System and method for collecting power from a telephone line

1. A method for collecting power from a telephone line, said method comprising:

providing a power collection unit configured to be connected, at a single telephone line outlet, to a communications line simultaneously with a communications device adjacent to the power collection unit, the communications line being used to deliver power at the single telephone line outlet to the adjacent communications device;

diverting and storing, at the power collection unit, a portion of the power being delivered via the communications line at the single telephone line outlet, wherein the stored power at the power collection unit is not utilized to power the adjacent communications device; and

providing, simultaneously, a remaining portion of the power being delivered via the communications line at the single telephone line outlet to the adjacent communications device connected to the power collection unit.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the power collection unit is external to the communication device.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein providing a power collection unit includes providing a rechargeable battery.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein providing a power collection unit includes selling a power collection unit adapted to connect to the communications line and communications device.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein providing a power collection unit configured to be connected, at a single telephone line outlet, to a communications line simultaneously with a communications device adjacent to the power collection unit comprises providing a power collection unit where no cords are used to connect the power collection unit to the single telephone line outlet and providing a communications device where no cords are used to connect the communications device to the power collection unit.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein providing a power collection unit includes providing a power collection unit with an outlet.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein providing a power collection unit includes providing a power collection unit including a flashlight.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein providing a power collection unit includes providing a power collection unit that includes an optical splitter to split a portion of a light signal used for communications in a fiber optic line used to provide communications for a communications device.

9. A communications device, comprising:

a power collection unit; and

a communications unit adjacent to the power collection unit, said power collection unit configured to collect and store, at the power collection unit, a diverted portion of power being delivered through a communications line at a single telephone line outlet to said adjacent communications unit and simultaneously provide a remaining portion of the power being delivered through the communications line at the single telephone line outlet to the adjacent communications unit, wherein the stored power at the power collection unit is not utilized to power the adjacent communications device.

10. The communication device according to claim 9 , wherein said power collection unit includes a battery.

11. The communication device according to claim 9 , wherein said communications unit is a telephone.

12. The communication device according to claim 9 , wherein said power collection unit includes a flashlight.

13. The communication device according to claim 9 , wherein said power collection unit is separable from said communications unit.

14. The communication device according to claim 9 , wherein said power collection unit includes an outlet configured to enable an electronic device to connect to receive power stored in said power collection unit.

15. The communication device according to claim 9 , wherein said communications unit provides voice and data communications.

16. A method for collecting power, said method comprising:

collecting and storing, at a power collection unit, a diverted portion of power being delivered from a communications system through a single telephone line outlet to a communications device adjacent to the power collection unit; and

providing a remaining portion of the power being delivered from the communications system through the single telephone line outlet to the adjacent communications device to power the adjacent communications device, wherein the adjacent communications device is operable while the diverted portion of power being delivered through the single telephone line outlet is being collected and stored at the power collection unit, and wherein the stored power at the power collection unit is not utilized to power the adjacent communications device.

17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein collecting includes collecting the portion of power in parallel with power used to drive the communications device.

18. The method according to claim 16 , further comprising enabling the collected power to be used to power an optical device.

19. The method according to claim 16 , wherein collecting a portion of power includes splitting a light signal to generate electrical power from one portion of the separated light signal.

20. The method according to claim 16 , further comprising generating a light source from the collected power indicative of the power being collected.