초록 ▼

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 w

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.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A device for coupling data units to the Internet over wiring, the wiring being connected for carrying a digital data signal in a digital data frequency band that is distinct from, and higher than, the frequency of another signal, said device comprising:a connector consisting o

What is claimed is: 1. A device for coupling data units to the Internet over wiring, the wiring being connected for carrying a digital data signal in a digital data frequency band that is distinct from, and higher than, the frequency of another signal, said device comprising:a connector consisting of one of an AC power plug and a telephone connector for connecting to the wiring;a modem for transmitting and receiving digital data over the wiring;a high pass filter coupled between said connector and said 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 modem and said first and second transceivers;a processor coupled to control and monitor said first and second transceivers and said modem;a first address unit coupled to said processor for storing a first address that uniquely identifies said device in a digital data network; anda single enclosure housing said connector, said 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 address unit.