Telephone outlet for implementing a local area network over telephone lines and a local area network using such outlets

• US 20060203981A1
• Filed: 05/17/2006
• Published: 09/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2000
• 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 7,715,534 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/90.10
• 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 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/062 using different frequency bands for speech and other data
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0003 Interconnection between telephone networks and data networks

Abstract

A network for transporting power and multiplexed data and digital telephone signals. The network includes at least three nodes and first and second wiring segments in a building for carrying the multiplexed data and digital telephone signals, and at least one of the segments is configured to additionally carry a power signal. A power consuming component is connected to the at least one wiring segment and is powered by the power signal carried by that segment. Each wiring segment connects a different pair of the nodes together to form, with nodes nodes, a packet based bi-directional communication link. One of the nodes contains communication link composed of a repeater, a bridge, or a router connectable to a data unit. At least one of the nodes is connected to a remote data unit external to the building for coupling the remote data unit to at least one of said communication links.

Claims

1. A device adapted to be coupled to a bi-directional serial digital data signal in a digital data frequency band, an AC power signal having an AC power frequency and an analog telephone signal in an analog telephone frequency band, the data, power and telephone signals being frequency multiplexed to be carried concurrently over a single telephone wire pair comprising two conductors, said device comprising:

a wiring connector for connecting to the telephone wire pair;

a telephone connector connectable to an analog telephone device and operative to couple the analog telephone signal to the analog telephone device;

a first filter coupled between said telephone connector and said wiring connector and operative to substantially pass signals in the analog telephone frequency band and to substantially stop signals in the digital data frequency band;

a data connector connectable to a data unit and operative to couple the bi-directional serial digital data signal to the data unit;

a second filter coupled to said wiring connector and operative to substantially pass signals in the digital data frequency band and to substantially stop signals in the analog telephone frequency band;

a telephone wire pair modem coupled between said second filter and said data connector and operative to conduct the bi-directional serial digital data signal in the digital data frequency band over the telephone wire pair; and

a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said telephone connector, said data connector, said first and second filters and said telephone wire pair modem,

wherein said telephone wire pair modem is coupled to said wiring connector for being powered by the AC power signal.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the analog telephone frequency band is distinct from, and lower than, the digital data frequency band, and wherein said first filter is a low pass filter.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the digital data frequency band is distinct from, and higher than, the analog telephone frequency band, and wherein said second filter is a high pass filter.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the AC power frequency is distinct from, and higher than, the analog telephone frequency band.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the AC power frequency is distinct from, and lower than, the digital data frequency band.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said single enclosure is:

attachable to a support surface;

or mountable to a wall of a building;

or attachable to a wall opening;

or attachable to an outlet cavity.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said single enclosure is a wall-mounted enclosure that is constructed to have at least one of the following:

a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet;

wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet;

a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and

a form to at least in part substitute for a standard outlet.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said telephone wire pair modem is an xDSL or ADSL modem.

9. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a data transceiver coupled between said telephone wire pair modem and said data connector for communication with the data unit.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein said data transceiver is a local area network transceiver operative for point-to-point packet-based full-duplex communication with an identical mating transceiver.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the point-to-point packet-based full-duplex communication conforms to IEEE802.3 standard and said data connector is a RJ-45 connector.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the point-to-point packet-based full-duplex communication conforms to 10BaseT or 100BaseT.

13. The device according to claim 9, wherein said data transceiver is coupled to said wiring connector for being powered by the AC power signal.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is further addressable in a digital data network.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein said telephone connector is a RJ-11 type connector.

16. The device according to claim 1, further comprising one of a bridge and a router coupled between said telephone wire pair modem and said data connector for sharing data between said telephone wire pair modem and said data connector.

17. A device adapted to be coupled to a bi-directional serial digital data signal in a digital data frequency band and an AC power signal having an AC power frequency, the data and power signals being frequency multiplexed to be carried concurrently over a single telephone wire pair comprising two conductors, said device comprising:

a wiring connector for connecting to the telephone wire pair;

a data port couplable to a data unit and operative to couple the bi-directional serial digital data signal to the data unit;

a filter coupled to said wiring connector and operative to substantially pass signals in the digital data frequency band and to substantially stop signals in the AC power frequency;

a telephone wire pair modem coupled between said filter and said data connector and operative to conduct the bi-directional serial digital data signal in the digital data frequency band over the telephone wire pair; and

a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said data port, said filter and said telephone wire pair modem wherein said telephone wire pair modem is coupled to said wiring connector for being powered by the AC power signal.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the digital data frequency band is distinct from, and higher than, the AC power frequency, and wherein said filter is a high pass filter.

19. The device according to claim 17, wherein the AC power frequency is above 3 KHz.

20. The device according to claim 17, wherein said single enclosure is:

attachable to a support surface;

or mountable to a wall of a building;

or attachable to a wall opening;

or attachable to an outlet.

21. The device according to claim 17, wherein said single enclosure is a wall-mounted enclosure that is constructed to have at least one of the following:

a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet;

wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet;

a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and

a form to at least in part substitute for a standard outlet.

22. The device according to claim 17, wherein said telephone wire pair modem is an xDSL or ADSL modem.

23. The device according to claim 17, further comprising a data transceiver coupled between said telephone wire pair modem and said data port for communication with the data unit.

24. The device according to claim 23, wherein said data transceiver is a local area network transceiver operative for point-to-point packet-based full-duplex communication with an identical mating transceiver, and wherein said data port is a data connector.

25. The device according to claim 24, wherein the point-to-point packet-based full-duplex communication conforms to IEEE802.3 standard, and said data connector is an RJ-45 connector.

26. The device according to claim 25, wherein the point-to-point packet-based full-duplex communication conforms to 10BaseT or 100BaseT.

27. The device according to claim 24, wherein said data transceiver is coupled to said wiring connector for being powered by the AC power signal.

28. The device according to claim 17, wherein said device is further addressable in a digital data network.

29. The device according to claim 17, further comprising one of a bridge and a router coupled between said telephone wire pair modem and said data port for sharing data between said telephone wire pair modem and said data port.

30. A device adapted to be coupled to a bi-directional serial digital data signal in a digital data frequency band and an AC power signal having an AC power frequency, the data and power signals being frequency multiplexed to be carried concurrently over a single wire pair comprising two conductors, said device comprising:

a wiring connector for connecting to the wire pair;

a data connector connectable to a data unit and operative to couple the bi-directional serial digital data signal to the data unit;

a filter coupled to said wiring connector and operative to substantially pass signals in the digital data frequency band and substantially stop signals in the AC power frequency;

a wire pair modem coupled between said filter and said data connector and operative to conduct the bi-directional serial digital data signal in the digital data frequency band over the wire pair; and

a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said data connector, said filter and said wire pair modem, wherein said wire pair modem is coupled to said wiring connector for being powered by the AC power signal, and the AC power signal frequency is above 3 KHz.

31. The device according to claim 30, wherein the digital data frequency band is distinct from, and higher than, the AC power frequency, and said filter is a high pass filter.

32. The device according to claim 30 wherein said single enclosure is:

attachable to a support surface;

or mountable to a wall of a building;

or attachable to a wall opening;

or attachable to an outlet.

33. The device according to claim 30, wherein said single enclosure is a wall-mounted enclosure that is constructed to have at least one of the following:

a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet;

wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet;

a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and

a form to at least in part substitute for a standard outlet.

34. The device according to claim 30, further comprising a data transceiver coupled between said wire pair modem and said data connector for communication with the data unit.

35. The device according to claim 34, wherein said data transceiver is a local area network transceiver operative for point-to-point packet-based full-duplex communication with an identical mating transceiver.

36. The device according to claim 35, wherein the point-to-point packet-based full-duplex communication conforms to IEEE802.3 standard and the data connector is an RJ-45 connector.

37. The device according to claim 35, wherein the point-to-point packet-based full-duplex communication conforms to 10BaseT or 100BaseT.

38. The device according to claim 35, wherein said data transceiver is coupled to said wiring connector for being powered by the AC power signal.

39. The device according to claim 30, wherein said device is further addressable in a digital data network.

40. The device according to claim 30 further comprising one of a bridge and a router coupled between said wire pair modem and said data connector for sharing data between said wire pair modem and said data connector.

41. A device adapted to be coupled to an AC power signal having an AC power frequency and an analog telephone signal in an analog telephone frequency band, the power and telephone signals being frequency multiplexed to be carried concurrently over a single telephone wire pair comprising two conductors, said device comprising:

a wiring connector for connecting to the telephone wire pair;

a telephone connector connectable to an analog telephone device and operative to couple the analog telephone signal to the analog telephone device;

a filter coupled between said telephone connector and said wiring connector and operative to substantially pass signals in the analog telephone frequency band and to substantially stop the AC power signal;

at least one power consuming component coupled to said wiring connector in order to receive, and be powered by, the AC power signal; and

a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said telephone connector, said at least one power consuming component and said filter.

42. The device according to claim 41 wherein the AC power frequency is distinct from, and higher than, the analog telephone frequency band, and said filter is a low pass filter.

43. The device according to claim 41 wherein said single enclosure is:

attachable to a support surface;

or mountable to a wall of a building;

or attachable to a wall opening;

or attachable to an outlet.

44. The device according to claim 41, wherein said single enclosure is a wall-mounted enclosure that is constructed to have at least one of the following:

a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet;

wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet;

a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and

a form to at least in part substitute for a standard outlet.

45. A device adapted to be coupled to a bi-directional serial digital data signal in a digital data frequency band, an AC power signal having an AC power frequency and an analog signal in an analog frequency band, the data, power and analog signals being frequency multiplexed to be carried concurrently over a single wire pair comprising two conductors, said device comprising:

a wiring connector for connecting to the wire pair;

an analog connector connectable to an analog device and operative to couple the analog signal to the analog device;

a first filter coupled between said analog connector and said wiring connector and operative to substantially pass signals in the analog frequency band and to substantially stop signals in the digital data frequency band;

a data connector connectable to a data unit and operative to couple the bi-directional serial digital data signal to the data unit;

a second filter coupled to said wiring connector and operative to substantially pass signals in the digital data frequency band and to substantially stop signals in the analog frequency band;

a wire pair modem coupled between said second filter and said data connector and operative to conduct the bi-directional serial digital data signal in the digital data frequency band over the wire pair; and

a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said analog connector, said data connector, said first and second filters and said wire pair modem, wherein said wire pair modem is coupled to said wiring connector for being powered by the AC power signal.

46. The device according to claim 45 wherein the analog frequency band is distinct from, and lower than, the digital data frequency band, and said first filter is a low pass filter.

47. The device according to claim 45 wherein the digital data frequency band is distinct from, and higher than, the analog frequency band, and said second filter is a high pass filter.

48. The device according to claim 45 wherein the AC power frequency is distinct from, and higher than, the analog frequency band.

49. The device according to claim 45 wherein the AC power frequency is distinct from, and lower than, the digital data frequency band.

50. The device according to claim 45 wherein said single enclosure is:

attachable to a support surface;

or mountable to a wall of a building;

or attachable to a wall opening;

or attachable to an outlet.

51. The device according to claim 45, wherein said single enclosure is a wall-mounted enclosure that is constructed to have at least one of the following:

a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet;

wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet;

a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and

a form to at least in part substitute for a standard outlet.

52. The device according to claim 45 further comprising a data transceiver coupled between said wire pair modem and said data connector for communication with the data unit.

53. The device according to claim 52, wherein said data transceiver is a local area network transceiver operative for point-to-point packet-based full-duplex communication with an identical mating transceiver.

54. The device according to claim 53, wherein the point-to-point packet-based full-duplex communication conforms to IEEE802.3 standard and the data connector is an RJ-45 connector.

55. The device according to claim 53, wherein the point-to-point packet-based full-duplex communication conforms to 10BaseT or 100BaseT.

56. The device according to claim 52, wherein said data transceiver is coupled to said wiring connector for being powered by the AC power signal.

57. The device according to claim 45, wherein said device is further addressable in a digital data network.

58. The device according to claim 45, further comprising one of a bridge and a router coupled between said wire pair modem and said data connector for sharing data between said wire pair modem and said data connector.

59. A device for use with distinct first and second telephone wire pairs, the first telephone wire pair comprising two conductors and being connected to concurrently carry an analog telephone signal in an analog telephone frequency band and a bi-directional digital data signal in a digital data frequency band distinct from, and higher than, the analog telephone frequency band, the second telephone wire pair being connected to carry a power signal, said device comprising:

a first wiring connector for connecting to the first telephone wire pair;

a low pass filter connected to said first wiring connector, said low pass filter being operative to substantially pass only signals in the analog telephone frequency band and to substantially stop signals in the digital data frequency band;

a high pass filter connected to said first wiring connector, said high pass filter being operative to substantially pass only signals in the digital data frequency band and to substantially stop signals in the analog telephone frequency band;

a telephone line modem connected to said high pass filter, said telephone line modem being operative to bi-directionally communicate digital data in the digital data frequency band over the first telephone wire pair;

a second wiring connector for connecting to the second telephone wire pair; and

a single enclosure housing said low pass filter, said high pass filter, said first and second wiring connectors and said telephone line modem,

wherein said telephone line modem is coupled to said second wiring connector for being powered by the power signal carried over the second telephone wire pair.

60. The device according to claim 59, further comprising:

a local area network port couplable to a data unit;

a transceiver connected to said local area network port for packet-based full-duplex communication with the data unit; and

a router connected to said telephone line modem and to said transceiver for sharing data between said telephone line modem and said transceiver,

wherein said transceiver and said router are coupled to said second wiring connector for being powered by the power signal carried over the second telephone wire pair.

61. The device according to claim 59, wherein said transceiver is a local area network transceiver operative for point-to-point packet-based full-duplex communication with an identical mating transceiver.

62. The device according to claim 59, wherein said device is further operative to couple the analog telephone signal to an analog telephone set, said device further comprising an analog telephone port connected to said low pass filter and couplable to the analog telephone set.

63. The device according to claim 59, wherein said telephone line modem is operative to conduct the digital data signal over a pre-existing POTS-service telephone wire pair installed at least in part in a residence.

64. The device according to claim 59, wherein said telephone line modem is operative for full-duplex communication over a point-to-point pre-existing POTS-service telephone wire pair installed at least in part external to a building.

65. The device according to claim 59, wherein said telephone line modem is DSL or ADSL based.

66. The device according to claim 59, wherein said device is further addressable in a digital data network.

67. The device according to claim 59, wherein the power signal is an AC power signal having an AC power frequency.

68. The device according to claim 67, wherein the AC power frequency is distinct from, and higher than, the analog telephone frequency band.

69. The device according to claim 59, wherein said single enclosure is:

attachable to a support surface;

or mountable to a wall of a building;

or attachable to a wall opening;

or attachable to an outlet cavity.

70. The device according to claim 59, wherein said single enclosure is a wall-mounted enclosure that is constructed to have at least one of the following:

a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet;

wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet;

a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and

a form to at least in part substitute for a standard outlet.

71. A device adapted to be coupled to a data signal, a power signal and a telephone signal carried by wiring at least in part in a building, said device comprising:

a wiring connector connectible to the wiring;

a telephone connector coupled to said wiring connector and operative to couple the telephone signal to a telephone unit;

a data connector coupled to said wiring connector and operative to couple the data signal to a data unit;

at least one power consuming component coupled to said wiring connector in order to receive, and be powered by, the power signal; and

a single enclosure housing said wiring, telephone and data connectors and said at least one power consuming component,

wherein the telephone signal and the data signal are concurrently carried multiplexed over the same conductors of the wiring, and said device further comprises a selective means to separate the telephone signal from the data signal.

72. The device according to claim 71, wherein the power signal is concurrently carried in a distinct power signal frequency band over the same conductors of the network together with the telephone and data signals.

73. The device according to claim 71, wherein the power signal is part of the telephone signal.

74. The device according to claim 71, wherein the power signal is carried by dedicated wires of the wiring.

75. The device according to claim 71, wherein the power signal is a direct current signal.

76. The device according to claim 71, wherein the power signal is an alternating current signal.

77. The device according to claim 71 wherein said single enclosure is attachable to a support surface;

or mountable to a wall of a building;

or attachable to a wall opening;

or attachable to an outlet cavity.

78. The device according to claim 71, wherein said single enclosure is a wall-mounted enclosure that is constructed to have at least one of the following:

a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet;

wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet;

a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and

a form to at least in part substitute for a standard outlet.

79. The device according to claim 71, wherein the telephone signal is carried in a digital form.

80. The device according to claim 79 wherein the telephone signal is ISDN based.

81. A device adapted to be coupled to at least first and second multiplexed bi-directional serial digital data signals in a digital data frequency band concurrently with a power signal carried over a single wire pair comprising two conductors, said device comprising:

a wiring connector for connecting to the wire pair;

a first data connector connectable to a first data unit and operative to couple the first bi-directional serial digital data signal to the first data unit;

a second data connector connectable to a second data unit and operative to couple the second bi-directional serial digital data signal to the second data unit;

a filter coupled to said wiring connector and operative to substantially pass signals in the digital data frequency band and substantially stop the power signal;

a wire pair modem coupled between said filter and said first and second data connectors and operative to conduct the bi-directional serial digital data signals in the digital data frequency band over the wire pair; and

a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said data connectors, said filter and said wire pair modem, wherein said wire pair modem is coupled to said wiring connector for being powered by the power signal.

