Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02261010 1999-02-03
COMBINED POWER AND COMMUNICATION DELIVERY SYSTEM AND KIT FOR
INSTALLATION AT OR BEYOND THE DEMARCATION POINT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to power and voice/data communication
transmission systems for use at or beyond the demarcation point in a
residential or
business building.
Description of the Prior Art
In some conventional telecommunication devices, such as with answering
machines, cordless and cord telephones, there are instances where an
undesirable
plurality of cables connect each of said telecommunication devices for
voice/data
transmission and electrical power transmission. As an example, elective
telephone
service features such as Caller IDT"" or Call DispIayT"" offered by telephone
companies
require two cables to be run to certain telephones using this service. The
first of said
cables carries the voice/data communication transmission, whereas the second
of said
cables carries power to operate the elective service in the telephone. One
such
telephone is the NorteIT"" made MaestroT"" model telephone. Such telephones
feature-
capable telephones now conventionally require a power supply cable to connect
the
telephone to a nearby electrical wall outlet via a DC adaptor. In addition to
the power
supply cable, there is also the traditional voice/data cable that connects the
telephone
to the telephone jack. Accordingly, there are two cables and one DC power
adapter in
the set up for each such feature-capable telephone. A similar conventional
cabling
layout is required for a stand-alone answering machine or a cordless telephone
whether
or not any elective feature services are available. There are a number of
disadvantages that flow from the current conventional setup.
-1-
CA 02261010 1999-02-03
First, having two cables and a DC power adapter results in an undesirably
messy, and cumbersome setup at each such conventionally laid telecommunication
device location. Second, children have been found to play and tangle
themselves in
the array of cables that loosely dangle behind each such telecommunication
device.
The problem escalates when the notion that many homes or businesses have three
or
more such devices at different locations in their premises - all requiring the
same setup.
It is desirable to have a system in which there is a reduction of the number
of cables
required at each telecommunication device installation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a system in which the layout of
the cables required for a telecommunication device such as a feature rich
telephone,
a cordless telephone (either feature-rich or not) or an answering machine is
simple and
the limited to one cable per installation that is easily managed.
It is another object of the invention to reduce the number of cables
required at a telecommunication device installation.
The invention effectively utilizes the spare unused line that is found in the
telephone wiring in a house to distribute power through it. In a first
embodiment, the
invention comprises an interface (hereinafter referred to as a "power input
module") in
which a single power source feeds power into the unused line at the
demarcation point.
As a result, the internal telephone wiring running throughout the house is now
powered
from a single source and the power may be accessed via regular telephone
jacks. All
that a user needs to do to get power and voice from a telephone jack is to
connect a
telecommunication device, such as a telephone, to a new combined power-
communication cable. The new combined power-communication line makes use of
the
dual transmissions, namely voice/data communication and power, accessible from
the
telephone jack. Advantageously, there is only one cable (separated only at a
point near
-2-
CA 02261010 1999-02-03
the telephone) necessary at each telephone. Moreover, there is no need to have
a
power transformer at each telephone connected to a power supply outlet. When
all
devices require the same voltage, only one central power transformer is
required (at the
demarcation point interface).
In the invention, there is provided a combined power and communication
delivery system for installation at or beyond the demarcation point in a
residential or
business building, said system comprising: a power input module; a plurality
of
traditional voice/data communication lines, one of said lines being an unused
voice or
data communication line and being connected to said power input module thereby
making said first of said lines a current-carrying line, said plurality of
lines terminating
at least one female multi-wire telephone jack; and, at least one power-
communication
cable, said cable characterized by a first end being a male multi-wire plug to
releasably
engage said female multi-wire telephone jack, a second end partially depending
from
said first end carrying one or more voice and data communication transmission
lines,
and a third end partially depending from said first end to transmit current
from said
current-carrying line.
In another embodiment of the invention, namely in situations where there
are different telephones sharing the same voice/data communication line, but
requiring
different DC voltages, the present invention may be adapted to include a multi-
interface
power input module to accommodate power for each DC voltage level. In this
case,
there would be more than one current-carrying line.
In another embodiment of the invention, the combined power-
communication cable may include a fourth end also depending from said first
end
carrying current from said current-carrying line, or a second current-carrying
line.
Further features ofthe invention will be described orwill become apparent
in the course of the following detailed description.
