US 2010/0135191 A1 · Network Combining Wired and Non-Wired Segments

Abstract

A 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.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A network for non-wired communication between first and second non-wired data units respectively located at first and second locations and communicating with each other over existing wiring in a building to concurrently carry a bi-directional packet-based wired digital data signal and a power signal, said network comprising:

a first device housed in a first single enclosure, said first device being connected at the first location to transmit and receive digital data over the wiring, said first device being a non-wired device communicatively couplable to exchange packet-based digital data over a non-wired medium with the first non-wired data unit, said first device further being operative to transmit to the wiring data received from the first non-wired data unit and to transmit to the first non-wired data unit digital data received from the wiring;
and
a second device housed in a second single enclosure, said second device being connected at the second location to transmit and receive digital data over the wiring, said second device being a non-wired device communicatively couplable to exchange packet-based digital data over a non-wired medium with the second non-wired data unit, said second device further being operative to transmit to the wiring data received from second non-wired data unit and to transmit to the second non-wired data unit digital data received from the wiring;
wherein said network is operative to transparently and bi-directionally pass digital data between the first and second non-wired data units, and wherein said first device is at least in part powered from the power signal carried over the wiring.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Network Combining Wired and Non-Wired Segments

Life of this patent

Network Combining Wired and Non-Wired Segments

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16