GB2524526A

GB2524526A - A device, method, system and computer program

Info

Publication number: GB2524526A
Application number: GB1405351.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chike Henry Obinugwu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-03-25
Filing date: 2014-03-25
Publication date: 2015-09-30
Also published as: GB201405351D0

Abstract

This application is concerned with integrating a powerline communication adapter 117 and a wireless cellular adapter (e.g. a 3G or 4G modem) 112 into a single device 100 to enable user devices 205 which are connected to a powerline communication network 110 to access the internet over a 3G or 4G wireless network. The device may additionally include a port 119 suitable for receiving an external wireless cellular modem 120. In this case a failover mechanism may be provided between the internal and external wireless cellular modems. The device may additionally include an internal battery 118, an external antenna 111, a SIM 113, an ADSL port 124 and WLAN transceiver.

Description

A Device, Method, System and Computer Program

Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally, but not exclusively, to a device, method system and computer program and more specifically to a device and method that transmits data over the electrical cables in a dwelling.

Background to the Disclosure

The use of powerline adapters such as the TP-Link ® PA4 11 KIlT is becoming increasingly common. Adapters of this kind are used to transmit data over a dwelling's internal power cabling. Transmitting the data in this manner allows any device within the dwelling to have access to the Internet irrespective of where the device is located. In other words, a device may be located a large distance from the router and the device will still be able to access the Internet with a large data rate.

This type of connection is sometimes weferable to a Wi-Fl connection where the distance between the device and the router can significantly reduce the data rate available to the device due to effects such as interference, multi-path fading and absorption of the Wi-Fi signal in obstacles such as walls and the like.

The above assumes that the dwelling has a working connection to the Internet. In many areas, such as rural areas or in less wealthy nations where infrastructure is limited, Internet provision is poor. In many of these areas, dwellings are constructed using traditional techniques which use concrete walls. This means that even if there is a working Internet connection, Wi-Fl is particularly unsuited for use in these areas.

It is an aim of the current disclosure to alleviate these problems.

Summary of the Disclosure

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a device comprising a powerline adapter configured to communicate data over a dwelling's electricity network and a wireless adaptor operable to connect to, and communicate said data over, the Internet using a cellular network.

This is advantageous because many dwellings (especially in locations where infrastructure periodically fails) are constructed using traditional techniques. This means that signal attenuation is high. Therefore, by connecting to the internet using a cellular network if the infrastructure fails, the user will still be able to maintain an internet connection using the cellular network. Further, by communicating the data locally using a powerline adapter, the device may be located in an area ensuring good quality cellular network coverage which due to high signal attenuation may not be convenient for the user. By connecting to the other devices using a powerline standard means that the device connected to the cellular network need only be located near a plug socket within the dwelling. This provides a much more 1 0 reliable internet connection for the user.

The device may further comprise an input/output terminal configured to connect to an external portable apparatus, wherein when the external portable apparatus is connected to the device, the device may be operable to disable the wireless adapter and is further operable to connect to, and communicate said data over the Internet using the external portable apparatus.

The device may further comprise a battery, whereby in the event of a failure of the dwelling's electricity supply, the wireless adapter is operable to operate using the battery.

The device may further comprise a battery connection, whereby in the event of a failure of the dwelling's electricity supply, the wireless adapter is operable to operate using a battery connected to the battery connection.

The battery may be integral to the device.

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in the event of a failure of the dwelling's electricity supply, the powerline adapter may be operable to enter a standby mode.

The device may further comprise an antenna detachably mounted to the wireless adapter.

According to embodiments, a system comprising a device according to the above and cabling connecting the wireless adapter to the antenna, wherein the antenna is located remotely from the device.

The device may fhrther comprise a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) connected to the wireless adapter, wherein the SlIM is configured to receive a SIM card veriring a user's identity with the cellular network.

According to embodiments, there is provided a method of operating a device that comprises a powerline adapter and a wireless adapter, the method comprising: communicating data over a dwelling's electricity network using the powerline adapter and using the wireless adapter to connect to, and communicate said data over, the Internet using a cellular network.

In such a method the device may further comprise an inputtoutput terminal, and the method may further comprise connecting the input/output terminal to an external portable apparatus, wherein when the external portable apparatus is connected to the device, the method comprises disabling the wireless adapter and connecting to, and communicating said data over the Internet using the external portable apparatus.

In such a method the device may further comprise a battery, and whereby in the event of a failure of the dwelling's electricity supply, the method may comprise operating the wireless adapter using the battery.

In such a method the device may further comprise a battery connection, whereby in the event of a failure of the dwelling's electricity supply, the method may comprise operating the wireless adapter using a battery connected to the battery connection.

The battery may be integral to the device.

In the event of a failure of the dwelling's electricity supply, the method may comprise entering the powerline adapter into a standby mode.

The method may further comprise detachably mounting an antenna to the wireless adapter.

In a method according to any of the above, the device may comprise a Subscriber Identity Module (S1M) connected to the wireless adapter, and the method further comprises receiving a SIM card verifying a user's identity with the cellular network.

According to embodiments, there is provided a computer program comprising computer readable instructions which, when loaded onto a computer, configure the computer to perform a method according to any of the above.

Brief Description of the Drawings

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a system having a device according to one embodiment connected to a powerline adapter; Figure 2 shows a device according to one embodiment; Figure 3A shows a flow chart explaining the receive ftinctionality of the device; Figure 3B shows a flow chart explaining the transmit functionality of the device; Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of a system including the device according to one cmbodiment; and Figure 5 shows a more detailed schematic diagram of the system of Figure 4.

Description of an Embodiment of the Disclosure

Referring to Figure 1, a system 10 is shown. The system 10 comprises a device 100 according to one embodiment and a receiver 200. The device 100 is connected to the receiver over the power cabling of the dwelling. In this instance, the dwelling may be a home or office environment. The device 100 communicates with the receiver 200 using the HomePlug powerline alliance standard. This technology is known and so will not be explained any further. Of course, other similar standards exist such as the Universal Powerline Association and so the standard using which the device 100 and receiver 200 communicate should not limit the disclosure. Moreover, it is possible that instead of connecting to receiver 200, the device 1 00 may receive the Internet connection over the electrical distribution network using a Broadband over Power Line standard such as BPL OPERA or the like.

The receiver 200 is connected to an apparatus 205 such as a computer, set-top box, games console or the like using, in this example, a wired Ethernet connection. Of course, the apparatus 205 may also wirelessly communicate with the receiver 200 using Wi-Fi (i.e. IEEE8O2.1 Ia, b, g, n or the like). Additionally, it is possible that the apparatus 205 communicate with the device 100 using Wi-FL In operation, the apparatus 205 wishes to communicate over the Internet. Therefore, the apparatus 205 communicates with the receiver 200 using the Ethernet connection, The receiver 200 communicates this data with the device 100 and the data is then communicated over the Internet.

In embodiments of the disclosure, the device 100 is connected to the Internet (or any Wide Area Network) using a wireless connection. For example, and as will be explained later, rather than simply connecting to the household internet connection, the device 100 accesses the Internet using a wireless connection such as a 30 or Long Term Evolution (LTE) connection. Indeed, the device 100 may use a microwave point to point connection such as that provided by South West Communications Group ® to connect to the Internet. In other words, the device 100 connects to, and communicates said data over, the Internet using a cellular network A detailed description of the device 100 is provided in Fignre 2.

In operation, the device 100 is placed into a plug socket in the wall. The device 100 is powered by the home power network and also sends the data to be communicated with the receiver 200 over the home power network. The device 100 is therefore equipped with plug pins that are compatible with the region in which the device 100 operates. For example, the device may be equipped with BS1363 (Type 0) plug pins if operating in the U.K, Ireland, or Singapore for example. Alternatively, the device 100 may be equipped with CEE7 compliant plug pins or use in Continental Europe or plug pins compliant with the National Electrical Manufacturers Associate if used in the United States of America.

The device 100 comprises a transmitter/receiver 112 coupled to an antenna 111. The antenna 111 may be integral to the device 100 or may be external to the device 100 and connected thereto. The antenna 111 is configured to receive and transmit signals connecting the device to the Internet. This may be over the 30 or LTE network or may be over a microwave point to point connection.

The transmitter/receiver 112 is connected to a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) 113. The SlIM 113 stores information identif'ing the user to the wireless network using which the device 100 connects to the Internet. The SlIM card (which is inserted into the SlIM 113 and, after connection, becomes integral thereto) is provided as part of a contract between the user of the device 100 and a mobile service provider which provides mobile data services. The mobile service provider may also provide the device 100 to the user in a subsidised manner to enable the user to connect to the Internet using the mobile service provider's data service.

The SIM 113 may be integrated with or separate to the transmitter/receiver 112.

The encoder/decoder 116 decodes data received over the Internet via the transmitter/receiver 112. The decoded data is fed to a powerline transmitter/receiver 117 that converts the decoded data into a form meeting the powerline alliance standard. This converted data is fed over the home power network using the plug socket into which the device 100 is placed.

The operation of the transmitter/receiver 112, the SIM 113, the encoder/decoder 116 and the powerline transmitter/receiver 117 is controlled by a controller 114. The controller 114 I 5 operates using computer readable instructions which are stored on a memory 115. The computer readable instructions configure the controller 114 to control the device 100 such that the device 100 operates according to embodiments. The memory 115 is shown as part of the controller 114, but may be separate to the controller 114.

In addition to the powerline transmitter/receiver 117, an Ethernet port 122, (R.J45), a telephone jack port (P111)124 and a Wi-Fi device 121 is also provided. This allows other devices to be connected directly to the device 100 using any of the Ethernet port 122, the telephone jack port 124 or the Wi-Fi device 121. Moreover, an ADSL line (to connect the device 100 to the Internet) may be inserted in the telephone jack port 124. The Ethernet port 122 and the telephone jack port 124 may be located adjacent one another. The Wi-Fi device 121 is connected to a Wi-Fi antenna 121 that is fixedly mounted to the device 100. The Ethernet port 122, the telephone jack port 124 and the Wi-Fi device 121 are connected to the controller 114 and the encoder/decoder 116.

Accordingly, the controller 114 controls the operation of the Ethernet port 122, the telephone jack port 124 and the Wi-Fi device 121. Further, any data to be communicated over the Ethernet port 122, telephone jack port 124 or the Wi-Fi device 121 is provided via the encoder/decoder 116. Tn other words, any data received over the Ethernet port 122 is fed into the encoder/decoder 116 for sending over the cellular network using the transmitter/receiver 112. Further, any data received using the Ethernet port 122 is fed into the encoder/decoder 116 for sending over the cellular network using the transmitter/receiver 112. Of course, any data to be communicated over the Internet using the ADSL line will be transferred using the telephone jack port 124.

In embodiments, the Ethernet port 122 and/or the Wi-Fi device 121 may be connected to a Voice over IP (VoIP) telephone. In this case, the data packets received from the VoIP telephone will be fed to the encoder/decoder 116 and sent to the powerline transmitter/receiver 117. The powerline transmitter/receiver 117 then sends the data packets to the receiver 200. This is achieved by the device 100 identifying the lIP address of the receiver 200. The receiver 200 provides these data packets to apparatus 205 which, in this case, is another VoW telephone (or other such compatible device, for example, a tablet computer running a VoIP application such as Skype ®). This enables the device 100 and receiver 200 to function as an internal telephone system within the dwelling.

Additionally, a rechargeable battery 118 is also providcd in the device 100. The provision of the rechargeable battery 118 is useful as this provides a supply of power to the device 100 in the event that the power in the dwelling fails as happens quite frequently in areas with less developed infrastructure. In this case, the rechargeable battery 118 will power the controller 114, the SIM 113, the transmitter/receiver 112, the Ethernet port 122, the Wi-Fi device 121 and the encoder/decoder 116. The controller 114 switches off the powerline transmitter/receiver 117 to conserve the rechargeable battery 118. This is useful because the device 100 can still provide internet access to any device that is connected to the device 100 using the Ethernet port 122 and/or the Wi-Fi device 121. The internet access will be provided using the cellular network connected using the transmitter/receiver 112.

Further, an input/output terminal 119 which is connected to the encoder/decoder 116 is optionally provided. The input/output tenninal 119 may be a Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 or 3.0 terminal. The purpose of the input/output terminal 119 is to connect to a separate portable telephone and allow the portable telephone to be tethered to the device. For example, and in this context, tethering the portable telephone 120 to the device 100 allows the user of the device 100 to connect to the Internet using their portable telephone (indicated in the Figure as telephone 120) rather than using the SIM. This is particularly useful if the user of the device 100 has a particular contract with theft mobile phone service provider allowing a high amount of data consumption. The user of the device 100 may utilise the data associated with theft portable telephone rather than having to use the data associated with the S1M card.

Furthermore, as the portable telephone 120 is used to connect to the internet, the controller 114 will switch off the transmitter/receiver 112 and the SIM 113 to save power consumed by the device 100. This is beneficial for the environment and has significant advantages when the device 100 operates using only the rechargeable battery 118.

Additionally, when tethered to the device 100, it is possible to use the battery of the portable telephone 120 to either replace or supplement the rechargeable battery 118 located within the device 100. In other words, in the event that the main power supply fails, the power supply of the portable terminal 120 tethered to the device 100 will operate the device 100. Of course, although the above mentions use of a portable tenninal 120 as the tethered device, the disclosure is not so limited and any kind of tethered device, such as a Personal Digital Assist or laptop or tablet computer is envisaged.

Although the disclosure of Figure 2 explains that the device 100 communicates with the receiver 200 over the electrical cables within the dwelling, the disclosure is not so limited.

For example, the device 100 may communicate with the other apparatuses using Wi-Fi or an Ethernet connection in addition to the powerline technology.

A flow chart 5300 explaining the receiving of packets of data over the Internet using the cellular network is shown in Figure 3A. The flow chart begins at step 5301. The transmitter/receiver 112 establishes a connection with the Internet Service Provider (ISP).

This is step S302. Of course, if the internet connection is established using a Broadband over Power Line standard then the connection with the ISP will be made using the powerline transmitter/receiver 117. The data to be provided to apparatus 205 is received from the ISP by the transmitter/receiver 112. This is step 5303. The received data is decoded in the encoder/decoder 116. This is step 5304. The decoded data is fed to any one of the Ethernet Port 122, the Wi-Fi device 121 and/or the powerline transmitter/receiver 117 in step S305.

The decision of which of the Ethernet port 122, the Wi-Fi device 121 and/or the powcrline transmitter/rcceiver 117 to communicate with depends on the external device requiring the received packet. The Ethernet port 122, the Wi-Fi device 121 and/or the powerline transmitter/receiver 117 processes the data and transfers the received packet to the appropriate device. This is step 5306. The process then ends in step 5307.

A flow chart S3 10 explaining the transmit fimetionality of the device 100 is shown in Figure 3B. The flow chart begins at step S3 11. The transmitter/receiver 112 (or the powerline transmitter/receiver 117 if connecting using a Broadband over Power Line Standard) establishes a connection with the Internet Service Provider (ISP). This is step 5312. The data to be provided over the Internet is received from the external device at the Ethernet port 122, the Wi-Fi device 121 and/or the powerline transmitter/receiver 117. This is step S3 13. The received data is fed to the encoder/decoder 116 where it is encoded. This is step 5314. The encoded data is provided to the SlIM 113 in step 5315 (assuming that the SIM card inserted into the SIM module is verified by the cellular network). The encoded data is then transmitted to The ISP using the transmitter/receiver 112 and antenna 111. This is step 5316.

The process then ends at step 5317.

Figure 4 shows a diagram of a system 400 including the device 100. In this system 400, the antenna 111 for the device 100 is located remotely to the device 100. Specifically, the antenna 111 is attached to a first signal splitter 41 OA. The first signal splitter 41 OA is also connected to a satellite dish 405. The first signal splitter 410A is connected to a second signal splitter 4lOB using satellite cabling 413, The second splitter 410B connects to the transmitter/receiver 112 of the device 100. Further the second splitter 4lOB connects to a satellite decoder 415.

This arrangement is particularly advantageous where it is not possible to receive a suitable cellular network signal using the antenna 111 connected to the device 100. In other words, using this arrangement, it is possible to locate the antenna ill near to a user's satellite dish 405 which is usually in an elevated position with littie obstruction and use the installed satellite cabling 413 to connect the device 100 to the antenna 111.

Figure 5 shows the system of Figure 4 in more detail. In order to improve performance of such a system, the first splitter 410A includes a first notch filter 41 1A and optionally a first band-pass filter 412A. The first notch filter 41 lA is set to remove the satellite signal. In other words, the frequency at the notch is set to be the frequency of the received satellite signal. The frequency of the first band pass filter 412A is set to pass the received satellite signal. Although not shown, it is envisaged That a low noise amplifier is provided at antenna 111.

The second splitter 4lOB includes a second notch filter 411B and a second band-pass filter 412B. In a similar manner to the first splitter 4lOB, the second notch filter 41 lB is set to remove the satellite signal. In other words, the frequency at the notch is set to be the frequency of the received satellite signal. The frequency of the second band pass filter 41 2B is set to pass the received satellite signal.

In operation, the antenna 111 sends and receives signals over a cellular network. By providing the fir st notch filter 411 A and the second notch filter 411 B, interference from the received satellite frequency will be reduced. Similarly, by having the second band-pass filter 412B, only the satellite signals arc received by the satellite decode 415. This ensures that the signals communicated over the cellular network do not interfere with those signals received from the satellite dish 405.

Further, it is envisaged that to reduce signal reflections within the system, the output impedance of the first splitter 41 OA (connected to the satellite cable 413) matches the input impedance of the second splitter 4lOB (again connected to the satellite cable 413). Further, the antenna inputloutput in the fist splitter 41 OA matches the impedance of the antenna 111 and the satellite input in the first splitter 41 OA matches the impedance of the satellite dish 405.

S intilarly, the device input/output in the second splitter 41 OB matches the impedance of the device 100 and the impedance of the decoder output in the second splitter 410B matches the input impedance of the decoder 415.

Although the foregoing explains an embodiment in which the first splitter 41 OA and the second splitter 410B eonnect the device 100 to a satellite cable 413, a similar principle applies to connecting to a terrestrial television or radio cable.

Further, although the above explains the use of the cabling attached to a pre-installed satellite or other antenna as cabling connecting the detachable antenna 111 to the transmitter/receiver 112 of the device 100, the disclosure is not so limited. In fact, the detachable antenna 111 may be connected to the transmitter/receiver 112 of the device 100 using its own cabling. In other words, the user of the device 100 may install cabling specifically designed to connect the transmitter/receiver 112 to the antenna 111. This allows the antenna 111 to be positioned remote from the device 100 allowing better reception over the cellular network.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A device comprising a powerline adapter configured to conmiunicate data over a dwelling's electricity network and a wireless adaptor operable to connect to, and communicate said data over, the Internet using a cellular network.
2. A device according to claim 1 further comprising an inputioutput terminal configured to connect to an external portable apparatus, wherein when the external portable apparatus is connected to the device, the device is operable to disable the wireless adapter and is further operable to connect to, and communicate said data over the Internet using the externalportable apparatus.
3. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a battery, whereby in the event of a failure of the dwelling's electricity supply, the wireless adapter is operable to operate using the battery.
4. A device according to claim 2, further comprising a battery eojmeetion, whereby in the event of a failure of the dwelling's electricity supply, the wireless adapter is operable to operate using a battery connected to the battery connection.
5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the battery is integral to the device.
6. A device according to any one of claims 3, 4 or 5, wherein in the event of a failure of the dwelling's electricity supply, the powerline adapter is operable to enter a standby mode.
7. A device according to any preceding claim further comprising an antenna detachably mounted to the wireless adapter.
8. A system comprising a device according to claim 7 and cabling connecting the wireless adapter to the antenna, wherein the antenna is located remotely from the device.
9. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 further comprising a Subscriber Identity Module (SlIM) connected to the wireless adapter, wherein the SIM is configured to receive a SIM card verifying a user's identity with the cellular network.
10. A method of operating a device that comprises a powerline adapter and a wireless adapter, the method comprising: communicating data over a dwelling's electricity network using the powerline adapter and using the wireless adapter to connect to, and communicate said data over, the Internet using a cellular network.
11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the device further comprises an input/output teniinal, and the method further comprises connecting the input/output terminalto an external portable apparatus, wherein when the external portable apparatus is connected to the device, the method comprises disabling the wireless adapter and connecting to, and communicating said data over the Internet using the external portable apparatus.
12. A method according to claim 10 wherein the device further comprises a battery, and whereby in the event of a failure of the dwelling's electricity supply, the method comprises operating the wireless adapter using the battery.
13. A method according to claim 11, wherein the device further comprises a battery connection, whereby in the event of a failure of the dwelling's electricity supply, the method comprises operating the wireless adapter using a battery connected to the battery connection.
14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the battery is integral to the device.
15. A method according to any one of claims 12, 13 or 14, wherein in the cvent of a failure of the dwelling's electricity supply, the method comprises entering the powerline adapter into a standby mode.
16. A method according to any one of claims 10 to 15 further comprising detachably mounting an antenna to the wireless adapter.
17. A method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein the device comprises a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) connected to the wireless adapter, and the method further comprises receiving a SIM card veriiring a user's identity with the cellular network.
18. A computer program comprising computer readable instructions which, when loaded onto a computer, configure the computer to perform a method according to any one of claims 10 to 17.
19. A computer program product comprising the computer program of claim 18 stored on a memory device.
20. A device, method, system or computer program as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.