Integrated connector for powerline network and power supply

• US 20050208825A1
• Filed: 02/10/2005
• Published: 09/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Asoka USA Corporation (Asoka)
• Original Assignee: Asoka USA Corporation (Asoka)
• Inventors: Chan, Tat Keung
• Granted Patent: US 7,413,471 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/505
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6675 with built-in power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/04 for network, e.g. LAN connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/005 Intermediate parts for distributing signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5483 using coupling circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/542 the information being in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/56 Circuits for coupling, blocking, or by-passing of signals

Abstract

A portable connector for power line networking. The connector includes a single AC connector, which has at least a first prong and a second prong (which will be plugged into a conventional connector device). The connector also has at least a first pair of wires coupled to the single AC connector. The first pair of wires includes a first wire coupled to the first prong and a second wire coupled to the second prong. A hardware module is coupled to the first pair of wires, which are adapted to transmit a plurality of AC signals corresponding to AC power from the AC connector and a plurality data signals from the AC connector. A single DC connector is coupled to the hardware module. A single network connector is also coupled to the hardware module.

Claims

1. A portable connector for power line networking, the connector comprising:

a single AC connector, the single AC connector including at least a first prong and a second prong;

at least a first pair of wires coupled to the single AC connector, the first pair of wires including a first wire coupled to the first prong and a second wire coupled to the second prong;

a hardware module coupled to the first pair of wires, the first pair of wires being adapted to transmit a plurality of AC signals corresponding to AC power from the AC connector and a plurality data signals from the AC connector;

a single DC connector coupled to the hardware module; and

a single network connector coupled to the hardware module.

2. The connector of claim 1 wherein the single DC connector is coupled to the hardware module via a second pair of wires.

3. The connector of claim 2 wherein the single network connector is coupled to the hardware module via a network cable.

4. The connector of claim 3 wherein the second pair of wires and the network cable are used in a Y-shaped harness between the hardware module and single DC connector and single network connector.

5. The connector of claim 4 wherein the single network connector comprises a CAT 5 connector.

6. The connector of claim 5 wherein the single DC connector comprises a DC connector for a portable computer device.

7. The connector of claim 1 wherein the hardware module comprises:

a switching power supply, the switching power supply being coupled between the single AC connector and single DC connector, the switching power supply being adapted to convert AC signals from the single AC connector into direct current for use at the DC connector; and

a powerline module coupled between the single AC connector and single network connection, the powerline module being adapted to convert the plurality of data signals in a first format to a plurality of data signals in a second format for use at the single network connection.

8. The connector of claim 7 wherein the powerline module is coupled to a coupling transformer between the AC connector and the powerline module.

9. The connector of claim 8 wherein the powerline module is coupled to an Ethernet interface between the single network connection and the powerline module.

10. The connector of claim 1 wherein the portable connector is characterized by a total length of less than three feet from the single AC connector to either then single DC connector or the single network connector.

11. The connector of claim 1 wherein the portable connector is adapted for a personal computer, a personal computing device, a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant, and a digital camera.

12. A method for using a portable connector for power line networking in remote applications, the method comprising:

coupling a single AC connector, the single AC connector including at least a first prong and a second prong, into a powerline enabled socket, the socket including at least a first receptacle and a second receptacle, the first receptacle being coupled to the first prong and the second receptacle being coupled to the second prong;

transferring at least a plurality of AC signals and a plurality of data signals from the single AC connector through at least a first pair of wires coupled to the single AC connector, the first pair of wires including a first wire coupled to the first prong and a second wire coupled to the second prong;

transferring the plurality of AC signals and the plurality of data signals to a hardware module coupled to the first pair of wires;

converting the plurality of AC signals into a DC signal;

transferring the DC signal from the hardware module to a single DC connector coupled to the hardware module;

transferring a plurality of communication signals associated with the plurality of data signals from the hardware module to a single network connector coupled to the hardware module; and

coupling the single network connector and the single DC connector to a remote application.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the remote application is selected from a lap top computer, a digital camera, a MP3 player, or a cellular phone.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the single network connector, the single DC connector, the hardware module, and single AC connector are portable in characteristic.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the portable in characteristic allows the single network connector, the single DC connector, the hardware module, and single AC connector to be provided in a hand carry bag.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the hand carry bag is a pocket.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein the hardware module is removable from the single AC connector using a plug design.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein the plurality of data signals are OFDM.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein the DC signal ranges from about 5 volts to about 20 volts.

20. A portable powerline connector for remote applications, the connector comprising:

a single AC connector, the single AC connector including at least a first prong and a second prong, the single AC connector being adapted to be plugged into a powerline enabled socket, the socket including at least a first receptacle for the first prong and a second receptacle for the second prong;

at least a first pair of wires coupled to the single AC connector, the first pair of wires including a first wire coupled to the first prong and a second wire coupled to the second prong;

an insulating material housing the first pair of wires;

a hardware module coupled to the first pair of wires, the first pair of wires being adapted to transmit a plurality of AC signals corresponding to AC power from the AC connector and a plurality data signals from the AC connector;

a powerline module operably coupled to the hardware module, the powerline module being adapted to convert the plurality of data signals in a first format to a plurality of data signals in a second format;

a power supply operably coupled to the hardware module, the power supply being adapted to convert the plurality of AC signals into a DC signal;

a DC connector coupled to the hardware module, the DC connector being coupled to the DC signal; and

a network connector coupled to the hardware module, the network connector being coupled to the powerline module.