`
`
`
`
`EXHIBIT 1017
`
`
`EXHIBIT 1017
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`(12) United States Patent
`US 6,449,348 B1
`(10) Patent N0.:
`Lamb et al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Sep. 10, 2002
`
`USOO6449348B1
`
`(54) POWER TRANSFER APPARATUS FOR USE
`BY NETWORK DEVICES INCLUDING
`TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Christopher Hume Lamb, Weston,
`MA (US); Peter S. Wang, Cupertino,
`CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: 3Com Corporation, Santa Clara, CA
`(US)
`
`( 4 ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 33 days.
`
`(21) Appl. NO‘: 08/865’015
`(22)
`Filed:
`May 29, 1997
`
`7
`
`............................................... H04M 11/00
`Int. Cl.
`(51)
`................................ 379/9336; 340/310.01
`(52) US. Cl.
`(58) Field of Search ........................... 379/90.01, 93.01,
`379/93.36, 102.04, 399, 206; 340/310.01,
`310.02, 310.07, 310.08; 370/419, 442, 487,
`490; 375/257, 259; 445/3.1—3.3
`
`(56)
`
`References CitEd
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,639,714 A *
`1/1987 Crowe ................... 340/310.02
`4,821,319 A *
`4/1989 Middleton et a1.
`.......... 379/399
`590519720 A *
`9/1991 Kéttimtsunetom ----- 340/31002
`39222951322 2 : 15133: E11556? t~~~1~~~~~~~~~~~~~333/9588;
`,
`,
`u er 1n e a .
`..
`.
`5,444,184 A *
`8/1995 Hassel ..........
`379/9001
`5,467,384 A * 11/1995 Skinner, Sr.
`. 340/310.01
`.
`5,477,091 A * 12/1995 Fiorina et a1.
`340/310.01
`5,841,360 A * 11/1998 Binder
`.................. 340/310.01
`
`
`
`........... 340/310.01
`5,994,998 A * 11/1999 Fisher et a1.
`6,011,794 A *
`1/2000 Mordowitz et a1.
`...... 379/90.01
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner—Stella W00
`Assistant Examiner—George Eng
`(74) Attorney, Agent,
`or Firm—McDonnell Boehnen
`Hulbert & Berghoff
`(5 )
`7
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`One eimbodiment of the inventiop irlrlcludes an apparatus for
`provrmg e ectrrc power to a te ep one across a transmrs-
`sron lme where the telephone 1s coupled to a network devrce.
`,,
`.
`Apower and data coupler (“the coupler ) 1s coupled to one
`end of the transmission line. The transmission line is also
`adapted for transmission of a data signal. The data signal
`includes telephone signal data for communications with the
`telephone. The coupler has a data input and a power input.
`Power from the power input is coupled to the data signal
`from the data input and the combined power supply current
`and data signal is coupled to one end of the transmission
`line. The opposite end of the transmission line is coupled to
`a power and data decoupler (“the decoupler”). The decou-
`pler has a power output and a data output. Both the data
`output and power output of the decoupler are coupled to the
`network device. The combined power and data signal is
`decoupled by the decoupler, and the data signal 1s supphed
`to the data output and the power 1s supplred to the power
`output. The invention also includes a circuit. The telephone
`circuit receives the power from the power output and
`receives the telephone signal data. The circuit couples the
`power and the telephone signal data together to make a
`-
`-
`-
`ffimtbllnefi power and telephone Slgnal’ Wthh can be used by
`e 6 ep one‘
`
`15 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`Data Cable
`
`lb 130
`
`Power Outage
`
`
`Coupler
`200
`
`[
`
`Network Cable
`260
`
`Power Cabl
`322
`
`Yelephone Cable
`281
`
`Processor
`Subsyslem
`330
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`:-
`
`
`HE
`Telephone
`
`290
`
`
`Telephone
`Power Outage
`
`
`
`
`345
`37°
`
`Coupre, :l,
`Decoupler
`
`
`
`
`L,_lData
`
`
`l
`Telephone Dara
`
`
`Network
`Inlerface and
`Telephony
`
`Crmuil
`Computer
`
`Data
`320
`
`
`
`
`Cable 220
`
`
`Compuler Power s‘rgnal 303
`I
`computerpower
`PowerSource Swllch 3911
`Power
`External Power
`’1’
`
`Subsystem
`Source
`Network Interface Card 300
`
`340
`151
`
`Computer 250
`
`
`
`
`NetworkPowerSignal305
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 10, 2002
`
`Sheet 1 0f 3
`
`US 6,449,348 B1
`
`099653.2.
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 10, 2002
`
`Sheet 2 0f 3
`
`US 6,449,348 B1
`
`N2:9".III
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`
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 10, 2002
`
`Sheet 3 0f3
`
`US 6,449,348 B1
`
`Data Cable
`b 130
`
`
`
`
`
`Power Outage
`Coupler
`200
`
`Power Cable}
`
`322
`
`Network Cable
`260
`
`
`
`Telephone Cable
`281
`
`
`
`
`
`Power Outag
`370
`Telephone
`Decoupler
`Coupler
`345
`
`
`
`Processor
`
`
`D t
`
`
`Subsystem
`
`a a
`Telephone Data
`330
`
`
` Network
`
`Interface and
`
`
`
`Telephony
`
`Circuit
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Telephone
`290
`
`Computer
`
`
`
`
`
`NetworkPowerSignal305
`
`Power Source Switch 390
`Computer Power
`
`Cable 220
`
`
`Computer Power Signal 303
`
`
`Power
`External Power
`
`
`
`__.-—1—_—_"_
`
`Source
`Subsystem
`
`
`
`
`Network Interface Card 300
`340
`151
`
`
`
`Computer 280
`
`Figure 3
`
`

`

`US 6,449,348 B1
`
`1
`POWER TRANSFER APPARATUS FOR USE
`BY NETWORK DEVICES INCLUDING
`TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This application relates to, and incorporates by reference,
`US. Pat. application Ser. No. 08/865,016 filed on May, 29,
`1997, entitled, “Power Transfer Apparatus for Concurrently
`Transmitting Data and Power Over Data Wires,” having
`inventors David A. Fisher, Lawrence M. Burns, and Stephen
`Muther, and being assigned to the assignee of the present
`application.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`to the field of data
`The invention relates in general
`networking and communications, and in particular to inter-
`connecting computers to a local area network (“LAN”) or a
`wide area network (“WAN”) through data lines that carry
`power, network data and telephone data.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Network devices, such as networked personal computers,
`typically communicate via wired data lines and receive
`power from a separate line. For example, personal comput-
`ers (“PCs”) may communicate ethernet signals via category
`three (CAT-3) or category five (CAT-5) twisted pair wire and
`receive power from a second cable connected to a power
`source, such source, such as a wall socket or a battery.
`However, it is desirable to be able to eliminate the need for
`the second cable.
`
`The following describes examples of network devices that
`benefit from the elimination of the separate power line, and
`then describes some of the inadequacies of previous solu-
`tions.
`
`Plain old telephone service (“POTS”) combines a voice
`signal with a power signal. The combined signal is trans-
`mitted over twisted pair cable between the telephone and the
`line card at the public telephone exchange office. The line
`card also supplies power over the two wires carrying the
`voice signal. However, the voice signal supported by POTS
`is not sufficient for bandwidth intensive communications
`
`needs, such as, ethernet communications. Similarly, ISDN
`communications transmit power and digital data over
`between an ISDN modem and a telephone switch. However,
`ISDN data rates are more than an order of magnitude lower
`than ethernet data rates.
`
`telephone systems using private bridge
`Additionally,
`exchanges (PBXs) typically have a wired connection that is
`separate from the network devices. This additional wired
`connection carries both telephone data signals and power to
`the telephone. The telephone data signals may be either
`digital or analog data signals that carry the voice conversa-
`tions to and from the PBX to a telephone. The PBX is
`responsible for relaying the voice conversation to and from
`other users or out into the public telephone exchange. The
`PBX also supplies the telephone with power. In the event of
`a power outage, the PBX may have a back up power supply
`to allow users to continue to use their phones during the
`power outage.
