Local area network of serial intelligent cells

• US 20060018338A1
• Filed: 09/26/2005
• Published: 01/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MOSAID Technologies Inc. (f/k/a Conversant Intellectual Property Management)
• Original Assignee: SercoNet Limited (Yehuda Binder, MBA)
• Inventors: Binder, Yehuda
• Granted Patent: US 7,221,679 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/463
• 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

An outlet for coupling a data unit and an analog telephone set to in-wall wiring that simultaneously carries a bi-directional serial digital data signal multiplexed with a telephone signal. The outlet includes: a wiring connector operative for connecting the outlet to the in-wall wiring; a data interface connector coupled to the wiring connector and connectable to the data unit, for coupling the serial digital data signal to the data unit; a telephone connector coupled to the wiring connector and connectable to the analog telephone set, for coupling the telephone signal to the telephone set; and a single enclosure housing the wiring connector, the data interface connector and the telephone connector, wherein the enclosure is dimensioned to be mountable into a standard outlet receptacle or opening.

Claims

1. An outlet for coupling a data unit and an analog telephone set to in-wall wiring that simultaneously carries a bi-directional serial digital data signal multiplexed with a telephone signal, the outlet comprising:

a wiring connector operative for connecting said outlet to the in-wall wiring;

a data interface connector coupled to said wiring connector and connectable to the data unit, for coupling the serial digital data signal to the data unit;

a telephone connector coupled to said wiring connector and connectable to the analog telephone set, for coupling the telephone signal to the telephone set; and

a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said data interface connector and said telephone connector, wherein said enclosure is dimensioned to be mountable into a standard outlet receptacle or opening.

2. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein the in-wall wiring is one of:

a twisted wire pair, a coaxial cable, a telephone wire-pair and powerline wiring, and said wiring connector is adapted to connect to the wiring.

3. The outlet according to claim 1, further comprising at least one active device, and wherein said outlet further comprises a power supply connected to said at least one active device for DC powering said at least one active device, said power supply having a connection point for connecting to a power source, and said outlet further comprises a visual indicator coupled to said power supply for indicating a status.

4. The outlet according to claim 3 further comprising a power connector connectable to the power source, and wherein said connection point is coupled to said power connector for supplying power to said outlet from the power source.

5. The outlet according to claim 3 wherein the in-wall wiring further simultaneously carries a power signal, and wherein said connection point is coupled to said wiring connector for supplying power to said outlet from the power signal.

6. The outlet according to claim 3 wherein said power supply comprises an AC/DC converter or a DC/DC converter.

7. The outlet according to claim 3 further comprising a power connector coupled to said connection point and connectable to a device for DC powering the device.

8. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein:

the telephone signal is an analog telephone signal, and the digital data signal and telephone signal are frequency multiplexed;

the digital data signal is carried in a frequency band distinct from, and higher than, the analog telephone signal, and

said outlet further comprises;

a high pass filter coupled between said wiring connector and said data interface connector for passing only the digital data signal; and

a low pass filter coupled between said wiring connector and said telephone connector for passing only the analog telephone signal.

9. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein:

the telephone signal is a digitized telephone signal;

the digital data signal and digitized telephone signals are time multiplexed; and

said outlet further comprises;

a time multiplexer/demultiplexer coupled between said wiring connector, said data interface connector and said telephone connector, said time multiplexer/demultiplexer being operative to pass the telephone signal between said wiring connector and said telephone connector and to pass the digital data signal between said wiring connector and said data interface connector; and

a converter coupled between said telephone connector and said time multiplexer/demultiplexer for converting between the digitized telephone signal and the analog telephone signal.

10. The outlet according to claim 9, wherein the time multiplexed digital data signal and digitized telephone signal are carried using ISDN standard.

11. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein said outlet is further addressable in a network.

12. The outlet according to claim 11, wherein said outlet has a manually assigned address.

13. The outlet according to claim 11, wherein said outlet has an automatically assigned address.

14. The outlet according to claim 11, wherein said outlet has an address assigned by a data unit connected to the outlet.

15. The outlet according to claim 1, further comprising a first transceiver coupled between said wiring connector and data interface connector, for conducting the serial digital data signal over the in-wall wiring.

16. The outlet according to claim 15, wherein said first transceiver is operative to bi-directionally communicate with one or more identical transceivers over the in-wall wiring.

17. The outlet according to claim 15, wherein said first transceiver is operative to bi-directionally communicate point-to-point with only a single mating transceiver over the in-wall wiring.

18. The outlet according to claim 15, further comprising a second transceiver coupled between said first transceiver and said standard data interface connector, said second transceiver being operative to effect full-duplex serial digital data communication with the data unit.

19. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein the serial digital data signal coupled to the data unit conforms to an Ethernet standard.

20. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein at least one parameter of the outlet is configurable by a connected data unit.

21. The outlet according to claim 1 further operative to provide a standard computer bus interface, said outlet further comprising a computer connector and mechanical means for connecting and attaching to a computer plug-in unit, said computer connector being coupled to said wiring connector.

22. The outlet according to claim 21, wherein said standard computer bus interface is one of:

an ISA interface, a PCMCIA interface, an IDE interface, and a SCSI interface.

23. The outlet according to claim 1 further comprising firmware and a processor executing said firmware, and wherein the serial digital data is coupled to said processor via said wiring connector.

24. An outlet for coupling to a data unit and to in-wall wiring, said outlet comprising:

a wiring connector operative for connecting said outlet to the in-wall wiring;

a first transceiver coupled to said wiring connector for conducting a full-duplex serial digital data communication over the in-wall wiring;

a data interface connector connectable to the data unit;

a second transceiver coupled to said data interface connector for conducting a bi-directional serial digital data communication with the data unit;

firmware and a processor executing said firmware, said processor being coupled to said first and second transceivers; and

a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said processor, said firmware, said data interface connector, and said first and second transceivers,

wherein said enclosure is dimensioned to be mountable into an outlet receptacle or opening.

25. The outlet according to claim 24, wherein the in-wall wiring is one of:

a twisted-wire pair, a coaxial cable, a telephone wire-pair and powerline wiring, and said wiring connector is adapted to connect to the wiring.

26. The outlet according to claim 24, further comprising at least one active device, and wherein the outlet further comprises a power supply connected to said at least one active device for DC powering said at least one active device, said power supply having a connection point for connecting to a power source, and said outlet further comprises a visual indicator coupled to said power supply for indicating a status.

27. The outlet according to claim 26 further comprising a power connector connectable to the power source, and wherein said connection point is coupled to said power connector for supplying power to said outlet from the power source.

28. The outlet according to claim 26 wherein the in-wall wiring further simultaneously carries a power signal, and wherein said connection point is coupled to receive the power signal and to supply the power signal to said outlet for powering said outlet.

29. The outlet according to claim 26 wherein said power supply comprises an AC/DC converter or a DC/DC converter.

30. The outlet according to claim 26 further comprising a power connector coupled to said connection point and connectable to a device for DC powering the device.

31. The outlet according to claim 24, wherein said outlet is further addressable in a network.

32. The outlet according to claim 31, wherein said outlet has a manually assigned address.

33. The outlet according to claim 31, wherein said outlet has an automatically assigned address.

34. The outlet according to claim 31, wherein said outlet has an address assigned by a data unit connected to said outlet.

35. The outlet according to claim 24, wherein said first transceiver is operative to perform bi-directional communication with one or more identical transceivers over the in-wall wiring.

36. The outlet according to claim 24, wherein said first transceiver is operative to perform full-duplex point-to-point communication with only a single transceiver over the in-wall wiring.

37. The outlet according to claim 24, wherein said second transceiver is operative to perform bi-directional communication with one or more identical transceivers.

38. The outlet according to claim 24, wherein said second transceiver is operative to perform full-duplex point-to-point communication with only a single transceiver.

39. The outlet according to claim 24, wherein the communication with the data unit conforms to an Ethernet standard.

40. The outlet according to claim 24, wherein at least one parameter of the outlet is configurable by a connected data unit.

41. The outlet according to claim 24 further operative to provide a standard computer bus interface, said outlet further comprising a computer connector and mechanical means for connecting and attaching to a computer plug-in unit, said computer connector being coupled to said first transceiver.

42. The outlet according to claim 41, wherein said standard computer bus interface is one of:

an ISA interface, a PCMCIA interface, an IDE interface, and a SCSI interface.

43. The outlet according to claim 24, further operative to couple an analog unit to said processor, said outlet further comprising an analog connector connectable to the analog unit for coupling an analog signal to said processor, and a converter for converting between analog and digital signals coupled between said analog connector and said processor.

44. The outlet according to claim 43, wherein the analog unit is an analog actuator for creating a physical phenomenon, and said converter is a digital to analog converter.

45. The outlet according to claim 43, wherein the analog unit is an analog sensor for sensing a physical phenomenon, and said converter is an analog to digital converter.

46. The outlet according to claim 43, wherein the analog unit is one of an audio unit and a video unit and the analog signal is one of an audio signal and a video signal, respectively.

47. The outlet according to claim 43, wherein the analog unit is a telephone unit, said analog connector is a telephone connector and the analog signal is a telephone signal.

48. The outlet according to claim 43, wherein said analog connector is coupled to said power supply and to the analog unit for DC powering the analog unit.

157. The outlet according to claim 24, wherein the in-wall wiring further carries a frequency multiplexed analog telephone signal or AC power signal.

49. An active outlet for coupling to first and second data units, said outlet comprising:

a first data interface connector connectable to the first data unit;

a first transceiver coupled to said first data interface connector for conducting full-duplex serial digital data communication with the first data unit;

a second data interface connector connectable to the second data unit;

a second transceiver coupled to said second data interface connector for conducting full-duplex serial digital data communication with the second data unit; and

a single enclosure housing said first and second data interfaces, and said first and second transceivers;

wherein said enclosure is dimensioned to be mountable into a standard outlet receptacle or opening.

50. The outlet according to claim 49, wherein the communication with the first data unit is independent of the communication with the second data unit.

51. The outlet according to claim 49, further comprising at least one active device, and wherein said outlet further comprises a power supply connected to said at least one active device for DC powering said at least one active device, said power supply having a connection point for connecting to a power source, and said outlet further comprises a visual indicator coupled to said power supply for indicating a status.

52. The outlet according to claim 51, further comprising a power connector connectable to the power source, and wherein said connection point is coupled to said power connector for supplying power to said outlet from the power source.

53. The outlet according to claim 51 wherein said power supply comprises a DC/DC converter.

54. The outlet according to claim 51 further comprising a power connector coupled to said connection point and connectable to a device for DC powering the device.

55. The outlet according to claim 49, wherein said outlet is further addressable in a network.

56. The outlet according to claim 55, wherein said outlet has a manually assigned address.

57. The outlet according to claim 55, wherein said outlet has an automatically assigned address.

58. The outlet according to claim 55 wherein said outlet has an address assigned by a data unit connected to said outlet.

59. The outlet according to claim 49, wherein said first transceiver is operative to perform bi-directional communication with one or more identical transceivers.

60. The outlet according to claim 49, wherein said first transceiver is operative to perform full-duplex point-to-point communication with only a single mating transceiver.

61. The outlet according to claim 49, wherein said second transceiver is operative to perform bi-directional communication with one or more identical transceivers.

62. The outlet according to claim 49, wherein said second transceiver is operative to perform full-duplex point-to-point communication with only a single mating transceiver.

63. The outlet according to claim 49, wherein the communication with each of said first and second data units conforms to an Ethernet protocol.

64. The outlet according to claim 49, wherein at least one parameter of the outlet is configurable by a connected data unit.

65. The outlet according to claim 49 further operative to provide a standard computer bus interface, said outlet further comprising a computer connector and mechanical means for connecting and attaching to a computer plug-in unit, said computer connector being coupled to said first transceiver.

66. The outlet according to claim 65, wherein said standard computer bus interface is one of:

an ISA interface, a PCMCIA interface, an IDE interface, and a SCSI interface.

67. The outlet according to claim 49, further operative to couple an analog unit to the first data unit, said outlet further comprising an analog connector connectable to the analog unit for coupling an analog signal to the first data unit, and a converter between the analog and digital signals coupled between said analog connector and said first transceiver.

68. The outlet according to claim 67, wherein the analog unit is an analog actuator for creating a physical phenomenon, and said converter is a digital to analog converter.

69. The outlet according to claim 67, wherein the analog unit is an analog sensor for sensing a physical phenomenon, and said converter is an analog to digital converter.

70. The outlet according to claim 67, wherein the analog unit is one of an audio unit and a video unit and the analog signal is one of an audio signal and a video signal, respectively.

71. The outlet according to claim 67, wherein the analog unit is a telephone unit, said analog connector is a telephone connector and the analog signal is a telephone signal.

72. The outlet according to claim 67, further comprising a DC power supply coupled to said analog connector, and wherein said analog connector is coupled to said power supply and to the analog unit for DC powering the analog unit.

73. The outlet according to claim 49, further operative to transparently pass data from the first data unit to the second data unit and wherein said first transceiver is coupled to said second transceiver.

158. The outlet according to claim 49, wherein the in-wall wiring further carries a frequency multiplexed analog telephone signal or AC power signal.

74. An outlet for coupling an analog device to an in-wall wiring carrying serial digital data, the outlet comprising:

a wiring connector operative for connecting said outlet to the in-wall wiring;

a transceiver coupled to said wiring connector for conducting serial digital data communication over the in-wall wiring;

an analog connector connectable to the analog device for coupling the serial digital data to the analog device;

a converter for converting between analog and digital signals coupled between said analog connector and said transceiver; and

a single enclosure housing said transceiver, and said wiring and analog connectors,

wherein said enclosure is dimensioned to be mountable into a standard outlet receptacle or opening.

75. The outlet according to claim 74, wherein said in-wall wiring is one of:

a twisted-wire pair, a coaxial cable, a telephone wire-pair and powerline wiring, and said transceiver is adapted to conduct the serial digital data over the wiring.

76. The outlet according to claim 74, wherein the analog device is an analog actuator for creating a physical phenomenon, and said converter is a digital to analog converter.

77. The outlet according to claim 74, wherein the analog device is an analog sensor for sensing a physical phenomenon, and said converter is an analog to digital converter.

78. The outlet according to claim 74, wherein the analog device is one of an audio unit and a video unit and the analog signal is one of an audio signal and a video signal, respectively.

79. The outlet according to claim 74, wherein the analog device is a telephone unit, the analog connector is a telephone connector and the analog signal is a telephone signal.

80. The outlet according to claim 74, wherein said transceiver is operative to perform full-duplex communication.

81. The outlet according to claim 74, further comprising a power supply connected to said transceiver for DC powering said transceiver, said power supply having a connection point for connecting to a power source, and wherein said outlet further comprises a visual indicator coupled to said power supply for indicating a status.

82. The outlet according to claim 81 further comprising a power connector connectable to a power source, and wherein said connection point is coupled to said power connector for supplying power to said outlet from the power source.

83. The outlet according to claim 81 wherein the in-wall wiring further simultaneously carries a power signal, and wherein said connection point is coupled to the wiring for supplying power to said outlet from the power signal.

84. The outlet according to claim 81 wherein said power supply comprises an AC/DC converter, or a DC/DC converter.

85. The outlet according to claim 74, wherein said outlet is further addressable in a network.

86. The outlet according to claim 85, wherein said outlet has a manually assigned address.

87. The outlet according to claim 85, wherein said outlet has an automatically assigned address.

88. The outlet according to claim 85, wherein said outlet has an address assigned by a data unit connected to said outlet.

89. The outlet according to claim 74, wherein said transceiver is operative to bi-directionally communicate with one or more identical transceivers over the in-wall wiring.

90. The outlet according to claim 74, wherein said transceiver is operative to bi-directionally point-to-point communicate with only a single mating transceiver over the in-wall wiring.

91. The outlet according to claim 74, wherein at least one parameter of the outlet is configurable by a connected data unit.

92. The outlet according to claim 74 further operative to provide a standard computer bus interface, said outlet further comprising a computer connector and mechanical means for connecting and attaching to a computer plug-in unit, said computer connector being coupled to said wiring connector.

93. The outlet according to claim 92 wherein said standard computer bus interface is one of:

an ISA interface, a PCMCIA interface, an IDE interface, and a SCSI interface.

94. The outlet according to claim 74 further comprising firmware and a processor executing said firmware, and wherein the serial digital data is coupled to said processor via said wiring connector.

159. The outlet according to claim 74, wherein the in-wall wiring further carries a frequency multiplexed analog telephone signal or AC power signal.

95. An outlet for coupling to an in-wall wiring carrying serial digital data, said outlet comprising:

a wiring connector operative for connecting the outlet to said in-wall wiring;

a first transceiver coupled to said wiring connector for conducting serial digital data communication over the in-wall wiring; and

a single enclosure housing said wiring connector and said first transceiver,

wherein said enclosure is dimensioned to be mountable into a standard outlet receptacle or opening.

96. The outlet according to claim 95, wherein the in-wall wiring is one of:

a twisted-wire pair, a coaxial cable, a telephone wire-pair and powerline wiring, and said first transceiver is adapted to conduct the serial digital data over the wiring.

97. The outlet according to claim 95, operative for coupling the serial digital data to an analog unit, said outlet further comprising:

an analog connector connectable to the analog unit for coupling the serial digital data to the analog unit; and

a converter for converting between analog and digital signals coupled between said analog connector and said first transceiver.

98. The outlet according to claim 97, wherein the analog unit is an analog actuator for creating a physical phenomenon, and said converter is a digital to analog converter.

99. The outlet according to claim 97, wherein the analog unit is an analog sensor for sensing a physical phenomenon, and said converter is an analog to digital converter.

100. The outlet according to claim 97, wherein the analog unit is one of an audio unit and a video unit and the analog signal is one of an audio signal and a video signal, respectively.

101. The outlet according to claim 97, wherein the analog unit is a telephone unit, the analog connector is a telephone connector and the analog signal is a telephone signal.

102. The outlet according to claim 95, wherein said first transceiver is operative to perform full-duplex communication.

103. The outlet according to claim 95, further comprising a power supply connected to said first transceiver for DC powering said first transceiver, said power supply having a connection point for connecting to a power source, and wherein said outlet further comprises a visual indicator coupled to said power supply for indicating a status.

104. The outlet according to claim 103 further comprising a power connector connectable to a power source, and wherein said connection point is coupled to said power connector for supplying power to said outlet from the power source.

105. The outlet according to claim 103 wherein the in-wall wiring further simultaneously carries a power signal, and wherein said connection point is coupled to the wiring for supplying power to said outlet from the power signal.

106. The outlet according to claim 103 wherein said power supply comprises an AC/DC converter or a DC/DC converter.

107. The outlet according to claim 95, wherein said outlet is further addressable in a network.

108. The outlet according to claim 107, wherein said outlet has a manually assigned address.

109. The outlet according to claim 107, wherein said outlet has an automatically assigned address.

110. The outlet according to claim 107, wherein said outlet has an address assigned by a data unit connected to said outlet.

111. The outlet according to claim 95, wherein said first transceiver is operative to perform bi-directional communication with one or more identical transceivers over the in-wall wiring.

112. The outlet according to claim 95, wherein said first transceiver is operative to perform bi-directional point-to-point communication with only a single mating transceiver over the in-wall wiring.

113. The outlet according to claim 95, wherein at least one parameter of the outlet is configurable by a connected data unit.

114. The outlet according to claim 95 further operative to provide a standard computer bus interface, said outlet further comprising a computer connector and mechanical means for connecting and attaching to a computer plug-in unit, said computer connector being coupled to said wiring connector.

115. The outlet according to claim 114, wherein said standard computer bus interface is one of:

an ISA interface, a PCMCIA interface, an IDE interface, and a SCSI interface.

116. The outlet according to claim 95 further comprising firmware and a processor for executing said firmware and wherein the serial digital data is coupled to said processor via said wiring connector.

117. The outlet according to claim 95 further operative to couple the serial digital data to a data unit, said outlet further comprising:

a data interface connector connectable to the data unit; and

a second transceiver coupled between said first transceiver and said data interface connector for conducting bi-directional digital data communication with the data unit.

160. The outlet according to claim 95, wherein the in-wall wiring further carries a frequency multiplexed analog telephone signal or AC power signal.

118. An outlet for coupling an analog telephone set to in-wall wiring carrying digitized telephone data, said outlet comprising:

a wiring connector operative for connecting said outlet to the in-wall wiring;

a transceiver coupled to said wiring connector for conducting communication of the digitized telephone data over the in-wall wiring;

a telephone connector connectable to an analog telephone set for coupling the analog telephone set to the digitized telephone data;

a converter for converting between analog and digitized telephone signals coupled between said telephone connector and said transceiver; and

a single enclosure housing said transceiver, said converter and said wiring and telephone connectors,

wherein said enclosure is dimensioned to be mountable into a standard outlet receptacle or opening.

119. The outlet according to claim 118, wherein the in-wall wiring is one of:

a twisted-wire pair, a coaxial cable, a telephone wire-pair and powerline wiring, and said transceiver is adapted to conduct the serial digital data over the wiring.

120. The outlet according to claim 118, wherein said transceiver is operative to effect full-duplex communication.

121. The outlet according to claim 118, further comprising a power supply connected to said transceiver for DC powering said transceiver, said power supply having a connection point for connecting to a power source, and wherein said outlet further comprises a visual indicator coupled to said power supply for indicating a status.

122. The outlet according to claim 121 further comprising a power connector connectable to a power source, and wherein said connection point is coupled to said power connector for supplying power to said outlet from the power source.

123. The outlet according to claim 121 wherein the in-wall wiring further simultaneously carries a power signal, and wherein said connection point is coupled for supplying power to said outlet from the power signal.

124. The outlet according to claim 121 wherein said power supply comprises an AC/DC converter or a DC/DC converter.

125. The outlet according to claim 121 further comprising a power connector coupled to said connection point and connectable to a device for DC powering the device.

126. The outlet according to claim 118, wherein said outlet is further addressable in a network.

127. The outlet according to claim 126, wherein said outlet has a manually assigned address.

128. The outlet according to claim 126, wherein said outlet has an automatically assigned address.

129. The outlet according to claim 126, wherein said outlet has an address assigned by a data unit connected to said outlet.

130. The outlet according to claim 118, wherein said transceiver is operative to perform bi-directional communication with one or more identical transceivers over the in-wall wiring.

131. The outlet according to claim 118, wherein said transceiver is operative to perform bi-directional point-to-point communication with only a single mating transceiver over the in-wall wiring.

132. The outlet according to claim 118, wherein at least one parameter of said outlet is configurable by a connected data unit.

133. The outlet according to claim 118 further operative to provide a standard computer bus interface, said outlet further comprising a computer connector and mechanical means for connecting and attaching to a computer plug-in unit, said computer connector being coupled to said wiring connector.

134. The outlet according to claim 133, wherein said standard computer bus interface is one of:

an ISA interface, a PCMCIA interface, an IDE interface, and a SCSI interface.

135. The outlet according to claim 118 further comprising firmware and a processor executing said firmware, and wherein the serial digital data is coupled to said processor via said wiring connector.

161. The outlet according to claim 118, wherein the in-wall wiring further carries a frequency multiplexed analog telephone signal or AC power signal.

136. An outlet for parallel coupling to in-wall wiring carrying bi-directional serial digital data, said outlet comprising:

a wiring connector operative for connecting said outlet to the in-wall wiring;

a transceiver coupled to said wiring connector for conducting serial digital datacommunication over the in-wall wiring;

a parallel port coupled to said transceiver for parallel coupling to the serial digital data; and

a single enclosure housing said transceiver, said parallel port and said wiring connector,

wherein said enclosure is dimensioned to be mountable into a standard outlet receptacle or opening.

137. The outlet according to claim 136, wherein the in-wall wiring type is one of:

a twisted-wire pair, a coaxial cable, a telephone wire-pair and powerline wiring, and said transceiver is adapted to conduct the serial digital data over the wiring.

138. The outlet according to claim 136 further wherein said parallel port is part of a standard computer bus interface, and said outlet further comprises a computer connector and mechanical means for connecting and attaching to a computer plug-in unit, said computer connector being coupled to said parallel port.

139. The outlet according to claim 138, wherein said standard computer bus interface is one of an ISA interface and a PCMCIA interface.

140. The outlet according to claim 136 further comprising a data connector coupled to the said parallel port, for parallel bi-directional communication with a data unit.

141. The outlet according to claim 140, wherein the parallel communication is based on an ITU-T V.35 standard.

142. The outlet according to claim 136, wherein said transceiver is operative to perform full-duplex communication.

143. The outlet according to claim 136, further comprising a power supply connected to said transceiver for DC powering said transceiver, said power supply having a connection point for connecting to a power source, and wherein said outlet further comprises a visual indicator coupled to said power supply for indicating a status.

144. The outlet according to claim 143 further comprising a power connector connectable to the power source, and wherein said connection point is coupled to said power connector for supplying power to said outlet from the power source.

145. The outlet according to claim 143 wherein the in-wall wiring further simultaneously carries a power signal, and wherein said connection point is coupled to the power signal for supplying power to said outlet from the power signal.

146. The outlet according to claim 143 wherein said power supply comprises an AC/DC converter a DC/DC converter.

147. The outlet according to claim 143 further comprising a power connector coupled to said connection point and connectable to a device for DC powering the device.

148. The outlet according to claim 143, further comprising a visual indicator connected to receive operating power from said connection point for indicating a communication status.

149. The outlet according to claim 136, wherein said outlet is further addressable in a network.

150. The outlet according to claim 149, wherein said outlet has a manually assigned address.

151. The outlet according to claim 149, wherein said outlet has an automatically assigned address.

152. The outlet according to claim 149, wherein said outlet has an address assigned by a data unit connected to said outlet.

153. The outlet according to claim 136, wherein said transceiver is operative to perform bi-directional communication with one or more identical transceivers over the in-wall wiring.

154. The outlet according to claim 136, wherein said transceiver is operative to perform bi-directional point-to-point communication with only a single mating transceiver over the in-wall wiring.

155. The outlet according to claim 136, wherein at least one parameter of said outlet is configurable by a connected data unit.

156. The outlet according to claim 136 further comprising firmware and a processor executing said firmware, and wherein said processor is coupled to control said transceiver.

162. The outlet according to claim 136, wherein the in-wall wiring further carries a frequency multiplexed analog telephone signal or AC power signal.

163. An outlet for coupling a data unit and an analog unit to in-wall wiring that simultaneously carries a bi-directional serial digital data signal multiplexed with an analog signal, the outlet comprising:

a wiring connector operative for connecting said outlet to the in-wall wiring;

a data interface connector coupled to said wiring connector and connectable to the data unit, for coupling the serial digital data signal to the data unit;

an analog connector coupled to said wiring connector and connectable to the analog unit, for coupling the analog signal to the analog unit; and

a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said data interface connector and said analog connector,

wherein said enclosure is dimensioned to be mountable into a standard outlet receptacle or opening.

164. The outlet according to claim 163, wherein the in-wall wiring is one of:

a twisted wire pair, a coaxial cable, a telephone wire-pair and powerline wiring, and said wiring connector is adapted to connect to the wiring.

165. The outlet according to claim 163, further comprising at least one active device, and wherein said outlet further comprises a power supply connected to said at least one active device for DC powering said at least one active device, said power supply having a connection point for connecting to a power source, and said outlet further comprises a visual indicator coupled to said power supply for indicating a status.

