OUTLET WITH ANALOG SIGNAL ADAPTER, A METHOD FOR USE THEREOF AND A NETWORK USING SAID OUTLET

• US 20080120663A1
• Filed: 01/23/2008
• Published: 05/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
• Original Assignee: SercoNet Limited (Yehuda Binder, MBA)
• Inventors: Binder, Yehuda
• Granted Patent: US 7,860,084 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/109
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/04 for network, e.g. LAN connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/545 Audio/video application, e.g. interphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/56 Circuits for coupling, blocking, or by-passing of signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/102 Circuits therefor, e.g. noise reducers, equalisers, amplifiers H04N7/108 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/106 for domestic distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/108 the cable being constituted by a pair of wires

Abstract

A device for a LAN, containing an integrated adapter that converts digital data to and from analog video signals, allowing the use of analog video units in a digital data network or telephone line-based data networking system, eliminating the need for digital video units or external adapter. The device may include a hub for connecting an analog video signal via an adapter, and retaining the data network connection. In such an environment, the data networking circuitry as well as the analog video adapters are integrated into a telephone device, providing for regular telephone service, analog video connectivity, and data networking as well. In such a configuration, the device would have a standard telephone jack, an analog video jack and at least one data networking jack. Such device can be used to retrofit existing LAN and telephone wiring, and original equipment in new installations.

Claims

1. A device for coupling an analog video unit to a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable being connected to concurrently carry an analog CATV signal in an analog CATV frequency band and serial bi-directional packet-based digital data including digitized video data in a digital data frequency band that is distinct from the analog CATV frequency band, the device comprising:

a coaxial connector adapted to connect said device to the coaxial cable;

a filter coupled to said coaxial connector for substantially passing signals in the digital data frequency band and for substantially rejecting signals in the analog CATV frequency band;

a coaxial cable modem coupled to said filter for conducting the serial bi-directional packet-based digital data over the coaxial cable;

an analog video connector connectable for coupling an analog video signal to the analog video unit;

a converter between the analog video signal and digitized video data signal coupled to said analog video connector, said converter comprising at least one of an analog to digital converter and a digital to analog converter;

a multi-port packet sharing means consisting of one of;

a switch;

a router; and

a gateway, coupled between said converter and said coaxial cable modem to pass only the digitized video data therebetween; and

a single enclosure housing said coaxial connector, said filter, said coaxial cable modem, said analog video connector, said converter and said multi-port packet sharing means;

wherein said enclosure is attachable to a wall and said device is addressable in a digital data network.

2. The device according to claim 1, further operative for coupling the analog CATV signal to an analog CATV set, said device further comprising:

a CATV filter coupled to said coaxial connector for substantially passing only signals in the analog CATV frequency band; and

a standard CATV connector coupled to said CATV filter and connectable to the analog CATV set for coupling the analog CATV signal to the analog CATV set.

3. The device according to claim 1, 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 receptacle or opening; and

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

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is electrically pluggable into and mechanically attachable to a CATV outlet.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said single enclosure is structured to attach to a mating fixture secured on the wall.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the serial bi-directional packet-based digital data further includes a first digital data signal and the device is further operative for coupling the first digital data signal to a data unit, said device further comprising:

a data interface connector connectable to the data unit;

a transceiver coupled between said multi-port packet sharing means and said data interface connector for conducting a bi-directional serial digital data communication with the data unit; and

wherein said multi-port packet sharing means is coupled to pass the first digital data between said coaxial cable modem and said transceiver.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the communication with said data unit conforms to an Ethernet standard or Internet Protocol.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said coaxial cable modem is operative to perform bi-directional communication with one or more identical coaxial cable modems connected to the coaxial cable.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein said coaxial cable modem is operative to perform full-duplex point-to-point communication with only a single other coaxial cable modem over the coaxial cable.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein said converter consists of an analog to digital converter, and the analog video unit is a video source.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein said converter consists of a digital to analog converter, and the analog video unit is a video receiver.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the digitized video data is in a compressed form, and said device further comprises a digital compressor or a digital de-compressor coupled between said converter and said multi-port packet sharing means.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the compression is MPEG based.