Multi-function modem device

• US 20060221995A1
• Filed: 04/04/2005
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Current Technologies LLC (Pattern Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Current Technologies LLC (Pattern Inc.)
• Inventors: Berkman, William H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,856,032 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/463
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5491 using filtering and bypassing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5692 Selection among different networks

Abstract

A communications device including a port that is capable of communicating with a user device, a controller connected to the port, a power line modem connected to the controller, and a network modem connected to the controller.

Claims

1. A communications device, comprising:

a first port that is configured to be coupled to a user device;

a controller connected to the first port;

a power line modem connected to the controller; and

a network modem connected to the controller

2. The communications device of claim 1, wherein the network modem is a cable modem.

3. The communications device of claim 1, wherein the network modem is a DSL modem.

4. The communications device of claim 1, wherein the network modem is a wireless modem.

5. The communications device of claim 4, further comprising an antenna in communication with the wireless modem.

6. The communications device of claim 4, wherein the wireless modem communicates with a wireless network.

7. The communications device of claim 4, wherein the wireless modem communicates with a power line communications device coupled to a medium voltage power line.

8. The communications device of claim 4, wherein the wireless modem communicates with a backhaul point.

9. The communications device of claim 1, wherein if the controller is unable to communicate data via the network modem, the controller communicates data via the power line modem.

10. The communications device of claim 1, wherein the controller sends and receives data from the power line modem and if the power line modem is unable to communicate data, then the controller sends and receives data from the network modem.

11. The communications device of claim 1, wherein the controller selects and transmits certain types of data over one of the power line modem and the network modem.

12. The communications device of claim 11, wherein the certain type of data is low latency data.

13. The communications device of claim 12, wherein the low latency data is voice data.

14. The communications device of claim 11, wherein the controller determines which of the power line modem and network modem is able to transmit a higher data rate and the controller transmits data using the modem with the higher rate.

15. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the communication device communicates with a bypass device coupled to a medium voltage power line and a low voltage power line;

and wherein the bypass is in communication with a backhaul point coupled to a medium voltage power line.

16. The communications device of claim 1, further comprising a second port that is connected to the controller.

17. The communication device of claim 16, wherein the first port has a first connection type and the second port has a second connection type different from the first connection type.

18. The communications device of claim 17, wherein the first port is an Ethernet port and the second port is a coaxial cable port.

19. The communications device of claim 17, wherein the first port is an universal serial bus port and the second port is a coaxial cable port.

20. A method of communicating data, comprising:

receiving user data from a user device;

selecting one of a power line modem or a network modem; and

transmitting the user data via the selected modem to an external network.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the network modem is a cable modem.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the network modem is a DSL modem.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the network modem is a wireless modem.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the wireless modem communicates with a wireless network.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the wireless modem communicates with a bypass device.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the wireless modem communicates with a backhaul point.

27. The method of claim 20, wherein selecting includes selecting the network modem when a network communication channel satisfies a predetermined performance condition and selecting the power line modem when the network communication channel does not satisfy the predetermined performance condition.

28. The method of claim 20, wherein selecting includes selecting the power line modem when a power line communication channel satisfies a predetermined performance condition and selecting the network modem when the power line communication channel does not satisfy the predetermined performance condition.

29. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

determining a performance characteristic of a power line communications channel coupled to the power line modem and of network communications channel coupled to the network modem;

wherein selecting a modem is based upon the performance characteristic.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the performance characteristic is data latency.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the performance characteristic is data rate.

32. The method of claim 20, wherein the user data includes data packets and receiving, selecting, and transmitting are performed for each data packet.

33. The method of claim 20, wherein the steps of claim 20 are performed by a multi-purpose computer.

34. The method of claim 33, where the step of receiving user data from a user device includes receiving data from an input device communicating with the multi-purpose computer.

35. A communications device, comprising:

a first port that is configured to be coupled to a user device;

a router connected to the first port;

a power line modem connected to the router;

a network modem connected to the router; and

a wireless modem connected to the router;

wherein the router is configured to route data from the first port to one of the power line modem, the network modem, and the wireless modem.