Patent · US Expired

LAN with interoperative multiple operational capabilities

US5008879A · kind A · utility

148Cited by
47References
115Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 14, 1988
Grant dateApr 16, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 14, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04L12/407
  • WIPO fieldDigital communication
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Two different communication protocols are interoperatively combined for use in a local area network (LAN). An enhanced protocol can be selected as an alternative to a common protocol during communication between enhanced nodes of the LAN. Signals communicated between nodes of the LAN in the first and second protocols create the appearance of valid activity in both protocols, and always communicate at least some valid information in one of the protocols and selectively communicate additional valid information in a second protocol. Preferably the signals applied in the second or enhanced protocol include signals which are inserted in such a way that they are transparent to the first protocol. Improved network management capabilities and data transfer rates are available as a result of the information communicated in the second protocol.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.