Method and apparatus for detecting the presence of a remote device and providing power thereto
US5991885A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 11, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 23, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 11, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L69/08
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A network system includes a network that detects the presence of a remote terminal connected to a network and determines the functional protocol of the remote terminal. If the remote terminal is an infrared adapter, the network hub provides electrical power to the infrared adapter and continually monitors for the presence of the infrared adapter. Upon removal of the infrared adapter, the network removes electrical power that is applied to a user interface connector that connects to the infrared adapter. If another protocol is detected for the remote terminal, the network hub communicates with the remote terminal in that protocol and converts the data to the protocol of the network.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.