Local area network of serial intelligent cells
First Claim
1. A device for use with AC power wiring, the wiring being connected to carry an AC power signal, said device comprising:
- an AC power connector configured for connecting to the AC power wiring;
a first data port configured for coupling to a first Digital Terminal Equipment (DTE);
a first data transceiver coupled to said first data port for bi-directional, serial digital data communication with the first DTE, said first data transceiver being operative to communicate with a mating data transceiver of substantially the same type;
a power supply comprising an AC/DC converter connected between said AC power connector and said first data transceiver, said power supply being connected to be powered by the AC power signal and to supply DC operating power to said first data transceiver;
a visual indicator connected to said power supply for indicating a status; and
a single enclosure housing said AC power connector, said first data port, said first data transceiver, said power supply and said visual indicator;
wherein said first data transceiver is a Local Area Network (LAN) transceiver, and said device is addressable in a LAN, andwherein said device further comprises;
a second data port for coupling to a second Digital Terminal Equipment (DTE); and
a second data transceiver coupled to said second data port for bi-directional packet-based serial digital data communication with the second DTE, wherein said first data transceiver and said second data transceiver are coupled to each other for passing at least part of the digital data between the first DTE and the second DTE.
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Accused Products
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.
1185 Citations
64 Claims
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1. A device for use with AC power wiring, the wiring being connected to carry an AC power signal, said device comprising:
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an AC power connector configured for connecting to the AC power wiring; a first data port configured for coupling to a first Digital Terminal Equipment (DTE); a first data transceiver coupled to said first data port for bi-directional, serial digital data communication with the first DTE, said first data transceiver being operative to communicate with a mating data transceiver of substantially the same type; a power supply comprising an AC/DC converter connected between said AC power connector and said first data transceiver, said power supply being connected to be powered by the AC power signal and to supply DC operating power to said first data transceiver; a visual indicator connected to said power supply for indicating a status; and a single enclosure housing said AC power connector, said first data port, said first data transceiver, said power supply and said visual indicator; wherein said first data transceiver is a Local Area Network (LAN) transceiver, and said device is addressable in a LAN, and wherein said device further comprises;
a second data port for coupling to a second Digital Terminal Equipment (DTE); and
a second data transceiver coupled to said second data port for bi-directional packet-based serial digital data communication with the second DTE, wherein said first data transceiver and said second data transceiver are coupled to each other for passing at least part of the digital data between the first DTE and the second DTE. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A device for use with AC power wiring, the wiring being connected to carry an AC power signal, said device comprising:
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an AC power connector configured for connecting to the AC power wiring; a first data port configured for coupling to a first Digital Terminal Equipment (DTE); a first data transceiver coupled to said first data port for bi-directional, serial digital data communication with the first DTE; a second data port configured for coupling to a second Digital Terminal Equipment (DTE); a second data transceiver coupled to said second data port for bi-directional, serial digital data communication with the second DTE; a power supply comprising an AC/DC converter connected between said AC power connector and said first and second data transceivers, said power supply being connected to be powered by the AC power signal and to supply DC operating power to said first and second data transceivers; a visual indicator connected to said power supply for indicating a status; and a single enclosure housing said AC power connector, said first and second data ports, said first and second data transceivers, said power supply and said visual indicator, wherein;
at least one of said first and second data transceivers is a Local Area Network (LAN) transceiver;
said first and second data transceivers are coupled to each other for passing data between the first and second DTEs; andwherein said device is addressable in a LAN. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A device for coupling an analog unit to a DTE for use with AC power wiring, the wiring being connected to carry an AC power signal, said device comprising:
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an AC power connector configured for connecting to the AC power wiring; a first data port configured for coupling to a first Digital Terminal Equipment (DTE); a first data transceiver coupled to said first data port for bi-directional, serial digital data communication with the first DTE, said first data transceiver being operative to communicate with a mating data transceiver of substantially the same type; a power supply comprising an AC/DC converter connected between said AC power connector and said first data transceiver, said power supply being connected to be powered by the AC power signal and to supply DC operating power to said first data transceiver; a visual indicator connected to said power supply for indicating a status; an analog connector connectable to an analog unit for coupling an analog signal to the analog unit; a converter between analog and digital data signals coupled between said first data port and said analog connector; and a single enclosure housing said AC power connector, said first data port, said first data transceiver, said analog connector, said converter, said power supply and said visual indicator; wherein said first data transceiver is a Local Area Network (LAN) transceiver, and wherein said device further comprises;
a second data port for coupling to a second Digital Terminal Equipment (DTE); and
a second data transceiver coupled to said second data port for bi-directional packet-based serial digital data communication with the second DTE, wherein said first data transceiver and said second data transceiver are coupled to each other for passing at of the digital data between the first DTE and the second DTE. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A device for use with AC power wiring, the wiring being connected to carry an AC power signal, said device comprising:
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an AC power connector configured for connecting to the AC power wiring; a first data port configured for coupling to a first Digital Terminal Equipment (DTE); a first data transceiver coupled to said first data port for bi-directional, serial digital data communication with the first DTE; a second data port for coupling to a second Digital Terminal Equipment (DTE); a second data transceiver coupled to said second data port for bi-directional, serial digital data communication with the second DTE; a power supply comprising an AC/DC converter connected between said AC power connector and said first and second data transceivers, said power supply being connected to be powered by the AC power signal and to supply DC operating power to said first and second data transceivers; an analog connector connectable to an analog unit for coupling an analog signal to the analog unit; a converter between analog and digital data signals coupled between said first data port and said analog connector; a visual indicator connected to said power supply for indicating a status; and a single enclosure housing said AC power connector, said first and second data ports, said first and second data transceivers, said analog connector, said converter, said power supply and said visual indicator, wherein;
at least one of said first and second data transceivers is a Local Area Network (LAN) transceiver; and
said first and second data transceivers are coupled to each other for passing data between the first and second DTEs. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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49. A device for coupling power and digital data in a network, for use with first and second point-to-point network wiring segments each comprising at least one twisted-wire pair and carrying DC power and digital data signals, the device comprising:
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a first transceiver configured for first full duplex serial digital data communication over the first wiring segment; a second transceiver configured for second full-duplex serial digital data communication over the second wiring segment; a third transceiver coupled to the first and second transceivers for full-duplex digital data communication with a data unit that is connectable to the device, and the device is configured for; i) coupling a first DC power signal and the first full-duplex serial digital data to the first wiring segment; ii) coupling a second DC power signal and the second full-duplex serial digital data to the second wiring segment; and iii) enabling coupling between the first and second full-duplex serial digital data and the data unit, wherein the first and second full-duplex serial digital data are independent from each other. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64)
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Specification