Network combining wired and non-wired segments

• US 20050100043A1
• Filed: 11/29/2004
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
• Original Assignee: SercoNet Limited (Yehuda Binder, MBA)
• Inventors: Binder, Yehuda
• Granted Patent: US 7,933,297 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/463
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/542 the information being in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/28 characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks] wireless communication networks H04W ; arrangements for dividing the transmission path H04W40/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2832 Interconnection of the control functionalities between home networks single bridge functionality H04L12/4625
• 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 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2845 Telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/20 for indoor coverage or short range network deployment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/14 WLL [Wireless Local Loop]; RLL [Radio Local Loop]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems

Abstract

A local area network (60) within a residence or other building, including both wired (5) and non-wired segments (53). The wired segments are based on new or existing wires (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) in the building, wherein access to the wires is provided by means of outlets (61a, 61d), such as a telephone system, electrical power distribution system, or cable television wiring system. The non-wired segments are based on communication using propagated waves such as radio, sound, or light (e.g. infrared). The wired and non-wired segments interface in the outlet, using a module (50) that serves as mediator between the segments. The module can be integrated into the outlet, partially housed in the outlet, or attached externally to the outlet. Such a network allows for integrated communication of data units (24b) connected by wires and data units (24a, 24d) connected without wires.

Claims

1. A network for non-wired coupling of multiple data units over an existing electrical AC power distribution infrastructure, the network comprising:

a wire pair, that is part of the existing electrical AC power distribution infrastructure, connected for concurrently carrying an AC electrical power signal over an AC electrical power frequency band, and for wired bi-directional communication using a digital data signal and using frequency division multiplexing, wherein the digital data signal is carried over a digital data signal frequency band distinct from, and higher than, the AC electrical power frequency band,

a first module comprising;

a first wired port connected to said wire pair,

a first non-wired port for bi-directional non-wired digital communication with a first data unit, employing a non-wired digital communication signal that is one of an electromagnetic signal and a light signal, and

a first enclosure housing said first wired port and said first non-wired port,

wherein said first module is operative to couple a bi-directional non-wired digital communication signal to said first wired port for converting the bi-directional non-wired digital communication signal to the wired bi-directional digital data signal and vice versa;

a second module, comprising;

a second wired port connected to said wire pair,

a second non-wired port for bi-directional non-wired digital communication with a second data unit, employing a non-wired digital communication signal that is one of an electromagnetic signal and a light signal, and

a second enclosure housing said second wired port and said second non-wired port;

wherein said second module is operative to couple the bidirectional non-wired digital communication signal to said second wired port for converting the bi-directional non-wired digital communication signal to the wired bi-directional digital data signal and vice versa, said network is operative to couple the first data unit to the second data unit, and at least one of said enclosures is mechanically attached to the existing electrical power distribution infrastructure.

2. The network as in claim 1, wherein at least one of the non-wired digital communication signals is an infrared light signal.

3. The network as in claim 1, wherein at least one of the non-wired digital communication signals is a radio frequency signal.

4. The network as in claim 1, wherein the wired bidirectional digital data signal is based on a first protocol and the bidirectional non-wired digital communication signal is based on a second protocol that is different from the first protocol, and at least one of said modules is further operative to effect conversion between said protocols.

5. The network as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said modules is attached to a power outlet cavity.

6. The network as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said modules is detachably connected electrically and mechanically to a power outlet.

7. The network as in claim 1, wherein at least one of the non-wired ports is part of one of a WLL network, a LMDS network and a satellite network.

8. The network as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said modules is powered by the AC electrical power signal.

