Home networking gateway

Abstract

A home networking gateway provides an interface between an HFC network and an in-home network. Full voice and data connection between the HFC network and each device in the in-home network is provided through the interface. A translator included in the home networking gateway is utilized to provide a mapping between the communication protocols used in the in-home network and the protocols used in the HFC network, eliminating the need for the in-home network to be dependent upon the HFC-specific protocols.

1 - 13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . A system that provides an interface between a hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) network and an in-home communications network comprising: 
 a home networking gateway that includes: 
 a translator for mapping between HFC-based communication protocols and in-home network-based protocols;  
 a home network interface connection module for supporting a pre-defined in-home communication protocol;  
 a voice telephony service connection module, coupled to the home network interface connection module, for providing communication with in-home telephony devices;  
 a data service connection module for providing communication with in-home data-based devices;  
 a communication bus coupled to each of the voice telephone service connection module, the data service connection module and the cable modem connection module for enabling communication between each module; and  
   a device database coupled to said home networking gateway and comprising configuration files associated with various in-home telecommunications devices.    
   
   
       15 . The system as defined in  claim 14  wherein the voice telephony service connection module comprises a subscriber line interface circuit (SLIC) connection.  
   
   
       16 . The system as defined in  claim 14  wherein the data service connection module comprises an Ethernet connection.  
   
   
       17 . The system as defined in  claim 14  wherein the in-home network protocol is a wireless service protocol.  
   
   
       18 . The system as defined in  claim 17  wherein the wireless protocol comprises the Shared Wireless Access Protocol (SWAP).  
   
   
       19 . The system as defined in  claim 14  wherein the in-home network protocol comprises the Home Phoneline Network Alliance (HomePNA) protocol.  
   
   
       20 . The system as defined in  claim 14  wherein the in-home network protocol comprises the IEEE 1394 FireWire protocol.  
   
   
       21 . The system as defined in  claim 14  wherein the home networking gateway further comprises an internal battery power supply.  
   
   
       22 . The system as defined in  claim 14  wherein the home networking gateway further comprises a digital signal processor (DSP) coupled between the voice connection module and the home network interface module to distribute voice signals from said voice communication module into the in-home network through said home network interface module.