ADDRESSABLE OUTLET, AND A NETWORK USING THE SAME

• US 20080198777A1
• Filed: 02/13/2008
• Published: 08/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Conversant Intellectual Property Management Inc (MOSAID Technologies Inc. (f/k/a Conversant Intellectual Property Management))
• Original Assignee: SercoNet Limited (Yehuda Binder, MBA)
• Inventors: BINDER, Yehuda
• Granted Patent: US 7,990,908 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/282
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2827 Reporting to a device within the home network; wherein the reception of the information reported automatically triggers the execution of a home appliance functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/44 Star or tree networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2845 Telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/622 Layer-2 addresses, e.g. medium access control [MAC] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0677 Localisation of faults

Abstract

An addressable outlet for use as part of local area network based on wiring installed in a building, such as telephone, electrical, cable television, dedicated wiring, and the like. The use of such wiring for data communications networks in addition to the wiring'"'"'s primary usage creates a need for ways of determining the condition of the network and monitoring this information remotely. Network condition includes such factors as continuity of wiring, connector status, connected devices, topology, signal delays, latencies, and routing patterns. Providing basic processing and addressing capabilities within the outlet permits messaging to and from specific individual outlets, thereby allowing inquiries and reports of the condition of the immediate environment of each outlet. In addition, outlets can be configured with sensors to report on voltage, temperature, and other measurable quantities.

Claims

1. A device for coupling data units in a building to the Internet over AC power wiring, the AC power wiring being connected for carrying an AC power signal at an AC power frequency and a digital data signal in a digital data frequency band that is distinct from, and higher than, the AC power frequency, said device comprising:

an AC power plug for connecting to the AC power wiring;

a powerline modem for transmitting and receiving digital data over the AC power wiring;

a high pass filter coupled between said AC power plug and said powerline modem for substantially passing only signals in the digital data frequency band;

a first data port for coupling to a first data unit;

a first transceiver coupled to said first data port for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with the first data unit;

a second data port for coupling to a second data unit;

a second transceiver coupled to said second data port for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with the second data unit;

a multiport interconnection circuit consisting of one of;

a switch;

a router; and

a gateway, coupled to pass digital data between said powerline modem and said first and second transceivers;

a processor coupled to control and monitor said first and second transceivers and said powerline modem;

a first storage member coupled to said processor for storing a first address that uniquely identifies said device in a digital data network; and

a single enclosure housing said AC power plug, said powerline modem, said high pass filter, said first and second data ports, said first and second transceivers, said multiport interconnection circuit, said processor and said first storage member.

2. The device according to claim 1, further operative for coupling the AC power signal to an AC powered appliance, the AC power wiring being connected for concurrently carrying the AC power signal in the AC power frequency using frequency division multiplexing, said device further comprising:

an AC power jack for connecting to the AC powered appliance to conduct the AC power signal to the AC powered appliance; and

a low pass filter coupled between said AC power plug and said AC power jack for substantially passing only the AC power signal at the AC power frequency between the AC power wiring and the AC powered appliance.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein:

the AC power wiring is connected outside the building to a telephone or CATV service provider; and

communication over the AC power wiring is based on powerline carrier (PLC) standards.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first address is one of an Internet Protocol (IP) address and a Media Access Control (MAC) address.

5. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a second storage member for storing a second address.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein each of the first and second addresses is associated with a respective distinct functionality of said device.

7. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of:

a voltage sensor, a continuity detector, a communication activity detector; and

a connected device status detector, and wherein said sensor is coupled to said processor.

8. The device according to claim 7, further operative to send messages to a remote data unit over the AC power wiring, and wherein the messages include status information associated with said sensor.

9. The device according to claim 1, further connectable to the Internet via the AC power wiring, and wherein said device is remotely manageable by a remote data unit communicating with said device through the Internet.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the communication with the first data unit is a Local Area Network (LAN) communication over a wired medium and wherein said first data port is a first data connector.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the communication with the first data unit is point-to-point bi-directional packet-based serial digital data communication.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the communication with the first data unit is based on IEEE802.3, 10BaseT, or 100BaseT, and said first data connector is a RJ-45 jack.

13. The device according to claim 10, wherein the communication with each of the first and second data units is point-to-point bi-directional packet-based serial digital data communication.

14. 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 AC power outlet;

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

a shape allowing direct mounting in an AC power outlet receptacle or opening; and

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

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is pluggable into and attachable to an AC power outlet.

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

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is operative to identify and compose messages associated with the first address over a LAN coupled to said device.

18. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is operative to identify and compose messages associated with the first address over a Wide Area Network (WAN) coupled to said device.

19. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a second storage member storing a second address, and wherein the first address is associated with said first data port and the second address is associated with said second data port.

20. The device according to claim 1, further operative for coupling the AC power signal to an AC powered appliance, and wherein said device further comprises an AC power jack coupled to said AC power plug for conducting the AC power signal to the AC powered appliance.

21. The device according to claim 1, wherein the AC power wiring is at least in part in walls of the building, and said powerline modem is operative to communicate with another modem of the same type in the building.

22. A wall-mounted device for coupling a data unit in a building to the Internet over AC power wiring, the AC power wiring being connected for carrying an AC power signal at an AC power frequency and a digital data signal in a digital data frequency band that is distinct from the AC power frequency, said device comprising:

an AC power plug for connecting to the AC power wiring;

a powerline modem for transmitting and receiving digital data over the AC power wiring;

a high pass filter coupled between said AC power plug and said powerline modem for substantially passing only signals in the digital data frequency band;

a first data port for coupling to a first data unit;

a first transceiver coupled between said powerline modem and said first data port for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with the first data unit;

a processor coupled to control and monitor said first transceiver and said powerline modem;

a first storage member coupled to said processor for storing a first address that uniquely identifies said device in a digital data network; and

a single enclosure housing said AC power plug, said powerline modem, said high pass filter, said first data port, said first transceiver, said processor and said first storage member,

wherein said single enclosure is mountable onto an AC power outlet opening.

23. The device according to claim 22, further operative for coupling the AC power signal to an AC powered appliance, the AC power wiring being connected for concurrently carrying the AC power signal at the AC power frequency using frequency division multiplexing, said device further comprising:

an AC power jack for connecting to the AC powered appliance to conduct the AC power signal to the AC powered appliance; and

a low pass filter coupled between said AC power plug and said AC power jack for substantially passing only signals at the AC power frequency between the AC power wiring and the AC powered appliance.

24. The device according to claim 22, further comprising:

a second data port for coupling to a second data unit;

a second transceiver coupled to said second data port for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with the second data unit; and

a multiport interconnection circuit consisting of one of;

a switch;

a router; and

a gateway, coupled to pass digital data between said powerline modem and said first and second transceivers.

25. The device according to claim 24, wherein the communication with each of the first and second data units is point-to-point bi-directional packet-based serial digital data communication.

26. The device according to claim 24, further comprising a second storage member for storing a second address, and wherein the first address is associated with said first data port and the second address is associated with said second data port.

27. The device according to claim 22, wherein:

the AC power wiring is connected outside the building to a telephone or CATV service provider; and

communication over the AC power wiring is based on a powerline carrier (PLC) standard.

28. The device according to claim 22, wherein the first address is one of an Internet Protocol (IP) address and a Media Access Control (MAC) address.

29. The device according to claim 22, further comprising a second storage member for storing a second address.

30. The device according to claim 29, wherein each of the first and second addresses is associated with a respective distinct functionality of said device.

31. The device according to claim 22, further comprising at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of:

a voltage sensor, a continuity detector, a communication activity detector; and

a connected device status detector, and wherein said sensor is coupled to said processor.

32. The device according to claim 31, further operative to send messages to a remote data unit over the AC power wiring, and wherein the messages include status information associated with said sensor.

33. The device according to claim 22, further connectable to the Internet via the AC power wiring, and wherein said device is remotely manageable by a remote data unit connected to said device through the Internet.

34. The device according to claim 22, wherein the communication with the first data unit is a Local Area Network (LAN) communication over a wired medium, and wherein said first data port is a first data connector.

35. The device according to claim 34, wherein the communication with the first data unit is point-to-point bi-directional packet-based serial digital data communication.

36. The device according to claim 35, wherein the communication with the first data unit is based on IEEE802.3, 10BaseT, or 100BaseT, and said first data connector is a RJ-45 jack.

37. The device according to claim 22, wherein said single enclosure is constructed to have at least one of the following:

a form substantially similar to that of a standard AC power outlet;

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

a shape allowing direct mounting in an AC power outlet receptacle or opening; and

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

38. The device according to claim 22, wherein said device is pluggable into and attachable to an AC power outlet.

39. The device according to claim 22, wherein said single enclosure is structured to attach to a mating fixture secured on a wall of the building.

40. The device according to claim 22, wherein said device is operative to identify and compose messages associated with the first address over a LAN coupled to said device.

41. The device according to claim 22, wherein said device is operative to identify and compose messages associated with the first address over a Wide Area Network (WAN) coupled to said device.

42. The device according to claim 22, further operative for coupling an AC power signal to an AC powered appliance, wherein said device further comprises an AC power jack coupled to said AC power plug for coupling an AC power signal to the AC powered appliance.

43. The device according to claim 22, wherein the AC power wiring is at least in part in walls of the building, and said powerline modem is operative to communicate with another modem of the same type in the building.

44. A system in a building for coupling a data unit to the Internet via a home network and a Wide Area Network (WAN), said system comprising:

AC power wiring that forms a part of the home network and that is at least in part in walls of the building and is accessible at an outlet opening, said AC power wiring being connected for carrying an AC power signal at an AC power frequency and a digital data signal in a digital data frequency band that is distinct from the AC power frequency;

a residential gateway housed in a single enclosure and comprising an AC power plug for connecting to said AC power wiring at a first connection point, and a WAN port couplable to a Wide Area Network (WAN) for connecting to the Internet, said gateway being operative to pass digital data between the WAN and said AC power wiring;

a first adapter connected to said AC power wiring at a second connection point distinct from said first connection point and couplable to a first data unit, said first adapter being operative for passing digital data between said AC power wiring and the first data unit; and

a single enclosure housing said first adapter,

wherein said residential gateway and said first adapter are each addressable in a digital data network.

45. The system according to claim 44, wherein said first adapter is further connectable to a first AC powered appliance.

46. The system according to claim 45, wherein said AC power wiring is further connected to concurrently carry the AC power signal using frequency division multiplexing (FDM), and wherein said first adapter is further operative to pass the AC power signal between said AC power wiring and the first AC powered appliance.

47. The system according to claim 44, wherein said residential gateway is further connectable to a first AC powered appliance.

48. The system according to claim 47, wherein said AC power wiring is further connected to concurrently carry the AC power signal using frequency division multiplexing (FDM), and wherein said residential gateway is further operative to pass the AC power signal between said AC power wiring and the first AC powered appliance.

49. The system according to claim 44, further comprising:

a second adapter connected to said AC power wiring at a third connection point distinct from said first and second connection points and couplable to a second data unit; and

a further single enclosure housing said second adapter, said second adapter being operative for passing digital data between said AC power wiring and the second data unit;

wherein said second adapter is addressable in the digital data network.

50. The system according to claim 49, wherein said first and second adapters are further operative to communicate with each other over said AC power wiring.

51. The system according to claim 49, wherein the communication with each of the first and second data units is point-to-point bi-directional packet-based serial digital data communication.

52. The system according to claim 44, wherein said residential gateway further comprises one of:

a switch;

a router; and

a gateway coupled between said WAN port and said AC power plug.

53. The system according to claim 44, wherein said first adapter comprises one of:

a switch;

a router; and

a gateway for coupling between said AC power wiring and the first data unit.

54. The system according to claim 44, wherein the WAN is based on a wired connection outside the building for connection to the Internet.

55. The system according to claim 54, wherein:

said WAN is based on telephone or CATV wiring that is connected outside the building to a respective telephone or CATV service provider;

communication over said AC power wiring or further AC power wiring is based on powerline carrier (PLC) standards.

56. The system according to claim 54, wherein the WAN is based on a CATV or ADSL system, and said residential gateway further comprises a powerline modem.

57. The system according to claim 44, wherein the WAN is based on a non-wired connection outside the building for connecting to the Internet.

58. The system according to claim 57, wherein the WAN is operative to perform wireless terrestrial or satellite communication.

59. The system according to claim 44, wherein one of said residential gateway and said first adapter has a first address that is an Internet Protocol (IP) address or a Media Access Control (MAC) address.

60. The system according to claim 59, wherein the other one of said residential gateway and said first adapter has a second address.

61. The system according to claim 60, wherein each of the first and second addresses is associated with a respectively different distinct functionality of the respective one of said residential gateway and said first adapter.

62. The system according to claim 44, wherein at least one of said residential gateway and said first adapter further comprises at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of:

a voltage sensor;

a continuity detector;

a communication activity detector; and

a connected device status detector.

63. The system according to claim 62, wherein at least one of said residential gateway and said first adapter is further operative to send messages to a remote data unit over said AC power wiring, and wherein the messages include status information associated with said sensor.

64. The system according to claim 44, wherein at least one of said residential gateway and said first adapter is remotely manageable by a remote data unit connected through the Internet.

65. The system according to claim 44, wherein communication with the first data unit is a Local Area Network (LAN) communication over a wired medium via a first data connector.

66. The system according to claim 65, wherein the communication with the first data unit is point-to-point bi-directional packet-based serial digital data communication.

67. The system according to claim 66, wherein the communication with the first data unit is based on IEEE802.3, 10BaseT, or 100BaseT, and the first data connector is a RJ-45 jack.

68. The system according to claim 44, wherein said single enclosure of said first adapter is constructed to have at least one of the following:

a form substantially similar to that of a standard AC power outlet;

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

a shape allowing direct mounting in an AC power outlet receptacle or opening; and

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

69. The system according to claim 44, wherein said first adapter is pluggable into and attachable to an AC power outlet.

70. The system according to claim 44, wherein said single enclosure of said first adapter is structured to attach to a mating fixture secured on a wall of the building.

71. The system according to claim 44, wherein said first adapter is operative to identify and compose messages carried by a LAN and associated with the address of said first adapter.

72. The system according to claim 44, wherein said residential gateway is operative to identify and compose messages that are carried by the WAN when the WAN is coupled to said WAN port and that are associated with the address of said residential gateway.