Network-to-network adaptor for power line communications
First Claim
1. A communications apparatus for communicatively coupling a first data network to at least a second data network using a same conventional electric power conveying media, the apparatus comprising:
- a connection means for coupling to the power conveying media; and
a transceiver communications interface coupled to the connection means and including a controller, wherein the controller includes a processor coupled to a memory and wherein the processor is adapted to utilize an encoding and decoding protocol for processing encoded data communication signals transmitted by a source device to a target electronic communications device such that data communications is achieved over the power conveying media between the target device and the source device, wherein each of the source and target devices is in the first or second network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable, pluggable power line communications device provides convenient interfacing and connectivity between separate data networks interconnected over the same conventional electric power conveying media. The power line communications device plugs into a single electrical outlet, and includes a controller that is programmable at the device or remotely. Remote programming is achieved over the same power media to which the communications device is coupled, or by wireless link. The power line communications device controls data communications signal transfer over the common electric wiring of a local network, and conducts high-speed communications and download of multimedia signals from an upstream network controllers using the common electric power media. The data communications signals of the co-existing, different networks are encoded to permit differentiation at the power line communications device.
176 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A communications apparatus for communicatively coupling a first data network to at least a second data network using a same conventional electric power conveying media, the apparatus comprising:
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a connection means for coupling to the power conveying media; and
a transceiver communications interface coupled to the connection means and including a controller, wherein the controller includes a processor coupled to a memory and wherein the processor is adapted to utilize an encoding and decoding protocol for processing encoded data communication signals transmitted by a source device to a target electronic communications device such that data communications is achieved over the power conveying media between the target device and the source device, wherein each of the source and target devices is in the first or second network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for interfacing at least first and second networks, wherein said first and second networks operate over a common conventional electrical power conveying media, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving from the media an encoded first data communications signal having a first identification code and transmitted by a first network transmitter;
decoding said first signal;
processing the encoded data included in said decoded first signal;
creating a second data communications signal for transmission to a target communications device having a destination address included in the encoding of the first signal;
encoding said second encoded signal using a second identification code; and
transmitting said second signal over the media to said target device. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification