WO2021111380A2

WO2021111380A2 - System for deploying a broadband data network using an existing electrical wiring infrastructure

Info

Publication number: WO2021111380A2
Application number: PCT/IB2020/061491
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alvaro Bernardo TAFUR CASTILLO
Original assignee: Mabaso Protus Bongani
Current assignee: Mabaso Protus Bongani
Priority date: 2019-12-04
Filing date: 2020-12-04
Publication date: 2021-06-10
Anticipated expiration: 2022-06-04
Also published as: WO2021111380A3

Abstract

A system for deploying a broadband data network using an existing electrical wiring infrastructure is disclosed. In one application, an Internet of Things (IoT) device that requires or uses internet connectivity, for a network hardware connectivity system using an existing electrical wiring infrastructure comprising a plurality of electrical outlets, is disclosed. The IoT device comprises an embedded Ethernet over Power (EoP) transceiver module within the IoT device, with the embedded EoP transceiver module within the IoT device converting a hitherto wireless IoT device, requiring wireless internet connectivity, into a wired IoT device that does not require a SIM card. The IoT device is arranged to act as either a master network router wired device or a slave wired device connected to one of the electrical outlets within the existing electrical wiring infrastructure, the embedded EoP transceiver module, in use, being connectable to a dual function power/data adaptor or module, that supplies power to the device and filters the transmitted or received EoP data to or from the electrical wiring infrastructure respectively.

Description

SYSTEM FOR DEPLOYING A BROADBAND DATA NETWORK USING AN

EXISTING ELECTRICAL WIRING INFRASTRUCTURE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

THIS invention relates to a system for deploying a broadband data network using an existing electrical wiring infrastructure, typically within a household environment, but not limited thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The deployment of a broadband data network within a household environment to provide reliable internet connectivity for various devices throughout the building is generally quite difficult, especially in large buildings with multiple floors. Typically, a wireless router or access point is installed at an entry point of the Internet Service Providers (ISP) broadband network into the building, in the hope that the wireless router/access point reaches most areas of the building. Unfortunately, this coverage is generally insufficient, rendering the broadband data network largely inaccessible to most parts of the building. To address this, some users install multiple Wi-Fi network wireless extenders, typically within an already wall-crowded environment as a quick and cheap solution. However, these devices need to try and extend an already weak and unreliable Wi-Fi signal, thus making them extremely inefficient. As such, these devices do not meet the broadband speed demands of current consumer data-driven products and applications. Although ISPs can deliver broadband line speeds up to 1 Gigabit per second to the household entry point, these speeds are not experienced by most internet household users because of the Wi-Fi signal’s inefficiencies. Several alternative arrangements have been proposed over the last few years to address the above shortcomings.

Power Over Ethernet (PoE), for example, has been around for several years, but has had very limited success. As its name implies, this technology aims to connect and power electronic and electrical devices through a PoE-standard Ethernet cable. PoE uses dedicated routers and network switches to route power and Ethernet data through the Ethernet cable. The PoE-standard Ethernet cable consists of a full 8-wire connection, with 4 wires being used to route the Ethernet data and the other 4 wires being used to route power to PoE ready devices. One of the reasons for PoE’s lack of success is its limited Volt-Ampere (VA) capability and related high voltage Direct Current (DC) hazards since a standard PoE connection requires a 48 V DC voltage.

Ethernet over Power (EoP) is another technology, which involves sending data through electrical power lines. This technology has been used for several years already for sending small packages of analogue data through the electrical wiring infrastructure to remotely control electrical devices connected to the electrical wiring infrastructure. EoP has advanced and has been developed to reach the data transfer, communications specifications and related broadband speeds capability of the IEEE 802.3 ethernet standards. As a result, EoP has emerged and a small group of manufacturers have developed devices called Power Line Connectors (PLCs) that work in pairs, with one device as a PLC input and the other as a PLC output. As this technology-capability is relatively new, these PLC devices that are manufactured to apply the EoP technology in the household environment are very expensive and ignored by most network home installers and household users. The main shortcoming of these devices is that they are sold in pairs as each device is plugged to a power outlet and acts as a network link to the other device that is connected to the Ethernet port of an electronic device that requires such connectivity. In many cases the pairing of these two devices is complicated and tedious, which frustrates the user or installer trying to install such devices.

Although EoP technology is reliable and efficient, the use of PLCs can only partially address wall-crowded environments, as each electrical or electronic device that requires internet network must be connected to one PLC at a time. This makes the EoP networking very expensive and complicated due to the pairing properties of the PLC devices. The issue of pairing prevents PLCs from being distributed throughout the household environment as network access points, as they need to be connected to a host network point such as a router having the same EoP properties. A further shortcoming is the limited distance between paired PLCs to ensure reliable connectivity. In addition, this is not particularly cost effective since two electrical adapters are required per device, with one adaptor (the PLC) being needed for internet connectivity and the other being a power adaptor to supply power to the electronic device.

As a general comment, many IP (Internet Protocol) devices, such as IP phones, VoIP phones and IP cameras, are overlooked by household users because these devices each require an individual hardwire connection from a network switch (in respect of IP phones and VoIP phones) or a NVR (Network Video Recorder, in respect of IP cameras). This limitation applies to many so-called smart devices (or Internet of Things (loT) devices) that require or use internet connectivity, which generally refer to a device connected to the internet wirelessly through a SIM card utilizing a mobile telephone network. Unfortunately, the setting up of supporting networks and the related deployment of wireless loT devices has not been successful as it is economically unfeasible for a service provider, since the amount of input and output data used by most wireless loT devices is relatively small quantify (typically in the region of megabytes per month or in some cases even kilobytes per month).

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a system for deploying a broadband data network using an existing electrical wiring infrastructure within, but not limited to, a household environment or wall-crowded environment, which will overcome the disadvantages and inefficiencies of the current solutions described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a smart device (or Internet of Things (loT) device) that requires or uses internet connectivity, for a network hardware connectivity system using an existing electrical wiring infrastructure comprising a plurality of electrical outlets, the smart device comprising an embedded Ethernet over Power (EoP) transceiver module within the smart device.

In an embodiment, the embedded EoP transceiver module within the smart device essentially converts a hitherto wireless smart device, requiring wireless internet connectivity, into a wired smart device that does not require a SIM card.

In an embodiment, the smart device is arranged to act as either a master network router wired device or a slave wired device connected to one of the electrical outlets within the existing electrical wiring infrastructure, the embedded EoP transceiver module, in use, being connectable to a dual function power/data adaptor or module, that supplies power to the device and filters the transmitted or received EoP data to or from the electrical wiring infrastructure respectively.

In an embodiment, in the case in which the device is a master network router wired device, the device acts as a main network host device, and may take the form of a router or network switch that is connected to an external broadband access point to receive an incoming internet line from a ISP.

In an embodiment, the master network router wired device includes a hardware WAN port to receive an Ethernet cable from a (VDSL, ADSL, or optical) network connected unit, and a VLAN network switch connected between the WAN port and the embedded EoP transceiver module.

In an embodiment, the master network router wired device includes a SIM card to receive an incoming wireless internet line from an ISP, the SIM card being connected to the VLAN network switch in conjunction with the WAN port.

In one version, within the context of a typical household environment, the master network router wired device takes the form of an Internet Protocol Television Set Top Box (IPTV STB), to facilitate the injection of the broadband data from the external broadband access point into the existing electrical wiring infrastructure. In an embodiment, the embedded EoP transceiver module of the master network router wired device provides two data wires that extend to a plug connector to define a plurality of virtual hardware Ethernet ports, which are managed by the VLAN network switch, with an embedded power supply module providing two power supply wires that extend to the plug connector, with an integrated/unitary four wire EoP and DC power cable extending between the plug connector and the dual function power/data adaptor or module.

The dual function power/data adaptor or module includes a AC/DC module connected to the two power supply wires and an EoP filter connected to the two data wires to filter the EoP data to the electrical wiring infrastructure, with the dual function power/data adaptor or module comprising a power plug for connecting to an electrical outlet of the existing electrical wiring infrastructure.

In an embodiment, in the case in which the device is a slave wired device, in one version, the slave wired device is a light current electronic device in which the embedded EoP transceiver module receives two data wires from a plug connector, with an embedded power supply module receiving two power supply wires from the plug connector, with an integrated/unitary four wire EoP and DC power cable extending between the plug connector and the dual function power/data adaptor or module.

The dual function power/data adaptor or module includes a AC/DC module connected to the two power supply wires and an EoP filter connected to the two data wires to filter the EoP data from the electrical wiring infrastructure, with the dual function power/data adaptor or module comprising a power plug for connecting to an electrical outlet of the existing electrical wiring infrastructure.

In another version, the slave wired device is a high current electrical device in which the dual function power/data adaptor or module is also embedded within the device, the dual function power/data adaptor or module including a AC/DC module connected to two power supply wires from a plug connector and an EoP filter connected to two data wires from the plug connector, to filter the EoP data from the electrical wiring infrastructure, the plug connector being connected to an electrical outlet of the existing electrical wiring infrastructure with a two wire EoP and AC power cable. Internally, a pair of data wires extend between the EoP filter and the embedded EoP transceiver module, and a pair of power supply wires extend between the AC/DC module and a power supply module.

The slave wired device may be fitted with an internal embedded Wireless Access Point Wi-Fi module to provide Wi-Fi data connectivity so as to extend the data network of the present invention.

In one version, the slave devices form a mesh network, in which the slave devices themselves act as hosts for other slave devices within the network hardware connectivity system, with there being an unlimited number of slave devices that act as clients.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of modifying a smart device (or Internet of Things (loT) device) that requires or uses internet connectivity, for a network hardware connectivity system using an existing electrical wiring infrastructure comprising a plurality of electrical outlets, the method comprising embedding an Ethernet over Power (EoP) transceiver module within the device.

In an embodiment, the smart device is arranged to act as either a master network router wired device or a slave wired device connected to one of the electrical outlets within the existing electrical wiring infrastructure. The method further comprises the step of providing a dual function power/data adaptor or module, with the embedded EoP transceiver module, in use, being connectable to the dual function power/data adaptor or module, the dual function power/data adaptor or module supplying power to the device and filtering the transmitted or received EoP data to or from the electrical wiring infrastructure respectively. In an embodiment, in the case in which the device is a master network router wired device, the device acts as a main network host device, and may take the form of a router or network switch that is connected to an external broadband access point to receive an incoming internet line from a ISP.

In an embodiment, the method includes embedding a hardware WAN port into the master network router wired device to receive an Ethernet cable from a (VDSL, ADSL, or optical) network connected unit, and embedding a VLAN network switch connected between the WAN port and the embedded EoP transceiver module.

In an embodiment, the method includes embedding a SIM card within the master network router wired device to receive an incoming wireless internet line from an ISP, and connecting the SIM card to the VLAN network switch in conjunction with the WAN port.

In one version, within the context of a typical household environment, the master network router wired device takes the form of an Internet Protocol Television Set Top Box (IPTV STB), to facilitate the injection of the broadband data from the external broadband access point into the existing electrical wiring infrastructure.

In an embodiment, the embedded EoP transceiver module provides two data wires that lead into a plug connector to define a plurality of virtual hardware Ethernet ports, which are managed by the VLAN network switch, with an embedded power supply module providing two power supply wires that lead into the plug connector, with an integrated/unitary four wire EoP and DC power cable extending between the plug connector and the dual function power/data adaptor or module.

The dual function power/data adaptor or module includes a AC/DC module connected to the two power supply wires and an EoP filter connected to the two data wires to filter the EoP data to the electrical wiring infrastructure, with the dual function power/data adaptor or module comprising a power plug for connecting to an electrical outlet of the existing electrical wiring infrastructure. In an embodiment, in the case in which the device is a slave wired device, in one version, the slave wired device is a light current electronic device in which the embedded EoP transceiver module receives two data wires from a plug connector, with an embedded power supply module receiving two power supply wires from the plug connector, with a four wire EoP and DC power cable extending between the plug connector and the dual function power/data adaptor or module.

In one version, the slave devices form a mesh network, in which the slave devices themselves act as hosts for other slave devices within the network hardware connectivity system, with there being an unlimited number of slave devices that act as clients. According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided an integrated/unitary four wire EoP and DC power cable having a first end connected to a plug connector and a second end connected to a dual function power/data adaptor or module, the dual function power/data adaptor or module including a AC/DC module and an embedded EoP filter.

In an embodiment, the four wire EoP and DC power cable comprises two data wires that connect to the embedded EoP filter and two power supply wires that connect to the AC/DC module.

In an embodiment, the dual function power/data adaptor or module includes a power plug to connect the dual function power/data adaptor or module to an electrical outlet of an existing electrical wiring infrastructure, to define a network hardware connectivity system.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of assembling an integrated/unitary four wire EoP and DC power cable having a first end connectable to a plug connector and a second end, the method comprising connecting the second end to a dual function power/data adaptor or module, the dual function power/data adaptor or module including a AC/DC module and an embedded EoP filter.

In an embodiment, the method comprises providing two data wires that connect to the embedded EoP filter and providing two power supply wires that connect to the AC/DC module, and enclosing the two data wires and the two power supply wires to define the integrated/unitary four wire EoP and DC power cable.

In an embodiment, the dual function power/data adaptor or module includes a power plug to connect the dual function power/data adaptor or module to an electrical outlet of an existing electrical wiring infrastructure, to define a network hardware connectivity system. According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a router device for a network hardware connectivity system using an existing electrical wiring infrastructure, the router device comprising: an embedded Ethernet over Power (EoP) transceiver module within the router device; a hardware WAN port to receive an Ethernet cable from a (VDSL, ADSL, or optical) network connected unit; and a VLAN network switch connected between the WAN port and the embedded EoP transceiver module, with the embedded EoP transceiver module defining a plurality of virtual hardware Ethernet ports, which are managed by the VLAN network switch.

In an embodiment, the router device includes a SIM card to receive an incoming wireless internet line from an ISP, the SIM card being connected to the VLAN network switch in conjunction with the WAN port.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of assembling a router device for a network hardware connectivity system using an existing electrical wiring infrastructure, the method comprising: embedding an Ethernet over Power (EoP) transceiver module within the router device; providing a hardware WAN port to receive an Ethernet cable from a (VDSL, ADSL, or optical) network connected unit; and providing a VLAN network switch connected between the WAN port and the embedded EoP transceiver module, with the embedded EoP transceiver module defining a plurality of virtual hardware Ethernet ports, which are managed by the VLAN network switch.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention there is provided a USB adaptor arrangement to simultaneously provide data and power to a device, the USB adaptor arrangement comprising: an ethernet network adaptor comprising: an embedded Ethernet over Power (EoP) transceiver module; a power supply module and USB battery charger; and a USB controller and data interface; a USB plug connector which can be fitted to the device, the USB plug connector extending from the ethernet network adaptor via a USB cable, the USB cable comprising: power lines that extend from the power supply module and USB battery charge; a USB data bus extending from the USB controller and data interface; and a dual function power/data adaptor or module connected to the ethernet network adaptor via an integrated/unitary four wire EoP and DC power cable comprising two power supply wires and two data wires, the dual function power/data adaptor or module comprising: an AC/DC module connected to the two power supply wires of the integrated/unitary four wire EoP and DC power cable; an EoP filter connected to the two data wires of the integrated/unitary four wire EoP and DC power cable, to filter the EoP data from an existing electrical wiring infrastructure; and a power plug for connecting the dual function power/data adaptor or module to an electrical outlet of the existing electrical wiring infrastructure.

In an embodiment, the integrated/unitary four wire EoP and DC power cable is fitted to the ethernet network adaptor via a plug connector, with the two data wires being connected to the embedded EoP transceiver module and the two power supply wires being connected to the power supply module and USB battery charger.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention there is provided a virtual home automation control system embedded within the master loT EoP router, which may be controlled and administrated by an external application tool installed on a smart mobile phone or similar device.

In an embodiment, the embedded virtual home automation control system is easily installed and deployed on a household environment via a virtual connectivity inheritance provided by an EoP virtual network created by the EoP master loT router device, installed on an existing electrical wiring infrastructure, without the need for extra wiring, network switches, network accessory devices, etc.

Despite the fact that the virtual embedded home automation control system is an embedded virtual device, administrated by an external virtual application tool from a smart phone or similar device, and is connected to an EoP virtual network, it has the same control and administration properties associated with a physical home automation controller device connected to an loT EoP and none EoP loT home automation peripheral devices, connected via the EoP virtual network system. According to a ninth aspect of the invention there is provided a virtual network video recorder (NVR) embedded within a master loT EoP router, controlled, viewed and administrated by an external application tool installed on a smart mobile phone or similar device.

The virtual NVR embedded system is easily installed and deployed on a household environment via the virtual connectivity inheritance provided by the EoP virtual network created by the EoP Master loT router device, installed on an existing electrical wiring infrastructure, without the need of extra wiring, network switches, network accessory devices, etc.

Despite the fact, that the virtual NVR is an embedded virtual device, administrated and viewed by an external virtual application tool from a smart phone or similar device, it is connected to the EoP virtual network and has the same viewing and administration properties associated with a physical NVR device, connected to loT EoP Cameras and none EoP loT Cameras and peripherals devices, connected via the EoP virtual network system.

The media recording storage can be provided by an external USB mass storage media or an SD card storage media physically connected to the loT EoP master router device.

According to a tenth aspect of the invention a virtual network boundary connectivity limitation provided for an EoP virtual network connectivity system on an existing electrical wiring infrastructure. It is created by a software arrangement system to act as the loT EoP network boundary connectivity limitation configuration software system, effortlessly and automatically deployed by scanning the MAC address/ID of the Master EoP loT device and the slave EoP loT device(s) externally displayed, using the loT EoP boundary connectivity limitation configuration software application tool, installed on a smart phone or other device.

This software arrangement system acts as a replacement of a physical connectivity boundary limitation, existing on a conventional wired WAN or LAN networks, whereby the physical connectivity boundary limitation is created by network cables, network switches, and network accessories devices on a LAN or WAN wired networks.

This software arrangement system is also arranged to act as a layer one security barrier preventing unauthorized entry to the master loT EoP router device. The invention extends to securing the LAN or WAN EoP virtual network administrated from and connected to the master loT EoP router, from unauthorized entry of loT EoP devices connected to the EoP virtual network, in the same electrical wiring infrastructure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a high-level system architecture diagram of a network hardware connectivity system using an existing electrical wiring infrastructure, according to one application of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a high-level system architecture diagram of a USB adaptor arrangement to simultaneously provide data and power to a device, according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 shows a high-level system architecture diagram of a network hardware connectivity system using an existing electrical wiring infrastructure, similar to Figure 1 , but according to another application of the invention;

Figure 4 shows a system for deploying a broadband data network using an existing electrical wiring infrastructure, but with reference to a typical residential complex; Figure 5 shows the steps an installer needs to follow to configure an external switch EoP injector shown in Figure 4; and

Figure 6 shows the steps a user needs to follow to configure his/her master home router shown in Figure 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT

The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many changes can be made to the embodiment described, while still attaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be attained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances, and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not a limitation thereof.

Referring to Figure 1 , a network hardware connectivity system 10 for use in an existing electrical wiring infrastructure 12 is shown, according to one application of the invention. The existing electrical wiring infrastructure 12 comprises a plurality of electrical outlets 14, emanating from an existing, conventional AC power supply 15A, via an electrical power meter 15B.

The system 10 comprises a master network router wired device 16 comprising an embedded EoP transceiver module 18, and at least one slave wired device 20, 22 connected to one of the electrical outlets 14 within the existing electrical wiring infrastructure 12. The at least one slave wired device 20, 22 similarly also comprises an embedded EoP transceiver module 24, 26.

At a high level, the embedded EoP transceiver modules 18, 24, 26 are connected to a dual function power/data adaptor or module 28, 30, 32, respectively, which supplies power to the devices 16, 20, 22 and filters the transmitted or received EoP data to or from the electrical wiring infrastructure 12 respectively.

The invention accordingly extends to a method of modifying a device (such as devices 16, 20, 22 in the figure) for a network hardware connectivity system 10 using an existing electrical wiring infrastructure 12 comprising a plurality of electrical outlets. The method comprises embedding an EoP transceiver module within the device, the device being arranged to act as either a master network router wired device and/or a slave wired device connected to one of the electrical outlets within the existing electrical wiring infrastructure, the embedded EoP transceiver module, in use, being connectable to a dual function power/data adaptor or module, that supplies power to the device and filters the transmitted or received EoP data to or from the electrical wiring infrastructure respectively.

Turning back to the accompany figure, the device 16, 20, 22 may be an IP or smart device, with the embedded EoP transceiver module 18, 24, 26 within the wired device 16, 20, 22 essentially converting the IP or smart device into an loT device. A typical loT device is a wireless device with a SIM card, but with the present invention, the wired device 16, 20, 22 becomes an loT device, with the embedded EoP transceiver module 18, 24, 26 overcoming the need for the SIM card.

In an embodiment, in the case of the master network router wired device 16, the device 16 acts as a main network host device, and may take the form of a router or network switch 16 that is connected to an external broadband access point 34 to receive an incoming internet line from a ISP 36, with there being an unlimited number of slave wired devices 20, 22 that act as clients. The router or network switch 16 thus provides internet connectivity throughout the electrical wiring infrastructure 12 within, for example, a household environment.

The router or network switch 16 typically includes an embedded wireless module 37 (LTE, for example) for communication with a wireless mobile network via a SIM card 38 and a suitable antenna 39 (in this case, an LTE antenna), a Wide Area Network (WAN) port 40 based on the IEEE802.3 ethernet standard, with a plurality of data entry points. The external broadband access point 34 may correspond to a fixed network entry point, with an external fiber box being connected to an Optical Network Unit (ONU) 41 via a fiber connection 42. The network connected unit may also take the form of a VDSL or ADSL network connected unit. The ONU device 41 includes an Ethernet port that connects via an Ethernet cable 42 to the router or network switch 16 via an ethernet port 43.

Within the router or network switch 16, the incoming internet data lines 44 connect to a VLAN switch controller 45, which in turn is connected to an IEEE output module 46. The router or network switch 16 may further include an embedded Wireless Access Point (WAP) Wi-Fi module 48 connected to the IEEE output module 46 to provide Wi-Fi data connectivity 50 to a nearby wireless-enabled device so as to extend the data network of the present invention. The IEEE output module 46 is also connected to the embedded EoP transceiver module 18.

In an embodiment, the embedded EoP transceiver module 18 provides two data wires 52 that lead into a 4-pin plug connector 54. This 4-pin plug arrangement is ideal for transforming, injecting and managing any high voltage hazard.

An embedded power supply module 56 provides two power supply wires 58 that lead into the plug connector 54, with a four wire EoP and DC power cable 60 extending between the plug connector 54 and the dual function power/data adaptor or module 28. A pair of these wires 62 carry DC power from the dual function power/data adaptor or module 28, with the other pair of these wires 64 corresponding to data wires to transmit input and output data between the plug connector 54 and the dual function power/data adaptor or module 28.

The dual function power/data adaptor or module 28 includes an AC/DC module 66 connected to the two power supply wires 62 and an EoP filter 68 connected to the two data wires 64 to filter the EoP data to the electrical wiring infrastructure 12. The dual function power/data adaptor or module 28 comprises a power plug 70 for connecting it to an electrical outlet 14 of the existing electrical wiring infrastructure 12. In one version, within the context of a typical household environment, the master network router wired device 16 takes the form of an Internet Protocol Television Set Top Box (IPTV STB), to facilitate the injection of the broadband data from the external broadband access point into the existing electrical wiring infrastructure 12.

In use, the deployment of the system 10 starts as soon as the dual function power/data adaptor or module 28 is plugged into an electrical outlet 14 via the power plug 70.

In an embodiment, in the case in which the device is a slave wired device 20, in one version, the slave wired device 20 is a light current electronic device 20 in which the embedded EoP transceiver module 24 receives two data wires 72 from a 4-pin plug connector 74. An embedded power supply module 76 receives two power supply wires 78 from the plug connector 74, with a four wire EoP and DC power cable 80 extending between the plug connector 74 and the dual function power/data adaptor or module 30. As indicated above, a pair of these wires 82 carry DC power to the dual function power/data adaptor or module 30, with the other pair of wires 84 corresponding to data wires to transmit input and output data between the plug connector 74 and the dual function power/data adaptor or module 30.

Examples of envisaged light current electronic devices include an IP Camera, a VoIP phone, laptop computer, or any similar device which can be controlled and managed via the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standard.

The dual function power/data adaptor or module 30 includes an AC/DC module 86 connected to the two power supply wires 82 and an EoP filter 88 connected to the two data wires 84 to filter the EoP data from the electrical wiring infrastructure 12. The dual function power/data adaptor or module 30 comprises a power plug 90 for connecting to an electrical outlet 14 of the existing electrical wiring infrastructure 12.

In another version, the slave wired device 22 is a high current electrical device 22 in which the dual function power/data adaptor or module 32 is also embedded within the device 22. The dual function power/data adaptor or module 32 includes a AC/DC module 92 connected to two power supply wires 94 from a 4-pin plug connector 96 and an EoP filter 98 connected to two data wires 100 from the plug connector 96, to filter the EoP data from the electrical wiring infrastructure 12. The plug connector 96 is connected to an electrical outlet 14 of the existing electrical wiring infrastructure 12 with a two wire EoP and AC power cable 102, via power plug 90. Internally, a pair of data wires 104 extend between the EoP filter 98 and the embedded EoP transceiver module 26, and a pair of power supply wires 106 extend between the AC/DC module 92 and a power supply module 108.

The slave wired devices 20, 22 are connected to the electrical wiring infrastructure 12 via the electrical power outlets 14 where the slave wired devices 20, 22 are situated, to provide both electrical power and data communications to the slave wired devices 20, 22. The slave wired devices 20, 22 act as a client device in respect of the main network host device 16.

Examples of envisaged high current electrical devices include a smart microwave oven, a smart TV, a smart fridge etc., or any similar device which can be controlled and managed via the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standard.

The slave wired devices 20, 22 may be fitted with an internal embedded Wireless Access Point Wi-Fi module 110, 112, respectively, to provide Wi-Fi data connectivity 114, 116 so as to extend the data network of the present invention.

In one version, the slave devices 20, 22 form a mesh network, in which the slave devices 20, 22 themselves act as hosts for other slave devices within the network hardware connectivity system 10, with there being an unlimited number of slave devices that act as clients.

Thus, the present invention aims to provide a new standard for connecting a slave wired device, whether a light current electronic device or a high current electrical device. In particular, the invention converts smart or IP ready devices to EoP ready devices will no longer have the conventional two wire connection (positive and negative) from a normal DC plug, but will now have, in addition to the positive and negative wires they have an additional two wire for data connectivity. Thus, to summarise, the slave device 20, 22 is typically an electrical or electronic device, with this invention enabling these devices 20, 22 to receive power and broadband data via the existing electrical wiring infrastructure 12 through one single adaptor or module. As such, this provides a new, reliable and efficient method of networking throughout the household environment or wall-crowded space.

Because of this easy plug-and-play technology through an electrical outlet, a new form of hardwired Internet of Things (loT) home network has been created by embedding the hardware application to any electronic device or electrical appliance connected to an electrical outlet within the household environment. As the household electrical outlets are converted to a network entry and access point, any modern smart electrical or electronic appliance can be controlled and managed via the internet cloud.

The network deployed throughout the household environment can also be linked to an external electrical outlet outside the household environment by enabling the hardware to act as a network repeater connected on a mesh-form network topology.

Turning now to Figure 2, a USB adaptor arrangement 150 is provided to simultaneously provide data and power to a device (not shown). The USB adaptor arrangement 150 comprises an ethernet network adaptor 152 comprising an embedded Ethernet over Power (EoP) transceiver module 154, a power supply module and USB battery charger 156, and a USB controller and data interface 158. An IEEE input module 160 is provided between the embedded EoP transceiver module 154 and the USB controller and data interface 158.

A USB plug connector 162, which can be fitted to the device, extends from the ethernet network adaptor via a USB cable 164. The USB cable 164 comprises power lines 166 that extend from the power supply module and USB battery charge 156, and a USB data bus 168 that extends from the USB controller and data interface 158.

The USB adaptor arrangement 150 further comprises a dual function power/data adaptor or module 170 connected to the ethernet network adaptor 152 via an integrated/unitary four wire EoP and DC power cable 172 comprising two power supply wires 174 and two data wires 176. The dual function power/data adaptor or module 170 comprises an AC/DC module 178 connected to the two power supply wires 174 of the integrated/unitary four wire EoP and DC power cable 172. The dual function power/data adaptor or module 170 further comprises an EoP filter 180 connected to the two data wires 176 of the integrated/unitary four wire EoP and DC power cable 172, to filter the EoP data from an existing electrical wiring infrastructure 182. The existing electrical wiring infrastructure 182 comprises a plurality of electrical outlets 184, emanating from an existing, conventional AC power supply 186, via an electrical power meter 188.

The dual function power/data adaptor or module 170 further comprises a power plug 190 for connecting the dual function power/data adaptor or module 170 to the electrical outlet 184 of the existing electrical wiring infrastructure 182.

In an embodiment, the integrated/unitary four wire EoP and DC power cable 172 is fitted to the ethernet network adaptor 152 via a plug connector 192, with the two data wires 176 being connected to the embedded EoP transceiver module 154 and the two power supply wires 174 being connected to the power supply module and USB battery charger 156.

At a high level, any device with an existing IEEE Ethernet hardware connectivity port can be embedded with an EoP transceiver connected to a dual function power/data adaptor for power and broadband connectivity.

Turning Figure 3, a network hardware connectivity system 10’ according to another application is shown. The system 10’ is substantially the same as system 10; thus, similar reference numerals are used for identical components, which will not be described again. Instead of the high current slave electrical device 22 shown in Figure 1 , another light current slave electronic device 20’ is shown in Figure 3, such as an IPTV STB. This device 20’ however has the same components as the slave device 20, and will thus not be described in more detail save to say that it is device that can be controlled and managed via the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standard. Within the router or network switch 16, a SD card processing unit 120 is connected to the VLAN switch controller 45, to accommodate an SD card 122. This arrangement defines a network video recorder (NVR), which can record and store data being viewed or received by any of the light current slave electronic devices 20. 20’ e.g. IP camera 20, IPTV STB 20’ etc.

Turning now to Figure 4, a system 200 for deploying a broadband data network using an existing electrical wiring infrastructure, but with reference to a typical residential complex 201 with a number of separate households (as opposed to a single household of the type described above), is shown. The system 200 comprises a conventional power grid 202 that provides 3 phase power, namely Phase 1 204, Phase 2 206 and Phase 3 208, in conjunction with a Neutral line 210, as is well known. Within the context of a typical residential complex, each household, such as household 1 212 shown in Figure 4, has a power meter 214 connected to one of the phases. In this case, household 1 212 is connected to Phase 1 204 via power meter 214, household 2 212’ is also connected to Phase 1 204 via power meter 214’, household 3 212” is also connected to Phase 1 204 via power meter 214” etc. Each household 212 has the same setup therein, and thus the remaining description will focus on household 1 212.

On the outside of the residential complex 201 , a master ethernet switch 216 is provided, to act as an external EoP injector. The master ethernet switch 216 has a scannable code 218 (such as a QR code) associated therewith, the purpose of which will be described in more detail further below.

Typically, three ethernet switch arrangements 220, 222 and 224 are provided, one per power phase 204, 206 and 208, respectively. Each ethernet switch arrangement 220, 222 and 224 comprises an ethernet switch 220.1 , 222.1 and 224.1 , respectively, an EoP module 220.2, 222.2 and 222.1 , respectively, and a power module 220.3, 222.3 and 224.3, respectively. Each power module 220.3, 222.3 and 224.3 includes an EoP filter (not shown), of the type described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The ethernet switch arrangements 220, 222 and 224 each receive an incoming data line 220.4, 222.4 and 224.4, respectively, which can then be injected into each of the power phases 204, 206 and 208, respectively. The injection of the EoP IEEE 802.3 protocol to the electrical wiring infrastructure (i.e. into each of the power phases 204, 206 and 208) is done by a combination of the EoP embedded module 220.2, 222.2 and 222.1 and the EoP filter embedded in the AC/DC power supply module 220.3, 222.3 and 224.3 of the master ethernet switch 216 respectively.

Thus, the incoming power lines 204, 206, 208 will have data injected therein through a combination of the embedded EoP module 220.2, 222.2 and 222.1 and the embedded EoP filter (not shown) in the AC/DC power supply module 220.3, 222.3 and 224.3 of the master switch 216 respectively. However, because of the series nature of the power phase lines 204, 206, 208, this data will flow into each household 212, with no segregation or separation between individual households 212. The setup within each household 212 is arranged to provide this segregation, which will now be described in more detail.

Each household 212 has an EoP bridge network device (BNU) 314 with a scannable code 228 (such as a QR code) associated therewith, the purpose of which will be described in more detail further below, a master loT router 230 with a scannable code 232 (such as a QR code) associated therewith, the purpose of which will be described in more detail further below, and at least one loT slave device, such as a IP telephone 234, hotspot router 236 and IP camera 238, for example. Each loT slave device 234, 236, 238 in turn has a scannable code 240, 242, 244 (such as a QR code) associated therewith, the purpose of which will be described in more detail further below.

Figure 5 shows the steps an installer needs to follow to configure the external switch EoP injector 216 shown in Figure 4. This may be done via a mobile and/or web app interface. The installer first downloads and installs the installer app, as shown by block 250. After entering his/her access security details (block 252), the installer may create a new site (block 254), corresponding to the entire residential complex 201. The installer then inserts details of the complex 201 (block 256), such as the name, building number and address, and then proceeds to scan the master switch injector code 218 shown in Figure 4 (block 258). This action may either be denied (block 260) or confirmed (block 262). Once done, a backend database 270 is updated, to store details such as the home master loT router 230 static IP address and ports configuration (block 272), the home master loT router 230 MB/S configuration (block 274), the home router QS/Service configuration (block 276), etc.

Once done, with reference now to Figure 6, the user may now configure his/her master home loT router 230, typically after the user has purchased one or more of the loT slave devices 234, 236, 238. This configuration may be done via a mobile and/or web app interface.

The user first downloads and installs the user app, as shown by block 280. After entering his/her personal access security details (block 282), the user may setup his/her hotspots (block 284), by entering the SSID name and password etc. The user then scans the home master router code 232 (block 286) and then the home EoP network unit code 228 (block 288). The user may then scan the codes 240, 242, 244 etc. of each loT slave device 234, 236, 238, as indicated by blocks 290. This action may either be denied (block 292) or confirmed (block 294).

After the codes have been scanned, the static IP addresses are assigned by the master loT router 230 firmware to the slave loT devices 234, 236, 238, and stored on a data base file on the master loT router 230 firmware. This is done by the app installed on the smart phone, that facilitates the interaction between the master loT device 230 and the slave loT devices 234, 236, 238.

The result will be to enable the user to access and/or control each loT slave device, such as CCTV cameras (block 296) and previous CCTV recordings (block 298), aircon units (block 300), smart pots (block 302), smart lights (block 304), pre recorded programs (block 306), and to configure home hotspots (block 308), all via the installed user app.

Turning back to Figure 4, the system 200 includes an EoP isolator arrangement 310, proximate a circuit breaker 311 , comprising an EoP isolator coil 312 and the EoP bridge network device (BNU) 314. The coil 312 isolates (i.e. stops) the EoP virtual network signal from the master ethernet switch 216 (which essentially corresponds to a WAN virtual EoP network) from reaching the master loT router 230 (which essentially corresponds to a LAN virtual EoP network) on the other side (corresponding to an AC cable 313) of the coil 312. The BNU 314 acts as a connector between the WAN virtual EoP network 216 and the LAN virtual EoP network 230 via an ethernet cable 316. The coil 312 also provides a home AC cable 313 to provide conventional AC power.

Viewed holistically, the embedded Ethernet over Power (EoP) transceiver modules (24, 26; 154) in the slave loT devices (20, 22, 20’) change the connectivity properties of these devices converting them to wired broadband network loT devices.

The embedded EoP transceiver modules (24, 26; 154) in the loT devices (20, 22, 20’), in conjunction with the EoP filter modules (88, 98, 180) embedded in the AC/DC power adaptor modules (30, 170) connected to the loT devices (20, 20’) (or in the case of high current electrical loT devices 22, embedded within such devices (as shown in Figure 1)), correspond to the injectors and receivers of the IEEE802.3 protocol for an EoP virtual network connectivity on an existing electrical wiring infrastructure 12.

As indicated above, the embedded EoP transceiver modules and EoP filter modules either on a master or slave loT device, change the fundamentals of a wired LAN or WAN network loT connectivity, by replacing the traditional hardware port to port physical connectivity via network switches, hubs cables, etc., with a hardware port to port EoP transceiver module connectivity via the EoP virtual network on an existing electrical wiring infrastructure 12.

This wired loT EoP virtual network connectivity, opens endless possibilities of functionalities and communications interaction between a master loT device and a slave loT device inherited by this newly created network configuration. Therefore, a master loT device can virtually connect to an unlimited number of slaves loT devices through the EoP virtual network. A master EoP loT device can also be a master of another master loT device creating networks and subnetworks within the ecosystem of an EoP virtual network connectivity. This newly created virtual network configuration, is limited only by the signal strength between a master EoP loT device and a slave EoP loT device through an EoP virtual network on an existing electrical wiring infrastructure 12, in contrast to the physical boundary limitations property associated with a conventional wired LAN and WAN networks. Therefore, a unique EoP virtual network connectivity boundary limitation property has been created, through a firmware management and control application, installed on a master loT EoP device. This boundary limitation property is achieved by, placing on a master loT EoP device (16, 216 or 230) firmware data base, the unique ID or MAC and static IP addresses of various slave loT EoP devices (20, 22, 20’, 234, 236, 238) connected to their respective virtual EoP network loT master devices.

As described above, the configuration of master and slave loT devices within the EoP virtual network is achieved by simply scanning a QR code proximate the loT device. The scanning procedure is done via a smart phone or other devices similar thereto. This scanning interaction is managed by a software application (app) previously installed on the smart phone or similar device, conceived and specially created to manage this newly created configuration of the EoP virtual network.

This scanning software app for the configuration, management and control of the wired loT EoP virtual network, that is installed on the smart phone or similar device, is a mediator tool that sends information between a master loT device (16, 216 or 230) and a slave loT device (20, 22, 20’, 234, 236, 238) via the wired and wireless LAN or WAN broadband connectivity.

Therefore, a master loT device (16, 216 or 230) can adopt multiple functionalities e.g. it can act as a wired or wireless WAN or LAN router, as a wired and wireless loT interaction tool, as a Network Video Recorder (NVR), as a surveillance and home automation controller, as an Internet Protocol Television Set Top Box (IPTV- STB), and many other envisaged applications. Similarly, any wired broadband loT slave EoP device can have or acquire many remote control and connectivity functions, such as a slave IPTV-STB, a network printer, IP lights ON/OFF switch, an IP camera, etc. For some slave loT EoP devices the master loT EoP device will serve as a bridge for a broadband connectivity to the internet. For other slave loT EoP devices, the interacting tool and control will be done by the software application (app) mediator installed on a smart phone or similar device. This mediator app will act as the master’s loT EoP device configuration tool, an NVR viewer/monitor, a home automations interface controller, etc. connected to the Master loT EoP device via the wireless or wired LAN and WAN broadband networks.

Claims

1. An Internet of Things (loT) device that requires or uses internet connectivity, for a network hardware connectivity system using an existing electrical wiring infrastructure comprising a plurality of electrical outlets, the loT device comprising an embedded Ethernet over Power (EoP) transceiver module within the loT device, with the embedded EoP transceiver module within the loT device converting a hitherto wireless loT device, requiring wireless internet connectivity, into a wired loT device that does not require a SIM card.

2. The Internet of Things (loT) device of claim 1 , which is arranged to act as either a master network router wired device or a slave wired device connected to one of the electrical outlets within the existing electrical wiring infrastructure, the embedded EoP transceiver module, in use, being connectable to a dual function power/data adaptor or module, that supplies power to the device and filters the transmitted or received EoP data to or from the electrical wiring infrastructure respectively.

3. The Internet of Things (loT) device of claim 2, wherein the loT device is a master network router wired device, the device acts as a main network host device, and is connected to an external broadband access point to receive an incoming internet line from an Internet Service Provider (ISP), with the master network router wired device including a hardware WAN port to receive an Ethernet cable from a network connected unit, and a VLAN network switch connected between the WAN port and the embedded EoP transceiver module.

4. The Internet of Things (loT) device of claim 3, wherein within the context of a household environment, the master network router wired device takes the form of an Internet Protocol Television Set Top Box (IPTV STB), to facilitate the injection of the broadband data from the external broadband access point into the existing electrical wiring infrastructure.

5. The Internet of Things (loT) device of claim 3, wherein the embedded EoP transceiver module of the master network router wired device provides two data wires that extend to a plug connector to define a plurality of virtual hardware Ethernet ports, which are managed by the VLAN network switch, with an embedded power supply module providing two power supply wires that extend to the plug connector, with an integrated four wire EoP and DC power cable extending between the plug connector and the dual function power/data adaptor or module.

6. The Internet of Things (loT) device of claim 5, wherein the dual function power/data adaptor or module includes a AC/DC module connected to the two power supply wires and an EoP filter connected to the two data wires to filter the EoP data to the electrical wiring infrastructure, with the dual function power/data adaptor or module comprising a power plug for connecting to an electrical outlet of the existing electrical wiring infrastructure.

7. The Internet of Things (loT) device of claim 2, wherein, in the case in which the loT device is a slave wired device, the slave wired device is a light current electronic device in which the embedded EoP transceiver module receives two data wires from a plug connector, with an embedded power supply module receiving two power supply wires from the plug connector, with an integrated four wire EoP and DC power cable extending between the plug connector and the dual function power/data adaptor or module, the dual function power/data adaptor or module includes a AC/DC module connected to the two power supply wires and an EoP filter connected to the two data wires to filter the EoP data from the electrical wiring infrastructure, with the dual function power/data adaptor or module comprising a power plug for connecting to an electrical outlet of the existing electrical wiring infrastructure.

8. The Internet of Things (loT) device of claim 2, wherein, in the case in which the loT device is a slave wired device, the slave wired device is a high current electrical device in which the dual function power/data adaptor or module is also embedded within the device, the dual function power/data adaptor or module including a AC/DC module connected to two power supply wires from a plug connector and an EoP filter connected to two data wires from the plug connector, to filter the EoP data from the electrical wiring infrastructure, the plug connector being connected to an electrical outlet of the existing electrical wiring infrastructure with a two wire EoP and AC power cable. Internally, a pair of data wires extend between the EoP filter and the embedded EoP transceiver module, and a pair of power supply wires extend between the AC/DC module and a power supply module.

9. A method of modifying an Internet of Things (loT) device that requires or uses internet connectivity, for a network hardware connectivity system using an existing electrical wiring infrastructure comprising a plurality of electrical outlets, the method comprising embedding an Ethernet over Power (EoP) transceiver module within the device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the loT device is arranged to act as either a master network router wired device or a slave wired device connected to one of the electrical outlets within the existing electrical wiring infrastructure, the method further comprising the step of providing a dual function power/data adaptor or module, with the embedded EoP transceiver module, in use, being connectable to the dual function power/data adaptor or module, the dual function power/data adaptor or module supplying power to the device and filtering the transmitted or received EoP data to or from the electrical wiring infrastructure respectively.

11. An integrated four wire EoP and DC power cable having a first end connected to a plug connector and a second end connected to a dual function power/data adaptor or module, the dual function power/data adaptor or module including a AC/DC module and an embedded EoP filter.

12. The integrated four wire EoP and DC power cable of claim 11 , wherein the four wire EoP and DC power cable comprises two data wires that connect to the embedded EoP filter and two power supply wires that connect to the AC/DC module, the dual function power/data adaptor or module including a power plug to connect the dual function power/data adaptor or module to an electrical outlet of an existing electrical wiring infrastructure, to define a network hardware connectivity system.

13. A method of assembling an integrated four wire EoP and DC power cable having a first end connectable to a plug connector and a second end, the method comprising connecting the second end to a dual function power/data adaptor or module, the dual function power/data adaptor or module including a AC/DC module and an embedded EoP filter.

14. The method of assembling an integrated four wire EoP and DC of claim 13, the method comprising providing two data wires that connect to the embedded EoP filter and providing two power supply wires that connect to the AC/DC module, and enclosing the two data wires and the two power supply wires to define the integrated four wire EoP and DC power cable, the dual function power/data adaptor or module including a power plug to connect the dual function power/data adaptor or module to an electrical outlet of an existing electrical wiring infrastructure, to define a network hardware connectivity system.

15. A router device for a network hardware connectivity system using an existing electrical wiring infrastructure, the router device comprising: an embedded Ethernet over Power (EoP) transceiver module within the router device; a hardware WAN port to receive an Ethernet cable from a (VDSL, ADSL, or optical) network connected unit; and a VLAN network switch connected between the WAN port and the embedded EoP transceiver module, with the embedded EoP transceiver module defining a plurality of virtual hardware Ethernet ports, which are managed by the VLAN network switch.

16. A method of assembling a router device for a network hardware connectivity system using an existing electrical wiring infrastructure, the method comprising: embedding an Ethernet over Power (EoP) transceiver module within the router device; providing a hardware WAN port to receive an Ethernet cable from a network connected unit; and providing a VLAN network switch connected between the WAN port and the embedded EoP transceiver module, with the embedded EoP transceiver module defining a plurality of virtual hardware Ethernet ports, which are managed by the VLAN network switch.

17. A USB adaptor arrangement to simultaneously provide data and power to a device, the USB adaptor arrangement comprising: an ethernet network adaptor comprising: an embedded Ethernet over Power (EoP) transceiver module; a power supply module and USB battery charger; and a USB controller and data interface; a USB plug connector which can be fitted to the device, the USB plug connector extending from the ethernet network adaptor via a USB cable, the USB cable comprising: power lines that extend from the power supply module and USB battery charger; a USB data bus extending from the USB controller and data interface; and a dual function power/data adaptor or module connected to the ethernet network adaptor via an integrated four wire EoP and DC power cable comprising two power supply wires and two data wires, the dual function power/data adaptor or module comprising: an AC/DC module connected to the two power supply wires of the integrated four wire EoP and DC power cable; an EoP filter connected to the two data wires of the integrated four wire EoP and DC power cable, to filter the EoP data from an existing electrical wiring infrastructure; and a power plug for connecting the dual function power/data adaptor or module to an electrical outlet of the existing electrical wiring infrastructure.

18. The USB adaptor arrangement of claim 17, wherein the integrated four wire EoP and DC power cable is fitted to the ethernet network adaptor via a plug connector, with the two data wires being connected to the embedded EoP transceiver module and the two power supply wires being connected to the power supply module and USB battery charger.