US7245212B2 — Power line communication apparatus and method of …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 149 words

A power line communications device for communicating data over a medium voltage power line carrying a voltage greater than one thousand volts, the device comprising: a user device interface configured to communicate with a plurality of user devices and comprising: a first filter, a first amplifier communicatively coupled to said first filter, and a first modem communicatively coupled to said first amplifier; a medium voltage interface configured to be communicatively coupled to the medium voltage power line and comprising: a medium voltage coupler; a second filter communicatively coupled to said coupler, a second amplifier communicatively coupled to said second filter; and a second modem communicatively coupled to said second amplifier and having a media access control address; and a controller in communication with said medium voltage interface and said user device interface and comprising: a memory storing program code therein, and a processor configured to execute said program code.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 149 words

A power line communications device for communicating data over a medium voltage power line carrying a voltage greater than one thousand volts, the device comprising: a user device interface configured to communicate with a plurality of user devices and comprising: a first filter, a first amplifier communicatively coupled to said first filter, and a first modem communicatively coupled to said first amplifier; a medium voltage interface configured to be communicatively coupled to the medium voltage power line and comprising: a medium voltage coupler; a second filter communicatively coupled to said coupler, a second amplifier communicatively coupled to said second filter; and a second modem communicatively coupled to said second amplifier and having a media access control address; and a controller in communication with said medium voltage interface and said user device interface and comprising: a memory storing program code therein, and a processor configured to execute said program code.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 34 words

The device of claim 1 , further comprising a power supply system configured to supply power to said first modem and said second modem and wherein said power supply system includes a battery backup.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 38 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein said user device interface further comprises a switch communicatively coupled to said first modem and having a data receive configuration for receiving data and a data transmit configuration for transmitting data.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 34 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein said program code includes a code segment configured to cause said controller to transmit data traffic information over the medium voltage power line via said second modem.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 16 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein said first modem includes a media access control address.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 24 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein said program code includes a program code segment configured to cause said controller to route data packets.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 36 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein said program code includes a program code segment configured to cause said controller to prioritize data packets based, at least in part, on the subscription level of the user.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 38 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein said program code includes a program code segment configured to cause said controller to prioritize data packets based, at least in part, on the type of data in the data packets.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 18 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein said coupler couples data, at least in part, via inductive coupling.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 33 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein said coupler comprises a magnetically permeable toroid configured to be disposed at least partially around the medium voltage power line and a winding through said toroid.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 17 words

The-device of claim 1 , wherein said coupler couples data, at least in part, via capacitive coupling.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 29 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein said first modem is in communication with a utility meter and an address for said utility meter is stored in said memory.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 35 words

The-device of claim 1 , further comprising a first Internet Protocol (IP) address associated with said first modem stored in said memory and a second address associated with said second modem stored in said memory.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 23 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein said second modem communicates over the medium voltage power line via Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing modulation.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 17 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein said first modem communicates using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing modulation.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 48 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein said user device interface communicates data over a low voltage power line in a first frequency band and said medium voltage interface communicates data over the medium voltage power line in a second frequency band different from said first frequency band.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 20 words

The device of claim 1 , further comprising a router in communication with said first modem and said second modem.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 31 words

The device of claim 17 , wherein said router is configured to provide data packets containing voice data higher priority for transmission than at least some data packets containing non-voice data.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 28 words

The device of claim 1 , further comprising a first analog to digital converter (ADC) in communication with said controller and configured to measure a power line voltage.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 38 words

The device of claim 19 , wherein said program code includes a code segment configured to cause said controller to cause said second modem to transmit an out of limit voltage notification over the medium voltage power line.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 37 words

The device of claim 19 , wherein said program code includes a code segment configured to cause said controller to cause said second modem to transmit a power line voltage measurement over the medium voltage power line.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 35 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein said program code includes a first code segment configured to cause said controller to store in said memory new program code received over the medium voltage power line.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 26 words

