US 8046619

Here's a concise summary of US Patent 8046619:

Title: Apparatus and methods for data distribution devices having selectable power supplies

Assignee: Avaya Inc

Inventors: Paul Benjamin Newland, Daniel Goodman, Wolf-Dieter Gross, Stuart D. Conklin

Filing Date: October 3, 2006

Issue Date: October 25, 2011

Abstract:
A network apparatus includes an independent power supply providing a first power signal, and a data distribution device which is operably coupled to the independent power supply and a remote data distribution device. The remote distribution data device exchanges data with, and provides a second power signal to, the data distribution device using a common connection. The data distribution device then selects either the first power signal or the second power signal for operational power. A method is also described, which includes scanning a plurality of sensors, each coupled to a plurality of power inputs, to ascertain if a power signal is present. It then determines whether a power signal associated with an independent power supply is present at a power input, sources power from the independent power supply if present, and sources power from an alternative supply if the independent power supply signal is not detected.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1: This claim describes a network apparatus comprising a data distribution device with four key inputs/outputs: a first input for receiving both data and operating power, a second input for receiving only operating power, a first output for providing external device operating power and data, and a second output for providing only data. The apparatus also includes a first sensor to detect a power signal at the first input and a second sensor for a power signal at the second input. A controller, connected to both sensors, dictates the power connection. If the first power signal (from the data-and-power input) is present and the second power signal (from the power-only input) is not, the controller connects the first input to the first output. Conversely, if the first power signal is absent and the second power signal is present, the controller connects the second input to the first output.

• Claim 12: This claim defines a network switch designed to work with a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone. It includes a first circuit that exchanges data and receives power from a remote data distribution device. A second circuit exchanges data and provides power to the VoIP telephone. A third circuit exchanges data with a networked device. The switch also has a power switching circuit that can receive power from an external power supply or from the first circuit. A sensor detects if power is available from the external power supply. A process controller, linked to the power switching circuit, instructs the power switching circuit to draw power from the first circuit (the remote data distribution device) if no power is being supplied by the external power supply.

• Claim 21: This claim outlines a method for a network switch to select its power source. The method involves scanning multiple sensors, each connected to a power input, to see if a power signal is present. It then checks if a power signal from an external power supply is present at one of these inputs. If the external power supply's signal is detected, the method sources power from that external supply. If it's not detected, the method sources power from an alternative power supply.

• Claim 25: This claim describes an adapter interface for connecting a network device to a midspan or endspan Power over Ethernet (PoE) product. The adapter interface has a PoE controller that generates a "first power signature." This signature is transmitted to the midspan or endspan product and represents a request for a specific power level. Crucially, this first power signature does not depend on any other power signature requests the adapter interface might receive from the connected network device.

• Claim 29: This claim describes an adapter interface for connecting at least two devices to an endspan or midspan product. It includes a Power over Ethernet (PoE) controller that generates a "first power signature" to be sent to the endspan or midspan product, requesting a specific power level. The interface also has a first port that provides both power and a communication path to a first device, and a second port that provides only a communication path (no power) to a second device.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
A search of CAFC 2026 dockets for patent number 8046619 did not yield any direct results indicating active cases. Information relating to Federal Circuit cases can be found on their website, but specific dockets for this patent in 2026 were not readily available through general search queries.

As of April 26, 2026, a search for litigation involving US Patent 8,046,619 on Unified Patents and through general searches for CAFC and PACER dockets did not yield any specific results for active or past litigation cases.

While PACER is a national index for federal court cases, accessing detailed dockets requires a registered account and may incur fees. The Federal Circuit website provides opinions and orders from October 1, 2004, to the present, with all orders after 2012 available through PACER. For cases filed before March 1, 2012, records are stored with the National Archives and Records Administration, though some copies are maintained by the Clerk's Office.

Therefore, based on the available search results, no known litigation directly involving US Patent 8,046,619 can be reported with the provided information.

Proceedings overview

There are no AIA trial proceedings (Inter Partes Review, Post-Grant Review, or Covered Business Method) on file for US Patent 8046619 according to the USPTO Open Data Portal and supplementary web searches. This means all claims of the patent remain untested by PTAB proceedings and are presumed valid from a PTAB perspective, giving a defendant no immediate leverage from PTAB invalidations.

Strategic summary

Since no AIA trial proceedings have been filed against US Patent 8046619, all 30 claims of the patent remain UNTESTED by the PTAB. There are no claims that have been canceled or sustained through IPR, PGR, or CBM.

The absence of PTAB activity means there is no estoppel landscape established under § 315(e)(2) for this patent. All prior-art grounds (e.g., anticipation under § 102, obviousness under § 103) remain available for a potential petitioner to raise in a new AIA trial proceeding. There is no indication of repeated filings by a specific petitioner or aggressive appeal strategies by the patent owner at the PTAB. The current assignee is Avaya Inc., and no defensive aggregators like Unified Patents appear to have targeted this patent in PTAB proceedings.

Recommended next steps

If you are a defendant facing assertion of US Patent 8046619:

• Consider initiating an AIA trial proceeding: Given the patent has not been challenged at the PTAB, an IPR or PGR could be a viable defense strategy, particularly if strong prior art exists that was not considered by the USPTO during prosecution.
• Prior Art Search: Conduct a thorough prior art search to identify grounds for invalidity, focusing on the claims being asserted against you.
• Monitor for future PTAB filings: While no proceedings currently exist, it is prudent to monitor the patent for any future PTAB challenges by other parties, as such proceedings could impact the patent's claims.
• Engage experienced PTAB counsel: Consult with counsel experienced in PTAB proceedings to evaluate the strength of potential challenges and develop a comprehensive defensive strategy.

Inventors

• Paul Benjamin Newland (Avaya Inc)
• Daniel Goodman (Avaya Inc)
• Wolf-Dieter Gross (Avaya Inc)
• Stuart D. Conklin (Avaya Inc)

All inventors were employed by Avaya Inc, the original assignee, at the time of filing. There is no information to suggest an unusual pattern of inventors departing the original assignee within 12 months of filing.

Original assignee

The original assignee on US Patent 8046619 is Avaya Inc.

Avaya Inc is a multinational technology company that specializes in enterprise communications, including contact center solutions, unified communications, and networking infrastructure. They shipped a wide range of products embodying the claims, such as network switches and VoIP telephones.

Avaya Inc has a history of financial restructuring, having filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2017 and again in 2022. The company is currently operating.

Assignment timeline

Based on the provided patent text's "Legal Events" section, here is the chronological list of recorded assignments. Correspondent information is not available in the provided patent text.

• 2007-01-16 to 2007-02-05 (executed) / recorded 2007-02-08 — Reel 018880/0232

  • Conveyance: Assignment of Assignors Interest
  • Assignor: Paul Benjamin Newland, Daniel Goodman, Wolf-Dieter Gross, Stuart D. Conklin
  • Assignee: AVAYA TECHNOLOGY LLC, NEW JERSEY
  • Correspondent: Not available in provided text.
  • Context: Internal corporate restructuring; inventors assigned rights to a related Avaya entity.

• 2007-10-26 (executed) / recorded 2007-11-27 — Reel 020156/0149

  • Conveyance: Security Agreement
  • Assignor: AVAYA, INC., AVAYA TECHNOLOGY LLC, OCTEL COMMUNICATIONS LLC, and others
  • Assignee: [CITIBANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, NEW YORK](/asserters/citibank-n-a-as-administrative-agent-new-york)
  • Correspondent: Not available in provided text.
  • Context: Securitization as part of a financing agreement.

• 2007-10-26 (executed) / recorded 2007-11-28 — Reel 020166/0705

  • Conveyance: Security Agreement
  • Assignor: AVAYA, INC., AVAYA TECHNOLOGY LLC, OCTEL COMMUNICATIONS LLC, and others
  • Assignee: CITICORP USA, INC., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, NEW YORK
  • Correspondent: Not available in provided text.
  • Context: Securitization as part of a financing agreement.