82. The device according to claim 81 wherein the power signal is an AC power signal having an AC power frequency.

83. The device according to claim 82 wherein the AC power frequency is above 3 KHz.

84. The device according to claim 82 wherein the digital data frequency band is distinct from, and higher than, the AC power frequency, and said filter is a high pass filter.

85. The device according to claim 81 wherein said single enclosure is:

attachable to a support surface;

or mountable to a wall of a building;

or attachable to a wall opening;

or attachable to an outlet.

86. The device according to claim 81, wherein said single enclosure is a wall-mounted enclosure that is constructed to have at least one of the following:

a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet;

wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet;

a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and

a form to at least in part substitute for a standard outlet.

87. The device according to claim 81 further comprising a data transceiver coupled between said wire pair modem and said first data connector for communication with the first data unit.

88. The device according to claim 87, wherein said data transceiver is a local area network transceiver operative for point-to-point packet-based full-duplex communication with an identical mating transceiver.

89. The device according to claim 88, wherein the point-to-point packet-based full-duplex communication conforms to IEEE802.3 standard and the data connector is an RJ-45 connector.

90. The device according to claim 88, wherein the point-to-point packet-based full-duplex communication conforms to 10BaseT or 100BaseT.

91. The device according to claim 88, wherein said data transceiver is coupled to said wiring connector for being powered by the power signal.

92. The device according to claim 81, wherein said device is further addressable in a digital data network.

93. The device according to claim 81 further comprising one of a bridge and a router coupled between said wire pair modem and said first and second data connectors for sharing data between said wire pair modem and said first and second data connectors.

94. The device according to claim 81, further using frequency division multiplexing, wherein:

the digital data frequency band contains multiple distinct first and second frequency sub-bands respectively carrying the first and second digital data signals.

95. The device according to claim 81 further using time division multiplexing, wherein said first and second digital data signals are carried as mutually distinct data streams.

96. The device according to claim 81 wherein the wire pair is a telephone wire pair, and said wire pair modem is operative to conduct the digital data signals over the telephone wire pair.

97. The device according to claim 96, wherein said wire pair modem is DSL based.

98. The device according to claim 97, wherein said wire pair modem is ADSL based.

99. A device adapted for coupling a data unit to the Internet for use with multiple telephone wire pairs, the telephone wire pairs including a first telephone wire pair that is at least in part external to a building and that is connected to carry a DSL-based signal containing bi-directional serial digital data and a second telephone wire pair at least in part in walls of a building and connected to carry a power signal, said device comprising:

a wiring connector for connecting to the first telephone wire pair;

a DSL modem coupled to said wiring connector and operative to conduct the bi-directional serial digital data in the DSL signal over the first telephone wire pair;

a data port couplable to a data unit and operative to couple the bi-directional serial digital data to the data unit;

a data transceiver coupled between said DSL modem and said data port for communication with the data unit;

a router coupled between said DSL modem and said data transceiver for sharing data between said DSL modem and said data transceiver; and

a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said data port, said DSL modem, said data transceiver and said router,

wherein said device is connectable to the telephone wire pair to be at least in part powered from said power signal carried over said second telephone wire pair and is addressable in a data network.

100. The device according to claim 99 wherein the power signal is an AC power signal.

101. The device according to claim 99 wherein the power signal is a DC power signal.

102. The device according to claim 99 wherein said single enclosure is:

attachable to a support surface;

or mountable to a wall of a building;

or attachable to a wall opening;

or attachable to an outlet.

103. The device according to claim 99, wherein said single enclosure is a wall-mounted enclosure that is constructed to have at least one of the following:

a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet;

wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet;

a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and

a form to at least in part substitute for a standard outlet.

104. The device according to claim 99 wherein said DSL modem is an ADSL modem.

105. The device according to claim 99, wherein said data transceiver is a local area network transceiver operative for point-to-point packet-based full-duplex communication with an identical mating transceiver, and said data port is a data connector.

106. The device according to claim 105, wherein the point-to-point packet-based full-duplex communication conforms to IEEE802.3 standard and said data connector is an RJ-45 connector.

107. The device according to claim 106, wherein the point-to-point packet-based full-duplex communication conforms to 10BaseT or 100BaseT.