Network interface device with a remote power source

• US 20060291493A1
• Filed: 06/22/2006
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: 2Wire, Inc. (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Norell, Andrew, Schley-May, James T., Trethewey, Paul Martell, Hinman, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 7,672,448 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/401
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements
• 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 2012/2845 Telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/062 using different frequency bands for speech and other data

Abstract

Various methods, apparatuses, and systems in which a residential gateway is located at the network interface device and is powered with a remote power source inside the residence. In another embodiment, bi-directional data communication between the residential gateway and the remote power source is also enabled.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a residential gateway located at a network interface device, wherein the network interface device is located outside a residence, and wherein the residential gateway receives a power signal from a remote power supply unit located inside the residence.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the remote power supply unit couples to a phone line to provide the power signal to the residential gateway.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the power supply unit generates the power signal at a first frequency to be injected into the phone line.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first frequency is 25 KHz.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power signal is extracted at the residential gateway by a series resonant circuit and then coupled to a rectifying circuit.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a communication module configured to perform bi-directional data communication between the residential gateway and the remote power supply unit.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a modulator to modulate the power signal at the remote power supply unit with encoded data to convey data from the remote power supply unit to the residential gateway.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a demodulator to demodulate the encoded power signal at the residential gateway to convey data to the remote power supply unit.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the communication module conveys data to the power supply unit at a second frequency.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the residential gateway conveys data to the power supply unit at a frequency of 306 KHz.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the communication module comprises status LEDs on the power supply unit to reflect at least one of a state of the residential gateway and the power supply unit.

12. A method comprising:

locating a residential gateway at a network interface device located outside a residence; and

supplying power to the residential gateway with a remote power supply unit inside the residence using a phone line.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

supplying power to the residential gateway using a power signal at a first frequency.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first frequency is 25 KHz.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising extracting the power signal at the residential gateway from the phone line.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising enabling bi-directional data communication between the residential gateway and the remote power supply unit.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising frequency modulating the power signal at the remote power supply unit with encoded data to convey data from the remote power supply unit to the residential gateway.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising demodulating the power signal at the residential gateway to convey data to the remote power supply unit.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the residential gateway conveys data to the remote power supply unit at a second frequency.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the second frequency is 306 KHz.