Back to results
US 7,096,278 B2Granted
Electronically readable name tags for network communications
AssigneeFraser Research, Inc.
InventorAlexander Gibson Fraser
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
AssigneeFraser Research, Inc.
InventorAlexander Gibson Fraser
Estimating the term…
An improved method of addressing devices in a local area network is disclosed. A small plug-in tag may be added to each device on the network. The tag is given an easily remembered name provided by the user. In addition the tag can be given a pictorial icon which can be represented by a moderate number of bits. The name and the optional icon may be visible on a label on the tag. The tag contains a chip with a small memory into which the name and optionally the bit map representation of the icon is entered. In addition, an optional unique identifier may be entered. Pins on the tag are connected to the device which has its own network address, such as an Ethernet address. Optionally, the network address may be copied into the unique identifier, or the unique identifier may be copied into the network address. The use of the tag permits easy configuration and reconfiguration of the network. The invention is particularly applicable in home or small office networks where computer-knowledgeable persons are not available to perform configuration functions.
An electronically readable name tag for labeling a device, the name tag comprising:
A method of addressing a device resident on a network, comprising:
A method for use with one or more devices that are addressable on a network, comprising:
An electronically readable name tag for labeling one or more addressable devices on a network, the name tag comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.