ADDRESSABLE OUTLET, AND A NETWORK USING THE SAME
First Claim
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.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
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Citations
72 Claims
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72)
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Specification