Intra-premises communication system

• US 5,722,076 A
• Filed: 05/18/1995
• Issued: 02/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Asahi Matsushita Electric Works Ltd. (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Asahi Matsushita Electric Works Ltd. (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Shimada, Isao, Komoda, Yoshiyuki, Takehara, Kiyotaka, Nakamura, Teruhito, Sakabe, Masashi, Saeki, Takashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tieu, Binh K.
• Application Number:
  US08/443,439
• Time in Patent Office: 1,013 Days
• Field of Search: 379/58-60, 379/61-62, 379/56-57, 340/825.79, 439/676, 174/153 A, 370/60, 455/54.1, 455/33.1, 455/33.2, 455/450, 455/451, 455/452, 455/453, 455/454, 455/426, 455/67.1, 455/507, 455/517
• US Class Current: 455/450
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/733 with a plurality of base stations connected to a plurality of lines for selection in cordless PBX H04W84/16

Abstract

An intra-premises communication system enables the use of a preinstalled wired transmission channels, yet allowing a particular communication system to be located at a desired region in the premises. The system comprises an exchange box adapted to be installed in the premises and provided with different interfaces for connection to different networks. A plurality of the wired transmission channels extend from the exchange box and terminate to receptacles which are installed in the premises and have common connectors. A plurality of indoor wireless terminals of different types are provided for use within the premises. A plurality of local transmitter-receivers of different types are provided in correspondence to the types of the wireless terminals. Each of the local transmitter-receivers is detachably and selectively mounted to the common connector of the receptacle for wired communication with one of the networks through the associated transmission channel. The local transmitter-receivers have individual antennas or the like member for wireless communication with at least one of the terminals. The exchange box includes a switch for connecting the transmission channels selectively to particular ones of the interfaces, thereby allocating local transmitter-receivers and the associated terminals to the different networks. The receptacles can be preinstalled in the like fashion as the conventional electrical receptacles so that a desired wireless communication system can be located at a suitable region simply by mounting the local transmitter-receiver of the selected type to the common connector of the receptacle.

Claims

1. An intra-premises communication system comprising:

an exchange box mounted in premises and having different interfaces for connection to different networks;

a plurality of wired transmission channels routed in the premises to extend from said exchange box and terminate to receptacles installed in said premises, and said receptacles having a common connector;

a plurality of indoor wireless terminals of different types; and

a plurality of local transmitter-receivers of different types each detachably and selectively mounted to said common connector of the receptacle for wired communication with one of said different networks through the associated transmission channel, each of said local transmitter-receivers having means for wireless communicating with at least one of said terminals and having conversion means for converting between information carried by way of said wired communication through said transmission channel and the information carried by way of said wireless communication,

said exchange box having switch means for selectively connecting said transmission channels to particular ones of said interfaces in order to allocate the local transmitter-receivers of the different networks.

2. An intra-premises communication system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said wireless terminals include data terminals and wherein said local transmitter-receiver includes means which is cooperative with one of said interfaces to construct a local area network which enables data transmission among said data terminals.

3. An intra-premises communication system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said wireless terminals include personal handy phone terminals and wherein said local transmitter-receiver includes means for intercommunication with said phone terminals, said interface comprising a private branch exchange (PBX) for connecting of said transmission channels to an outside network.

4. An intra-premises communication system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said interfaces are arranged to enable intercommunication between said networks.

5. An intra-premises communication system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said receptacle comprises a base plate carrying a pair of mounting brackets which are pivotally supported at one end to said base plate, and a pair of screws each extending through a periphery of said base plate and through an intermediate portion of said bracket, said base plate having a circumference which abuts against a periphery of a mounting hole provided in a mounting surface of said premises with said brackets projecting through said mounting hole, said screws being in threaded engagement with said brackets in such a manner that tightening of screws causes said brackets to expand behind said mounting surface for gripping the periphery of said mounting hole between said bracket and said circumference of said base plate.

6. An intra-premises communication system as set forth in claim 5, wherein said receptacle has a pair of electrical contacts connected to a power source, said receptacle being formed with a pair of slots which engages with prongs projecting from said local transmitter-receiver, said electrical contacts being positioned adjacent said slots to be in electrical connection with said prongs for supplying an electric power to said local transmitter-receiver.

7. An intra-premises communication system as set forth in claim 5, wherein said receptacle has said connector in the form of a modular jack connected to said transmission channel, said local transmitter-receiver having a plug detachable to said modular jack.

8. An intra-premises communication system, comprising:

an exchange box mounted in premises and having different interfaces for connection to different networks;

a plurality of wired transmission channels routed in the premises to extend from said exchange box and terminate to receptacles installed in said premises, and said receptacles having a common connector;

a plurality of indoor wireless terminals of different types; and

a plurality of dedicated local transmitter-receivers of different types each detachably and selectively mounted to said common connector of the receptacle for wired communication with one of said different networks through the associated transmission channel, each of said local transmitter-receivers having means for wireless communicating with at least one of said terminals and having conversion means for converting between information carried by way of said wired communication through said transmission channel and the information carried by way of said wireless communication,

said exchange box having switch means for selectively connecting said transmission channels to particular ones of said interfaces in order to allocate the local transmitter-receivers of the different networks.