TWI403902B - A network-enabled device with improved status indication of said device's network state and device state using a single light indicator or a set thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A network-enabled device is provided. The provided network-enabled device includes at least one light indicator, and an electronic circuit capable of controlling brightness of said light indicator and driving said light indicator in a manner that allows simultaneous indication of at least a first and a second dimensions of said network-enabled device's operational state on said at least one light indicator using at least a first and a second methods of status indication. The present invention reduces the size, cost, and complexity - both internal and aesthetic - of network-enabled devices by combining the functions of the network LED (or a set thereof) and the device LED (or a set thereof) in a single status LED (or a set thereof).

Description

Networking device for status indication of network status and device status with a single light indicator or a single set of light indicators

The present invention is generally related to a networking device, that is, a device having a network interface. Examples of the network interface are Ethernet and Wi-Fi interfaces.

More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved networking apparatus that utilizes an innovative method for simultaneously indicating the operational state dimensions of at least two devices on a single or single set of light indicators (eg, light emitting diodes) And it uses at least two different device operating status indication methods.

Many modern electronic devices contain a network interface provided by the device's network controller. Such a network interface connects the electronic devices to a data network, which may include completed devices and network modules that can be used as building blocks for the completed devices.

In most cases, the established network interface of the electronic device is the Ethernet interface. However, in recent years, several wireless interfaces have attracted a lot of attention, such as Wi-Fi and ZigBee. TCP/IP is an unstoppable type of data network, but there are other types of networks.

For the sake of clarity, an electronic device integrated with a network interface will be collectively referred to as a network-enabled device; a networked device having an Ethernet interface is referred to as an Ethernet device, and has The wireless interface is called a wireless device. A network module with an Ethernet interface is called an Ethernet module, and a network module with a wireless interface is called a wireless module.

It should be understood that the networked device can be both an Ethernet device and a wireless device. Similarly, the network module can be both an Ethernet module and a wireless module.

The operation of the network interface in a networked device is characterized by operational parameters that some users may be interested in, which together form a network state.

For example, a user may want to know if a connection has been established with another device on the network (usually a network hub), and if the link has been established, what type of link is: 10 Mb/s, 100 Mb/s , or 1000Mb/s link, half-duplex or full-duplex link.

Many networked devices are characterized by the use of a set of light indicators to communicate the current state of the network, such light indicators typically implemented as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). In this context, such a light indicator is referred to as a network LED, the function of which is generally known to indicate the current state of the network of the networked device. However, the use of the term "network LED" should not be considered as limiting the implementation of the light indicator to an LED.

Ethernet devices typically use two network LEDs, one green and one yellow.

The green network LED is traditionally used to indicate the status of the Ethernet connection: when the link is not established, the LED is off (dark); when the link is established, the LED is on (lighting).

The yellow network LED is traditionally used to indicate the established Ethernet connection mode: when the link is established at 10Mb/s, the LED is turned off; and when the link is established at 100Mb/s, the LED is turned on. of.

It is worth noting that although most of the Ethernet devices are preset to the above status indication configuration, there are still many variations to the main body. For example, the "link" LED may only be available on the Ethernet device, and the "mode" LED is excluded from the device. Alternatively, there may be a third LED to indicate the half-duplex or full-duplex nature of the link; however, these variations are not related to the scope and spirit of the present invention.

In a similar manner, a wireless interface may be idle or associated with a wireless access point. When associated, the state characteristics of the wireless interface may be the connection speed, the security protocol employed, the strength of the current signal, and the like. It can communicate these states to the user using one or a set of dedicated network LEDs.

Regardless of the type of network interface used on a particular networked device, it should be understood that a first dimension of the operational state of the device requires a plurality of current network operating parameters.

In the field of wireless devices, there is currently no particularly popular method for integrating network LEDs into devices. In the case of an Ethernet device, the network LED may be separate from the RJ connector socket or, in the usual case, it may be combined with an RJ connector socket.

