Local area network of serial intelligent cells

• US 7,969,917 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2009
• Issued: 06/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MOSAID Technologies Inc. (f/k/a Conversant Intellectual Property Management)
• Original Assignee: Mosaid Technologies Incorporated (MOSAID Technologies Inc. (f/k/a Conversant Intellectual Property Management))
• Inventors: Binder, Yehuda
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham; Chi H
• Assistant Examiner(s): BOAKYE, ALEXANDER O
• Application Number:
  US12/633,071
• Publication Number:
  US 20100154022A1
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 370/260, 370/478, 370/479, 370/295, 370/335, 370/337, 370/342, 370/344, 370/343, 370/347, 370/436, 370/441, 370/502, 370/254, 370/503
• US Class Current: 370/260
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5437 Wired telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/545 Audio/video application, e.g. interphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5458 Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/542 the information being in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2845 Telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/14 Two-way operation using the same type of signal, i.e. duplex
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/00 Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications user-to-user messaging H04L51/00; network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/02 providing ringing current or supervisory tones, e.g. dialling tone or busy tone
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 370/908 Local area network

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.

Claims

1. A device for coupling a video signal to, and to be powered from, a Local Area Network (LAN) cable connected for concurrently carrying serial digital data and a DC power signal, the device comprising, in a single enclosure:

a video camera for producing a digitized video signal;

a LAN connector for connecting to the LAN cable;

a LAN transceiver for transmitting the serial digital data to, or for receiving the serial digital data from, the LAN cable, the LAN transceiver being coupled between said LAN connector and said video camera for coupling said digitized video signal onto the serial digital data; and

a power supply comprising a DC/DC converter coupled to said LAN connector for being powered by the DC power signal,

wherein said video camera and said LAN transceiver are connected to be powered from said power supply.

2. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a visual indicator coupled to said power supply for indicating a status.

3. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a protection device connected between said LAN connector and said power supply.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein said protection device is at least one of a fuse, a lightning arrester, and a noise filter.

5. The device according to claim 1 wherein said single enclosure is constructed to have at least one of the following:

a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet;

wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet;

a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and

a form to substitute for a standard outlet.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is addressable in a LAN.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the device is addressable in the LAN connected via said LAN cable.

8. The device according to claim 6, further comprising at least one manual switch for manually assigning an address to said device.

9. The device according to claim 6, wherein said device has an address that is automatically assigned or assigned by a data unit connected to said device.

10. The device according to claim 1, further comprising an analog connector and an analog to digital converter for converting between analog and digital signals coupled between said analog connector and said LAN transceiver.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein said LAN transceiver is operative to perform bi-directional communication with one or more identical LAN transceivers connected to said LAN cable.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein said LAN transceiver is operative to perform full-duplex point-to-point communication with only a single other LAN transceiver over said LAN cable.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the communication over said LAN cable conforms to an Ethernet standard.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein said LAN cable comprises two separate sets of wires each carrying only a respective one of the digital data signal and the DC power signal.

15. The device according to claim 1, further comprising firmware and a processor executing said firmware, said processor being coupled at least to control said LAN transceiver, and wherein said processor is coupled to be powered from said DC power supply.

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein said single enclosure is dimensioned to be wall-mountable into a mating wall opening, or to an outlet receptacle, or into an outlet opening.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein said DC converter is configured to be powered only by the power signal.

18. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a data/power splitter having first, second and third ports, wherein only power is passed from said first port to said second port, and the digital data signal is passed between said first and third ports, and wherein said first port is connected to said LAN connector, said second port is connected to said power supply and said third port is connected to said LAN transceiver.

19. A device for coupling a video signal to, and to be powered from, a Local Area Network (LAN) cable connected for concurrently carrying serial digital data and a power signal, the device comprising, in a single enclosure:

a video camera for producing a digitized video signal;

a LAN connector for connecting to the LAN cable;

a LAN transceiver for transmitting the serial digital data to, or for receiving the serial digital data from, the LAN cable, the LAN transceiver being coupled between said LAN connector and said video camera for coupling said digitized video signal onto the serial digital data;

a power supply including a voltage converter coupled to said LAN connector for being powered by the power signal; and

an analog to digital converter for converting between analog and digital signals coupled between said video camera and said LAN transceiver,

wherein said video camera and said LAN transceiver are connected to be powered from said power supply.

20. A device for coupling a video signal to, and to be powered from, a Local Area Network (LAN) cable connected for concurrently carrying serial digital data and a power signal, the device comprising, in a single enclosure:

a video camera for producing a digitized video signal;

a LAN connector for connecting to the LAN cable;

a LAN transceiver for transmitting the serial digital data to, or for receiving the serial digital data from, the LAN cable, the LAN transceiver being coupled between said LAN connector and said video camera for coupling said digitized video signal onto the serial digital data; and

a power supply including a voltage converter coupled to said LAN connector for being powered by the power signal,

wherein said video camera and said LAN transceiver are connected to be powered from said power supply, and

wherein the serial digital data and power signals are multiplexed and carried over the same conductors over the LAN cable.

21. The device according to claim 20, further comprising a data/power splitter having first, second and third ports, wherein only power is passed from said first port to said second port, and the digital data signal is passed between said first and third ports, and wherein said first port is connected to said LAN connector, said second port is connected to said power supply and said third port is connected to said LAN transceiver.