초록 ▼

A serial intelligent cell (SIC) and a connection topology for local area networks using Electrically-conducting media. A local area network can be configured from a plurality of SIC's interconnected so that all communications between two adjacent SIC's is both point-to-point and bidirectional. Each

A serial intelligent cell (SIC) and a connection topology for local area networks using Electrically-conducting media. A local area network can be configured from a plurality of SIC's interconnected so that all communications between two adjacent SIC's is both point-to-point and bidirectional. Each SIC can be connected to one or more other SIC's to allow redundant communication paths. Communications in different areas of a SIC network are independent of one another, so that, unlike current bus topology and star topology, there is no fundamental limit on the size or extent of a SIC network. Each SIC can optionally be connected to one or more data terminals, computers, telephones, sensors, actuators, etc., to facilitate interconnectivity among such devices. Networks according to the present invention can be configured for a variety of applications, including a local telephone system, remote computer bus extender, multiplexers, PABX/PBX functionality, security systems, and local broadcasting services. The network can use dedicated wiring, as well as existing wiring as the in-house telephone or electrical wiring.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A device for use with AC power wiring, the wiring being connected to carry an AC power signal, said device comprising: an AC power connector configured for connecting to the AC power wiring; a first data port configured for coupling to a first Digital Terminal Equipment (DTE)

What is claimed is: 1. A device for use with AC power wiring, the wiring being connected to carry an AC power signal, said device comprising: an AC power connector configured for connecting to the AC power wiring; a first data port configured for coupling to a first Digital Terminal Equipment (DTE); a first data transceiver coupled to said first data port for bi-directional, serial digital data communication with the first DTE, said first data transceiver being operative to communicate with a mating data transceiver of substantially the same type; a power supply comprising an AC/DC converter connected between said AC power connector and said first data transceiver, said power supply being connected to be powered by the AC power signal and to supply DC operating power to said first data transceiver; a visual indicator connected to said power supply for indicating a status; and a single enclosure housing said AC power connector, said first data port, said first data transceiver, said power supply and said visual indicator; wherein said first data transceiver is a Local Area Network (LAN) transceiver, and said device is addressable in a LAN, and wherein said device further comprises: a second data port for coupling to a second Digital Terminal Equipment (DTE); and a second data transceiver coupled to said second data port for bi-directional packet-based serial digital data communication with the second DTE, wherein said first data transceiver and said second data transceiver are coupled to each other for passing at least part of the digital data between the first DTE and the second DTE. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is wall mountable in the AC power outlet opening or pluggable into an existing AC power outlet. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein: communication with the first DTE is over a wired medium; said first data port comprises a connector; and said first data transceiver is a wired LAN transceiver. 4. The device according to claim 3, wherein said first data transceiver is operative for full duplex communication with the first DTE. 5. The device according to claim 3, wherein said first data transceiver is operative for point-to-point communication only with a single mating transceiver of substantially the same type. 6. The device according to claim 3, wherein said LAN transceiver is operative to conduct bidirectional communication with one or more substantially similar transceivers over a LAN wiring. 7. The device according to claim 3, wherein said data connector and said first data transceiver cooperatively form a digital data interface substantially conforming to Ethernet standard. 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein: said device is further operative to pass the AC power signal to power an AC powered appliance; and said device further comprises an AC power jack connected to said AC power connector and connectable to the AC powered appliance for AC powering the AC powered appliance from the AC power signal. 9. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is further operative for coupling to an analog unit, and said device further comprises: an analog connector for coupling an analog signal to the analog unit; and a converter between analog and digital data signals coupled between said first data port and said analog connector. 10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the analog unit is an analog sensor for sensing a physical phenomenon, and said converter is an analog to digital converter. 11. The device according to claim 9, wherein the analog unit is an analog actuator for creating a physical phenomenon, and said converter is a digital to analog converter. 12. The device according to claim 9, wherein the analog unit is one of an audio unit and a video unit and the analog signal is one of an audio signal and a video signal, respectively. 13. A device for use with AC power wiring, the wiring being connected to carry an AC power signal, said device comprising: an AC power connector configured for connecting to the AC power wiring; a first data port configured for coupling to a first Digital Terminal Equipment (DTE); a first data transceiver coupled to said first data port for bi-directional, serial digital data communication with the first DTE; a second data port configured for coupling to a second Digital Terminal Equipment (DTE); a second data transceiver coupled to said second data port for bi-directional, serial digital data communication with the second DTE; a power supply comprising an AC/DC converter connected between said AC power connector and said first and second data transceivers, said power supply being connected to be powered by the AC power signal and to supply DC operating power to said first and second data transceivers; a visual indicator connected to said power supply for indicating a status; and a single enclosure housing said AC power connector, said first and second data ports, said first and second data transceivers, said power supply and said visual indicator, wherein: at least one of said first and second data transceivers is a Local Area Network (LAN) transceiver; said first and second data transceivers are coupled to each other for passing data between the first and second DTEs; and wherein said device is addressable in a LAN. 14. The device according to claim 13, wherein said device is wall mountable in the AC power outlet opening or pluggable into an existing AC power outlet. 15. The device according to claim 13, wherein communication with said first and second DTEs is over a wired medium, each of said data ports comprises a connector, and said first and second data transceivers are each a wired LAN transceiver. 16. The device according to claim 15, wherein each of said first and second data transceivers is operative for full duplex communication with the respective DTE. 17. The device according to claim 15, wherein each of said first and second data transceivers is operative for point-to-point communication only with a single mating transceiver of substantially the same type. 18. The device according to claim 15, wherein each of said LAN transceivers is operative to conduct bidirectional communication with one or more substantially similar transceivers over a LAN wiring. 19. The device according to claim 15, wherein said data connector and said first data transceiver cooperatively form a digital data interface substantially conforming to Ethernet standard. 20. The device according to claim 13, wherein: said device is further operative to pass the AC power signal to power an AC powered appliance; and said device further comprises an AC power jack connected to said AC power connector and connectable to the AC powered appliance for AC powering the AC powered appliance from the AC power signal. 21. The device according to claim 13, wherein said device is further operative for coupling to an analog unit, and said device further comprises: an analog connector for coupling an analog signal to the analog unit; and a converter between analog and digital data signals coupled between said first data port and said analog connector. 22. The device according to claim 21, wherein the analog unit is an analog sensor for sensing a physical phenomenon, and said converter is an analog to digital converter. 23. The device according to claim 21, wherein the analog unit is an analog actuator for creating a physical phenomenon, and said converter is a digital to analog converter. 24. The device according to claim 21, wherein the analog unit is one of an audio unit and a video unit and the analog signal is one of an audio signal and a video signal, respectively. 25. A device for coupling an analog unit to a DTE for use with AC power wiring, the wiring being connected to carry an AC power signal, said device comprising: an AC power connector configured for connecting to the AC power wiring; a first data port configured for coupling to a first Digital Terminal Equipment (DTE); a first data transceiver coupled to said first data port for bi-directional, serial digital data communication with the first DTE, said first data transceiver being operative to communicate with a mating data transceiver of substantially the same type; a power supply comprising an AC/DC converter connected between said AC power connector and said first data transceiver, said power supply being connected to be powered by the AC power signal and to supply DC operating power to said first data transceiver; a visual indicator connected to said power supply for indicating a status; an analog connector connectable to an analog unit for coupling an analog signal to the analog unit; a converter between analog and digital data signals coupled between said first data port and said analog connector; and a single enclosure housing said AC power connector, said first data port, said first data transceiver, said analog connector, said converter, said power supply and said visual indicator; wherein said first data transceiver is a Local Area Network (LAN) transceiver, and wherein said device further comprises: a second data port for coupling to a second Digital Terminal Equipment (DTE); and a second data transceiver coupled to said second data port for bi-directional packet-based serial digital data communication with the second DTE, wherein said first data transceiver and said second data transceiver are coupled to each other for passing at of the digital data between the first DTE and the second DTE. 26. The device according to claim 25, wherein said device is addressable in a LAN. 27. The device according to claim 25, wherein: communication with the first DTE is over a wired medium; said first data port comprises a connector; and said first data transceiver is a wired LAN transceiver. 28. The device according to claim 27, wherein said first data transceiver is operative for full duplex communication with the first DTE. 29. The device according to claim 27, wherein said first data transceiver is operative for point-to-point communication only with a single mating transceiver of substantially the same type. 30. The device according to claim 27, wherein said LAN transceiver is operative to conduct bidirectional communication with one or more substantially similar transceivers over a LAN wiring. 31. The device according to claim 27, wherein said data connector and said first data transceiver cooperatively form a digital data interface substantially conforming to Ethernet standard. 32. The device according to claim 25, wherein: said device is further operative to pass the AC power signal to power an AC powered appliance; and said device further comprises an AC power jack connected to said AC power connector and connectable to the AC powered appliance for AC powering the AC powered appliance from the AC power signal. 33. The device according to claim 25, wherein said device is wall mountable in the AC power outlet opening or pluggable into an existing AC power outlet. 34. The device according to claim 25, wherein the analog unit is an analog sensor for sensing a physical phenomenon, and said converter is an analog to digital converter. 35. The device according to claim 25, wherein the analog unit is an analog actuator for creating a physical phenomenon, and said converter is a digital to analog converter. 36. The device according to claim 25, wherein the analog unit is one of an audio unit and a video unit and the analog signal is one of an audio signal and a video signal, respectively. 