OUTLET ADD-ON MODULE

• US 20080227333A1
• Filed: 03/05/2008
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
• Original Assignee: SercoNet Limited (Yehuda Binder, MBA)
• Inventors: Hazani, Ami, Koby, Rafael Gil, Butbul, Shlomo, Binder, Yehuda
• Granted Patent: US 7,756,268 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/578
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/719 specially adapted for high frequency, e.g. with filters
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5408 using protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/542 the information being in digital form

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for upgrading an existing service outlet (e.g. LAN, telephone, power or CATV outlet) in a house by adding functionality thereto. The functionality is added by an add-on module, connected electrically and secured mechanically to the existing outlet. Several attachment devices are exampled, including surface attachment, side clamping, snap locking, strap securing and fastening screws. The add-on module may include a service connector for retaining the basic existing outlet function. The module may be attached in a permanent way or by using a detachable solution.

Claims

1. A device for coupling a data unit to an existing coaxial cable that is at least in part in walls of a building and that is terminated at a CATV (cable Television) outlet, said device comprising:

a coaxial connector for connecting to the coaxial cable via the CATV outlet;

a data port for coupling a digital data signal to the data unit;

a transceiver coupled between said coaxial connector and said data port for bi-directional digital data communication with the data unit; and

a single enclosure housing said coaxial connector, said data port and said transceiver, wherein said single enclosure is mechanically attachable to the CATV outlet using means other than said coaxial connector.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is mechanically permanently or detachably attachable to a front surface of the CATV outlet.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said device is mechanically attachable to the front surface by one of:

suction;

adhesive;

stickers;

glue;

magnetic force; and

‘

hook- and loop’

fastening.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is mechanically permanently or detachably attachable to one or more side surfaces of the CATV outlet.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein said device is mechanically attachable to at least one of the side surfaces of the CATV outlet by one of:

a movable bar;

a protruding ridge;

a spring clamp; and

eccentric levers.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is mechanically permanently or detachably attachable to the CATV outlet by snap locking or by use of a tab inserted between the outlet and one of the walls.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is mechanically permanently or detachably attachable to the CATV outlet by a securing strap or band.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is mechanically attachable to the CATV outlet by fastening screws.

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

a coaxial jack coupled to said coaxial connector for connecting to the analog CATV device to couple the analog CATV signal to the analog CATV device.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the coaxial cable is connected for carrying the analog CATV signal in an analog CATV frequency band, and said device further comprises a band pass filter coupled between said coaxial connector and said coaxial jack for substantially passing only signals in the analog CATV frequency band between the coaxial cable and the analog CATV device.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the coaxial cable is connected for carrying a digital data signal in a digital data frequency band that is distinct from the analog CATV frequency band, and said device further comprises:

a coaxial cable modem coupled between said coaxial connector and said transceiver for transmitting digital data to, and receiving digital data from, the coaxial cable.

12. The device according to claim 11, further comprising a filter coupled between said coaxial cable modem and said coaxial connector for substantially passing only signals in the digital data frequency band.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein said coaxial connector is an F-Type or a BNC type connector.

14. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a power port connectable to receive a power signal from a power signal source; and

a power supply comprising an AC/DC converter or a DC/DC converter, coupled between said power port and said transceiver for DC powering said transceiver by the power signal.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein said power port comprises a dedicated power connector for connecting to the power signal source.

16. The device according to claim 14, wherein the coaxial cable is connected to carry a power signal, and wherein said power port is coupled to said coaxial connector to power said power supply from the power signal carried over the coaxial cable.

17. The device according to claim 14, wherein said power port comprises a connector for connecting to an appliance for receiving power from the appliance.

18. The device according to claim 14, further comprising a visual indicator coupled to said power supply for indication of the status of said device.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein said visual indicator is operative to indicate the power availability to said device.

20. The device according to claim 1, further supporting safety and protection functions, and wherein said device further comprises lightning protection or fuses coupled to said coaxial connector for protecting said device.

21. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least part of one of:

a DOCSIS-based Cable Modem;

a Set Top Box;

a VCR;

a DVD player or recorder;

a television set; and

a DVR (Digital Video Recorder).

22. The device according to claim 1, wherein communication with the data unit is over a non-wired medium using radio signals, said data port is an antenna, and said transceiver is a radio frequency transceiver.

23. The device according to claim 1, wherein communication with the data unit is over a non-wired medium using visible light or infrared, and said data port is a light emitter and light receiver.

24. The device according to claim 1, wherein communication with the data unit is over a wired medium, and said data port is a data connector.

25. The device according to claim 24, wherein communication with the data unit is serial-based communication.

26. The device according to claim 25, wherein the communication with the data unit, said data connector and said transceiver are respectively one of:

Ethernet 10BaseT;

100BaseT;

1000BaseT;

USB;

EIA/TIA-232; and

IEEE1394.

27. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a multi-port unit coupled to said transceiver and comprising one of:

a hub;

a switch;

a router; and

a gateway.

28. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is further addressable in a local area network.

29. The device according to claim 28, wherein:

said device is part of a network;

said device further comprises a processor; and

said device further supports network management.

30. The device according to claim 29, wherein said device is operative to support at least one of:

performance management;

configuration management;

accounting management;

fault management; and

security management.

31. The device according to claim 1, in combination with a cradle for detachable mounting of a handheld unit having a mating connector, wherein said data port is a further connector that is part of said cradle, and said further connector connects with the handheld unit mating connector when the handheld unit is mounted in said cradle.

32. The device according to claim 31, wherein the handheld unit is a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or a cellular telephone.

33. The device according to claim 31, wherein said cradle is coupled to a power supply and wherein the handheld unit is adapted to be charged when mounted in said cradle.

34. The device according to claim 31, wherein said cradle is coupled to said transceiver so that said device communicates with the handheld unit when mounted in said cradle.

35. The device according to claim 1, further adapted to dock, supply power to, and communicate with a handheld unit.

36. A kit comprising:

said device according to claim 1; and

a mechanical adapter, wherein said enclosure is mechanically attachable to the CATV outlet through the intermediary of said adapter, and said adapter is mechanically attachable to the CATV outlet and to said enclosure.

37. A device for coupling a handheld unit containing a mating connector to an existing coaxial cable that is at least in part in walls of a building and is terminated at a CATV (Cable television) outlet, said device comprising:

a first connector for connecting to the coaxial cable via the outlet;

a cradle comprising a mechanical adapter for docking the handheld unit thereto;

a second connector for connecting to the mating connector in the handheld unit when the handheld unit is mounted in said cradle;

a transceiver coupled between said first connector and said second connector for bi-directional communication with the handheld unit;

a power port connectable to receive a power signal from a power signal source;

a power supply, comprising an AC/DC converter or a DC/DC converter, coupled between said power port and said second connector for DC powering and charging the handheld unit by the power signal when the handheld unit is mounted in said cradle; and

a single enclosure housing said first connector, said cradle, said second connector and said transceiver.

38. The device according to claim 37, wherein the handheld unit is a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or a cellular telephone.

39. The device according to claim 37, wherein said transceiver is a digital data transceiver for bi-directional digital data communication with the handheld unit.

40. The device according to claim 37, wherein said device is further operative for coupling an analog CATV signal to an analog CATV device, and said device further comprises a coaxial jack coupled to said first connector for connecting to the analog CATV device and coupling the analog CATV signal to the analog CATV device.

41. The device according to claim 40, wherein the coaxial cable is connected for carrying the analog CATV signal in an analog CATV frequency band, and said device further comprises a band pass filter coupled between said first connector and said coaxial jack for substantially passing only signals in the analog CATV frequency band between the coaxial cable and the analog CATV device.

42. The device according to claim 37, wherein the coaxial cable is connected for carrying a digital data signal in a digital data frequency band that is distinct from, and higher than, an analog CATV frequency band, and said device further comprises a coaxial cable modem coupled between said first connector and said transceiver for transmitting digital data to, and receiving digital data from, the coaxial cable.

43. The device according to claim 42, further comprising a filter coupled between said coaxial cable modem and said first connector for substantially passing only signals in the digital data frequency band.

44. The device according to claim 43, wherein communication over the coaxial cable is based on DOCSIS standard.

45. The device according to claim 37, wherein said power port comprises a dedicated power connector for connecting to the power signal source.

46. The device according to claim 37, wherein the coaxial cable is connected to carry a power signal, and said power port is coupled to said first connector to power said power supply from the power signal.

47. The device according to claim 37, wherein said power port comprises a connector for connecting to an appliance for receiving power from the appliance.

48. The device according to claim 37, further supporting safety and protection functions, wherein said device further comprises lightning protection or fuses coupled to said first connector for protecting said device or the handheld unit.

49. The device according to claim 37, further comprising at least part of one of:

a DOCSIS-based Cable Modem;

a Set Top Box;

a VCR;

a DVD player or recorder;

a television set; and

a DVR (Digital Video Recorder).

50. The device according to claim 37, further comprising a visual indicator coupled to said power supply for indication of the status of said device or of the handheld unit.

51. The device according to claim 50, wherein said visual indicator is operative to indicate the power availability to said device.

52. The device according to claim 37, wherein communication with the handheld unit is a serial-based communication.

53. The device according to claim 37, further comprising a multi-port unit coupled to said transceiver and comprising one of:

a hub;

a switch;

a router; and

a gateway.

54. The device according to claim 37, wherein said device is further addressable in a local area network.

55. The device according to claim 54, wherein said device is part of a network, said device further comprises a processor, and said device further supports network management.

56. The device according to claim 55, wherein said device is operative to support at least one of:

performance management;

configuration management;

accounting management;

fault management; and

security management.