AC adaptor integral-type household-power-line coupler

• US 6,934,170 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2003
• Issued: 08/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Ooishi, Mutsuhiko
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, MATTHEW VAN
• Application Number:
  US10/615,855
• Publication Number:
  US 20040009709A1
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 363/144, 363/146, 439/527, 439/535, 439/536, 439/638, 439/650, 439/660, 361/679, 361/683
• US Class Current: 363/146
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/04 for network, e.g. LAN connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/22 for transformers or coils
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/005 Intermediate parts for distributing signals

Abstract

An object is to provide a compact AC adaptor integral-type household-power-line coupler capable of simplifying a structural arrangement of an apparatus containing a communication terminal, and also capable of improving a handling characteristic and an outer appearance thereof. The AC adaptor integral-type household-power-line coupler is arranged by employing a household-power-line power converting/supplying unit 7 connected to a plug unit 4, for supplying electric power to a communication terminal, the plug unit being employed to be coupled to a household-power-line plug socket; a household-power-line carrier signal coupling unit 8 for inputting/outputting a signal via the plug unit 4 to the communication terminal; and a casing unit 6 containing thereinto both the household-power-line power converting/supplying unit 7 and the household-power-line carrier signal coupling unit 8.

Claims

1. An AC adaptor integral-type household-power-line coupler comprising:

a household-power-line power converting/supplying unit connected to a plug unit, for supplying electric power to a communication terminal, said plug unit being employed to be coupled to a household-power-line plug socket;

a household-power-line carrier signal coupling unit that inputs a signal from a power line via said plug unit to said communication terminal and that outputs a signal to a power line via said plug unit from the communication terminal; and

a casing unit that contains therein both said household-power-line power converting/supplying unit and said household-power-line carrier signal coupling unit.

2. An AC adaptor integral-type household-power-line coupler according to claim 1, wherein said household-power-line power converting/supplying unit is parallel-connected to said household-power-line carrier signal coupling unit.

3. An AC adaptor integral-type household-power-line coupler according to claim 1, further comprising a filter unit for removing noise and which is connected between said plug unit and said household-power-line power converting/supplying unit.

4. An AC adaptor integral-type household-power-line coupler according to claim 3, wherein said filter unit passes therethrough a low frequency signal, and owns a high impedance value in a high frequency range.

5. An AC adaptor integral-type household-power-line coupler according to claim 4, wherein said filter unit passes therethrough a signal having a frequency range lower than, or equal to 500 KHz.

6. An AC adaptor integral-type household-power-line coupler according to claim 4, wherein said filter unit is a choke coil.

7. An AC adaptor integral-type household-power-line coupler according to claim 4, wherein said filter unit is an LC filter.

8. An AC adaptor integral-type household-power-line coupler according to claim 1 or 3, further comprising:

a signal synthesizing/separating unit for superimposing/separating a high frequency signal outputted from said household-power-line carrier signal coupling unit to a DC voltage outputted from said household-power-line power converting/supplying unit.

9. An AC adaptor integral-type household-power-line coupler according to claim 8, wherein said signal synthesizing/separating unit is a choke coil.

10. An AC adaptor integral-type household-power-line coupler according to any one of claim 1 to claim 3, wherein said household-power-line carrier signal coupling unit further comprises a household-power-line modem for executing both a modulating operation and a demodulating operation;

and said household-power-line modem is driven by electric power supplied from said household-power-line power converting/supplying unit.