NETWORK COMBINING WIRED AND NON-WIRED SEGMENTS

• US 20100254363A1
• Filed: 04/02/2010
• Published: 10/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
• Original Assignee: MOSAID Technologies Inc. (f/k/a Conversant Intellectual Property Management)
• Inventors: BINDER, Yehuda
• Granted Patent: US 8,867,506 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/542 the information being in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/28 characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks] wireless communication networks H04W ; arrangements for dividing the transmission path H04W40/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2832 Interconnection of the control functionalities between home networks single bridge functionality H04L12/4625
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2845 Telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/20 for indoor coverage or short range network deployment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/14 WLL [Wireless Local Loop]; RLL [Radio Local Loop]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems

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.

Claims

1. A communication apparatus for adapting existing in-building CATV lines for data communication, said apparatus comprising a module electrically and mechanically attachable to a wall-mounted CATV outlet carrying a CATV signal, said module comprising a housing containing:

(a) a CATV modem configured for bidirectional digital data communication to and from CATV lines leading from the outlet in accordance with a first communications protocol;

(b) an RF modem configured for bidirectional wireless digital data communication to and from a receiver inside an area of the building near the outlet in accordance with a second communications protocol; and

(c) a protocol adapter coupling the CATV modem and the RF modem.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said wireless communication is based on IEEE802.11 standard.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said module is further connectable to a TV set, and said module further comprises:

a first coaxial cable connector by which said module is attachable to the outlet, said coaxial cable connector being connected to said CATV modem;

a low pass filter coupled to said coaxial cable connector for passing only the CATV signal; and

a second coaxial cable connector coupled to said low pass filter and connectable to the TV set, for coupling the CATV signal to the TV set.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said module is further connectable to a wired data unit, and said module further comprises:

a data connector connectable to the wired data unit; and

a data transceiver coupled between said data connector and said digital protocol adapter, for conducting standard-based bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with the wired data unit.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said data connector and said data transceiver are operative to constitute a standard IEEE802.3 interface.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus is part of one of a WLL network, a LMDS network and a satellite network.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said CATV modem is further operative for conducting standard-based bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with two or more identical CATV modems coupled to other CATV outlets connected to the CATV lines.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said RF modem is further operative for conducting standard-based bi-directional packet-based radio frequency digital data communication with two or more identical RF modems employing a wireless radio frequency digital data signal conforming to a standard-based wireless digital data protocol.

9. A communications apparatus for adapting existing in-building CATV lines carrying a CATV signal for data communications comprising:

a unit mounted on an interior wall of a room and directly connected to the CATV lines, said unit containing;

(a) a CATV modem configured for bidirectional digital data communication to and from the CATV lines in accordance with a first communications protocol;

(b) an RF modem configured for bidirectional wireless digital data communication to and from a receiver inside the room in accordance with a second communications protocol;

(c) a protocol adapter coupling the CATV modem and the RF modem; and

(d) a standard CATV outlet.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said unit comprises the standard CATV outlet and a module containing said CATV modem, said RF modem and said protocol adapter, which module is external to and attached to said CATV outlet.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said CATV modem, said RF modem and said protocol adapter are integrated into said standard CATV outlet.

12. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein at least one of said CATV modem, said RF modem and said protocol adapter is integrated into said standard CATV outlet.

13. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said wireless communication is based on IEEE802.11 standard.

14. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said module is further connectable to a TV set, and said module further comprises:

a low pass filter coupled to said coaxial cable connector for passing only the CATV signal carried by the CATV lines; and

a second coaxial cable connector coupled to said low pass filter and connectable to the TV set, for coupling the CATV signal to the TV set.

15. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said module is further connectable to a wired data unit, and said module further comprises:

a data connector connectable to a wired data unit;

a data transceiver coupled between said data connector and said protocol adapter, for conducting standard-based bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with the wired data unit.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said data connector and said data transceiver are operative to constitute a standard IEEE802.3 interface.

17. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said apparatus is part of one of:

a WLL network, a LMDS network and a satellite network.

18. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said CATV modem is further operative for conducting standard-based bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with two or more identical CATV modems coupled to other CATV outlets connected to the CATV lines.

19. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said RF modem is further operative for conducting standard-based bi-directional packet-based digital radio-frequency data communication with two or more identical RF modems employing a wireless digital data signal conforming to a standard-based wireless digital data protocol.