37. A device for use with AC power wiring, the wiring being connected to carry an AC power signal, said device comprising: an AC power connector configured for connecting to the AC power wiring; a first data port configured for coupling to a first Digital Terminal Equipment (DTE); a first data transceiver coupled to said first data port for bi-directional, serial digital data communication with the first DTE; a second data port for coupling to a second Digital Terminal Equipment (DTE); a second data transceiver coupled to said second data port for bi-directional, serial digital data communication with the second DTE; a power supply comprising an AC/DC converter connected between said AC power connector and said first and second data transceivers, said power supply being connected to be powered by the AC power signal and to supply DC operating power to said first and second data transceivers; an analog connector connectable to an analog unit for coupling an analog signal to the analog unit; a converter between analog and digital data signals coupled between said first data port and said analog connector; a visual indicator connected to said power supply for indicating a status; and a single enclosure housing said AC power connector, said first and second data ports, said first and second data transceivers, said analog connector, said converter, said power supply and said visual indicator, wherein: at least one of said first and second data transceivers is a Local Area Network (LAN) transceiver; and said first and second data transceivers are coupled to each other for passing data between the first and second DTEs. 38. The device according to claim 37, wherein said device is addressable in a LAN. 39. The device according to claim 37, wherein communication with said first and second DTEs is over a wired medium, each of said data ports comprises a connector, and said first and second data transceivers are each a wired LAN transceiver. 40. The device according to claim 39, wherein each of said first and second data transceivers is operative for full duplex communication with the respective DTE. 41. The device according to claim 39, wherein each of said first and second data transceivers is operative for point-to-point communication only with a single mating transceiver of substantially the same type. 42. The device according to claim 39, wherein each of said LAN transceivers is operative to conduct bidirectional communication with one or more substantially similar transceivers over a LAN wiring. 43. The device according to claim 39, wherein said data connector and said first data transceiver cooperatively form a digital data interface substantially conforming to Ethernet standard. 44. The device according to claim 37, wherein: said device is further operative to pass the AC power signal to power an AC powered appliance; and said device further comprises an AC power jack connected to said AC power connector and connectable to the AC powered appliance for AC powering the AC powered appliance from the AC power signal. 45. The device according to claim 37, wherein said device is wall mountable in the AC power outlet opening or pluggable into an existing AC power outlet. 46. The device according to claim 37, wherein the analog unit is an analog sensor for sensing a physical phenomenon, and said converter is an analog to digital converter. 47. The device according to claim 37, wherein the analog unit is an analog actuator for creating a physical phenomenon, and said converter is a digital to analog converter. 48. The device according to claim 37, wherein the analog unit is one of an audio unit and a video unit and the analog signal is one of an audio signal and a video signal, respectively. 49. A device for coupling power and digital data in a network, for use with first and second point-to-point network wiring segments each comprising at least one twisted-wire pair and carrying DC power and digital data signals, the device comprising: a first transceiver configured for first full duplex serial digital data communication over the first wiring segment; a second transceiver configured for second full-duplex serial digital data communication over the second wiring segment; a third transceiver coupled to the first and second transceivers for full-duplex digital data communication with a data unit that is connectable to the device, and the device is configured for: i) coupling a first DC power signal and the first full-duplex serial digital data to the first wiring segment; ii) coupling a second DC power signal and the second full-duplex serial digital data to the second wiring segment; and iii) enabling coupling between the first and second full-duplex serial digital data and the data unit, wherein the first and second full-duplex serial digital data are independent from each other. 50. The device according to claim 49, further comprising a power connector for coupling to a power source that supplies the first and second DC power signals. 51. The device according to claim 50, further comprising a first connector for connecting to the first wiring segment and a second connector for connecting to the second wiring segment. 52. The device according to claim 51, further comprising first and second current limiting circuits respectively coupled between said power connector and the first and second connectors for respectively current limiting of the first and second DC power signals. 53. The device according to claim 49, wherein the first and second full-duplex serial digital data communication is packet-based communication, and the device is addressable. 54. The device according to claim 53, wherein the device has a manually assigned address. 55. The device according to claim 53, wherein the device has an automatically assigned address. 56. The device according to claim 53, wherein the device has an address assigned by the data unit or a further data unit coupled to the device. 57. The device according to claim 49 further functioning as a multiplexer, wherein the communication with the data unit includes communication of a serial digital data stream carrying time multiplexed first and second data streams, and wherein the first data stream is coupled only to the first transceiver, and the second data stream is coupled only to the second transceiver. 58. The device according to claim 49, further comprising a data connector coupled to the third transceiver for connecting to the data unit. 59. A local area network comprising the device as claimed in claim 49. 60. The device according to claim 49, wherein the device has a manually assigned address. 61. The device according to claim 49, wherein the device has an automatically assigned address. 62. The device according to claim 49, wherein the device has an address assigned by the data unit or a further data unit coupled to the device. 63. The device according to claim 49, wherein the device is adapted to be mounted on a wall. 64. The device according to claim 49, wherein the device is configured to function as a multiplexer.