Method and system for a modular residential gateway

• US 20020065935A1
• Filed: 02/26/2001
• Published: 05/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: David Lin, Frank R. Koperda
• Original Assignee: David Lin, Frank R. Koperda
• Inventors: Koperda, Frank R., Lin, David
• Application Number:
  US09/794,809
• Publication Number:
  US 20020065935A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/238
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4286 using a handshaking protocol, e.g. RS232C link
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/60 Router architectures

Abstract

The invention is a scalable modular network system, without a fixed size enclosure, that may include many kinds of voice and data components. In operation, the invention provides trans-coding transparency allowing effective communications between dissimilar data/voice data streams. The modular system includes unique power control and distribution methods. The invention also provides the methods to simplify network-provisioning tasks because of the method of intelligently determining network information. The placement of the invention is not required to be in a central wiring location because the gateway system automatic adapts to having its components in distributed physical locations.

Claims

1. A modular electronic communications system comprising:

at least two modules forming a first stack,

a modular design for providing electronic communications network connectivity having a variable geometric configuration having a shape determined by the number of modules, the electronic communications system being capable of accepting additional modules, and

said modules capable of transferring electronic messages between said modules.

2. The electronic communications system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least a second stack, wherein said second stack comprises at least one module, and

wherein said second stack may be positioned in a physically separate selected location from said first stack.

3. The electronic communications system of claim 1, wherein said modules may be placed in any order in said stacks.

4. The electronic communications system of claim 1, further comprising a means for allowing power to be distributed to said modules, said means for allowing power to be distributed to said modules comprising:

a processing element;

at least one power supply positioned in said stack;

means for conveying power requirements of each said module to said processing element, and

means for allowing said processing element to instruct each said module to obtain power from one of said at least one power supply.

5. The electronic communications system of claim 4, further comprising:

a stand-by power source that is always on, and

means for allowing said processing element to instruct electronic communication network modules to obtain power from said stand-by power source.

6. The electronic communications system of claim 1, further comprising:

a processing element,

at least one communication bus,

means for selecting at least one communications bus to send electronic messages, and

means for selecting at least one communications bus to receive electronic messages.

7. A method of using the electronic communications system of claim 6, the method steps comprising:

(a) using the said processing element to identify at least one communication bus to be used by the first of said at least two modules to communicate a message to at least one second module;

(b) using the said processing element to instruct the first module to select at least one of the at least one identified bus;

(c) using the said processing element to instruct each second module to select an identified bus;

(d) using the said first module to transmit a message on at least one of the at least one identified bus; and

(e) using each said second module to receive the message on said selected bus.

8. The electronic communications system of claim 1, further comprising means for allowing communications between heterogeneous protocols, wherein said means for allowing communications between heterogeneous protocols comprises:

means for selectively admitting a message entering the first of said at least two modules module from a first network using a first communication protocol,

means for allowing translation of said message by said first module to a second communications protocol,

means for selectively admitting said message into the second of said at least tow modules module, and

means for allowing translation by said second module of said second protocol to a third protocol used by a second network.

9. The electronic communications system of claim 1, further including a mechanism for allowing proper configuration of the electronic communication system comprising:

a processing element,

means for storing information in each said module about said module,

means for said processing element to retrieve said information from each said module, and

means for said processing element to configure the electronic communication system using said information.

10. A method for configuring the electronic communications system of claim 9, the method steps comprising:

(a) identifying modules present;

(b) determining the modules needing to communicate with each other;

(c) determining the types of addresses needed for each module;

(d) establishing internal communications paths between said modules; and

(e) establishing connections between modules when communications between said modules is required.

11. A method for configuring the electronic communications system of claim 9, the method steps comprising:

(a) identifying modules present;

(b) determining the modules needing to communicate with each other;

(c) determining the types of addresses needed for each module;

(d) establishing internal communications paths between said modules;

(e) constructing a customized information request;

(f) transmitting said customized information request to an external entity;

(g) receiving an answer to said customized information request; and

(h) implementing a system configuration.

12. The electronic communications system of claim 1, further comprising, a means for monitoring the operation of said modules, comprising:

a processing element,

means for allowing said processing element to communicate with said modules to retrieve information associated with the functioning of said modules, and

means for allowing said processing element to determine whether said modules are functioning within accepted parameters.

13. The electronic communications system of claim 12, further comprising means for allowing said processing element to communicate with other communications devices located externally.

14. A method for using the electronic communications system of claim 9, the method steps comprising:

(a) determining normal operational parameters of said modules;

(b) monitoring actual operational parameters of said modules;

(c) comparing said actual operation parameters with said normal operational parameters; and

(d) logging of events when said actual operational parameters are outside of said normal operational parameters.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps:

(e) allowing said processing element to communicate with at least one externally located device; and

(f) informing said externally located devices of events logged in method step (d).

16. The electronic communications system of claim 1, wherein said electronic communications system is located within a residence.

17. A method of using the electronic communications system of claim 16, comprising the step of receiving electronic messages from a cable television system.

18. A method of using the electronic communications system of claim 16, comprising the step of receiving an electronic message from an external source using a digital Subscriber Loop technology.

19. A method of using the electronic communications system of claim 16, comprising the step of receiving electronic messages form an external source using a form of metropolitan area networking technology.

20. A method of using the electronic communications system of claim 16, comprising the step of receiving electronic messages form an external source using a form of wide area networking technology.

21. The electronic communications system of claim 1, wherein said system is located within a business.

22. A method of using the electronic communications system of claim 21, comprising the step of receiving electronic messages from a cable television system.

23. A method of using the electronic communications system of claim 21, comprising the step of receiving electronic messages form an external source using digital subscriber loop technology.

24. A method of using the electronic communications system of claim 21, comprising the step of receiving electronic messages form an external source using a form of metropolitan area networking technology.

25. A method of using the electronic communications system of claim 21, comprising the step of receiving electronic messages form an external source using a form of wide area networking technology.