Telecommunications gateway and method

A method of providing power over a communications line to a subscriber, comprising:

• providing a power source operatively coupled to a first node of said line;
• providing a power extractor operatively coupled to a second node of said line;
• generating a voltage on said line using said power source;
• generating power at said second node using said voltage and said power extractor.

Telecommunications interface apparatus, comprising:

• a first port in data communication with a telecommunications line;
• a second port in data communication with an extension device;
• first circuitry adapted to detect the configuration of said extension device;
• and
• second circuitry adapted to be variably configured based at least in part on said detected configuration.

Apparatus for providing power to at least one subscriber via a telecommunications line, comprising:

• a low frequency splitter operatively coupled to said telecommunications line;
• a power conversion circuit adapted to generate electrical potential and apply such potential to said telecommunications line via said splitter;
• and
• a power control circuit operatively coupled to said low frequency splitter and said power conversion circuit, said control circuit adapted to control said electrical potential applied to said line based at least in part on one or more parameters.

A subscriber-installable telecommunications system adapted to interface with a telecommunications line, comprising:

• a gateway module having:
• modulator/demodulator apparatus operatively coupled to said telecommunications line and configured to transmit and receive signals;
• and
• power extraction apparatus operatively coupled to said telecommunications line and adapted to generate electrical power from voltage present on said telecommunications line;
• and
• a plurality of adapter modules operatively coupled to said telecommunications line and configured to generate electrical power from said voltage present on said line for use by at least one extension device operatively coupled to each of said adapter modules.

A method of interfacing a telecommunications line having a voltage present thereon with a line-powered extension device operatively coupled thereto, comprising:

• providing an interface circuit having a plurality of different configurations associated therewith;
• detecting, using said interface circuit, the configuration of said extension device;
• and
• altering the configuration of said interface circuit in response to said detected extension device configuration.

A method of installing a subscriber-side telecommunications system, said system being adapted for use with a telecommunications line having a plurality of extensions and a voltage present thereon, comprising:

• installing a first module at a first of said plurality of extensions;
• installing a plurality of second modules at respective ones of said plurality of extensions;
• and
• installing a plurality of extension devices at respective ones of said plurality of second modules, at least a portion of said extension devices being interfaced via said telecommunications line.

Apparatus for providing power to at least one subscriber via a telecommunications line, comprising:

• power conversion means operatively coupled to said telecommunications line for generating a voltage on said line;
• modulator/demodulator means operatively coupled to said telecommunications line;
• means for extracting power from said voltage on said telecommunications line;
• and
• at least one adapter unit operatively coupled to said telecommunications line and further configured to extract power from said voltage and provide said power to an extension device.

A subscriber-installable telecommunications system adapted to interface with a telecommunications line, comprising:

• a gateway module having:
• modulator/demodulator apparatus operatively coupled to said telecommunications line and configured to transmit and receive signals;
• power extraction apparatus operatively coupled to said telecommunications line and adapted to generate electrical power from voltage present on said telecommunications line;
• controller apparatus operatively coupled to said telecommunications line and said power extraction apparatus, said controller apparatus being adapted to communicate with the source of said voltage and cooperate therewith to control said voltage;
• and
• a network interface;
• and
• a plurality of adapter modules operatively coupled to said telecommunications line and configured to generate electrical power from said voltage present on said line for use by at least one extension device operatively coupled to each of said adapter modules.