Power line networking adapter

• US 7,133,278 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2004
• Issued: 11/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Inventors: Amdahl, Paul O., Tubbs, Michael E., Thomas, Keith, Liebenow, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, MATTHEW VAN
• Application Number:
  US10/766,175
• Publication Number:
  US 20040186908A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 Days
• Field of Search: 363/144, 363/146, 361/679, 361/683, 361/686, 361/728, 361/752, 709/227, 709/238
• US Class Current: 361/679.02
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5416 by adding signals to the wave form of the power source
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5454 Adapter and plugs
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/547 via DC power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5483 using coupling circuits
• 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

Abstract

A powerline networking adapter attaches to a power brick and includes a network data connection and two AC power connections. In another embodiment, a hybrid power brick includes both AC-DC power conversion elements and powerline networking adapter circuits in the brick.

Claims

1. A powerline networking adapter suitable for connection to a power brick, the power brick including a brick enclosure having a first end, an AC to DC converter mounted within the brick enclosure including first portions configured and arranged to be connected to an AC power source at the brick enclosure first end, and a DC output from the AC to DC converter configured and arranged to power a DC-powered device, the adapter comprising:

an enclosure including an electrical power conductor having second portions configured and arranged to mate with said first portions; and

a powerline networking adapter within the enclosure, said enclosure configured and arranged to mate with said brick enclosure.

2. An adapter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the powerline networking adapter includes at least one data connection on an exterior of the enclosure.

3. An adapter in accordance with claim 2, wherein the at least one data connection comprises an interface selected from the group consisting of Universal Serial Bus, Ethernet, IEEE-1394, and combinations thereof.

4. An adapter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said powerline networking adapter conforms to the HomePlug specifications.

5. An adapter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the enclosure electrical conductor further comprises third portions configured and arranged to mate with the enclosure second portions.

6. An adapter in accordance with claim 5, wherein the enclosure electrical conductor third portions comprise a recessed port.

7. An adapter in accordance with claim 5, further comprising an AC power cord including a connector configured and arranged to mate with the enclosure electrical conductor third portions.

8. An adapter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the enclosure electrical conductor second portions comprise a protruding connector.

9. An adapter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the enclosure includes a body and at least two extensions extending away from the body, the at least two extensions laterally spaced apart a distance sufficient to receive the brick enclosure between the at least two extensions.

10. An adapter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the enclosure includes at least one detent arranged to engage an outer surface of the brick enclosure.

11. An adapter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the brick enclosure has a second end and a first length between the brick enclosure first and second ends, the adapter enclosure further comprising:

a body and extension portions, the extension portions having a second length and an end, the first length and the second length being such that the extension portions end extend past the brick enclosure second end when the brick enclosure and the adapter enclosure are mated together.