Power line communications module and method
First Claim
1. A method using a device to provide communications to a customer premises via an external low voltage power line, wherein the device is located external to the customer premises, comprising:
- receiving first data via the external low voltage power line;
wireless transmitting the first data to a first wireless device disposed at the customer premises;
wirelessly receiving second data from the first wireless device disposed at the customer premises;
transmitting the second data over the external low voltage power line;
operating in a first mode of operation in which repeating is enabled by performing the steps of;
receiving second device data communicated over an internal low voltage power line of the customer premises from a second device at the customer premises; and
transmitting the second device data over the external low voltage power line;
operating in a second mode of operation in which repeating is disabled by performing the steps of;
receiving power line data via the internal low voltage power line of the customer premises from the second device; and
not transmitting the received power line data over a power line.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system, device and method for providing communications to a plurality of customer premises via one or more external low voltage power lines is provided. One embodiment of the system includes a power line communication device comprising a first modem configured to communicate over the one or more external low voltage power lines. The system further includes a plurality of wireless interface devices, each located at, and external to, a respective one of the plurality of customer premises. Each wireless interface device may includes a first communication module configured to communicate with the power line communication device via the external low voltage power line; and a second communication module in communication with the first communication module and configured to provide wireless communications for one or more remote devices within the respective customer premises.
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Citations
48 Claims
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1. A method using a device to provide communications to a customer premises via an external low voltage power line, wherein the device is located external to the customer premises, comprising:
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receiving first data via the external low voltage power line; wireless transmitting the first data to a first wireless device disposed at the customer premises; wirelessly receiving second data from the first wireless device disposed at the customer premises; transmitting the second data over the external low voltage power line; operating in a first mode of operation in which repeating is enabled by performing the steps of; receiving second device data communicated over an internal low voltage power line of the customer premises from a second device at the customer premises; and transmitting the second device data over the external low voltage power line; operating in a second mode of operation in which repeating is disabled by performing the steps of; receiving power line data via the internal low voltage power line of the customer premises from the second device; and not transmitting the received power line data over a power line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 45, 47, 48)
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17. A device for providing communications over an external low voltage power line supplying power to a customer premises having an internal low voltage power line network, comprising:
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a first communication module configured to communicate over the external low voltage power line and the internal low voltage power line network of the customer premises; a second communication module in communication with said first communication module and configured to provide wireless communications for one or more remote devices; a processor in communication with said first communication module and said second communication module; said processor having first mode of operation in which said processor is operable to cause said first communication module to repeat data by re-transmitting data over a power line that is received via a power line; said processor having a second mode of operation in which said processor is operable to cause said first communication module to not repeat data that is received via a power line; and wherein said first and second communication modules and said processor form at least part of an assembly configured to be installed external to the customer premises and co-located with an electric utility meter. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 44)
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29. A system for providing communications to a plurality of customer premises via one or more external low voltage power lines and each customer premises having an internal power line network, comprising:
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a power line communication device comprising a first modem configured to communicate over the one or more external low voltage power lines; a plurality of wireless interface devices, each located at, and external to, a respective one of the plurality of customer premises and wherein each wireless interface device includes; a first communication module configured to communicate with said power line communication device via the external low voltage power line and configured to communicate over the internal power line network of a customer premises; a second communication module in communication with said first communication module and configured to provide wireless communications for one or more remote devices within the respective customer premises; each of said plurality of wireless interface devices having first mode of operation in which said first communication module is configured to repeat data by re-transmitting data over a power line that is received via either of the external low voltage power line and the internal power line network of the customer premises; and each of said plurality of wireless interface devices having a second mode of operation in which said first communication module is configured to not repeat data that is received via a power line. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46)
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Specification