Programmable bridging apparatus to connect multiple networks of different protocols
US6269252A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 27, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 31, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 27, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W88/08
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A bridging apparatus (10) for use in bridging a plurality of external communications networks (20a-20n) includes a plurality of network interfaces (12) and a bridge (14). The individual interfaces within the plurality of network interfaces (12) are each capable of converting signals between a signal format used by an associated external communications network and a common signal format supported by the bridge (14). The bridge (14) establishes at least one bridge connection between network interfaces according to a predetermined bridging function. The bridge (14) includes a digital processor having an associated memory for storing one or more bridging programs. The digital processor executes at least one of the bridging programs in order to implement the desired bridging function.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.