Modular power line network adapter

• US 20020060617A1
• Filed: 07/10/2001
• Published: 05/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magnolia Licensing LLC (IP Edge LLC)
• Original Assignee: Easyplug, Inc.
• Inventors: Walbeck, Alan K., Staheli, Vaughn R., Haab, Dan B., Hurst, Kevin L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,747,859 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 333/181
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/719 specially adapted for high frequency, e.g. with filters
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/005 Intermediate parts for distributing signals
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5425 improving S/N by matching impedance, noise reduction, gain control
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5483 using coupling circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5491 using filtering and bypassing
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/56 Circuits for coupling, blocking, or by-passing of signals

Abstract

A modular feed-though adapter that allows an electrical connection to a power line network adapter without “using up” an electrical outlet is described. In one embodiment, the modular feed-through adapter also provides noise filtering to protect electrical equipment plugged into the feed-through outlet. The noise filtering also protects the power line network data signals from noise generated by the devices plugged into the feed-through adapter. In one embodiment, the network connections provided by the feed-through adapter are low voltage connections, thus allowing the network connections from the feed-through adapter to be safely plugged directly into low-voltage equipment such as computer network cards and the like. In one embodiment, the modular adapter includes a balun to couple network data signals to the power line.

Claims

1. A feed-through power line network adapter comprising:

an electrical power plug for plugging into a standard electrical outlet;

a filter configured to receive power from said electrical power plug;

a first feed-through output socket configured to receive power from said filter; and

a network data/power connector configured to receive power from said electrical power plug without passing through said filter.

2. The feed-through power line network adapter of claim 1, further comprising a second feed-through output socket configured to receive electrical power from said filter.

3. The feed-through power line network adapter of claim 1, further comprising a ground-fault interrupter circuit electrically interposed between said electrical power plug and said filter.

4. The feed-through power line network adapter of claim 1, further configured to be plugged into a socket in a standard household electrical outlet without covering other sockets in said outlet.

5. The feed-through power line network adapter of claim 1, further comprising a balun, said balun configured to couple modulated data signals from a power line modem to said electrical power plug.

6. The feed-through power line network adapter of claim 1, further comprising a voltage step-down transformer, said step-down transformer having a high-voltage primary winding connected to said electrical power plug and a low-voltage secondary configured to provide power to a power line network modem.

7. The feed-through power line network adapter of claim 1, said filter further comprising a surge suppressor.

8. The feed-through power line network adapter of claim 1, said filter comprising a bandpass filter.

9. The feed-through power line network adapter of claim 1, said filter comprising a lowpass filter.

10. An inline electrical power adapter, said adapter comprising:

an electrical plug portion, said plug portion configured to plug into a standard computer power supply;

an electrical socket portion, said socket portion configured to receive a standard computer power cable connector;

a filter, said filter configured to receive electric power from said electrical socket portion and provide filtered power to said electrical plug portion; and

a data connector, said data connector configured to couple power line data network signals to said electrical socket portion.

11. A power line network apparatus comprising;

an adapter portion, said adapter portion comprising;

an electrical power plug for plugging into a standard electrical outlet;

a filter configured to receive power from said electrical power plug;

a cable configured to receive power from said electrical power plug without passing through said filter; and

a feed-through output socket configured to receive power from said filter; and

a modem portion connected by said cable to said adapter portion, said modem portion configured to produce output modulated data and couple said output modulated data to said cable, said modem portion further configured to receive input modulated data from said cable and demodulate said input modulated data.

12. A surge-suppressor strip comprising an unfiltered input/output port for coupling to a power line network modem.

13. An apparatus comprising:

an electrical plug;

filter means for receiving power from said electrical plug;

feed-through outlet for receiving power from said filter means; and

means for coupling power line network data signals to said electrical plug.