(12) United States Patent
`Narasimhan et al.
`
`USOO6446192B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,446,192 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Sep. 3, 2002
`
`(54) REMOTE MONITORING AND CONTROL OF
`EQUIPMENT OVER COMPUTER
`NETWORKS USING ASINGLE WEB
`INTERFACING CHIP
`
`(75) Inventors: Subram Narasimhan, Saratoga; Curtis
`Allred, Cupertino; Mark Stemm,
`Berkeley, all of CA (US); Hari
`Balakrishnan, Winchester, MA (US)
`(73) ASSignee: y Networks, Inc., Sunnyvale,
`
`c:
`(*) Notice:
`
`0
`-
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/326,105
`(22) Filed:
`Jun. 4, 1999
`(51) Int. Cl." ............................. G06F 9/54; G06F 6/45;
`G06F 13/42; G06F 15/173
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................. 712/29, 712/28; 712/31;
`709/203; 709/230; 709/236; 709/211; 709/328;
`717/118; 717/136; 717/148
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 709/319, 320,
`709/311, 332, 219, 210, 315, 329, 218,
`203, 230, 224, 232, 226, 234, 236. 245
`250. 253. 32s. 324. 2. 221. 209. 231.
`235,462.15. 472,01712217. 2s. 30. 31.
`29, 38, 32; 713/201, 167, 153, 165, 200,
`151, 202; 702/122; 707/513,501, 2, 103,
`104, 5, 3, 10; 705/51.14, 54; 717/118, 136,
`148
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,761,430 A
`6/1998 Gross et al. ................ 709/225
`
`8/1998 Ezekiel ....................... 702/122
`5,790,977 A
`5,905,248 A * 5/1999 Russell et al. .............. 709/218
`6,154,843 A 11/2000 Hart, Jr. et al. ............. 713/201
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner Daniel H. Pan
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Lumen Intellectual
`Property Services, Inc.
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`
`A Single integrated circuit chip interfaces device control
`circuitry of a device to a client machine via a computer
`network. The chip comprises an internal data bus, a central
`processing unit connected to the internal data bus, an
`internal memory connected to the internal data bus, a device
`interface connected to the internal data bus, wherein the
`device interface comprises circuit blocks for communicatin
`digital information E. the integrated circuit and E.
`device control circuitry; and a network interface connected
`to the internal data bus, wherein the network interface
`comprises circuit blocks for communicating digital infor
`mation between the integrated circuit and the computer
`network. The internal memory comprises instructions for
`implementing complete internet protocol functionality on
`the network; translating information between network pro
`tocol formats and a format of the device; transferring
`information between the network and the device control
`circuitry; and Sending customized Software to the client
`machine over the network, wherein the Software is execut
`able on the client machine, and wherein the Software enables
`the client machine to generate device control Signals and to
`receive device Status information. The Single integrated
`circuit chip provides inexpensive, compact, powerful, and
`Versatile interfacing of a large variety of devices to high
`performance computer networkS.
