Device and method for coupling with electrical distribution network infrastructure to provide communications

• US 20040113756A1
• Filed: 03/10/2003
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Current Technologies LLC (Pattern Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Current Technologies LLC (Pattern Inc.)
• Inventors: Mollenkopf, James Douglas
• Granted Patent: US 6,980,090 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/310.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5483 using coupling circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5491 using filtering and bypassing
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/542 the information being in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/56 Circuits for coupling, blocking, or by-passing of signals

Abstract

The present invention provides a device for providing communications through power lines that are communicatively coupled to an electrical distribution network infrastructure and to the internal wiring of at least one customer premises having one or more communication devices therein. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a coupler configured to be coupled to the electrical distribution network infrastructure, a modem in communication with the coupler to communicate data through the power lines; and a wireless transceiver in communication with said modem. In some embodiments, the electrical distribution network infrastructure may be a structure that uses electricity, such as a street light.

Claims

1. A device for providing communications through external power lines that are communicatively coupled to an electrical distribution network infrastructure and the internal wiring of at least one customer premises having one or more communication devices therein, comprising:

a coupler configured to be coupled to the electrical distribution network infrastructure;

a modem in communication with the coupler to communicate data through the external power lines; and

a wireless transceiver in communication with said modem.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the electrical distribution network infrastructure uses electricity.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the electrical distribution network infrastructure comprises a street light.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said coupler comprises a plug adapted to plug into a socket of the street light.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the coupler further comprises a socket adapted to receive a plug of a photocell and said coupler provides a conductive path supplying power from the street light to the photocell.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the coupler comprises a male portion.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the coupler further comprises a female portion.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a power supply configured to supply power to said modem and said wireless transceiver and wherein said power supply is configured to receive power through said coupler.

9. The device of claim 2, wherein the electrical distribution network infrastructure comprises a traffic light.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the electrical distribution network infrastructure comprises a first customer premises communicatively coupled to a second customer premises via the external power lines.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the external power lines are underground power lines.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising a router in communication with said modem.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein said coupler includes a plug adapted to plug into a receptacle.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein said coupler comprises a clamp for clamping onto a conductor of the power line.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the external power lines comprise a first hot conductor.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the external power lines comprise a second hot conductor.

17. A device for coupling to a power line to provide data communications, comprising:

a coupler comprising;

a male portion adapted to mate with a female receptacle to provide an electrical coupling to the power line;

a female portion electrically coupled to said male portion and adapted to receive a male projection; and

a transceiver communicatively coupled to said male portion to communicate data through the power line.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein said transceiver is communicatively coupled to said male portion via a filter and an amplifier.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein said transceiver comprises a modem and further comprising a wireless transceiver in communication with said modem.

20. The device of claim 19, further comprising a router in communication with said modem.

21. The device of claim 19, further comprising a power supply configured to receive power through said coupler and to supply power to said modem.

22. A device for providing communications through external power lines that are communicatively coupled to an electrical distribution network infrastructure that uses electricity and the internal wiring of at least one customer premises having one or more communication devices therein, comprising:

a coupler configured to communicatively couple to the electrical distribution network infrastructure;

a modem in communication with said coupler to communicate data through the external power lines;

a wireless transceiver in communication with said modem; and

a power supply configured to supply power to said modem and said transceiver and wherein said power supply is configured to receive power through said coupler.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the electrical distribution network infrastructure comprises a street light.

24. The device of claim 22, wherein said coupler comprises a plug adapted to plug into a receptacle.

25. The device of claim 22, further comprising a router in communication with said modem.

26. A device for providing communications through external power lines that are communicatively coupled to an external electrical distribution network infrastructure that uses electricity and the internal wiring of at least one customer premises having one or more communication devices therein, comprising:

a coupler configured to be coupled to the external electrical distribution network infrastructure; and

a modem in communication with the coupler to communicate data through the external power lines.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein the electrical distribution network infrastructure comprises a street light.

28. The device of claim 26, further comprising a wireless transceiver in communication with said modem.