Local area network of serial intelligent cells

• US 20020159402A1
• Filed: 06/25/2002
• Published: 10/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Conversant Intellectual Property Management Inc (MOSAID Technologies Inc. (f/k/a Conversant Intellectual Property Management))
• Original Assignee: Yehuda Binder
• Inventors: Binder, Yehuda
• Granted Patent: US 7,016,368 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/296
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5437 Wired telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/545 Audio/video application, e.g. interphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5458 Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/542 the information being in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• 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 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/14 Two-way operation using the same type of signal, i.e. duplex
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/00 Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications user-to-user messaging H04L51/00; network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/02 providing ringing current or supervisory tones, e.g. dialling tone or busy tone
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 370/908 Local area network

Abstract

A serial intelligent cell (SIC) and a connection topology for local area networks using Electrically-conducting media. A local area network can be configured from a plurality of SIC'"'"'s interconnected so that all communications between two adjacent SIC'"'"'s is both point-to-point and bidirectional. Each SIC can be connected to one or more other SIC'"'"'s to allow redundant communication paths. Communications in different areas of a SIC network are independent of one another, so that, unlike current bus topology and star topology, there is no fundamental limit on the size or extent of a SIC network. Each SIC can optionally be connected to one or more data terminals, computers, telephones, sensors, actuators, etc., to facilitate interconnectivity among such devices. Networks according to the present invention can be configured for a variety of applications, including a local telephone system, remote computer bus extender, multiplexers, PABX/PBX functionality, security systems, and local broadcasting services. The network can use dedicated wiring, as well as existing wiring as the in-house telephone or electrical wiring.

Claims

1. A local area network for data communication, sensing, and control comprising at least three serial intelligent cells interconnected exclusively by electrically-conducting media into at least two communicating pairs, wherein:

(a) each of said electrically-conducting media physically interconnects no more than two of said serial intelligent cells;

(b) each of said at least one communicating pair includes one of said electrically-conducting media and exactly two of said serial intelligent cells;

(c) each of said at least one communicating pair engages in a full duplex communication exclusively over said electrically-conducting media; and

(d) each of said at least one communicating pair is operative to engage in said communication bidirectionally and independently of the communication of any other of said at least one communicating pair;

wherein at least one of said electrically-conducting media includes electrical power wiring of a building;

wherein at least one of said electrically-conducting media is used to carry both local area network data and electrical power; and

wherein the local area network data and electrical power are combined using frequency-domain multiplexing.

2. The local area network as in claim 1, wherein said communication is exclusively point-to-point communication.

3. The local area network as in claim 1, wherein the topology is a circular topology.

4. The local area network as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said electrically-conducting media includes telephone wiring of a building.

5. The local area network as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said electrically-conducting media is used for both local area network data and for telephony.

6. The local area network as in claim 5, wherein the local area network data and telephony are combined by frequency-domain multiplexing.

7. The local area network as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells is powered from an electrical power main.

8. The local area network as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells can deliver electrical power.

9. The local area network as in claim 1, wherein at least part of at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells is housed within a telephone outlet.

10. The local area network as in claim 9, wherein the telephone outlet allows connections to telephone services and to the local area network.

11. The local area network as in claim 1, wherein at least part of at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells is housed within an electrical outlet.

12. The local area network as in claim 11, wherein the electrical outlet allows connections to electrical power and to the local area network.

13. The local area network as in claim 1, wherein telephony is digitally integrated into the local area network data.

14. The local area network as in claim 1, wheat least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells includes an address.

15. The local area network as in claim 14, wherein said address is assigned automatically by the local area network.

16. The local area network as in claim 14, wherein said address is assigned manually.

17. The local area network as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells receives electrical power locally.

18. The local area network as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells receives electrical power via a dedicated power line.

19. The local area network as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells comprises:

(a) a line interface;

(b) a modem;

(c) a control block; and

(d) a power supply.

20. The local area network as in claim 19, wherein at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells further comprises:

(e) a payload interface; and

(f) at least one sensor.

21. The local area network as in claim 19, wherein at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells further comprises:

(e) a communications interface.

22. The local area network as in claim 19, wherein at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells s further comprises:

(e) a computer bus connector.

23. The local area network as in claim 22, functioning as a computer bus extender.

24. The local area network as in claim 19, wherein at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells further comprises:

(e) a telephone interface.

25. The local area network as in claim 24, wherein one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells is interconnected to a public telephone network interface.

26. The local area network as in claim 19 wherein at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells further comprises:

(e) a payload interface; and

(f) at least one actuator.

27. The local area network as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells receives electrical power via said electrically-conducting media.

28. The local area network as in claim 27, wherein at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells comprises a telephony/data splitter/combiner.

29. The local area network as in claim 27, wherein at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells comprises a power/data splitter/combiner.

30. The local area network as in claim 29, wherein said power/data splitter/combiner comprises an AC power/data splitter/combiner.

31. The local area network as in claim 29, wherein said power/data splitter/combiner comprises a DC power/data splitter/combiner.

32. The local area network as in claim 1, functioning as a multiplexer, wherein at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells is connected to a high data rate connection whose bandwidth is multiplexed to at least one other of said plurality of serial intelligent cells.

33. The local area network as in claim 32, functioning as a voice multiplexer, wherein at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells is connected to a telephone.

34. The local area network as in claim 1, comprising at least four said serial intelligent cells interconnected exclusively by said electrically-conducting media into at least three communicating pairs.

35. The local area network as in claim 1, comprising only said at least three serial intelligent cells.

37. The local area network as in claim 36, comprising at least four said serial intelligent cells interconnected exclusively by said electrically-conducting media into at least three communicating pairs.

38. The local area network as in claim 36, comprising only said at least three serial intelligent cells.

40. The local area network as in claim 39, wherein at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells comprises a power/data splitter/combiner.

41. The local area network as in claim 40, wherein said power/data splitter/combiner comprises an AC power/data splitter/combiner.

42. The local area network as in claim 40, wherein said power/data splitter/combiner comprises a DC power/data splitter/combiner.

43. The local area network as in claim 39, comprising at least four said serial intelligent cells interconnected exclusively by said electrically-conducting media into at least three communicating pairs.

44. The local area network as in claim 39, comprising only said at least three serial intelligent cells.

46. The local area network as in claim 45, comprising at least four said serial intelligent cells interconnected exclusively by said electrically-conducting media into at least three communicating pairs.

47. The local area network as in claim 45, comprising only said at least three serial intelligent cells.

49. The local area network as in claim 48, comprising at least four said serial intelligent cells interconnected exclusively by said electrically-conducting media into at least three communicating pairs.

50. The local area network as in claim 48, comprising only said at least three serial intelligent cells.

36. A local area network for data communication, sensing, and control comprising at least three serial intelligent cells interconnected exclusively by electrically-conducting media into at least two communicating pairs, wherein:

(a) each of said electrically-conducting media physically interconnects no more than two of said serial intelligent cells;

(b) each of said at least one communicating pair includes one of said electrically-conducting media and exactly two of said serial intelligent cells;

(c) each of said at least one communicating pair engages in a full duplex communication exclusively over said electrically-conducting media; and

(d) each of said at least one communicating pair is operative to engage in said communication bidirectionally and independently of the communication of any other of said at least one communicating pair;

wherein at least one of said electrically-conducting media is used to carry both local area network data and electrical power; and

wherein the local area network data and electrical power are combined using frequency-domain multiplexing.

39. A local area network for data communication, sensing, and control comprising at least three serial intelligent cells interconnected exclusively by electrically-conducting media into at least two communicating pairs, wherein:

(a) each of said electrically-conducting media physically interconnects no more than two of said serial intelligent cells;

(b) each of said at least one communicating pair includes one of said electrically-conducting media and exactly two of said serial intelligent cells;

(c) each of said at least one communicating pair engages in a full duplex communication exclusively over said electrically-conducting media; and

(d) each of said at least one communicating pair is operative to engage in said communication bidirectionally and independently of the communication of any other of said at least one communicating pair;

wherein at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells receives electrical power via said electrically-conducting media; and

wherein at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells comprises a telephony/data splitter/combiner.

45. A local area network for data communication, sensing, and control comprising at least three serial intelligent cells interconnected exclusively by electrically-conducting media into at least two communicating pairs, wherein:

(a) each of said electrically-conducting media physically interconnects no more than two of said serial intelligent cells;

(b) each of said at least one communicating pair includes one of said electrically-conducting media and exactly two of said serial intelligent cells;

(c) each of said at least one communicating pair engages in a full duplex communication exclusively over said electrically-conducting media; and

(d) each of said at least one communicating pair is operative to engage in said communication bidirectionally and independently of the communication of any other of said at least one communicating pair.

wherein at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells comprises;

(a) a line interface;

(b) a modem;

(c) a control block;

(d) a power supply; and

(e) a telephone interface;

and wherein one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells is interconnected to a public telephone network interface.

48. A local area network for data communication, sensing, and control comprising at least three serial intelligent cells interconnected exclusively by electrically-conducting media into at least two communicating pairs, wherein:

(a) each of said electrically-conducting media physically interconnects no more than two of said serial intelligent cells;

(b) each of said at least one communicating pair includes one of said electrically-conducting media and exactly two of said serial intelligent cells;

(c) each of said at least one communicating pair engages in a full duplex communication exclusively over said electrically-conducting media; and

(d) each of said at least one communicating pair is operative to engage in said communication bidirectionally and independently of the communication of any other of said at least one communicating pair;

wherein at least one of said electrically-conducting media includes electrical power wiring of a building;

wherein at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells receives electrical power via said electrically-conducting media; and

wherein at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells comprises a telephony/data splitter/combiner.

51. A local area network for data communication, sensing, and control comprising at least three serial intelligent cells interconnected exclusively by electrically-conducting media into at least two communicating pairs, wherein:

(a) each of said electrically-conducting media physically interconnects no more than two of said serial intelligent cells;

(b) each of said at least one communicating pair includes one of said electrically-conducting media and exactly two of said serial intelligent cells;

(c) each of said at least one communicating pair engages in a full duplex communication exclusively over said electrically-conducting media; and

(d) each of said at least one communicating pair is operative to engage in said communication bidirectionally and independently of the communication of any other of said at least one communicating pair;

wherein at least one of said electrically-conducting media includes electrical power wiring of a building;

wherein at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells receives electrical power via said electrically-conducting media; and

wherein at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells comprises a power/data splitter/combiner.

52. The local area network as in claim 51, wherein said power/data splitter/combiner comprises an AC power/data splitter/combiner.

53. The local area network as in claim 51, wherein said power/data splitter/combiner comprises a DC power/data splitter/combiner.

54. The local area network as in claim 51, comprising at least four said serial intelligent cells interconnected exclusively by said electrically-conducting media into at least three communicating pairs.

55. The local area network as in claim 51, comprising only said at least three serial intelligent cells.

57. The local area network as in claim 56, functioning as a computer bus extender.

58. The local area network as in claim 56, comprising at least four said serial intelligent cells interconnected exclusively by said electrically-conducting media into at least three communicating pairs.

59. The local area network as in claim 56, comprising only said at least three serial intelligent cells.

56. A local area network for data communication, sensing, and control comprising at least three serial intelligent cells interconnected exclusively by electrically-conducting media into at least two communicating pairs, wherein:

(a) each of said electrically-conducting media physically interconnects no more than two of said serial intelligent cells;

(b) each of said at least one communicating pair includes one of said electrically-conducting media and exactly two of said serial intelligent cells;

(c) each of said at least one communicating pair engages in a full duplex communication exclusively over said electrically-conducting media; and

(d) each of said at least one communicating pair is operative to engage in said communication bidirectionally and independently of the communication of any other of said at least one communicating pair;

wherein at least one of said electrically-conducting media includes electrical power wiring of a building; and

wherein at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells comprises;

(i) a line interface,

(ii) a modem,

(iii) a control block,

(iv) a power supply, and

(v) a computer bus connector.

60. A local area network for data communication, sensing, and control comprising at least three serial intelligent cells interconnected exclusively by electrically-conducting media into at least two communicating pairs, wherein:

(a) each of said electrically-conducting media physically interconnects no more than two of said serial intelligent cells;

(b) each of said at least one communicating pair includes one of said electrically-conducting media and exactly two of said serial intelligent cells;

(c) each of said at least one communicating pair engages in a full duplex communication exclusively over said electrically-conducting media; and

(d) each of said at least one communicating pair is operative to engage in said communication bidirectionally and independently of the communication of any other of said at least one communicating pair;

wherein at least one of said electrically-conducting media includes electrical power wiring of a building;

wherein at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells comprises;

(i) a line interface,

(ii) a modem,

(iii) a control block,

(iv) a power supply, and

(v) a telephone interface;

and wherein one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells is interconnected to a public telephone network interface.

61. The local area network as in claim 60, comprising at least four said serial intelligent cells interconnected exclusively by said electrically-conducting media into at least three communicating pairs.

62. The local area network as in claim 60, comprising only said at least three serial intelligent cells.

63. A local area network for data communication, sensing, and control comprising at least three serial intelligent cells interconnected exclusively by electrically-conducting media into at least two communicating pairs, wherein:

(a) each of said electrically-conducting media physically interconnects no more than two of said serial intelligent cells;

(b) each of said at least one communicating pair includes one of said electrically-conducting media and exactly two of said serial intelligent cells;

(c) each of said at least one communicating pair engages in a full duplex communication exclusively over said electrically-conducting media; and

(d) each of said at least one communicating pair is operative to engage in said communication bidirectionally and independently of the communication of any other of said at least one communicating pair;

wherein at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells receives electrical power via said electrically-conducting media; and

wherein at least one of said plurality of serial intelligent cells comprises a power/data splitter/combiner.

64. The local area network as in claim 63, wherein said power/data splitter/combiner comprises an AC power/data splitter/combiner.

65. The local area network as in claim 63, wherein said power/data splitter/combiner comprises a DC power/data splitter/combiner.

66. The local area network as in claim 63, comprising at least four said serial intelligent cells interconnected exclusively by said electrically-conducting media into at least three communicating pairs.

67. The local area network as in claim 63, comprising only said at least three serial intelligent cells.