It should be noted that in the conventional networking device, the network LED is controlled in a digital (binary) manner, which means that the specific network LED can be turned on or off, and the brightness of the LED is not particularly used to convey meaningful meaning. Information.

RJ connectors are typically used in telecommunications, data networking equipment, and devices with the ability to connect to data networks. The RJ connector uses a male connector plug and a female connector socket.

For a completed device, the latter is typically attached to the circuit board of the device and exposed in a manner that allows the male connector to be plugged. For a network module, the socket and the network module are generally electrically connected to each other through the circuit board. Some connector sockets (as described in U.S. Patent No. 6,881,096) incorporate integrated network modules.

The first figure shows a simplified diagram of a typical connector socket in the prior art.

The conventional connector receptacle 10 features a generally rectangular outer casing 11 having a front surface 12 having a receptacle 13 for receiving a male connector plug (not shown).

The front surface 12 typically contains or exposes a pair of LEDs 14. Of the two LEDs 14, one is generally green and the other is generally yellow; however, it is also possible to use a combination of a plurality of other colors. In addition, some connector sockets incorporate multi-color LEDs.

The method of installing the LEDs 14 in the connector socket will vary greatly depending on the design. These LEDs may be mounted behind the front surface 12, mounted within the connector receptacle 10, and connected to the front surface 12 by optical conductors; or may be integrated into the connector receptacle 10 in a number of other ways.

Certain connector socket designs, such as those described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/144,914, have the benefit of placing LEDs 14 on a circuit board and under a connector socket.

The connector socket can also be integrated with pins or leads 15. Such pins or leads 15 carry electrical signals between the socket 10 and a circuit board (not shown). In the case where the connector socket 10 is directly integrated with the LED 14, a portion of the pins or leads 15 are electrically connected to the LEDs and controlled thereby.

Networked devices generally have their own operating parameters that the user will pay attention to. These parameters are generally independent of the operating parameters of the network interface and must be displayed separately. These operational parameters together form the state of the device.

Regardless of the particular set of operating parameters presented by the networked device, it should be understood that a second dimension of the operational state of the device requires a plurality of device operating parameters.

LCD panels (displays) may be utilized on larger and/or more expensive networking devices to display device status. Smaller and/or less expensive networking devices are typically represented by one or a set of dedicated LEDs; these are collectively referred to herein as device LEDs.

The term "device LED" is used in the text to distinguish "device LED" from network LED. It should be understood that the term "device LED" implies the meaning of "device status LED" or "device light indicator" and it represents a state in which the overall state of the networked device or the state of the network is significantly different or unrelated. LED (light, or other type of light indicator).

For example, in addition to the two network LEDs, the DS100 serial-to-Ethernet converter manufactured by Jibo Technology (TM) has two device LEDs: one green ("G") and one red ( "R"). It represents a variety of device states by producing various flickering patterns.

For example, the DS100 represents the idle mode in a pattern in which the green device LED flashes twice after two fast flashes, which can be expressed in the following styles:

G-G-----G-G-----...

The state that is operating in the set (configuration) mode can be represented by the pattern in which the green and red device LEDs flash alternately, as follows:

GRGRGRGR...

Overall, there are more than ten different styles and methods as a whole. This means that LED pairs of two differently colored LEDs can be used to communicate different device states very efficiently. For a simple device, usually a single device LED is sufficient.

In the conventional networking device, the network LED is generally controlled by the network controller of the network device, and the device LED is generally a central processing unit (CPU) or a microcontroller of the network device. Take control.

In particular, reference is made to the second figure, which depicts a block diagram of a typical Ethernet device in the prior art.

The CPU or microcontroller 101 is integrated in the Ethernet device 100. The latter is connected to an Ethernet controller 103 via a data bus 102, which enables the network interface of the Ethernet device 100 to take effect. In many Ethernet devices, the CPU or microcontroller 101 is also connected to other hardware 104; the other hardware 104 may include random access memory (RAM), flash Memory, and other necessary components; however, these components are not related to the scope and spirit of the present invention.

It is worth noting that some CPUs and microcontrollers are integrated with Ethernet controllers on the market today, so functional blocks 101 and 103 can be regarded as a single integrated circuit with a data inside. Bus 102.

The Ethernet controller 103 is coupled to the connector socket 10. More specifically, the Ethernet controller 103 and the connector jack 10 are coupled by receiving (Rx) and transmitting (Tx) line pairs 105. In addition, a network LED control line 106 is provided in the structure to drive the internal LEDs 14 of the connector receptacle 10; therefore, the LEDs 14 act as network LEDs for the Ethernet device 100. Although only two single-color LEDs are shown in the figures, it should be understood that more LEDs and/or multi-color LEDs can be built into the connector receptacle 10, and such changes are not relevant to the scope and spirit of the present invention.

The Ethernet device 100 also incorporates two separate LEDs 16, which are controlled by the CPU or microcontroller 101 through the device LED control line 107. The LED 16 is a device LED of the Ethernet device 100.

Referring now to the third figure, a typical block diagram of a typical Ethernet module in the prior art and an Ethernet device based on the Ethernet module is shown. The third figure specifically depicts that both the Ethernet module and the completed Ethernet device constitute a network device.

The Ethernet module 110 is typically installed on the circuit board of the completed Ethernet device 100. The Ethernet module 110 integrates a CPU or a microcontroller 101, a data bus 102, an Ethernet controller 103, and other hardware 104. The hard system includes RAM, flash memory, and others. Necessary peripheral components.

The Ethernet module 110 has a plurality of pins, leads or interface lines 111 that are coupled to the connector socket 10, the LEDs 16 (two of which are controlled by the network LED control line 106, and two of which are devices The LED control circuit 107 controls, and the external (relative to the Ethernet module 110) hardware 113.

To illustrate the manner in which multiple network LEDs can be integrated into the Ethernet device 100, the third figure depicts an LED 16 separate from the connector receptacle 10 (this is associated with the LED 14 built into the connector receptacle 10). different). This design should not be understood as a specific feature of integrating an Ethernet module with a completed Ethernet device. Rather, it can be said to be another way to integrate LEDs into a networked device.

In terms of the entity, the Ethernet module 110 can be implemented as a circuit board with pins or leads attached to the main circuit board of the completed Ethernet device 100. It should be noted that the details of the physical architecture of the Ethernet module 110 are not related to the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Referring now in particular to the fourth figure, a block diagram of a typical wireless device based on a wireless module in the prior art is shown.

A wireless controller 122 is integrated in the wireless module 121. Components such as the CPU or microcontroller 101, and other hardware 104 are external to the wireless module 121. The data bus 102 serves as an interface between the wireless module 121 and the CPU or microcontroller 101.

The wireless controller 122 drives the antenna 124 through a coaxial cable 123. In addition, the wireless module 121 controls an LED 16, which acts as a network LED. In the above example, the way in which a single network LED is set should not be interpreted as a specific feature of a wireless device, but rather it should be said to be another way of building a networked device.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the networking devices discussed herein can be interpreted and/or modularized in a variety of other manners, while the typical figures presented in the second to fourth figures are The full range of architectures available for the networked device is not depicted. Many other architectures fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The continued miniaturization of electronic components has led to a significant reduction in the size of a variety of products, including networked devices. At the same time, network controllers and modules with high integration and low cost have created a new era of ubiquitous network. We have a lot of simple and cheap products in our life integrated with the network interface to communicate with the outside world.

In this new era of simplification of simple and small networking devices, the space of the device is very limited, and each additional component needs to be considered. For a given networked device, the components contained within it are as few as possible.

Reducing the size of certain networked devices also results in a reduction in the available space on the surface of such devices (panels, webs). Connector sockets for Ethernet devices now typically take up most of the available space on their panels, making it even difficult to find a location on the surface of the product that is easy to set up.

