Network device interface for digitally interfacing data channels to a controller via a network
US7058737B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 4, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jun 6, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 4, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L2012/4028
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a network device interface and method for digitally connecting a plurality of data channels, such as sensors, actuators, and subsystems, to a controller using a network bus. The network device interface interprets commands and data received from the controller and polls the data channels in accordance with these commands. Specifically, the network device interface receives digital commands and data from the controller, and based on these commands and data, communicates with the data channels to either retrieve data in the case of a sensor or send data to activate an actuator. Data retrieved from the sensor is then converted into digital signals and transmitted back to the controller. In one embodiment, the bus controller sends commands and data a defined bit rate, and the network device interface senses this bit rate and sends data back to the bus controller using the defined bit rate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.