IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`PATENT
`
`Application No.:
`
`12/239,001
`
`Filing Date:
`
`September 26, 2008
`
`Applicant:
`
`John F. Austermann Ill
`
`Group Art Unit:
`
`2416
`
`Examiner:
`
`Not Yet Assigned
`
`Title:
`
`SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATING WITH ELECTRONIC
`EQUIPMENT ON A NETWORK
`
`Attorney Docket:
`
`9919-000002/US/COE
`
`Director of The United States Patent and Trademark Office
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`RESPONSE TO RESTRICTION REQUIREMENT
`
`Sir:
`
`In response to the Restriction Requirement mailed October 26, 2010, Applicants
`
`elect the claims currently set forth in the present application (namely, Claims 425-484)
`
`and cancel the remaining claims without prejudice or disclaimer of the subject matter.
`
`Applicants preserve their right to pursue the canceled claims in continuing applications.
`
`Applicant hereby petitions under the provisions of 37 C.F.R. § 1.136(a) for an
`
`extension of time in which to respond to the outstanding Restriction Requirement and
`
`includes a fee as set forth in 37 C.F.R. § 1.17(a) with this response for such extension
`
`of time.
`
`Page 1
`
` Dell Inc.
` Exhibit 1023
`
`
`
`PATENT
`
`Application No.:
`
`12/239,001
`
`Filing Date:
`
`September 26, 2008
`
`Applicant:
`
`John F. Austermann Ill
`
`Group Art Unit:
`
`2416
`
`Examiner:
`
`Not Yet Assigned
`
`Title:
`
`SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATING WITH ELECTRONIC
`EQUIPMENT ON A NETWORK
`
`Attorney Docket:
`
`9919-000002/US/COE
`
`Director of The United States Patent and Trademark Office
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`RESPONSE TO RESTRICTION REQUIREMENT
`
`Sir:
`
`In response to the Restriction Requirement mailed October 26, 2010, Applicants
`
`elect the claims currently set forth in the present application (namely, Claims 425-484)
`
`and cancel the remaining claims without prejudice or disclaimer of the subject matter.
`
`Applicants preserve their right to pursue the canceled claims in continuing applications.
`
`Applicant hereby petitions under the provisions of 37 C.F.R. § 1.136(a) for an
`
`extension of time in which to respond to the outstanding Restriction Requirement and
`
`includes a fee as set forth in 37 C.F.R. § 1.17(a) with this response for such extension
`
`of time.
`
`Page 1
`
` Dell Inc.
` Exhibit 1023
`
`
`
`Amendments to the Claims begin on page 3 of this paper.
`
`Remarks begin on page 16 of this paper.
`
`Serial No. 12/239,001
`
`Page 2 of 16
`
`Page 2
`
`
`
`AMENDMENTSTOTHECL~MS
`
`The following listing of claims will replace all prior versions and listings of claims
`
`in the application.
`
`LISTING OF CLAIMS
`
`1-424. (Cancelled)
`
`425.
`
`(New) A method for adapting a piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment,
`
`the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment having an Ethernet connector, the
`
`method comprising:
`
`selecting contacts of the Ethernet connector comprising a plurality of contacts,
`
`the selected contacts comprising at least one of the plurality of contacts of the Ethernet
`
`connector and at least another one of the plurality of contacts of the Ethernet connector;
`
`coupling at least one path across the selected contacts of the Ethernet
`
`connector; and
`
`associating information about the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment to
`
`impedance within the at least one path.
`
`426.
`
`(New) The method according to Claim 425 wherein the piece of Ethernet
`
`data terminal equipment is a personal computer.
`
`Serial No. 12/239,001
`
`Page 3 of 16
`
`Page 3
`
`
`
`427.
`
`(New) The method according to Claim 425 wherein the associating
`
`information about the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment to impedance within
`
`the at least one path comprises associating distinguishing information about the piece of
`
`Ethernet data terminal equipment to impedance within the at least one path.
`
`428.
`
`(New) The method according to Claim 425 wherein the Ethernet connector
`
`comprising the plurality of contacts is an RJ45 jack comprising the contact 1 through the
`
`contact 8.
`
`429.
`
`(New) The method according to Claim 425 wherein the impedance within
`
`the at least one path is part of a detection protocol.
`
`430.
`
`(New) The method according to Claim 425 wherein the piece of Ethernet
`
`data terminal equipment is a piece of BaseT Ethernet data terminal equipment.
`
`431.
`
`(New) The method according to Claim 425 wherein the at least one of the
`
`plurality of contacts of the Ethernet connector comprises two of the plurality of contacts
`
`of the Ethernet connector.
`
`432.
`
`(New) The method according to Claim 425 wherein the at least another
`
`one of the plurality of contacts of the Ethernet connector comprises two of the plurality
`
`of contacts of the Ethernet connector.
`
`Serial No. 12/239,001
`
`Page 4 of 16
`
`Page 4
`
`
`
`433.
`
`(New) The method according to Claim 425 wherein the Ethernet connector
`
`is an RJ45 jack comprising the contact 1 through the contact 8, the at least one of the
`
`plurality of contacts of the Ethernet connector comprises two of the plurality of contacts
`
`of the Ethernet connector and the two of the plurality of contacts comprise the contact 3
`
`and the contact 6.
`
`434.
`
`(New) The method according to Claim 425 wherein the coupling at least
`
`one path across the selected contacts comprises coupling at least one path having at
`
`least one resistor.
`
`435.
`
`(New) The method according to Claim 425 wherein the coupling at least
`
`one path across the selected contacts comprises coupling two paths across the
`
`selected contacts.
`
`436.
`
`(New) The method according to Claim 425 wherein the coupling at least
`
`one path across the selected contacts comprises coupling two paths across the
`
`selected contacts, at least one of the two paths having a zener diode.
`
`437.
`
`(New) The method according to Claim 425 wherein the coupling at least
`
`one path across the selected contacts comprises coupling at least one path having a
`
`controller across the selected contacts.
`
`Serial No. 12/239,001
`
`Page 5 of 16
`
`Page 5
`
`
`
`438.
`
`(New) The method according
`
`to Claim 425 wherein
`
`the Ethernet
`
`connector is an RJ45 jack comprising the contact 1 through the contact 8 and the piece
`
`of Ethernet data terminal equipment is a piece of Basel Ethernet terminal data
`
`equipment.
`
`439.
`
`(New) The method according
`
`to Claim 425 wherein
`
`the Ethernet
`
`connector is an RJ45 jack comprising the contact 1 through the contact 8 and the
`
`associating information about the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment to
`
`impedance within the at least one path comprises associating distinguishing information
`
`about the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment to impedance within the at least
`
`one path.
`
`440.
`
`(New) The method according to Claim 425 wherein the associating
`
`information about the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment to impedance within
`
`the at least one path comprises associating distinguishing information about the piece of
`
`Ethernet data terminal equipment to impedance within the at least one path and the
`
`piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment is a piece of Basel Ethernet data terminal
`
`equipment.
`
`Serial No. 12/239,001
`
`Page 6 of 16
`
`Page 6
`
`
`
`441.
`
`(New) The method according
`
`to Claim 425 wherein
`
`the Ethernet
`
`connector is an RJ45 jack comprising the contact 1 through the contact 8, the piece of
`
`Ethernet data terminal equipment is a piece of BaseT Ethernet data terminal equipment
`
`and the associating information about the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment to
`
`impedance within the at least one path comprises associating distinguishing information
`
`about the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment to impedance within the at least
`
`one path.
`
`442.
`
`(New) The method according to Claim 425 wherein the associating
`
`information about the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment to impedance within
`
`the at least one path comprises associating information related to an electrical aspect of
`
`the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment to impedance within the at least one path.
`
`443.
`
`(New) The method according to Claim 425 wherein the associating
`
`information about the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment to impedance within
`
`the at least one path comprises associating information related to a physical aspect of
`
`the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment to impedance within the at least one path.
`
`444.
`
`(New) The method according to Claim 425 wherein the associating
`
`information about the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment to impedance within
`
`the at least one path comprises associating information about the piece of Ethernet data
`
`terminal equipment to impedance within the at least one path having at least one
`
`predetermined duration.
`
`Serial No. 12/239,001
`
`Page 7 of 16
`
`Page 7
`
`
`
`445.
`
`(New) The method according to Claim 444 wherein the impedance within
`
`the at least one path is between 1 Ok Ohms and 15k Ohms.
`
`446.
`
`(New) The method according to Claim 425 wherein the impedance within
`
`the at least one path is a function of voltage across the selected contacts.
`
`44 7.
`
`(New) The method according to Claim 425 wherein the at least one path
`
`includes the center tap of at least one isolation transformer.
`
`448.
`
`(New) The method according to Claim 425 further comprising physically
`
`connecting the adapted piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment to a network.
`
`449.
`
`(New) The method according to Claim 425 wherein the selected contacts
`
`are the same contacts used for normal network communication.
`
`450.
`
`(New) The method according to Claim 449 wherein the normal network
`
`communication is BaseT Ethernet communication.
`
`451.
`
`(New) The method according to Claims 425 wherein the at least one path
`
`coupled across the selected contacts is formed through the piece of Ethernet data
`
`terminal equipment.
`
`Serial No. 12/239,001
`
`Page 8 of 16
`
`Page 8
`
`
`
`452.
`
`(New) The method according to any one of Claims 425 through 450
`
`wherein the at least one path coupled across the selected contacts is formed through
`
`the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment.
`
`453.
`
`(New) The method according to any one of Claims 425 through 448 and
`
`Claim 451 wherein the selected contacts are the same contacts used for normal
`
`network communication.
`
`454.
`
`(New) The method according to Claim 453 wherein the normal network
`
`communication is BaseT Ethernet communication.
`
`455.
`
`(New) An adapted piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment comprising;
`
`an Ethernet connector comprising a plurality of contacts; and
`
`at least one path coupled across selected contacts, the selected contacts
`
`comprising at least one of the plurality of contacts of the Ethernet connector and at least
`
`another one of the plurality of contacts of the Ethernet connector, information about the
`
`piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment associated to impedance within the at least
`
`one path.
`
`456.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to Claim
`
`455 wherein the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment is a personal computer.
`
`Serial No. 12/239,001
`
`Page 9 of 16
`
`Page 9
`
`
`
`457.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to Claim
`
`455 wherein the information about the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment
`
`associated to impedance within the at least one path comprises distinguishing
`
`information about the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment.
`
`458.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to Claim
`
`455 wherein the Ethernet connector is an RJ45 jack and the plurality of contacts
`
`comprises the contact 1 through the contact 8 of the RJ45 jack.
`
`459.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to Claim
`
`455 wherein the impedance within the at least one path is part of a detection protocoL
`
`460.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to Claim
`
`455 wherein the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment is a piece of BaseT Ethernet
`
`data terminal equipment.
`
`461.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to Claim
`
`455 wherein the at least one of the plurality of contacts of the Ethernet connector
`
`comprises two of the plurality of contacts of the Ethernet connector.
`
`462.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to Claim
`
`455 wherein the at least another one of the plurality of contacts of the Ethernet
`
`connector comprises two of the plurality of contacts of the Ethernet connector.
`
`Serial No. 12/239,001
`
`Page 10 of 16
`
`Page 10
`
`
`
`463.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to Claim
`
`455 wherein the Ethernet connector is an RJ45 jack comprising the contact 1 through
`
`the contact 8, the at least one of the plurality of contacts of the Ethernet connector
`
`comprises two of the plurality of contacts of the Ethernet connector and the two of the
`
`plurality of contacts comprise the contact 3 and the contact 6.
`
`464.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to Claim
`
`455 wherein the at least one path comprises at least one resistor.
`
`465.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to Claim
`
`455 wherein the at least one path comprises two paths.
`
`466.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to Claim
`
`465 wherein one of the two paths comprises a zener diode.
`
`467.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to Claim
`
`455 wherein the at least one path comprises a controller.
`
`468.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to Claim
`
`455 wherein the Ethernet connector is an RJ45 jack comprising the contact 1 through
`
`the contact 8 and the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment is a piece of BaseT
`
`Ethernet data terminal equipment.
`
`Serial No. 12/239,001
`
`Page 11 of 16
`
`Page 11
`
`
`
`469.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to Claim
`
`455 wherein the Ethernet connector is an RJ45 jack comprising the contact 1 through
`
`the contact 8 and the information about the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment
`
`associated to impedance within the at least one path comprises distinguishing
`
`information about the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment.
`
`470.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to Claim
`
`455 wherein the information about the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment
`
`associated to
`
`impedance within the at least one path comprises distinguishing
`
`information about the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment and the piece of
`
`Ethernet data terminal equipment is a piece of BaseT Ethernet data terminal equipment.
`
`471.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to Claim
`
`455 wherein the Ethernet connector is an RJ45 jack comprising the contact 1 through
`
`the contact 8, the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment is a piece of BaseT
`
`Ethernet data terminal equipment and the information about the piece of Ethernet data
`
`terminal equipment associated to impedance within the at least one path comprises
`
`distinguishing information about the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment.
`
`4 72.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to Claim
`
`455 wherein the information is related to an electrical aspect of the piece of Ethernet
`
`data terminal equipment.
`
`Serial No. 12/239,001
`
`Page 12 of 16
`
`Page 12
`
`
`
`4 73.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to Claim
`
`455 wherein the information is related to a physical aspect of the piece of Ethernet data
`
`terminal equipment.
`
`4 7 4.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to Claim
`
`455 wherein the information about the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment
`
`associated to impedance within the at least one path comprises information about the
`
`piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment associated to impedance within the at least
`
`one path having a predetermined time duration.
`
`475.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to Claim
`
`4 7 4 wherein impedance within the at least one path is between 1 Ok Ohms and 15k
`
`Ohms.
`
`4 76.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to Claim
`
`455 wherein the impedance within the at least one path is a function of voltage across
`
`the selected contacts.
`
`477.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to Claim
`
`455 wherein the at least one path includes the center tap of at least one isolation
`
`transformer.
`
`Serial No. 12/239,001
`
`Page 13 of 16
`
`Page 13
`
`
`
`4 78.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to Claim
`
`455 wherein the adapted piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment is physically
`
`connected to a network.
`
`479.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to Claim
`
`455 wherein the selected contacts are the same contacts used for normal network
`
`communication.
`
`480.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to Claim
`
`479 wherein the normal network communication is Basel Ethernet communication.
`
`481.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to Claim
`
`455 wherein the at least one path coupled across the selected contacts is formed
`
`through the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment.
`
`482.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to any
`
`one of Claims 455 through 480 wherein the at least one path coupled across the
`
`selected contacts is formed through the piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment.
`
`483.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to any
`
`one of Claims 455 through 478 and Claim 481 wherein the selected contacts are the
`
`same contacts used for normal network communication.
`
`Serial No. 12/239,001
`
`Page 14 of 16
`
`Page 14
`
`
`
`484.
`
`(New) The piece of Ethernet data terminal equipment according to Claim
`
`483 wherein the normal network communication is BaseT Ethernet communication .
`
`.-:,
`
`Serial No. 12/239,001
`
`Page 15 of 16
`
`Page 15
`
`
`
`REMARKS
`
`In response to the Restriction Requirement, Applicants elect newly added Claims
`
`425-484. Claims 1-424 have been canceled to expedite prosecution of the present
`
`application. Applicants believe the present Response is complete and responsive to the
`
`outstanding Restriction Requirement.
`
`Favorable consideration of the now presented claims is requested.
`
`If the
`
`Examiner believes that personal communication will expedite prosecution of this
`
`application, the Examiner is invited to telephone the undersigned at (248) 641-1600.
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`By: G~G!:~~----
`
`Reg. No. 27,382
`Jeffrey L. Snyder
`Reg. No. 43,141
`
`Dated: March 25. 2011
`
`HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
`P.O. Box828
`Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48303
`(248) 641-1600
`
`GGS/JLS/kam
`
`15988334.1
`
`·-
`
`~
`
`Serial No. 12/239,001
`
`Page 16 of 16
`
`Page 16
`
`
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`PATENT
`
`Application No.:
`
`12/239,001
`
`Filing Date:
`
`September 26, 2008
`
`Applicant:
`
`John F. Austermann, Ill
`
`Group Art Unit:
`
`2612
`
`Examiner:
`
`N/A
`
`Title:
`
`SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATING WITH ELECTRONIC
`EQUIPMENT ON A NETWORK
`
`Attorney Docket:
`
`9919-000002/COE
`
`Mail Stop Amendment
`Commissioner for Patents
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`SECOND PRELIMINARY AMENDMENT
`
`Sir:
`
`Prior to examination of the present application, please consider the following.
`
`Amendments to the Specification begin on page 2 of this paper.
`
`Amendments to the Claims begin on page 3 of this paper.
`
`Remarks begin on page 32 of this paper.
`
`12239001
`
`Page 17
`
`
`
`AMENDMENTS TO THE SPECIFICATION
`
`Please replace Paragraph [0001] with the following paragraph rewritten in
`
`amendment format:
`
`[0001]
`
`This application is a continuation application of U.S. Serial No.
`
`10/668,708 filed September 23, 2003, now U.S. Patent No. 7,457,250, issued November
`
`25, 2008, which is a continuation of ,U.S. patent application Serial No. 09/370,430 filed
`
`August 9, 1999, now U.S. Patent No. 6,650,622 issued November 18, 2003, which is a
`
`continuation-in-part under 35 U.S.C. §111 and §120 of international application
`
`PCT/US99/07846, filed April 8, 1999, designating, inter alia, the United States, and which
`
`claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/081,279 filed April10, 1998. The
`
`entire content of each of the above mentioned applications and patents are incorporated
`
`herein by reference.
`
`Serial No. 12/239,001
`
`Page 2 of 32
`
`Page 18
`
`
`
`•'
`
`AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS
`
`The following listing of claims will replace all prior versions and listings of claims
`
`in the application.
`
`LISTING OF CLAIMS
`
`1-74. (Cancelled)
`
`75.
`
`(New) A system for conveying information on a network having objects
`
`that connect to the network by mediums having a plurality of conductors therein, said
`
`system comprising:
`
`a separate medium that connects between each object and a central module,
`
`each medium having a plurality of conductors therein, the central module utilized to alter
`
`a flow of current within at least two selected conductors in each medium so as to
`
`convey information about an object to the central module while the object is physically
`
`connected to the network.
`
`76.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the selected conductors form a
`
`current loop through the object and the information is utilized to change the impedance
`
`of the current loop. ·
`
`77.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the altered current flow includes
`
`two or more changes.
`
`78.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the flow of current is a DC current
`
`flow and the altered current flow includes at least one change in the magnitude.
`
`79.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the current flows through a center-
`
`tap of at least one isolation transformer.
`
`Serial No. 12/239,001
`
`Page 3 of 32
`
`Page 19
`
`
`
`80.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the central module is integrated
`
`into an Ethernet hub having four or more RJ45 ports.
`
`81.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein a pass-through device is installed
`
`into the object.
`
`82.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein a pass-through device is integrated
`
`into the object.
`
`83.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the information identifies the object
`
`can receive one or more electrical signals from the central module.
`
`84.
`
`(New) The system of claim 83 wherein at least one electrical signal is a
`
`power signal.
`
`85.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the central module utilizes the flow
`
`of current to count the number of objects.
`
`86.
`
`(New) The system of claim 76 wherein the flow of current through the
`
`current loop indicates the physical connection of the object to the network.
`
`87.
`
`(New) The system of claim 86 wherein the flow of current is a DC current
`
`flow.
`
`88.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the information is utilized within an
`
`integrated circuit.
`
`89.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the object is an asset.
`
`90.
`
`(New) The system of claim 89 wherein the port location of the asset is
`
`tracked.
`
`91.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the information can be conveyed
`
`regardless of normal network communication.
`
`Serial No. 12/239,001
`
`Page 4 of 32
`
`Page 20
`
`
`
`,,
`
`92.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the altered current flow includes
`
`one or more changes, each change having a duration of at least 833 microseconds.
`
`93.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the central module includes a
`
`receiver.
`
`94.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the altered current flow results
`
`from at least one change in voltage across the selected conductors.
`
`95.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the altered current flow results from
`
`at least one change in impedance across the selected conductors.
`
`96.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the number of selected conductors
`
`is at least four.
`
`97.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the information identifies one or
`
`more attributes of the object.
`
`98.
`
`(New) The system of claim 97 wherein at least one attribute is an
`
`electronic attribute.
`
`99.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the central module interrogates the
`
`object connected to the network.
`
`100.