`
`11 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`Network
`32
`
`Device
`Network
`Control
`Interface
`Circuitry
`Chip
`36
`38
`Device/Equipment 34
`
`Device
`NetWork
`Control
`Interface
`Circuitry
`Chip
`38
`36
`Device/Eduipment 34
`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 3, 2002
`
`Sheet 1 of 12
`
`US 6,446,192 B1
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`NetWOrk
`32
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`FIG. 1A
`(PRIOR ART)
`
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`Device/Equipment 22
`Device
`Device
`Interface
`Control
`Chip
`Circuitry
`24
`26
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`28 Lightweight Local Link
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`28 Lightweight Local Link
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`Device
`Device
`Control
`Interface
`Circuitry
`Chip
`26
`24
`Device/Equipment 22
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 3, 2002
`
`Sheet 2 of 12
`
`US 6,446,192 B1
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`FIG. 1B
`
`
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`NetWOrk
`32
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`Client
`3O
`
`Device
`NetWork
`Control
`Interface
`Circuitry
`Chip
`38
`36
`Device/Equipment 34
`
`Device
`NetWOrk
`Control
`Interface
`Circuitry
`Chip
`38
`36
`Device/Equipment 34
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 3, 2002
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`Sheet 3 of 12
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`US 6,446,192 B1
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`Parallel BUS
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`Programmable I/O
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`- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
`
`interface
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`Paralle I/O I/F
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`Serial I/O /F
`
`PIOI/F I/F
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`|Packet AP SOCkets AP Custom AP File Call AP E-Mail AP Data AP
`-----------
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`
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`Network
`Interface
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`U
`
`: Network
`MI
`: Interface
`Connection 42
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`- - - - - - - - - - - - -a as a
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`m n is a s as no e s are - r
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`s - - - - - - a - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 3, 2002
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`Sheet 4 of 12
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`US 6,446,192 B1
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`FIG. 3
`
`DEVICE PROTOCOL:
`Variable Query/Change
`PrOCedure Call
`RaW Data
`
`DEVICE I/F HARDWARE:
`Paralle CPUBUS
`Serial
`Programmable I/O
`
`CHIPSERVICES:
`Full Web Server
`E-mail
`SOckets
`Data Pass-Through
`
`CHIP HARDWARE:
`Single Chip
`Optional Off-Chip PROM
`
`NETWORKPROTOCOL.
`TCP/IP
`HTTP
`SMTP
`RaW SOcket Data
`Custom Protocols
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`NETWORK HARDWARE:
`Internet
`Intranet/Ethernet
`MOCem/PPP
`WireleSS
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`CLIENTSOFTWARE:
`Java Applet
`HTML Interface
`Custom Application
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`CLIENT HARDWARE:
`WorkStation
`Laptop Computer
`Palmtop Computer
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 3, 2002
`
`Sheet S of 12
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`US 6,446,192 B1
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`FIG. 4
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`NetWork
`32
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`Device/Equipment 34
`Device
`NetWOrk
`Control
`Interface
`Circuitry
`Chip
`38
`36
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`Jini Network Proxy 44
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 3, 2002
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`Sheet 6 of 12
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`US 6,446,192 B1
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`FIG. 5
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`Device/Equipment 34
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`Client
`3O
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`
`
`NetWOrk
`Interface
`Chip
`36
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`
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`Device
`Control
`Circuitry
`38
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`
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`NetWOrk 32
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`
`
`Device/Equipment 34
`
`FIG. 6
`
`
`
`Client
`30
`
`
`
`NetWOrk 32
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`
`
`Control
`Circuitry
`38
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`
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 3, 2002
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`Sheet 7 of 12
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`US 6,446,192 B1
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`
`FIG. 7
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`Ommand PrOCeSSOr
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`
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`TranSmit
`Channel
`
`Receive
`Channel
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`
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`Internet ProtoCO
`PrOCeSSOr
`
`NetWork Interface
`
`NetWOrk
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 3, 2002
`
`Sheet 8 of 12
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`US 6,446,192 B1
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`FIG. 8
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`Device/Equipment 34
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`Client
`3O
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`NetWOrk 32
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`Network
`Interface
`Chip
`36
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`Device
`Control
`Circuitry
`38
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 3, 2002
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`Sheet 9 of 12
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`US 6,446,192 B1
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`FIG. 9
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`NetWOrk 32
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`Device/Equipment 34
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`
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`
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`NetWOrk
`Interface
`Chip
`36
`
`50
`Device BuS
`
`Device
`PrOCeSSOr
`52
`Device
`Peripheral
`56
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 3, 2002
`
`Sheet 10 of 12
`
`US 6,446,192 B1
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`Command Processor
`
`Status
`Register
`
`Read Data
`
`
`
`Control
`Register
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`
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`Write Data
`
`FIG. 10
`
`NetWork
`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 3, 2002
`
`Sheet 11 of 12
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`US 6,446,192 B1
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`FIG. 11
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`Device/Equipment 34
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`Network 32
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`NetWOrk
`Interface
`Chip
`36
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`Device
`Control
`Circuitry
`38
`Sensors,
`Switches,
`Indicators,
`Relays,
`etC.
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 3, 2002
`
`Sheet 12 of 12
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`US 6,446,192 B1
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`
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`Device
`Interface
`92
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`Device
`I/F ROM
`74
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`Device I/F MUX 84
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`ASync.
`Serial
`78
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`CPU
`BUS I/F
`8O
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`82
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`Device Interface PrOCessor
`
`72
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`TCP/IP
`ROM
`68
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`NetWOrk
`Interface
`
`FIG. 12
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`US 6,446,192 B1
`
`1
`REMOTE MONITORING AND CONTROL OF
`EQUIPMENT OVER COMPUTER
`NETWORKS USING ASINGLE WEB
`INTERFACING CHIP
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`15
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates generally to techniques for remote
`monitoring and control of equipment or devices over com
`puter networks. More particularly, it relates to inexpensive,
`Scalable, and robust techniques for monitoring and control
`ling many different types of remote equipment over com
`puter networks from one or more locations.
`BACKGROUND ART
`There are many devices that need to be monitored or
`controlled remotely, Such as Security System devices and
`industrial equipment. In addition, many other devices, Such
`as environmental controls and various appliances and con
`Sumer electronic equipment, would be more convenient to
`use if they could be remotely controlled or monitored over
`computer networkS. Remote monitoring could also provide
`fast and inexpensive diagnosis of device malfunction by
`manufacturers. Present techniques for providing Such
`remote control and, monitoring, however, are very expen
`Sive to implement and are only practical for large industrial
`applications. In addition, present techniques typically
`require complicated installation and maintenance, further
`adding to the overall cost.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,790,977 to Ezekiel discloses a technique
`providing access to an instrument over a computer network
`by a remote host System. According to the technique, the
`instrument stores control and data acquisition Software (Such
`as a Java applet), which is sent over the computer network
`to the remote host System. The Software is then executed on
`the remote host System (e.g., by a Java-enabled http
`browser) and enables the remote host System to generate and
`Send to the instrument various data acquisition control
`Signals. In response, the acquisition of data by the instru
`ment is controlled, and acquired data may be sent over the
`computer network to the remote host System. The Software
`on the remote host provides a graphical user interface that
`allows the user to interact with the instrument. The interface
`displays acquired data from the instrument as well as Virtual
`instrument controls. This method of remote access, however,
`is expensive to implement and maintain. A conventional
`implementation of the disclosed technique would require an
`instrument that has a full Scale web server including a
`powerful microprocessor, large memory and disk Storage
`capacity, network hardware and Software, powerful operat
`ing System, and custom application hardware and Software
`to provide communications interfacing with the instrument.
`In addition, the Server needs expensive custom hardware and
`Software for use with the particular instrument. This
`Solution, therefore, is not practical for low-cost instruments
`or devices.
`One prior art solution shown in FIG. 1A involves the use
`of a web server gateway machine 20 at the remote location.
`The web server machine 20 is a full scale workstation
`including a powerful microprocessor, large memory and
`60
`disk Storage capacity, network hardware and Software, pow
`erful operating System, and custom application hardware
`and Software to provide communications interfacing with
`various devices at the remote location. The remote devices
`22 are provided with Separate application Specific integrated
`circuit (ASIC) chips 24 that interface the device control
`circuitry hardware 26 with a lightweight local communica
`
`45
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`50
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`2
`tion link 28 to the server 20. Clients 30 are connected to the
`Server 20 via a high performance computer network 32.
`Information for control and monitoring is thus communi
`cated between the clients 30 and the devices 22 via the
`network 32, server 20, and lightweight local link 28. This
`System has the disadvantage that the powerful gateway
`Server machine 20 can be very expensive to purchase,
`install, and maintain. The System architecture of this
`approach also has the disadvantage that it is Vulnerable to
`failures in multiple points: at both the server gateway 20 and
`at the ASIC chip 24 embedded in each device. In addition,
`because the gateway Server 20 provides the Single point of
`access to all the devices 22 at the remote location, access to
`all the devices is lost when the gateway server fails. This
`particular disadvantage could be avoided by embedding the
`gateway Server itself in each device. Such a Solution,
`however, is very expensive since it requires a complex and
`expensive Server for each device.
`OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
`In view of the above, it is an object of the present
`invention to provide an improved apparatus and method for
`providing remote controlling and monitoring of a device
`over a computer network. In particular, it is an object of the
`present invention to significantly reduce the complexity and
`Size of remote monitoring Systems, and to dramatically
`Simplify the installation and maintenance of remote control
`and monitoring Systems. It is another object of the invention
`to minimize the number of points of failure in remote control
`and monitoring Systems. Yet another object of the invention
`is to provide an inexpensive generic and Versatile apparatus
`that enables any device to be remotely monitored and
`controlled, without requiring expensive customized hard
`ware. Another object of the invention is to provide Such an
`apparatus that permits easy Software customization. Other
`objects and advantages of the invention will become evident
`from consideration of the following description and associ
`ated drawings.
`
`SUMMARY
`The present invention provides a method and apparatus
`for remotely monitoring and controlling devices or equip
`ment over a computer network. In contrast with prior
`Solutions that require large and expensive web server
`machines, the present invention requires only a single,
`inexpensive integrated circuit chip. Remarkably, this single
`network interface chip provides all the networking
`hardware, networking Software and device interface ele
`ments necessary for network connectivity and web-based or
`network-based management of any device. It also enables
`monitoring and controlling of any device, regardless of its
`available processing power, code Space, or interface pins.
`Even devices without a CPU or microcontroller are Sup
`ported.
`Because all the required functionality of a large web
`Server machine is included in the Single network interface
`chip, the present invention provides remote monitoring and
`control of devices at a fraction of the cost of prior Solutions.
`AS a result, whereas the cost and complexity of prior remote
`acceSS and control Systems limited their use to large Scale
`industrial applications and expensive equipment, the present
`invention Suddenly enables virtually any device to be eco
`nomically networked So that it may be remotely monitored
`and controlled. Such devices include, but are not limited to,
`home appliances, Vending machines. digital cameras, Secu
`rity Systems, copiers, printers, fax machines, point-of-Sale
`terminals, automobiles, and robots.
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`US 6,446,192 B1
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`3
`The network interface chip of the present invention is a
`generic and versatile chip that is able to connect to any
`device using Serial, parallel, or customized I/O. Although the
`chip is generic, it can easily be customized for a particular
`device by Storing programs and/or configuration codes in a
`portion of its on-chip memory. Alternatively, or in addition,
`additional customized programs and/or configuration codes
`may be Stored in a Second chip.
`In contrast to prior art embedded chips that require an
`expensive intermediary Web Server machine in order to
`connect the device to the internet, the network interface chip
`of the present invention provides complete internet enable
`ment without any expensive web server machine. The chip
`alone is a fully functional internet node, including a web
`Server, and Supporting various protocols and hardware con
`nections. Specifically, this single chip provides integrated
`ethernet connections, provides wired or wireleSS modem
`connections, fully Supports Standard IP-based network pro
`tocols such as TCP/IP, PPP, UDP, DHCP, SMTP, FTP and
`HTTP. The chip also supports Java and standard network
`Security techniques. Because this single chip is the only link
`between the remote device and the Internet, it provides an
`extremely simple and inexpensive Solution to remote moni
`toring and control. The simplicity of this direct interface has
`the additionally important benefit that the number of pos
`sible points of failure between the device and the network is
`minimized. Prior art Solutions, in contrast, typically have
`multiple intermediary devices, Such as gateway Servers in
`combination with device interface hardware.
`In one aspect of the invention a Single integrated circuit
`chip is provided for interfacing device control circuitry of a
`device to a client machine via a computer network. The chip
`comprises the following components: an internal data bus, a
`central processing unit connected to the internal data bus, an
`internal memory connected to the internal data bus, a device
`interface connected to the internal data bus, wherein the
`device interface comprises circuit blocks for communicating
`digital information between the integrated circuit and the
`device control circuitry; and a network interface connected
`to the internal data bus, wherein the network interface
`comprises circuit blocks for communicating digital infor
`mation between the integrated circuit and the computer
`network. The chip comprises instructions and/or hardware
`for implementing complete internet protocol functionality
`on the network; translating information between network
`protocol formats and a format of the device; transferring
`information between the network and the device control
`circuitry; and Sending customized Software to the client
`machine over the network, wherein the Software is execut
`able on the client machine, and wherein the Software enables
`the client machine to generate device control Signals and to
`receive device Status information.
`In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the memory
`contains customized device network address information
`and customized device interface port protocol information.
`The chip of this embodiment further comprises an external
`memory interface circuit block, wherein the internal
`memory comprises instructions for reading the customized
`Software from an external memory via the external memory
`interface circuit block. The Software comprises bytecode
`instructions (e.g., Java bytecode applet) executable by an
`interpreter running on the client machine (e.g., a Web
`browser with a Java Virtual Machine), wherein the bytecode
`instructions are customized to characteristics of the device,
`and wherein the bytecode instructions generate on the client
`machine a virtual interface with the device. The chip of this
`embodiment is also characterized in that the device interface
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`comprises an asynchronous Serial port, a Synchronous Serial
`port, a parallel CPU bus interface, and a programmable
`input/output port. The network interface comprises an eth
`ernet MAC and an asynchronous Serial port. The chip
`comprises instructions and/or hardware for implementing
`the network protocols and functionality of TCP/IP, UDP/IP,
`FTP, SMTP, and HTTP. The chip also comprises instructions
`and/or hardware for implementing an application program
`ming interface (API) with the device. These and other
`features are implemented in a Single integrated circuit chip
`providing inexpensive, compact, powerful, and Versatile
`interfacing of a large variety of devices to computer net
`works. These and other advantages of the invention will
`become apparent from the following description and accom
`panying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
`FIG. 1A illustrates a system architecture involving the use
`of a web server gateway machine at the remote location,
`according to the prior art.
`FIG. 1B illustrates a system architecture involving a
`direct interface between devices and the internet according
`to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 2 shows the device-side and network-side interfac
`ing functionality of a network interface chip according to the
`present invention.
`FIG. 3 illustrates the wide variety of system configura
`tions and options Supported by a network interface chip of
`the present invention, allowing it to adapt to many applica
`tions and device architectures.
`FIG. 4 illustrates a System according to the present
`invention using a "Shared Virtual Machine' topology.
`FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an asynchronous serial interface
`of the present invention operating in a pass through mode
`(FIG. 5) and an API mode (FIG. 6).
`FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a programming model
`used with the API mode of FIG. 6 wherein the network
`interface chip appears to the device program as a receive
`data port and a transmit data port.
`FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a parallel bus interface of the
`present invention operating in a pass through mode (FIG. 8)
`and an API mode (FIG. 9).
`FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a programming model
`used with the API mode of FIG. 9 wherein the network
`interface chip appears to the application program as four
`main registers.
`FIG. 11 illustrates a programmable I/O device interface of
`the present invention.
`FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a network interface chip
`according to a preferred embodiment of the present inven
`tion.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`Although the following detailed description contains
`many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone of
`ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations
`and alterations to the following details are within the Scope
`of the invention. Accordingly, the following preferred
`embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss
`of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the
`claimed invention.
`A System for interfacing a device directly to the internet
`according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is
`shown in FIG. 1B. In contrast to the prior art architecture
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`shown in FIG. 1A, the architecture of the present invention
`links the remote device/equipment 34 directly to the high
`performance network 32 without any expensive intermedi
`ary Server machine. In addition to reducing cost and
`complexity, this System architecture has the important
`advantage that it provides higher reliability by virtue of its
`Simplicity. It also provides higher reliability because acceSS
`to each device is direct and does not depend on access to a
`Separate gateway Server machine. In contrast with prior
`Solutions that require large and expensive web server
`machines, the present invention requires only a Single,
`inexpensive integrated circuit chip 36 that provides a direct
`link between the device control circuitry 38 and the network
`32. Clients 30 connected to the network 32 are able to
`monitor and control the devices 22 via direct connections
`over the network 32. The devices 34 can be selected from a
`wide variety of device types, from very expensive large
`Scale industrial equipment to inexpensive Small Scale con
`Sumer electronic devices. Different device types will often
`have different types of device control circuitry 38. Some
`devices will have Sophisticated control circuits that contain
`microprocessors or microcontrollers, and equally Sophisti
`cated electronic interfacing capabilities. Other devices will
`have simpler control circuits with little or no Sophistication.
`Accordingly, the network interface chip 36 has the ability to
`communicate with Sophisticated devices through Standard
`parallel and Serial interfaces, as well as the ability to
`communicate with Simple devices through a programmable
`parallel interface. The network interface chip 36 can be
`permanently installed in the equipment 34, or it can be
`attached externally to the equipment as part of a module.
`The client 30 can be as simple as an industry standard
`Web browser. In this case, the present invention gives the
`designer many Software choices for equipment control and
`user interface implementation. The user interface or virtual
`35
`control panel displayed on the browser may be an HTML
`page, or a Java applet. In either case, graphics, buttons,
`indicators, etc., may be used to Simulate the equipment's
`control panel or actual appearance. When the client 30
`connects to the network interface chip 36 on the remote
`equipment 34, the virtual control panel is loaded into the
`browser giving the client remote access to the equipment. If
`the virtual control panel is a Java applet, the Web browser's
`Java virtual machine is used to run the applet and display the
`Virtual control panel.
`A web browser or Java virtual machine (JVM) is not
`required, however, for the client 30 to access a device 34.
`The present System Supports use of additional Standard
`internet capabilities and protocols. Therefore, custom client
`Software can access the equipment directly using Standard
`"Sockets'. Such Software can be developed using conven
`tional programming tools, e.g., BSD Sockets (Unix) or
`Winsock (Windows). The client 30 also could be an auto
`mated application program that collects data from remote
`devices 34 via the Internet 32. In this way a single client
`could collect usage data and control thousands of remote
`devices. The data collected by such a client could be used to
`generate usage and maintenance reports. The client Software
`in this case could be written in Java or C/C++ using libraries,
`and it could bridge to other applications Such as databases
`and diagnostic Software to provide powerful Services based
`on device control and monitoring functions.
`The network 32 could be the Internet, a local area network
`(LAN), an intranet, a point-to-point connection over a wired
`or wireleSS modem, or any combination of these or other
`conventional networks. Although the Internet allows the
`device to be accessed from anywhere in the World, it is not
`
`6
`necessary to use the Internet. The network could also be a
`physically isolated network, a Sub-network isolated from the
`Internet, or a subnet isolated by a bridge or firewall. The
`network also could be as Simple as two devices connected by
`an RS-232 serial line. In general, any TCP/IP transmission
`medium may be used for the network, and any internet
`protocol (IP) compatible devices may be used as clients. In
`the preferred embodiment, the network interface chip 36
`Supports modem and Ethernet types of network connections.
`These two basic interfaces can be used to Support commu
`nication over a wide variety of physical media, including
`wires, cables, phone lines, and power lines, optical fibers,
`and wireleSS radio channels.
`The device control circuitry 38 implements the main
`functionality of the device 34, but typically has little or no
`networking capability. For example, the circuitry 38 may
`have a small 4 or 8 bit microcontroller with insufficient
`processing power, memory, or pins to Support networking,
`or it may have no processor, only Switches, indicators, and
`sensors. The circuitry might also include a 32-bit RISC or
`CISC processor, or even a DSP. The device control circuitry
`38 is quickly and easily connected to the network interface
`chip 36, thereby allowing the device to be easily connected
`to the internet for remote control and monitoring. The
`present invention, therefore, allows legacy devices that have
`no networking capability to be easily networked through the
`installation of a Single chip. It also provides a quick and
`inexpensive way to connect many new devices to the
`Internet.
`The network interface chip 36 is a Single integrated circuit
`that connects to the control circuitry 38 of virtually any
`remote device 34 and implements all networking Services
`required to interface the device with a high performance
`computer network 32 for remote control and monitoring by
`one or more clients 30. Standard TCP/IP provides the
`transport and network layerS for passing data between the
`equipment 34 and the remote client 30. TCP/IP is the
`Standard Internet protocol and provides a reliable transport
`which handles all the necessary handshaking, error
`checking, and re-try algorithms to guarantee data delivery
`and integrity. The resulting interface to the Device Control
`Circuitry 38 is a Simple, easy to use data eXchange. The
`device 34 is not burdened with the overhead of network
`processing. Likewise, the System designer need not be
`burdened with understanding the intricate complexities of
`the networking protocols.
`Ethernet and serial PPP protocols are supported at the
`datalink layer of the device interface chip 36, giving the
`designer a choice of many physical network media including
`10/100Base-T, Modem, Serial, and RF. An enhanced Web
`Server (HTTP) and E-mail Client (SMTP) are built into the
`chip 36, allowing a variety of client interfaces to be offered
`which utilize standard web browsers and e-mail readers.
`Because Internet Standards are used, no additional Software
`is required by the client 30. Built-in security insures all users
`are authenticated. The flexible web interface to the device
`makes it very easy to integrate into existing designs as well
`S CW OCS.
`The network interface chip 36 supports the most widely
`used Internet protocols and Standards:
`Internet Protocol (IP): Standard Internet network layer
`providing destination addressing and routeability.
`Transmission Control Protocol (TCP): Standard Internet
`transport layer. Provides a reliable data Stream.
`User Datagram Protocol (UDP): A secondary transport
`layer providing a packet based transport.
`
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`Ex.1025
`APPLE INC. / Page 16 of 24
`
`

`

`US 6,446,192 B1
`
`7
`Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP): Application layer
`protocol used primarily for Web pages. The network
`interface chip is an HTTP server.
`Hypertext Markup Language (HTML): HTML is the
`format used by Web documents for display on the
`user's Web browser.
`Point to Point Protocol (PPP): Most widely used Datalink
`protocol for use over Serial and phone lines.
`Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP): Standard Internet
`protocol for Sending mail.
`Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP): An ini
`tialization protocol which allows a device to receive
`configuration parameters and boot data from a DHCP
`SCWC.
`15
`
`File Transfer Protocol (FTP): File Transfer Protocol is the
`Internet Standard for downloading and uploading files
`between devices.
`Ethernet: Most widely used physical networking media
`for local area networks (LAN). Defines Datalink and
`Physical layers.
`Access to these protocols is provided to the device 34 via
`a simple, low overhead interface. The chip's complete
`Internet Protocol implementation offloads the complex net
`work processing and real-time requirements from the device
`control circuitry 38. The network interface chip 36 offers
`many configurations for both the network Side and the
`equipment interface Side. Any application and device archi
`tecture can be Supported by choosing the appropriate com
`bination of features and interfaces.
`FIG. 2 shows the internal functionality of the network
`interface chip 36 and the primary external interfaces. The
`two primary connections to the chip are the Device Interface
`connections 40 which connect to the device control circuitry
`38, and the Network Interface connections 42, which con
`nect to the physical interface circuitry of the network 32.
`Both connections are flexible, allowing many design options
`to fit any application and host device architecture. The
`Device connections 40 Support Serial, parallel, and general
`purpose I/O. The Network connections 42 may be made
`through various wired and/or wireleSS media through Media
`Independent Interface (MII) and asynchronous serial inter
`faces. The chip also has an interface for an optional
`EEPROM/Serial Flash which may be used to store chip
`configuration values, HTML pages, and bytecode for the
`client interface. If the EEPROM is not present, the chip may
`be configured from a device processor. The EEPROM and
`chip configuration will be described in more detail later.
`As is evident from FIG. 2, the functionality of the chip is
`provided by a versatile collection of layered protocols. The
`network connections 42 are linked to the core IP layer by
`Ethernet and PPP blocks. On the other side of the core IP
`layer are UDP and TCP layers that link the IP layer with
`other protocol layers and device interface modules. The
`UDP layer is linked directly with a Packet API module and
`the TCP layer is linked directly with a Sockets API module.
`On top of the TCP l