-3-
CA 02261010 1999-02-03
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, a preferred
embodiment as well as alternative embodiments thereof will now be described in
detail
by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the power
input module;
Fig. 2 is a rear interior view of the module of Fig. 1 with the rear cover
removed;
Fig. 3 is a schematic layout illustrating how an unused set of voice/data
communication Lines nearthe demarcation point is utilized with the power input
module;
Fig. 4 is a front interior view of a first alternative embodiment of the power
input module;
Fig. 5 is a side view of Fig. 4 rotated 90° thereto;
Fig. 6 is an assembly view of the cover being placed into position over the
module of Fig. 4; and,
Fig. 7 is a preferred embodiment of the combined power-communication
cable for a single communication line environment sans any dielectric medium
for
illustrative purposes only;
Fig. 8 is a schematic view of a telephone and an answering machine used
in conjunction with a first alternative embodiment combined power-
communication
cable; and,
Fig. 9 is a side assembly view of second alternative embodiment of the
power input module.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Forthe purposes ofthis description, the "demarcation point" is the location
where the wires that are inside a residential or business building are
connected to the
-4-
CA 02261010 1999-02-03
telephone company's network. Usually, this connection occurs at a "network
interface
device". The network interface device is usually the small black box where the
telephone wires inside a dwelling are connected to the telephone company's
network.
Typically in older dwellings there may not be a network interface device, but
instead a
network interface jack or also referred to as a demarcation jack. The
demarcation jack
is located inside the dwelling to accommodate the connection of the inside
wires to the
telephone company's network. In a multi-unit or multi-storey building, the
demarcation
point exists at the location that the telephone company wires connect to the
main jack
in the apartment unit. In a retail or business unit, the demarcation point is
the location
that the telephone company's wires enter the unit and are connected to the
inside
wiring. Any telephone wiring beyond this demarcation point is usually the
customer's
property and not the telephone company's. The present invention utilizes the
unused/dormant telephone wiring at or beyond the demarcation point in the
customer's
premises as part of a system to deliver both voice/data communication and
power to
telecommunication device.
It is to be understood that in a typical residential dwelling there is
sufficient
telephone wiring pre-installed for service of at least two telephone lines
therein. I n most
cases, however, the customer has elected to activate only one line. The second
line
remains dormant and unused. The idea behind leaving wiring for a dormant line
in a
building is to limit the costs to the end user should the user choose to have
a second
line activated by having the second line wiring pre-installed throughout the
dwelling.
This practice is similarly executed in business buildings as well. In some
instances,
buildings may have telephone wiring set up for service for four lines or more.
In all
those instances, there is usually an "extra" line left dormant or unused ready
for
activation at a later date. The invention described herein utilizes the
dormant or unused
line to provide a combined power-communication delivery system for
communication
devices, such as telephones, answering machines, caller identification
devices, etc.
-5-
CA 02261010 1999-02-03
The invention may also be used when there is no pre-installed dormant line
wiring. In
that case, the customer must install additional wiring to act as a power
transmitting line
to make use of the invention.
The invention will be now described in connection with preferred and
alternative embodiments, but for the sake of brevity the following description
describes
the situation where there is one active line and one dormant line; however, it
will be
understood that the description is not intended to limit the invention to this
situation
only. As such the description is intended to cover all alternatives,
modifications, and
equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as
defined
by the appended claims.
With reference to Figs. 1-3, 7, the invention comprises at least one power
input module, generally designated with reference numeral 1, and at least one
combined power-communication cable 2. The power input module effectively
retransmits power from an external power supply 4, usually user supplied, and
into
current-carrying wires 41, 44 or also known as the dormant or unused line. The
module
comprises, preferably, a two-piece detachable body. In the module there is
included
a power input connection 10, preferably a female coaxial connector, for
receiving power
from the external power supply 4 via preferably a coaxial male plug 6 from a
DC
transformer. Depending on the power requirement of the telephone, the voltage
of the
transformer may be different, but a typical voltage may be 12 V DC. In this
embodiment, the wire terminals 12, 14 are externally mounted and readily
accessible
to the user, but preferably protected by a living hinged cover 16, shown in
partial ghost
in Fig. 1, to protect the user from accidental exposure to the same. The back
of the
module preferably includes means for mounting, such as a self-adhesive pad
(not
shown), the module to a surface such as a wall.
Referring to Fig. 2 specifically, there is shown the interior view of the
power input module as seen from the rear with the back cover removed. The
female
-6-
CA 02261010 1999-02-03
coaxial connector 10 is electrically connected to terminals 12, 14 via
intermediate set
of wires 15, 17.
Turning to specifically Fig. 3, the installation of the power input module is
shown relative to the demarcation point, generally designated 5. Wires 41, 42,
43, 44
are conductors of a distribution cable that has a star wiring configuration.
In the
invention, the end user is required to do some minor installation of the power
input
module with the dormant wiring of the building. As shown in Fig. 3, dormant
wire 41 is
terminated directly to terminal 14, while dormant wire 44 is terminated
directly to
terminal 12. In contrast, active voice/data communication wires 42, 43 are
left
undisturbed. Once the dormant wires 41, 44 are connected to the power input
module,
an external power supply may be connected to the module via the male connector
6,
thereby making dormant wires 41, 44 live and current-carrying wires. Although
not
illustrated for brevity reasons, wires 41, 42, 43, 44 proceed to fan out
throughout the
building and terminate at various telephone jack locations. The distribution
of the wires
may be either in a star wiring layout or not. Wires 41, 42, 43, 44 are shown
in Fig. 3
to connect and provide a continuous path for telecommunication and electrical
transmission to the telephone jack 20.
With reference to Figs. 4-6, an alternative embodiment of the power input
module is shown. In this embodiment, to electrically connect the female
connector 10
to the current-carrying wires 41, 44 intermediate transfer elements are used,
namely
a first set of distribution wires 18 that terminate on wire terminals 12, 14
and at the
electrical contacts of connector 10. Preferably, a second set of distribution
wires 24
connect to the to a set of electrical contacts within a multi-wire female
connector 16
disposed within the module so that the power input module may double as a
telephone
jack as well. Consequently, in the embodiment wherein the module is also
functions
as a telephone jack, power distribution wires 42, 43 (as shown in dotted
fashion) are
required. It is to be understood that a person skilled in the art may adjust
the layout of
-7-
CA 02261010 1999-02-03
the wiring scheme for adapting the embodiment described above for environments
where there are a plurality of active lines.
With reference to Fig. 6, there is shown an assembly view of the power
input module and the detachable cover.
Now with reference to Fig. 7, a power-communication cable 2 is shown.
This cable carry both the traditional voice/data communication signals and the
power
from the wiring connected to the telephone jack made possible vis a vis the
power input
module. This cable has a first end 31 to releasably engage a telephone jack.
The first
end is preferably a conventional male multi-wire connector to readily engage
and
communicate with conventional telephone jacks. The cable 2 proceeds from the
first
end to a second end 38 partially depending from the first end. The second end
transmits the voice/data communication from wires 42, 43 via wires 42', 43'. A
third end
34 partially depends from the first end to transmit current from the current-
carrying line
41, 44 via wires 41', 44'. Naturally, the wires disposed at the interface of
the connector
31 coincide with those wires in the telephone jack to properly transmit the
correct
signals- be it electrical or telecommunication.
I n accordance with the invention, the add-on components to the traditional
telephone wiring (i.e., the components of the kit), namely the power-
communication
cable 2 and the input power module 1 are inexpensive to manufacture, and can
be
quickly and easily installed. To these ends, the body and cover of the input
power
module may be made from any suitable dielectric hard plastic material of low
cost which
permits easy part fabrication and provides long service life. The input and
output
connectors are standard co-axial female connectors and wire terminals
respectively.
Likewise, the insulating material of the power-communication cable maybe made
from
any suitable dielectric medium that is sufficiently flexible.
In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in Fig. 8, the combined
power-communication cable include a fourth end 36 also depending from said
first end
_g_
CA 02261010 1999-02-03
carrying current from said current-carrying line, or a second current-carrying
line (not
shown). The fourth end may then connect to a telephone 36', for instance,
while third
end 34 may be connected to an answering machine 34'. While a connector line 35
would connect the telephone to the answering machine for communication
connection.
In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in Fig. 9, a male multi-
wire connector 11 on the body of the module could replace the terminals 12, 14
as
shown in Fig. 2. Like the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the internal wiring
would be
providing a continuous path for the power circuit from the power input
connection 10 to
the power circuit contacts within the male multi-wire connector 11. In this
embodiment,
however, power is fed into the power circuit from any telephone jack having a
dormant
line or set of wires that in turn provides a continuous path to other
telephone jack
locations making use of the combined power-communication cable described
above.
This embodiment of the invention would work best in an environment using a non-
star
wiring layout because power introduced at any one telephone jack may then be
communicated to the other telephone jacks.
In practical terms, the invention would be packaged as a kit. The kit for
providing combined power and telecommunication transmission over telephone
wiring
at or beyond the demarcation point would comprise one or more power input
modules
and one or more power-communication cables.
It will be appreciated that the above description relates to a preferred
embodiment by way of example only. Many variations on the invention will be
obvious
to those knowledgeable in the field, and such obvious variations are within
the scope
of the invention as described and claimed, whether or not expressly described.
For
instance, the embodiments described was limited to facilities having only one
active
line, however, the above can be adapted to provide combined power and
communication service for facilities where two or more lines are active, and
that
adaption is within the spirit and scope of the invention.
_g_