`POTS does have one important feature which is supported
`by some PBX systems. During a power failure, the tele-
`phone continues to operate. This is because power is sup-
`plied to the telephone directly from a backup power system
`at the PBX or the central switch. This is a desirable feature
`
`of telephone systems.
`
`2
`In previous systems where a user has both a network
`device and a telephone, the user will have a cable connected
`to the network for network communications with the net-
`
`work device, a cable connected to a power source for the
`powering the network device, and a cable connected to the
`PBX for powering and carrying communications to and
`from the telephone. One problem with such a system is the
`cost of installing and maintaining all of these cables.
`Therefore, it is desirable to have a system that supplies the
`same general network device and telephone functionality to
`the user, but reduces the significant cabling costs of the
`system.
`Therefore, what is needed is a solution that reduces the
`wiring requirements to transmit data and power to a network
`device and a telephone without significantly reducing the
`functionality of the network device and the telephone.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`One embodiment of the invention includes an apparatus
`for providing electric power to a telephone across a trans-
`mission line where the telephone is coupled to a network
`device. Apower and data coupler (“the coupler”) is coupled
`to one end of the transmission line. The transmission line is
`
`also adapted for transmission of a data signal. The data
`signal includes telephone signal data for communications
`with the telephone. The coupler has a data input and a power
`input. Power from the power input is coupled to the data
`signal from the data input and the combined power supply
`current and data signal is coupled to one end of the trans-
`mission line. The opposite end of the transmission line is
`coupled to a power and data decoupler (“the decoupler”).
`The decoupler has a power output and a data output. Both
`the data output and power output of the decoupler are
`coupled to the network device. The combined power and
`data signal is decoupled by the decoupler, and the data signal
`is supplied to the data output and the power is supplied to the
`power output. The invention also includes a telephone
`circuit. The telephone circuit receives the power from the
`power output and receives the telephone signal data. The
`telephone circuit couples the power and the telephone signal
`data together to make a combined power and telephone
`signal, which can be used by the telephone.
`In another embodiment, the invention includes a power
`switch to selectively switch between power from the decou-
`pler and power from an external source. In one embodiment,
`the power switch selects power from the decoupler when a
`power outage, for example, causes the external power source
`to cease supplying power.
`the transmission line includes
`In another embodiment,
`two transmission lines. One of the transmission lines carries
`
`both data and power signals. In another embodiment, data
`and power signals are carried on both of the transmission
`lines.
`
`In other embodiments, the power signal includes alter-
`nating current and/or direct current.
`In another embodiment,
`the transmission lines include
`twisted pair cables. These features of the invention will be
`apparent from the following description which should be
`read in light of the accompanying drawings.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`10
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`FIG. 1 is an overview of an installation of a power transfer
`apparatus that supports both computer data and telephone
`data communications.
`
`65
`
`FIG. 2 is an overview of a power transfer apparatus for
`use with telephone equipment and network devices.
`
`

`

`US 6,449,348 B1
`
`3
`FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a power transfer appa-
`ratus for use with both computer data and telephone data.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`The following describes multiple embodiments of the
`invention. In one embodiment, a coupling device couples a
`telephone signal data and computer data are and transmits
`the combined data to a network device such as a personal
`computer. A network interface card in the computer receives
`the combined data and helps separate the telephone data
`from the computer data. The network interface card then
`transmits the telephone data to a telephone connected to the
`network interface card. When the computer is powered
`down, such as during a power failure, the coupling device
`also couples a power signal to the combined data signal. The
`network interface card uses the power to power the tele-
`phone. Thus, a user can still use the telephone during a
`power failure.
`In another embodiment of the invention, telephone voice
`data (also called bearer data) is formatted as ethernet pack-
`ets. These telephone ethernet packets are communicated
`with the other ethernet packets in an ethernet network. A
`network infrastructure device, such as a hub, receives the
`ethernet packets from the ethernet network, and forwards
`packets addressed to a particular personal computer to that
`personal computer. The personal computer includes a net-
`work interface card. Coupled to the network interface card
`is a telephone. The network interface receives the forwarded
`packets from the hub and extracts the bearer data. The
`network interface card then couples a power signal from the
`personal computer with the bearer data. In the event of a
`power failure, or some other interruption of power from the
`personal computer to the telephone, a coupler circuit in the
`hub couples a power signal with the ethernet packets that are
`being forwarded to the personal computer. The power signal
`from the hub can then be used to power the network
`interface card and the telephone.
`Power Transfer Apparatus Overview
`FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the one embodi-
`ment of the invention including a power transfer apparatus.
`The following lists the elements in FIG. 1 and then describes
`those elements.
`
`FIG. 1 includes the following elements: an external power
`source 150; a power cable 120; a data cable 130; a power and
`data coupler 110; a network cable 160; a power and data
`decoupler 170; a network device 100; a telephone 190; an
`external power source 151; and, a power cable 121.
`The following describes the coupling of the elements of
`FIG. 1. The external power source 150 couples to the power
`and data coupler 110 via the power cable 120. The power
`cable 120 couples to the power and data coupler 110. The
`communications network 140 transmits both computer data
`signals 103 and telephone data signals 102. The communi-
`cations network 140 couples to the data cable 130. The data
`cable 130 couples to the power and data coupler 110. The
`power and data coupler 110 also couples to the network
`cable 160. The network cable 160 couples to the power and
`data decoupler 170. The power and data decoupler 170
`couples to the network device 100 and the telephone 190.
`The external power source 151 couples to the power cable
`121. The power cable 121 couples to both the power and
`data decoupler 170 and to the network device 100.
`The following describes the elements in greater detail and
`describes how the elements act together.
`The external power source 150 provides a power signal
`105 to the power and data coupler 110. Various embodi-
`
`10
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`40
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`
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`65
`
`4
`ments of the invention use different external power sources
`150: such as, a computer’s power supply, a battery, or a wall
`outlet and adaptor. What is important, however, is that there
`is some source of power that can eventually be supplied to
`the network device 100.
`
`In one embodiment, the power cable 120 is a standard two
`wire power cable. Other embodiments use other power
`transfer apparatuses to provide power to the power and data
`coupler 110. For example, in one embodiment, the external
`power source and the power and data coupler 110 are
`included in a hub.
`
`The communications network 140 is representative of
`many different types of communications networks supported
`by various embodiments of the invention. Example commu-
`nications networks 140 include FDDI, ethernet (including
`ten Mbits/s, one hundred Mbits/s, and one Gigabits/s
`standards), ATM, token ring, and AppleTalk. However, what
`is important
`is that a data signal 104 is communicated
`between the communication network 140 and the network
`device 100. Also, the communications network 140 trans-
`mits both computer data signals 103 and the telephone data
`signal 102.
`the telephone data signal 102
`In one embodiment,
`includes the bearer portion of a telephone signal. The bearer
`data is,
`for example,
`the voice signal.
`In another
`embodiment, the telephone data signal includes additional
`data supporting functions such as caller ID and voicemail
`access. The telephone data signal 102 is formatted and
`transmitted in ethernet packets. These ethernet packets are
`formatted the same way as the ethernet packets for the
`computer data 103. Thus, in this embodiment, the data signal
`104 comprises ethernet packets.
`The power and data coupler 110 will normally transmit
`the data signal 104. However, when the power signal 109 is
`not available to power the telephone 190, the power and data
`coupler 110 couples the power signal 105 with the data
`signal 104 to produce a combined power and data signal
`107. The power and data coupler 110 is described in greater
`detail below. What is important is that there is some com-
`bined power and data signal 107 that can eventually be
`supplied to the telephone 190.
`The network cable 160 includes one or more wires for
`
`transmitting the combined power and data signal 107. In one
`embodiment, the network cable 160 includes an CAT-3 or
`CAT-5 twisted pair cable.
`The network device 100 represents a class of devices
`supported by various embodiments of the invention. For
`example,
`in one embodiment,
`the network device 100
`includes a network computer. In another embodiment, the
`network device 100 includes a personal computer having a
`network interface card.
`
`The telephone 190 is coupled to the power and data
`decoupler 170 via the telephone cable 180. The telephone
`190 is representative of any of a number of telephones.
