Communications modular docking station

• US 6,104,921 A
• Filed: 10/14/1997
• Issued: 08/15/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Emerson Network Power Energy Systems North America Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Marconi Communications, Inc. (Marconi Holdings Company Limited)
• Inventors: Burton, Larry Weldon, Cosley, Michael Robert, Ethridge, Barry Joe
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fuller, Greta J.
• Application Number:
  US08/949,829
• Time in Patent Office: 1,036 Days
• Field of Search: 455/3.1, 455/3.3, 455/4.1, 455/561, 455/347, 455/90, 455/349, 348/836, 348/843, 174/50, 379/325, 379/326, 379/328, 379/329, 379/330, 379/332, 379/399, 439/435, 439/76.1, 439/535, 439/638, 439/652
• US Class Current: 455/349
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/023 using sliding mechanisms for accessing the interior of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/028 Subscriber network interface devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/03 Power distribution arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/11 Protection against environment
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2201/10 Housing details

Abstract

A novel communications modular docking station receives information related to one or more types of services and forwards information to one or more subscriber destinations. The communications modular docking station includes a housing and a single coaxial line-in on the housing for receiving the service information from an optical node in communication with a central office and for receiving power from a power hub. The communication modular docking station is engageable with a module having a flange which can be slidably received in a slot on the communications modular docking station. The slot is at least partially defined by a wall which limits the distance the flange can be slid along the slot. The module is secured to the communications modular docking station by a securing member which is received in a bore on the wall of the communications modular docking station. Within the housing is a communicator, and on the housing is a line-out. The communicator has a communications port and an extension port, and the communications port is communicatingly connected to the module for receiving information from the module and the extension port is communicatingly connectable to the one or more subscriber destinations for forwarding the information received from the module. The line-out on the housing is capable of sending information and power to a second communications modular docking station. Preferably, the communications modular docking station has one or more securing members for fixedly securing the communications modular docking station to a grounding structure.

Claims

1. A communications modular docking station for distributing information related to one or more types of services to a plurality of modules and for sending information to one or more subscriber destinations, said communications modular docking station comprising:

a housing;

a line-in on said housing capable of receiving the service information and power from at least one external source;

a communicator within said housing;

means on said housing for engaging the modules in communication with said communicator, wherein said communicator can distribute the service information to the modules; and

means on said housing for engaging said communication modular docking station in communication with the one or more subscriber destinations, wherein said communications modular docking station can send information to the one or more subscriber destinations.

2. The communications modular docking station defined in claim 1, further comprising means on said housing for securing the modules to said communications modular docking station.

3. The communications modular docking station defined in claim 1, further comprising an extension port on said housing for forwarding information from the communicator to the one or more subscriber destinations.

4. The communications modular docking station defined in claim 1, further comprising a line-out on said housing capable of sending information and power to a second communications modular docking station.

5. The communications modular docking station defined in claim 1, wherein said means on said housing for engaging the modules comprises slots for slidably receiving flanges on the modules, wherein each of said slots is at least partially defined by a wall which limits the distance the flange on the module can be slid into said slot.

6. The communications modular docking station defined in claim 1, wherein said housing has communication ports connectable to the modules enabling the communicator and the modules to communicate therebetween.

7. The communications modular docking station defined in claim 6, further comprising caps securable over said ports to protect said ports from damage when modules are not connected to said ports.

8. The communications modular docking station defined in claim 1, further comprising means for fixedly securing said communications modular docking station to a grounding structure.

9. The communications modular docking station defined in claim 1, wherein said line-in on said housing comprises a coaxial line-in.

10. In combination, a communications modular docking station and at least one module, said communications modular docking station being capable of communicating information related to one or more types of services to said module when said module is communicatingly connected thereto and said communications modular docking station being capable of distributing at least a portion of the information to one or more subscriber destinations,

wherein said communications modular docking station comprises:

a housing;

a line-in on said housing capable of receiving service information and power from at least one external source;

a communicator within said housing; and

means on said housing for engaging said communicator in communication with one or more subscriber destinations, wherein said communicator can send information to the one or more subscriber destinations, and

wherein said at least one module is communicatingly connectable to said communications modular docking station.

11. The combination defined in claim 10, wherein said communications modular docking station further comprises means on said housing for securing said module to said housing.

12. The combination defined in claim 10, wherein said communications modular docking station further comprises an extension port on said housing for forwarding information from the communicator to the one or more subscriber destinations.

13. The combination defined in claim 10, wherein said communications modular docking station further comprises a line-out on said housing capable of sending information and power to a second housing.

14. The combination defined in claim 10, wherein said communications modular docking station further comprises a slot on said housing for slidably receiving a flange on said module, wherein said slot is at least partially defined by a wall which limits the distance said flange on said module can be slid into said slot.

15. The combination defined in claim 10, wherein said communicator is communicatingly connectable to said module and the one or more subscriber destinations.

16. The combination defined in claim 15, wherein said communicator has at least one port connectable to said module.

17. The combination defined in claim 16, wherein said communications modular docking station further comprises a cap securable over said port to protect said port from damage when said module is not connected to said port.

18. The combination defined in claim 10, wherein said communications modular docking station further comprises means for fixedly securing said housing to a grounding structure.

19. The combination defined in claim 10, wherein said line-in on said housing comprises a coaxial line-in.

20. In combination, a communications modular docking station and at least one module, said communications modular docking station being capable of communicating information related to one or more types of services to said module when said module is communicatingly connected thereto and said communications modular docking station being capable of distributing at least a portion of the information to one or more subscriber destinations,

wherein said communications modular docking station comprises:

a housing;

a coaxial line-in on said housing for receiving the service information from an optical node in communication with a central office and for receiving power from a power hub;

a communicator having a first port and a second port, wherein said first port is communicatingly connected to the module for receiving information from the module, and wherein said second port is communicatingly connectable to one or more subscriber destinations for forwarding said information received from the module to the one or more subscriber destinations;

a line-out on said housing capable of sending information and power to a second housing; and

,

one or more securing members on said housing for fixedly securing said housing to a grounding structure; and

wherein said at least one module is communicatingly connectable to said communications modular docking station.