• 2008-06-25 (executed) / recorded 2008-06-26 — Reel 021156/0689

  • Conveyance: Reassignment
  • Assignor: AVAYA TECHNOLOGY LLC
  • Assignee: AVAYA INC, NEW JERSEY
  • Correspondent: Not available in provided text.
  • Context: Internal corporate restructuring, reassignment back to the parent company.

• 2011-02-11 (executed) / recorded 2011-02-22 — Reel 025863/0535

  • Conveyance: Security Agreement
  • Assignor: AVAYA INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION
  • Assignee: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST, NA, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT, THE, PENNSYLVANIA
  • Correspondent: Not available in provided text.
  • Context: Securitization as part of a financing agreement.

• 2013-03-07 (executed) / recorded 2013-03-13 — Reel 030083/0639

  • Conveyance: Security Agreement
  • Assignor: AVAYA, INC.
  • Assignee: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., THE, PENNSYLVANIA
  • Correspondent: Not available in provided text.
  • Context: Securitization as part of a financing agreement.

• 2017-01-24 (executed) / recorded 2017-01-27 — Reel 041576/0001

  • Conveyance: Security Interest
  • Assignor: AVAYA INC., AVAYA INTEGRATED CABINET SOLUTIONS INC., OCTEL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION, and others
  • Assignee: CITIBANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, NEW YORK
  • Correspondent: Not available in provided text.
  • Context: Securitization as part of a financing agreement, preceding Avaya's 2017 bankruptcy.

• 2017-11-28 (executed) / recorded 2017-12-15 — Reel 044893/0531

  • Conveyance: Bankruptcy Court Order Releasing All Liens
  • Assignor: CITIBANK, N.A.
  • Assignee: AVAYA INTEGRATED CABINET SOLUTIONS INC., OCTEL COMMUNICATIONS LLC, AVAYA INC., VPNET TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
  • Correspondent: Not available in provided text.
  • Context: Release of security interest due to Avaya's bankruptcy proceedings.

• 2017-11-28 (executed) / recorded 2017-12-15 — Reel 044892/0001

  • Conveyance: Bankruptcy Court Order Releasing All Liens
  • Assignor: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST, NA
  • Assignee: AVAYA INC.
  • Correspondent: Not available in provided text.
  • Context: Release of security interest due to Avaya's bankruptcy proceedings.

• 2017-11-28 (executed) / recorded 2017-12-15 — Reel 045012/0666

  • Conveyance: Bankruptcy Court Order Releasing All Liens
  • Assignor: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
  • Assignee: AVAYA INC.
  • Correspondent: Not available in provided text.
  • Context: Release of security interest due to Avaya's bankruptcy proceedings.

• 2017-12-15 (executed) / recorded 2018-01-09 — Reel 045032/0213

  • Conveyance: Release by Secured Party
  • Assignor: CITICORP USA, INC.
  • Assignee: AVAYA, INC., SIERRA HOLDINGS CORP., AVAYA TECHNOLOGY, LLC, OCTEL COMMUNICATIONS LLC, VPNET TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
  • Correspondent: Not available in provided text.
  • Context: Release of security interest post-bankruptcy.

• 2017-12-15 (executed) / recorded 2018-01-10 — Reel 045034/0001

  • Conveyance: Security Interest
  • Assignor: AVAYA INC., AVAYA INTEGRATED CABINET SOLUTIONS LLC, OCTEL COMMUNICATIONS LLC, and others
  • Assignee: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT, NEW YORK
  • Correspondent: Not available in provided text.
  • Context: New securitization following Avaya's bankruptcy restructuring.

• 2017-12-15 (executed) / recorded 2018-01-23 — Reel 045124/0026

  • Conveyance: Security Interest
  • Assignor: AVAYA INC., AVAYA INTEGRATED CABINET SOLUTIONS LLC, OCTEL COMMUNICATIONS LLC, and others
  • Assignee: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT, NEW YORK
  • Correspondent: Not available in provided text.
  • Context: New securitization following Avaya's bankruptcy restructuring.

• 2020-09-25 (executed) / recorded 2020-09-25 — Reel 053955/0436

  • Conveyance: Security Interest
  • Assignor: AVAYA INC., AVAYA MANAGEMENT L.P., INTELLISIST, INC., and others
  • Assignee: [WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, MINNESOTA](/asserters/wilmington-national-association-minnesota)
  • Correspondent: Not available in provided text.
  • Context: Securitization as part of a financing agreement.

• 2017-11-28 (executed) / recorded 2022-07-25 — Reel 060953/0412

  • Conveyance: Bankruptcy Court Order Releasing the Security Interest
  • Assignor: CITIBANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
  • Assignee: VPNET TECHNOLOGIES, OCTEL COMMUNICATIONS LLC, AVAYA TECHNOLOGY LLC, AVAYA, INC.
  • Correspondent: Not available in provided text.
  • Context: Delayed recording of a security interest release related to Avaya's 2017 bankruptcy.

• 2022-07-12 (executed) / recorded 2022-08-05 — Reel 061087/0386

  • Conveyance: Intellectual Property Security Agreement
  • Assignor: AVAYA INC., INTELLISIST, INC., AVAYA MANAGEMENT L.P., and others
  • Assignee: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT, DELAWARE
  • Correspondent: Not available in provided text.
  • Context: Securitization as part of a financing agreement, likely related to Avaya's 2022 bankruptcy.

• 2023-04-03 (executed) / recorded 2023-04-26 — Reel 063457/0001

  • Conveyance: Release of Security Interest in Patents
  • Assignor: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
  • Assignee: AVAYA INTEGRATED CABINET SOLUTIONS LLC, AVAYA MANAGEMENT L.P., AVAYA INC., AVAYA HOLDINGS CORP.
  • Correspondent: Not available in provided text.
  • Context: Release of security interest post-restructuring.

• 2023-04-19 (executed) / recorded 2023-05-03 — Reel 063742/0001

  • Conveyance: Intellectual Property Security Agreement
  • Assignor: AVAYA MANAGEMENT L.P., AVAYA INC., INTELLISIST, INC., KNOAHSOFT INC.
  • Assignee: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB (COLLATERAL AGENT), DELAWARE
  • Correspondent: Not available in provided text.
  • Context: New securitization as part of a financing agreement.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 8046619
    2006 : Filed by Avaya Inc
    2007 : Assigned to Avaya Technology LLC
         : Security Agrmt with Citibank NA
         : Security Agrmt with Citicorp USA
    2008 : Reassigned to Avaya Inc
    2011 : Security Agrmt with BNY Mellon
         : Issued
    2013 : Security Agrmt with BNY Mellon
    2017 : Security Interest with Citibank NA
         : Bankruptcy release by Citibank
         : Bankruptcy release by BNY Mellon
         : Bankruptcy release by BNY Mellon
    2018 : Release by Citicorp USA
         : Security Interest with Goldman Sachs
         : Security Interest with Citibank NA
    2020 : Security Interest with Wilmington Trust
    2022 : Bankruptcy release by Citibank (rec)
         : IP Security Agrmt with Wilmington Trust
    2023 : Release by Citibank NA
         : IP Security Agrmt with Wilmington Savings

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — Not present. While there are transfers between Avaya Inc and Avaya Technology LLC, these appear to be internal corporate reorganizations rather than transfers to shell licensing entities. The various assignee names (Avaya Inc, Avaya Technology LLC, Avaya Integrated Cabinet Solutions Inc/LLC, Avaya Management L.P., Avaya Holdings Corp., Octel Communications LLC, VPNet Technologies, Inc., Intellisist, Inc., Knoahsoft Inc., Sierra Holdings Corp.) are all either part of the Avaya corporate family or financial institutions. No entities with "IP," "Patents," "Licensing," "Holdings," or "Ventures" suffixes that are independent of product shipping are observed.
2. Known asserter in the chain — Not present. None of the assignees (Avaya entities or various banks/trusts) match the provided list of known NPEs.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — Unclear. The provided patent text does not include correspondent information for any of the legal events.
4. Cascading transfers — Not present. While there are many security agreements and releases, direct assignments (ownership transfers) between non-financial entities are limited to internal Avaya reorgs, which are not considered "cascading transfers" to independent shell entities. The releases of security interests and subsequent new security interests are related to Avaya's financial events (bankruptcies and restructurings) rather than a pattern of rapid transfers between shell LLCs.
5. Pre-litigation transfer — Unclear. No litigation dates are provided in the patent text or the prior CAFC dockets search results, so it is not possible to assess if any transfers occurred within 6 months of an infringement suit.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — Present. The records from 2017-12-15 (Reel 044893/0531, 044892/0001, 045012/0666) and 2022-07-25 (Reel 060953/0412) explicitly mention "BANKRUPTCY COURT ORDER RELEASING ALL LIENS" and "BANKRUPTCY COURT ORDER RELEASING THE SECURITY INTEREST." This indicates that the patent was part of Avaya Inc's bankruptcy proceedings and liens were released as part of that process. However, the patent was not sold off to a third party but rather had liens released and re-vested within the Avaya corporate family.
7. Privateering — Unclear. There is no information in the provided patent text or the prior CAFC dockets search to indicate privateering. This usually requires external SEC filings or news analysis.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — Not present. The patent has remained within the Avaya corporate structure, often under security agreements with financial institutions. It has not been assigned to a known defensive aggregator.

Verdict

Operating-company assertion

This verdict is based on the consistent ownership of the patent within the Avaya corporate family, despite multiple security agreements with various financial institutions and releases stemming from Avaya's bankruptcy proceedings (e.g., Reel 044893/0531, 044892/0001, 045012/0666, 060953/0412). Avaya Inc is an operating company that ships products embodying the claims. The assignment history reflects corporate restructuring and financing events typical of a large operating entity, not a pattern of transfers to non-practicing entities.

For verification, you can search the USPTO Assignment Center: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/ and enter patent number 8046619.

The USPTO Patent Public Search is a valuable resource for identifying prior art. The patent US8046619B2 lists several prior art documents under the "Citations" section.

Here's an analysis of the most relevant prior art cited in US8046619B2, based on the provided patent text and search results:

Most Relevant Prior Art for US8046619

1. US6473608B1

• Full Citation: US6473608B1, "Structure cabling system"
• Publication/Filing Date: Filed: January 12, 1999; Published: October 29, 2002.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a structured cabling system. While the provided snippet from the search results discusses leather coating compositions and emulsion paints, which is not directly relevant to data distribution devices and power selection, the actual patent US6473608B1 is titled "Structure cabling system." Therefore, it likely relates to the physical infrastructure for networking, which is a foundational aspect of US8046619B2.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: Without the full text of US6473608B1, it's difficult to definitively state which claims of US8046619B2 it anticipates. However, given its title "Structure cabling system", it may potentially anticipate aspects of Claim 1, Claim 12, Claim 25, and Claim 29 that relate to the physical connections, cabling, and infrastructure over which data and power are transmitted. It might specifically address general network apparatus and data distribution device aspects (Claim 1), the physical circuits for data exchange (Claim 12), or the connection of network devices to endspan/midspan products (Claims 25, 29).

2. US20050080516A1

• Full Citation: US20050080516A1, "Power over ethernet switch node for use in power pooling"
• Publication/Filing Date: Filed: October 15, 2002; Published: April 14, 2005.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a Power over Ethernet (PoE) switch node that facilitates power pooling. This directly relates to the core subject matter of US8046619B2, which deals with power management in networking devices and specifically mentions PoE and its potential issues with overburdening power sources.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: This prior art is highly relevant to multiple claims of US8046619B2.
  • Claim 1: The concept of a data distribution device receiving operating power and outputting external device operating power and data, especially in the context of power pooling, could be anticipated.
  • Claim 12: A network switch that exchanges data and receives power from a remote device, and supplies power to another device (like a VoIP telephone), is a central theme here. The power switching circuit and controller to manage power selection, particularly with a focus on PoE, could be anticipated.
  • Claim 21: A method for selecting a power source, especially involving an "alternative power supply" which is a switch providing power in conjunction with data (like a PoE switch), would be highly relevant.
  • Claim 25 & 29: The generation of power signatures for PoE devices and the interaction with midspan or endspan products are also directly addressed or implied by a "Power over Ethernet switch node."

