Local area network of serial intelligent cells

• US 7,016,368 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2002
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• 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): Boakye, Alexander O.
• Application Number:
  US10/178,223
• Publication Number:
  US 20020159402A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,365 Days
• Field of Search: 370/478, 370/479, 370/295, 370/335, 370/337, 370/342, 370/344, 370/343, 370/347, 370/436, 370/441, 370/502, 370/254, 370/908
• US Class Current: 370/436
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5437 Wired telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/545 Audio/video application, e.g. interphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5458 Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/542 the information being in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• 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 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2845 Telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/14 Two-way operation using the same type of signal, i.e. duplex
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/00 Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications user-to-user messaging H04L51/00; network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/02 providing ringing current or supervisory tones, e.g. dialling tone or busy tone
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 370/908 Local area network

Abstract

A serial intelligent cell (SIC) and a connection topology for local area networks using Electrically-conducting media. A local area network can be configured from a plurality of SIC'"'"'s interconnected so that all communications between two adjacent SIC'"'"'s is both point-to-point and bidirectional. Each SIC can be connected to one or more other SIC'"'"'s to allow redundant communication paths. Communications in different areas of a SIC network are independent of one another, so that, unlike current bus topology and star topology, there is no fundamental limit on the size or extent of a SIC network. Each SIC can optionally be connected to one or more data terminals, computers, telephones, sensors, actuators, etc., to facilitate interconnectivity among such devices. Networks according to the present invention can be configured for a variety of applications, including a local telephone system, remote computer bus extender, multiplexers, PABX/PBX functionality, security systems, and local broadcasting services. The network can use dedicated wiring, as well as existing wiring as the in-house telephone or electrical wiring.

Claims

1. An electrical outlet for configuring a local area network in a building, the network including a powerline wiring carrying frequency multiplexed power and data signals, the electrical outlet comprising:

a wiring connector for connecting said outlet to the powerline wiring;

a filter coupled to said wiring connector and having a data signal port operative to pass only the data signal;

a modem coupled to said data signal port for bidirectional digital data signal communication with the powerline wiring;

a data interface connector coupled to said modem for connecting to a data unit for bidirectional communication with the data unit;

a power supply coupled to said wiring connector and to said modem to be powered by the power signal from the powerline wiring and for powering said modem; and

a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said filter, said modem and said data interface connector, wherein said single enclosure is wall mountable in a building.

2. The outlet according to claim 1, further comprising a power connector coupled to said wiring connector and operative for powering an electrical appliance.

3. The outlet according to claim 2, wherein information carried by the data signal is used to control the power signal.

4. The outlet according to claim 3, wherein the control is one of:

on/off operation;

timing of operations; and

delayed start.

5. The outlet according to claim 2, wherein the data signal is used to monitor the power signal.

6. The outlet according to claim 5, wherein the monitoring is power consumption metering.

7. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein the outlet is addressable.

8. The outlet according to claim 7, wherein the outlet address is manually assigned.

9. The outlet according to claim 7, wherein the outlet address is automatically assigned.

10. The outlet according to claim 7, wherein the outlet address is assigned by a data unit connected to the outlet.

11. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein the power signal is a direct current.

12. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein said single enclosure is mountable into an outlet cavity.

13. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein said single enclosure is structured to at least in part substitute existing standard electrical outlet.

14. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein said standard data interface is Ethernet.

15. The outlet according to claim 1, further comprising a second standard data interface connector coupled to said modem for connecting to a second data unit for bi-directional communication with said second data unit.

16. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein said modem is operative to bi-directionally communicating with one or more same modem over said powerline wiring.

17. The outlet according to claim 1, further comprising a transceiver coupled between said modem and said standard data interface connector, said transceiver is operative to full-duplex serial digital data communicating with said data unit.

18. A device for configuring a local area network in a building, the network including a powerline wiring carrying frequency multiplexed power and data signals, the device comprising:

a wiring connector for connecting said device to the powerline wiring;

a filter coupled to said wiring connector and having a data signal port operative to pass only the data signal;

a modem coupled to said data signal port for bidirectional digital data signal communication with the powerline wiring;

a data interface connector coupled to said modem for connecting to a data unit for bi-dirctional communication with said data unit;

a power supply coupled to said wiring connector and to said modem to be powered by the power signal from the powerline wiring and for powering said modem; and

a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said filter, said modem and said data interface connector.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein the device is at least in part housed within an electrical outlet.

20. The device according to claim 18, further comprising a power connector coupled to said wiring connector and operative for powering an electrical appliance.

21. The device according to claim 20, wherein information carried by the data signal is used to control the power signal.

22. The device according to claim 21, wherein the control is one of:

on/off operation;

timing of operations; and

delayed start.

23. The device according to claim 20, wherein the data signal is used to monitor the power signal.

24. The device according to claim 23, wherein the monitoring is power consumption metering.

25. The device according to claim 18, wherein the device is addressable.

26. The device according to claim 25, wherein the device address is manually assigned.

27. The device according to claim 25, wherein the device address is automatically assigned.

28. The device according to claim 25, wherein the device address is assigned by a data unit connected to the device.

29. The device according to claim 18, wherein the power signal is a direct current.

30. The device according to claim 18, wherein said device is pluggable into an electrical outlet.

31. The device according to claim 18, wherein said device is attachable to an electrical outlet.

32. The device according to claim 18, wherein said standard data interface is Ethernet.

33. The device according to claim 18, further comprising a second standard data interface connector coupled to said modem for connecting to a second data unit for bi-directional communication with said second data unit.

34. The device according to claim 18, wherein said modem is operative to bi-directionally communicating with one or more same modem over said powerline wiring.

35. The device according to claim 18, further comprising a transceiver coupled between said modem and said standard data interface connector, said transceiver is operative to full-duplex serial digital data communicating with said data unit.

36. A method for upgrading an existing powerline wiring system to operate both for supplying power and as a local area network by using frequency multiplexing of power and data signals, the powerline wiring system having a plurality of power outlets connected to powerline wiring in a building, the method comprising:

providing a wiring connector operative for connecting to the powerline wiring;

coupling a filter to the wiring connector, the filter having a data signal port that is operative to pass only the data signal;

coupling a modem to the data signal port for data signal communication with the powerline wiring;

coupling a data interface connector to the modem for connecting to a data unit; and

coupling a power supply to the wiring connector and to the modem, the power supply being operative to be powered by the power signal and for powering said modem.

37. The method according to claim 36, further comprising coupling a power connector to one of the wiring connector and power supply for powering an electrical appliance via the power connector.

38. The method according to claim 37, wherein the data signal is used to control the power signal.

39. The method according to claim 37, wherein the control is one of:

on/off operation;

timing of operations; and

delayed start.

40. The method according to claim 37, wherein the data signal is used to monitor the power signal.

41. The method according to claim 40, wherein the monitoring is power consumption metering.

42. The method according to claim 36, further comprising assigning an address to at least one of the outlets.

43. The method according to claim 42, wherein the address of the at least one outlet is manually assigned.

44. The method according to claim 42, wherein the address of the at least one outlet is automatically assigned.

45. The method according to claim 42, wherein the address of the at least one outlet is assigned by a data unit connected to the outlet.

46. The method according to claim 36, wherein the power signal is a direct current.

47. The method according to claim 36, comprising a preliminary step of removing an existing outlet and replacing the existing outlet with a new outlet.

48. The method according to claim 36, wherein the wiring connector, the data interface connector, the power supply, the modem and the filter are integrated into a single housing.

49. A system for configuring a data network in a building, the system comprising:

a service wiring inside the building carrying frequency multiplexed service and data signals; and

at least two devices located inside the building and each connected to the service wiring, each couplable to a data unit, and each operative to establish data signal communication between the data unit and the service wiring,

wherein at least one of said devices is attached to a wall of the building, the service signal is a power signal and at least one of said devices further comprises a power connector connected for powering an electrical appliance with the power signal, and information carried by the data signal is used to control the power signal, and further wherein the control is one of;

on/off operation;

timing of operations; and

delayed start.

50. The system according to claim 49, wherein at least one of said devices is at least in part integrated into an outlet.

51. The system according to claim 49, wherein the data signal is used to monitor the power signal.

52. The system according to claim 49, wherein at least one of the devices is an addressable node in the data network.

53. The system according to claim 52, wherein the address is assigned by a data unit connected to the at least one device.

54. The system according to claim 49, wherein the service signal is a direct current power signal.

55. A system for configuring a data network in a building, the system comprising:

a service wiring inside the building carrying frequency multiplexed service and data signals; and

at least two devices located inside the building and each connected to the service wiring, each couplable to a data unit, and each operative to establish data signal communication between the data unit and the service wiring, wherein at least one of said devices is attached to a wall of the building, the service signal is a power signal and at least one of said devices further comprises a power connector connected for powering an electrical appliance with the power signal, and information carried by the data signal is used to control the power signal, wherein the data signal is used to monitor the power signal and the monitoring is power consumption metering.

56. A system for configuring a data network in a building, the system comprising:

a service wiring inside the building carrying frequency multiplexed service and data signals; and

at least two devices located inside the building and each connected to the service wiring, each couplable to a data unit, and each operative to establish data signal communication between the data unit and the service wiring, wherein at least one of said devices is attached to a wall of the building, wherein at least one of the devices is an addressable node in the data network and the address is manually or automatically assigned.

57. An apparatus for configuring a local area network in a building for the transport of data across a powerline wiring using frequency domain multiplexed power and data signals, wherein the powerline wiring includes at least first and second wiring segments, the apparatus comprising:

first and second ports each connected to a respective one of said first and second wiring segments;

first and second filters each coupled to a respective one of said first and second ports, each having a data signal port operative to pass only a data signal;

first and second powerline modems each coupled to said data signal port of a respective one of said first and second filters, for data signal communication with a respective one of said first and second wiring segments;

at least one data interface connector coupled to at least one of said modems, and operative for establishing a data signal connection with a data unit; and

a power supply coupled to at least one of said first and second ports to be powered by the power signal and for powering at least one of said modems.

58. The apparatus according to claim 57, wherein the apparatus is operative to allow bi-directional communication over at least one of said wiring segments.

59. The apparatus according to claim 57, further comprising means for allowing the communication of a data signal over the first wiring segment to be independent of the communication of a data signal over the second wiring segment.

60. The apparatus according to claim 57, further comprising a power connector coupled to at least one out of said first and second ports for powering an electrical appliance.

61. The apparatus according to claim 60, wherein the data communication is used to control the power signal.

62. The apparatus according to claim 61, wherein the control is one of:

on/off operation;

timing of operations; and

delayed start.

63. The apparatus according to claim 61, wherein the data communication is used to monitor the power signal.

64. The apparatus according to claim 60, wherein the monitoring is power consumption metering.

65. The apparatus according to claim 57, wherein the apparatus is addressable.

66. The apparatus according to claim 65, wherein the apparatus address is manually assigned.

67. The apparatus according to claim 65, wherein the apparatus address is automatically assigned.

68. The apparatus according to claim 65, wherein the apparatus address is assigned by a data unit connected to the apparatus.

69. The apparatus according to claim 57, wherein the power signal is a direct current.

70. The apparatus according to claim 57, wherein the apparatus is at least partially housed within an outlet.

71. The apparatus according to claim 57, wherein the power signal is passed from the first port to the second port.

72. A service outlet for configuring a local area network in a building, the network including a service wiring carrying frequency multiplexed service and data signals, the service outlet comprising:

a wiring connector for connecting said outlet to the service wiring;

a filter coupled to said wiring connector and having a data signal port operative to pass only the data signal;

a modem coupled to said data signal port for data signal communication with the service wiring;

a data interface connector coupled to said modem for connecting to a data unit; and

a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said filter, said modem and said data interface connector.

73. The outlet according to claim 72, wherein the service wiring is one of:

a twisted wire pair;

a coaxial cable;

telephone wiring; and

powerline wiring.

74. The outlet according to claim 72, wherein the service signal includes at least one of a power signal and a telephone signal.

75. The outlet according to claim 72, further comprising a service connector coupled to said wiring connector and operative for connecting to a service appliance.

76. The outlet according to claim 72, wherein the service signal includes a power signal, and said outlet further comprises a power supply coupled to said wiring connector and to said modem to be powered by the power signal from the service wiring and for powering said modem.

77. The outlet according to claim 76, wherein the power signal is carried over distinct/dedicated wiring of the service wiring.

78. The outlet according to claim 76, further comprising a power filter coupled to said wiring connector and having a power signal port operative to pass only the power signal for powering said modem.

79. The outlet according to claim 76, wherein the power signal is a direct current.

80. The outlet according to claim 72, wherein the outlet is an addressable node in the local area network.

81. The outlet according to claim 80, wherein the outlet address is manually assigned.

82. The outlet according to claim 80, wherein the outlet address is automatically assigned.

83. The outlet according to claim 80, wherein the outlet address is assigned by a data unit connected to the outlet.

84. The service outlet according to claim 72, wherein said single enclosure is mountable into an outlet cavity.

85. The service outlet according to claim 72, wherein said single enclosure is structured to at least in part substitute existing standard outlet.

86. The service outlet according to claim 72, wherein said standard data interface is Ethernet.

87. The service outlet according to claim 72, further comprising a second standard data interface connector coupled to said modem for connecting to a second data unit for bi-directional communication with said second data unit.

88. The service outlet according to claim 72, wherein said modem is operative to bi-directionally communicating with one or more same modem over said powerline wiring.

89. The service outlet according to claim 72, further comprising a transceiver coupled between said modem and said standard data interface connector, said transceiver is operative to full-duplex serial digital data communicating with said data unit.

90. The service outlet according to claim 72, further comprising a power connector connectable to a power signal, said power connector coupled to said modem for powering said modem by said power signal.

91. A device for configuring a local area network in a building, the network including a service wiring carrying frequency multiplexed service and data signals, the device comprising:

a wiring connector for connecting said device to the service wiring;

a filter coupled to said wiring connector and having a data signal port operative to pass only the data signal;

a modem coupled to said data signal port for data signal communication with the service wiring;

a data interface connector coupled to said modem for connecting to a data unit; and

a single enclosure housing said wiring connector, said filter, said modem and said data interface connector.

92. The device according to claim 91, wherein the service wiring is one of:

a twisted wire pair;

a coaxial cable;

telephone wiring;

-and powerline wiring.

93. The device according to claim 91, wherein the device is at least in part housed within a service outlet.

94. The device according to claim 91, wherein the service signal includes at least one of a power signal and a telephone signal.

95. The device according to claim 91, further comprising a service connector coupled to said wiring connector and operative for connecting to a service appliance.

96. The device according to claim 91, wherein the service signal includes a power signal, and said device further comprises a power supply coupled to said wiring connector and to said modem to be powered by the power signal from the service wiring and for powering said modem.

97. The device according to claim 96, further comprising a power filter coupled to said wiring connector and having a power signal port operative to pass only the power signal for powering said modem.

98. The device according to claim 96, wherein the power signal is a direct current.

99. The device according to claim 91, wherein the device is an addressable node in the local area network.

100. The device according to claim 99, wherein the device address is manually assigned.

101. The device according to claim 99, wherein the device address is automatically assigned.

102. The device according to claim 99, wherein the device address is assigned by a data unit connected to the device.

103. The device according to claim 91, wherein said device is pluggable into an outlet.

104. The device according to claim 91, wherein said device is attachable to an outlet.

105. The device according to claim 91, wherein said standard data interface is Ethernet.

106. The device according to claim 91, further comprising a second standard data interface connector coupled to said modem for connecting to a second data unit for bi-directional communication with said second data unit.

107. The device according to claim 91, wherein said modem is operative to bi-directionally communicating with one or more same modem over said service wiring.

108. The device according to claim 91, further comprising a transceiver coupled between said modem and said standard data interface connector, said transceiver is operative to full-duplex serial digital data communicating with said data unit.

109. The service outlet according to claim 91, further comprising a power connector connectable to a power signal, said power connector coupled to said modem for powering said modem by said power signal.

110. A method for upgrading an existing service wiring system to operate both for supplying service and as a local area network by using frequency multiplexing of service and data signals, the service wiring system having a plurality of service outlets connected to service wiring in a building, the method comprising:

providing a wiring connector operative for connecting to the service wiring;

coupling a filter to the wiring connector, the filter having a data signal port that is operative to pass only the data signal;

coupling a modem to the data signal port for data signal communication with the service wiring;

coupling a data interface connector to the modem for connecting to a data unit.

111. The method according to claim 110, wherein the service wiring is one of:

a twisted wire pair;

a coaxial cable;

telephone wiring; and

powerline wiring.

112. The method according to claim 110, wherein the service signal includes at least one of a power signal and a telephone signal.

113. The method according to claim 110, further comprising coupling a service connector to said wiring connector and operative for connecting to a service appliance.

114. The method according to claim 110, wherein the service signal includes a power signal, and the method further comprises the step of coupling a power supply to the wiring connector and to the modem, the power supply being operative to be powered by the power signal and for powering said modem.

115. The method according to claim 110, wherein the data signal is used to monitor the service signal.

116. The method according to claim 110, further comprising assigning an address to at least one of the service outlets.

117. The method according to claim 116, wherein the address of the at least one outlet is manually assigned.

118. The method according to claim 116, wherein the address of the at least one outlet is automatically assigned.

119. The method according to claim 116, wherein the address of the at least one outlet is assigned by a data unit connected to the outlet.

120. The method according to claim 110, comprising a preliminary step of removing an existing outlet and replacing the existing outlet with a new outlet.

121. The method according to claim 110, wherein the wiring connector, the data interface connector, the power supply, the modem and the filter are integrated into a single housing.

122. A system for configuring a data network in a building, the system comprising:

a service wiring carrying frequency multiplexed service and data signals; and

at least two devices each connected to the service wiring, each couplable to a data unit, and each operative to establish data signal communication between the data unit and the service wiring, wherein at least one of said devices is attached to a wall of the building, at least one of the devices is addressable and the address is manually assigned, or automatically assigned, or assigned by a data unit connected to the at least one device.

123. An apparatus for configuring a local area network in a building for the transport of data across a service wiring using frequency domain multiplexed service and data signals, wherein the service wiring includes at least first and second wiring segments, the apparatus comprising:

first and second ports each connected to a respective one of said first and second wiring segments;

first and second filters each coupled to a respective one of said first and second ports, each having a data signal port operative to pass only a data signal;

first and second modems each coupled to said data signal port of a respective one of said first and second filters, for data signal communication with a respective one of said first and second wiring segments; and

at least one data interface connector coupled to at least one of said modems, and operative for establishing a data signal connection with a data unit.

124. The apparatus according to claim 123, wherein the apparatus is operative to allow bi-directional communication over at least one of said wiring segments.

125. The apparatus according to claim 123, further comprising means for allowing the communication of a data signal over the first wiring segment to be independent of the communication of a data signal over the second wiring segment.

126. The apparatus according to claim 123, further comprising a service connector coupled to at least one out of said first and second ports for connecting to a service appliance.

127. The apparatus according to claim 123, wherein the data communication is used to control the service signal.

128. The apparatus according to claim 123, wherein the data communication is used to monitor the service signal.

129. The apparatus according to claim 123, wherein the apparatus is addressable.

130. The apparatus according to claim 129, wherein the apparatus address is manually assigned.

131. The apparatus according to claim 129, wherein the apparatus address is automatically assigned.

132. The apparatus according to claim 129, wherein the apparatus address is assigned by a data unit connected to the apparatus.

133. The apparatus according to claim 123, wherein the apparatus is attachable to a wall of a building.

134. The apparatus according to claim 133, wherein the apparatus is at least partially housed within an outlet.

135. The apparatus according to claim 123, wherein the service signal is passed from the first port to the second port.

136. The apparatus according to claim 123, wherein the service wiring is one of:

a twisted wire pair;

a coaxial cable;

telephone wiring; and

powerline wiring.

137. The apparatus according to claim 123, wherein the service signal includes at least one of a power signal and a telephone signal.