High-speed data communication over a residential telephone wiring network

• US 20030147513A1
• Filed: 03/10/2003
• Published: 08/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United Access Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: David D. Goodman
• Inventors: Goodman, David D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,145,990 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/90.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2836 Protocol conversion between an external network and a home network controlling appliance services of a home automation network from a device located outside the home and the home network H04L12/2818; protocol conversion H04L69/08; adaptation of digital video signals for transport over a specific home network H04N7/24
• 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 12/6418 Hybrid transport
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2845 Telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6475 N-ISDN, Public Switched Telephone Network [PSTN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6478 Digital subscriber line, e.g. DSL, ADSL, HDSL, XDSL, VDSL
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/062 using different frequency bands for speech and other data

Abstract

A method and system for communicating between a number of computers within a residence over an active telephone network, and for communicating data between a telephone exchange and the residence in a first data band concurrently with the computers communicating in a second data band over the telephone wiring network with the residence. A modem bridges communication in the first data band and the second data band enabling the computers to communicate with the telephone exchange, which may provide a data path to other computers, for instance over the Internet. In addition, signals such as video signals can be distributed within the residence in an additional high-frequency band making use of common circuitry for both data and video communication.

Claims

1. A communication hub (710) for facilitating the communication of 100BaseT Ethernet signals and ordinary telephone signals across a junction where three conductive paths, each composed of two twisted wires, join together, the hub comprising:

three data-over-voice ports each of which connects to one of said conductive paths,

three data ports, each of which connects to a port on a 100BaseT Ethernet hub via a path consisting of two twisted pair wires,

three high pass filters that block ordinary telephone signals on each of two twisted pair paths but allow 100BaseT Ethernet signals to flow through freely,

three low pass filters that block 100BaseT signals on each of two twisted pair paths but allow ordinary telephone signals to pass freely,

one voice port for connection of one or two telephone devices,

wherein,

each high pass filter connects between a different one of said data-over-voice ports and a different one of said data ports, and

each low pass filter connects between a different one of said data-over-voice ports and said voice port,

2. The system of claim 1 further including a bypass path connecting one of said data ports with one of said data-over-voice ports, and a switch connected in series with said bypass path, said switch breaking the connectivity of said path at one setting, and having substantially no effect on the system when at a second setting.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said 100BaseT Ethernet hub includes circuitry for pre-emphasis and amplification of Ethernet signals after they undergo conventional 802.11 Ethernet processing but before they exit from one of the ports of said hub.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said 100BaseT Ethernet hub includes circuitry for amplification and equalization of Ethernet signals before they undergo conventional 802.11 Ethernet processing.