CN1689290A - Intelligent concentrator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device used for multipath signals in a network. The device is provided with a housing, which contains two or more network connection devices and a suitable intelligent electronic circuit used to control and multiplex data, voice circuit signals and the electrical power of multiple devices used to be connected with the connection devices. Multipath transmission allows the communication between different devices and the network and, under certain circumstances, receives network connection-received electrical power. The intelligent electronic circuit is also helpful to the security and management of the network. The main advantages of the disclosed device are that network cables required by the installation of a new network are greatly reduced and the requirement on the installation of new cables used for the improvement of the existing network is almost left out.

Description

The intelligence concentrator

Relevant U.S. application

The unsettled temporary patent application that the application's requirement is owned together: the patent application U.S. sequence number of submitting in March 20 calendar year 2001 60/277,593, " ' INTELLIJACK ' PHYSICAL CONCEPTS by name, ", and transfer assignee of the present invention; The patent application U.S. sequence number 60/277,767 that submit to March 20 calendar year 2001, " AMETHOD FOR MANAGING INTELLIGENT HARDWARE FOR ACCESS TO VOICE ANDDATA NETWORKS, " by name also transfers assignee of the present invention; The patent application U.S. sequence number 60/277 that submit to March 20 calendar year 2001,451, " A METHOD FOR FILTERINGACCESS TO VOICE AND DATA NETWORKS BY USE OF INTELLIGENTHARDWARE, " by name also transfers assignee of the present invention; The patent application U.S. sequence number 60/277 that submit to March 20 calendar year 2001,592, " ' INTELLIJACK ' USAGE; " and the patent application U.S. sequence number 60/285 that transfers assignee of the present invention and submit to April 20 calendar year 2001,419, " INTELLIGENT CONCENTRATOR, " also transfers assignee of the present invention.

Invention field

The present invention relates to the Local Area Network technical field.More particularly, the present invention relates to be used for effectively multi-path transmission data, speech, fax (FAX) and be positioned at working terminal and the device of internetwork power line and system.

Background of invention

Usually a plurality of connections that will be by running to each working terminal in a large number and a plurality of parallel cables of device are realized modern Local Area Network.This is the wiring outside voiceband telephone, fax and electric power of equipment cable.When LAN infrastructure need change, usually more efficient methods was that existing cable is stayed the original place and laid new cable simply between the equipment of switch and router node and any new working terminal.

Existing, transmission of realization data multiplex and firewall technology based on each user are round concentrating the ability that head end data switching exchane or router are provided or passing through to settle box level data concentrator switch, no matter be hardware firewall, access controller or the security facility that is right after the hardware encipher device behind the calculation element that is connected to data LAN, these functions are distributed to place, end user unit.

Current distribution solution especially unreliability, poor efficiency is managed and can be run into owing to remove electric power and break caused fault accidentally.Current solution need increase installation requirements and reduce the local power of system reliability.Because intentional or carelessness gets around the fire compartment wall of any installation, can breach security.In this field, software solution is difficult to configuration and safeguards and need only and install, and can suffer to attack by general hacking technique.The other shortcoming of software solution is the device of networking can not be served as required software.

So, needed is a kind of reliable multiplexing speech, data, fax and power line method so that reduce installation cost and realize foundation structure change technique means among the LAN.In addition, this technological means should provide the information of relevant utilization rate and should be convenient to Network Management and fail safe.

Summary of the invention

Provided reliable multiplexing speech, data, fax and be connected socket so that reduce the intelligent local area network (LAN) of the device that foundation structure changes among installation cost and the LAN in that this presents with power line.In addition, connecting socket provides relevant utilization rate information and is convenient to network management and fail safe.

The present invention relates to be used in the device of multiplexed information in the network.This device has and comprises two or more network connection devices and be used to control with multi-path transmission data, voiceband telephone signal and be used to be connected to the shell of the smart electronics circuit that is fit to of electric power of the multiple arrangement of a plurality of jockeys.Multiplexing makes different device and network service, and in some cases, connects by network to receive electric power.The smart electronics circuit can also help network security and management.The major advantage of disclosed invention is to have reduced widely the required network cable of new network installation, and has almost eliminated existing network for a change, and the needs of new cable are installed.

