Network interface device

• US 7,262,695 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2004
• Issued: 08/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hicks, John A. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US11/013,227
• Publication Number:
  US 20060126647A1
• Time in Patent Office: 986 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/419
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2834 Switching of information between an external network and a home network access arrangements H04L12/2856
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed that provides a gateway function. The apparatus has an enclosure surrounding a network interface device. The network interface device has a communications network interface to a communications network and a power line network interface to a power line carrier-based network. A communications module stores in a memory device, a processor communicates with the memory device, and the communications module provides gateway services for the communications network and for the power line network.

Claims

1. A network interface device, comprising:

a communications network interface to a communications network;

a power line network interface to a power line network;

a processor communicating with a memory device, the communications network interface, and the powerline network interface;

a transfer switch for connecting an alternate power source generator to the network interface device when power to the network interface device is inadequate; and

a communications module stored in the memory device and providing gateway services for the communications network and for the powerline network, the communications module monitoring a frequency of the alternate power source generator and separating high frequency data signals from low frequency power signals.

2. A network interface device according to claim 1, further comprising a modem modulating and demodulating signals.

3. A network interface device according to claim 1, further comprising a router forwarding data packets to a destination.

4. A network interface device according to claim 1, wherein the communications module provides a routing function that forwards data packets to a destination.

5. A network interface device according to claim 1, further comprising a splitter dividing low frequency signals and high frequency signals.

6. A network interface device according to claim 1, further comprising a server providing data files to the communications network interface or the power line network interface.

7. A network interface device according to claim 1, wherein the communications module provides network address translation functions.

8. A network interface device according to claim 1, wherein the communications module provides Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol functions.

9. A network interface device according to claim 1, further comprising a connection to electric to provide electrical power to an apparatus.

10. A network interface device according to claim 1, further comprising a connection to an electric power meter to provide electrical power to an apparatus.

11. A network interface device according to claim 1, wherein the communications module monitors voltage available from an electrical power source and, when the electrical power source is inadequate, automatically connects an alternate power source to the network interface device.

12. A network interface device according to claim 1, further comprising an enclosure surrounding the network interface device.

13. A method, comprising:

interfacing with a communications network;

interfacing with a power line network;

providing gateway services to the communications network and to the power line network using a communications module stored in a memory device and a processor communicating with the memory device;

monitoring voltage available from an electrical power source and, when the electrical power source is inadequate, automatically connecting an alternate power source generator to the network interface device via a transfer switch;

monitoring a frequency of the alternate power source generator; and

separating high frequency data signals from low frequency power signals.

14. A method according to claim 13, further comprising modulating and demodulating signals.

15. A method according to claim 13, further comprising routing data packets to a destination.

16. A method according to claim 13, further comprising dividing low frequency signals and high frequency signals.

17. A computer program product comprising a computer readable instructions for:

interfacing with a communications network;

interfacing with a power line network;

providing gateway services to the communications network and to the power line network;

monitoring voltage available from an electrical power source and, when the electrical power source is inadequate, automatically connecting an alternate power source generator to the network interface device via a transfer switch;

monitoring the frequency of the alternate power source generator; and

separating high frequency data signals from low frequency power signals.