Network combining wired and non-wired segments

• US 6,842,459 B1
• Filed: 04/19/2000
• Issued: 01/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Conversant Intellectual Property Management Inc (MOSAID Technologies Inc. (f/k/a Conversant Intellectual Property Management))
• Original Assignee: SercoNet Limited (Yehuda Binder, MBA)
• Inventors: Binder, Yehuda
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Chi
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOANG, THAI D
• Application Number:
  US09/552,564
• Time in Patent Office: 1,728 Days
• Field of Search: 370352-356, 370400-402, 370/419, 370/420, 370532-538, 370484-488, 370/359
• US Class Current: 370/463
• 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 within a residence or other building, including both wired and non-wired segments. The wired segments are based on new or existing wires in the building, wherein access to the wires is provided by means of outlets, 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 which 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 connected by wires and data units connected without wires.

Claims

1. A local area network within a building for transporting data among a plurality of data units, the local area network comprising at least one wired segment and at least one non-wired segment, wherein said at least one wired segment includes:

(a) at least one electrically-conducting line within the building, said electrically-conducting line having at least two conductors and operative to transport data communication signals;

(b) at least two outlets, each installed in a wall of the building and each operative for coupling to said electrically-conducting line; and

(c) at least one wired modem coupled to said electrically-conducting line and operative to communicate over said electrically-conducting line;

and wherein said at least one non-wired segment is operative to communicating data without electrically-conducting media and includes at least one non-wired modem, wherein at least one of said outlets couples said at least one wired segment to said at least one non-wired segment, and wherein said at least one electrically-conducting line is furthermore operative for concurrently distributing a service other than the transport of data communication signals,

and further wherein said non-wired segment is furthermore operative to communicate data by sound.

2. The local area network as in claim 1 wherein said service is one of a telephone service, an electrical power service, and a cable television service.

3. The local area network as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said electrically-conducting lines is a telephone line and wherein at least one of said outlets is a telephone outlet.

4. The local area network as in claim 3, wherein said telephone line is furthermore operative to provide telephony service concurrently with data communications.

5. The local area network as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said electrically-conducting lines is a power line and wherein at least one of said outlets is a power outlet.

6. The local area network as in claim 5, wherein said power line is furthermore operative to carry electrical power concurrently with data communications.

7. The local area network as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said electrically-conducting lines is a cable television line, and wherein at least one of said outlets is a cable television outlet.

8. The local area network as in claim 7, wherein said cable television line is furthermore operative to carry television signals concurrently with data communications.

9. The local area network as in claim 1, wherein said non-wired segment is furthermore operative to communicate data by light.

10. The local area network as in claim 9, wherein said light is infrared.

11. The local area network as in claim 1, wherein said non-wired segment is furthermore operative to communicate data by electromagnetic transmission.

12. The local area network as in claim 11, wherein said electromagnetic transmission is radio-frequency transmission.

13. The local area network as in claim 1, wherein said sound is audible sound.

14. The local area network as in claim 1, wherein said sound is inaudible sound.

15. An adapter module for use in upgrading existing wiring of a building so as to support a local area network having at least one wired segment coupled to an outlet and at least one non-wired segment, the adapter module comprising:

means for detachably electrically and mechanically coupling said module to the outlet,

at least one non-wired modem operative for transporting data communication signals to and from said wired segment, when said module is coupled to the outlet, over said at least one non-wired segment, and

at least one wired modem for transporting data communication signals over the at least one wired segment to enable the at least one wired segment to concurrently distribute data communication signals and a service other than data communication signals, and the service is one of a telephone service, an electrical power service, and a cable television service.

16. The adapter module as in claim 15, wherein the wired segment includes a telephone line and wherein the outlet is a telephone outlet.

17. The adapter module as in claim 16, wherein said telephone line is furthermore operative to provide telephony service concurrently with data communications.

18. The adapter module as in claim 15, wherein the wired segment includes a power line and wherein the outlet is a power outlet.

19. The adapter module as in claim 18, wherein said power line is furthermore operative to carry electrical power concurrently with data communications.

20. The adapter module as in claim 15, wherein the wired segment includes a cable television line, and wherein the outlet is a cable television outlet.

21. The adapter module as in claim 20, wherein said cable television line is furthermore operative to carry television signals concurrently with data communications.

22. The adapter module as in claim 15, wherein said non-wired segment is operative to communicate data by light.

23. The adapter module as in claim 22, wherein said light is infrared.

24. The adapter module as in claim 15, wherein said non-wired segment is operative to communicate data by electromagnetic transmission.

25. The adapter module as in claim 24, wherein said electromagnetic transmission is radio-frequency transmission.

26. An adapter module for use in upgrading existing wiring of a building so as to support a local area network having at least one wired segment coupled to an outlet and at least one non-wired segment, the adapter module comprising:

means for detachably electrically and mechanically coupling said module to the outlet, and

at least one non-wired modem operative for transporting data communication signals to and from said wired segment, when said module is coupled to the outlet, over said at least one non-wired segment, wherein said non-wired segment is operative to communicate data by sound.

27. The adapter module as in claim 26, wherein said sound is audible sound.

28. The adapter module as in claim 26, wherein said sound is inaudible sound.