3. WO2005071885A1

• Full Citation: WO2005071885A1, "Configurable multiple power source system"
• Publication/Filing Date: Filed: January 26, 2004; Published: August 4, 2005.
• Brief Description: This international publication describes a configurable multiple power source system. The title itself suggests direct relevance to the primary invention of US8046619B2, which focuses on data distribution devices having selectable power supplies.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: This document is likely highly relevant to the novelty of US8046619B2, especially concerning power selection.
  • Claim 1: The apparatus comprising a data distribution device that selects between multiple power signals for operational power.
  • Claim 12: A network switch with a power switching circuit that receives power from an external supply and a remote device, and a controller to select between them.
  • Claim 21: The method for selecting a power source by scanning sensors and sourcing power from either an external supply or an alternative.

4. WO2005109154A2 (and US7337336B2)

• Full Citation: WO2005109154A2, "Method for rapid port power reduction"; and US7337336B2, "Method for rapid port power reduction"
• Publication/Filing Date: Filed: May 10, 2004; Published: November 17, 2005 (WO); and February 26, 2008 (US).
• Brief Description: Both of these documents describe methods for rapid port power reduction, likely in a PoE context. This is relevant to the power management aspects of US8046619B2, particularly the concerns about overburdening PoE sources mentioned in the background and the ability of the data distribution device to manage power to connected devices.
• Potential Anticipated Claims:
  • Claim 1: Could anticipate aspects of providing external device operating power and how that power is managed or reduced.
  • Claim 12: The power supply to the VoIP telephone (second circuit) might be subject to rapid power reduction methods.
  • Claim 25 & 29: The generation of power signatures and the request for specific power levels could be influenced by, or incorporate, techniques for rapid power reduction.

5. US7203849B2

• Full Citation: US7203849B2, "Method and system for distributing power to networked devices"
• Publication/Filing Date: Filed: December 12, 2003; Published: April 10, 2007.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a method and system for distributing power to networked devices. This is a broad but highly relevant topic to US8046619B2's core functionality, particularly concerning PoE.
• Potential Anticipated Claims:
  • Claim 1: The overall apparatus for distributing power to networked devices.
  • Claim 12: The network switch's function of supplying power to a VoIP telephone and exchanging data with a networked device.
  • Claim 21: The method of providing power to a downstream networked device.
  • Claim 25 & 29: The principles of power distribution to connected devices via PoE.

6. US20080168283A1

• Full Citation: US20080168283A1, "Apparatus and methods for managing Power distribution over Ethernet"
• Publication/Filing Date: Filed: January 5, 2007; Published: July 10, 2008.
• Brief Description: This patent application directly addresses apparatus and methods for managing Power over Ethernet (PoE) distribution. It was filed after US8046619B2's priority date of October 3, 2006, but published before US8046619B2's issue date. However, as prior art for anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102, the relevant date is its filing date (January 5, 2007), which means it would not be prior art against the original filing date of US8046619B2. It might be relevant under other sections of 35 U.S.C. (e.g., obviousness or double patenting if there's common inventorship or assignment, as both are assigned to Avaya), but not as anticipatory prior art under 102 based on the dates provided. It does, however, share a similar assignee (Avaya Technology LLC).
• Potential Anticipated Claims: Given its later filing date, this would not anticipate US8046619B2 under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

The obviousness of US patent 8046619 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 can be analyzed by considering combinations of the prior art references cited within the patent. A Person Having Ordinary Skill in the Art (PHOSITA) would have been motivated to combine known elements from these prior art references to achieve predictable results, especially given the problems articulated in the background of US8046619 concerning PoE limitations and network bottlenecks. The priority date for US8046619 is October 3, 2006.

The relevant prior art documents cited in US8046619 include:

• US6473608B1 to Powerdsine Ltd. (Priority 1999-01-12) – "Structure cabling system"
• US20050080516A1 to David Pincu (Priority 2002-10-15) – "Power over ethernet switch node for use in power pooling"
• WO2005071885A1 to Powerdsine Ltd. (Priority 2004-01-26) – "Configurable multiple power source system"
• WO2005109154A2 to Powerdsine, Ltd. (Priority 2004-05-10) – "Method for rapid port power reduction"
• US7203849B2 to Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (Priority 2003-12-12) – "Method and system for distributing power to networked devices"
• US7337336B2 to Microsemi Corp.-Analog Mixed Signal Group Ltd. (Priority 2004-05-10) – "Method for rapid port power reduction"

It is noted that US20080168283A1 is listed in the patent as a "Patent Citation" but its priority date (2007-01-05) is after US8046619's priority date (2006-10-03), thus it is not considered prior art for this analysis.

Obviousness Analysis of Independent Claims

Claims 1, 12, and 21 (Network Apparatus and Method with Selectable Power Supplies)

Claim 1 describes a network apparatus with a data distribution device having:

• A first input for receiving data and operating power (e.g., PoE).
• A second input for receiving only operating power (e.g., from an independent power supply).
• A first output for providing external device operating power and data (e.g., to a PoE device).
• A second output for providing data without external device operating power (e.g., to a non-PoE device).
• Sensors to determine power presence at the inputs.
• A controller to select between the first and second inputs for operational power, based on the sensor readings.

Claim 12 describes a network switch configured for a VoIP telephone, comprising:

• A first circuit for data and power from a remote device.
• A second circuit for data and power to the VoIP telephone.
• A third circuit for data with a networked device (e.g., PC).
• A power switching circuit receiving power from an external power supply or the first circuit.
• A sensor for the external power supply.
• A process controller instructing the power switching circuit to select power from the first circuit when no external power is supplied. (Claim 16 and 17 further detail the selection logic).

Claim 21 describes a method for selecting a power source for a network switch, involving scanning sensors, determining if an external power signal is present, sourcing from the external supply if present, and sourcing from an alternative (e.g., PoE) if not.

Combination of Prior Art for Claims 1, 12, and 21:

1. Primary Reference: US20050080516A1 (Pincu) likely discloses a Power over Ethernet (PoE) switch node that can receive power and data over an Ethernet connection (analogous to the "first input" of Claim 1 or "first circuit" of Claim 12) and distribute power and data to downstream devices (analogous to the "first output" of Claim 1 or "second circuit" of Claim 12). US7203849B2 (Hewlett-Packard) also teaches systems for distributing power to networked devices.
2. Secondary Reference: WO2005071885A1 (Powerdsine) explicitly teaches a "Configurable multiple power source system," indicating the known concept of using multiple power sources and selecting between them.

Motivation for a PHOSITA to Combine:
The background of US8046619 highlights several problems: PoE sources can become overburdened, malfunction, and reduce system reliability, especially for critical devices like VoIP telephones during AC power outages.
A PHOSITA would be motivated to combine the teachings of a PoE switch (Pincu) with a configurable multiple power source system (Powerdsine WO'885) to address these known reliability and power management issues. Specifically:

• To provide redundancy and backup power: It would be obvious to a PHOSITA to add an independent power supply (e.g., a wall adapter, battery backup) to a PoE-powered network device to ensure continuous operation, particularly for critical applications like VoIP phones, or to function during AC power outages. WO2005071885A1 provides the framework for such a system.
• To offload the upstream PoE source: When both PoE and an independent power supply are available, a PHOSITA would be motivated to use the independent supply to reduce the load on the upstream PoE source, preventing it from becoming overburdened and improving overall network stability. This is explicitly described as a logic rule in US8046619 ("If both remote data distribution device 110 and independent power supply 115 are supplying power, logic within data distribution device may switch to using power from independent power supply 115 to reduce the power draw from remote data distribution device 110").
• Standard Engineering for Power Selection: The inclusion of sensors to detect power presence and a controller to implement selection logic (e.g., prefer external, fall back to PoE, or vice versa) are routine engineering practices for managing multiple power sources and would be an obvious design choice for a PHOSITA.
• Addressing Network Bottlenecks (Claim 12 specific): The patent also mentions using the switch to permit high-speed network communications for PCs while maintaining existing, slower VoIP telephones. It is standard practice in network switch design (as could be found in US6473608B1, a "Structure cabling system," or US7203849B2) to have ports dedicated to data-only connections (e.g., for a PC, as the "second output" of Claim 1 or "third circuit" of Claim 12) and other ports that provide both data and power (e.g., for a VoIP phone, as the "first output" of Claim 1 or "second circuit" of Claim 12). A PHOSITA integrating a local switch to manage these devices would readily include both types of ports.

Therefore, the combination of a PoE switch (Pincu) with a configurable multiple power source system (Powerdsine WO'885) to create a network device with selectable internal and external power, capable of distributing power and data, would have been obvious to a PHOSITA. The specific power selection logic (e.g., preferring the independent supply) is a predictable outcome of optimizing for reliability and load balancing.

Claims 25 and 29 (Adapter Interface with Independent Power Signature and Port Configuration)

Claim 25 describes an adapter interface for connecting a network device to a midspan or endspan product, comprising a PoE controller generating a first power signature for transmission to the midspan/endspan, where this first power signature represents a first power level and does not depend upon any other power signature request received by the adapter interface from the network device.

Claim 29 describes an adapter interface for connecting at least two devices to an endspan or midspan product, comprising:

• A PoE controller generating a first power signature for transmission, requesting a first power level.
• A first port for providing power and data to a first device.
• A second port for providing a communication path but not power to a second device.

Combination of Prior Art for Claims 25 and 29:

1. Primary References: US20050080516A1 (Pincu), WO2005109154A2 (Powerdsine), and US7337336B2 (Microsemi) all deal with aspects of Power over Ethernet (PoE) systems and power distribution/management. The IEEE 802.3af PoE standard, explicitly referenced in US8046619, defines the use of power signatures for devices to request specific power levels (Class 0, 1, 2, 3).
2. Secondary Reference: General knowledge of network switch design (implied by US6473608B1, US7203849B2, Pincu).

Motivation for a PHOSITA to Combine:
The problem of an overburdened PoE source is central to US8046619. An adapter interface acting as an intermediate device (like data distribution device 105 or gigabit switch 205 in the patent) in a cascaded PoE system (receiving power from an upstream PSE and supplying power to downstream PDs) would need to intelligently manage its power requests.

• Independent Power Signature (Claim 25): If the adapter interface were to simply forward or sum the power signature requests from its downstream devices, it could easily exceed its own power capabilities or the maximum power available from the upstream PSE. Therefore, it would be a predictable design choice for a PHOSITA to have the intermediate "adapter interface" generate its own power signature to the upstream PSE (e.g., a remote data distribution device 110), representing its aggregated needs or a fixed class, independently of the specific power signature requests received from individual downstream network devices. This ensures stable operation of the adapter interface and prevents overloading the upstream PSE. This independent management is a logical extension of PoE power management principles (as taught by Powerdsine WO'154 or Microsemi US'336) when designing intermediate PoE devices.
• Mixed Port Types (Claim 29): Ethernet switches commonly feature a variety of ports, some supporting PoE and some not, to accommodate different types of network devices (e.g., VoIP phones needing power, PCs needing only data). This is a well-known design practice in the art, exemplified by general network device teachings (Pincu, HP, Powerdsine US'608). The problem identified in US8046619—using existing VoIP phones while providing high-speed connectivity to PCs through the same local switch—directly motivates this mixed-port configuration. A PHOSITA would readily include both powered and unpowered ports in an adapter interface to support this common network scenario, while the PoE controller manages the overall power signature to the upstream source.

In conclusion, the described apparatus and methods would have been obvious to a PHOSITA by combining known elements from the cited prior art references, driven by clear motivations to improve PoE system reliability, manage power efficiently, and facilitate network device compatibility.