Routing device and method for a powerline network

• US 7,164,346 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2002
• Issued: 01/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Miller-Smith, Richard M., Hunt, Bernard
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US10/135,342
• Publication Number:
  US 20020163425A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,722 Days
• Field of Search: 340/310.01, 340/310.06, 340/310.08, 340/538, 340/310.11, 340/310.16, 340/310.18, 340/538.15, 340/538.17, 370/229, 370/230, 370/235, 370/351, 370/357, 370/359, 370/360, 370/381, 370/386, 370/464, 725 78- 80, 725/82
• US Class Current: 370/351
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/545 Audio/video application, e.g. interphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/44 Star or tree networks

Abstract

An internal powerline network is provided with a routing device for routing a signal on only a part of the network. In this way the data capacity of the network is increased. The routing device is advantageously attached to the fuse box of the powerline network.

Claims

1. A routing device, connected to a fuse box that electrically distinguishes a plurality of powerline circuits that form an internal powerline network, said device configured to create data isolation between the plurality of powerline circuits to transmit a signal on selected ones of said plurality of powerline circuits.

2. The device of claim 1, said device further comprising a storage device for storing details of units connected to said powerline network.

3. The device of claim 2, further comprising a user interface for programming information into the storage device.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein said device is arranged to:

receive identifying information from each of the units when said units are switched on to said powerline network; and

identify a powerline circuit of the plurality of powerline circuits to which each of the units is connected.

5. An apparatus for routing signals on an internal powerline network, the apparatus comprising:

a routing device for transmitting a signal on selected ones of a plurality of powerline circuits forming said powerline network; and

a storage device for storing details of units connected to said powerline network and details of the powerline circuits to which the units are connected, wherein said routing device is arranged to periodically refresh said powerline network to determine the units connected to said powerline network.

6. A method for routing signals on an internal powerline network, said method comprising:

receiving a signal;

transmitting the received signal to selected ones of a plurality of powerline circuits forming said powerline network, such that data isolation is created among the plurality of powerline circuits;

storing details of each unit connected to said powerline network; and

connecting a routing device to a fuse box of said powerline network.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising

programming details of the units connected to said powerline network into a storage device.

8. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

receiving identifying information from said units when said units are switched on to said powerline network; and

identifying a powerline circuit of the plurality of powerline circuits to which each of the units is connected.

9. A method of routing signals on an internal powerline network composed of a plurality of electrically distinct powerline circuits, comprising:

receiving a signal and transmitting said signal on selected ones of the plurality of powerline circuits;

storing details of units connected to said powerline network and details of the plurality of powerline circuits to which the units are connected; and

periodically refreshing said powerline network to determine the units connected to said powerline network.