Network combining wired and non-wired segments
View Patent ↗A local area network ( 60 ) within a residence or other building, including both wired ( 5 ) and non-wired segments ( 53 ). The wired segments are based on new or existing wires ( 5 a , 5 b , 5 c , 5 d, 5 e ) in the building, wherein access to the wires is provided by means of outlets ( 61 a , 61 d ), such as a telephone system, electrical power distribution system, or cable television wiring system. The non-wired segments are based on communication using propagated waves such as radio, sound, or light (e.g. infrared). The wired and non-wired segments interface in the outlet, using a module ( 50 ) that serves as mediator between the segments. The module can be integrated into the outlet, partially housed in the outlet, or attached externally to the outlet. Such a network allows for integrated communication of data units ( 24 b ) connected by wires and data units ( 24 a , 24 d ) connected without wires.
1. A network for non-wired communication between first and second non-wired data units respectively located at first and second locations, the locations being connected together via an existing CATV coaxial cable concurrently carrying a bi-directional packet-based wired digital data signal and a CATV signal using frequency division multiplexing, wherein the wired digital data signal is carried in a digital data frequency band and the CATV signal is carried in a CATV frequency band distinct from and lower than the digital data frequency band, said network comprising:
a first device housed in a first single enclosure, said first device being connected at the first location to transmit and receive digital data in the digital data frequency band over the CATV coaxial cable, said first device being a non-wired device communicatively couplable to exchange packet-based digital data over a first non-wired medium with the first non-wired data unit, said first device further being operative to transmit to the CATV coaxial cable data received from the first non-wired data unit and to transmit to the first non-wired data unit digital data received from the CATV coaxial cable; and
a second device housed in a second single enclosure, said second device being connected at the second location to transmit and receive digital data in the digital data frequency band over the CATV coaxial cable, said second device being a non-wired device communicatively couplable to exchange packet-based digital data over a second non-wired medium with the second non-wired data unit, said second device further being operative to transmit to the CATV coaxial cable data received from second non-wired data unit and to transmit to the second non-wired data unit digital data received from the CATV coaxial cable;
wherein said network is operative to transparently and bi-directionally pass digital data between the first and second non-wired data units.
2. The network according to claim 1 , wherein the CATV coaxial cable is at least in part in walls of a building and is connected to a first wall-mounted CATV outlet at the first location and to a second wall-mounted CATV outlet at the second location, and wherein said first and second devices are in the building and are respectively connected to the first and second CATV outlets via first and second standard CATV connectors.
3. The network according to claim 2 , wherein at least one of said first and second devices is mechanically attached to the respective CATV outlet.
4. The network according to claim 2 , wherein at least one of said first and second devices is mechanically detachable from the respective CATV outlet.
5. The network according to claim 2 , wherein at least one of said first and second devices is mountable into a CATV outlet cavity or opening.
6. The network according to claim 1 , wherein the same non-wired protocol is used for exchange of packet-based data over the first non-wired medium between said first device and the first non-wired data unit and for exchange of packet-based data over the second non-wired medium between said second device and the second non-wired data unit.
7. The network according to claim 6 , wherein the digital data carried over the CATV coaxial cable uses a wired protocol distinct from the non-wired protocol, and wherein each of said devices comprises a packet-based digital protocol adapter consisting of one of: a bridge; a router; and a gateway, coupled to convert between the non-wired and wired protocols.
8. The network according to claim 1 , wherein the exchange of data over one of the non-wired mediums with at least one of the first and second non-wired data units is based on one of: sound; visible light; infrared light; and radio frequency radiation.
9. The network according to claim 1 , wherein the exchange of data over one of the non-wired mediums with at least one of the first and second non-wired data units uses radio frequency radiation based on IEEE802.11 standard.
10. The network according to claim 1 , wherein the exchange of data over one of the non-wired mediums with at least one of the first and second non-wired data units uses radio frequency radiation, at least one of the first and second non-wired data units is located outside a building, and the exchange of data over one of the non-wired mediums with at least one of the first and second non-wired data units is performed by an outdoor broadband service.
11. The network according to claim 10 , wherein the outdoor broadband service is based on one of:
satellite, LMDS and WLL service.
12. The network according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of said single enclosures is constructed to have at least one of the following:
a form substantially similar to that of a standard outlet;
wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard wall outlet;
a shape allowing direct mounting in an outlet opening or cavity; and
a form to at least in part substitute for a standard outlet.
13. The network according to claim 1 , wherein said first and second devices are identical to each other.
14. The network according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second locations are respectively first and second rooms in the same building.
15. A device for use in a network for non-wired communication between first and second non-wired data units respectively located at first and second locations and connected together via an existing CATV coaxial cable to concurrently carry a bi-directional packet-based wired digital data signal and a CATV signal using frequency division multiplexing, wherein the wired digital data signal is carried in a digital data frequency band and the CATV signal is carried in a CATV frequency band distinct from and lower than the digital data frequency band, wherein:
said device is housed in a single enclosure and is connected at the first location to transmit and receive digital data in the digital data frequency band over the CATV coaxial cable, said device being a non-wired device communicatively couplable to exchange packet-based digital data over a non-wired medium with the first non-wired data unit, said device further being operative to transmit to the CATV coaxial cable data received from the first non-wired data unit and to transmit to the first non-wired data unit digital data received from the CATV coaxial cable; and
the network is operative to transparently and bi-directionally pass digital data between the first and second non-wired data units when another, identical, device is connected at the second location to transmit and receive digital data in the digital data frequency band over the CATV coaxial cable.
16. A kit comprising at least first and second devices connectable together via an existing CATV coaxial cable to form a network that is operative to transparently and bi-directionally pass digital data between first and second non-wired data units respectively located at first and second locations to concurrently carry a bi-directional packet-based wired digital data signal and a CATV signal using frequency division multiplexing for non-wired communication between the first and second non-wired data units, wherein the wired digital data signal is carried in a digital data frequency band and the CATV signal is carried in an CATV frequency distinct from and lower than the digital data frequency band, wherein:
said first device is housed in a first single enclosure and is connectable at the first location to transmit and receive digital data in the digital data frequency band over the CATV coaxial cable, said first device being a non-wired device communicatively couplable to exchange packet-based digital data over a first non-wired medium with the first non-wired data unit, said first device further being operative to transmit to the CATV coaxial cable data received from the first non-wired data unit and to transmit to the first non-wired data unit digital data received from the CATV coaxial cable; and
said second device is housed in a second single enclosure and is connectable at the second location to transmit and receive digital data in the digital data frequency band over the CATV coaxial cable, said second device being a non-wired device communicatively couplable to exchange packet-based digital data over a non-wired medium which is identical to the first non-wired medium with the second non-wired data unit, said second device further being operative to transmit to the CATV coaxial cable data received from second non-wired data unit and to transmit to the second non-wired data unit digital data received from the CATV coaxial cable.