Self annealing auto-expanding network
AssigneeHarman International Industries, Incorporated
InventorsRobert Boatright, Richard Kreifeldt, Craig Gunther
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A ring based network includes a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit selects one of a number of inputs and switches an input to a first common communication line. A second circuit selects one of a second number of inputs and switches a second input to a second common communication line linked to one of the first number of inputs. A detect circuit controls the switches of the first and second circuit to emulate a communication ring in which nodes are connected in series in a communication loop.
Claims20
An interface adapter of a network node and a ring based network, the interface adapter comprising:
- a first plurality of ports comprising a dedicated input port and a bidirectional input and output port;
- a first circuit that selects a first input received at the first plurality of ports and switches the first input to a first common communication line;
- a second plurality of ports comprising a dedicated input port and a bidirectional input and output port;
- a second circuit that selects a second input, the second input received at the second plurality of ports, and switches the second input to a second common communication line coupled to the bidirectional input and output port of the first plurality of ports;
- and
- a detect circuit that detects a relative position of the interface adapter in the network and controls the first circuit and the second circuit to emulate a communication ring in which nodes are connected in series in a communication loop.
A series network having a plurality of interface adapters, the series network comprising:
- a first node coupled to a first interface adapter comprising a dedicated input port and a bidirectional input output port that can transfer signals in both directions directly between a plurality of devices, and
- a second node coupled to a second interface adapter, the second interface adapter connected in series with the dedicated input port and the bidirectional input output port of the first interface adapter,
- where the first interface adapter is configured to automatically detect that the first interface adapter is connected to a single adjacent interface adapter when no fault exists in the series network and route a message to a third interface adapter in the series network, and
- where the plurality of interface adapters emulate a communication ring in which the plurality of interface adapters are connected in series in a communication loop.
An interface adapter of a network node and a ring based network, the interface adapter comprising:
- a first plurality of ports comprising a dedicated input port and a bidirectional input and output port;
- a first circuit that selects a first input received at the first plurality of ports and switches the first input to a first common communication line;
- a second plurality of ports comprising a dedicated input port and a bidirectional input and output port;
- a second circuit that selects a second input, the second input received at the second plurality of ports, and switches the second input to a second common communication line continuously coupled to the bidirectional input and output port of the first plurality of ports;
- and
- a detect circuit that detects a relative position of the interface adapter in the network and controls the first circuit and the second circuit to emulate a communication ring in which nodes are connected in series in a communication loop.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.