`Various embodiments of the invention include plain old
`telephone service telephones, telephones with PBX features
`(such as are available from Nortel, Rolm, and Lucent
`Technology). In some embodiments,
`the telephones 190
`communicate analog telephone signals over the telephone
`cable 180. In other embodiments, the telephone 190 com-
`municates digital telephone signals over the telephone cable
`180 (in these embodiments, the telephone 190 includes the
`digital
`to analog circuits for converting the users voice
`signal to and from a digital representation). The telephone
`cable 180,
`in one embodiment,
`is a four wire telephone
`cable.
`In other embodiments,
`the telephone cable 180
`includes two wire, six wire, or more, telephone cable.
`
`

`

`US 6,449,348 B1
`
`5
`The external power source 151 provides a power signal
`109 to the network device 100 and to the power and data
`decoupler 170 via the power cable 121. Various embodi-
`ments of the invention use different external power sources
`151: such as, a computer’s power supply, a battery, or a wall
`outlet and adaptor. What is important, however, is that there
`is some source of power that is supplied to the network
`device 100 during normal operation. However, when the
`external power source 151 is not available, such as during a
`power outage or when the power cable 121 is not connected
`to the power and data decoupler 170, the power from the
`combined data and power signal 170 can be used to power
`the telephone 190.
`The power and data decoupler 170 is responsible for
`supplying telephone data and power to the telephone 180,
`and computer data to the network device 100. The power and
`data decoupler 170 combines power, from some source, and
`the telephone data signals to produce the telephone power
`and data signal 108. In normal operation, the power and data
`decoupler 170 combines the power signal 109 with a tele-
`phone data signal extracted the data and power signal 107.
`(In this normal operation, the data and power signal 107 only
`includes data, not power.) When the power signal 109 is not
`available, the power and data decoupler 170 decouples the
`power signal 105 from the data signal 104. The power and
`data decoupler 170 then couples the power signal with the
`telephone data signal to produce the telephone power and
`data signal 108. By being able to continuously power the
`telephone allows the user to use the telephone, even when
`the external power source 151 fails.
`The following describes the general operation of the
`elements of FIG. 1. Atelephone data signal 102 is combined
`with a computer data signal 103 in the communications
`network 140. The data signal 104 is communicated, via the
`data cable 130, between the communications network 140
`and the power and data coupler 110. When the external
`power source 151 is supplying the power signal 109, the
`power and data coupler 110 simply transmits the data signal
`onto the network cable 160 (in this situation, the power and
`data signal 107 does not include a power signal). The power
`and data decoupler 170 receives the power and data signal
`107 and extracts the telephone data signal and the computer
`data signal 106. The computer data signal 106 is commu-
`nicated with the network device 100. The power and data
`decoupler 170 couples the power signal 109 with the tele-
`phone data signal and transmits the combined telephone
`power and data signal 108 to the telephone 190. However,
`when the external power source 151 is not supplying the
`power signal 109, the power and data coupler 110 couples
`the power signal 105 to the data signal 104. In this situation,
`the decoupler 170 decouples the power signal from the
`power and data signal 107. The decoupler 170 still extracts
`the telephone data and computer data signal 106. (If the
`network device 100 is not powered, however, the network
`device 100 will not be processing the computer data signal
`106 that does not include the bearer data.) The decoupler 170
`then couples the extracted telephone data and the decoupled
`power signal to create the telephone power and data signal
`108 for use by the phone 190. Note that even if the external
`power source 151 is not working, the telephone 190 will
`continue to work.
`
`Network Devices Using Power Transfer Apparatuses
`FIG. 2 is an overview of a power transfer apparatus for
`use with network devices including computers. The follow-
`ing lists the elements in FIG. 2 and then describes those
`elements.
`
`FIG. 2 includes the following elements: a PBX 242; a
`network server 240; a network 243; a hub 245; an external
`
`10
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`power source 150; a power outage coupler 200; a power
`outage coupler 202; a coupler 204; a network cable 260; an
`external power source 151; a power cable 220; a computer
`280; a telephone 290; a network cable 262; an external
`power source 152; a power cable 222; a network computer
`282; a telephone 292; a telephone cable 281; a network cable
`264; a network computer 284; a telephone 294; and, a
`telephone cable 283.
