GB2596799A

GB2596799A - Modem unit

Info

Publication number: GB2596799A
Application number: GB2010264.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Craig Stewart Sutherland Alex
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-07-03
Filing date: 2020-07-03
Publication date: 2022-01-12
Also published as: GB202010264D0

Abstract

A modem unit includes modem and router circuitry (20, figure 3) located within a housing (10, figure 1), having a signal input and a signal output. Input and output connections are capable of connecting to a public data network comprising a telephone line and to a plurality of remote devices respectively. Power circuitry is connected to the modem and router circuitry to supply operating power thereto. At least one plug pin (24, 26, 28) extending from the housing and connected to the power circuitry is capable of being plugged into a telephone socket having a source of electrical power, whereby power is fed to the power circuitry. The power circuitry may include a rechargeable battery which, when charged, enabled the unit to operate in the event of a power supply failure. The output connection means may be capable of wirelessly connecting the signal output to the remote devices, the wireless connection being adapted to operate under NFC (RTM) and/or Bluetooth (RTM) regimes.

Description

MODEM UNIT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a modem unit, in particular to such a unit including modem circuitry for turning digital data from a remote device, such as a computer, into modulated electrical signals for transmission over a public data network such as a telephone line.

[0002] A modem (modulator-demodulator) is a device that modulates signals to encode digital information and demodulates signals to decode the transmitted information. The goal is to produce a signal that can be transmitted easily and decoded to reproduce the original digital data. A common type of modem is one that turns the digital data of a computer into modulated electrical signal for transmission over telephone lines and demodulated by another modem at the receiver side to recover the digital data, for example for the purpose of establishing a data exchange communication between the remote device and the Internet, through a service provider.

[0003] Modem circuitry requires electrical power in order to operate and this is usually provided from power circuitry which is connected by a cable to a mains power source. Trailing cables from a mains socket to the modem unit are inconvenient and may represent health and safety hazards. It is thus desirable to provide a modem unit in which a trailing cable from a mains circuit can be avoided.

[0004] Spanish patent publication E52038946 describes a modem unit which comprises a housing, modem circuitry and power circuitry located within the housing, and connections to a telephone line and to an interface gate. The unit includes plug pins by means of which the unit is capable of being plugged into a mains power socket. Such a unit has only limited use.

[0005] A modem is often connected to a router by a trailing cable. A router is a networking device that forwards data packets between user computer networks. A router is connected to two or more data lines from different user networks. When a data packet comes in one of the lines, the router reads the address information in the packet to determine its ultimate destination. Then, using information in its routing table or routing policy, it directs the packet to its destination. Multifunctional wireless routers are 10 described in CN204067774, CN202931570 and CN202759599.

[0006] The trailing cable between the modem and the router represents a further hazard. It is an object of the present invention to provide a modem unit in which the hazards presented by trailing cables are reduced or eliminated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to the invention, there is provided a modem unit comprising: (i) a housing; (ii) modem and router circuitry located within the housing, the modem and router circuitry having a signal input and a signal output; (iii) input connection means capable of connecting the signal input to a public data network comprising a telephone line; (iv) output connection means capable of connecting the signal output to a plurality of remote devices; (v) power circuitry located within the housing connected to the modem and router circuitry to supply operating power thereto; and (vi) at least one plug pin, extending from the housing and connected to the power circuitry, by means of which the unit is capable of being plugged into a socket having a source of electrical power, whereby power is fed to the power circuitry, wherein the at least one plug pin is capable of being plugged into a telephone socket having a source of electrical power connected thereto.

[0008] In addition to carrying data signals, a telephone line usually carries a source of power, such as low voltage DC, which can usefully be used as the source of power for the modem unit. Thus, the plug pin (or one of the plug pins where the modem unit has more than one) is capable of being plugged into a telephone socket having a source of electrical power connected thereto. In such an embodiment, the power circuitry will include such transformer and inverter elements as may be necessary to adapt the DC voltage on the telephone line to the appropriate voltage for use by the modem and router circuitry. The same plug pin could also serve as the input connection means to connect the signal input of the modem and router circuitry to the telephone line. In this arrangement, trailing cables to a power source and to a telephone line socket can be totally eliminated.

[0009] The hazard presented by trailing cables is particularly an issue where the trailing cable runs from a modem unit to a mains power socket, such as a wall mounted power socket. Therefore, to avoid the need for a trailing cable to a mains power socket and in order to provide an alternative power source, at least two further plug pins (such as two or three plug pins) are optionally provided, by means of which the unit is capable of being plugged into a mains power socket having an AC source of electrical power connected thereto.

[0010] Where two further plug pins are provided they may be in a live/neutral configuration. Alternatively, where three further plug pins are provided they may be in a live/neutral/earth configuration.

[0011] It is desirable for the modem unit to be portable, in particular so that one can use it wherever one may be, especially in parts of the world where different mains power socket configurations are provided. For example, in some countries the standard configuration is a three rectangular pin and socket, while in other countries round pins and/or only two pins comprise the standard. Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plug pins are mounted on an interchangeable module, whereby a plug pin arrangement of one configuration can be replaced by a plug pin arrangement of a different configuration.

[0012] In some areas of the world, mains power failures (so-called "outages") are not uncommon. However, even in such cases, it is less usual for the telephone line to be faulty. It is a significant disadvantage for the user that he cannot continue to connect to the Internet via the telephone line during a mains power failure. To overcome this problem, the power circuitry optionally includes a rechargeable battery, such as a lithium battery, which, when charged, enables the unit to operate in the event of a power supply failure. The modem and router circuitry may be adapted to operate with power from the rechargeable battery, even where there is no power supply failure, at least until the charge in the battery falls below a threshold level, e.g. 10% of charge capacity, whereupon the power circuitry causes the battery to begin to be recharged. This arrangement has the added advantage that, should the mains power pin and socket configuration at a particular location not match the configuration of one of the interchangeable pin mount modules, then the unit can still be powered via the battery.

[0013] The unit may include a memory storage device, which may be built-in (for example embedded in a PCB board which carries the modem and router circuitry), or removable (for example in the form of a USB memory card). A memory storage device provides the user with a cloud storage service, i.e. each of the remote devices can store files and access the memory, even simultaneously. An additional benefit of an internal memory would be for licensees of media services, enabling media streaming to any one or more of the remote devices.

[0014] While the embodiments of the invention described above overcome the need for trailing cables from a power source, there remains the need to connect the unit to the remote devices. Thus, the output connection means may include at least one socket into which a signal cable, such as an Ethernet cable, to the remote devices can be plugged. In some situations, it may be necessary to use a cable to connect the unit to a telephone line if the plug pin cannot be used -due to insufficient space or a different telephone socket configuration, for example. Therefore, the input connection means optionally includes at least one socket into which a signal cable, such as an xDSL cable with an RJ-11 jack, from a telephone line, or a coaxial network cable, can be plugged.

[0015] However, it would be desirable to avoid the need for trailing cables from the unit to the remote devices. Thus, in a more preferred embodiment of the invention, additionally or alternatively, the output connection means includes at least one antenna, capable of wirelessly connecting the signal output from the modem and router circuitry to the remote devices, e.g. under NFC and/or Bluetooth regimes. The antenna(s) can be embedded in a PCB board which carries the modem and router circuitry.

Near field communication (NFC) enable smart phones and other devices to establish radio communication with each other by touching them together or bringing them into proximity, typically a distance of 10 cm. Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard for exchanging data over slightly greater distances using short wavelength UHF radio waves between fixed and mobile devices. It can connect several devices, overcoming problems of synchronization.

[0016] In addition to connecting the signal input of the modem unit to a public data network comprising a telephone line, the unit may also be connected to a mobile phone network. The input connection means for connecting the signal input to a public data network can be achieved by a SIM enabled connection to a mobile phone network. To achieve this, the housing may include a SIM card holder and reader connected to the modem and router circuitry. For example, the SIM card holder and reader can be embedded in a PCB board which carries the modem and router circuitry. A SIM enabled unit could be used anywhere that a mobile phone network is accessible.

[0017] A subscriber identity module or subscriber identification module (SIM) is an integrated circuit that securely stores the international mobile subscriber identity (IMS!) and the related key used to identify and authenticate subscribers on mobile telephony devices. The SIM circuit is embedded into a removable plastic card. This plastic card is called a "SIM card" and can be transferred between different mobile devices. Furthermore, the user can ensure that no unauthorised use takes place by removing the SIM card from the unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [0019] Figure 1 is a view of a modem unit; [0020] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the modem unit shown in Figure 1; and [0021] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the mode of operation of a modem unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] As shown in Figures land 2 of the drawings, a modem unit includes a housing 10 manufactured from a rigid plastics material. The housing is formed of a front casing 12 and a rear casing 14.

[0023] A battery 16 supplies operating power to the modem and router circuitry mounted on a PCB board 18. The modem elements of the modem and router circuitry 20 are capable of turning digital data from a remote device into modulated electrical signals for transmission over a telephone line. The router elements of the modem and router circuitry enable the unit to communicate with a number of remote devices (not shown). The remote devices are, for example, a home PC, laptop or notebook, or one or more household appliances, such as heating, lighting and audio/visual appliances, and/or smart plugs, phones, locks and thermostats.

[0024] A power plug module 22 is fitted to the rear casing 14 in an interchangeable manner and is connected to power circuitry also carried on the PCB board 18, the power circuitry being adapted to convert AC mains electrical power from the power plug module to a DC supply of voltage suitable to recharge the battery 16. In Figures 1 and 2, three rectangular plug pins 24, 26, 28, arranged in a UK-standard live/neutral/earth configuration are shown.

These are connected to the power circuitry, extend from the housing and are capable of being plugged into a 240 volt AC mains socket (not shown). The plug pins 24, 26, 28 are mounted on the interchangeable module 22 of the unit, whereby the plug pin arrangement of UK configuration can be replaced by a plug pin arrangement of a different configuration, e.g a two round pin configuration enabling the unit to be used, for example, in continental Europe.

[0025] The Figures do not show the arrangement where the power plug module 22 comprises a plug pin or connector that is capable of being plugged into a telephone socket connected to a telephone line. Telephone lines usually carry a source of power, such as low voltage DC, which can be used as the source of power for the modem unit. In this arrangement, the power circuitry on the PCB 18 includes such transformer and inverter elements as may be necessary to adapt the DC voltage on the telephone line to the appropriate voltage for use by the modem and router circuitry 20 and the battery 16.

[0026] In the event of a mains power supply failure, the battery 16, when charged, enables the unit to continue to operate.

[0027] The six sockets connected to the modem and router circuitry are respectively an xDSL socket 34 (which alternatively may be adapted as a coaxial cable connector) and five R145 Ethernet ports 36.

[0028] One or more antennas 48 (see Figure 3) are embedded in the modem and router circuitry 20, to enable wireless connecting of the signal output to the remote devices under NFC and/or Bluetooth regimes.

[0029] The PCB board also carries RGB LEDs 30 which are arranged to illuminate a light pipe 32 positioned between the front and rear casings 12, 14 of the housing. The LEDs are caused to be illuminated selectively to indicate the status of the unit.

[0030] Referring to Figure 3, in which elements common to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 are given the same reference numbers, the modem and router circuitry 20 is fed with power from the rechargeable lithium battery 16. When the charge in the battery 16 falls below a predetermined threshold (e.g. 10% of capacity) it is recharged when the plug pin module 22 is plugged into a mains socket or telephone socket. The modem and router circuitry 20 is connected to a public data network via the power module 22, and/or via a coaxial cable 38, and/or via an xDSL cable 40 and appropriate micro static filter 42, to a telephone line and thence to a public data network service provider. The modem and router circuitry 20 is also connected to a number of remote devices 44 (labelled "Host" in Figure 3) via Ethernet ports 36, and/or via Bluetooth 46 and/or via WiFi antenna 48. A NANO flash memory 50 is connected to the modem and router circuitry 20 and serves to provide cloud storage for the remote devices 44.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A modem unit comprising: (i) a housing; (ii) modem and router circuitry located within the housing, the modem and router circuitry having a signal input and a signal output; (iii) input connection means capable of connecting the signal input to a public data network comprising a telephone line; (iv) output connection means capable of connecting the signal output to a plurality of remote devices; (v) power circuitry located within the housing connected to the modem and router circuitry to supply operating power thereto; and (vi) at least one plug pin extending from the housing and connected to the power circuitry, by means of which the unit is capable of being plugged into a socket having a source of electrical power such that power is fed to the power circuitry, wherein the at least one plug pin is capable of being plugged into a telephone socket having a source of electrical power connected thereto.
2. A modem unit according to claim 1, wherein at least two further plug pins are provided, by means of which the unit is capable of being plugged into a mains power socket having an AC source of electrical power connected thereto.
3. A modem unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein two further plug pins are provided in a live/neutral configuration.
4. A modem unit according to any preceding claim, wherein three further plug pins are provided in a live/neutral/earth configuration.
5. A modem unit according to any of claims 2 to 4 wherein the further plug pins are mounted on an interchangeable module, whereby a plug pin arrangement of one configuration can be replaced by a plug pin arrangement of a different configuration.
6. A modem unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the power circuitry includes a rechargeable battery which, when charged, enables the unit to operate in the event of a power supply failure.
7. A modem unit according to claim 6, wherein the modem and router circuitry is adapted to operate with power from the rechargeable battery until 10 the charge in the battery falls below a threshold level, whereupon the power circuitry causes the battery to begin to be recharged.
8. A modem unit according to any preceding claim, further including an optionally removable memory storage device.
9. A modem unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing 15 includes a SIM card holder and reader connected to the modem and router circuitry.
10. A modem unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the output connection means includes at least one antenna, capable of wirelessly connecting the signal output to the remote devices.
11. A modem unit according to claim 10, wherein the wireless connection to the remote devices is adapted to operate under NFC and/or Bluetooth regimes.
12. A modem unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the output connection means includes at least one socket into which a signal cable to the remote devices can be plugged.
13. A modem unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the remote devices include one or more household appliances.