Local area network of serial intelligent cells
View Patent ↗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.
1. A device for use with AC power wiring in a building, the wiring being connected to carry an AC power signal and being accessible via an AC power outlet opening in the building, said device comprising:
an AC power connector for connecting to the AC power wiring;
a data port for coupling to a first Digital Terminal Equipment (DTE);
a first data transceiver coupled to said data port for bi-directional, packet-based, serial digital data communication with the first DTE, said first data transceiver being operative to communicate with a mating data transceiver substantially of 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 data port, said first data transceiver, said power supply and said visual indicator;
wherein said device is wall mountable in the AC power outlet opening or pluggable into an existing AC power outlet.
2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said first data transceiver is a Local Area Network (LAN) transceiver, and said device is addressable in a LAN.
3. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the device address is manually assigned.
4. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the device address is automatically assigned.
5. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the device address is assigned by the first DTE.
6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the communication with the first DTE is over a wired medium, said data port comprises a connector, and said first data transceiver is a wired LAN transceiver.
7. The device according to claim 6 , wherein said first data transceiver is operative for full duplex communication with the first DTE.
8. The device according to claim 6 , wherein said first data transceiver is operative for point-to-point communication only with the single mating transceiver of substantially the same type.
9. The device according to claim 6 , wherein said LAN transceiver is operative to conduct bi-directional communication with one or more substantially similar transceivers over a LAN wiring.
10. The device according to claim 6 , wherein said data connector and said first data transceiver cooperatively form a digital data interface substantially conforming to Ethernet standard.
11. The device according to claim 1 further being operative to pass the AC power signal to power an AC powered appliance, wherein 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.
12. 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 AC power outlet;
wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard AC power wall outlet;
a shape allowing direct mounting in an AC power outlet opening or cavity; and
a form to at least in part substitute for a standard AC power outlet.
13. The device according to claim 1 further operative for coupling to an analog unit, said device further comprising:
an analog connector for coupling an analog signal to the analog unit; and
a converter between analog and digital data signals coupled between said data port and said analog connector.
14. The device according to claim 13 wherein the analog unit is an analog sensor for sensing a physical phenomenon, and said converter is an analog to digital converter.
15. The device according to claim 13 , wherein the analog unit is an analog actuator for creating a physical phenomenon, and said converter is a digital to analog converter.
16. The device according to claim 13 , 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.
17. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a second data port for coupling to a second Digital Terminal Equipment (DTE); and
a second data transceiver coupled to said 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.
18. A device for use with AC power wiring in a building, the wiring being connected to carry an AC power signal and being accessible via an AC power outlet opening in the building, said device comprising:
an AC power connector for connecting to the AC power wiring;
a first data port for coupling to a first Digital Terminal Equipment (DTE);
a first data transceiver coupled to said first data port for bi-directional, packet-based, 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, packet-based, 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 said device is wall mountable in the AC power outlet opening or pluggable into an existing AC power outlet, and said first and second data transceivers are coupled to each other for passing data between said first and second DTEs.
19. The device according to claim 18 , wherein at least one of said first and second data transceivers is a Local Area Network (LAN) transceiver, and said device is addressable in a LAN.
20. The device according to claim 19 , wherein the device address is manually assigned.
21. The device according to claim 19 , wherein the device address is automatically assigned.
22. The device according to claim 19 , wherein the device address is assigned by the first DTE.
23. The device according to claim 18 , wherein the 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.
24. The device according to claim 23 , wherein each of said first and second data transceivers is operative for full duplex communication with the respective DTE.
25. The device according to claim 23 , wherein each of said first and second data transceivers is operative for point-to-point communication only with the single mating transceiver of substantially the same type.
26. The device according to claim 23 , wherein each of said LAN transceivers is operative to conduct bidirectional communication with one or more substantially similar transceivers over a LAN wiring.
27. The device according to claim 23 , wherein said data connector and said first data transceiver cooperatively form a digital data interface substantially conforming to Ethernet standard.
28. The device according to claim 18 , 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.
29. The device according to claim 18 , wherein said single enclosure is constructed to have at least one of the following:
a form substantially similar to that of a standard AC power outlet;
wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard AC power wall outlet;
a shape allowing direct mounting in an AC power outlet opening or cavity; and
a form to at least in part substitute for a standard AC power outlet.
30. The device according to claim 18 , 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.
31. The device according to claim 30 wherein the analog unit is an analog sensor for sensing a physical phenomenon, and said converter is an analog to digital converter.
32. The device according to claim 30 , wherein the analog unit is an analog actuator for creating a physical phenomenon, and said converter is a digital to analog converter.
33. The device according to claim 30 , 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.