20. A method of adapting existing in-building CATV lines to conduct data communications comprising:

(a) detaching an existing standard CATV outlet from an interior wall of a room of a building;

(b) in place of the detached outlet, mounting a unit containing;

(i) a CATV modem configured for bidirectional digital data communication to and from the CATV lines in accordance with a first communications protocol;

(ii) an RF modem configured for bidirectional wireless digital data communication to and from a wireless receiver inside the room in accordance with a second communications protocol;

(iii) a protocol adapter coupling the CATV modem and the RF modem; and

(iv) a new standard CATV outlet; and

(c) directly connecting the new standard CATV outlet and the CATV modem to the CATV lines.

21. A method of adapting existing in-building CATV lines for data communications comprising:

(a) attaching, to a standard CATV outlet mounted on an interior wall of a room of a building, a unit containing;

(i) a CATV modem configured for bidirectional digital data communication to and from CATV lines in accordance with a first communications protocol;

(ii) an RF modem configured for bidirectional wireless digital data communication to and from a receiver inside the room in accordance with a second communications protocol; and

(iii) a protocol adapter coupling the CATV modem and the RF modem;

wherein, when so attached, the CATV modem is electrically coupled to the CATV lines.

22. A communications system network in a building, comprising:

(a) a plurality of wall-mounted standard CATV outlets carrying a CATV signal to different rooms of the building, said outlets being wired together by building wiring carrying the CATV signal;

(b) a plurality of wireless receivers inside the building; and

(c) a plurality of modules, each attached externally to, and supported by, one of said outlets, each of said modules containing;

(i) a CATV modem configured for bidirectional digital data communication to and from CATV lines leading from the outlet in accordance with a first communications protocol;

(ii) an RF modem configured for bidirectional wireless digital data communication to and from at least one of the receivers in accordance with a second communications protocol; and

(iii) a protocol adapter coupling the CATV modem and the RF modem.

23. The network according to claim 22, wherein said wireless communication is based on IEEE802.11 standard.

24. The network according to claim 22, wherein at least one of said modules is further connectable to a TV set, and said module further comprises:

a low pass filter coupled to said coaxial cable connector for passing only the CATV signal; and

a coaxial cable connector coupled to said low pass filter and connectable to the TV set, for coupling the CATV signal to the TV set.

25. The network according to claim 22, wherein at least one of the modules is further connectable to a wired data unit, and said module further comprises:

a data connector connectable to a wired data unit,

a data transceiver coupled between said data connector and said protocol adapter, for conducting standard-based bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with the wired data unit.

26. The network according to claim 25, wherein said data connector and said data transceiver are operative to constitute a standard IEEE802.3 interface.

27. The network according to claim 22, wherein said network is part of one of:

a WLL network, a LMDS network and a satellite network.

28. The network according to claim 22, wherein said CATV modem is further operative for conducting standard-based bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with two or more identical CATV modems coupled to other CATV outlets connected to the building wiring.

29. The network according to claim 22, wherein said RF modem is further operative for conducting standard-based bi-directional packet-based radio frequency digital data communication with two or more identical RF modems employing a wireless digital data signal conforming to a standard-based wireless digital data protocol.

30. A network for non-wired communication between first and second non-wired data units respectively located at first and second locations, the locations being connected together via an existing CATV coaxial cable concurrently carrying a bi-directional packet-based wired digital data signal and a CATV signal using frequency division multiplexing, wherein the wired digital data signal is carried in a digital data frequency band and the CATV signal is carried in a CATV frequency band distinct from and lower than the digital data frequency band, 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 in the digital data frequency band over the CATV coaxial cable, said first device being a non-wired device communicatively couplable to exchange packet-based digital data over a first non-wired medium with the first non-wired data unit, said first device further being operative to transmit to the CATV coaxial cable data received from the first non-wired data unit and to transmit to the first non-wired data unit digital data received from the CATV coaxial cable; 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 in the digital data frequency band over the CATV coaxial cable, said second device being a non-wired device communicatively couplable to exchange packet-based digital data over a second non-wired medium with the second non-wired data unit, said second device further being operative to transmit to the CATV coaxial cable data received from second non-wired data unit and to transmit to the second non-wired data unit digital data received from the CATV coaxial cable;

wherein said network is operative to transparently and bi-directionally pass digital data between the first and second non-wired data units.

