Modular outlet

• US 20050010954A1
• Filed: 05/03/2004
• Published: 01/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
• Original Assignee: SercoNet Limited (Yehuda Binder, MBA)
• Inventors: Binder, Yehuda
• Granted Patent: US 7,867,035 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/78
• 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 2203/5437 Wired telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5441 Wireless systems or 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 2203/5454 Adapter and plugs
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5491 using filtering and bypassing
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5495 having measurements and testing channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/542 the information being in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2856 Access arrangements, e.g. Internet access asynchronous transfer mode networks H04L12/5601; broadband local area networks H04L12/2801; optical access or distribution networks H04Q11/0067; access to open networks H04L12/5691; digital subscriber line end-user equipment and bit-level processing of data on a PSTN-based network H04M11/00; home network gateways H04L12/2834; wireless access networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2898 Subscriber equipments DSL modems H04M11/062; cable modems H04L12/2801
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/102 Circuits therefor, e.g. noise reducers, equalisers, amplifiers H04N7/108 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/106 for domestic distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/04 for time-division multiplexing H04Q11/0001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13012 Hybrid fiber coax, HFC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1308 Power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13196 Connection circuit/link/trunk/junction, bridge, router, gateway
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13199 Modem, modulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13332 : Broadband, CATV, dynamic bandwidth allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet

Abstract

In conjunction with a wiring in a house carrying data network signal, a modular outlet comprising of a base module and interface module. The base module connects to the wiring and attached to a wall. The interface module provides a data unit connection. The interface module is mechanically attached to the base module and electrically connected thereto. The wiring may also carry basic service signal such as telephone, electrical power and cable television (CATV). In such a case, the outlet will provide the relevant connectivity either as part of the base module or as part of the interface module. Both proprietary and industry standard interfaces can be used to interconnect the module. Furthermore, a standard computer expansion card (such as PCI, PCMCIA and alike) may be used as interface module.

Claims

1. A modular outlet for connection to wiring in a building carrying a data network signal, said outlet comprising a base module and an interface module, wherein:

the base module is adapted to be fixed to a wall of the building and includes connectors for connecting to said wiring and to said interface module; and

the interface module is mechanically attachable to the base module and is coupable to a data unit so that when the interface module is attached to the base module the data unit is coupled to the data network signal.

2. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein the wiring further carries a basic service signal.

3. The outlet according to claim 2, wherein the basic service is selectable from the set:

telephone, power and CATV.

4. The outlet according to claim 2, further including a basic service coupling for connecting to the basic service signal.

5. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein said data unit is couplable to the interface module by a non-wired medium.

6. The outlet according to claim 5, wherein the non-wired medium is selected from the set:

optical, audio and radio-frequency.

7. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein the interface module conforms to industry standard specifications.

8. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein the wiring uses non-conductive medium.

9. The outlet according to claim 8, wherein the said medium is based on fiber optics.

10. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein the interface module is a data unit.

11. The outlet according to claim 10, wherein the data unit is selected from PDA and cellular phone.

12. A base module for use with the modular outlet according to claim 1, the base module comprising:

a mount for attachment to a wall of the building and a first connector for connecting to said wiring;

a mount for allowing for attachment of an interface module thereto; and

a second connector for connecting to the interface module;

whereby when the interface module is attached to the base module the data unit is coupled to the data network signal.

17. The base module according to claim 12, wherein the interface module conforms to industry standard specifications.

18. The base module according to claim 12, wherein the wiring uses a non-conductive medium.

19. The base module according to claim 18, wherein said non-conductive medium includes an optical fiber and the base module comprises a fiber optics transceiver to conduct data over the optical fiber.

20. The base module according to claim 12, wherein the interface module is a data unit.

21. The base module according to claim 20, wherein the data unit is selected from PDA and cellular phone.

13. A base module for connection to wiring in a building carrying a data network signal for coupling to an interface module for coupling said data signal thereto, said base module comprising:

a casing for fixing the base module to a wall of the building and including connectors for connecting to said wiring and to said interface module; and

a mount disposed within the casing for allowing attachment of the interface module thereto and configured so that when the interface module is disposed within the mount it is electrically coupled to the connectors in the base module.

14. The base module according to claim 13, wherein the wiring farther carries a basic service signal.

15. The base module according to claim 14, wherein the basic service is selectable from the set:

telephone, power and CATV.

16. The base module according to claim 14, further including a basic service coupling for connecting to the basic service signal.