Patent ID: 6105096
Filing Date: 2000-08-15
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
A communication system comprising a portable electronic apparatus provided with a first communications interface for providing a local area network connection, and a desktop computer provided with a second communications interface for providing a local area network connection, each said communications interface comprising:a host interface for interfacing the communications interface with main processing functionality of the apparatus/computer concerned;a link interface including:a media attachment unit including an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, and an optical coupler, the optical coupler having a transmit port interfacing with the optical transmitter, a receive port interfacing with the optical receiver, and a bidirectional port optically coupled to both the transmit and receive ports, andan optical connector for connecting a duplex fiber-optic cable to said bidirectional port of the coupler; andan interconnection for operatively interconnecting said host interface and said link interface;wherein said interconnection of the second communications interface is operative to permit the portable computer to communicate through the link interface of said second communications interface selectively with:said main processing functionality of the desktop computer through said host interface of said second communications interface, and said computer network through said network interface of said second communications interface;the system further including a said duplex fiber-optic cable connected between said optical connector of the said portable electronic apparatus and said optical connector of said desktop computer with the connection between the fiber-optic cable and at least one of said optical connectors being releasable.