31. The network according to claim 30, wherein the CATV coaxial cable is at least in part in walls of a building and is connected to a first wall-mounted CATV outlet at the first location and to a second wall-mounted CATV outlet at the second location, and wherein said first and second devices are in the building and are respectively connected to the first and second CATV outlets via first and second standard CATV connectors.

32. The network according to claim 31, wherein at least one of said first and second devices is mechanically attached to the respective CATV outlet.

33. The network according to claim 31, wherein at least one of said first and second devices is mechanically detachable from the respective CATV outlet.

34. The network according to claim 31, wherein at least one of said first and second devices is mountable into a CATV outlet cavity or opening.

35. The network according to claim 30, wherein the same non-wired protocol is used for exchange of packet-based data over the first non-wired medium between said first device and the first non-wired data unit and for exchange of packet-based data over the second non-wired medium between said second device and the second non-wired data unit.

36. The network according to claim 35, wherein the digital data carried over the CATV coaxial cable uses a wired protocol distinct from the non-wired protocol, and wherein each of said devices comprises a packet-based digital protocol adapter consisting of one of:

a bridge;

a router; and

a gateway, coupled to convert between the non-wired and wired protocols.

37. The network according to claim 30, wherein the exchange of data over one of the non-wired mediums with at least one of the first and second non-wired data units is based on one of:

sound;

visible light;

infrared light; and

radio frequency radiation.

38. The network according to claim 30, wherein the exchange of data over one of the non-wired mediums with at least one of the first and second non-wired data units uses radio frequency radiation based on IEEE802.11 standard.

39. The network according to claim 30, wherein the exchange of data over one of the non-wired mediums with at least one of the first and second non-wired data units uses radio frequency radiation, at least one of the first and second non-wired data units is located outside a building, and the exchange of data over one of the non-wired mediums with at least one of the first and second non-wired data units is performed by an outdoor broadband service.

40. The network according to claim 39, wherein the outdoor broadband service is based on one of:

satellite, LMDS and WLL service.

41. The network according to claim 30, wherein at least one of said single enclosures is constructed to have at least one of the following:

a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet;

wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet;

a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and

a form to at least in part substitute for a standard outlet.

42. The network according to claim 30, wherein said first and second devices are identical to each other.

43. The network according to claim 30, wherein the first and second locations are respectively first and second rooms in the same building.

44. 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 an existing CATV coaxial cable to concurrently carry a bi-directional packet-based wired digital data signal and a CATV signal using frequency division multiplexing, wherein the wired digital data signal is carried in a digital data frequency band and the CATV signal is carried in a CATV frequency band distinct from and lower than the digital data frequency band, wherein:

said device is housed in a single enclosure and is connected at the first location to transmit and receive digital data in the digital data frequency band over the CATV coaxial cable, 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 CATV coaxial cable data received from the first non-wired data unit and to transmit to the first non-wired data unit digital data received from the CATV coaxial cable; and

the network is operative to transparently and bi-directionally pass digital data between the first and second non-wired data units when another, identical, device is connected at the second location to transmit and receive digital data in the digital data frequency band over the CATV coaxial cable.

45. A kit comprising at least first and second devices connectable together via an existing CATV coaxial cable to form a network that is operative to transparently and bi-directionally pass digital data between first and second non-wired data units respectively located at first and second locations to concurrently carry a bi-directional packet-based wired digital data signal and a CATV signal using frequency division multiplexing for non-wired communication between the first and second non-wired data units, wherein the wired digital data signal is carried in a digital data frequency band and the CATV signal is carried in an CATV frequency distinct from and lower than the digital data frequency band, wherein:

said first device is housed in a first single enclosure and is connectable at the first location to transmit and receive digital data in the digital data frequency band over the CATV coaxial cable, said first device being a non-wired device communicatively couplable to exchange packet-based digital data over a first non-wired medium with the first non-wired data unit, said first device further being operative to transmit to the CATV coaxial cable data received from the first non-wired data unit and to transmit to the first non-wired data unit digital data received from the CATV coaxial cable; and

said second device is housed in a second single enclosure and is connectable at the second location to transmit and receive digital data in the digital data frequency band over the CATV coaxial cable, said second device being a non-wired device communicatively couplable to exchange packet-based digital data over a non-wired medium which is identical to the first non-wired medium with the second non-wired data unit, said second device further being operative to transmit to the CATV coaxial cable data received from second non-wired data unit and to transmit to the second non-wired data unit digital data received from the CATV coaxial cable.