In addition, there is a minimalist design trend in the industry today that focuses on simplifying the appearance of the product as much as possible and reducing the number of buttons, indicators and other design elements exposed to the user.

In view of the above description, one of the objects of the present invention is to achieve an essential and aesthetic sense by combining the functions of a network LED (or LED group) with a device LED (or LED group) in a single state LED (or LED group). Reduce the size, cost and complexity of networked devices.

According to the purpose of the invention, a networking device is proposed. The networked device provided includes at least one light indicator and an electronic circuit, the electronic circuit controls the brightness of the light indicator, and drives the light indicator to utilize at least a first state indication method and a second state indication The method causes the at least one light indicator to simultaneously indicate at least a first dimension and a second dimension of the operating state of the networked device.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the Ethernet controller does not control the network LED, but controls a status LED (or LED group) by the CPU or microcontroller of the Ethernet device. It can utilize at least two different status indication methods on the status LED (or group of LEDs) to simultaneously indicate at least two dimensions of the operational state of the device.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the CPU or microcontroller of the Ethernet device controls the status LED using a Pulse-Width Modulated (PWM) output line. Therefore, the CPU or microcontroller not only has the ability to turn on and off the LEDs, but also sets the individual brightness of each status LED to a predetermined level and conveys other meaningful information.

The present invention contemplates that the CPU or microcontroller uses the status LED to indicate the state of the device through various blinking patterns, thus providing a first state indication method for the style.

The present invention further contemplates having the CPU or microcontroller interrogate the internal registers of the Ethernet controller to obtain the current network status. The CPU or microcontroller will then set the maximum brightness of the status LED based on the acquired network status, thus providing a second-state status indication method. The user of the Ethernet device will then be able to observe the device status pattern displayed at different brightness levels to indicate its network status. In another embodiment of the invention, the CPU or microcontroller does not control the status LEDs through the PWM output line. In another embodiment of the invention, the CPU or microcontroller utilizes a digital-to-analog output line to control the brightness of the status LEDs.

In a third embodiment of the invention, the CPU or microcontroller does not query the network status by reading the internal register of the wireless controller. In the third embodiment, the network LED control circuitry of the wireless controller is coupled to the CPU or microcontroller, and the latter can infer the current network state by polling the state of the network LED control circuitry. Therefore, it is not necessary to read the internal register of the wireless controller.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the accompanying drawings.

Please refer to the following disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

While the present invention has been described with respect to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed. Various modifications and similar arrangements in the spirit and scope of the appended claims are intended to be construed in the broadest scope. Therefore, the above description and description are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention

Referring now to Figures 5 through 9, there are shown specific embodiments of the present invention.

In particular, reference is made to the fifth drawing, which illustrates a block diagram of an Ethernet device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the Ethernet controller 103 does not drive the LEDs 14, but is controlled by the CPU or microcontroller 101 via a pulse-width modulated (PWM) line 130. Some LEDs 14. The LED 14 acts as a status LED for the networking device, that is, it acts as both a network LED and a device LED.

Due to the pulse width modulation, the brightness of the LED can be controlled by changing the duty cycle of the square wave signal it generates. It is intended to cause the CPU or microcontroller 101 to set the LED 14 to maximum brightness based on current network conditions.

A data bus 102 that connects the CPU or microcontroller 101 to the Ethernet controller 103 is used for data exchange between the two. In addition, the CPU or microcontroller 101 uses the data bus 102 to access the internal registers of the Ethernet controller 103. A typical Ethernet controller has a number of internal registers that define the precise operating parameters of the Ethernet interface and the current state of the Ethernet interface. Among these registers, a typical scratchpad is used to transmit information related to the current state of the network.

Traditionally, one of the registers of the Ethernet controller 103 has a link status bit that is tied to the appropriate connection between the Ethernet device and another device (eg, a network hub). set up. When the "interrupt" is connected, the bit will be cleared.

In addition, there will generally be a set of bits to transmit other information related to the mode of the established link: such as the bit rate established by the link (10Mb/s, 100Mb/s or even 1000Mb/s), the full pair of connected operations Work or half-duplex mode, etc.

The CPU or microcontroller 101 can periodically read (polling) the status of the above bits by accessing the associated registers in the Ethernet controller 103. The CPU or microcontroller 101 can then control the duty cycle ratio on the PWM line 130 based on the current network state.

Referring now to the sixth diagram, a waveform diagram of the pulse width modulation signal on one of the PWM lines 130 is shown.

To illustrate the operation of the PWM line 130, it is assumed herein that the waveform is a PWM control line for the green state LED. The waveform presented in the sixth figure is the "G-G------G-G-----" style discussed earlier. This waveform example also assumes that when the PWM line 130 is in a high logic state (positive control polarity, ie, the higher the average voltage on the PWM line, the brighter the LED), the LED is on (lighting).

The figure shows successive periods of two styles: 200 and 201. The brightness of this style display depends on the current connection status of the Ethernet controller. The figure shows that the first cycle 200 is generated when the Ethernet controller is in the connected state; and the second cycle 201 is generated when the Ethernet controller is not in the connected state.

Referring now to the sixth diagram, those skilled in the art will immediately recognize the difference between the pulse width modulation waveform and the first and second periods of pattern generation.

When the Ethernet connection is established (cycle 200) and the pattern generation period when the LED needs to be turned on, the duty cycle ratio of the PWM output is set to 100% or close to 100%. This will cause the LED to flash at the maximum, or near maximum, brightness.

During the generation of an Ethernet connection that is not established (Cycle 201) and when the LED needs to be turned on, the duty cycle ratio of the PWM output is set to a ratio of one of its maximum values, for example, 30%. Therefore, the user will see a pattern that is also composed of one interval after two LED flashes, but the brightness of the LED blinking is not as bright as during the first cycle 200.

It should be noted that the specific device state pattern ("GG-----GG-----") used in the text and the relationship between the maximum LED brightness and the network state (link state) of the specific aspect are for illustrative purposes only. . Those skilled in the art will immediately be aware of other styles that may be generated, LED brightness may be related to some other aspect of the network state, and its selection of LED brightness is related to certain network state aspects. The manner may also vary, and the color and control polarity of the LEDs may be varied without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

In particular, reference is made to the seventh diagram, which illustrates a block diagram of an Ethernet device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment of the invention, the CPU or microcontroller 101 does not utilize the PWM output line to control the LEDs 14. In another embodiment of the invention, the CPU or microcontroller utilizes a digital-to-Analog (D/A) output line 140 to control the individual brightness of each of the LEDs 14.

Referring now to the eighth diagram, an analog signal waveform diagram on one of the D/A output lines 140 is shown. To illustrate the various methods by which the present invention can be implemented, it is assumed herein that the LED circuit has a negative control polarity (i.e., the lower the voltage of the D/A line, the brighter the LED).

Those skilled in the art will immediately recognize that during the second period of pattern generation, the brightness of the LED will be lower than during the first period of pattern generation.

Referring now in particular to FIG. 9, a block diagram of a wireless device in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.

In a third embodiment of the invention, the CPU or microcontroller 101 does not query the network status by reading the internal registers of the wireless controller 122. In a third embodiment of the present invention, the network LED control line 106 of the wireless controller 122 is coupled to the CPU or microcontroller 101, which can be pushed by polling the status of the network LED control line 106. The current network state is obtained, so that the internal register of the wireless controller 122 does not need to be read.

For wireless devices, the mode of operation in the third embodiment of the present invention is particularly important because many wireless modules construct a more compact system than their counterparts in the Ethernet. However, for various reasons, it is not possible to utilize the option to query the status of the network through the data bus 102. The only solution is to directly sense the status of the network LED control line 106.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to the specific embodiments of the present invention, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed; rather, the invention is intended to be Various modifications and similar configurations within the spirit and scope of the patent application are intended to be construed in the broadest scope of the invention.

10. . . socket

11. . . shell

12. . . Front surface

13. . . socket

14. . . Light-emitting diode (LED)

15. . . lead

16. . . Light-emitting diode (LED)

100. . . Ethernet device

101. . . CPU or microcontroller

102. . . Data bus

103. . . Ethernet controller

104. . . Hardware

105. . . Receiving and transmitting line pairs

106. . . Network LED control circuit

107. . . Device LED control circuit

110. . . Ethernet module

111. . . line

113. . . Hardware

121. . . Wireless module

122. . . Wireless Controller

123. . . Coaxial cable

124. . . antenna

130. . . Pulse width modulation line

200. . . cycle

201. . . cycle

The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the <RTIgt;

The first figure depicts the architecture of a typical connector socket in accordance with the prior art;

The second figure is a block diagram of a typical Ethernet device according to the prior art;

The third figure is a block diagram of a typical Ethernet device based on the Ethernet module in the prior art;

The fourth figure is a block diagram of a typical wireless device based on a wireless module in the prior art;

Figure 5 is a block diagram of an Ethernet device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

6 is a sample waveform diagram of a pulse width modulation signal on a state LED control line according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a block diagram of an Ethernet device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

8 is a sample waveform diagram of an analog signal on a state LED control line according to another embodiment of the present invention;

The ninth diagram is a block diagram of a wireless device in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

10. . . socket

14. . . Light-emitting diode (LED)

100. . . Ethernet device

101. . . CPU or microcontroller

102. . . Data bus

103. . . Ethernet controller

104. . . Hardware

105. . . Receiving and transmitting line pairs

130. . . Pulse width modulation line

Claims (16)

A networking device includes: at least one light indicator and an electronic circuit, the electronic circuit can control brightness of the light indicator and drive the light indicator to utilize at least a first state indicating method and a second state indicating method Having the at least one light indicator simultaneously indicate at least a first dimension and a second dimension of an operational state of the networked device. The network device of claim 1, wherein the first state indication method comprises generating a set of blink patterns on the at least one light indicator, and the second state indication method comprises limiting the at least one light indication The maximum brightness of the device. The network device of claim 2, wherein the first dimension of the operating state of the networked device includes information related to device operating parameters of the networked device, and the operating state of the networked device is The second dimension contains information about the network operating parameters of the networked device. The networked device of claim 3, wherein the networked device comprises at least two light indicators. The networked device of claim 3, wherein the networked device is an Ethernet device or a wireless device. The network device of claim 5, wherein the Ethernet device comprises a connector socket, and wherein the at least one light indicator is formed in one of the connector sockets (LED). The network device of claim 5, wherein the at least one light indicator is controlled by a Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) technique. The network device of claim 5, wherein the at least one light indicator is controlled using a Digital-to-Analog (DA) technique. The network device of claim 5, wherein the Ethernet device is an Ethernet module. The network device of claim 5, wherein the wireless device is a Wi-Fi device. The network device of claim 5, wherein the wireless device is a wireless module. The network device of claim 3, wherein the electronic circuit comprises a central processing unit or a microcontroller coupled to a network controller, and wherein the at least one light indicator is processed by the central unit Unit or the microcontroller controls. The network device of claim 12, wherein the central processing unit or the microcontroller can access the network controller via a data bus to obtain network operating parameters of the network device. The network device of claim 13, wherein the network controller is an Ethernet controller or a wireless controller. The network device of claim 12, wherein the central processing unit or the microcontroller can obtain the network of the network device by polling the state of the network LED control line of the network controller. Road operation parameters. The network device of claim 15, wherein the network controller is an Ethernet controller or a wireless controller.