Power Line Communication Device and Method Of Using The Same

Abstract

The repeater of the present invention communicates data signals over power lines. The repeater of one embodiment includes at least one modem that receives a data packet and attempts to decrypt the data packet with a first and/or second encryption key. If the packet is successfully decrypted using the first encryption key, the packet is encrypted using the second encryption and transmitted over the power line. If the packet is successfully decrypted using the second encryption key, the packet is encrypted using the first encryption and transmitted over the power line.

1 . A method of communicating data over a low voltage power line, comprising: 
 receiving first data via the power line from a first user device disposed in a customer premises;    decrypting the first data using a first encryption key;    encrypting the decrypted first data using a second encryption key; and    transmitting the encrypted first data over the power line.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising selecting the first encryption key based on information included in the first data.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said selecting is based on information of a port included in the first data.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising storing information for selecting encryption keys in a memory.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 receiving second data via the power line;    decrypting the second data using the second encryption key;    encrypting the decrypted second data using the first encryption key; and    transmitting the encrypted second data over the power line.    
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the second data is received from a power line communication device configured to provide communication services to the first user device.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 receiving second data via the power line from a second user device disposed in the customer premises;    decrypting the second data using the first encryption key;    encrypting the decrypted second data using the second encryption key; and    transmitting the encrypted second data over the power line.    
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 receiving third data via the power line from a power line communication device configured to provide communication services to the first and second user devices;    decrypting the third data using the second encryption key;    encrypting the decrypted third data using the first encryption key; and    transmitting the encrypted third data over the power line.    
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising selecting a destination device for the first data.  
     
     
         10 . A method of communicating data over a low voltage power line, comprising: 
 receiving data via the low voltage power line;    selecting one of a plurality of encryption keys to decrypt the received data;    decrypting said received data with the selected encryption key;    encrypting the decrypted data with a second encryption key; and    transmitting the encrypted data over the power line.    
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein at least some of the plurality of encryption keys are used for communicating with different communication devices.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the received data includes information of a port and said selecting is based on the information of the port.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein said selecting is based on information included in the received data.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the received data is received from a user device disposed in a customer premises.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the received data is received from a power line communication device configured to provide communications to a plurality of user devices disposed in a plurality of customer premises.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the received data includes utility data.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising storing information for selecting the one of the plurality of encryption keys in a memory.  
     
     
         18 . A method of providing communications between a first and second device over a low voltage power line, comprising: 
 receiving first data from the power line from the second device;    selecting a first encryption key from a plurality of encryption keys;    decrypting the received first data using the first encryption key;    encrypting the decrypted first data using a second encryption key;    transmitting the encrypted first data over the power line for reception by the first device;    receiving second data from the power line from the first device;    decrypting the received second data using the second encryption key;    encrypting the decrypted second data using the first encryption key; and    transmitting the encrypted second data over the power line for reception by the second device.    
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the first encryption key is selected based on information included in the first data.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the information included in the first data includes port information.  
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the first data is received from a power line communication device configured to provide communications to a plurality of user devices disposed in a plurality of customer premises  
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein each of the plurality of encryption keys is associated with different communication devices than other encryption keys.  
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the first data is received from a user device disposed in a customer premise.  
     
     
         24 . A device for communicating data over a power line, comprising: 
 a modem communicatively coupled to the power line; and    wherein said modem is configured to: 
 receive first data from the power line;  
 decrypt received first data using a first encryption key of a plurality of encryption keys;  
 encrypt the decrypted first data using a second encryption key of the plurality of encryption keys; and  
 transmit the encrypted first data over the power line.  
   
     
     
         25 . The device according to  claim 24 , wherein the first encryption key is selected based on information included in the received data.  
     
     
         26 . The device according to  claim 25 , wherein the information included in the received data includes port information.  
     
     
         27 . The device according to  claim 24 , wherein said modem is configured to: 
 receive second data from the power line;    decrypt received second data using the second encryption key;    encrypt the decrypted second data using the first encryption key; and    transmit the encrypted second data over the power line.    
     
     
         28 . The device according to  claim 24 , wherein at least some of the plurality of encryption keys are associated with different communication devices.  
     
     
         29 . The device according to  claim 24 , wherein the first data comprises data from a power line communication device configured to provide communications to a plurality of user devices disposed in a plurality of customer premises.  
     
     
         30 . The device according to  claim 24 , wherein the first data comprises data from a user device disposed in a customer premise.  
     
     
         31 . The device according to  claim 24 , further comprising a routing module in communication with said modem and including information to determine the encryption key to be used by said modem.  
     
     
         32 . A device for communicating data over a power line, comprising: 
 a modem configured to be communicatively coupled to the power line;    wherein said modem is configured to: 
 receive first data from the power line;  
 use one of a plurality of encryption keys to decrypt received first data;  
 use a different one of the plurality of encryption keys to encrypt the decrypted first data; and  
 transmit the encrypted first data over the power line; and  
   a routing module in communication with said modem and including information to determine an encryption key to be used by said modem.    
     
     
         33 . The device according to  claim 32 , wherein the encryption key used by said modem to decrypt the first data is based on information included in the received first data.  
     
     
         34 . The device according to  claim 33 , wherein the information included in the received first data includes port information.  
     
     
         35 . The device according to  claim 32 , wherein at least some of the plurality of encryption keys are associated with different communication devices.