Modular outlet
View Patent ↗In conjunction with a wiring in a house carrying data network signal, a modular outlet ( 100 ) includes a base module ( 100 a ) and interface module ( 100 b ). The base module connects to the wiring and is attached to the surface of a building. The interface module provides a data unit connection. The interface module is mechanically attached to the base module and electrically connected thereto. The wiring may also carry basic service signal such as telephone, electrical power and cable television (CATV). In such a case, the outlet provides the relevant connectivity either as part of the base module or as part of the interface module. Both proprietary and industry standard interfaces can be used to interconnect the module. Furthermore, a standard computer expansion card (such as PCI, PCMCIA and alike) may be used as interface module.
1. A device for coupling a data unit to a medium concurrently carrying a digital data signal and a service signal, the device comprising:
a first connector for connecting to the medium to receive the digital data signal and the service signal;
a second connector for coupling the service signal to a service unit;
a third connector for coupling the digital data signal to the data unit, the third connector being a USB connector operative for full-duplex communication with the data unit;
a splitter/combiner unit for passing only the service signal between the first connector and the second connector, and for passing only the digital data signal from the first connector to the third connector; and
a transceiver coupled between the splitter/combiner unit and the third connector,
the device being addressable in a digital data network.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein:
the medium is a non-wired medium; and
the first connector is a non-wired connector.
3. The device of claim 2 , wherein:
the non-wired medium uses one of light; infrared radiation; acoustic energy; and radio frequency waves.
4. The device of claim 2 , wherein:
the medium is a wireless medium; and
the first connector is a wireless connector.
5. The device of claim 4 , wherein:
the service signal is one of a telephone signal, an audio signal, and a video signal.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein:
the medium is a coaxial cable wiring; and
the first and second connectors are coaxial cable connectors.
7. The device of claim 6 , wherein:
the service signal is a cable television signal.
8. The device of claim 1 , wherein:
the medium is a telephone wiring; and
the first and second connectors are telephone connectors.
9. The device of claim 8 , wherein:
the service signal is a telephone signal.
10. The device of claim 1 , wherein:
the medium is a power wiring; and
the first and second connectors are power line connectors.
11. The device of claim 10 , wherein:
the service signal is a power signal.
12. The device of claim 1 , wherein:
the medium is a LAN wiring; and
the first and second connectors are LAN connectors.
13. The device of claim 12 , wherein:
the service signal is a power signal.
14. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a multi-port unit coupled between the transceiver and the third connector, the multi-port unit being one of: a hub, a switch, a router, and a gateway.
15. The device of claim 14 , wherein:
the multi-port unit is a hub.
16. The device of claim 14 , further comprising:
an adapter coupled between the multi-port unit and the third connector.
17. The device of claim 1 , wherein:
at least one active component of the device is powered by power transmitted over the medium.
18. The device of claim 1 , wherein:
the digital data signal is a serial, packet-based digital data signal.
19. The device of claim 1 , further adapted to power the data unit by power transmitted over the medium.