Network combining wired and non-wired segments
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use with a CATV coaxial cable concurrently carrying a wired digital data signal and a CATV signal using frequency division multiplexing, the apparatus comprising:
- a coaxial connector for connecting to the CATV coaxial cable;
a coaxial cable transceiver coupled to the coaxial connector and operative for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication of the wired digital data signal over the CATV coaxial cable using a wired digital data protocol;
a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) transceiver operative for conducting bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with a WLAN using a wireless digital data protocol;
a packet-based digital protocol adapter consisting of one of a bridge, a router and a gateway, coupled between said coaxial cable transceiver and said WLAN transceiver for converting data between the wireless digital data protocol and the wired digital data protocol; and
a single enclosure housing said coaxial cable connector, said coaxial cable transceiver, said WLAN transceiver and said protocol adapter.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A local area network (60) within a residence or other building, including both wired (5) and non-wired segments (53). The wired segments are based on new or existing wires (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) in the building, wherein access to the wires is provided by means of outlets (61a, 61d), such as a telephone system, electrical power distribution system, or cable television wiring system. The non-wired segments are based on communication using propagated waves such as radio, sound, or light (e.g. infrared). The wired and non-wired segments interface in the outlet, using a module (50) that serves as mediator between the segments. The module can be integrated into the outlet, partially housed in the outlet, or attached externally to the outlet. Such a network allows for integrated communication of data units (24b) connected by wires and data units (24a, 24d) connected without wires.
1719 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use with a CATV coaxial cable concurrently carrying a wired digital data signal and a CATV signal using frequency division multiplexing, the apparatus comprising:
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a coaxial connector for connecting to the CATV coaxial cable; a coaxial cable transceiver coupled to the coaxial connector and operative for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication of the wired digital data signal over the CATV coaxial cable using a wired digital data protocol; a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) transceiver operative for conducting bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with a WLAN using a wireless digital data protocol; a packet-based digital protocol adapter consisting of one of a bridge, a router and a gateway, coupled between said coaxial cable transceiver and said WLAN transceiver for converting data between the wireless digital data protocol and the wired digital data protocol; and a single enclosure housing said coaxial cable connector, said coaxial cable transceiver, said WLAN transceiver and said protocol adapter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for use with a CATV coaxial cable concurrently carrying a wired digital data signal and a CATV signal using frequency division multiplexing, said apparatus comprising:
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a coaxial connector for connecting to the CATV coaxial cable; a first filter coupled to said coaxial connector for passing only the digital data signal; a coaxial cable transceiver coupled to the first filter and operative for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication of the wired digital data signal over the CATV coaxial cable using a wired digital data protocol; a non-wired transceiver operative for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with a non wired network using a non-wired digital data signal having a non-wired digital data protocol; and a packet-based digital protocol adapter consisting of one of a bridge, a router and a gateway, coupled between said coaxial cable transceiver and said non-wired transceiver for converting data between the non-wired digital data protocol and the wired digital data protocol; a single enclosure containing said coaxial cable connector, said first filter, said coaxial cable transceiver, said non-wired transceiver and said packet-based digital protocol adapter. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification