Network combining wired and non-wired segments
First Claim
1. A device for non-wired coupling of a wired digital data signal to a non-wired data unit, for use with an existing electrical AC power distribution infrastructure, the infrastructure having a power wire pair carrying an AC power signal, said power wire pair concurrently carrying a bi-directional wired digital data signal and an AC power signal using frequency division multiplexing, wherein the wired digital data signal is carried over a high frequency band and the AC power signal is carried over a low frequency band, said device comprising:
- a power connector connectable to the power wire pair;
a power supply coupled to said power connector for powering said device;
a high pass filter coupled to said power connector for passing only the wired digital data signal;
a power wiring modem coupled to the high pass filter for coupling to the bi-directional wired digital data signal;
a non-wired modem for bi-directional transport of a non-wired digital data signal and for coupling the non-wired digital data signal to the non-wired data unit;
a multiport device consisting of one of a bridge, a router and a gateway coupled to said power wiring modem and said non-wired modem for converting the non-wired digital data signal and the wired digital data signal and vice versa; and
a single enclosure containing said power connector, said power supply, said high pass filter, said power wiring modem, said non-wired modem and said multiport device, wherein said enclosure is mechanically attachable to the existing electrical AC power distribution infrastructure.
14 Assignments
0 Petitions
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
17 Claims
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1. A device for non-wired coupling of a wired digital data signal to a non-wired data unit, for use with an existing electrical AC power distribution infrastructure, the infrastructure having a power wire pair carrying an AC power signal, said power wire pair concurrently carrying a bi-directional wired digital data signal and an AC power signal using frequency division multiplexing, wherein the wired digital data signal is carried over a high frequency band and the AC power signal is carried over a low frequency band, said device comprising:
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a power connector connectable to the power wire pair; a power supply coupled to said power connector for powering said device; a high pass filter coupled to said power connector for passing only the wired digital data signal; a power wiring modem coupled to the high pass filter for coupling to the bi-directional wired digital data signal; a non-wired modem for bi-directional transport of a non-wired digital data signal and for coupling the non-wired digital data signal to the non-wired data unit; a multiport device consisting of one of a bridge, a router and a gateway coupled to said power wiring modem and said non-wired modem for converting the non-wired digital data signal and the wired digital data signal and vice versa; and a single enclosure containing said power connector, said power supply, said high pass filter, said power wiring modem, said non-wired modem and said multiport device, wherein said enclosure is mechanically attachable to the existing electrical AC power distribution infrastructure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A device for non-wired coupling of a non-wired data unit to a wired data unit, said device comprising:
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means for detachably electrically and mechanically coupling said device to an AC power outlet; a data connector connectable to the wired data unit; a wiring modem coupled to said data connector for coupling to the wired data unit using bi-directional transport of a wired digital data signal; a non-wired modem for bidirectional transport of a non-wired digital data signal for coupling the non-wired digital data signal to the non-wired data unit; a multiport device consisting of one of a bridge, a router and a gateway coupled to said wiring modem and said non-wired modem for converting the non-wired digital data signal to the wired digital data signal and vice versa; and a single enclosure containing said data connector, said wiring modem, said non-wired modem and said multiport device. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification