Local area network of serial intelligent cells
DCFirst Claim
1. A local area network in a building for carrying power and digital data, said network comprising:
- a first node including a first data port for coupling to a first data unit, a second node including a second data port for coupling to a second data unit and a third node including a third data port for coupling to a third data unit;
a first wiring segment having two ends and comprising at least one first twisted wire pair at least in part in walls of a building, wherein each end of said first wiring segment is terminated in a respective first terminating connector, at least one of the first terminating connectors is part of an outlet, said first wiring segment connects only said first and second nodes in a point-to-point connection for a first full-duplex data communication of serial digital data over said first wiring segment between the first and second nodes, and said first wiring segment concurrently carries a first DC power signal substantially without interfering with the first communication of serial digital data; and
a second wiring segment having two ends and comprising at least one second twisted wire pair at least in part in walls of a building, wherein each end of said second wiring segment is terminated in a respective second terminating connector, at least one of the second terminating connectors is part of an outlet, said second wiring segment connects only said first and third nodes in a point-to-point connection for a second full-duplex communication of serial digital data over said second wiring segment between the first and third nodes, and said second wiring segment concurrently carries a second DC power signal substantially without interfering with the second communication of serial digital data;
wherein;
said network is operative to effect the second communication independently from the first communication,said first node is connectable to a power source to be powered from the power source, and the first and second DC power signals are provided by the power source,said second node is at least in part powered by the first DC power signal,said third node is at least in part powered by the second DC power signal,each node is operative to couple serial digital data to a connected data unit via a respective data port for coupling to the connected data unit digital data carried over said first or second wiring segment, andthe first and second DC power signals are current limited.
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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.
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Citations
149 Claims
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1. A local area network in a building for carrying power and digital data, said network comprising:
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a first node including a first data port for coupling to a first data unit, a second node including a second data port for coupling to a second data unit and a third node including a third data port for coupling to a third data unit; a first wiring segment having two ends and comprising at least one first twisted wire pair at least in part in walls of a building, wherein each end of said first wiring segment is terminated in a respective first terminating connector, at least one of the first terminating connectors is part of an outlet, said first wiring segment connects only said first and second nodes in a point-to-point connection for a first full-duplex data communication of serial digital data over said first wiring segment between the first and second nodes, and said first wiring segment concurrently carries a first DC power signal substantially without interfering with the first communication of serial digital data; and a second wiring segment having two ends and comprising at least one second twisted wire pair at least in part in walls of a building, wherein each end of said second wiring segment is terminated in a respective second terminating connector, at least one of the second terminating connectors is part of an outlet, said second wiring segment connects only said first and third nodes in a point-to-point connection for a second full-duplex communication of serial digital data over said second wiring segment between the first and third nodes, and said second wiring segment concurrently carries a second DC power signal substantially without interfering with the second communication of serial digital data; wherein; said network is operative to effect the second communication independently from the first communication, said first node is connectable to a power source to be powered from the power source, and the first and second DC power signals are provided by the power source, said second node is at least in part powered by the first DC power signal, said third node is at least in part powered by the second DC power signal, each node is operative to couple serial digital data to a connected data unit via a respective data port for coupling to the connected data unit digital data carried over said first or second wiring segment, and the first and second DC power signals are current limited. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A device for coupling power and digital data in a local area network, for use with first and second point-to-point local area network wiring segments each comprising at least one twisted-wire pair and carrying DC power and full-duplex serial digital data signals, said device comprising:
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a first connector for connecting to said first wiring segment, for coupling a first DC power signal and first full-duplex serial digital data to said first wiring segment; a first transceiver coupled to said first connector for communication of the first full duplex serial digital data with a transceiver of the same type as said first transceiver over said first wiring segment; a second connector for connecting to said second wiring segment for coupling a second DC power signal and second full-duplex serial digital data to said second wiring segment; a second transceiver coupled to said second connector for communication of the second full-duplex serial digital data with a transceiver of the same type as said second transceiver over said second wiring segment; a third transceiver coupled to said first and second transceivers for full-duplex digital data communication with a data unit, a data connector coupled to said third transceiver for connecting to the data unit for coupling between the first and second full-duplex serial digital data and the data unit; a power connector for coupling to a power source that supplies the first and second DC power signals; and first and second current limiting circuits respectively coupled between said power connector and the first and second connectors for respectively current limiting of the first and second DC power signals, wherein the first and second full-duplex serial digital data are independent and distinct from each other. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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56. A local area network in a building for wired coupling of a plurality of nodes, the network comprising:
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first, second, third and fourth nodes; and first, second and third point-to-point wiring segments, each wiring segment comprising at least two conductors, wherein; said first wiring segment is connected only between said first and second nodes for carrying out half-duplex or full-duplex point-to-point digital data communication of first serial digital data and for simultaneously carrying a first power signal, said first node couples the first power signal to said first wiring segment, and said second node is operative to be at least in part powered by the first power signal, said second wiring segment is connected only between said second and third nodes for carrying out half-duplex or full-duplex point-to-point digital data communication of second serial digital data and for simultaneously carrying a second power signal, said second node couples the second power signal to said second wiring segment, and said third node is operative to be at least in part powered by the second power signal, said third wiring segment is connected only between said second and fourth nodes for carrying out half-duplex or full-duplex point-to-point digital data communication of third serial digital data and for simultaneously carrying a third power signal, said second node couples the third power signal to said third wiring segment, and said fourth node is operative to be at least in part powered by the third power signal, and said second node is operative for passing therethrough; at least part of the first serial digital data and the second serial digital data; at least part of the first serial digital data and the third serial digital data, and at least part of the power from the first power signal to the second and third power signals. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81)
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82. A device for configuring a network for communication and power coupling communication data and power between a first wiring segment and second and third wiring segments, for use with first, second and third point-to-point wiring segments in a building each having two ends, each wiring segment having at least two conductors and simultaneously carrying serial digital data and power signals, said device comprising:
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a first connector for connecting to one end of the first wiring segment that simultaneously carries a first serial bi-directional digital data signal and a first power signal; a first transceiver coupled to said first connector for conducting point to point communication over the first wiring segment with a mating transceiver connected to the other end;
a second connector for connecting to the second wiring segment that simultaneously carries a second serial bi-directional digital data signal and a second power signal;a second transceiver coupled to said second connector for conducting point to point communication over the second wiring segment, wherein said second transceiver is coupled to said first transceiver for passing at least part of the first data between said first and second transceivers, and said second connector is coupled to said first connector for forming the second power signal from power contained in the first power signal; a third connector for connecting to the third wiring segment that simultaneously carries a third serial bi-directional digital data signal and a third power signal; a third transceiver coupled to said third connector for conducting point to point communication over the third wiring segment, wherein said third transceiver is coupled to said first transceiver for passing at least part of the first data between said first and third transceivers, wherein said third connector is coupled to said first connector for forming the third power signal from power contained in the first power signal; and a single enclosure housing said first, second and third connectors and said first, second and third transceivers. - View Dependent Claims (83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110)
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111. A device for coupling to a DC power signal and a packet-based full-duplex serial digital data signal simultaneously carried over an Ethernet-based local area network (LAN) wiring comprising at least one twisted-wire pair, said device comprising:
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a LAN wiring connector for connecting to the wiring; a power/data splitter having first, second and third ports, wherein only the DC power signal is passed from said first port to said second port, and only the digital data signal is passed between said first and third ports, and wherein said power/data splitter comprises at least one center tap transformer, and wherein said first port is coupled to said LAN wiring connector; a LAN transceiver coupled to said third port of said power/data splitter for point-to-point communication of the packet-based full duplex serial digital data with a transceiver of the same type as said LAN transceiver over said LAN wiring; a power supply for DC voltage converting coupled to and powered from said second port of said power/data splitter, said power supply having a power source port; a diode bridge coupled between said LAN wiring connector and said power supply for ensuring proper voltage polarity feeding to said power supply in case of wires swapping, wherein said LAN transceiver is connected to said power source port for being powered from said power supply; a data port coupled to said LAN transceiver and connectable to a data unit for coupling the packet-based full-duplex serial digital data signal to the data unit; and a visual indicator powered by said power supply for indicating the device status, wherein the device is addressable in the LAN. - View Dependent Claims (112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131)
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132. A device for coupling to a cable that simultaneously carries a DC power signal over two dedicated conductors and a half-duplex serial digital data signal over at least one twisted-wire pair, said device comprising:
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a wiring connector for connecting to the cable; a transceiver coupled to said wiring connector for being powered from the DC power signal and for point-to-point communication of the half duplex serial digital data with a transceiver of the same type as said LAN transceiver over said cable; a data port coupled to said transceiver and couplable to a data unit for coupling the half-duplex serial digital data signal to the data unit; and a visual indicator coupled to said wiring connector to be powered by the power signal for indicating a status of said device, wherein;
said device is addressable;
the data unit is a wired digital data unit;
said data port comprises a digital data connector connectable to the wired digital data unit; and
said device further comprises a further second transceiver coupled between said transceiver and said digital data connector for bi-directional digital data communication with said wired digital data unit.- View Dependent Claims (133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141)
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142. A device for coupling to a cable that simultaneously carries a DC power signal over two dedicated conductors and a half-duplex serial digital data signal over at least one twisted-wire pair, said device comprising:
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a wiring connector for connecting to the cable; a transceiver coupled to said wiring connector for being powered from the DC power signal and for point-to-point communication of the half duplex serial digital data with a transceiver of same type as said LAN transceiver over said cable; a data port coupled to said transceiver and couplable to a data unit for coupling the half-duplex serial digital data signal to the data unit; and a visual indicator coupled to said wiring connector to be powered by the power signal for indicating a status of said device, wherein;
said device is addressable; and
said device further comprises firmware and a processor executing said firmware, and wherein said processor is coupled to said transceiver for controlling said transceiver.
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143. A device for coupling to a cable that simultaneously carries a DC power signal over two dedicated conductors and a half-duplex serial digital data signal over at least one twisted-wire pair, said device comprising:
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a wiring connector for connecting to the cable; a transceiver coupled to said wiring connector for being powered from the DC power signal and for point-to-point communication of the half duplex serial digital data with a transceiver of the same type as said LAN transceiver over said cable; a data port coupled to said transceiver and couplable to a data unit for coupling the half-duplex serial digital data signal to the data unit; and a visual indicator coupled to said wiring connector to be powered by the power signal for indicating a status of said device, wherein;
said device is addressable;
said device is further operative for sensing a physical phenomenon;
said data unit is an analog sensor for sensing a physical phenomenon; and
said device further comprises an analog to digital converter coupled between said data port and said transceiver for converting analog signals to digital signals. - View Dependent Claims (144)
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145. A device for coupling to a cable that simultaneously carries a DC power signal over two dedicated conductors and a half-duplex serial digital data signal over at least one twisted-wire pair, said device comprising:
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a wiring connector for connecting to the cable; a transceiver coupled to said wiring connector for being powered from the DC power signal and for point-to-point communication of the half duplex serial digital data with a transceiver of the same type as said LAN transceiver over said cable; a data port coupled to said transceiver and couplable to a data unit for coupling the half-duplex serial digital data signal to the data unit; and a visual indicator coupled to said wiring connector to be powered by the power signal for indicating a status of said device, wherein;
said device is addressable;
said device is further operative for producing a physical phenomenon;
said data unit is an analog actuator for producing the physical phenomenon; and
said device further comprises a digital to analog converter coupled between said data port and said transceiver for converting digital signals to analog signals. - View Dependent Claims (146)
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147. A device for coupling to a cable that simultaneously carries a DC power signal over two dedicated conductors and a half-duplex serial digital data signal over at least one twisted-wire pair, said device comprising:
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a wiring connector for connecting to the cable; a transceiver coupled to said wiring connector for being powered from the DC power signal and for point-to-point communication of the half duplex serial digital data with a transceiver of the same type as said LAN transceiver over said cable; a data port coupled to said transceiver and couplable to a data unit for coupling the half-duplex serial digital data signal to the data unit; and a visual indicator coupled to said wiring connector to be powered by the power signal for indicating a status of said device, wherein;
said device is addressable;
said device is further operative for telephony use;
the packet-based full-duplex serial digital data signal comprises digitized telephony data;
the data unit is a telephony apparatus connected to constitute a termination of a telephone link; and
said device further comprises a converter coupled between said transceiver and said data port for coupling the digitized telephony data to the telephony apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (148, 149)
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Specification