High-speed network of independently linked nodes

Abstract

A method of operating a network is beneficially conducted on a municipality or neighborhood level. The method in disclosed embodiments comprises installing a digital communications network within a limited selected geographical region. The network is formed from a high speed backbone and a plurality of nodes branching outward from the high speed backbone. A plurality of communicating stations are connected to the network and users at each communicating station subscribe to communicate over the network. Due to the unique scope of the network, the users are related primarily by virtue of their residence in a common geographical region. The network may be installed within a public utility right of way and may be used to monitor utility usage and to bill utility users. The network is thus independent of public telephone infrastructure. The network is preferably partitioned and communications are direct from station to station without broadcasting. Outside access, such as to the Internet is provided through gateways within the backbone.

1. An apparatus for linking communication stations within a geographical region in computer communication, comprising:
 a high speed backbone; 
 a plurality of branching nodes connected to the high speed backbone for relaying digital communications at baseband; 
 a plurality of communicating stations communicating over the backbone through the branching nodes, the branching nodes communicating stations each housed in different buildings; and 
 a home connection box having connectors for connecting a communicating station with a hub associated with its branching node, the connectors including a network communications connector and a power connector for supplying power from the communicating station to the hub; 
 wherein the branching nodes each comprise:
 a hub directly connected with others of the branching nodes and directly interconnecting the plurality of communicating stations in digital communication; and 
 a power concentrator, the power concentrator receiving power from a plurality of communicating stations in communication with the branching node and powering the branching node with the received power, the received power being redundant, in that at least one of the communicating stations can go off-line without stopping power to the branching node. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hub is largely housed out of doors within environmentally controlled housings. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hub is powered by power sources emanating from a plurality of the buildings. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the communicating stations comprises are comprised within a residence building. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a protective pedestal housing at least a portion of the nodes. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus for linking communicating stations within a geographical region in computer communication, comprising:
 a high speed backbone; 
 a plurality of communicating stations communicating over the backbone through branching nodes for relaying digital communications at baseband, the branching nodes each housed in different buildings, at least one of the communicating stations comprising a residence; 
 a hub communicating with the high speed backbone and directly connected with the plurality of branching nodes and directly interconnecting the plurality of communicating stations in digital communication at baseband, the hub largely housed out of doors within environmentally controlled housings and powered by power from a plurality of power sources each located within a one of the different one of the plurality of the buildings; 
 a protective pedestal housing the hub, the protective pedestal located out of doors; 
 a power concentrator located within one or more a first of the branching nodes, the power concentrator receiving power from a two or more of the plurality of the communicating stations that are in communication with the first branching node and powering the first branching node with the received power, the received power being redundant, in that one or more of the communicating stations can go off-line without stopping power to the first branching node; and 
 a home connection box having connectors adapted to connect a communicating station with the hub, the connectors including a network communications connector and a power connector for supplying power from the communicating station to the hub. 
 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising means for transmitting data from a security and alarm system information from a plurality of the individual communicating stations to a central security office over the plurality of branching nodes. 
     
     
       8. A system for linking communication stations within a geographical region in computer communication, the system comprising:
 branching nodes, wherein each of the branching nodes comprises a hub and a power concentrator, wherein the hub of each branching node is connected to a backbone that is configured to relay digital communications at baseband, wherein the hub of each branching node is connected to one or more hubs of one or more other ones of the branching nodes through the backbone;   communication stations connected to the branching nodes and configured to communicate over the backbone through the hubs of the branching nodes;   a first home connection box having connectors configured to connect to a first of the communication stations to a first of the branching nodes, wherein the connectors include a network communications connector and a power connector, wherein the power connector is configured to supply power from the first communication station to the power concentrator of the first branching node;   wherein the power concentrator of each branching node is configured to receive power from a plurality of the communication stations and to redundantly power that branching node with the received power.   
     
     
       9. The system of claim 8, wherein each of the communication stations is configured to connect to exactly one of the branching nodes. 
     
     
       10. The system of claim 8, wherein the first communication station comprises a computer and a power outlet, wherein the network communications connector is configured for coupling to the computer and enabling transfer of at least a portion of said digital communications to and from the computer, wherein the power connector is configured for coupling to said power outlet. 
     
     
       11. The system of claim 8, wherein a first of the branching nodes is housed in an outdoor housing. 
     
     
       12. The system of claim 11, wherein the outdoor housing is an earth-based pedestal housing or a hanging pedestal housing. 
     
     
       13. The system of claim 11, wherein the outdoor housing is environmentally controlled. 
     
     
       14. The system of claim 8, wherein each of the branching nodes is housed in a different building. 
     
     
       15. The system of claim 8, wherein at least one of the communication stations comprises a residence, wherein the power concentrator of each branching node is configured so that at least one of the corresponding plurality of communication stations can go off-line without stopping power to that branching node. 
     
     
       16. The system of claim 8, wherein the backbone comprises a ring of switches, wherein successive switches of the ring are coupled with optical fiber. 
     
     
       17. The system of claim 8, wherein the backbone comprises a local portion, wherein the local portion comprises one or more bridges coupled in a series. 
     
     
       18. The system of claim 17, wherein successive bridges of said series are coupled by one or more coaxial cables. 
     
     
       19. The system of claim 17, wherein each of the one or more bridges is configured to filter said digital communications so as to eliminate broadcast packets from said digital communications. 
     
     
       20. The system of claim 17, wherein the hub of each of the branching nodes is configured to connect to exactly one of the one or more bridges. 
     
     
       21. The system of claim 8, wherein each of the communication stations is configured to connect to one of the branching nodes through one or more twisted wire pairs. 
     
     
       22. The system of claim 8, wherein the hubs communicate only on the lower two levels of an OSI model.