Network for telephony and data communication

• US 6,690,677 B1
• Filed: 07/20/1999
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MOSAID Technologies Inc. (f/k/a Conversant Intellectual Property Management)
• Original Assignee: SercoNet Limited (Yehuda Binder, MBA)
• Inventors: Binder, Yehuda
• Primary Examiner(s): Olms, Douglas
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, BRIAN D
• Application Number:
  US09/357,379
• Time in Patent Office: 1,666 Days
• Field of Search: 370/465, 370/463, 370/493, 370/494, 370/495, 370/487, 370/476, 370/488, 370/497, 370/498, 370/466, 370/467, 370/480, 379/90.01, 379/93.01, 379/93.05, 379/93.09
• US Class Current: 370/465
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• 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 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2845 Telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/062 using different frequency bands for speech and other data

Abstract

A local area network using the telephone wiring within a residence or other building simultaneously with telephony signals. The local area network uses high pass filters to access the high-frequency band across the media, whereas the standard telephone service uses low pass filters to access the low-frequency voice/analog telephony band across the same media. The electrically-conducting media connecting telephone/data outlets are split, or separated at each outlet, and the outlets are modified to provide access to both ends of the resulting segments. The low pass filters at each segment end join the segments together, allowing analog telephony signals to travel throughout the network, thus supporting normal telephone service. The high pass filters at each segment end are connected to modems or other Data Communication Equipment, thus supporting data communication networks of various topologies, including point-to-point topologies.

Claims

1. A network for telephony and high frequency communication comprising:

(1) a plurality of electrically-conductive segments each containing at least two distinct electrical conductors operative for conducting a low-frequency telephony band and at least one high-frequency band, each of said segments having a respective first end and a respective second end;

(2) a first low pass filter coupled in series to the respective first end of a selected one of said said segments, for establishing a low-frequency path for said low-frequency telephony band;

(3) a second low pass filter coupled in series to the respective second end of said selected one of said segments, for establishing a low-frequency path for said low-frequency telephony band;

(4) a first high pass filter coupled in series to the respective first end of said selected one of said segments, for establishing a high-frequency path for said at least one high-frequency band;

(5) a second high pass filter coupled in series to the respective second end of said selected one of said segments, for establishing a high-frequency path for said at least one high-frequency band; and

(6) means operative for coupling at least one telephone device to at least one of said low-frequency paths, and for coupling at least one high frequency device to at least one of said high-frequency paths;

 

wherein;

said two distinct electrical conductors at said first end of said selected one of said segments are coupled only to said first low pass filter and said first high pass filter and said two distinct electrical conductors at said second end of said selected one of said segments are coupled only to said second low pass filter and said second high pass filter.

2. The network as in claim 1 wherein each said segment is a telephone line.

3. The network as in claim 1 wherein the telephony is analog telephony.

4. The network as in claim 1 wherein:

(1) the telephony is ISDN;

(2) said selected one of said segments contains at least four separate electrical conductors; and

(3) at least two of said distinct electrical conductors are operative for carrying data.

5. The network as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said high-frequency bands is operative to carrying analog communication.

6. The network as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said low pass filters is internal to an outlet.

7. The network as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said high pass filters is internal to an outlet.

8. The network as in claim 1, wherein said first low pass filter is coupled to a further low pass filter.

9. The network as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said low pass filters comprises a center-tap transformer and a capacitor.

10. The network as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said high pass filters comprises a center-tap transformer and a capacitor.

11. The network as in claim 1, furthermore coupled to a Digital Subscriber Loop (DSL) system.

12. The network as in claim 11, wherein said DSL system is an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Loop (ADSL) system.

13. The network as in claim 1, furthermore connected to the Internet.

14. An outlet for connecting devices to a telephone line for telephony and high frequency communications, the telephone line having at least two electrically conductive segments each containing two distinct electrical conductors operative for conducting a low-frequency telephony band and a high-frequency band, the outlet comprising:

first and second low pass filters for conducting signals in the low-frequency telephony band, each of said low pass filters having first and second ports, said first port of each of said low pass filters being coupled to said two distinct conductors of a respective one of said electrically conductive segments and said second port of said first low pass filter being conductively coupled to said second port of said second low pass filter; and

first and second high pass filters for conducting signals in the high-frequency band, each of said high pass filters having first and second ports, said first port of each of said high pass filters being coupled to said first port of a respective one of said low pass filters, said second port of each of said high pass filters being coupled to a respective high frequency connector, and said second ports of said high pass filters being electrically separated from one another.

15. The outlet as in claim 14, wherein each of said low pass filters is housed internally in said outlet.

16. The outlet as in claim 14, wherein at least part of said high frequency connector is housed internally in said outlet.

17. The outlet as in claim 14, furthermore comprising a high frequency terminal unit housed internally in said outlet.

18. The outlet as in claim 14, wherein said connector is a standard data terminal equipment connector.

19. The outlet as in claim 14, wherein at least one of said high pass filters is housed internally in said outlet.

20. A splitter for coupling devices to a telephone line for telephony and high frequency communications, the telephone line having at least two electrically conductive segments each containing two distinct electrical conductors operative for conducting a low-frequency telephony band and a high-frequency band, the splitter comprising:

first and second low pass filters for conducting signals in the low-frequency telephony band, each of said low pass filters having first and second ports, said first port of each of said low pass filters being coupled to said two distinct conductors of a respective one of said electrically conductive segments and said second port of said first low pass filter being conductively coupled to said second port of said second low pass filter; and

first and second high pass filters for conducting signals in the high-frequency band, each of said high pass filters having first and second ports, said first port of each of said high pass filters being coupled to said first port of a respective one of said low pass filters, said second port of each of said high pass filters being coupled to a respective high frequency connector, and said second ports of said high pass filters being electrically separated from one another.

21. The splitter as in claim 20 furthermore comprising a connector for selectively coupling a telephone device to said second ports of said low pass filters.

22. A system for conducting signals in a high frequency band over a telephone line wiring composed of two wires within the walls of a building, said wiring carrying telephony signals in a low frequency band and having a first point connected to external telephone wiring and one or more end points within the building, said system conducting signals in the high frequency band only between two distinct connection points forming a limited part of said telephone wiring simultaneously with the telephony signals, said system comprising two coupling units, each coupling unit having first, second and third input/output interfaces, a first selective signal conducting member connected for conducting only signals in the high frequency band between said first and second input/output interfaces and a second selective signal conducting member connected for conducting only telephony signals between said first and third input/output interfaces, wherein:

the first and second interfaces of the two coupling units are connected in series with the telephone wiring at said connection points to form a high frequency band path between the two second interfaces of the coupling units; and

at least one of said third input/output interfaces is couplable to a telephone device.

23. A system for conducting signals in a high frequency band over a telephone line wiring composed of two wires within the walls of a building, said wiring carrying telephony signals in a low frequency band and having a first point connected to external telephone wiring and two outlets within the building, said system conducting signals in the high frequency band between said two outlets simultaneously with the telephony signals, said system comprising two coupling units, each having first, second and third input/output interfaces, a first selective signal conducting member connected for conducting only signals in the high frequency band between said first and second input/output interfaces and a second selective signal conducting member connected for conducting only telephony signals between said first and third input/output interfaces, wherein:

said first, second and third interfaces of each of said coupling units are housed in a respective one of said outlets;

said first and second interfaces of the two coupling units are connected in series with the telephone wiring inside said outlets to form a high frequency band path between the two second interfaces of the coupling units; and

said system further comprises a telephone connector in a respective outlet for coupling said third input/output interface in said respective outlet to a telephone device.

24. A system for conducting signals in a high frequency band over a telephone line wiring composed of two wires within the walls of a building, said wiring carrying telephony signals in a low frequency band and having a first point connected to external telephone wiring and one or more end points within the building, said system conducting signals in the high frequency band between two connection points simultaneously with the telephony signals, said system comprising two coupling units, each having first, second and third input/output interfaces, a first selective signal conducting member connected for conducting only signals in the high frequency band between said first and second input/output interfaces and a second selective signal conducting member connected for conducting only telephony signals between said first and third input/output interfaces,

 

wherein;

the first and second interfaces of the two coupling units are connected in series with the telephone wiring at said connection points to form a high frequency band path between the second interfaces of the two coupling units; and

said third input/output interfaces of the two coupling units are couplable to a telephone device.

25. An outlet for configuring a network for the transport of data over a telephone line having two conductors and for enabling transmission of telephony signals over the telephone line simultaneously with the transport of data, said outlet comprising:

at least one data interface connector operative for establishing a data connection with a data device;

at least one telephone connector operative for supporting standard telephony service by connection to a standard telephone device; and

a coupling unit having first, second and third input/output interfaces, a first selective signal conducting member connected for conducting only data communication signals between said first and second input/output interfaces and a second selective signal conducting member connected for conducting only telephony signals between said first and third input/output interfaces, said first input/output interface being connected in series with the two conductors of said telephone line, and said third input/output interface being coupled to said telephone connector,

and wherein said outlet further comprise a modem coupled to said second interface and to said data interface connector operative to conduct data supplied over the telephone line.

26. An outlet for configuring a network for the transport of data over a telephone line, said outlet being connectable to two distinct wiring segments of the telephone line, each segment having two conductors, and for conducting telephone signals over the telephone line simultaneously with the transport of data, said outlet comprising:

at least one data interface connector operative for establishing a data connection with a data device;

at least one telephone connector operative for supporting standard telephony service by connection to a standard telephone device; and

two coupling units each having first, second and third input/output interfaces, a first selective signal conducting member connected for conducting only data between said first and second input/output interfaces and a second selective signal conducting member connected for conducting only telephone signals between said first and third input/output interfaces, said first input/output interface being connected in series to the two conductors of one of said telephone line wiring segments, and at least one of said third input/output interfaces being coupled to said telephone connector,

and wherein said outlet further comprise a repeater coupled to said both second interfaces operative to repeat signals in a high frequency band over the telephone line.

27. An outlet for configuring a network for the transport of data over a telephone line having two conductors and for conducting telephone signals over the telephone line simultaneously with the transport of data, the network outlet comprising:

at least one standard data interface connector operative for establishing a data connection with a data device;

at least one telephone connector operative for supporting standard telephony service by connection to a standard telephone device; and

a coupling unit having first, second and third input/output interfaces, a first selective signal conducting member connected for conducting only data communication signals between said first and second input/output interfaces and a second selective signal conducting member connected for conducting only telephony signals between said first and third input/output interfaces, said first input/output interface being connected in series to the two conductors of one of said wiring segments of said telephone line, and said third input/output interface being coupled to said telephone connector,

and wherein the outlet further comprise a standard data interface circuitry coupled to said second interface and to said standard data interface connector for communicating data between a data unit connected to said standard data connector and said second interface.

28. A system for providing power over a home phone line network, comprising:

a home phone line network interface;

a telephone interface; and

a power supply;

wherein each of said home phone line network interface, said telephone interface and said power supply are coupled to the home phone line network, wherein said home phone line interface transmits analog data signals over the home phone line network, wherein said telephone interface transmits analog voice signals over the home phone line network, and wherein said power supply generates an AC power signal over the home phone line network that does not interfere with said analog voice and data signals.