Embodiments of the invention disclose the device that is used at the network multiway transmission signal.Two or more network connection devices that this device comprises a shell, is connected with shell, and the smart electronics circuit that is connected with shell and can communicates to connect with network connection device, wherein the smart electronics circuit is suitable for being operatively connected to signal and the electric power multiplexing in the network cable on the network connection device.

The simple description of accompanying drawing

Operation of the present invention can be by being able to best illustration with reference to the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 (prior art) expression has traditional LAN of server and work centre.

Fig. 2 A represents the LAN that disposes according to one embodiment of present invention.

Fig. 2 B represents to have the distortion of the LAN of embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 3 represents the block diagram of the exemplary connection of intelligent link device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 represents to be used for the possible structure of one embodiment of the present of invention.

Unless mention especially, the accompanying drawing of quoting in this manual should be considered as keeping off with ratio.

Best test example of the present invention

Now will be at length with reference to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, its example is example explanation in the accompanying drawing.Although will describe the present invention in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, should be appreciated that this and do not mean that to limit the invention on these embodiment.On the contrary, the present invention is included in by substituting, revising and equivalence in the spirit and scope of the present invention of appended claims definition for covering.In addition, in following detailed description of the present invention, set forth many specific details so that complete understanding of the present invention is provided.Yet to those skilled in the art, it also is conspicuous not having these specific details will implement the present invention.In other examples, will not describe in detail at this known method, process, assembly and circuit, so that needn't obscure mutually with feature of the present invention.

Other symbolic representations according to the operation of the signal in process, logical block, processing and the relevant electronic circuit are being described in detail with the lower part.These descriptions and expression are that means that the technical staff by electronic applications uses always come most effectively their essence of work is conveyed to others skilled in the art.The process here, logical block, method or the like are considered as producing required result's independent step or instruction in proper order usually.These steps are those steps that need the physical operations physical quantity.Usually, although unnecessary, this tittle adopts and can store in electronic system, transmits, combination, comparison and other the electronics or the form of magnetic signal.

Many embodiments of the invention of expecting are arranged.Yet, by some embodiment only are discussed, can one separate principle of the present invention well.This discussion never limits the application or the possible boundary of definite embodiment of principle.

This embodiment of the present invention has realized being easy to install and has been provided for reliably visiting the intelligent hardware of the attachment point of speech and data network.By being installed in the wall or realizing this embodiment for the miniature hardware in the inner space of office's compartment.It can be on the outer surface of working space by terminal use's access and at most of examples that the surface of this embodiment is used for.

In one embodiment, several standard communication interfaces, such as RJ45 and status indicator lamp, be installed in this embodiment the outside, can surface by user capture on.A kind of predetermined instances provides four RJ-45 communication interfaces.Yet alternative realization can be supported more or littler quantity.

Centric data networks in the present embodiment (LAN) or voiceband telephone network (maybe may be special-purpose FAX line) be connected the jockey end by termination.These connections can be set up by the installer, and are not used in by end-user access.In most of examples, the wiring between unit and communication infrastructure will terminate at wall maybe may be in office's compartment be provided with.The termination of network wiring (speech and data) will be provided for the industrial standard telecommunication cable, such as CAT3, and the reliable electronics and the mechanical connection of CAT5 or CAT5E or similar cable.The distortion that realizes is receiving optical fiber cable similarly also.Can predict, the integrality of installation can adopt those when not having specific purpose tool, and the installation hardware that the terminal use just can not be dismantled is such as screw and snapper mounting technology.

Except that the termination data connected, this embodiment of the present invention can support digital telephone to connect, such as by those required connections of VOIP (speech on the Internet agreement) technology.In predetermined the realization, can construct RJ-45 connector or other modular connectors provides lan data to connect or the digital telephone connection.The terminal use can insert data cable or phone in the socket and can support any equipment.The terminal use needn't active arrangement or this embodiment that programmes start the operation of arbitrary pattern.

Can also provide cable independently being directly terminated to the support of independent subnet.The ability that circuit is directly terminated to another data or voice lines will provide the ability that adapts to the growth of incompatible new data of the ability of this embodiment of the present invention and speech technology.Wish that this flexibility also can support new network topology structure.

Except that this embodiment and client device connect up back and forth be connected, wireless connections also are feasible.But the application standard communication medium, such as IR, B1ueTooth, 802.11 or other devices come and these devices communicatings.

Can pass through network cable, provide electric power for this embodiment and the equipment that is connected thereto from central source of power.But this embodiment also can pass on electric power to the data equipment that is connected on the communication socket on user's access surface.The electric power that is provided can be isolated because the mode of the influence of the electric leakage that unit failure in jockey or its electric wire or short circuit cause connects.This isolation can prevent to damage this embodiment the outside fault and will keep exercisable mode to isolate this fault with the equipment that allows this embodiment itself and be connected to this unit.The recovery of affected port will be automatically, and as long as mobile faulty equipment or electric wire will take place.This embodiment will realize this feature by the current limliting circuit that turns back.Another realization can be by heating many switches (PolySwitch) fuse certainly, but current limliting is best realization, because this allows built-in intelligence to come detected status, and it is reported to central management console.

The benefit that is produced by the above mode physics erection unit of having described will increase can be by present embodiment, functional, reliability of carrying out and envelop of function.Not being provided to protected, is reduction insecure and that very easily produce the switching performance of mechanical stress, wearing and tearing and associated mechanisms such as the installation of the wiring termination of the network of wall or little chamber interior itself.In a kind of protected environment, attachment point is set eliminates owing to occurrent stress problem.If the user plans to obtain the equipment cable and directly or by stube cable inadvertently moves on the present embodiment, will produce mechanical stress.Hardware is installed is isolated the pressure that wiring can suffer.

Another benefit of the physical attribute of this embodiment that had described is directly accesses network foundation structure of terminal use.This embodiment of the present invention itself will be as the management access control point.If in another way, set up this embodiment such as independent blocks, the terminal use just might avoid the function carried out by this embodiment, and can obtain directly, not managed this network of visit.Obviously, the principle that proposes in the embodiment of the invention is exactly by providing visit may command point that the degree of safety of increase is provided.

Concerning wireless connections, antenna or IR port can be installed in the surface of the unit of being realized itself.Also antenna configuration can be become allow it to be in surperficial going up or its top.A cover electronic equipment that is included in the shell of this embodiment can provide the other support circuit of realizing wireless connections.

The other remarkable advantage of this embodiment provides directivity to a certain degree, and more optimally so that restriction is predetermined or the quantity of unscheduled equipment, by it, can communicate by letter in any unit.By adopting directivity and shielding, the occupant of working space can be reliably and unit communication, and another people in adjacent space can not interfere and insert and first telex network when using similar device simultaneously.

This unit can be predicted and independent element can be made.Elementary cell can comprise the ability of terminated cable, and the independent unit that comprises this intelligent electronic device can be added in the time after a while on this elementary cell.The function of this unit by this way splits the mode wide region that will allow with the usefulness cost efficient and arranges network layout foundation structure, because current unappropriated service area intelligence cost can not produce.By such function divide other benefits that produced be keep in repair at the scene and the field upgraded in.Can replace fast and the out of order unit of test suspection again.Simultaneously, increase new unit in the place of needs, and, still can continue to use older module in the zone that does not need additional capabilities with additional capabilities.

Also can predict, the module expansion capacity can be increased on the elementary cell, be applied at an easy rate on new and the needs that change with the function of the unit that allows to be disposed.Enlargement module can be connected on the panel, and can obtain bus signals and from its electric power.Universal serial bus such as USB or Ethernet can be fit to this purpose.The realization that module increases does not resemble and allows the terminal use that the mode that the bus expansion connector is considered as general-purpose interface is realized the situation of PC.Just avoided the terminal use directly cable to be inserted in the industrial standard expansion connector if do like this, the problem that can produce in the time of starting the function that provides by ancillary equipment with expectation.Have the ability of the characteristic of the equipment that detection inserts owing to can not suppose on the plate intelligence, just can not expect this restriction of tenability.Also needing not to be increases required software element or user interface to support the required device with level communicating with terminal user of ancillary equipment.

Also can predict, some realizations of this embodiment of the present invention are the plug-in unit annexes that can be installed in safely on the available data communication socket.The other mounting technique of this embodiment can make this unit be installed in or be inserted in the existing communication socket.

Wall formula installation unit can provide other ability, supports or the like such as data centralization, fail safe, VOIP.Yet, for realizing and being used for the practical advantages that the wall formula is installed described similar increase reliability and fail safe, need add annex in such a way, can allow fast and easy installation provides the mechanism that captures that is not by terminal use's release simultaneously.

Can further understand principle of the present invention by the discussion to embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Prior art Fig. 1 example illustrates with server and three traditional LAN that work centre realizes.Work centre can be needed directly and server communication constituting with the equipment of guaranteeing normal running and equipment by workstation1 07, the network printer 108, laptop computer 101 or other.In addition, the voiceband telephone 109 of use Internet agreement (VOIP) technology also can be in modern workplace.Each of these equipment all needs to carry out cable with server or its peripheral switch and is connected.As previously mentioned, each of these connections all needs an independent cable to realize at present, like this may be very expensive, also to remedy the integrality and the fail safe of system.

Fig. 2 A has represented the LAN that the device identical with Fig. 1 constitutes, and wherein service area equipment is connected on the network by embodiment of the present invention, can be referred to as intelligent network inlet or intelligent concentrator 200.The identical function and the equipment of the work centre before all have all given expression, but use intelligent concentrator, only need a cable just a cover service area device and server to be coupled together.VOIP phone 109 also has been used in the apparatus array.

Shown in Fig. 2 A, be a kind of implementation through the electric power of equipment of network connection.It is enough low so that realize the equipment of multiplexing power-supply system cost efficient that this can be used for power demand.High power requirements can make that cable dimension is excessive, so that can not obtain any cost savings.

Fig. 2 B represents a distortion on the LAN with intelligent concentrator.Further reducing cable cost here, obtains by using intelligent concentrator " daisy chain " equipment.Daisy chain only can cause a cable is directly connected on the server, or its peripheral switching center, so that connect a plurality of work centres..

What Fig. 3 represented is a possible structure that is used in embodiments of the invention.Expressed intelligent concentrator 301 and connector socket 304 in the mode of side cross section view, and at the wireless device 307 shown in several devices of expecting.Can predict, Wireless Telecom Equipment starts with various protocols.Infrared and Bluetooth, or some other RF realizes it also being possible.The multiway transmission signal to and fro of server 104 is subjected to the control of unit inner electronic equipment 302 probably.Simultaneously, those signals of some equipment and possible electric power will transmit on signal cable 100, and connector 306 is connected to intelligent concentrator 301 behind the unit.

As shown in Figure 3 be accessory device 303.There is the scope of a possibility in the function of equipment 303.It can be used as the intelligent remote testing equipment, allow by center cell test and evaluating network foundation structure and cable, and work station is without any required action.Equipment 303 also can be used as safety device, under server does not obtain situation that a physical network port obtained the notice adjusted, prevents that physical connection is to the LAN cable.

Fig. 4 represents the possible structure of embodiments of the invention.Show intelligent concentrator 301 here, with four RJ-45 sockets.Even exist an embodiment to adopt the shape factor of standard wall cartridge socket board device, the space of a plurality of sockets 308 also arranged.These other sockets can startups can be imagined being connected of possibility with heterogeneous networks or telephone system or a plurality of other.Fig. 4 also illustrates the state representation lamp 305 that can realize in a possible embodiment.

