Local area network of serial intelligent cells

• US 20070183447A1
• Filed: 11/06/2006
• Published: 08/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MOSAID Technologies Inc. (f/k/a Conversant Intellectual Property Management)
• Original Assignee: Israeli Company of Serconet Limited
• Inventors: Binder, Yehuda
• Granted Patent: US 8,270,430 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

A device for coupling signals between first and second coaxial cables, the first coaxial cable being connected to carry a first bi-directional digital data signal in a first digital data frequency band, and the second coaxial cable being connected to carry a second bi-directional digital data signal in a second digital data frequency band, and each of the coaxial cables being connected to carry, multiplexed with the respective digital data signal, an analog video signal in an analog video signal frequency band distinct from each of the first and second digital data frequency bands.

Claims

1. A service outlet for configuring a local area network in a building, the network including a service wiring carrying frequency multiplexed service and data signals, the service outlet comprising:

a wiring connector for connecting said outlet to the service wiring;

a modem coupled to said wiring connector for data signal communication with the service wiring; and

a data interface coupled to said modem for connecting to a data unit, said data interface being configured for bidirectional data communication between said modem and the data unit,

wherein said outlet is wall mountable and is addressable in the local area network.

2. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein:

the service wiring is one of;

a twisted wire pair;

a coaxial cable; and

telephone wiring; and

said modem is configured for transmitting data signals to, and receiving data signals from, the service wiring.

3. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein:

the service wiring is powerline wiring; and

said modem is configured for transmitting data signals to, and receiving data signals from, the powerline wiring.

4. The outlet according to claim 3, wherein the service signal includes a telephone signal.

5. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein:

the service signal includes a power signal;

the service wiring is powerline wiring; and

said modem is configured for transmitting data signals to, and receiving data signals from, the powerline wiring.

6. The outlet according to claim 1, further comprising a service connector coupled to said wiring connector and operative for connecting to a service appliance.

7. The outlet according to claim 1 further comprising a filter coupled between said wiring connector and said modem, the filter operative to pass only the data signal

8. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein the outlet address is manually assigned.

9. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein the outlet address is automatically assigned.

10. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein the outlet address is assigned by a data unit connected to said outlet.

11. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein the data unit is a data processing unit.

12. The outlet according to claim 1, further comprising a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said modem and said data interface, and wherein said single enclosure 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.

13. A device for configuring a local area network in a building, the network including a service wiring carrying frequency multiplexed service and data signals, the device comprising:

a wiring connector for connecting said device to the service wiring;

a modem coupled to said wiring connector for data signal communication with the service wiring; and

a data interface coupled to said modem for connecting to a data unit, said data interface being configured for bidirectional data communication between said modem and the data unit,

wherein said device is addressable.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein:

the service wiring is one of;

a twisted wire pair;

a coaxial cable; and

telephone wiring; and

said modem is configured for transmitting data signals to, and receiving data signals from, the service wiring.

15. The device according to claim 13, wherein:

the service wiring is powerline wiring; and

said modem is configured for transmitting data signals to, and receiving data signals from, the powerline wiring.

16. The device according to claim 13, wherein the device is at least in part housed within a service outlet.

17. The device according to claim 13, wherein:

the service wiring is powerline wiring; and

said modem is configured for transmitting data signals to, and receiving data signals from, the powerline wiring.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the service signal includes a telephone signal.

19. The device according to claim 17, wherein the service signal includes a power signal.

20. The device according to claim 13, further comprising a service connector coupled to said wiring connector and operative for connecting to a service appliance.

21. The device according to claim 13, further comprising a filter coupled between said wiring connector and said modem, the filter operative to pass only the data signal.

22. The device according to claim 13, wherein the device address is manually assigned.

23. The device according to claim 13, wherein the device address is automatically assigned.

24. The device according to claim 13, wherein the device address is assigned by a data unit connected to said device.

25. The device according to claim 13, further comprising a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said modem and said data interface, and wherein said single enclosure 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.

26. A method for upgrading an existing service wiring system to operate both for supplying service and as a local area network by using frequency multiplexing of service and data signals, the service wiring system having a plurality of service outlets connected to service wiring in a building, the method comprising:

providing a wiring connector operative for connecting to the service wiring;

coupling a modem to the wiring connector for data signal communication with the service wiring;

coupling a data interface to the modem for connecting to a data unit, the data interface being configured for bidirectional data communication between said modem and the data unit; and

assigning an address to at least one of the service outlets.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein:

the service wiring is one of;

a twisted wire pair;

a coaxial cable; and

telephone wiring; and

the modem is configured for transmitting data signals to, and receiving data signals from, the service wiring.

28. The method according to claim 26, wherein:

the service wiring is powerline wiring; and

the modem is configured for transmitting data signals to, and receiving data signals from, the powerline wiring.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the service signal includes a telephone signal.

30. The method according to claim 28, wherein the service signal includes a power signal.

31. The method according to claim 26, further comprising coupling a service connector to said wiring connector and operative for connecting to a service appliance.

32. The method according to claim 26, wherein the data signal is used to monitor the service signal.

33. The method according to claim 26, comprising the further step of installing the wiring connector, the modem and the data interface in a single enclosure, and wherein said single enclosure 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. A system for configuring a data network in a building, the system comprising:

a service wiring carrying frequency multiplexed service and data signals; and

at least two devices each connected to the service wiring, each couplable to a data unit, and each operative to establish data signal communication between the data unit and the service wiring,

wherein at least one of said devices is attached to a wall of the building, and

wherein at least one of the devices is addressable.

35. The system according to claim 34, wherein the service wiring is one of:

a twisted wire pair;

a coaxial cable;

telephone wiring; and

powerline wiring.

36. The system according to claim 34, wherein the service signal includes at least one of a power signal and a telephone signal.

37. The system according to claim 34, wherein at least one of said devices is at least in part integrated into an outlet.

38. The system according to claim 34, wherein at least one of said devices further comprises a service connector coupled to the service wiring and operative for connecting to a service appliance.

39. The system according to claim 34, wherein information carried by the data signal is used to control the service signal.

40. The system according to claim 34, wherein the data signal is used to monitor the service signal.

41. The system according to claim 34, wherein at least two of the devices are addressable.

42. The system according to claim 34, and a single enclosure enclosing at least one of said devices, wherein said single enclosure 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.

43. An outlet for coupling digital data carried over local area network (LAN) wiring to at least one data unit, the wiring being at least partially installed in walls of a building and having at least two conductors that simultaneously carry a bidirectional serial digital data signal containing the digital data and a DC power signal over the same conductors, said outlet comprising:

a wiring connector for connecting to the LAN wiring;

a first LAN transceiver coupled to said wiring connector and operative for transmitting and receiving the bidirectional serial digital data signal over the LAN wiring;

a DC to DC converter coupled between said wiring connector and said first LAN transceiver to be fed from the DC power signal carried over the LAN wiring and to supply DC power to said first LAN transceiver;

a first data port coupled to said first LAN transceiver for bidirectional communication of the serial digital data signal with the at least one data unit;

a visual indicator for indicating a status connected to said DC to DC converter to be supplied with power from the DC power signal; and

a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said first LAN transceiver, said visual indicator, said DC to DC converter and said first data port,

wherein said enclosure is dimensioned to be mountable into a standard wall outlet receptacle or a wall outlet opening, said outlet is addressable in the LAN, and at least part of the digital data contained in the digital data signal is transparently passed between the at least one data unit and the LAN wiring.

44. The outlet according to claim 43, further operative for wired connection to the at least one data unit, wherein:

said first data port comprises a LAN connector for wired connection to a data unit;

said outlet further comprises, in said single enclosure, a second LAN transceiver connected between said first LAN transceiver and said LAN connector;

said second LAN transceiver is operative for full-duplex packet-based point-to-point serial digital data communication with the at least one data unit; and

said second LAN transceiver is further connected to be supplied with power from said DC to DC converter.

45. The outlet according to claim 44, wherein said second LAN transceivers is operative to conduct full-duplex point-to-point communication with a single other mating transceiver.

46. The outlet according to claim 43, wherein:

the at least one data unit includes first and second data units;

the LAN wiring carries time multiplexed first and second digital data signals;

said outlet is further operative to couple each of the first and second digital data signals to a respective one of the first and second data units;

said first data port is couplable to the first data unit; and

said outlet further comprises;

a second data port for bidirectional serial digital data communicating with the second data unit; and

a time multiplexer/demultiplexer coupled between said first LAN transceiver, said first data port and said second data port, said time multiplexer/demultiplexer being operative to pass the first digital data signal between said wiring connector and the first data unit and to pass the second digital data signal between said wiring connector and the second data unit.

47. The outlet according to claim 43, wherein said outlet has one of:

a manually assigned address;

an automatically assigned address; and

an address assigned by a data unit connected to said outlet.

48. The outlet according to claim 43, wherein said first LAN transceiver is operative to conduct bidirectional communication with one or more substantially similar transceivers over the LAN wiring.

49. The outlet according to claim 43, wherein said first LAN transceiver is operative to conduct full-duplex point-to-point communication with a single mating transceiver over the LAN wiring.

50. The outlet according to claim 43, wherein the serial digital data signal conforms to an Ethernet standard.

51. The outlet according to claim 43, further comprising firmware and a processor executing said firmware, wherein said processor is connected to said DC to DC converter to be supplied with power from the DC power signal, and wherein the serial digital data signal is couplable to said processor via said wiring connector.

52. The outlet according to claim 43, wherein said single enclosure 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.

53. The outlet according to claim 43, wherein said outlet is pluggable into an existing outlet or attachable to an existing outlet.

54. The outlet according to claim 43, further comprising separation means for separating the digital data signal from the DC power signal, connected between said wiring connector, said DC to DC converter and said first LAN transceiver.

55. The outlet according to claim 54, wherein said separation means is based on one or more center-tapped transformers connected to substantially transparently pass the digital data signal.

56. An outlet for coupling digital data to a first data unit, the digital data being carried over wiring at least partially in wall of a building and having at least two conductors that simultaneously carry the digital data in a bidirectional serial digital data signal and a DC power signal over the same conductors, said outlet comprising:

a wiring connector for connecting to the wiring;

a modem coupled to said wiring connector and operative for transmitting and receiving the bidirectional serial digital data signal over the wiring;

a LAN connector for connecting to the first data unit;

a LAN transceiver connected between said LAN connector and said modem for full-duplex point-to-point serial digital data communication with said first data unit;

a DC to DC converter coupled between said wiring connector, said modem and said LAN transceiver to be supplied with power from the DC power signal and to supply DC power to said modem and said LAN transceiver;

a visual indicator for indicating a status, connected to said DC to DC converter to be supplied with power from the DC power signal; and

a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said modem, said LAN transceiver, said visual indicator and said DC to DC converter,

wherein;

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

said outlet is addressable in a LAN; and

at least part of the digital data is transparently passed between the first data unit and the wiring.

57. The outlet according to claim 56, wherein:

the wiring is connected to carry time multiplexed first and second digital data signals;

said outlet is further operative to respectively couple the first digital data signal to the first data unit and to couple the second digital data signal to a second data unit;

said first LAN connector and said LAN transceiver are connected for communication with the first data unit; and

said outlet further comprises;

a second LAN connector for connecting to the second data unit;

a second LAN transceiver connected between said second LAN connector and said modem for full-duplex point-to-point serial digital data communicating with the second data unit; and

a time multiplexer/demultiplexer coupled between said modem, said first LAN transceiver and said second LAN transceiver, said time multiplexer/demultiplexer being operative to pass the first digital data signal between said wiring connector and the first data unit and to pass the second digital data signal between said wiring connector and the second data unit.

58. The outlet according to claim 56, wherein said outlet has one of:

a manually assigned address;

an automatically assigned address; and

an address assigned by a data unit connected to the outlet.

59. The outlet according to claim 56, wherein the serial digital data signal conforms to an Ethernet standard.

60. The outlet according to claim 56, further comprising firmware and a processor executing said firmware, wherein said processor is connected to said DC to DC converter to be supplied with power from the DC power signal, and wherein the serial digital data signal is couplable to said processor via said wiring connector.

61. The outlet according to claim 56, wherein said single enclosure 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.

62. The outlet according to claim 56, wherein said outlet is pluggable into an existing outlet or attachable to an existing outlet.

63. The outlet according to claim 56, further comprising means for separating the digital data signal from the DC power signal, connected between said wiring connector, said DC to DC converter and said modem.

64. The outlet according to claim 63, wherein the digital data signal and the DC power signal are carried using frequency division multiplexing wherein the digital data signal is carried in a frequency band higher than DC, and said outlet further comprises:

a high pass filter connected between aid wiring connector and said modem for substantially passing only the digital data signal and substantially blocking the DC power signal; and

a low pass filter connected between said wiring connector and said DC to DC converter for substantially passing only the DC power signal.

65. The outlet according to claim 56, wherein the wiring consists of a single wire pair, and said modem is operative to transmit and receive over the single wire pair.

66. The outlet according to claim 65, wherein wiring consists of a single analog telephone wire pair, and said modem is operative to transmit and receive over the single telephone wire pair.

67. An outlet for coupling digital data carried over local area network (LAN) wiring to at least one data unit, the wiring being at least partially installed in walls of a building and having at least two conductors that simultaneously carry a bidirectional serial digital data signal containing the digital data and a DC power signal over the same conductors, said outlet comprising:

a wiring connector for connecting to the LAN wiring;

a first LAN transceiver coupled to said wiring connector and operative for transmitting and receiving the bidirectional serial digital data signal over the LAN wiring;

a DC to DC converter coupled between said wiring connector and said first LAN transceiver to be supplied with power from the DC power signal carried over the LAN wiring and for supplying DC power to said outlet;

a first data port coupled to said first LAN transceiver for bidirectional serial digital data communication with the at least one data unit;

a visual indicator for indicating a status connected to said DC to DC converter to be supplied with power from the DC power signal; and

a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said visual indicator, said first LAN transceiver, said DC to DC converter and said first data port,

wherein said enclosure is dimensioned to be mountable into a standard wall outlet receptacle or a wall outlet opening, and at least part of the digital data is transparently passed between the at least one data unit and the LAN wiring.

68. The outlet according to claim 67 further operative for wired connection to the at least one data unit, wherein said first data port comprises a LAN connector for wired connection to the at least one data unit, and said outlet further comprises, in said single enclosure, a second LAN transceiver connectable between the first LAN transceiver and said LAN connector, said second LAN transceiver being operative for full-duplex packet-based point-to-point serial digital data communication with the at least one data unit, and wherein said second LAN transceiver is further connected to be supplied with power from said DC to DC converter.

69. The outlet according to claim 68, wherein said first and second LAN transceivers are operative to conduct full-duplex point-to-point communication with a respective single other mating transceiver.

70. The outlet according to claim 67, wherein the at least one data unit includes first and second data units, the wiring is connectable to carry time multiplexed first and second digital data signals, and said outlet is further operative to couple each of the first and second digital data signals to a respective one of the first and second data units, said first data port is couplable to the first data unit, and said outlet further comprises:

a second data port for bidirectional serial digital data communicating with the second data unit; and

a time multiplexer/demultiplexer couplable between the first LAN transceiver, said first data port and said second data port, said time multiplexer/demultiplexer being operative to pass the first digital data signal between said wiring connector and the first data unit and to pass the second digital data signal between said wiring connector and the second data unit.

71. The outlet according to claim 67, wherein said outlet is addressable in a LAN and said outlet has an address that is manually assigned, or automatically assigned, or assigned by a data unit connected to said outlet.

72. The outlet according to claim 67, wherein the serial digital data signal conforms to an Ethernet standard.

73. The outlet according to claim 67, further comprising firmware and a processor executing said firmware, wherein said processor is connected to said DC to DC converter to be supplied with power from the DC power signal, and the serial digital data signal is coupled to said processor via said wiring connector.

74. The outlet according to claim 67, wherein said single enclosure 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.

75. The outlet according to claim 67, wherein said outlet is pluggable into an existing outlet or attachable to an existing outlet.

76. The outlet according to claim 67, further comprising separation means connected between said wiring connector, said DC to DC converter and said first data port for separating the digital data signal from the DC power signal.

77. The outlet according to claim 76, wherein said separation means is based on one or more center-tapped transformers connected to substantially transparently pass the digital data signal.

78. An outlet for coupling a data unit and an analog unit to in-wall wiring that simultaneously carries a bidirectional 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.

79. The outlet according to claim 78, 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.

80. The outlet according to claim 78, 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.

81. The outlet according to claim 80 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.

82. The outlet according to claim 80 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.

83. The outlet according to claim 80 wherein said power supply comprises an AC/DC converter or a DC/DC converter.

84. The outlet according to claim 80 further comprising a power connector coupled to said power supply and connectable to a device for DC powering the device.

85. The outlet according to claim 78, 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.

86. The outlet according to claim 78, wherein said outlet is further addressable in a network.

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

88. The outlet according to claim 86, wherein said outlet has an automatically assigned address.

89. The outlet according to claim 86, wherein said outlet has an address assigned by a data unit connected to the outlet.

90. The outlet according to claim 78, 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.

91. The outlet according to claim 90, wherein said transceiver is operative to bidirectionally communicating with one or more identical transceivers over the in-wall wiring.

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

93. The outlet according to claim 78, wherein said communication with the data unit conforms to an Ethernet protocol.

94. The outlet according to claim 78, wherein at least one parameter if the outlet is configurable by a connected data unit.

95. The outlet according to claim 78 further comprising firmware and a processor executing said firmware, the processor coupled to the wiring connector to control the outlet.

96. The outlet according to claim 78, wherein said single enclosure 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.

97. An outlet for coupling a data unit and a powered unit to in-wall wiring composed of at least two conductors and simultaneously carrying bidirectional 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.

98. The outlet according to claim 97, 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.

99. The outlet according to claim 97, 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.

100. The outlet according to claim 97 wherein said power supply comprises an AC/DC converter.

101. The outlet according to claim 97 wherein said power supply comprising a DC/DC converter.

102. The outlet according to claim 97 wherein the digital data and power signals are each carried over distinct and dedicated wires.

103. The outlet according to claim 97 wherein the digital data and power signals are multiplexed and carried over the same conductors.

104. The outlet according to claim 103 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.

105. The outlet according to claim 104 further wherein said data/power splitter is based on a split-tapped transformer.

106. The outlet according to claim 97, wherein the outlet is further addressable in the network.

107. The outlet according to claim 106, wherein the outlet address is manually assigned.

108. The outlet according to claim 106, wherein the outlet address is automatically assigned.

109. The outlet according to claim 106, wherein the outlet address is assigned by a data unit connected to the outlet.

110. The outlet according to claim 97, further comprising a transceiver coupled between said wiring connector and data connector, for conducting the serial digital data signal over the wiring.

111. The outlet according to claim 110, wherein said transceiver is operative to bidirectionally communicate with one or more identical transceivers over the wiring.

112. The outlet according to claim 110, wherein said transceiver is operative to perform bidirectional point-to-point communication with only a single mating transceiver over the wiring.

113. The outlet according to claim 97, 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.

114. The outlet according to claim 97, wherein communication with said data unit is Ethernet based.

115. The outlet according to claim 97, wherein at least one parameter of the outlet is configurable by a connected data unit.

116. The outlet according to claim 97 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.

117. The outlet according to claim 116, wherein said standard computer bus interface is one of:

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

118. The outlet according to claim 97 further comprising firmware and a processor executing said firmware, said processor being coupled to said wiring connector for coupling to the serial digital data.

119. The outlet according to claim 97 wherein the wiring is a powerline wiring, the power signal is an AC power signal, and said power connector is an AC power connector.

120. The outlet according to claim 97 wherein the wiring comprises at least one twisted pair and wherein the power signal is a DC power signal.

121. The outlet according to claim 97, wherein said single enclosure 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.

122. An outlet for coupling a data unit and an analog telephone set to in-wall wiring that simultaneously carries a bidirectional 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.

123. The outlet according to claim 122, 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.

124. The outlet according to claim 122, 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.

125. The outlet according to claim 124 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.

126. The outlet according to claim 124 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.

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

128. The outlet according to claim 124 further comprising a power connector coupled to said connection point and connectable to a device for DC powering the device.

129. The outlet according to claim 122, wherein at least one parameter of the outlet is configurable by a connected data unit.

130. The outlet according to claim 122, wherein said single enclosure 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.