Ethernet Based Network for Distributing Ip and Non-Ip Signals

• US 20080279179A1
• Filed: 07/12/2004
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: Baker, Keith
• Application Number:
  US10/596,552
• Publication Number:
  US 20080279179A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/359
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2834 Switching of information between an external network and a home network access arrangements H04L12/2856
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5692 Selection among different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2845 Telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and a method for distributing both IP signals and non-IP signals in an Ethernet based network, wherein the Ethernet based network comprises UTP cabling comprising a number of wires, the method comprises distributing said non-IP signals through a signal path based on wires comprised in said cabling and not being used for distributing said IP signals. The invention further relates to a gateway, a router and a switch for receiving both IP signals and non-IP signals, processing said IP signals and non-IP signals and transmitting said processed IP signals and non-IP signals via the Ethernet based network.

Claims

1. A method for distributing both IP signals and non-IP signals in an Ethernet based network, wherein the Ethernet based network comprises UTP cabling comprising a number of wires, the method comprises distributing said non-IP signals through a signal path based on wires comprised in said cabling and not being used for distributing said IP signals.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein an adaptation is performed on either said signal path or said non-IP signals before distributing said non-IP signals on wires comprised in said cabling.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein an adaptation performed on said signal path comprises adapting the impedance of said signal path.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein said adaptation is achieved by active adaptation of the signal propagation by control of driver strength.

5. A communication system for distributing both IP signals and non-IP signals in an Ethernet based network, wherein the communication system comprises UTP cabling comprising a number of wires, where the wires comprised in said cabling, which are not being used for IP signals, are adapted for distributing said non-IP signals.

6. A communication system according to claim 5, wherein said system comprises means for performing an adaptation on either said signal path or said non-IP signals before distributing said non-IP signals on wires comprised in said cabling.

7. A communication system according to claim 6, wherein said means for performing an adaptation on either said signal path or said non-IP signals comprise means for adapting the impedance of the signal path for distributing said non-IP signal.

8. A communication system according to claim 7, wherein said means for adapting the impedance of the signal path for distributing said non-IP signals comprise means for performing active adaptation of the signal propagation by control of driver strength.

9. A communication system according to claim 5, wherein the system comprises a gateway, said gateway being adapted for:

receiving non-IP signals,

performing an adaptation on either said signal path or said non-IP signals before distributing said non-IP signals on wires comprised in said cabling,

transmitting said processed non-IP signals via the Ethernet based network.

10. A communication system according to claim 5, wherein the system comprises a router, said router being adapted for routing the non-IP signals, enabling the non-IP signals to be broadcasted to all end points in the Ethernet network.

11. A communication system according to claim 5, wherein the system comprises a switch, said switch being adapted for:

transmitting said non-IP signals,

switching between said non-IP signals and said IP signals.

12. A gateway adapted to be used in a communication system according to claim 6, wherein the gateway is adapted for:

receiving non-IP signals,

performing an adaptation on either said signal path or said non-IP signals before distributing said non-IP signals on wires comprised in said cabling,

transmitting said processed non-IP signals via the Ethernet based network.

13. A router to be used in a communication system according to claim 6, said router being adapted for routing the non-IP signals enabling the IP signals to be broadcasted to all end points in the Ethernet network.

14. A switch to be used in a communication system according to claim 6, wherein said switch is adapted for:

transmitting said non-IP signals,

switching between said non-IP signals and said IP signals.