Multi-function modem device

• US 7,856,032 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2005
• Issued: 12/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Current Technologies LLC (Pattern Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Current Technologies LLC (Pattern Inc.)
• Inventors: Berkman, William H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yao, Kwang B
• Assistant Examiner(s): BOKHARI, SYED M
• Application Number:
  US11/097,286
• Publication Number:
  US 20060221995A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,087 Days
• Field of Search: 370/254, 370/464, 370/277, 370/485, 370/475, 370/487, 370/465, 370/351, 370/241, 455/550, 455/402, 455/434, 455/426, 455/422, 340/310, 340/870, 702/62, 709/229, 379/413, 725/82, 725/78, 725/79
• 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 directly electrically connected to a user device;

wherein said first port is configured to transmit data that is not modulated to a user device connected to said first port;

wherein said first port is configured to receive data that is not modulated from a user device connected to said first port;

a controller connected to the first port;

a first modem comprising a power line modem connected to the controller;

a second modem comprising a non-power line modem connected to the controller;

wherein said second modem is configured to provide Internet communications via an external network;

a non-power line port communicatively coupled to said second modem and configured to be electrically connected to a non-power line network to provide data from said second modem to the non-power line network;

wherein said controller is configured to receive configuration data from an external network via said second modem, wherein said controller is configured to store the received configuration data in a memory;

wherein said controller is configured to operate in accordance with said configuration data;

wherein said controller selects one of the power line modem and the non-power line modem for transmission of data; and

wherein said controller is configured to receive data via said first port and to provide the data to the one selected modem for transmission.

2. The communications device of claim 1, wherein the non-power line modem comprises a cable modem.

3. The communications device of claim 1, wherein the non-power line modem comprises a DSL modem.

4. The communications device of claim 1, further comprising a wireless modem in communication with said controller.

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 non-power line 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 non-power line 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 non-power line modem.

12. The communications device of claim 11, wherein the certain types of data comprises latency sensitive data.

13. The communications device of claim 12, wherein the latency sensitive data comprises voice data.

14. The communications device of claim 11, wherein the controller determines which of the power line modem and non-power line 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 and configured to be directly electrically connected to a user device;

wherein said second port is configured to transmit data that is not modulated to a user device connected to said second port; and

wherein said second port is configured to receive data that is not modulated from a user device connected to said second port.

17. The communication device of claim 16, wherein the power line modem is configured to communicate modulated data signals over an external network that comprises external power lines.

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. The communications device of claim 1, further comprising:

a third port connected to said routing device and configured to be directly electrically connected to a user device;

wherein said third port is configured to transmit data that is not modulated to a user device connected to said third port; and

wherein said third port is configured to receive data that is not modulated from a user device connected to said third port.

21. The device according to claim 1, wherein said controller is configured to perform a latency test via said second modem.

22. The device according to claim 1, wherein said controller is configured to provide a bandwidth assessment via said second modem.

23. A method of using a communication device to communicate data, comprising:

receiving configuration data from an external network via a non-power line modem;

storing the configuration data in a memory;

providing data communications in accordance with the configuration data;

receiving user data at a first port from a user device directly electrically connected to the first port;

wherein the user data received is not modulated data;

selecting one of a power line modem configured to communicate over a power line or the non-power line modem configured to communicate over a non-power line medium;

providing the user data to the selected modem; and

transmitting the user data with the selected modem over an external network.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the non-power line modem comprises a cable modem.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the non-power line modem comprises a DSL modem.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the non-power line modem comprises a wireless modem.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the wireless modem communicates with a wireless network.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the wireless modem communicates with a bypass device.

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

30. The method of claim 23, wherein said selecting includes selecting the non-power line 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.

31. The method of claim 23, wherein said selecting includes selecting the power line modem when a power line communication channel satisfies a predetermined performance condition and selecting the non-power line modem when the power line communication channel does not satisfy the predetermined performance condition.

32. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

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

wherein said selecting a modem is based upon the performance characteristic.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the performance characteristic is data latency.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the performance characteristic is data rate.

35. The method of claim 23, wherein the user data includes data packets and receiving, selecting, and transmitting are performed for each data packet.

36. The method of claim 23, wherein the device comprises a multipurpose computer.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the step of receiving user data from a user device includes receiving data from an input device communicating with the multi-purpose computer.

38. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

receiving second user data at a second port from a user device directly electrically connected to the second port;

wherein the second user data received is not modulated data;

selecting one of the power line modem or the non-power line modem;

providing the second user data to the selected modem; and

transmitting the second user data with the selected modem.

39. A communications device, comprising:

a first port that is configured to be directly electrically connected to a user device;

wherein said first port is configured to transmit data that is not modulated to a user device connected to said first port;

wherein said first port is configured to receive data that is not modulated from a user device connected to said first port;

a routing device connected to the first port;

a power line modem connected to the routing device;

a non-power line modem connected to the routing device;

wherein said non-power line modem is configured to provide Internet communications via an external network;

a second port communicatively coupled to said non-power line modem and configured to be electrically connected to a non-power line network to provide data from said non-power line modem to the non-power line network;

a wireless modem connected to the routing device;

wherein said routing device is configured to receive configuration data from an external network via said non-power line modem,

wherein said routing device is configured to store the received configuration data in a memory;

wherein said routing device is configured to operate in accordance with said configuration data; and

wherein said routing device is configured to route data from between the first port;

the power line modem, the non-power line modem, and the wireless modem.