HomePNA device with the function of transmitting power over a network wire

• US 20020144159A1
• Filed: 03/30/2001
• Published: 10/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: CyberVision, Inc. (Chi Ko Investment Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: CyberVision, Inc. (Chi Ko Investment Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Wu, Kuo-Yang, Chang, Nien-Tzu
• Application Number:
  US09/821,035
• Publication Number:
  US 20020144159A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/300
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2845 Telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/02 Details ; arrangements for supplying electrical power along data transmission lines systems for transmitting signals via power distribution lines H04B3/54

Abstract

A HomePNA device with the function of transmitting power over a network wire, which connects to another HomePNA device via the network wire and transmits power using a non-data signal line in the communications protocol. The HomePNA device contains a first and second network wire connection ports for network wire terminals to plug in so as to receive and transmit data signals according to the communications protocol and to receive or transmit power provided via the non-data signal line; a power input port, which receives the external power provided through the power terminal and has a switch; and a plurality of sets of phone line connection ports for connecting data transmitting phone lines to the computer host. When the power input terminal is plugged with a power terminal, the switch is inactive and connects the non-data signal line of the first network connection port to the non-data signal line of the second network connection port and an internal control circuit. At the moment, the network device uses the power provided through the non-data signal line of the first network connection port to function. When the power input port is plugged with a power terminal, the switch functions and connects the power signal line of the power terminal to the non-data signal line of the second network connection port and the internal control circuit. In this case, the network device uses the power provided from the power terminal to function.

Claims

1. A HomePNA device with the function of transmitting power over a network wire, the HomePNA device communicating with other HomePNA device via a network wire according to a network protocol, said HomePNA device comprising:

at least a first kind of network wire connection ports to receive a network wire terminal so as to receive and transmit data signals according to the communications protocol and to receive power provided via the non-data signal line;

at least a second kind of network wire connection ports to receive a network wire terminal so as to receive and transmit data signals according to the communications protocol and to transmit power provided via the non-data signal line;

a plurality of sets of phone line connection ports for connecting data transmitting phone lines to host;

an internal control unit for controlling the function of the network device; and

a power input port for receiving external power provided through a power terminal of a power adapter and having a switch;

wherein

when said power input port does not receive the power terminal, said switch connects the non-data signal line of said first kind of network connection port to the non-data signal line of the second kind of network connection port and said internal control unit, and the HomePNA device consumes the power provided through the non-data signal line of the first kind of network connection port; and

when said power input port receives the power terminal, said switch connects the power signal line of the power terminal to the non-data signal line of the second network connection port and the internal control unit, and the HomePNA device consumes the power provided from the power terminal.

2. The HomePNA device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said internal control unit comprises a power controller to provide power to said non-data signal line of the second network connection port when said internal control unit get enough power to avoid the power adapter from overhead.

3. The HomePNA device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said network protocol is Ethernet protocol.

4. A HomePNA system with the function of transmitting power over a network wire, the HomePNA system connecting a plurality of HomePNA device via network wires according to a network protocol, said each HomePNA device comprising:

at least a first kind of network wire connection ports to receive a network wire terminal so as to receive and transmit data signals according to the communications protocol and to receive power provided via the non-data signal line;

at least a second kind of network wire connection ports to receive a network wire terminal so as to receive and transmit data signals according to the communications protocol and to transmit power provided via the non-data signal line;

a plurality of sets of phone line connection ports for connecting data transmitting phone lines to host;

an internal control unit for controlling the function of the network device; and

a power input port for receiving external power provided through a power terminal of a power adapter and having a switch;

wherein

when said power input port does not receive the power terminal, said switch connects the non-data signal line of said first kind of network connection port to the non-data signal line of the second kind of network connection port and said internal control unit, and the HomePNA device consumes the power provided through the non-data signal line of the first kind of network connection port; and

when said power input port receives the power terminal, said switch connects the power signal line of the power terminal to the non-data signal line of the second network connection port and the internal control unit, and the HomePNA device consumes the power provided from the power terminal.

5. The HomePNA system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said internal control unit comprises a power controller to provide power to said non-data signal line of the second network connection port when said internal control unit get enough power to avoid the power adapter from overhead.

6. The HomePNA system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said network protocol is Ethernet protocol.