Local area network of serial intellegent cells

• US 7,292,600 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2004
• Issued: 11/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 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:
  US10/793,769
• Publication Number:
  US 20040174897A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,338 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, 370/463, 340/310.11
• US Class Current: 370/463
• 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. 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 modem coupled to said wiring connector for data signal communication with the service wiring;

a data interface connector for connecting to a data unit, and

a transceiver coupled between said data interface connector and said modem for bi-directional communication with the data unit,

wherein;

the outlet is wall mountable;

the outlet is addressable in the local area network;

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.

2. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein the service wiring is one of:

a twisted wire pair;

a coaxial cable;

telephone wiring; and

powerline wiring.

3. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein the service signal further includes a telephone signal.

4. The outlet according to claim 1, further comprising a service connector coupled to said wiring connector and operative for connecting to a service appliance.

5. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein the service wiring comprises dedicated wires that carry only the power signal.

6. The outlet according to claim 1, 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.

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

8. 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 modem coupled to said wiring connector for data signal communication with the service wiring;

a data interface connector for connecting to a data unit, and

a transceiver coupled between said data interface connector and said modem for bi-directional communication with the data unit,

wherein;

the outlet is wall mountable;

the outlet is addressable in the local area network; and

said outlet further comprises a filter coupled between said wiring connector and said modem, the filter being operative to pass only the data signal.

9. 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 modem coupled to said wiring connector for data signal communication with the service wiring;

a data interface connector for connecting to a data unit, and

a transceiver coupled between said data interface connector and said modem for bi-directional communication with the data unit,

wherein;

the outlet is wall mountable;

the outlet is addressable in the local area network; and

the outlet address is manually assigned.

10. 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 modem coupled to said wiring connector for data signal communication with the service wiring;

a data interface connector for connecting to a data unit, and

a transceiver coupled between said data interface connector and said modem for bi-directional communication with the data unit,

wherein;

the outlet is wall mountable;

the outlet is addressable in the local area network; and

the outlet address is automatically assigned.

11. 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 modem coupled to said wiring connector for data signal communication with the service wiring;

a data interface connector for connecting to a data unit, and

a transceiver coupled between said data interface connector and said modem for bi-directional communication with the data unit,

wherein;

the outlet is wall mountable;

the outlet is addressable in the local area network; and

the outlet address is assigned by a data unit connected to the outlet.

12. 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 outlet to the service wiring;

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

a data interface connector for connecting to a data unit, and

a transceiver coupled between said data interface connector and said modem for bi-directional communication with the data unit,

wherein;

the device is addressable;

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.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the service wiring is one of:

a twisted wire pair;

a coaxial cable;

telephone wiring; and

powerline wiring.

14. The device according to claim 12, wherein the device is at least in part housed within a service outlet.

15. The device according to claim 12, wherein the service signal further includes a telephone signal.

16. The device according to claim 12, further comprising a service connector coupled to said wiring connector and operative for connecting to a service appliance.

17. The device according to claim 12, 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.

18. The device according to claim 12, wherein the power signal is a direct current.

19. 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 outlet to the service wiring;

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

a data interface connector for connecting to a data unit;

a transceiver coupled between said data interface connector and said modem for bi-directional communication with the data unit; and

a filter coupled between said wiring connector and said modem, the filter being operative to pass only the data signal,

wherein the device is addressable.

20. 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 outlet to the service wiring;

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

a data interface connector for connecting to a data unit, and

a transceiver coupled between said data interface connector and said modem for bi-directional communication with the data unit;

wherein the device is addressable and the device address is manually assigned.

21. 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 outlet to the service wiring;

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

a data interface connector for connecting to a data unit, and

a transceiver coupled between said data interface connector and said modem for bi-directional communication with the data unit;

wherein the device is addressable, and the device address is automatically assigned.

22. 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 outlet to the service wiring;

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

a data interface connector for connecting to a data unit, and

a transceiver coupled between said data interface connector and said modem for bi-directional communication with the data unit;

wherein the device is addressable, and the device address is assigned by a data unit connected to the device.

23. 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 modem to the wiring connector for data signal communication with the service wiring;

providing a data interface connector for connecting to a data unit;

coupling a transceiver between said data interface connector and said modem for bi-directional communication with the data unit; and

assigning an address to at least one of the service outlets, wherein;

the service signal includes a power signal; and

said 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.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the service wiring is one of:

a twisted wire pair;

a coaxial cable;

telephone wiring; and

powerline wiring.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein the service signal further includes a telephone signal.

26. The method according to claim 23, further comprising coupling a service connector to said wiring connector and operative for connecting to a service appliance.

27. The method according to claim 23, wherein the data signal is used to monitor the service signal.

28. 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 modem to the wiring connector for data signal communication with the service wiring;

providing a data interface connector for connecting to a data unit;

coupling a transceiver between said data interface connector and said modem for bi-directional communication with the data unit;

assigning an address to at least one of the service outlets; and

coupling a filter between said the wiring connector and said modem, the filter being operative to pass only the data signal.

29. 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 modem to the wiring connector for data signal communication with the service wiring;

providing a data interface connector for connecting to a data unit;

coupling a transceiver between said data interface connector and said modem for bi-directional communication with the data unit; and

assigning an address to at least one of the service outlets, wherein the address of the at least one outlet is manually assigned.

30. 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 modem to the wiring connector for data signal communication with the service wiring;

providing a data interface connector for connecting to a data unit;

coupling a transceiver between said data interface connector and said modem for bi-directional communication with the data unit; and

assigning an address to at least one of the service outlets, wherein the address of the at least one outlet is automatically assigned.

31. 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 modem to the wiring connector for data signal communication with the service wiring;

providing a data interface connector for connecting to a data unit;

coupling a transceiver between said data interface connector and said modem for bi-directional communication with the data unit; and

assigning an address to at least one of the service outlets, wherein the address of the at least one outlet is assigned by a data unit connected to the outlet.

32. 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 modem to the wiring connector for data signal communication with the service wiring;

providing a data interface connector for connecting to a data unit;

coupling a transceiver between said data interface connector and said modem for bi-directional communication with the data unit; and

assigning an address to at least one of the service outlets, wherein said method further comprises a preliminary step of removing an existing outlet and replacing the existing outlet with a new outlet.

33. 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 modem to the wiring connector for data signal communication with the service wiring;

providing a data interface connector for connecting to a data unit;

coupling a transceiver between said data interface connector and said modem for bi-directional communication with the data unit; and

assigning an address to at least one of the service outlets, wherein the wiring connector, the data interface connector, the power supply, the modem and the filter are integrated into a single housing.

34. 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, each comprising a transceiver for bi-directional data communication with the respective data unit and a modem for transmitting and receiving with the service wiring, 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, and

wherein at least one of the devices is addressable and is provided with an address that is manually assigned.

35. The system according to claim 34, wherein the service wiring is one of:

a twisted wire pair;

a coaxial cable;

telephone wiring; and

powerline wiring.

36. The system according to claim 34, wherein the service signal includes at least one of a power signal and a telephone signal.

37. The system according to claim 34, wherein at least one of said devices is at least in part integrated into an outlet.

38. The system according to claim 34, wherein at least one of said devices further comprises a service connector coupled to the service wiring and operative for connecting to a service appliance.

39. The system according to claim 34, wherein information carried by the data signal is used to control the service signal.

40. The system according to claim 34, wherein the data signal is used to monitor the service signal.

41. The system according to claim 34, wherein at least two of the devices are addressable.

42. 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, each comprising a transceiver for bi-directional data communication with the respective data unit and a modem for transmitting and receiving with the service wiring, 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, and

wherein at least one of the devices is addressable and is provided with an address that is automatically assigned.

43. 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, each comprising a transceiver for bi-directional data communication with the respective data unit and a modem for transmitting and receiving with the service wiring, 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, and

wherein at least one of the devices is addressable and is provided with an address that is assigned by a data unit connected to the at least one device.

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

at least one data interface connector for connecting to a data unit; and

at least one transceiver coupled between said at least one data interface connector and at least one of said modems, and operative for establishing a bi-directional data signal connection with a data unit,

wherein the apparatus is addressable.

45. The apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the apparatus is operative to allow bi-directional communication over at least one of said wiring segments.

46. The apparatus according to claim 44, 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.

47. The apparatus according to claim 44, further comprising a service connector coupled to at least one out of said first and second ports for connecting to a service appliance.

48. The apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the data communication is used to control the service signal.

49. The apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the data communication is used to monitor the service signal.

50. The apparatus according to claim 44, further comprising first and second filters each coupled between said respective one of said first and second ports and said first and second modems, each operative to pass only a data signal.

51. The apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the apparatus address is manually assigned.

52. The apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the apparatus address is automatically assigned.

53. The apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the apparatus address is assigned by a data unit connected to the apparatus.

54. The apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the apparatus is attachable to a wall of a building.

55. The apparatus according to claim 54, wherein the apparatus is at least partially housed within an outlet.

56. The apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the service signal is passed from the first port to the second port.

57. The apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the service wiring is one of:

a twisted wire pair;

a coaxial cable;

telephone wiring; and

powerline wiring.

58. The apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the service signal includes at least one of a power signal and a telephone signal.

59. A device that is part of a local area network in a building for coupling a digital data signal to a data unit, the network including at least part of an existing coaxial cable that is at least in part in walls of the building and is terminated by an outlet, the cable carrying a frequency multiplexed analog service signal and a digital data signal, said device comprising:

a coaxial connector for connecting said device to the coaxial cable;

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

a modem coupled to said data signal port for bi-directional digital data signal communication with one or more additional modems of the same type as said modem over the coaxial cable;

a data connector for connecting to the data unit;

a data transceiver coupled between said standard data connector and said modem and operative to effect full-duplex serial digital data communication with the data unit;

a power port connectable to a power signal;

a power supply coupled between said power port and said modem for DC powering said modem from the power signal; and

a single enclosure housing said filter, said power supply, said modem and said standard data connector,

wherein said device is addressable in the local area network.

60. The device according to claim 59, wherein said device has a manually assigned address.

61. The device according to claim 59, wherein said device has an automatically assigned address.

62. The device according to claim 59, wherein said device has an address assigned by a data unit connected to said device.

63. The device according to claim 59, wherein said device is at least in part housed within an outlet.

64. The device according to claim 59, further comprising a power connector coupled to said power supply and operative for powering a device connected thereto.

65. The device according to claim 64, wherein information carried by the digital data signal is used to control the power signal.

66. The device according to claim 65, wherein the control is one of:

on/off operation;

timing of operations; and

delayed start.

67. The device according to claim 66, wherein the data signal is used to monitor the power signal.

68. The device according to claim 59, wherein the power signal is a direct current signal.

69. The device according to claim 59, wherein said device is pluggable into an outlet or attachable to an outlet.

70. The device according to claim 59, wherein the digital data communication with the data unit is Ethernet based.

71. The device according to claim 59, wherein said single enclosure is mountable in an outlet cavity.

72. The device according to claim 59, wherein said single enclosure is structured to at least in part replace an existing outlet.

73. The device according to claim 59, wherein the coaxial cable simultaneously carries a power signal, and said power port is connected to the coaxial cable for feeding said power supply from the power signal carried over the coaxial cable.

74. The device according to claim 59, further comprising a second data connector coupled to said modem for connecting to a second data unit for bi-directional communication with the second data unit.

75. The device according to claim 59, further operative to couple an analog appliance to the analog service signal, said device further comprising an analog connector coupled to said coaxial connector and connectable to the analog appliance.

76. The device according to claim 59, further operative to couple an analog unit to the digital data signal, said device further comprising an analog connector connectable to the analog unit for coupling an analog signal to the analog unit, and a converter between the analog and digital signals coupled between said analog connector and said modem.

77. The device according to claim 76, wherein the analog unit is an analog actuator for creating a physical phenomenon, and said converter is a digital to analog converter.

78. The device according to claim 76, wherein the analog unit is an analog sensor for sensing a physical phenomenon, and said converter is an analog to digital converter.

79. The device according to claim 76, wherein the analog unit is one of an audio unit and a video unit and the analog signal is one of an audio signal and a video signal.

80. The device according to claim 76, wherein the analog unit is a telephone unit, the analog connector is a telephone connector and the analog signal is a telephone signal.

81. The device according to claim 76, wherein the analog connector is coupled to said power supply and to the analog unit for powering the analog unit.

82. The device according to claim 59, wherein at least one parameter of said device is configurable by the data unit.

83. The device according to claim 59 further operative for coupling an analog telephone to a digitized telephone signal carried as part of said digital data signal, said device further comprising:

a telephone connector for coupling an analog telephone signal to the analog telephone set; and

a converter coupled between said telephone connector and said modem for converting between the digitized telephone signal and the analog telephone signal.

84. The device according to claim 59 further operative to provide a computer bus interface, said device further comprising a computer connector and mechanical means for connecting and attaching said computer connector to a computer plug-in unit, said computer connector being coupled to said modem.

85. The device according to claim 84 wherein said computer bus interface is one of:

ISA interface, a PCMCIA interface, an IDE interface, and a SCSI interface.

86. A local area network in a building for coupling together first and second data units in the building, said network comprising:

a coaxial cable at least in part in walls of the building and terminated in outlets, said cable carrying an analog service signal and a bi-directional serial digital data signal frequency multiplexed with the analog service signal; and

at least two same first and second devices, each enclosed within a respective single enclosure located inside the building, each connected to said coaxial cable and each connectable to a respective one of the first and second data units for bi-directional serial digital data communicating with the respective data unit, and each operative to couple the bi-directional serial digital data signals carried over said coaxial cable to the respective data unit,

wherein each of said devices is addressable in the local area network.

87. The network according to claim 86, wherein at least one of said devices is at least in part integrated into an outlet.

88. The network according to claim 86, wherein at least one of said devices is wall mounted.

89. The network according to claim 86, wherein at least one of said devices is attached to a wall of the building.

90. The network according to claim 86, wherein each of said devices has a manually assigned address.

91. The network according to claim 86, wherein each of said devices has an automatically assigned address.

92. The network according to claim 86, wherein each of said devices has an address assigned by one of said first and second data units or a further data unit connected to said device.

93. The network according to claim 86, wherein at least one of said devices is pluggable into an outlet.

94. The network according to claim 86, wherein at least one of said devices is attachable to an outlet.

95. The network according to claim 86, wherein communication with each of the data units is Ethernet based.

96. The network according to claim 86, wherein at least one of said devices is mountable into an outlet cavity.

97. The network according to claim 86, wherein said coaxial cable simultaneously carries a power signal, and at least one of said devices is powered by the power signal.

98. The network according to claim 86, further operative to couple the analog service signal to an analog service unit, wherein at least one of said devices further comprises an analog connector coupled to said coaxial cable and connectable to the analog service unit.

99. The network according to claim 86 configured as a point-to-point network, wherein said coaxial cable connects only said first and second devices, each of said devices is connected to a distinct end of said coaxial cable, and wherein said first and second devices communicate with one another only over said coaxial cable.

100. The network according to claim 86 further operative to carry a telephone signal between said first and second devices over said coaxial cable, wherein said first device is connectable to a digitized telephone signal, and said second device is connectable to a telephone set, for coupling the digitized telephone signal to the telephone set.

101. A device for coupling a digital data signal carried in a local area network in a building to an analog unit, the network including at least part of an existing coaxial cable that is at least in part in walls of the building and is terminated by an outlet, the cable carrying a frequency multiplexed analog service signal and a digital data signal, said device comprising:

a coaxial connector for connecting said device to the coaxial cable;

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

a modem coupled to said data signal port for bi-directional digital data signal communication over the coaxial cable;

an analog connector for coupling an analog signal to the analog unit;

a converter between analog and digital data signals coupled between said modem and said analog connector,

a power port connectable to a power signal,

a power supply coupled between said power port and said modem for DC powering said modem from said power signal; and

a single enclosure housing said filter, said power supply, said converter, said modem and said analog connector;

wherein said device is addressable in the local area network.

102. The device according to claim 101, wherein said modem is operative for bi-directional digital data signal communication with one or more similar modems over the coaxial cable.

103. The device according to claim 101, further operative for coupling the digital data signal to a data unit, said device further comprising:

a data connector for connecting to the data unit;

a data transceiver coupled between said data connector and said modem, said data transceiver being operative for full-duplex serial digital data communicating with the data unit.

104. The device according to claim 103, wherein communication with said data unit is Ethernet based.

105. The device according to claim 101, wherein said device has a manually assigned address.

106. The device according to claim 101, wherein said device has an automatically assigned address.

107. The device according to claim 101, wherein said device has an address that is assigned by a data unit connected to said device.

108. The device according to claim 101, wherein at least one parameter of said device is configurable by a data unit connected thereto.

109. The device according to claim 101, wherein said device is at least in part housed within an outlet.

110. The device according to claim 101, further comprising a power connector coupled to said power supply and operative for powering a device connected thereto.

111. The device according to claim 110, wherein information carried by the digital data signal is used to control the power signal.

112. The device according to claim 111, wherein the control is one of:

on/off operation;

timing of operations; and

delayed start.

113. The device according to claim 112, wherein the data signal is used to monitor the power signal.

114. The device according to claim 101, wherein the power signal is a direct current signal.

115. The device according to claim 101, wherein said device is pluggable into an outlet or attachable to an outlet.

116. The device according to claim 101, wherein said single enclosure is mountable into an outlet cavity.

117. The device according to claim 101, wherein said single enclosure is structured to at least in part replace an existing outlet.

118. The device according to claim 101, wherein said coaxial cable simultaneously carries a power signal, and said power port is connected to said coaxial cable for feeding said power supply from the power signal carried over said coaxial cable.

119. The device according to claim 101, wherein said analog unit is an analog actuator for creating a physical phenomenon, and said converter is a digital to analog converter.

120. The device according to claim 101, wherein the analog unit is an analog sensor for sensing a physical phenomenon, and said converter is an analog to digital converter.

121. The device according to claim 101, wherein the analog unit is one of an audio unit and a video unit and the analog signal is one of an audio signal and a video signal, respectively.

122. The device according to claim 101, wherein the analog unit is a telephone unit, said analog connector is a telephone connector and the analog signal is a telephone signal.

123. The device according to claim 101, wherein said analog connector is coupled to said power supply for powering a connected analog unit.

124. The device according to claim 101 further operative to provide a standard computer bus interface, said device further comprising a standard computer connector and mechanical means for connecting and attaching to a computer plug-in unit, said standard computer connector being coupled to said modem.

125. The device according to claim 124, wherein said standard computer bus interface is one of:

an ISA interface, a PCMCIA interface, an IDE interface, and a SCSI interface.

126. A device that is part of a local area network in a building for coupling a digital data signal to a data unit, the network including at least part of an existing coaxial cable that is at least in part in walls of the building and is terminated by an outlet, the cable carrying a frequency multiplexed analog service signal and a digital data signal, said device comprising:

a coaxial connector for connecting said device to the coaxial cable;

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

a modem coupled to said data signal port for bi-directional digital data signal communication over the coaxial cable;

a data port coupled to said modem and operative to effect full-duplex serial digital data communication;

a power port connectable to a power signal from a power signal source;

a power supply coupled between said power port and said modem for DC powering said modem from the power signal; and

a single enclosure housing said filter, said power supply, and said modem,

wherein said device is addressable in the local area network.

127. The device according to claim 126, wherein said device has an automatically assigned address.

128. The device according to claim 126, wherein said device has an address assigned by a data unit connected to said device.

129. The device according to claim 126, wherein said device is pluggable into an outlet or attachable to an outlet.

130. The device according to claim 126, wherein the coaxial cable simultaneously carries a power signal, and said power port is connected to the coaxial cable for feeding said power supply from the power signal carried over the coaxial cable.

131. The device according to claim 126, further operative to couple an analog appliance to the analog service signal, said device further comprising an analog connector coupled to said coaxial connector and connectable to the analog appliance.

132. The device according to claim 126, further operative to couple an analog unit to the digital data signal, said device further comprising an analog connector connectable to the analog unit for coupling an analog signal to the analog unit, and a converter between the analog and digital signals coupled between said analog connector and said modem.

133. The device according to claim 132, wherein the analog unit is an analog actuator for creating a physical phenomenon, and said converter is a digital to analog converter.

134. The device according to claim 132, wherein the analog unit is an analog sensor for sensing a physical phenomenon, and said converter is an analog to digital converter.

135. The device according to claim 132, wherein the analog unit is one of an audio unit and a video unit and the analog signal is one of an audio signal and a video signal.

136. The device according to claim 132, wherein the analog unit is a telephone unit, the analog connector is a telephone connector and the analog signal is a telephone signal.

137. The device according to claim 132, wherein the analog connector is coupled to said power supply and to the analog unit for powering the analog unit.

138. The device according to claim 126, wherein at least one parameter of said device is configurable by the data unit.

139. The device according to claim 126 further operative for coupling an analog telephone to a digitized telephone signal carried as part of said digital data signal, said device further comprising:

a telephone connector for coupling an analog telephone signal to the analog telephone set; and

a converter coupled between said telephone connector and said modem for converting between the digitized telephone signal and the analog telephone signal.

140. The device according to claim 126 further operative to provide a computer bus interface, said device further comprising a computer connector and mechanical means for connecting and attaching said computer connector to a computer plug-in unit, said computer connector being coupled to said modem.

141. The device according to claim 140 wherein said computer bus interface is one of:

ISA interface, a PCMCIA interface, an IDE interface, and a SCSI interface.