`The PBX 242, the network server 240 and the network
`243, work together to provide both telephone data and
`network data to devices coupled to the network 243. The
`PBX 242,
`the network server 240 and the network 243
`represent are example devices that provide the telephone
`functions, network server functions and network functions,
`respectively. In one embodiment, the PBX 242 includes a
`PBX having functions similar to a PBX from, for example,
`Nortel, Rolm, Lucent Technology, or Seimens. However, the
`PBX 242 has been modified to allow the network server 240
`to send the PBX 242’s telephone signal data 102 as ethernet
`packets. Various embodiments of the invention include
`network servers 240 from, for example, Compaq, Hewlett-
`Packard, IBM, and Sun Microsystems. The network server
`240 acts as a server for the network and includes circuitry
`and software for communicating with the PBX 242. In one
`embodiment, the network server supports ethernet protocols
`for communicating data onto the network 243. The network
`243 is illustrative of any of a number of computer networks
`including ethernet, FDDI, AppleTalk, Token Ring, and
`ATM.
`Note, in another embodiment, the PBX 242 is replaced
`with a PBX process running in the network server 240 and
`a gateway. A gateway provides the connection to the public
`switching network for the network 243. Vienna Systems,
`Corporation, of Kanata, Ontario, Canada, provides such a
`gateway.
`The hub 245 couples to the network 243 and allows
`network devices to communicate with the network 243.
`Each device couples to a different port on the hub 245. For
`example, in FIG. 2, each coupler couples to a different port
`on the hub 245. In one embodiment, the hub 245 is not
`needed to supply the data signal. Therefore, in these embodi-
`ments of the invention,
`the data signal is supplied by a
`network computer, a router, a switch, and/or a bridge.
`The external power source 150 provides power to the
`couplers. Each coupler, in this example, has a potentially
`different power requirements, therefore, different external
`power sources may be used. For example,
`to power the
`power outage coupler 200, an adapter can be used. The
`adapter steps down the available electrical power from 117
`or 220 volts AC to an AC or DC voltage that is high enough
`to provide adequate voltage for the telephone 290. In one
`embodiment, the power adaptor supplies an output voltage
`of approximately forty-eight volts. Similar, example power
`adapters are described in US. patent application Ser. No.
`08/865,016, filed on May 29, 1997, entitled, “Power Trans-
`fer Apparatus for Concurrently Transmitting Data and Power
`Over Data Wires,” having inventors David A. Fisher,
`Lawrence M. Burns, and Stephen Muther.
`The couplers (power outage coupler 200, power outage
`coupler 202, and power outage coupler 204) provide similar
`coupling functions as those found in power and data coupler
`110. Each coupler couples power and data signals for use by
`a telephone and some other computing device. The amount
`of power coupled, and when the power is coupled, is what
`varies between the various couplers. This will be described
`in greater detail below. Importantly, these couplers, and the
`present configuration,
`is merely illustrative.
`In some
`embodiments of the invention, each coupler has the same
`functionality.
`
`

`

`US 6,449,348 B1
`
`7
`Note that in other embodiments, the hub 245 includes the
`couplers and the external power source 150.
`The following describes three example power and data
`coupling systems corresponding to coupler 200, coupler
`202, and coupler 204 respectively. Each of these systems
`will now be described.
`The following describes the system associated with the
`coupler 200. The coupler 200 is coupled to the computer 280
`via the network cable 260. The external power source 151
`couples to the computer 280 via the power cable 220. The
`telephone 290 couples to the computer 280. Comparing this
`system to FIG. 1, the computer 280 is the network device
`100, and the computer 280 includes the power and data
`decoupler 170. When the external power source 151 fails, or
`otherwise becomes incapable of supplying power to the
`telephone 290, the power and outage coupler 200 is notified
`to couple power with the data signal from the hub 245. The
`power and data decoupler 170, in the computer 280, can then
`switch the source of power from the external power source
`151 to the power from the network cable 260. This system
`is described in greater detail below with respect to FIG. 3.
`The following describes the system associated with the
`coupler 202. The coupler 202 is coupled to the network
`computer 282. The external power source 152 couples to the
`network computer 282 via the power cable 222. The tele-
`phone 292 couples to the network computer 282 via the
`telephone cable 283. The network computer 282 includes a
`power and data decoupler similar to the one in the system of
`FIG. 1. The power outage coupler 202, and corresponding
`power and data decoupler, operates in a similar manner as
`the power outage coupler 200 system, except that the power
`outage coupler 202 supplies sufficient power to the decou-
`pler to power both the telephone and the network computer
`282.
`In one embodiment, separate power signals (e.g.,
`twenty-four volts DC and forty-eight volts DC) are supplied
`on different pairs of wires within the network cable 262. The
`decoupler decouples both these power signals from any data
`signals. The different power signals are for the different
`power needs of the telephone 292 and the network computer
`282.
`In another embodiment, only one power signal
`is
`transmitted, which is then modified by the decoupler for use
`by the network computer 282 and the telephone 292.
`The following describes the system associated with the
`coupler 204. The coupler 204 is coupled to the network
`computer 284 via the network cable 264. The coupler 204 is
`similar to the power outage coupler 202, but the coupler 204
`constantly supplies the power for the network computer 284
`and the telephone 294.
`In another embodiment of the invention, the decoupler
`170 is included in a telephone 190. In this embodiment, the
`telephone couples directly to a coupler such as coupler 204
`and no computer is needed. In one embodiment where the
`telephone includes the decoupler, the telephone couples to a
`hub. The hub includes the coupler. The ethernet packets
`passed from the hub to the telephone include only bearer
`data. In another embodiment, the ethernet packets include
`additional data for controlling the telephone. Such data
`includes other telephone data such as caller ID information,
`requests to the PBX 242, and the like.
`In another
`embodiment,
`the data also includes computer data for a
`computer built into the telephone.
`In another embodiment of the invention, the telephone
`includes the decoupler 170 and has network infrastructure
`functions, such as repeater functions. This allows the tele-
`phone to forward any packets it receives to any additional
`network devices that are downstream from the telephone.
`In another embodiment, the telephone has its own exter-
`nal power supply, such as a battery or a wall adapter. The
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`coupler couples a power signal to the network cable 160
`when the telephone’s power supply fails.
`Schematic Diagram of a Power Transfer Apparatus
`FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a power transfer appa-
`ratus that supports telephone features. This apparatus cor-
`responds to the system associated with the coupler 200 in
`FIG. 2. The following first lists the elements in FIG. 3, then
`describes the elements’ couplings, and then describes the
`elements’ interactions.
`
`FIG. 3 includes the power cable 322, the data cable 130,
`a power outage coupler 200, the network cable 260, the
`computer 280, the telephone 290, the telephone cable 281,
`the external power source 151, and the computer power
`cable 220. The computer 280 includes a network interface
`card (NIC) 300, a processor subsystem 330, and a power
`subsystem 340. The NIC 300 includes a power outage
`decoupler 370, a network interface and telephony circuit
`320, a power source switch 390, and a telephone coupler
`345.
`
`The elements of FIG. 3 are coupled as follows. The power
`cable 322, the data cable 130, and the network cable 260 are
`coupled to the power outage coupler 200 in the same way as
`shown in FIG. 1. The network cable 260 also couples to the
`input port of the power outage decoupler 370 on the NIC
`300. The data output port of the decoupler 370 couples to the
`network interface and telephony circuit 320. The computer
`data port of the network interface and telephony circuit 320
`couples to the processor subsystem 330. The power output
`port of the decoupler 370 couples to one of the two inputs
`of the power source switch 390. The other input of the power
`source switch 390 is coupled to the power subsystem 340.
`The power subsystem 340 also couples to the processor
`subsystem 330 and to the external power source 151 (via the
`computer power cable 220). The output of the power source
`switch 390 couples to the power input ports of the network
`interface and telephony circuit 320 and the telephone cou-
`pler 345. The telephone data port of the network interface
`and telephony circuit 320 is coupled to the data input port of
`the telephony coupler 345. The output of the telephone
`