High-speed network of independently linked nodes
First Claim
1. An apparatus for linking communication stations within a geographical region in computer communication, comprising:
- a high speed backbone;
a plurality of branching nodes connected to the high speed backbone for relaying digital communications at baseband;
a plurality of communicating stations communicating over the backbone through the branching nodes, the branching nodes communicating stations each housed in different buildings; and
a home connection box having connectors for connecting a communicating station with a hub associated with its branching node, the connectors including a network communications connector and a power connector for supplying power from the communicating station to the hub;
wherein the branching nodes each comprise;
a hub directly connected with others of the branching nodes and directly interconnecting the plurality of communicating stations in digital communication; and
a power concentrator, the power concentrator receiving power from a plurality of communicating stations in communication with the branching node and powering the branching node with the received power, the received power being redundant, in that at least one of the communicating stations can go off-line without stopping power to the branching node.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of operating a network is beneficially conducted on a municipality or neighborhood level. The method in disclosed embodiments comprises installing a digital communications network within a limited selected geographical region. The network is formed from a high speed backbone and a plurality of nodes branching outward from the high speed backbone. A plurality of communicating stations are connected to the network and users at each communicating station subscribe to communicate over the network. Due to the unique scope of the network, the users are related primarily by virtue of their residence in a common geographical region. The network may be installed within a public utility right of way and may be used to monitor utility usage and to bill utility users. The network is thus independent of public telephone infrastructure. The network is preferably partitioned and communications are direct from station to station without broadcasting. Outside access, such as to the Internet is provided through gateways within the backbone.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus for linking communication stations within a geographical region in computer communication, comprising:
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a high speed backbone; a plurality of branching nodes connected to the high speed backbone for relaying digital communications at baseband; a plurality of communicating stations communicating over the backbone through the branching nodes, the branching nodes communicating stations each housed in different buildings; and a home connection box having connectors for connecting a communicating station with a hub associated with its branching node, the connectors including a network communications connector and a power connector for supplying power from the communicating station to the hub; wherein the branching nodes each comprise; a hub directly connected with others of the branching nodes and directly interconnecting the plurality of communicating stations in digital communication; and a power concentrator, the power concentrator receiving power from a plurality of communicating stations in communication with the branching node and powering the branching node with the received power, the received power being redundant, in that at least one of the communicating stations can go off-line without stopping power to the branching node. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7)
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6. An apparatus for linking communicating stations within a geographical region in computer communication, comprising:
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a high speed backbone; a plurality of communicating stations communicating over the backbone through branching nodes for relaying digital communications at baseband, the branching nodes each housed in different buildings, at least one of the communicating stations comprising a residence; a hub communicating with the high speed backbone and directly connected with the plurality of branching nodes and directly interconnecting the plurality of communicating stations in digital communication at baseband, the hub largely housed out of doors within environmentally controlled housings and powered by power from a plurality of power sources each located within a one of the different one of the plurality of the buildings; a protective pedestal housing the hub, the protective pedestal located out of doors; a power concentrator located within one or more a first of the branching nodes, the power concentrator receiving power from a two or more of the plurality of the communicating stations that are in communication with the first branching node and powering the first branching node with the received power, the received power being redundant, in that one or more of the communicating stations can go off-line without stopping power to the first branching node; and a home connection box having connectors adapted to connect a communicating station with the hub, the connectors including a network communications connector and a power connector for supplying power from the communicating station to the hub.
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8. A system for linking communication stations within a geographical region in computer communication, the system comprising:
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branching nodes, wherein each of the branching nodes comprises a hub and a power concentrator, wherein the hub of each branching node is connected to a backbone that is configured to relay digital communications at baseband, wherein the hub of each branching node is connected to one or more hubs of one or more other ones of the branching nodes through the backbone; communication stations connected to the branching nodes and configured to communicate over the backbone through the hubs of the branching nodes; a first home connection box having connectors configured to connect to a first of the communication stations to a first of the branching nodes, wherein the connectors include a network communications connector and a power connector, wherein the power connector is configured to supply power from the first communication station to the power concentrator of the first branching node; wherein the power concentrator of each branching node is configured to receive power from a plurality of the communication stations and to redundantly power that branching node with the received power. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification