Modular outlet
First Claim
1. A device for coupling to a cable television (CATV) coaxial cable, the CATV coaxial cable being connected for carrying a CATV signal in a CATV signal frequency band, frequency multiplexed with a digital data signal in a digital data frequency band that is distinct from the CATV signal frequency band, the device comprising:
- a first coaxial connector for connecting to the CATV coaxial cable;
a first filter coupled to said first coaxial connector for substantially passing only signals in the digital data frequency band;
a coaxial cable modem coupled to said first filter for bidirectional digital data communication over the CATV coaxial cable;
a multi-port unit including one of;
a hub;
a switch;
a router; and
a gateway, coupled to said coaxial cable modem; and
a data transceiver coupled to said multi-port unit for data communication with the coaxial cable modem, and being operative to effect bi-directional digital data communication with a digital data unit;
a data connector coupled to the data transceiver for connecting to the digital data unit;
a power port connectable to receive a power signal from a power signal source;
a power supply comprising an AC/DC converter or a DC/DC converter, coupled between said power port and said coaxial cable modem for DC powering said coaxial cable modem and said data transceiver by the power signal;
first and second enclosures each containing power-consuming circuits connected to be powered from said power supply, wherein;
said first coaxial connector, said coaxial cable modem, said first filter, said power port, said power supply, said data connector, said data transceiver and said multi-port unit are each housed in one of said enclosures;
said first and second enclosures are removably and mechanically attached to each other and electrically connected to each other to enable power to be passed between them; and
said device is addressable in a digital data network.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In conjunction with a wiring in a house carrying data network signal, a modular outlet (100) includes a base module (100a) and interface module (100b). The base module connects to the wiring and is attached to the surface of a building. The interface module provides a data unit connection. The interface module is mechanically attached to the base module and electrically connected thereto. The wiring may also carry basic service signal such as telephone, electrical power and cable television (CATV). In such a case, the outlet provides the relevant connectivity either as part of the base module or as part of the interface module. Both proprietary and industry standard interfaces can be used to interconnect the module. Furthermore, a standard computer expansion card (such as PCI, PCMCIA and alike) may be used as interface module.
529 Citations
47 Claims
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1. A device for coupling to a cable television (CATV) coaxial cable, the CATV coaxial cable being connected for carrying a CATV signal in a CATV signal frequency band, frequency multiplexed with a digital data signal in a digital data frequency band that is distinct from the CATV signal frequency band, the device comprising:
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a first coaxial connector for connecting to the CATV coaxial cable; a first filter coupled to said first coaxial connector for substantially passing only signals in the digital data frequency band; a coaxial cable modem coupled to said first filter for bidirectional digital data communication over the CATV coaxial cable; a multi-port unit including one of;
a hub;
a switch;
a router; and
a gateway, coupled to said coaxial cable modem; anda data transceiver coupled to said multi-port unit for data communication with the coaxial cable modem, and being operative to effect bi-directional digital data communication with a digital data unit; a data connector coupled to the data transceiver for connecting to the digital data unit; a power port connectable to receive a power signal from a power signal source; a power supply comprising an AC/DC converter or a DC/DC converter, coupled between said power port and said coaxial cable modem for DC powering said coaxial cable modem and said data transceiver by the power signal; first and second enclosures each containing power-consuming circuits connected to be powered from said power supply, wherein; said first coaxial connector, said coaxial cable modem, said first filter, said power port, said power supply, said data connector, said data transceiver and said multi-port unit are each housed in one of said enclosures; said first and second enclosures are removably and mechanically attached to each other and electrically connected to each other to enable power to be passed between them; and said device is addressable in a digital data network. - 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)
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24. A device for coupling a unit to a cable television (CATV) coaxial cable, the CATV coaxial cable being connected for carrying a CATV signal in a CATV signal frequency band, frequency multiplexed with a digital data signal in a digital data frequency band that is distinct from the CATV signal frequency band, the device comprising:
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a first coaxial connector for connecting to the CATV coaxial cable; a first filter coupled to said first coaxial connector for substantially passing only signals in the digital data frequency band; a coaxial cable modem coupled to said first filter for bidirectional digital data communication over the CATV coaxial cable; a multi-port unit including one of;
a hub;
a switch;
a router; and
a gateway, coupled to said coaxial cable modem; anda data transceiver coupled to said multi-port unit for data communication with the coaxial cable modem, and being operative to effect bi-directional digital data communication with a digital data unit; a data connector coupled to the data transceiver for connecting to the digital data unit; a power port connectable to receive a power signal from a power signal source; a power supply comprising an AC/DC converter or a DC/DC converter, coupled between said power port and said coaxial cable modem for DC powering said coaxial cable modem and said data transceiver by the power signal; a single enclosure containing said first coaxial connector, said coaxial cable modem, said first filter, said data connector, said data transceiver, said power supply and said multi-port unit; wherein; said single enclosure and said unit are removably and mechanically attached to each other and electrically connected to each other to enable power to be passed between them; and said device is addressable in a digital data network. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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Specification