Network-to-network adaptor for power line communications
First Claim
1. A communications apparatus for communicatively coupling a first power line data communications network to at least a second power line data communications network, wherein each of the first and second networks is for interconnecting a plurality of electronic communications devices and is on a same network branch of a utility electric power distribution system, wherein the branch includes utility electric power conveying media and is isolated from a portion of the power distribution system by at least one of a step-up and a step-down power transformer, the apparatus comprising:
- a connection means for coupling to the power conveying media; and
a transceiver communications interface coupled to the connection means and including a controller, wherein the controller includes a processor coupled to a memory, wherein the memory includes network identification codes corresponding to at least one of the first and second networks, and wherein the processor is adapted to utilize a network identification encoding and decoding protocol for processing encoded data communications signals containing a target network identification code transmitted by a source electronic communications device to a target electronic communications device, wherein the processor generates a target data communications signal based on the encoded data communications signals transmitted by the source device, and wherein the target signal includes a predetermined encoded network identification code corresponding to a power line data communications network designated by the target network identification code, such that data communications is achieved over the power conveying media between the target device and the source device, wherein each of the source and target devices is in the first or second network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable, pluggable power line communications device provides convenient interfacing and connectivity between separate data networks interconnected over the same conventional electric power conveying media. The power line communications device plugs into a single electrical outlet, and includes a controller that is programmable at the device or remotely. Remote programming is achieved over the same power media to which the communications device is coupled, or by wireless link. The power line communications device controls data communications signal transfer over the common electric wiring of a local network, and conducts high-speed communications and download of multimedia signals from an upstream network controllers using the common electric power media. The data communications signals of the co-existing, different networks are encoded to permit differentiation at the power line communications device.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A communications apparatus for communicatively coupling a first power line data communications network to at least a second power line data communications network, wherein each of the first and second networks is for interconnecting a plurality of electronic communications devices and is on a same network branch of a utility electric power distribution system, wherein the branch includes utility electric power conveying media and is isolated from a portion of the power distribution system by at least one of a step-up and a step-down power transformer, the apparatus comprising:
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a connection means for coupling to the power conveying media; and a transceiver communications interface coupled to the connection means and including a controller, wherein the controller includes a processor coupled to a memory, wherein the memory includes network identification codes corresponding to at least one of the first and second networks, and wherein the processor is adapted to utilize a network identification encoding and decoding protocol for processing encoded data communications signals containing a target network identification code transmitted by a source electronic communications device to a target electronic communications device, wherein the processor generates a target data communications signal based on the encoded data communications signals transmitted by the source device, and wherein the target signal includes a predetermined encoded network identification code corresponding to a power line data communications network designated by the target network identification code, such that data communications is achieved over the power conveying media between the target device and the source device, wherein each of the source and target devices is in the first or second network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for interfacing at least first and second power line data communications networks, wherein each of the first and second networks is for interconnecting a plurality of electronic communications devices and is on a same network branch of a utility electric power distribution system, wherein the branch includes a utility electrical power conveying media and is isolated from a portion of the power distribution system by at least one of a step-up and a step-down power transformer, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving from the media an encoded first data communications signal having a first network identification code and transmitted by a first network electronic communications device transmitter; decoding said first signal; processing the encoded data included in said decoded first signal; creating a second data communications signal for transmission to a target electronic communications device based on the encoded data contained in the first signal, wherein the creating includes encoding said second signal using a second identification code, wherein the second identification code includes a predetermined encoded network identification code corresponding to a power line data communications network designated by the first network identification code; and transmitting said second signal over the media to said target device. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification