JP2001077944A - Data communication network via telephone line and data transmitter/receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily construct an Ethernet (R) network of 10 Mdps class at a low cost by providing a customer premise system with a subscriber socket and a subscriber module, connecting one communication terminal in a communication terminal group to a telephone line. SOLUTION: This data communication network includes a switching hub 10, a center module 20 and customer premise systems 30. The module 20 separates a data signal and a telephone signal from among signals transmitted from each of the customer premise systems 30 via a four-wire telephone line L10, transmits the data signal between them to the hub 10 and the telephone signal to an exchange of a public communication network, combines the received data signal and the received telephone signal from the public communication network and transmits the data and telephone signals to the systems 30 via the line L10. The systems 30 include a subscriber socket 40 and a subscriber module 50. The socket 40 enables user to connect subscriber equipment, such as a data terminal device 90 and/or a telephone set 92 to the four-wire telephone line via the module 50.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data communication network, and more particularly, to a data communication network capable of simultaneously transmitting and receiving telephone signals and LAN data using telephone lines provided in homes and offices, and a data communication network used in such a communication network. And a data transmitting / receiving device for performing the operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, the Internet, which is used as a means for collecting and transmitting various information, occupies an important service in the information and communication field. Currently, the most commonly used method for connecting to the Internet backbone network is a telephone modem (Dial-up Mod).
em) to connect via the general telephone network. According to such a method, a transmitted digital signal is converted to an analog signal, and then transmitted and received via a copper wire, but the copper wire is inherently difficult to transmit data having a speed of 56 Kbps or more as an analog signal. There is a disadvantage. Therefore, when connecting to the Internet using a telephone modem, there is a problem that it is difficult to transmit moving images and a large amount of text data at high speed. The Internet connection method via an integrated information and communication network (ISDN) is also widely used to improve transmission speed, but currently commercialized ISDN is also a circuit-switched network via copper wires, It is not possible to greatly improve the transmission speed as compared with.

[0003] Various techniques for utilizing an optical communication network to improve the transmission speed have been proposed. The most ideal optical communication network is a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) system, in which optical fibers are individually laid to each home and data can be transmitted via the optical fibers. To build a subscriber network. However, the FTTH method has an economical problem in that an optical network unit (ONU: Optical Network Unit) must be installed in each home individually. Furthermore, laying the optical fiber in each home is a huge expense and requires time and date.
Providing communication services to each home based on the TH method is far from realizable.

[0004] From such a background, a fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC) system in which a plurality of homes share an optical fiber has been proposed. In the FTTC method, an ONU is provided on the curb
Optical fiber will be laid until the ONU is connected to each home with copper wires. According to the FTTC method, multiple homes
Since the ONU and the optical fiber are shared, the economic burden on each home is reduced, and it is not necessary to lay the optical fiber in each home. However, even under the FTTC method, there still remains a problem that an optical fiber must be laid up to the curve (Curb) and an ONU should be installed.

[0005] As a result, various proposals have been made to utilize existing cable TV networks and copper wire telephone networks instead of newly laying optical fibers.
In an Internet subscriber network via a cable TV network, a cable TV subscriber purchases a cable modem, installs it on his computer, and connects to the Internet via this.

[0006] However, since cable TV is not yet widely used in many countries, it is expected that it will take a considerable time before many homes can utilize the cable TV network. Further, there is a problem that the cable modem is more expensive than the telephone modem and is difficult to use in ordinary households.
Data is transmitted using an optical cable to the ONU, and HFC (Hybrid Fiber Channel) uses a coaxial cable from the ONU to the subscriber.
Coax) networks have the same problem.

On the other hand, in order to utilize the copper wire of the general telephone network, a DSL (Digital Subscrib) for directly digitally modulating and transmitting data without converting it into an analog signal in the general telephone network.
er Loop) system, DSL service
It is necessary to install equipment and connect the corresponding central office to the Internet at high speed. Therefore, it is practically very difficult for an Internet service provider other than a general telephone service provider to implement this.

In connection with this, International Patent Application WO 98/54901 filed on June 1, 1998 by Inline Connection Corporation and published internationally on December 3, 1998 (Title of Invention) : Communication system via telephone line (Twisted Pair Communicatio
n System), a telephone signal and a LAN data signal are combined and transmitted via a telephone line, while a telephone signal and a LAN data signal are received from a received signal using a low-pass filter and a high-pass filter, respectively. There is disclosed a communication system that separates the data. According to such a communication system, a telephone line laid for the purpose of voice communication can be used to transmit a data signal together with a telephone signal to a subscriber such as an apartment or a business building. A subscriber network can be constructed easily at low cost.

In the communication system described in the above document, basically, an upward data signal transmitted from a subscriber terminal to an external data network, a downward data signal transmitted from an external data network to a terminal, All downward audio signals are transmitted via one twisted pair. Even if the frequency bands of the Manchester-encoded data signal and the audio signal are not superimposed on each other, it cannot be said that there is no interference between these signals. On the other hand, the cutoff characteristics of the low-pass filter and the high-pass filter used in the system are not perfect. This causes the voice signal transmitted with the data signal to act as noise with a small magnitude to the data signal, which negatively affects the channel capacity of the system, that is, the data transmission rate. .

If any one of the internal circuits of the amplifier circuit is damaged or the operating power is lost, the amplifier circuit does not operate and serious path loss occurs in the entire communication system. May be caused. When the low-noise amplifier becomes inoperable in this way, the comparison circuit senses an abnormal condition and notifies the user, for example, via a light emitting diode, to replace or repair the amplifier circuit.
However, if the amplifier circuit is seriously damaged, the system may not operate properly until the user completes replacement or repair of the amplifier circuit.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and has at least one spare circuit arranged in parallel with a main amplifier circuit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a low-noise amplifier that can operate without serious path loss before a user completes replacement or repair of an amplifier circuit when an abnormality occurs in the main amplifier circuit and the amplifier cannot operate normally. Technical issues.

[0012]

A data communication network for achieving the above technical object includes a hub, a center module and an in-home system, wherein the in-home system is connected via respective telephone lines to transmit data together with voice signals. Signals can be transmitted and received, connecting the home system to an external data communication network and an external telephone communication network. The hub switches a plurality of home systems and is connected to the external data communication network.

The center module is connected to the in-home system via a 4-wire telephone line, and is connected to the hub and the external telephone communication network via predetermined lines. A center module combines the down data signal received through the hub and the down telephone signal received from the external telephone network, and combines the combined down signal to a first line pair of the four-wire telephone line. Via the home system. Also, the center module extracts an upward audio signal mixed with the downward data signal from the first line pair of the four-wire telephone line and transmits the same to the external telephone communication network. An upstream data signal is received over a second line pair and transmitted to the hub.

[0014] The home system includes at least one subscriber outlet and a subscriber module. The subscriber outlet is fixedly connected to the telephone line and has a socket-like subscriber module connection port. Also, the subscriber outlet includes a termination and a switching circuit for interrupting a flow of a data signal to and from the subscriber outlet when a data terminal is connected via a subscriber module. .

[0015] The subscriber module includes a plug for insertion into the subscriber module connection port, and connects a telephone and / or a data terminal to the telephone line. In a preferred embodiment, the subscriber module has a substantially hexahedral appearance, and has a plug for insertion into a subscriber outlet. The subscriber module has a data terminal connection port for connecting a data terminal, a telephone connection port for connecting a telephone, and the combined downward signal received through a subscriber outlet and a plug. A high-pass filter for selectively passing only the downward data signal and supplying the data terminal connection port to the data terminal connection port, and selectively passing only the downward telephone signal of the combined downward signal to the telephone connection port And a low-pass filter for supplying the low-pass filter. The subscriber module combines the upward data signal from the data terminal with the upward telephone signal from the telephone, and transmits the combined upward signal to the center module via the subscriber outlet and the telephone line. Will be transmitted.

Meanwhile, it is preferable that the data communication network includes at least one of the parallel extension module and the serial extension module. The parallel expansion module is provided above the subscriber outlet, and is provided with a data terminal which can be used simultaneously through one telephone line by increasing the number of data terminal connection ports in a telephone line structure connected in parallel. Increase the number. In addition, a serial extension module is also provided above the subscriber outlet, and a data terminal that can be used simultaneously through one telephone line by increasing the number of data terminal connection ports in a serially connected telephone line structure. Increase the number of vessels.

In such a data communication network, a data signal and a telephone signal are mutually coupled and transmitted, and then separated and received at a receiving side through separate filters. Thereby, the data signal and the telephone signal can be simultaneously transmitted and received via the four-wire telephone line provided in the subscriber's house.

[0018]

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a data communication network according to the present invention. The data communication network includes a switching hub 10, a center module 20, and a home system 30, and is suitable for implementing an Internet subscriber network. The data communication network of FIG. 1 can be constructed in units of buildings or passages in apartment buildings such as apartments, and can be constructed in units of office rooms or layers in commercial buildings. When implemented in an apartment, the switching hub 10 and the center module 20
Will be located in the line distribution box (MDF) of the administrative office and the line distribution box of each building. On the other hand, when constructed in a commercial building, the switching hub 10 and the center module
20 will be located in the building distribution line (MDF), communication room or line distribution box of each layer.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the switching hub 10 and the center module 20 are installed and managed by an Internet service network operator. The switching hub 10 is connected to a host of an Internet service network operator via a dedicated line via the Internet,
It will send and receive Internet traffic according to TCP / IP or Ethernet protocols. The switching hub 10 transmits traffic received from the Internet to the corresponding home system 30 via the center module 20. The switching hub 10 receives the data traffic transmitted from each home system 30 via the center module 20, regenerates the signal level, and transmits the signal level to the Internet.

The center module 20 is provided on the front.
Connected to switching hub 10 via RJ-45 connector,
It is connected to a plurality of home systems 30 via a plurality of 4-wire telephone lines L10. The center module 20 is connected to a public communication network via a 37-pin connector provided on the back.
Thus, the center module 20 separates the data signal and the telephone signal from the signals transmitted from the plurality of home systems 30 via the four-wire telephone line L10, and transmits the data signal to the switching hub 10. Then, the telephone signal is transmitted to the exchange of the public communication network. Also, the center module 20 combines the data signal received through the switching hub 10 and the telephone signal received from the public network,
The information is transmitted to the corresponding home system via the 4-wire telephone line L10.

However, when the data communication network of the present invention is constructed in a business building having a private private branch exchange 900, the center module 20 may be connected to a public communication network via the private private branch exchange 900. . On the other hand, in a preferred embodiment, the first line pair of the four-wire telephone line is used to transmit any one of the data transmission signal and the reception signal and the telephone signal, and the remaining telephone line, that is, the telephone line, is used. The second line pair is used to transmit another one of the data transmission signal and the data reception signal.

The home system 30 is provided at each floor of each subscriber's home or business building. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, a description will be given mainly of a case where the home system 30 of the present invention is provided at home. The home system 30 includes subscriber outlets 40a to 4
0e (hereinafter, denoted by 40 when no classification is required) and subscriber modules 50a, 50c, 50e (hereinafter, denoted by 50 when no classification is required).

The subscriber outlet 40 is provided on a wall or the like of a home in a manner similar to that of a conventional telephone outlet, and a user can use the data terminal device 90 and / or
Alternatively, the subscriber equipment such as the telephone 92 can be connected to a four-wire telephone line. The subscriber module 50, coupled to the subscriber outlet 40, combines the upward data signal from the data terminal 90 with the telephone signal from the telephone 92 and places it on a four-wire telephone line. The down data signal and the down phone signal on the telephone line are separated and provided to the data terminal 90 and the telephone 92, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the home system 30, a large number of subscriber outlets 40a to 40e are connected. However, as described later, the subscriber outlet 40a
Outlets 40e to 40e to which the data terminal device 90 is connected (for example, 40a or 40c),
Although a telephone 92 can be further connected to b, 40d, and 40e, it is desirable not to further connect the data terminal 90 in consideration of data collision. Thus, the home system 30 shown in FIG. 1 includes the parallel expansion module 60 and the serial expansion module 70 in order to connect and use a plurality of data terminals 90 at the same time. Parallel expansion module 60
Extend the data terminal connection ports in the home network connected in parallel. The serial expansion module 70 expands the data terminal connection port in the serially connected home network.

The data communication network according to the present invention can be constructed by using a telephone line already laid in an existing house or business building, including a newly constructed building. Thus, when a communication network is constructed in an existing house or business building, if telephone lines are wired in parallel, a parallel expansion module 60 is used to expand the data terminal connection port, and a telephone line is wired in series. If so, it is desirable to use the serial expansion module 70 to expand the data terminal connection port. Of course, a plurality of parallel extension modules 60 and / or serial extension modules 70 may be used in combination in one home system 30 depending on the telephone wiring configuration.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the center module 20 of FIG. The center module 20 includes a switching hub connection port 22, a telephone line connection port 24 for connecting a telephone line, a high-pass filter 26, and a low-pass filter 28. The high-pass filter 26 has a cut-off frequency of 100 KHz to pass only data signals, and the low-pass filter 28 has a cut-off frequency of 10 KHz to pass only telephone signals. Switching hub connection port
The TX + and TX- terminals of 22 are connected to the first line pair L11 via a high-pass filter 26, and the RX + and RX- terminals are directly connected to the second
Connected to line pair L12. The ring RING and chip TIP terminal of the telephone line connection port 24 are connected to the low-pass filter 28.
To the first line pair L11. This allows
The data signal selected by the high-pass filter 26 among the mixed signals received from the home system 30 via the first line pair L11 is transmitted to the switching hub 10 via the TX + and TX- terminals of the switching hub connection port 22. You.
The telephone signal selected by the low-pass filter 28 is transmitted to the telephone office via the telephone line connection port 24. On the other hand, the data signal received from the switching hub 10 is transmitted to the home system 30 via the second line pair L12. The telephone signal received from the central office line is the first
The information is transmitted to the home system 30 via the line pair L11.

FIG. 3 shows the subscriber outlet 40 shown in FIG.
FIG. The subscriber outlet 40 includes a subscriber module connection port 42 and an automatic termination and switching circuit 44.
And The automatic termination and switching circuit 44 includes a switching unit 46 and a low-pass filter 48. The subscriber module connection port 42 is formed with four terminals 42a to 42d mounted inside the hall, so that the subscriber module 50 according to the present invention or the conventional telephone 4
A mouth plug can be inserted. As shown in FIG. 1, a subscriber module 50 according to the present invention includes, as shown in FIG. 1, a telephone dedicated module 50e used when connecting a telephone only, and a general purpose module used when connecting a telephone only with a data terminal or with a data terminal. There are modules 50a and 50c. Subscriber outlet when each type of module is inserted
The operation of the forty will be described as follows.

When a telephone module 50e or a conventional four-port plug for a telephone is inserted into the subscriber outlet 40,
The four switches of the switching unit 46 are switched to the positions shown. At this time, the front first line pair L41 and the second line pair L42 are connected to the four terminals 42a to 42d of the subscriber module connection port 42, and at the same time, are connected to the rear first line pair L51 and the second line pair L52. Connected. As a result, a telephone channel is formed through the subscriber outlet 40, and a telephone or a data terminal can be used through the rear subscriber outlet.

On the other hand, when the general-purpose modules 50a and 50c are inserted into the subscriber outlet 40, the four switches of the switching unit 46 are switched in the direction of the arrow in the figure. Also in this case, the first line pair L41 and the second line pair L42 in front are connected to the four terminals 42a of the subscriber module connection port 42.
To 42d, the corresponding subscriber outlet 40
A data terminal connected to can perform data communication. However, the downward data signal received from the first line pair L41 at the front is transmitted to the first data line at the rear by the action of the low-pass filter 48.
The line pair L51 is no longer communicated and the second line pair L
The upward data signal received by the second line pair L4 is also forward.
2 can not be told. However, the first pair of lines L41 in the front and the first pair of lines L51 in the rear can be connected to each other through the low-pass filter 48 to form a telephone channel for a telephone provided at the rear. As described above, when the general-purpose subscriber module is inserted into the subscriber outlet 40, only telephone calls can be made through the subscriber outlet 40 at the rear, and data communication cannot be performed.

As described above, in order to enable the switching unit 46 to perform switching depending on whether the general-purpose module 50a or 50c is inserted, or whether the telephone-only module 50e or the conventional four-port plug is inserted, the present invention is applied. In the preferred embodiment, the subscriber outlet 40 is provided with another switch. An example of such a switch is a toggle switch that can be manually operated by a user according to the type of subscriber module inserted. However, in another example, a pressure sensor switch can be provided in the subscriber outlet 40, and only the general-purpose modules 50a and 50c can be protruded in front thereof to operate the pressure sensor switch. On the other hand, when the switching unit 46 is operated by such a switch, the switching control signal CONT may be generated electrically, and the switching unit 46 may be controlled by the switching control signal CONT. However, in other embodiments, the switching unit 46 can be mechanically switched.

In the subscriber outlet 40 of FIG. 3, the inductor in the low-pass filter 48 is provided between the front and rear first and second line pairs L41 and L51 in addition to the filtering function for selectively passing only the telephone signal. Or a function of matching the impedance between the first pair of lines L41 and the subscriber module connection port 42. As a result, data can be transmitted over a long distance, and restrictions on communication due to the length of the telephone line in the house are reduced.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the subscriber module 50 shown in FIG. The subscriber module 50 includes a plug 52, a data terminal connection port 54, a high pass filter 56, a telephone connection port 58, and a low pass filter 59.
FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the subscriber module 50 in the preferred embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the subscriber module 50 is box-shaped, and has a plug formed of four connectors for insertion into the subscriber outlet 40 at the front thereof. A data terminal connection port 54 is provided on the side surface. The data terminal connection port 54 is implemented using an RJ-45 connector. Further, a telephone connection port 58 is provided on the bottom surface. Telephone connection port 58
Is implemented using an RJ-11 connector.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the high-pass filter 56 has a cut-off frequency of 100 KHz so as to pass only the data signal, and the low-pass filter 59 has a cut-off frequency of 10 KHz so as to pass only the telephone signal. With a cutoff frequency of The RX + and RX- terminals of the data terminal connection port 54 are connected to the first and second terminals 52 of the plug 52 via a high-pass filter 56.
a, 52b, respectively, and the TX + and TX- terminals are directly connected to the third and fourth terminals 52c, 52d of the plug 52. The ring RING and the chip TIP terminal of the telephone connection port 58 are connected to the first and second terminals 52 of the plug 52 via a low-pass filter 59.
a, 52b.

The upward data signal received from the data terminal via the RX + and RX- terminals of the data terminal connection port 54 is applied to the first and second terminals 52a, 52b of the plug 52. The upward telephone signal received from the telephone via the telephone connection port 58 is also transmitted to the first and second terminals of the plug 52.
It is applied to 52a and 52b. Thus, the upward data signal and the upward telephone signal are transmitted to the first and second terminals 52 of the plug 52.
a, 52b are mixed and transmitted to the center module.
Further, the downward telephone signal received through the first and second terminals 52a, 52b of the plug 52 can be selected by the low-pass filter 59 and transmitted to the telephone through the telephone connection port 58. At this time, the high-pass filter 56 prevents the telephone signal component of the signal of the first line pair from being mixed into the data terminal. On the other hand, the third and fourth terminals 52 of the plug 52
The downward data signal received from the LAN via c and 52d is transmitted to the data terminal via the TX + and TX- terminals of the data terminal connection port 54.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of the parallel extension module 60 shown in FIG. Parallel expansion module 60 is a 2-terminal hub 62
And a high-pass filter 64, 66, 67 and a low-pass filter 68, thereby extending the data terminal connection ports in parallel. Meanwhile, the parallel expansion module 60 may further include a telephone connection port 69 for connecting a telephone. The hub 62 has an upward port connected to the center module side telephone line, and first and second downward ports connected to the first and second channel telephone lines, respectively.

The TX + and TX- terminals of the upward port of the hub 62 are connected to a first line pair L11 of the center module side telephone line via a high-pass filter 64. RX + and RX
-The terminal is directly connected to the second line pair L12. The RX + and RX- terminals of the first downward port are connected to the high-pass filter 66.
To the first line pair L21 of the first channel side telephone line. The TX + and TX- terminals are directly connected to the second line pair L22. The RX + and RX- terminals of the second downward port are connected to the first line pair L31 of the second channel side telephone line via a high pass filter 67. The TX + and TX- terminals are directly connected to the second line pair L32. On the other hand, the low-pass filter 68 includes a first line pair L11 on the center module side and a first line pair L21 on the first and second channel sides.
Connect with L31.

In such a parallel expansion module 60, of the mixed signals existing on the first line pair L11 on the center module side, the downward telephone signal is selected by the low-pass filter 68, and the first and second channel side signals are selected. The data is transmitted by being combined with the downward data signal on one line pair L21, L31. Also, the first line pair on the first and second channel side
The upward telephone signal of the mixed signals existing on L21 and L31 is selected by the low-pass filter 68, then combined with the upward data signal by the first line pair L11 on the center module side and transmitted to the center module side. . on the other hand,
The downward data signal received via the center module side second line pair L12 is separated by the hub 62 and
And the second channel pair L22, L32. Also, the first line pair L2 on the first and second channel side
1, the data signal of the upward mixed signal received via L31 is selected by the high-pass filters 66 and 67, respectively, multiplexed by the hub 62, and transmitted to the center module side first line pair L11.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the serial expansion module 70 of FIG. The series expansion module 70 has a two-terminal hub 72
And high-pass filters 74 and 76, and low-pass filters
77, data terminal connection port 78, and telephone connection port
79 to extend the data terminal connection port in series. The hub 72 has an upward port connected to the center module side telephone line, and third and fourth downward ports. The TX + and TX- terminals of the upward port of the hub 72 are connected to a first line pair L21 of the center module side telephone line via a high-pass filter 74. The RX + and RX- terminals are directly connected to the second line pair L22. The RX + and RX- terminals of the third downward port are connected to the rear first line pair L41 via a high-pass filter 76. The TX + and TX- terminals are directly connected to the second line pair L42. 4th of hub 72
The downward port is connected to the data terminal connection port 78. On the other hand, the low-pass filter 77 connects the center module side first line pair L21 and the rear side first line pair L41.

In such a serial expansion module 70, the downward telephone signal among the mixed signals existing on the center module side first line pair L 21 is selected by the low-pass filter 77 and supplied to the telephone connection port 79. At the same time, it is combined with the data signal on the rear first line pair L41 and supplied backward. Also, the rear side first line pair L4
The telephone signal of the upward mixed signal received via 1 is selected by the low-pass filter 77, mixed with the signal from the telephone connection port 79, and then combined with the data signal at the center module side first line pair L21. And transmitted to the center module. On the other hand, the downward data signal received through the center module side second line pair L22 is separated by the hub 72 and supplied to the data terminal connection port 78 or transmitted to the rear side second line pair L42. .

The data signals of the upward mixed signals received via the rear first line pair L41 are selected by the high-pass filter 76, and thereafter, are upwardly transmitted from the data terminal connection port 78 by the hub 62. The data signal is multiplexed with the data signal and transmitted to the center module side first line pair L21. In such a data communication network of the present invention, a telephone signal is transmitted in a frequency multiplexed state with a data signal without affecting each other. For phone signal channels,
The telephone will be off-hook or there will be traffic only when an external call arrives. However, the data signal channel can always be activated regardless of the setting of the communication channel through the public communication network. In other words, the data communication network according to the present invention is immediately connected from the switching hub 10 to the host of the Internet service network operator by bypassing the public communication network exchange without passing through the switch. As a result, the data communication network operates similarly to the high-speed leased line. In particular, each data terminal connection port 54, 78 described above is connected to each data terminal, for example, a LAN card of a computer, that is, an Ethernet adapter, and data is transmitted and received according to the Ethernet protocol.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a home network embodied by the present invention. In the home network of FIG. 8, a plurality of subscriber outlets 40 are connected in series via a telephone line. A PC (personal computer) of one LAN user is connected to one of the subscriber outlets 40, and a telephone is connected to a part of the remaining subscriber outlets 40. Ordinary telephone plug to connect telephone to subscriber outlet 40
99 or the subscriber module 50 may be used.

The telephone signals transmitted and received at each telephone are transmitted via the first line pair of telephone lines. On the other hand, LA of PC
The upstream data signal transmitted from the N card, ie, the Ethernet adapter, is mixed with the telephone signal in the subscriber module 50 and transmitted to the center module via the telephone line. Further, the downward data signal received from the center module is supplied to the PC via the subscriber module 50. At this time, the automatic termination and switching circuit 44 in each subscriber outlet 50 matches the impedance of each line-to-component so that the signal can be transmitted over a long distance, and cuts off the high frequency to the telephone, thereby reducing the frequency in the telephone. To prevent high frequency attenuation by the capacitor. As a result, the subscriber module 50 connected to the PC itself can be used by freely connecting to the subscriber outlet 50 in the house.

FIG. 9 shows another example of a home network embodied by the present invention. In the home network shown in FIG. 9, telephone lines are connected in series, and many LAN users can use a PC by connecting a PC. When connecting a plurality of computers to the telephone lines connected in series in this manner, computers other than the last computer are connected via the serial expansion module 70. As in the description of FIG. 7, the serial extension module 70 multiplexes the LAN data signal received from the rear and the LAN signal from the data terminal connection port (78 in FIG. 7) and transmits the multiplexed data to the center module. Side sends a downward LAN signal to the computer connected to the data terminal connection port or to the telephone line at the rear. On the other hand, in the series expansion module 70, the telephone signal bypasses the hub 72 through the low-pass filter 77.

FIG. 10 shows still another example of a home network embodied by the present invention. In the home network shown in FIG. 10, telephone lines are connected in parallel, and many LAN users connect PCs to use them. In the case where a plurality of computers are to be connected to the telephone lines connected in parallel in this manner, the number of subscriber units is increased for each branch in the tree-like telephone line wiring by using the parallel expansion module 60. sell.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be variously modified. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the first line pair and the second line pair are used together in the signal transmission of data, while the telephone signal is transmitted only through the first line pair. In an embodiment, telephone signals may be transmitted over a second line pair instead of the first line pair. In such an embodiment, the data signal is combined and separated from the telephone signal by high-pass filtering of the received signal rather than the transmitted signal of the subscriber unit. Transmitting the audio signal via the line pair on which the upstream data signal is transmitted is desirable for general users in which the upward data traffic is less than the downward data traffic, but the audio signal via the line pair on which the downward data signal is transmitted. Is desirable when the upstream data traffic is less than the downstream data traffic.

In a preferred embodiment, the two-terminal hub 6 is connected to the parallel expansion module 60 and the serial expansion module 70.
2, 72 were used, but in other embodiments N
It can also be expanded with multi-terminal hubs. In still another embodiment of the present invention, telephone signals can be transmitted via the first line pair and the second line pair. Such an embodiment can be easily realized by adding only a low-pass filter to the system according to the above-described preferred embodiment. According to this embodiment, the first line pair is used for transmitting the first telephone signal together with any one of the data transmission signal and the reception signal, and the second line pair is used for transmitting the data transmission signal and the reception signal. It is used for transmitting the second telephone signal together with the other signal, and one 4-wire telephone line can simultaneously form a data signal channel and two telephone channels.

On the other hand, in the description of the preferred embodiment, the data communication network has been described mainly for the case where the data communication network is used at home for connection to the Internet. It can also be used for internet connection in buildings. Further, the data communication network of the present invention can be used not only for the Internet but also for other purposes, for example, a business LAN or home automation. In the present specification including the claims, "home equipment" means a subscriber system connected to a center module.

[0048]

As described above, according to the data communication network of the present invention, a 10 Mbps Ethernet network can be inexpensively used in a building, an apartment complex, a shopping district, a hotel, or the like using a 4-wire telephone line already laid. Can be easily constructed. In particular, such data communication networks have the advantage of operating in full-duplex mode.

Further, it is possible to use a serial expansion module or a parallel expansion module in accordance with the wiring configuration of the telephone line in each home, thereby enabling additional LAN terminal expansion for expanding the subscriber unit. This has the effect that one family member or people working together in a business building can simultaneously connect their computers to the same telephone line at different locations and simultaneously use data communication, especially the Internet.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a data communication network according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the center module shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the subscriber outlet shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the subscriber module shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the subscriber module.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of the parallel extension module shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the serial extension module shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a home network according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of a home network according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing still another example of the home network according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Switching hub 20 Center module 30 Home system 40 Subscriber outlet 50 Subscriber module 60 Parallel expansion module 70 Series expansion module 90 Data terminal 92 Telephone 99 General telephone plug

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04M 3/00

Claims (9)

[Claims] An in-home system (30) is a data communication network connected via respective telephone lines, capable of transmitting and receiving data signals together with voice signals, and being connectable to an external data communication network and an external telephone communication network. A hub (10) connected to the external data communication network, and connected to the home system (30) via a 4-wire telephone line separately provided for each of the home system (30);
The hub (10) and the external telephone communication network are respectively connected via predetermined lines, and a downward data signal received through the hub (10) and a downward telephone signal received from the external telephone communication network. And transmitting the combined downward signal to any one of the home systems (30) via a first line pair of the four-wire telephone line, An upward audio signal mixed with the downward data signal is extracted from one line pair and transmitted to the external telephone network, and the upward data signal is received via the second line pair of the four-wire telephone line to receive the upward data signal. A center module (20) for transmitting to a hub (10), wherein the in-home system (30) is fixedly connected to the telephone line and has at least a socket-like subscriber module connection port (42). One subscriber outlet (40) and front A plug (52) for insertion into a subscriber module connection port (42), wherein one of a telephone, a data terminal and a communication terminal group composed of a combination thereof is connected to the telephone line; Subscriber module to connect to
(50) A data communication network comprising: 2. The subscriber outlet (40), when a data terminal is connected via the subscriber module (50), a data signal to and from the subscriber outlet (40). The data communication network according to claim 1, further comprising a termination and switching circuit (44) for interrupting the flow of data. 3. The subscriber module (50) has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped appearance, and the plug (52) for insertion into a subscriber outlet (40) is protrudingly provided. A data terminal connection port (54) for connecting; a telephone connection port (58) for connecting the telephone; and the connection received via the subscriber outlet (40) and the plug (52). A high-pass filter (56) for selectively passing only the down data signal of the down signals, and supplying the data signal to the data terminal connection port (54); and the down telephone of the combined down signal. The data communication network according to claim 1, further comprising a low-pass filter (59) for selectively passing only a signal and supplying the signal to the telephone connection port (58). 4. The in-home system (30) is provided above the at least one subscriber outlet (40), and has a number of data terminal connection ports (54) in a structure of telephone lines connected in parallel. The data communication network according to claim 1, further comprising a parallel extension module (60) for increasing the number of data terminals that can be used simultaneously through one telephone line by increasing the number of data terminals. 5. The home system (30) comprises: the parallel expansion module (60) and the at least one subscriber outlet.
(40) and can be used simultaneously via one telephone line by increasing the number of data terminal connection ports (54) and (78) in the structure of telephone lines connected in series. Expansion module to increase the number of complicated data terminals
The data communication network according to claim 4, further comprising (70). 6. The home system (30) is provided above the at least one subscriber outlet (40) and has a data terminal connection port (54), ( 2. The data of claim 1, further comprising a serial extension module (70) for increasing the number of data terminals that can be used simultaneously via one telephone line by increasing the number of data terminals. Communication network. 7. A data transmission apparatus provided between first to third transmission lines (L10), (L20) and (L30) each comprising a four-wire telephone line, and having downward data transmitted through said first transmission line (L10). A second transmission line (L20) and a third transmission line for receiving a signal and a downward telephone signal;
(L30), receives an upward data signal and an upward telephone signal via the second transmission path (L20) or the third transmission path (L32), and receives the same via the first transmission path (L10). 2-terminal hub having an upward port, a first downward port, and a second downward port, each including a first and second terminal pair.
(62); a first line pair (L11) of the first transmission line (L10);
A first high-pass filter (64) provided between a first terminal pair of upward ports of the terminal hub (62); a first terminal pair of a first downward port of the two-terminal hub (62); A second high-pass filter (66) provided between the first line pair (L21) of the second transmission line (L20), and a first terminal of a second downward port of the two-terminal hub (62) A third high-pass filter (67) provided between the pair, a first line pair (L31) of the third transmission line (L30), and a first line pair (67) of the first transmission line (L10). L11) through the low-pass filtering of the downward telephone signal received via the first line pair (L21) of the second transmission line (L20) and the first line pair (L31) of the third transmission line (L30). ), And a low-pass filter (68) for low-pass filtering the upward telephone signal and supplying it to a first line pair (L11) of the first transmission line (L10). Data transmitting and receiving device. 8. A data transmission / reception device provided between first and second transmission lines (L20) and (L40) each comprising a four-wire telephone line and capable of selectively connecting an external data terminal. A two-terminal hub having an upward port, a first downward port, and a second downward port, each including a first and second terminal pair.
(72); a first line pair (L21) of the first transmission line (L20);
A first high-pass filter (74) provided between the terminal port (72) and a first terminal pair of upward ports; a first terminal pair of a first downward port of the two-terminal hub (72); A second high-pass filter (76) provided between the first line pair (L41) of the second transmission line (L40); and a first line pair (L21) of the first transmission line (L20). , The second
A low-pass filter (77) provided between the first line pair (L41) of the transmission line (L40), and the external data terminal is connected to a second downward port of the two-terminal hub (72). Connected, receive the downward data signal and the downward telephone signal via the first transmission line (L20), transmit the downward data signal and the downward telephone signal to the second transmission line (L40), and simultaneously transmit the downward data signal. Transmitting a signal to the external data terminal, receiving a first upward data signal and a first upward telephone signal from the second transmission line (L40) and a second upward data signal from the external data terminal, The first transmission line (L
20) A data transmission / reception device for transmitting data. 9. The low-pass filter (77) includes first and second nodes, the first and second nodes, and each of a first line pair (L21) of the first transmission line (L20). First and second inductors provided between the first and second nodes, and first and second inductors provided between the first and second nodes and each line of the first line pair (L41) of the second transmission path (L40). The device of claim 8, further comprising third and fourth inductors, wherein the data transceiver includes a telephone connection port 78 connected between the first and second nodes, to which a telephone can be connected. Data transceiver.