Appeal No. 1998-2932
Application No. 08/603,680
Representative independent claim 1 is reproduced as follows:
1. A power distribution module, comprising:
an input/output port adapted for connection to an external multiplexed
communication path;
transceiver circuitry connected to the input/output port operative to
send and receive messages over the communication path in digital form;
an input for connection to a source of power;
a plurality of power output ports;
a plurality of controllable power switches, each associated with one of
the power output ports, each power switch being operative to route power
from the source of power to an associated power output port in accordance
with a control signal; and
a controller operatively connected to the transceiver circuitry and to
each power switch, the controller being operative to perform the following
functions:
send and receive messages over the communication path through the
transceiver circuitry, and
provide a control signal to a specific power switch in
accordance with a received message, causing power to be routed
from the power source to the output port associated with that switch.
The examiner relies on the following references:
Sagues et al. (Sagues) 4,557,225 Dec. 10, 1985
Cruickshank et al. (Cruickshank) 4,951,250 Aug. 21, 1990
Tomita et al. (Tomita) 5,065,153 Nov. 12, 1991
Shultz et al. (Shultz) 5,433,283 Jul. 18, 1995
(filed Oct. 27, 1993)
2
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