Local area network of serial intelligent cells

• US 8,885,660 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2013
• Issued: 11/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MOSAID Technologies Inc. (f/k/a Conversant Intellectual Property Management)
• Original Assignee: MOSAID Technologies Inc. (f/k/a Conversant Intellectual Property Management)
• Inventors: Binder, Yehuda
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Chi H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Boakye, Alexander O
• Application Number:
  US13/754,366
• Publication Number:
  US 20130215799A1
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 370/436, 370/351, 370/502, 370/508, 370/908, 370/479, 370/335, 370/295, 370/337, 370/342, 370/344, 370/343, 370/347, 370/441, 370/254, 370/285, 370/293, 370/463, 370/400, 370/401, 370/402
• US Class Current: 370/436
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5437 Wired telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/545 Audio/video application, e.g. interphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5458 Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/542 the information being in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2845 Telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/14 Two-way operation using the same type of signal, i.e. duplex
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/00 Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications user-to-user messaging H04L51/00; network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/02 providing ringing current or supervisory tones, e.g. dialling tone or busy tone
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 370/908 Local area network

Abstract

A serial intelligent cell (SIC) and a connection topology for local area networks using Electrically-conducting media. A local area network can be configured from a plurality of SIC'"'"'s interconnected so that all communications between two adjacent SIC'"'"'s is both point-to-point and bidirectional. Each SIC can be connected to one or more other SIC'"'"'s to allow redundant communication paths. Communications in different areas of a SIC network are independent of one another, so that there is no fundamental limit on the size or extent of a SIC network. Each SIC can optionally be connected to one or more data terminals, computers, telephones, sensors, actuators, etc., to facilitate interconnectivity among such devices. Networks according to the present invention can be configured for a variety of applications, including a local telephone system, remote computer bus extender, multiplexers, PABX/PBX functionality, security systems, and local broadcasting services.

Claims

1. A method carried out in a device that is coupled to first and second wirings, the device including a single enclosure housing first and second transceivers, a transformer, and a device power supply, the method comprising:

carrying out a first full-duplex serial data communication over the first wiring that simultaneously carries DC power and first data signals, the first full-duplex serial data communication enabled by the first transceiver;

carrying out a second full-duplex serial data communication over the second wiring, the second full-duplex serial data communication enabled by the second transceiver;

employing the transformer to pass only first data signals between the first wiring and the first transceiver;

feeding power to the device power supply from a source external to the single enclosure, the device power supply coupled to the first and second transceivers to power the first and second transceivers;

providing the DC power from the device power supply, via a center-tap of the transformer, onto the first wiring; and

storing an address associated with the device that enables network communications to be addressed to the device.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the DC power and data are carried over same wire pairs in the first wiring.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the address associated with the device is a manually assigned address.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the address associated with the device is an automatically assigned address.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the address associated with the device is assigned by a unit communicating with the device.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network is a local area network and the device is addressable in the local area network.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein communication over the first wiring is independent of communication over the second wiring.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the address associated with the device is assigned by a unit coupled to the second wiring.

9. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the local area network is an Ethernet network.