9. A device for non-wired coupling of a wired digital data signal to a non-wired data unit, for use with an existing electrical AC power distribution infrastructure, the infrastructure having a power wire pair carrying an AC power signal, said power wire pair concurrently carrying a bi-directional wired digital data signal and an AC power signal using frequency division multiplexing, wherein the wired digital data signal is carried over a high frequency band and the AC power signal is carried over a low frequency band, said device comprising:

a power connector connectable to the power wire pair;

a power supply coupled to said power connector for powering said device;

a high pass filter coupled to said power connector for passing only the wired digital data signal;

a power wiring modem coupled to the high pass filter for coupling to the bi-directional wired digital data signal;

a non-wired modem for bi-directional transport of a non-wired digital data signal and for coupling the non-wired digital data signal to the non-wired data unit;

a multiport device consisting of one of a bridge, a router and a gateway coupled to said power wiring modem and said non-wired modem for converting the non-wired digital data signal and the wired digital data signal and vice versa; and

a single enclosure containing said power connector, said power supply, said high pass filter, said power wiring modem, said non-wired modem and said multiport device, wherein said enclosure is mechanically attachable to the existing electrical AC power distribution infrastructure.

10. The device as in claim 9, wherein said device is further couplable to a power device, and said device further comprises:

a low pass filter coupled to said power connector for passing only the AC power signal; and

a second power connector coupled to said low pass filter for coupling a power device to the AC power signal.

11. The device as in claim 9, wherein said device is further couplable to a wired data unit, and said device further comprises:

a data connector connectable to a wired data unit and coupled to said multiport device, for coupling the wired digital data signal to the wired data unit.

12. The device as in claim 9, wherein said device is further couplable to a service wiring for a service within a building carrying a second bidirectional wired digital data signal and a service signal using frequency division multiplexing, and said device further comprises:

a wiring connector for connecting to the service wiring;

a second filter coupled to said wiring connector and operative to pass only the second bi-directional wired digital data signal; and

a service wiring modem coupled between said second filter and said multiport device, for converting the second wired digital data signal to the non-wired digital data signal and vice versa,

wherein the service is one of a telephone service, an electrical power service, and a cable television service.

13. The device as in claim 9, wherein said device further comprises means for detachably electrically and mechanically coupling said device to an AC power outlet.

14. The device as in claim 9, wherein said device is integrated within a power outlet.

15. The device as in claim 9, wherein said non-wired modem is operative to communicate data by a light signal or an electromagnetic transmission signal.

16. The device as in claim 9, wherein said non-wired modem is operative to communicate data by an infrared light signal.

17. The device as in claim 9, wherein said non-wired modem is operative to communicate data by a radio frequency signal.

18. The device as in claim 17, wherein the non-wired modem is operative to communicate with one of a WLL network, a LMDS network and a satellite network.

19. The device as in claim 9, wherein the wired digital data signal is based on a first protocol and the non-wired digital data signal is based on a second protocol that is different from the first protocol, and at least one of said modules is further operative to effect conversion between said protocols.

20. A device for non-wired coupling of a non-wired data unit to a wired data unit, said device comprising:

means for detachably electrically and mechanically coupling said device to an AC power outlet;

a data connector connectable to the wired data unit;

a wiring modem coupled to said data connector for coupling to the wired data unit using bi-directional transport of a wired digital data signal;

a non-wired modem for bidirectional transport of a non-wired digital data signal for coupling the non-wired digital data signal to the non-wired data unit;

a multiport device consisting of one of a bridge, a router and a gateway coupled to said wiring modem and said non-wired modem for converting the non-wired digital data signal to the wired digital data signal and vice versa; and

a single enclosure containing said data connector, said wiring modem, said non-wired modem and said multiport device.

21. The device as in claim 20 further couplable to a power device for powering said device.

22. The device as in claim 20, wherein said non-wired modem is operative to communicate data by a light signal or an electromagnetic transmission signal.

23. The device as in claim 20, wherein said non-wired modem is operative to communicate data by an infrared light signal.

24. The device as in claim 20, wherein said non-wired modem is operative to communicate data by a radio frequency transmission signal.

25. The device as in claim 24, wherein said non-wired modem is operative to communicate with of one of a WLL network, a LMDS network and a satellite network.