

The communication protocol detection system of claim 14, further comprising: each of said plurality of interface circuits including enable logic for enabling one of said plurality of transceivers; and wherein said processor provides select signals to select the enable logic of one of said plurality of interface circuits and asserts enable data to said selected enable logic to select one of said plurality of transceivers within said one of said plurality of interface circuits.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 55 words

The communication protocol detection system of claim 12, further comprising: a plurality of communication devices, each corresponding to one of the plurality of communication protocols; and a bus array for coupling each of said plurality of communication devices to a corresponding one of said plurality of transceivers within each of said plurality of interface circuits.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 20 words

The communication protocol detection system of claim 18, wherein each of said plurality of communication devices comprises a network repeater.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 77 words

The communication protocol detection system of claim 12, wherein said control logic initially enables one of said plurality of transceivers within each of said plurality of interface circuits, and upon indication by one of said plurality of link detect signals, enables each of said plurality of transceivers one at a time within an interface circuit corresponding to said one of said plurality of link detect signals while monitoring said one of said plurality of link detect signals.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 39 words

The communication protocol detection system of claim 12, wherein said control logic enables each of said plurality of transceivers one at a time within each of said plurality of interface circuits while monitoring said plurality of link detect signals.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 50 words

The communication protocol detection system of claim 21, wherein when any one of said plurality of link detect signals indicates connection to a network device, said control logic maintains enablement of a currently enabled transceiver within an interface device corresponding to said one of said plurality of link detect signals.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 65 words

The communication protocol detection system of claim 22, wherein said control logic continues to monitor said one of said plurality of link detect signals until it indicates that said connection to a network device is disconnected, wherein said control logic resumes enabling each of said plurality of transceivers one at a time within said corresponding interface circuit while monitoring said plurality of link detect signals.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 237 words

A method of detecting the communications protocol of a network device operating according to at least one of a plurality of communication protocols coupled to a network connector of a network system, the network device sending signals through the network connector to the network system when connected thereto, the network system including first and second interface devices corresponding to first and second communication protocols, respectively, wherein the first and second interface devices are separately enabled, and wherein the first and second interface devices each provide a link detect signal indicating detection by an interface device of the network device being present and transmitting link pulse signals, comprising the steps of: enabling the first interface device; periodically monitoring a link detect signal from the first interface device for an indication that a network device is detected by the first interface device; if the first interface device detects a network device, disabling the first interface device and enabling the second interface device; periodically monitoring a link detect signal from the second interface device for an indication that the network device is detected by the second interface device; if the second interface device detects the network device while being enabled, establishing communications using the second interface device; and if the second interface device does not detect the network device while being enabled, disabling the second interface device, re-enabling the first interface device and establishing communications using the first interface device.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 237 words

A method of detecting the communications protocol of a network device operating according to at least one of a plurality of communication protocols coupled to a network connector of a network system, the network device sending signals through the network connector to the network system when connected thereto, the network system including first and second interface devices corresponding to first and second communication protocols, respectively, wherein the first and second interface devices are separately enabled, and wherein the first and second interface devices each provide a link detect signal indicating detection by an interface device of the network device being present and transmitting link pulse signals, comprising the steps of: enabling the first interface device; periodically monitoring a link detect signal from the first interface device for an indication that a network device is detected by the first interface device; if the first interface device detects a network device, disabling the first interface device and enabling the second interface device; periodically monitoring a link detect signal from the second interface device for an indication that the network device is detected by the second interface device; if the second interface device detects the network device while being enabled, establishing communications using the second interface device; and if the second interface device does not detect the network device while being enabled, disabling the second interface device, re-enabling the first interface device and establishing communications using the first interface device.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 48 words

The method of claim 24, further comprising the steps of: after either of said steps of establishing communications using the first and the second interface device, periodically monitoring the corresponding link detect signal of the enabled interface device for an indication that the network device is still present.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 64 words

The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of: repeating said steps of disabling the first interface device, enabling the second interface device, re-enabling the first interface device and periodically monitoring the corresponding link detect signals for up to a predetermined number of times while the network device is detected by the first interface device but not detected by the second interface device.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 48 words

The method of claim 26, further comprising the steps of: if the network device is detected by the second interface device, establishing communications using the second interface device; and if the network device is not detected by the second interface device, establishing communications using the first interface device.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 51 words

The method of claim 24, wherein said step of monitoring the link detect signal corresponding to the second interface device for an indication that the network device is detected by the second interface device is performed for a predetermined period of time before said step of disabling the second interface device.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 31 words

The method of claim 24, wherein the first and second communication protocols are, and the first and second interface devices operate according to, the 10Base-T and 100Base- T Ethernet standards, respectively.

Claim 33

Independent Claim 183 words

A method of detecting the communication protocol of a network device operating according to at least one of a plurality of communication protocols coupled to a network connector of a network system, the network device sending signals through the network connector to the network system when connected thereto, the network system including an interface device including a plurality of transceivers coupled to the network connector, wherein the plurality of transceivers correspond to the plurality of communication protocols and are separately enabled, and wherein each of the transceivers provides a link detect signal indicating that an enabled transceiver has detected a network device coupled to the corresponding network connector and is transmitting link pulse signals, the method comprising the steps of: periodically enabling each of the plurality of transceivers one at a time; for each enabled transceiver, monitoring a corresponding link detect signal for an indication that a network device is detected by the enabled transceiver; and if the link detect signal indicates that an enabled transceiver detects a network device, establishing communications with that network device and the using the currently enabled transceiver.

Claim 34

Independent Claim 183 words

A method of detecting the communication protocol of a network device operating according to at least one of a plurality of communication protocols coupled to a network connector of a network system, the network device sending signals through the network connector to the network system when connected thereto, the network system including an interface device including a plurality of transceivers coupled to the network connector, wherein the plurality of transceivers correspond to the plurality of communication protocols and are separately enabled, and wherein each of the transceivers provides a link detect signal indicating that an enabled transceiver has detected a network device coupled to the corresponding network connector and is transmitting link pulse signals, the method comprising the steps of: periodically enabling each of the plurality of transceivers one at a time; for each enabled transceiver, monitoring a corresponding link detect signal for an indication that a network device is detected by the enabled transceiver; and if the link detect signal indicates that an enabled transceiver detects a network device, establishing communications with that network device and the using the currently enabled transceiver.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 151 words

The method of claim 30, wherein the network system includes a plurality of network connectors for interfacing a plurality of network devices, each operating according to one of the plurality of communication protocols, the network system including a plurality of interface devices each corresponding to one of the plurality of network connectors and each including a plurality of transceivers coupled to a corresponding network connector and asserting a corresponding one of a plurality of link detect signals, further comprising the steps of: periodically enabling each of the plurality of transceivers one at a time within each of the plurality of interface devices; periodically monitoring each of the plurality of link detect signals for an indication that a network device is detected by an enabled transceiver; and if a link detect signal indicates that an enabled transceiver detects a network device, establishing communications with that network device using the currently enabled transceiver.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 102 words

The method of claim 30, after said step of establishing communications with a network device, further comprising the steps of: continuously monitoring the link detect signal from the enabled transceiver to determine whether communications are terminated; and if the link detect signal from the enabled transceiver indicates communications are terminated, repeating said steps of monitoring each of the plurality of link detect signals for an indication that a network device is detected by an enabled transceiver and establishing communications with that network device if a link detect signal corresponding to the enabled transceiver indicates that an enabled transceiver detects another network device.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-05-18	2001-11-17	2002-05-19	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-05-18	2005-11-17	2006-05-19	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-05-18	2009-11-17	2010-05-19	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Automatic communication protocol detection system and method for network systems

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