166. The outlet according to claim 165 further comprising a power connector connectable to the power source, and wherein said connection point is coupled to said power connector for powering the power supply from the power source.

167. The outlet according to claim 165 wherein the in-wall wiring further simultaneously carries a power signal, and wherein said connection point is coupled to said wiring connector for supplying power to said outlet from the power signal.

168. The outlet according to claim 165 wherein said power supply comprises an AC/DC converter or a DC/DC converter.

169. The outlet according to claim 165 further comprising a power connector coupled to said power supply and connectable to a device for DC powering the device.

170. The outlet according to claim 163, wherein:

the analog signal and the digital data signal are carried frequency multiplexed;

the digital data signal is carried in a frequency band distinct from, and higher than, the analog signal, and

said outlet further comprises;

a high pass filter coupled between said wiring connector and said data interface connector for passing only the digital data signal; and

a low pass filter coupled between said wiring connector and said analog connector for passing only the analog signal.

171. The outlet according to claim 163, wherein said outlet is further addressable in a network.

172. The outlet according to claim 171, wherein said outlet has a manually assigned address.

173. The outlet according to claim 171, wherein said outlet has an automatically assigned address.

174. The outlet according to claim 171, wherein said outlet has an address assigned by a data unit connected to the outlet.

175. The outlet according to claim 163, further comprising a transceiver coupled between said wiring connector and said standard data interface connector, said transceiver being operative to effect full-duplex serial digital data communication over the in-wall wiring.

176. The outlet according to claim 175, wherein said transceiver is operative to bi-directionally communicating with one or more identical transceivers over the in-wall wiring.

177. The outlet according to claim 175, wherein said transceiver is operative to bi-directionally communicate point-to-point with only a single mating transceiver over the in-wall wiring.

178. The outlet according to claim 163, wherein said communication with the data unit conforms to an Ethernet protocol.

179. The outlet according to claim 163, wherein at least one parameter if the outlet is configurable by a connected data unit.

180. The outlet according to claim 163 further comprising firmware and a processor executing said firmware, the processor coupled to the wiring connector to control the outlet.

181. An active outlet for coupling distinct first and second data conveying transmission lines, said outlet comprising:

a first port couplable to the first digital data conveying transmission line, the first transmission line being at least in part in wall of a building;

a first transceiver coupled to said first port for bi-directional serial digital data communication with an identical transceiver over the first digital data conveying transmission line;

a second port couplable to the second digital data conveying transmission line, the second digital data conveying transmission line being of a type distinct from the first digital data conveying transmission line;

a second transceiver coupled to said second port for bi-directional serial digital data communication with an identical transceiver over the second digital data conveying transmission line, said second transceiver being of a type distinct from said first transceiver; and

a single enclosure housing said first and second ports and said first and second transceivers,

wherein said first and second transceivers are coupled to each other for passing data between said first and second ports, and

said enclosure is dimensioned to be mountable into a standard outlet receptacle or opening.

182. The outlet according to claim 181, wherein the first in-wall digital data conveying transmission line comprises at least two conductors, said first port consists of a connector, and said first transceiver is operative for conducting signals over the at least two conductors.

183. The outlet according to claim 182, wherein the first transmission line is one of:

a twisted wire pair;

a coaxial cable;

a telephone wire pair; and

powerline wiring, and said first transceiver is adapted to conduct serial digital data over the first in-wall transmission line.

184. The outlet according to claim 181, wherein the first transmission line further carries a frequency multiplexed analog telephone signal or AC power signal.

185. The outlet according to claim 181, wherein the second digital data conveying transmission line comprises at least two conductors, said second port consists of a connector, and said second transceiver is operative for conducting signals over the at least two conductors.

186. The outlet according to claim 185, wherein the second digital data conveying transmission line in one of:

a twisted wire pair;

a coaxial cable;

a telephone wire pair; and

powerline wiring, and said second transceiver is adapted to conduct serial digital data over the second digital data conveying transmission line.

187. The outlet according to claim 181, further comprising at least one active device, and wherein the outlet further comprises a power supply connected to said at least one active device for DC powering said at least one active device, said power supply having a connection point for connecting to a power source, and said outlet further comprises a visual indicator coupled to said power supply for indicating a status.

188. The outlet according to claim 187 further comprising a power connector connectable to a power source, and wherein said connection point is coupled to said power connector for powering the power supply from the power source.

189. The outlet according to claim 187 wherein said power supply comprises a DC/DC converter.

190. The outlet according to claim 181, wherein said outlet is further addressable in a network.

191. The outlet according to claim 190, wherein the outlet address is manually assigned.

192. The outlet according to claim 190, wherein the outlet address is automatically assigned.

193. The outlet according to claim 190, wherein the outlet address is assigned by a data unit connected to the outlet.

194. The outlet according to claim 181, wherein said first transceiver is operative to perform full-duplex communication with one or more identical transceivers.

195. The outlet according to claim 181, wherein said first transceiver is operative to perform full-duplex point-to-point communication with only a single mating transceiver over the first transmission line.

196. The outlet according to claim 181, wherein said second transceiver is operative to perform full-duplex communication with one or more identical transceivers.

197. The outlet according to claim 181, wherein said second transceiver is operative to perform full-duplex point-to-point communication with only a single mating transceiver over the second transmission line.

198. The outlet according to claim 181, wherein communication with one of said first and second ports and one of said first and second transceivers, respectively, conforms to an Ethernet protocol.

199. The outlet according to claim 181, wherein at least one parameter of the outlet is configurable by a connected data unit.

200. The outlet according to claim 181, wherein the protocol of signals on the first transmission line is distinct from the protocol of signals on the second transmission line, and said outlet is further operative to convert between the distinct protocols.

201. The outlet according to claim 181 further comprising firmware and a processor executing said firmware, said processor being coupled to said first and second transceivers for controlling their operation.

202. An outlet for coupling a data unit and a powered unit to in-wall wiring composed of at least two conductors and simultaneously carrying bi-directional serial digital data and power signals, said outlet comprising:

a wiring connector operative for connecting said outlet to the in-wall wiring;

a data connector coupled to said wiring connector and connectable to a data unit, for coupling the serial digital data signal to the data unit;

a power connector coupled to said wiring connector and connectable to a powered unit, for powering the powered unit by the power signal; and

a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said data connector and said power connector, wherein said enclosure is dimensioned to be mountable into a standard outlet receptacle or opening.

203. The outlet according to claim 202, wherein the in-wall wiring is one of:

a twisted wire pair;

a coaxial cable;

a telephone wire pair; and

powerline wiring, and said wiring connector is adapted to connect to the wiring.

204. The outlet according to claim 202, further comprising at least one active device, and wherein said outlet further comprises a power supply connected to said at least one active device for DC powering said at least one active device, said power supply being coupled to said wiring connector for being powered by the power signal, and said outlet further comprises a visual indicator coupled to said power supply for indicating a status.

205. The outlet according to claim 202 wherein said power supply comprises an AC/DC converter.

206. The outlet according to claim 202 wherein said power supply comprising a DC/DC converter.

207. The outlet according to claim 202 wherein the digital data and power signals are each carried over distinct and dedicated wires.

208. The outlet according to claim 202 wherein the digital data and power signals are multiplexed and carried over the same conductors.

209. The outlet according to claim 208 further comprising a data/power splitter having first, second and third ports, wherein only power is passed from said first port to said second port, and the digital data signal is passed between said first and third ports.

210. The outlet according to claim 209 further wherein said data/power splitter is based on a split-tapped transformer.

211. The outlet according to claim 202, wherein the outlet is further addressable in the network.

212. The outlet according to claim 211, wherein the outlet address is manually assigned.

213. The outlet according to claim 211, wherein the outlet address is automatically assigned.

214. The outlet according to claim 211, wherein the outlet address is assigned by a data unit connected to the outlet.

215. The outlet according to claim 202, further comprising a transceiver coupled between said wiring connector and data connector, for conducting the serial digital data signal over the wiring.

216. The outlet according to claim 215, wherein said transceiver is operative to bi-directionally communicate with one or more identical transceivers over the wiring.

217. The outlet according to claim 215, wherein said transceiver is operative to perform bi-directional point-to-point communication with only a single mating transceiver over the wiring.

218. The outlet according to claim 202, further comprising a transceiver coupled between said wiring connector and said data connector, said transceiver being operative to perform full-duplex digital data communication with the data unit.

219. The outlet according to claim 202, wherein communication with said data unit is Ethernet based.

220. The outlet according to claim 202, wherein at least one parameter of the outlet is configurable by a connected data unit.

221. The outlet according to claim 202 further operative to provide a standard computer bus interface, said device further comprising a computer connector and mechanical means for connecting and attaching to a computer plug-in unit, said computer connector being coupled to said wiring connector.

222. The outlet according to claim 221, wherein said standard computer bus interface is one of:

an ISA interface, a PCMCIA interface, an IDE interface, and a SCSI interface.

223. The outlet according to claim 202 further comprising firmware and a processor executing said firmware, said processor being coupled to said wiring connector for coupling to the serial digital data.

224. The outlet according to claim 202 wherein the wiring is a powerline wiring, the power signal is an AC power signal, and said power connector is an AC power connector.

225. The outlet according to claim 202 wherein the wiring comprises at least one twisted pair and wherein the power signal is a DC power signal.