Addressable outlet, and a network using the same

Abstract

An addressable outlet for use as part of local area network based on wiring installed in a building, such as telephone, electrical, cable television, dedicated wiring, and the like. The use of such wiring for data communications networks in addition to the wiring's primary usage creates a need for ways of determining the condition of the network and monitoring this information remotely. Network condition includes such factors as continuity of wiring, connector status, connected devices, topology, signal delays, latencies, and routing patterns. Providing basic processing and addressing capabilities within the outlet permits messaging to and from specific individual outlets, thereby allowing inquiries and reports of the condition of the immediate environment of each outlet. In addition, outlets can be configured with sensors to report on voltage, temperature, and other measurable quantities.

1 . A device for coupling a data unit in a building to the Internet over a telephone wire pair, the telephone wire pair being connected for carrying a digital data signal in a digital data frequency band that is distinct from, and higher than, an analog telephone frequency band, said device comprising:
 a telephone connector for connecting to the telephone wire pair;   a telephone line modem for transmitting and receiving digital data over the telephone wire pair;   a high pass filter coupled between said telephone connector and said telephone line modem for substantially passing only signals in the digital data frequency band;   a first data port for coupling to a first data unit;   a first transceiver coupled to said first data port for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with the first data unit;   a second data port for coupling to a second data unit;   a second transceiver coupled to said second data port for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with the second data unit;   a multiport interconnection circuit consisting of one of: a switch; a router; and a gateway, coupled to pass digital data between said telephone line modem and said first and second transceivers;   a processor coupled to control and monitor said first and second transceivers and said telephone line modem;   a first storage member coupled to said processor for storing a first address that uniquely identifies the device in a digital data network; and   a single enclosure housing said telephone connector, said telephone line modem, said high pass filter, said first and second data ports, said first and second transceivers, said multiport interconnection circuit, said processor and said first storage member.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , further operative for coupling an analog telephone signal to an analog telephone set, the telephone wire pair being connected for concurrently carrying an analog telephone signal in the analog telephone frequency band using frequency division multiplexing, said device further comprising:
 a telephone jack for connecting to the analog telephone set to conduct the analog telephone signal to and from the analog telephone set; and   a low pass filter coupled between said telephone connector and said telephone jack for substantially passing only signals in the analog telephone frequency band between the telephone wire pair and the analog telephone set.   
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein: the telephone wire pair is connected outside the building to a telephone service provider; communication over the telephone wire pair is based on one of xDSL and ADSL standards; and said telephone line modem is respectively an xDSL or ADSL modem. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first address is one of an Internet Protocol (IP) address and a Media Access Control (MAC) address. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second storage member for storing a second address. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein each of the first and second addresses is associated with a respective distinct functionality of said device. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of: a voltage sensor, a continuity detector, a communication activity detector; and a connected devices status detector, and wherein said sensor is coupled to said processor. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 7 , further operative to send messages to a remote data unit over the telephone wire pair, and wherein the messages include status information associated with said sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , further connectable to the Internet via the telephone wire pair, and wherein said device is remotely manageable by a remote data unit communicating with said device through the Internet. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the communication with the first data unit is a Local Area Network (LAN) communication over a wired medium and wherein said first data port is a first data connector. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 10 , wherein the communication with the first data unit is point-to-point bi-directional packet-based serial digital data communication. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the communication with the first data unit is based on IEEE802.3 10BaseT or 100BaseT, and said first data connector is a RJ-45 jack. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 10  wherein the communication with each of the first and second data units is point-to-point bi-directional packet-based serial digital data communication. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said single enclosure is constructed to have at least one of the following:
 a form substantially similar to that of a standard telephone outlet;   wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard telephone wall outlet;   a shape allowing direct mounting in a telephone outlet receptacle or opening; and   a form to at least in part substitute for a standard telephone outlet.   
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is pluggable into and attachable to a telephone outlet. 
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said single enclosure is structured to attach to a mating fixture secured on a wall of the building. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is operative to identify and compose messages associated with the first address over a LAN coupled to said device. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is operative to identify and compose messages associated with the first address over a Wide Area Network (WAN) coupled to said device. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second storage member storing a second address, and wherein the first address is associated with said first data port and the second address is associated with said second data port. 
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 1 , further operative for coupling an analog telephone signal to an analog telephone set, and wherein said device further comprises a telephone jack coupled to said telephone connector for conducting the analog telephone signal to and from the analog telephone set. 
     
     
         21 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the telephone wire pair is at least in part in walls of the building, and said telephone line modem is operative to communicate with another modem of the same type in the building. 
     
     
         22 . A wall-mounted device for coupling a data unit in a building to the Internet over a telephone wire pair, the telephone wire pair being connected for carrying a digital data signal in a digital data frequency band that is distinct from, and higher than, an analog telephone frequency band, said device comprising:
 a telephone connector for connecting to the telephone wire pair;   a telephone line modem for transmitting and receiving digital data over the telephone wire pair;   a high pass filter coupled between said telephone connector and said telephone line modem for substantially passing only signals in the digital data frequency band;   a first data port for coupling to a first data unit;   a first transceiver coupled between said telephone line modem and said first data port for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with the first data unit;   a processor coupled to control and monitor said first transceiver and said telephone line modem;   a first storage member coupled to said processor for storing a first address that uniquely identifies said device in a digital data network; and   a single enclosure housing said telephone connector, said telephone line modem, said high pass filter, said first data port, said first transceiver, said processor and said first storage member,   
       wherein said single enclosure is mountable onto a telephone outlet opening. 
     
     
         23 . The device according to  claim 22 , further operative for coupling an analog telephone signal to an analog telephone set, the telephone wire pair being connected for concurrently carrying the analog telephone signal in the analog telephone frequency band using frequency division multiplexing, said device further comprising:
 a telephone jack for connecting to the analog telephone set to conduct the analog telephone signal to and from the analog telephone set; and   a low pass filter coupled between said telephone connector and said telephone jack for substantially passing only signals in the analog telephone frequency band between the telephone wire pair and the analog telephone set.   
     
     
         24 . The device according to  claim 22 , further comprising:
 a second data port for coupling to a second data unit;   a second transceiver coupled to said second data port for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with the second data unit; and   a multiport interconnection circuit consisting of one of: a switch; a router; and a gateway, coupled to pass digital data between said telephone line modem and said first and second transceivers.   
     
     
         25 . The device according to  claim 24 , wherein the communication with each of said first and second data units is point-to-point bi-directional packet-based serial digital data communication. 
     
     
         26 . The device according to  claim 24 , further comprising a second storage member for storing a second address, and wherein the first address is associated with said first data port and the second address is associated with said second data port. 
     
     
         27 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein: the telephone wire pair is connected outside the building to a telephone service provider; communication over the telephone wire pair is based on one of xDSL and ADSL standards; and said telephone line modem is respectively an xDSL or ADSL modem. 
     
     
         28 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein the first address is one of an Internet Protocol (IP) address and a Media Access Control (MAC) address. 
     
     
         29 . The device according to  claim 22 , further comprising a second storage member for storing a second address. 
     
     
         30 . The device according to  claim 29 , wherein each of the first and second addresses is associated with a respective distinct functionality of said device. 
     
     
         31 . The device according to  claim 22 , further comprising at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of: a voltage sensor, a continuity detector, a communication activity detector; and a connected devices status detector, and wherein said sensor is coupled to said processor. 
     
     
         32 . The device according to  claim 31 , further operative to send messages to a remote data unit over the telephone wire pair, and wherein the messages include status information associated with said sensor. 
     
     
         33 . The device according to  claim 22 , further connectable to the Internet via the telephone wire pair, and wherein said device is remotely manageable by a remote data unit connected to said device through the Internet. 
     
     
         34 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein the communication with the first data unit is a Local Area Network (LAN) communication over a wired medium, and wherein said first data port is a first data connector. 
     
     
         35 . The device according to  claim 34 , wherein the communication with the first data unit is point-to-point bi-directional packet-based serial digital data communication. 
     
     
         36 . The device according to  claim 35 , wherein the communication with the first data unit is based on IEEE802.3 10BaseT or 100BaseT, and said first data connector is a RJ-45 jack. 
     
     
         37 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein said single enclosure is constructed to have at least one of the following:
 a form substantially similar to that of a standard telephone outlet;   wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard telephone wall outlet;   a shape allowing direct mounting in a telephone outlet receptacle or opening; and   a form to at least in part substitute for a standard telephone outlet.   
     
     
         38 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein said device is pluggable into and attachable to a telephone outlet. 
     
     
         39 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein said single enclosure is structured to attach to a mating fixture secured on a wall of the building. 
     
     
         40 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein said device is operative to identify and compose messages associated with the first address over a LAN coupled to said device. 
     
     
         41 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein said device is operative to identify and compose messages associated with the first address over a Wide Area Network (WAN) coupled to said device. 
     
     
         42 . The device according to  claim 22 , further operative for coupling an analog telephone signal to an analog telephone set, wherein said device further comprises a telephone jack coupled to said telephone connector for coupling an analog telephone signal to the analog telephone set. 
     
     
         43 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein the telephone wire pair is at least in part in walls of the building, and said telephone line modem is operative to communicate with another modem of the same type in the building. 
     
     
         44 . A system in a building for coupling a data unit to the Internet via a home network and a Wide Area Network (WAN), said system comprising:
 a telephone wire pair that forms a part of the home network and that is at least in part in walls of the building and is accessible at an outlet opening, said telephone wire pair being connected for carrying a digital data signal in a digital data frequency band that is distinct from, and higher than, an analog telephone frequency band;   a residential gateway housed in a single enclosure and comprising a telephone connector for connecting to said telephone wire pair at a first connection point, and a WAN port couplable to a Wide Area Network (WAN) for connecting to the Internet, said gateway being operative to pass digital data between said WAN and said telephone wire pair;   a first adapter connected to said telephone wire pair at a second connection point distinct from said first connection point and couplable to a first data unit, said first adapter being operative for passing digital data between said telephone wire pair and the first data unit; and   a single enclosure housing said first adapter, wherein said residential gateway and said first adapter are each addressable in a digital data network.   
     
     
         45 . The system according to  claim 44 , wherein said first adapter is further connectable to a first analog telephone set. 
     
     
         46 . The system according to  claim 45 , wherein said telephone wire pair is further connected to concurrently carry a POTS signal using frequency division multiplexing (FDM), and wherein said first adapter is further operative to pass the POTS signal between said telephone wire pair and the first analog telephone set. 
     
     
         47 . The system according to  claim 44 , wherein said residential gateway is further connectable to a first analog telephone set. 
     
     
         48 . The system according to  claim 47 , wherein said telephone wire pair is further connected to concurrently carry a POTS signal using frequency division multiplexing (FDM), and wherein said residential gateway is further operative to pass the POTS signal between said telephone wire pair and the first analog telephone set. 
     
     
         49 . The system according to  claim 44 , further comprising: a second adapter connected to said telephone wire pair at a third connection point distinct from said first and second connection points and couplable to a second data unit; and a further single enclosure housing said second adapter, said second adapter being operative for passing digital data between said telephone wire pair and the second data unit; wherein said second adapter is addressable in the digital data network. 
     
     
         50 . The system according to  claim 49 , wherein said first and second adapters are further operative to communicate with each other over said telephone wire pair. 
     
     
         51 . The system according to  claim 49 , wherein the communication with each of said first and second data units is point-to-point bi-directional packet-based serial digital data communication. 
     
     
         52 . The system according to  claim 44 , wherein said residential gateway further comprises one of: a switch; a router; and a gateway coupled between said WAN port and said telephone connector. 
     
     
         53 . The system according to  claim 44 , wherein said first adapter further comprises one of: a switch; a router; and a gateway for coupling between said telephone wire pair and the first data unit. 
     
     
         54 . The system according to  claim 44 , wherein said WAN is based on a wired connection outside the building for connection to the Internet. 
     
     
         55 . The system according to  claim 54 , wherein: said WAN is based on a same or further telephone wire pair that is connected outside the building to a telephone service provider: communication over the same or further telephone wire pair is based on one of xDSL and ADSL standards; and said residential gateway further comprises a telephone line modem that is respectively an xDSL or ADSL modem. 
     
     
         56 . The system according to  claim 54 , wherein the WAN is based on a CATV system, and said residential gateway further comprises a coaxial cable modem. 
     
     
         57 . The system according to  claim 44 , wherein said WAN is based on a non-wired connection outside the building for connecting to the Internet. 
     
     
         58 . The system according to  claim 57 , wherein said WAN is operative to perform wireless terrestrial or satellite communication. 
     
     
         59 . The system according to  claim 44 , wherein one of said residential gateway and said first adapter has a first address that is an Internet Protocol (IP) address or a Media Access Control (MAC) address. 
     
     
         60 . The system according to  claim 59 , wherein the other one of said residential gateway and said first adapter has a second address. 
     
     
         61 . The system according to  claim 60 , wherein each of the first and second addresses is associated with a respectively different distinct functionality of the respective one of said residential gateway and said first adapter. 
     
     
         62 . The system according to  claim 44 , wherein at least one of said residential gateway and said first adapter further comprises at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of: a voltage sensor; a continuity detector; a communication activity detector; and a connected devices status detector. 
     
     
         63 . The system according to  claim 62 , wherein at least one of said residential gateway and said first adapter is further operative to send messages to a remote data unit over said telephone wire pair, and wherein the messages include status information associated with said sensor. 
     
     
         64 . The system according to  claim 44 , wherein at least one of said residential gateway and said first adapter is remotely manageable by a remote data unit connected through the Internet. 
     
     
         65 . The system according to  claim 44 , wherein communication with the first data unit is a Local Area Network (LAN) communication over a wired medium via a first data connector. 
     
     
         66 . The system according to  claim 65 , wherein the communication with the first data unit is point-to-point bi-directional packet-based serial digital data communication. 
     
     
         67 . The system according to  claim 66 , wherein the communication with the first data unit is based on IEEE802.3 10BaseT or 100BaseT, and the first data connector is a RJ-45 jack. 
     
     
         68 . The system according to  claim 44 , wherein said single enclosure of said first adapter is constructed to have at least one of the following:
 a form substantially similar to that of a standard telephone outlet;   wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard telephone wall outlet;   a shape allowing direct mounting in a telephone outlet receptacle or opening; and   a form to at least in part substitute for a standard telephone outlet.   
     
     
         69 . The system according to  claim 44 , wherein said first adapter is pluggable into and attachable to a telephone outlet. 
     
     
         70 . The system according to  claim 44 , wherein said single enclosure of said first adapter is structured to attach to a mating fixture secured on a wall of the building. 
     
     
         71 . The system according to  claim 44 , wherein said first adapter is operative to identify and compose messages carried by a LAN and associated with the address of said first adapter. 
     
     
         72 . The system according to  claim 44 , wherein said residential gateway is operative to identify and compose messages that are carried by the WAN coupled to the residential gateway and that are associated with the address of said residential gateway.