US6431765B1 — Distributed network repeater module and method

Claim 1

Independent Claim 101 words

A network router device for coupling to a network switch comprising: at least first and second distinct router modules; at least said first router module having a casing and circuitry within said casing, with at least a first signal light positioned within said casing; at least said first router module configured to be coupled in a first position with respect to said switch; at least a first light pipe for conveying at least some light from said first signal light to a signal light output, wherein said signal light output is visible when said router module is in said first position.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 101 words

A network router device for coupling to a network switch comprising: at least first and second distinct router modules; at least said first router module having a casing and circuitry within said casing, with at least a first signal light positioned within said casing; at least said first router module configured to be coupled in a first position with respect to said switch; at least a first light pipe for conveying at least some light from said first signal light to a signal light output, wherein said signal light output is visible when said router module is in said first position.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 31 words

A network router device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said switch has a front panel area and wherein said signal light output is visible when viewing said front panel area.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 24 words

A network router device, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said light pipe is continuous with at least a portion of said casing.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 25 words

A network router device, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said light pipe is integrally formed with at least a portion of said casing.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 42 words

A network router device, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said casing is formed from at least a first injection-molded part and a second part and wherein said light pipe is formed with said first part in a single injection-molding operation.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 34 words

A network router device, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one edge of said light pipe is spaced from adjacent portions of said casing to define an opening through said casing.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 24 words

A network router device, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said light pipe includes a light entry region substantially adjacent said signal light.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 49 words

A network router device, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said router device includes at least first and second ports, said signal light output being substantially adjacent said first port and further comprising a second light pipe defining a second signal light output substantially adjacent said second port.

Claim 10

Independent Claim 78 words

A method for use with a network router device, said network router device for coupling to a network switch, the method comprising: coupling at least a first router component in a first predefined position with respect to said switch; controlling at least a first signal light, coupled to said first router component, to indicate at least first information relating to said router, wherein a signal light output is visible when said router component is in said first position.

Claim 11

Independent Claim 78 words

A method for use with a network router device, said network router device for coupling to a network switch, the method comprising: coupling at least a first router component in a first predefined position with respect to said switch; controlling at least a first signal light, coupled to said first router component, to indicate at least first information relating to said router, wherein a signal light output is visible when said router component is in said first position.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 29 words

A method, as claimed in claim 9 wherein said step of coupling a first router component comprises coupling one of a plurality of discrete modules of a modular router.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 32 words

A method, as claimed in claim 10 wherein said first signal light is controlled to indicate whether said one module is coupled to at least a second of said plurality of modules.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 26 words

A method, as claimed in claim 9 wherein said first signal light is controlled to indicate whether said router component is coupled to an approved cable.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 25 words

A method, as claimed in claim 9 wherein said first signal light is controlled to indicate whether said router component is operating in full-duplex mode.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 46 words

A method, as claimed in claim 9 wherein said first signal light is controlled to provide a signal including at least one of: A constant-on light signal; A constant-off light signal; A light flash pattern; and A light of any one of a plurality of colors.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 28 words

A method as claimed in claim 9 further comprising conveying at least some light from said first signal light to said signal light output with a light pipe.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 30 words

A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein said router component includes a casing and further comprising integrally forming said light pipe with at least a portion of said casing.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 77 words

Apparatus for use with a network router device comprising: a first router component configured for coupling in a first predefined position with respect to a network switch; means for controlling at least a first signal light, coupled to said first router component, to indicate at least first information relating to said router, means for locating a signal light output such that light from said signal light is visible when said router component is in said first position.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 77 words

Apparatus for use with a network router device comprising: a first router component configured for coupling in a first predefined position with respect to a network switch; means for controlling at least a first signal light, coupled to said first router component, to indicate at least first information relating to said router, means for locating a signal light output such that light from said signal light is visible when said router component is in said first position.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 28 words

Apparatus, as claimed in claim 17 , wherein said first router component includes a casing and wherein said means for locating comprises at least first light pipe means.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 79 words

A network router device for coupling to a network switch comprising: at least first and second distinct router modules; at least said first router module having a casing and circuitry within said casing; a heat spreader having a first region, having a first surface area positioned for thermal conduction with respect to at least a portion of said circuitry and a second region, said heat spreader configured to provide heat conduction between said first region and said second region.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 79 words

A network router device for coupling to a network switch comprising: at least first and second distinct router modules; at least said first router module having a casing and circuitry within said casing; a heat spreader having a first region, having a first surface area positioned for thermal conduction with respect to at least a portion of said circuitry and a second region, said heat spreader configured to provide heat conduction between said first region and said second region.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 24 words

A network router device, as claimed in claim 19 , wherein said second region defines a surface area greater than said first surface area.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 23 words

A network router device, as claimed in claim 19 , wherein said portion of said circuitry comprises at least a first integrated circuit.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 50 words

A network router device, as claimed in claim 19 , further comprising at least one circuit board, having first and second opposite surfaces and first and second opposite edges, and wherein said portion of said circuitry is mounted on a mounting portion of said first surface of said circuit board.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 28 words

A network router device, as claimed in claim 22 , wherein said first region is adjacent a thermal contact portion of said second surface of said circuit board.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 32 words

A network router device, as claimed in claim 23 , wherein said thermal contact portion of said second surface is at least partially aligned with said mounting portion of said first surface.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 26 words

A network router device, as claimed in claim 23 , comprising a plurality of vias through said circuit board at least in said thermal contact portion.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 32 words

A network router device, as claimed in claim 22 , wherein at least some of said second region of said heat spreader is spaced from said second surface of said circuit board.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 21 words

A network router device, as claimed in claim 19 , wherein said heat spreader is comprises a substantially thermally conductive material.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 26 words

A network router device, as claimed in claim 19 , wherein said heat spreader is comprises a material which is both thermally conductive and electrically conductive.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 17 words

A network router device, as claimed in claim 19 , wherein said heat spreader is comprises copper.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 77 words

A network router device, as claimed in claim 22 , wherein said heat shield is substantially electrically conductive and includes at least first and second edges adjacent at least portions of said first and second edges of said circuit board, to cover at least a portion of said circuit board wherein electromagnetic interference (EMI) from said portion of said circuit board is reduced, compared to a configuration in which said portion of said circuit board is uncovered.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 27 words

A network router device, as claimed in claim 30 further comprising a plurality of openings through at least said first and second edges of said heat shield.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 28 words

A network router device, as claimed in claim 30 , further comprising an electrically conductive pathway from said heat spreader to a chassis ground of said network switch.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 34 words

A network router device, as claimed in claim 19 , further comprising a plurality of vent holes through said casing wherein air flow through said vent holes provides heat dissipation from said heat spreader.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 46 words

A network router device, as claimed in claim 23 including at least one thermally conductive seal, selected from among a thermally conductive wafer and a thermally conductive grease, located between said thermal contact region of said circuit board and said first region of said heat spreader.

Claim 39

Independent Claim 95 words

A method for dissipating heat in a network router device, said device for coupling to a network switch, the method comprising: coupling at least first and second distinct router modules to said network switch, at least said first router module having a casing and circuitry within said casing; coupling a heat spreader having a first region, having a first surface area positioned for thermal conduction with respect to at least a portion of said circuitry and a second region, said heat spreader configured to provide heat conduction between said first region and said second region.

Claim 40

Independent Claim 95 words

A method for dissipating heat in a network router device, said device for coupling to a network switch, the method comprising: coupling at least first and second distinct router modules to said network switch, at least said first router module having a casing and circuitry within said casing; coupling a heat spreader having a first region, having a first surface area positioned for thermal conduction with respect to at least a portion of said circuitry and a second region, said heat spreader configured to provide heat conduction between said first region and said second region.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 134 words

A method, as claimed in claim 35 , wherein at least said first router module includes at least one circuit board, having first and second opposite surfaces and first and second opposite edges, wherein said portion of said circuitry is mounted on a mounting portion of said first surface of said circuit board, and wherein said heat shield is substantially electrically conductive and includes at least first and second edges, and further comprising: positioning said first and second edges of said heat shield adjacent at least portions of said first and second edges of said circuit board, to cover at least a portion of said circuit board wherein electromagnetic interference (EMI) from said portion of said circuit board is reduced, compared to a configuration in which said portion of said circuit board is uncovered.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 96 words

Apparatus for dissipating heat in a network router device, said device for coupling to a network switch, the apparatus comprising: at least first and second distinct router modules configured for coupling to said network switch, at least said first router module having a casing and circuitry within said casing; means for spreading heat, said means for spreading heat having a first region, positioned for thermal conduction with respect to at least a portion of said circuitry and a second region, said heat spreader configured to provide heat conduction between said first region and said second region.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 96 words

Apparatus for dissipating heat in a network router device, said device for coupling to a network switch, the apparatus comprising: at least first and second distinct router modules configured for coupling to said network switch, at least said first router module having a casing and circuitry within said casing; means for spreading heat, said means for spreading heat having a first region, positioned for thermal conduction with respect to at least a portion of said circuitry and a second region, said heat spreader configured to provide heat conduction between said first region and said second region.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 134 words

Apparatus, as claimed in claim 37 wherein at least said first router module includes at least one circuit board, having first and second opposite surfaces and first and second opposite edges, wherein said portion of said circuitry is mounted on a mounting portion of said first surface of said circuit board, and wherein said heat shield is substantially electrically conductive and includes at least first and second edges, and further comprising: means for positioning said first and second edges of said heat shield adjacent at least portions of said first and second edges of said circuit board, to cover at least a portion of said circuit board wherein electromagnetic interference (EMI) from said portion of said circuit board is reduced, compared to a configuration in which said portion of said circuit board is uncovered.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 135 words

Apparatus, in a computer network, for avoiding reduction of interpacket gaps below a minimum gap value, comprising: at least first and second distinct router modules configured for coupling to a network switch; a state machine, in at least said first router module, configured to receive a sequential plurality of communication packets; recognize at least a first collision fragment, having a first form, in at least one of said communications packets; and forward said at least one communications packet to said second router module, after altering said first collision fragment to a second form; a state machine, in at least said second router module, configured to forward said at least one communications packet, received from said first router module with an altered collision fragment in said second form, in the absence of decreasing an interpacket gap.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 135 words

Apparatus, in a computer network, for avoiding reduction of interpacket gaps below a minimum gap value, comprising: at least first and second distinct router modules configured for coupling to a network switch; a state machine, in at least said first router module, configured to receive a sequential plurality of communication packets; recognize at least a first collision fragment, having a first form, in at least one of said communications packets; and forward said at least one communications packet to said second router module, after altering said first collision fragment to a second form; a state machine, in at least said second router module, configured to forward said at least one communications packet, received from said first router module with an altered collision fragment in said second form, in the absence of decreasing an interpacket gap.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 26 words

Apparatus, as claimed in claim 39 , wherein said state machine in said second module is substantially identical to said state machine in said first module.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 29 words

Apparatus, as claimed in claim 39 , wherein said state machine in said first module decreases an interpacket gap in response to receiving said one of said communications packets.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 50 words

Apparatus, as claimed in claim 39 wherein said communications network communicates packets including V and R symbols in accordance with IEEE 802.3Z and wherein said first form includes a plurality of V symbols and wherein said second form has at least some of said V symbols replaced by R symbols.

Claim 50

Independent Claim 124 words

A method, in a computer network, for avoiding reduction of interpacket gaps below a minimum gap value, comprising: coupling at least first and second distinct router modules to a network switch; receiving, in said first router module, a sequential plurality of communication packets; recognizing, in said first router module, at least a first collision fragment, having a first form, in at least one of said communications packets; forwarding, from said first router module to said second router module, said at least one communications packet, after altering said first collision fragment to a second form; forwarding, from said second router module, said at least one communications packet, received from said first router module, in the absence of decreasing an interpacket gap below said minimum value.

Claim 51

Independent Claim 124 words

A method, in a computer network, for avoiding reduction of interpacket gaps below a minimum gap value, comprising: coupling at least first and second distinct router modules to a network switch; receiving, in said first router module, a sequential plurality of communication packets; recognizing, in said first router module, at least a first collision fragment, having a first form, in at least one of said communications packets; forwarding, from said first router module to said second router module, said at least one communications packet, after altering said first collision fragment to a second form; forwarding, from said second router module, said at least one communications packet, received from said first router module, in the absence of decreasing an interpacket gap below said minimum value.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 123 words

Apparatus, in a computer network, for avoiding reduction of interpacket gaps below a minimum gap value, comprising: at least first and second distinct router modules coupled to a network switch; means, in said first router module, for: receiving a sequential plurality of communication packets; recognizing at least a first collision fragment, having a first form, in at least one of said communications packets; and forwarding said at least one communications packet to said second router module, after altering said first collision fragment to a second form; means, in said second router module, for forwarding, from said second router module, said at least one communications packet, received from said first router module, in the absence of decreasing an interpacket gap below said minimum value.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 123 words

Apparatus, in a computer network, for avoiding reduction of interpacket gaps below a minimum gap value, comprising: at least first and second distinct router modules coupled to a network switch; means, in said first router module, for: receiving a sequential plurality of communication packets; recognizing at least a first collision fragment, having a first form, in at least one of said communications packets; and forwarding said at least one communications packet to said second router module, after altering said first collision fragment to a second form; means, in said second router module, for forwarding, from said second router module, said at least one communications packet, received from said first router module, in the absence of decreasing an interpacket gap below said minimum value.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2005-08-12	2006-02-11	2006-08-13	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2009-08-12	2010-02-11	2010-08-13	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2013-08-12	2014-02-11	2014-08-13	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Distributed network repeater module and method

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag