NETWORK COMBINING WIRED AND NON-WIRED SEGMENTS
First Claim
1. An apparatus for coupling a wired digital data signal to a wireless data unit over a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), for use with a CATV coaxial cable concurrently carrying a wired digital data signal and a CATV signal using frequency division multiplexing, wherein the wired digital data signal is carried over a first frequency band and the CATV signal is carried over a second frequency band distinct from said first frequency band, the apparatus comprising:
- a coaxial connector that for connecting to the CATV coaxial cable;
a coaxial cable transceiver coupled to the coaxial connector and operative for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication of the wired digital data signal over the CATV coaxial cable using a wired digital data protocol;
a WLAN transceiver operative for conducting standard-based bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with a WLAN using a wireless digital data protocol;
a packet-based digital protocol adapter consisting of one of a bridge, a router and a gateway, coupled between said coaxial cable transceiver and said WLAN transceiver for converting data between the wireless digital data protocol and the wired digital data protocol; and
a single enclosure housing said coaxial cable connector, said coaxial cable transceiver, said WLAN transceiver and said protocol adapter.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A local area 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.
99 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An apparatus for coupling a wired digital data signal to a wireless data unit over a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), for use with a CATV coaxial cable concurrently carrying a wired digital data signal and a CATV signal using frequency division multiplexing, wherein the wired digital data signal is carried over a first frequency band and the CATV signal is carried over a second frequency band distinct from said first frequency band, the apparatus comprising:
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a coaxial connector that for connecting to the CATV coaxial cable; a coaxial cable transceiver coupled to the coaxial connector and operative for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication of the wired digital data signal over the CATV coaxial cable using a wired digital data protocol; a WLAN transceiver operative for conducting standard-based bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with a WLAN using a wireless digital data protocol; a packet-based digital protocol adapter consisting of one of a bridge, a router and a gateway, coupled between said coaxial cable transceiver and said WLAN transceiver for converting data between the wireless digital data protocol and the wired digital data protocol; and a single enclosure housing said coaxial cable connector, said coaxial cable transceiver, said WLAN transceiver and said protocol adapter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for coupling a wired digital data signal to a wireless data unit, for use with a CATV coaxial cable concurrently carrying a wired digital data signal and a CATV signal using frequency division multiplexing, wherein the wired digital data signal is carried over a first frequency band and the CATV signal is carried over a second frequency band distinct from said first frequency band, said apparatus comprising:
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a coaxial connector for connecting to the CATV coaxial cable; a first filter coupled to said coaxial connector for passing only the first frequency band; a coaxial cable transceiver coupled to the first filter and operative for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication of the wired digital data signal over the CATV coaxial cable using a wired digital data protocol; a WLAN transceiver operative for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with the WLAN using a wireless digital data signal having a wireless digital data protocol; and a single enclosure containing said coaxial cable connector, said first filter, said coaxial cable transceiver and said WLAN transceiver; wherein said coaxial cable transceiver and said WLAN transceiver are coupled to pass digital data therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification