Universal demarcation point

Abstract

A universal demarcation point for managing the delivery of communications services to a subscriber that provides an interface between a utility distribution network and subscriber owned equipment. The universal demarcation point includes a utility accessible portion and a subscriber accessible portion. The utility accessible portion has an input port, an output port, a plurality of modular connectors, a power supply, and a plurality of service modules. The input port provides access to the universal demarcation point for delivery of communications service from the utility distribution network. The communications services are delivered through a hybrid cable. The hybrid cable has a plurality of fiber optic cables and a plurality of copper cables. The fiber optic cables are capable of transmitting light signals and the copper cables are capable of transmitting electric power. The output port provides access for delivering the communications services from the universal demarcation point into the subscriber's dwelling. The plurality of connectors are fixedly mounted to the universal demarcation point. The power supply is removably mounted to the universal demarcation point. The power supply converts the electric power into a voltage for powering the operation of the universal demarcation point. The service modules are capable of plugging into the modular connectors and convert the light signals that are transmitted on the fiber optic cables onto cables that are suitable for use in the subscriber's dwelling. The subscriber accessible portion is adjacent to the utility accessible portion and has ports that enable the subscriber to test the integrity of the communications services delivered from the utility distribution network.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A universal demarcation point for managing the delivery of communications services to a subscriber by providing an interface between a utility distribution network and subscriber owned equipment, the universal demarcation point comprising: 
       a utility accessible portion comprising:  
       an input port in the universal demarcation point for delivering the communications services from the utility distribution network, the communications services being delivered through a hybrid cable having a plurality of fiber optic cables and a plurality of copper cables, the fiber optic cables are capable of transmitting light signals, the copper cables are capable of transmitting electric power;  
       an output port in the universal demarcation point for delivering the communications services into the subscriber's dwelling;  
       a plurality of modular connectors fixedly mounted to the universal demarcation point;  
       a power supply removably mounted to the universal demarcation point, the power supply converting the electric power into a voltage for powering the operation of the universal demarcation point; and  
       a plurality of service modules that are capable of being plugged into the modular connectors, the service modules converting light signals that are transmitted on the fiber optic cables onto cables that are suitable for use in the subscriber's dwelling; and  
       a subscriber accessible portion being adjacent to the utility accessible portion and having ports that enable the subscriber to test the integrity of the communications services delivered from the utility distribution network.  
     
     
       2. The universal demarcation point of claim  1  and further comprising a motherboard that is removably mounted to the universal demarcation point in the utility accessible portion, wherein the plurality of modular connectors are mounted to the motherboard, the motherboard comprising a plurality of conductive traces formed on the motherboard, the conductive traces are capable of transmitting the electric power from the power supply to the service modules. 
     
     
       3. The universal demarcation point of claim  1  wherein the plurality of service modules includes a video service module. 
     
     
       4. The universal demarcation point of claim  3  wherein the video service module includes a receiver for converting light signals into electrical signals and transmitting the electrical signals on a coaxial cable. 
     
     
       5. The universal demarcation point of claim  4  wherein the video service module includes a transmitter for converting electrical signals into light signals and transmitting the light signals on a fiber optic cable. 
     
     
       6. The universal demarcation point of claim  5  wherein the video service module further includes a multiplexer, the multiplexer enabling the light signals that are transmitted by the transmitter and received by the receiver to be carried on a single fiber optic cable. 
     
     
       7. The universal demarcation point of claim  1  wherein the plurality of service modules includes an audio service module. 
     
     
       8. The universal demarcation point of claim  7  wherein the audio service module includes a receiver for converting the light signals into electrical signals and transmitting the electrical signals on twisted pair copper cables. 
     
     
       9. The universal demarcation point of claim  8  wherein the audio service module includes a transmitter for converting electrical signals into light signals and transmitting the light signals on a fiber optic cable. 
     
     
       10. The universal demarcation point of claim  9  wherein the audio service module further includes a multiplexer, the multiplexer enabling the light signals that are transmitted by the transmitter and received by the receiver to be carried on a single fiber optic cable. 
     
     
       11. The universal demarcation point of claim  1  wherein the plurality of service modules includes a computer data service module. 
     
     
       12. The universal demarcation point of claim  11  wherein the computer data service module includes a receiver for converting the light signals into electrical signals and transmitting the electrical signals on computer cable. 
     
     
       13. The universal demarcation point of claim  12  wherein the computer data service module includes a transmitter for converting the electrical signals into light signals and transmitting the light signals on a fiber optic cable. 
     
     
       14. The universal demarcation point of claim  13  wherein the computer data service module further includes a multiplexer, the multiplexer enabling the light signals that are transmitted by the transmitter and received by the receiver to be carried on a single fiber optic cable. 
     
     
       15. The universal demarcation point of claim  1  wherein the plurality of service modules includes a control service module. 
     
     
       16. The universal demarcation point of claim  15  wherein the control service module includes a receiver for receiving signals from a utility meter to monitor the usage of utility services flowing through the utility meter. 
     
     
       17. The universal demarcation point of claim  16  wherein the control service module further includes a transmitter for transmitting signals to the utility meter to control the flow of utility services through the utility meter. 
     
     
       18. The universal demarcation point of claim  15  wherein each of the service modules contains a monitoring port, each of the monitoring ports transmitting signals to the control service module. 
     
     
       19. The universal demarcation point of claim  18  wherein the control service module contains a receiver for receiving the signals from the monitoring ports and a transmitter to transmit the signals over the fiber optic cables. 
     
     
       20. The universal demarcation point of claim  15  and further comprising a grounding terminal that provides a central ground for all utility services delivered through the universal demarcation point. 
     
     
       21. The universal demarcation point of claim  18  wherein the plurality of service modules includes a filter module, the filter module comprising: 
       a plurality of filters to separate portions of the electrical signals from the video service module; and  
       a plurality of controllers associated with each filter, the controllers being in communication with the control service module to block portions of the electrical signals from transmission to the subscriber owned equipment.  
     
     
       22. A universal demarcation point for managing the delivery of communications services providing an interface between a utility distribution network and a subscriber's equipment, the universal demarcation point comprising: 
       
         a utility accessible portion having the following components:  
       
       
         an input port for receiving an input cable carrying the communication services from the utility distribution network, said input cable comprising at least one fiber optic cable;  
       
       
         an output port for delivering at least one of the communications service to the subscriber's equipment through at least one output cable;  
       
       
         means for powering said universal demarcation point;  
       
       
         at least one connector mounted within said utility accessible portion;  
       
       
         at least one service module that is capable of being connected to at least one of said at least one connector, said at least one service module being capable of converting light signals that are transmitted on said input cable onto one of said at least one output cable such that the at least one communication service is suitably transmitted to the subscriber's equipment; and  
       
       
         a subscriber accessible portion positioned adjacent to said utility accessible portion, said subscriber accessible portion having ports that enable the subscriber to test the integrity of the communications services delivered from the utility distribution network. 
       
     
     
       23. A universal demarcation point as recited in claim  22 , said powering means receiving power from the utility distribution network through said input cable. 
     
     
       24. A universal demarcation point as recited in claim  23 , said input cable further comprising at least one copper cable for providing power to said powering means. 
     
     
       25. A universal demarcation point as recited in claim  22 , said output cable is selected from the group consisting of twisted pair, coaxial cable, hybrid cable and fiber optic cable. 
     
     
       26. A universal demarcation point as recited in claim  22 , said at least one service module selected from the group consisting of a video service module, audio service module, and computer data service module. 
     
     
       27. A universal demarcation point for managing the delivery of communications services providing an interface between a utility distribution network and a subscriber's equipment, the universal demarcation point comprising: 
       
         a utility accessible portion having the following components:  
       
       
         an input port for receiving an input cable carrying the communication services from the utility distribution network, said input cable comprising at least one fiber optic cable;  
       
       
         an output port for delivering at least one of the communications services to the subscriber's equipment through at least one output cable;  
       
       
         a power supply which converts electric power transmitted through said input cable to a usage power required to power the universal demarcation point;  
       
       
         at least one connector mounted within said utility accessible portion;  
       
       
         at least one service module that is capable of being connected to at least one of said at least one connector, said at least one service module being capable of converting light signals that are transmitted on said input cable onto said at least one output cable such that the at least one of the communication services to the subscriber's equipment; and  
       
       
         a subscriber accessible portion positioned adjacent to said utility accessible portion, said subscriber accessible portion having ports that enable the subscriber to test the integrity of the communications services delivered from the utility distribution network. 
       
     
     
       28. A universal demarcation point as recited in claim  26 , said at least one service module selected from the group consisting of a video service module, audio service module, and computer data service module.