The device of claim 22 , wherein said program code includes a second code segment configured to cause said controller to execute said new program code.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 31 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein said program code includes a code segment configured to cause said controller to filter at least some data packets communicated with a user device.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 25 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein said user device interface is configured to communicate with the plurality of user devices via a wireless link.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 39 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein said program code includes a code segment configured to cause said controller to store in memory address information associated with a plurality of user devices received via the medium voltage power line.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 23 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein said program code includes a code segment configured to cause said controller to restrict unauthorized communications.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 34 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein said user device interface is configured to communicate with a video presentation system and wherein an address for said video presentation system is stored in said memory.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 30 words

The device of claim 1 , wherein said user device interface is configured to communicate with a telephone and wherein an address for said telephone is stored in said memory.

Claim 31

Independent Claim 172 words

A method of communicating data over a medium voltage power line carrying a voltage greater than one thousand volts, comprising: receiving user data signals containing user data from a user device; filtering the user data signals; amplifying the filtered user data signals, demodulating the amplified user data signals to provide the user data; executing program code stored in a memory to process the user data; modulating a signal with the user data to provide upstream data signals; amplifying the upstream data signals; transmitting the upstream data signals over the medium voltage power line; receiving medium voltage data signals containing downstream data from the medium voltage power line; filtering the medium voltage (MV) data signals, amplifying the filtered MV data signals, demodulating the amplified MV data signals to provide the downstream data; executing program code stored in the memory to process the downstream data; modulating a signal with the downstream data to provide downstream data signals; amplifying the downstream data signals; and transmitting the downstream data signals to one or more user devices.

Claim 32

Independent Claim 172 words

A method of communicating data over a medium voltage power line carrying a voltage greater than one thousand volts, comprising: receiving user data signals containing user data from a user device; filtering the user data signals; amplifying the filtered user data signals, demodulating the amplified user data signals to provide the user data; executing program code stored in a memory to process the user data; modulating a signal with the user data to provide upstream data signals; amplifying the upstream data signals; transmitting the upstream data signals over the medium voltage power line; receiving medium voltage data signals containing downstream data from the medium voltage power line; filtering the medium voltage (MV) data signals, amplifying the filtered MV data signals, demodulating the amplified MV data signals to provide the downstream data; executing program code stored in the memory to process the downstream data; modulating a signal with the downstream data to provide downstream data signals; amplifying the downstream data signals; and transmitting the downstream data signals to one or more user devices.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 30 , further comprising providing a power supply system having a battery backup.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 30 , further comprising: measuring a voltage of a power line; and storing voltage data in the memory.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 32 , wherein said measuring is performed periodically and in accordance with information stored in the memory.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 32 , further comprising transmitting an out of limit voltage notification over the medium voltage power line.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 32 , further comprising transmitting the voltage data over the medium voltage power line.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 31 words

The method of claim 30 , wherein the user data forms part of a user data packet and further comprising adding a media access control address to the user data packet.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 30 , further comprising routing the user data.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 30 , further comprising prioritizing voice data higher for transmission than at least some non-voice data.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 30 , further comprising prioritizing user data based, at least in part, on the subscription level of the user.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 30 , further comprising prioritizing user data based, at least in part, on the type of data.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 30 , further comprising storing addresses for a plurality of utility meters in the memory.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 30 , wherein said modulating to provide upstream data signals comprises Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing modulating.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 30 , wherein said user data signals are received in a first frequency band and said upstream data signals are transmitted in a second frequency band different from said first frequency band.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method of claim 30 , wherein said processing of the user data comprises routing of said user data and said processing of the downstream data comprises routing of the downstream data.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 30 , further comprising: receiving a first code segment over the medium voltage power line; storing said first code segment in the memory; and executing said first code segment.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 30 , further comprising: storing data traffic information in the memory; and transmitting the data traffic information over the medium voltage power line.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 30 , wherein said processing comprises filtering at least some of the user data.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 30 , wherein said receiving the user data signals comprises receiving the user data signals via a wireless link.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 30 , wherein said receiving the user data signals comprises receiving the user data signals via a low voltage power line.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 30 , wherein said receiving the user data signals comprises receiving the user data signals via a coaxial cable.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 30 , wherein said receiving the user data signals comprises receiving the user data signals via a twisted pair telephone cable.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 30 , further comprising: receiving a plurality of addresses associated with user devices; and storing the addresses in the memory.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 30 , wherein said processing of user data comprises restricting unauthorized communications.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 37 words

The method of claim 30 , further comprising: storing an address of a video presentation system in the memory; and wherein at least some of the downstream data comprises video data addressed for the video presentation system.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 30 , further comprising: storing an address of a telephone in the memory; and wherein at least some of the downstream data comprises telephone data addressed for the telephone.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 163 words

A power line communications device for communicating data over a medium voltage power line carrying a voltage greater than one thousand volts, the device comprising: a network interface having a first modem configured to communicate via a non-power line communications medium; a medium voltage interface configured to be communicatively coupled to the medium voltage power line and comprising: a medium voltage coupler; a first filter communicatively coupled to said coupler, a first amplifier communicatively coupled to said first filter; and a second modem communicatively coupled to said first amplifier and having a media access control address; and a controller in communication with said medium voltage interface and said network interface and comprising: a memory storing program code therein, a processor configured to execute said program code, said program code including a code segment; a plurality of address stored in said memory; and wherein each of said addresses corresponds to one of a plurality a communications devices coupled to the medium voltage power line.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 163 words

A power line communications device for communicating data over a medium voltage power line carrying a voltage greater than one thousand volts, the device comprising: a network interface having a first modem configured to communicate via a non-power line communications medium; a medium voltage interface configured to be communicatively coupled to the medium voltage power line and comprising: a medium voltage coupler; a first filter communicatively coupled to said coupler, a first amplifier communicatively coupled to said first filter; and a second modem communicatively coupled to said first amplifier and having a media access control address; and a controller in communication with said medium voltage interface and said network interface and comprising: a memory storing program code therein, a processor configured to execute said program code, said program code including a code segment; a plurality of address stored in said memory; and wherein each of said addresses corresponds to one of a plurality a communications devices coupled to the medium voltage power line.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 24 words

The device of claim 56 , wherein said program code includes a program code segment configured to cause said controller to route data packets.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 36 words

The device of claim 56 , wherein said program code includes a program code segment configured to cause said controller to prioritize data packets based, at least in part, on the subscription level of the user.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 38 words

The device of claim 56 , wherein said program code includes a program code segment configured to cause said controller to prioritize data packets based, at least in part, on the type of data in a data packet.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 18 words

The device of claim 56 , wherein said coupler couples data, at least in part, via inductive coupling.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 33 words

The device of claim 56 , wherein said coupler comprises a magnetically permeable toroid configured to be disposed at least partially around the medium voltage power line and a winding through said toroid.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 18 words

The device of claim 56 , wherein said coupler couples data, at least in part, via capacitive coupling.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 26 words

The device of claim 56 , wherein said second modem is configured to communicate over the medium voltage power line via Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing modulation.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 20 words

The device of claim 56 , further comprising a router in communication with said first modem and said second modem.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 31 words

The device of claim 64 , wherein said router is configured to provide data packets containing voice data higher priority for transmission than at least some data packets containing non-voice data.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 44 words

The device of claim 56 , wherein said program code includes a first code segment configured to cause said controller to transmit new program code over the medium voltage power line to the plurality of communications devices coupled to the medium voltage power line.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2010-07-16	2011-01-15	2011-07-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2014-07-16	2015-01-15	2015-07-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2018-07-16	2019-01-15	2019-07-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Power line communication apparatus and method of using the same

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