`
`(New) The system of claim 99 wherein the central module provides one or
`
`more electrical signals to the object based upon the interrogation.
`
`101.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the flow of current through a
`
`current loop indicates the physical connection of the object to the network.
`
`102.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the central module identifies the
`
`existence and port location of the object.
`
`Serial No. 12/239,001
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`Page 5 of 32
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`Page 21
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`
`
`103.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the information can be conveyed
`
`even if the object is powered off.
`
`· 104.
`
`(New) The system of claim 100 wherein at least one electrical signal is a
`
`power signal.
`
`105.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the network employs a 1 OBaseT
`
`wiring scheme.
`
`106.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein each medium employs twisted pair
`
`Ethernet cabling.
`
`107.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the normal network communication
`
`is BASE-T Ethernet.
`
`1 08.
`
`(New) The system of claim 109 wherein the circuitry consists of one or
`
`more electrical components.
`
`109.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the information identifies circuitry
`
`within the object.
`
`11 0.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the object includes a network
`
`connector.
`
`111.
`
`(New) The system of claim 11 0 wherein the network connector is an RJ
`
`45 connector.
`
`112.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the altered current flow includes
`
`one or more changes, each change having a duration of at least 17 microseconds.
`
`113.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the information is utilized to change
`
`the impedance across the selected conductors.
`
`Serial No. 12/239,001
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`Page 6 of 32
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`Page 22
`
`
`
`114.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the information is utilized to
`
`selectively provide one or more electrical signals to one or more objects.
`
`115.
`
`(New) The system of claim 114 wherein at least one electrical signal is a
`
`power signal.
`
`116.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the central module selectively
`
`provides one or more electrical signals to one or more objects.
`
`117.
`
`(New) The system of claim 116 wherein at least one electrical signal is a
`
`power signal.
`
`118.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein centralized network equipment is
`
`adapted to include the central module.
`
`119.
`
`(New) The system of claim 118 wherein the centralized network
`
`equipment has four or more RJ45 ports.
`
`120.
`
`(New) The system of claim 119 wherein the port location of the object is
`
`tracked.
`
`121.
`
`(New) The system of claim 118 wherein the centralized network
`
`equipment is an Ethernet hub.
`
`122.
`
`(New) The system of claim 121 wherein the hub has four or more RJ45
`
`ports.
`
`123.
`
`(New) The system of claim 122 wherein the port location of the object is
`
`tracked.
`
`124.
`
`(New) The system of claim 118 wherein the centralized network
`
`equipment is a patch panel.
`
`Serial No. 12/239,001
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`Page 7 of 32
`
`Page 23
`
`
`
`125.
`
`(New) The system of claim 124 wherein the patch panel has four or more
`
`RJ45 ports.
`
`126.
`
`(New) The system of claim 125 wherein the port location of the object is
`
`tracked.
`
`127.
`
`(New) The system of claim 136 wherein the flow of current through the
`
`current loop indicates the physical connection of the object to the network.
`
`128.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the information uniquely identifies
`
`the object.
`
`129.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the selected conductors are used
`
`in normal network communication.
`
`130.
`
`(New) The system of claim 129 wherein the number of selected
`
`conductors is at least four.
`
`131.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the information identifies the object
`
`cannot receive one or more electrical signals from the central module.
`
`132.
`
`(New) The system of claim 131 wherein at least one electrical signal is a
`
`power signal.
`
`133.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the object includes center tap
`
`transformers and the selected conductors form a current loop through the center taps.
`
`134.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the information is utilized to change
`
`circuitry across the selected conductors.
`
`135.
`
`(New) The system of claim 134 wherein the circuitry consists of one or
`
`more electrical components within the object.
`
`Serial No. 12/239,001
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`Page 8 of 32
`
`Page 24
`
`
`
`136.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the information is utilized to change
`
`the impedance of a current loop.
`
`137.
`
`(New) The system of claim 75 wherein the network is an Ethernet network.
`
`138.
`
`(New) The systems according to any one of claims 75-136 wherein the
`
`network is an Ethernet network, each object is a piece of Ethernet equipment and the
`
`information can be utilized to distinguish between pieces of Ethernet equipment.
`
`139.
`
`(New) A method for conveying information on a network having objects
`
`that connect to the network by mediums having a plurality of conductors therein, said
`
`method comprising:
`
`connecting a separate medium between each object and a central module, each
`
`medium having a plurality of conductors therein,
`
`selecting a number of conductors within each medium,
`
`applying at least one power source to the selected conductors, and
`
`utilizing the central module to alter a flow of current within the selected
`
`conductors of each medium so as to convey information about an object to the central
`
`module while the object is physically connected to the network.
`
`140.
`
`(New) The method of claim 139 wherein the altered current flow includes
`
`one or more changes, each change having a duration of at least 833 microseconds.
`
`141 .
`
`(New) The method of claim 139 wherein the altered current flow includes
`
`two or more changes.
`
`142.
`
`(New) The method of claim 139 wherein the flow of current is a DC current
`
`flow and the altered current flow includes at least one change in the magnitude.
`
`Serial No. 12/239,001
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`Page 9 of 32
`
`Page 25
`
`
`
`143.
`
`(New) The method of claim 139 wherein the current flows through a
`
`center-tap of at least one isolation transformer.
`
`144.
`
`(New) The method of claim 139 wherein the central module is integrated
`
`into an Ethernet hub having four or more ports.
`
`145.
`
`(New) The method of claim 139 wherein a pass-through device is installed
`
`into the object.
`
`146.
`
`(New) The method of claim 139 wherein a pass-through device is
`
`integrated into the object.
`
`14 7.
`
`(New) The method of claim 139 wherein the information identifies the
`
`object can receive one or more electrical signals from the central module.
`
`148.
`
`(New) The method of claim 147 wherein at least one electrical signal is a
`
`power signal.
`
`149.
`
`(New) The method of claim 139 wherein the central module utilizes the
`
`flow of current to count the number of objects.
`
`150.
`
`(New) The method of claim 156 wherein the flow of current through the
`
`current loop indicates the physical connection of the object to the network.
`
`151.
`
`(New) The method of claim 150 wherein the flow of current is a DC current
`
`flow.
`
`152.
`
`(New) The method of claim 139 wherein the information is utilized within
`
`an integrated circuit.
`
`153.
`
`(New) The method of claim 139 wherein the object is an asset.
`
`154.
`
`(New) The method of claim 153 wherein the port location of the asset is
`
`tracked.
`
`Serial No. 12/239,001
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`Page 10 of 32
`
`Page 26
`
`
`
`155.
`
`(New) The method of claim 139 wherein the information can be conveyed
`
`regardless of normal network communication.
`
`156.
`
`(New) The method of claim 139 wherein the selected conductors form a
`
`current loop through the object and the information is utilized to change the impedance
`
`of the current loop.
`
`157.
`
`(New) The method of claim 139 wherein the central module includes a
`
`receiver.
`
`158.
`
`(New) The method of claim 139 wherein the altered current flow results
`
`from at least one change in voltage across the selected conductors.
`
`159.
`
`(New) The method of claim 139 wherein the altered current flow results
`
`from at least one change in impedance across the selected conductors.
`
`160.
`
`(New) The method of claim 139 wherein the number of selected
`
`conductors is at least four.
`
`161.
`
`(New) The method of claim 139 wherein the information identifies one or
`
`more attributes of the object.
`
`162.
`
`(New) The method of claim 161 wherein at least one attribute is an
`
`electronic attribute.
`
`163.
`
`(New) The method of claim 139 wherein the central module interrogates
`
`the object connected to the network.
`
`164.
`
`(New) The method of claim 163 wherein the central module provides one
`
`or more electrical signals to the object based upon the interrogation.
`
`165.
`
`(New) The method of claim 139 wherein the flow of current through a
`
`current loop indicates the physical connection of the object to the network.
`
`Serial No. 12/239,001
`
`Page 11 of 32
`
`Page 27
`
`
`
`166.
`
`(New) The method of claim 139 wherein the central module identifies the
`
`existence and port location of the object.
`
`167.
`
`(New) The method of claim 139 wherein the information can be conveyed
`
`even if the object is powered off.
`
`168.
`
`(New) The method of claim 164 wherein at least one electrical signal is a
`
`power signal.
`
`169.
`
`(New) The method of claim 139 wherein the network employs a 10BaseT
`
`wiring scheme.
`
`170.
`
`(New) The method of claim 139 wherein ea
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