Be illustrated in figure 4 as Wireless Telecom Equipment 307.Equipment 307 can be used for the multiple wireless standard that is connected with the noncontact of network.In addition, infrared or RF agreement is the possible communication standard of expecting easily such as Bluetooth.The receiver electronic equipment that is used for equipment 307 might be included in the body of concentrator 301, may be integrated with internal electronic equipment 302.

Generally speaking, this specification discloses the present invention, relates to the device of the signal that is used for the multiplexing network.This device has a shell, and it comprises two or more network access devices, and the smart electronics circuit that is fit to of electric power that is used to control multi-path transmission data, voiceband telephone signal and is used to be connected to a plurality of equipment of connection device.Multiplexing makes each equipment intercom mutually by network, and in some cases, connects reception electric power by network.The smart electronics circuit also helps network security and management.The major advantage of disclosed invention is to have reduced widely the required network cable of new network installation, and has almost eliminated the needs that are used to revise existing network and new cable is installed.

For example and description purpose, specific embodiment of the present invention is described.But they are not in order to get rid of or only to limit the invention to disclosed form.According to above-mentioned instruction, many conspicuous improvement and variation are possible.Selecting and describing these embodiment is in order to explain principle of the present invention and practical application thereof better, so that make others skilled in the art can understand the present invention better, and has the different improved different embodiment of the specific use that is suitable for expecting.Attempt limits scope of the present invention by additional claims and their equivalent.

Claims (22)

1, a kind of device that is used at the work centre multiway transmission signal of network comprises:

The installable shell of work centre;

With described work centre two or more network access devices that shell is connected can be installed; And the electronic circuit that can install with described work centre that shell is connected and communicate to connect with described network access device; Wherein:

Described electronic circuit is used for being operatively connected to the multiplexing of the described signal in the network cable on the described network access device, so that the multiplexing that the network signal of described work centre goes is mail in the multiplexing of the signal that sends from described work centre in described work centre local implementation and being used to.

2, device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said network access device can connect data wire.

3, device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said network access device can connect the voiceband telephone line.

4, device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said network access device can connect special-purpose FAX line.

5, device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said network access device can be connected to device power supply (DPS) and output equipment power supply.

6, device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electronic circuit can send system information to described network.

7, device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electronic circuit further start assists the maintaining network fail safe.

8, a kind ofly connect devices to the method on the network, comprise the following steps: a work centre

A) provide connector on the equipment that the network equipment can be connected to a network in described work centre;

B) two or more network equipments are connected on the described equipment connector; And

C) between the described network and the described network equipment, carry out the multiple signals transmission.

9, method as claimed in claim 8 wherein provides the described step of equipment connector to realize by a modular cable connector.

10, method as claimed in claim 8, the step of wherein said multiway transmission signal can the multiplexing network data signals.

11, method as claimed in claim 8, the step of wherein said multiway transmission signal can multiplexing speech circuit signal.

12, method as claimed in claim 8, the step of wherein said multiway transmission signal realizes in described work centre.

13, method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said network access device can be connected to special-purpose FAX line.

14., method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said network access device can be connected to and flow to device power supply (DPS).

15, method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said electronic circuit can be to described network transfer system signal.

16, a kind of system that is used to connect network comprises:

A network has one or more servers and one or more work centre;

Communicate to connect the described work centre in the described network and the cable of described server; And

One or more connection devices, it can be used for carrying out multiplexing communication intelligently between a plurality of equipment in described work centre and the described network.

17, as the described system of claim 16, wherein said work centre comprises desktop computer.

18, as the described system of claim 16, wherein said work centre comprises printer.

19, as the described system of claim 16, wherein said work centre comprises the phone that VOIP starts.

20, as the described system of claim 16, wherein said connection device is used for being connected on other connection devices in the mode of daisy chain.

21, as the described system of claim 16, wherein said connection device comprises the circuit that is used for assisting safeguarding the fail safe of described network.

22, as the described system of claim 16, wherein said connection device comprises the circuit of the foundation structure of the described network that is used for assisting management.

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