Self-powered network access point
First Claim
1. A method for providing operating power to a network device on a communications network comprising the steps of:
- receiving network data signals at a location of said network device via said network;
extracting signal energy from at least some of said network data signals, including leaving a predetermined minimum power in said network data signals to allow processing of said network data signals;
storing said extracted signal energy in a power storage subsystem, thereby forming a reserve of power; and
delivering at least a portion of said power in said reserve to a power input of said device, such that said power is accessible by said network device for operation thereof.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for providing operational power to network access points includes a router having an external power supply to transmit network signals to the network access points. Each self-powered access point includes power extraction circuitry for extracting power from the network signals and a power storage subsystem for storing the extracted power. Signal conversion circuitry is connected to the power storage subsystem for receiving operating power to perform signal conversion of received network signals addressed to a computer and to reconfigure data received from the computer for transmission over the network. In a preferred embodiment, the power extraction circuitry includes a full-power extraction mode and a partial power extraction mode. A data analyzer monitors received network signals to determine whether the signals are required by the computer for processing. If a signal is required for processing, the data analyzer enables the partial power extraction mode in the power extraction circuitry to preserve a minimum signal power required by the computer for signal processing. If the signal is not required for processing, the data analyzer enables the full power extraction mode to extract substantially all power from the signal. Power level detection circuitry determines whether the power storage subsystem stores a minimum power level. If a power level below the minimum is detected, the power level detection circuitry disables the data analyzer and enables the full power extraction mode of the power extraction circuitry until the minimum power is achieved, at which time the data analyzer is re-enabled.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for providing operating power to a network device on a communications network comprising the steps of:
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receiving network data signals at a location of said network device via said network; extracting signal energy from at least some of said network data signals, including leaving a predetermined minimum power in said network data signals to allow processing of said network data signals; storing said extracted signal energy in a power storage subsystem, thereby forming a reserve of power; and delivering at least a portion of said power in said reserve to a power input of said device, such that said power is accessible by said network device for operation thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for providing network access to a communication network comprising:
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a power extractor configured for extracting a portion of signal energy from first signals transmitted over said communication network, said portion representing an excess over a minimum power level required for processing of said first signals; a power storage subsystem having an input in communication with an output of said power extractor to store said extracted electrical power; and a power output having an adaptor for connecting to a network device, said power output being enabled to relay sufficient electrical power from said power storage subsystem to said network device for operation of said network device on said network. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for providing network access to communication devices utilizing power derived from network signals transmitted over a communication network comprising:
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a signal transmission device having an external power supply and means for transmitting first signals over said network; a plurality of self-powered access points on said network, each self-powered access point comprising; a) means for receiving said first signals; b) signal power extraction circuitry for extracting power from at least some of said first signals transmitted by said signal transmission device such that said first signals retain a minimum power level required for processing of said first signals, said signal power extraction circuitry being in communication with said receiving means; c) a power storage device connected to said signal power extraction circuitry for storing said extracted power; and d) a signal conversion device electrically coupled to said power storage device to receive operating power therefrom, said signal conversion circuitry being configured to convert a subset of said first signals addressed to a communication device to a format for transmission to said communication device, said signal conversion circuitry being responsive to reception of data transmitted by said communication device to reconfigure said data for transmission over said communication network. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification