Network Combining Wired and Non-Wired Segments
First Claim
1. A network for non-wired communication between first and second non-wired data units respectively located at first and second locations and communicating with each other over existing wiring in a building to concurrently carry a bi-directional packet-based wired digital data signal and a power signal, said network comprising:
- a first device housed in a first single enclosure, said first device being connected at the first location to transmit and receive digital data over the wiring, said first device being a non-wired device communicatively couplable to exchange packet-based digital data over a non-wired medium with the first non-wired data unit, said first device further being operative to transmit to the wiring data received from the first non-wired data unit and to transmit to the first non-wired data unit digital data received from the wiring; and
a second device housed in a second single enclosure, said second device being connected at the second location to transmit and receive digital data over the wiring, said second device being a non-wired device communicatively couplable to exchange packet-based digital data over a non-wired medium with the second non-wired data unit, said second device further being operative to transmit to the wiring data received from second non-wired data unit and to transmit to the second non-wired data unit digital data received from the wiring;
wherein said network is operative to transparently and bi-directionally pass digital data between the first and second non-wired data units, and wherein said first device is at least in part powered from the power signal carried over the wiring.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A network (60) within a residence or other building, including both wired (5) and non-wired segments (53). The wired segments are based on new or existing wires (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) in the building, wherein access to the wires is provided by means of outlets (61a, 61d), such as a telephone system, electrical power distribution system, or cable television wiring system. The non-wired segments are based on communication using propagated waves such as radio, sound, or light (e.g. infrared). The wired and non-wired segments interface in the outlet, using a module (50) that serves as mediator between the segments. The module can be integrated into the outlet, partially housed in the outlet, or attached externally to the outlet. Such a network allows for integrated communication of data units (24b) connected by wires and data units (24a, 24d) connected without wires.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A network for non-wired communication between first and second non-wired data units respectively located at first and second locations and communicating with each other over existing wiring in a building to concurrently carry a bi-directional packet-based wired digital data signal and a power signal, said network comprising:
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a first device housed in a first single enclosure, said first device being connected at the first location to transmit and receive digital data over the wiring, said first device being a non-wired device communicatively couplable to exchange packet-based digital data over a non-wired medium with the first non-wired data unit, said first device further being operative to transmit to the wiring data received from the first non-wired data unit and to transmit to the first non-wired data unit digital data received from the wiring; and a second device housed in a second single enclosure, said second device being connected at the second location to transmit and receive digital data over the wiring, said second device being a non-wired device communicatively couplable to exchange packet-based digital data over a non-wired medium with the second non-wired data unit, said second device further being operative to transmit to the wiring data received from second non-wired data unit and to transmit to the second non-wired data unit digital data received from the wiring; wherein said network is operative to transparently and bi-directionally pass digital data between the first and second non-wired data units, and wherein said first device is at least in part powered from the power signal carried over the wiring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A device for use in a network for non-wired communication between first and second non-wired data units respectively located at first and second locations and connected together via existing wiring to concurrently carry a bi-directional packet-based wired digital data signal and a power signal, wherein:
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said device is housed in a single enclosure and is connected at the first location to transmit and receive digital data over the wiring, said device being a non-wired device communicatively couplable to exchange packet-based digital data over a non-wired medium with the first non-wired data unit, said device further being operative to transmit to the wiring data received from the first non-wired data unit and to transmit to the first non-wired data unit digital data received from the wiring; the network is operative to transparently and bi-directionally pass digital data between the first and second non-wired data units when another device, identical to said device, is connected at the second location to transmit and receive digital data in a digital data frequency band over the wiring.
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16. A kit comprising first and second devices connectable together via existing wiring in a building to form a network for non-wired communication between first and second non-wired data units respectively located at first and second locations and communicating with each other over to concurrently carry a bi-directional packet-based wired digital data signal and a power signal, the network being operative to transparently and bi-directionally pass digital data between the first and second non-wired data units, wherein:
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said first device is housed in a first single enclosure and is connectable to be at least in part powered from the power signal carried over the wiring, and said first device is connectable at the first location to transmit and receive digital data over the wiring, said first device being a non-wired device communicatively couplable to exchange packet-based digital data over a non-wired medium with the first non-wired data unit, said first device further being operative to transmit to the wiring data received from the first non-wired data unit and to transmit to the first non-wired data unit digital data received from the wiring; and said second device is housed in a second single enclosure and is connectable at the second location to transmit and receive digital data over the wiring, said second device being a non-wired device communicatively couplable to exchange packet-based digital data over a non-wired medium with the second non-wired data unit, said second device further being operative to transmit to the wiring data received from second non-wired data unit and to transmit to the second non-wired data unit digital data received from the wiring.
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Specification