Network combining wired and non-wired segments
DCFirst Claim
1. A module for coupling a wired digital data signal to a wireless data unit, for use with an existing wiring infrastructure in a building, the infrastructure including wiring at least in part in walls of the building and connected to one or more wall-mounted outlets, the wiring including at least one wire pair connected for concurrently carrying a wired digital data signal and a power signal, said module comprising:
- a first connector for connecting to one of the wall-mounted outlets for connection to the wiring;
a transceiver coupled to said first connector and operative for full-duplex packet-based serial digital data communication of the wired digital data signal with a single mating transceiver of the same type as said transceiver over the wiring using a wired digital data protocol;
a radio frequency modem operative for conducting standard-based bi-directional packet-based digital data communication of a wireless digital data signal using a wireless digital data protocol;
a packet-based digital protocol adapter including one of a bridge, a router and a gateway, coupled between said transceiver and said radio-frequency modem for converting data between the wireless digital data protocol and the wired digital data protocol; and
a single enclosure containing said first connector, said transceiver, said radio frequency modem and said protocol adapter,wherein said transceiver and said radio frequency modem are coupled to said first connector to be powered from the power signal carried over the wiring.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A local area network (60) within a residence or other building, including both wired (5) and non-wired segments (53). The wired segments are based on new or existing wires (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) in the building, wherein access to the wires is provided by means of outlets (61a, 61d), such as a telephone system, electrical power distribution system, or cable television wiring system. The non-wired segments are based on communication using propagated waves such as radio, sound, or light (e.g. infrared). The wired and non-wired segments interface in the outlet, using a module (50) that serves as mediator between the segments. The module can be integrated into the outlet, partially housed in the outlet, or attached externally to the outlet. Such a network allows for integrated communication of data units (24b) connected by wires and data units (24a, 24d) connected without wires.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A module for coupling a wired digital data signal to a wireless data unit, for use with an existing wiring infrastructure in a building, the infrastructure including wiring at least in part in walls of the building and connected to one or more wall-mounted outlets, the wiring including at least one wire pair connected for concurrently carrying a wired digital data signal and a power signal, said module comprising:
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a first connector for connecting to one of the wall-mounted outlets for connection to the wiring; a transceiver coupled to said first connector and operative for full-duplex packet-based serial digital data communication of the wired digital data signal with a single mating transceiver of the same type as said transceiver over the wiring using a wired digital data protocol; a radio frequency modem operative for conducting standard-based bi-directional packet-based digital data communication of a wireless digital data signal using a wireless digital data protocol; a packet-based digital protocol adapter including one of a bridge, a router and a gateway, coupled between said transceiver and said radio-frequency modem for converting data between the wireless digital data protocol and the wired digital data protocol; and a single enclosure containing said first connector, said transceiver, said radio frequency modem and said protocol adapter, wherein said transceiver and said radio frequency modem are coupled to said first connector to be powered from the power signal carried over the wiring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An outlet for coupling a wired digital data signal to a wireless data unit, for use with an existing wiring infrastructure in a building, the infrastructure including wiring at least in part in walls of the building and connected to one or more wall-mounted outlets, the wiring including at least one wire pair connected for concurrently carrying a wired digital data signal and a power signal, the outlet comprising:
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a first connector for connecting to the wiring; a transceiver coupled to said first connector and operative for full-duplex packet-based serial digital data communication of the wired digital data signal with a single mating transceiver of the same type as said transceiver over the wiring using a wired digital data protocol; a radio frequency modem operative for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication of a wireless digital data signal using a wireless digital data protocol; a packet-based digital protocol adapter including one of a bridge, a router and a gateway, coupled between said transceiver and said radio frequency modem for converting data between the wireless digital data protocol and the wired digital data protocol; and a single enclosure containing said connector, said transceiver, said radio frequency modem and said protocol adapter, wherein said enclosure is mountable to an outlet cavity or to an outlet opening, and wherein said transceiver and said radio frequency modem are coupled to said first connector to be powered from the power signal carried over the wiring. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A communications system network in a building, comprising:
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a plurality of wall-mounted standard outlets connected for carrying digital data to different rooms of the building, said outlets being wired together by building wiring connected for carrying a digital data signal and a power signal; a plurality of wireless receivers inside the building; and a plurality of modules, each attached externally to, and supported by, a respective one of said outlets, each of said modules containing; (i) a first transceiver configured for bi-directional digital data communication to and from the wiring leading from the respective outlet in accordance with a first communications protocol; (ii) an RF modem configured for bi-directional wireless digital data communication to and from at least one of the wireless receivers in accordance with a second communications protocol; and (iii) a protocol adapter coupling said first transceiver with said RF modem. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification