3Com Corporation

Bhakt Patel

Alan Rubinstein

Gary Wang

Yung-Fu Chang

The present invention presents a method and system for providing an intelligent data concentrator communicatively coupled to a network by a wireless mode. Specifically, the present invention comprises a portable intelligent device, communicatively connected to a network by a wireless mode, which may, for example, be placed in the center of a conference table to facilitate a number of client devices connecting for simultaneous access to the network and, at the same time, allowing for ease in moving about the room. In one embodiment, the portable intelligent data concentrator is communicatively coupled by a wireless mode to an access point. In one embodiment, the intelligent data concentrator is battery powered. In one embodiment, the access point through which the intelligent data concentrator is connected to the network is another intelligent data concentrator. In another embodiment, the access point is a Bluetooth access point.

Method and system for providing an intelligent data concentrator communicatively coupled to a network by a wireless mode

The present invention provides a device and method for managing fault detection and isolation in voice and data networks. Specifically, the present invention is a device and method for fault detection and fault isolation that can be used to validate connectivity of a central site to a number of connected client devices. The present invention operates stage by stage, working from the central site back to a connected client device. The present invention can be controlled from a central maintenance station and as such does not require direct user enabling. In one embodiment, the present invention provides an intelligent device (e.g., an intelligent data concentrator) for coupling an electronic device to a network comprising a first interface for communicatively coupling the intelligent device to the network and a second interface for communicatively coupling the intelligent device to a plurality of client devices such that the client devices are communicatively coupled to the network. The intelligent device also comprises means for processing and interpreting data coupled to the first interface, and fault detection means coupled to the means for processing and interpreting data, wherein the fault detection means performs fault detection in the network. In one embodiment, the intelligent device operates in conjunction with a central control site in performing fault detection.

Device and method for managing fault detection and fault isolation in voice and data networks

A method and device for power management of intelligent hardware (e.g., an intelligent data concentrator) for providing access to voice and data networks. Power use data of the intelligent hardware is obtained, wherein the intelligent hardware is coupled to a power source and communicatively coupled to a voice or data network. The intelligent hardware is configured to communicatively couple a plurality of electronic devices to the network. Using the power use data, a power mode of the intelligent hardware is determined. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a first interface for communicatively coupling the intelligent hardware to the network and a power source and a second interface for communicatively coupling the intelligent device to the plurality of client devices. The intelligent device also comprises means for processing and interpreting data coupled to the first interface, and power mode control means coupled to the means for processing and interpreting data.

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Campbell, CA, United States of America

Bhakt Patel