Patent ID: 7068781
Filing Date: 2006-06-27
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of supplying power to a terminal from Ethernet equipment via first and second pairs of wires that carry data between the terminal and the Ethernet equipment, the method comprising: determining whether the Ethernet equipment is capable of meeting power requirements of the terminal; if the Ethernet equipment is not capable of meeting the power requirements, sending a first signal via the first and second pairs of wires to the terminal to notify that the Ethernet equipment is not capable of meeting the power requirements, and activating an alarm of the terminal using said first signal, wherein said determining step comprises sending a second signal from the Ethernet equipment to the terminal via the first and second pairs of wires to detect an electrical signature indicative of a power class of the terminal, and the first and second signals each comprise a difference between bias voltages applied to the first and second pairs of wires.