Patent · US Expired

Signature device for home phoneline network devices

US6535580B1 · kind B1 · utility

53Cited by
10References
35Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 29, 2000
Grant dateMar 18, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 19, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04M2203/058
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Signature apparatus and techniques that make home networking devices, e.g., in-Home Phoneline Network (herein referred to as “HPN”) devices, isolation filters, network interface devices, etc., detectable by commercially available metallic loop termination (MLT) test equipment. The invention also provides a method of testing a telephone line for the existence of a signature circuit identifying a home network. The home network signature circuit includes a series combination of a voltage breakdown device (e.g., Zener diodes) and an impedance (e.g., 200K ohm resistor). In operation, the home network signature circuit shunts the tested subscriber line loop with a voltage-dependent impedance in the presence of an appropriate test voltage exceeding 80 volts. Different high voltage thresholds of the voltage breakdown portion and/or different resistance values of the shunt impedance can be implemented in the home network signature device to produce uniquely detectable signatures. In this way, it is possible to remotely differentiate between various types of home network devices if the various types of home network devices include known voltage thresholds and/or shunt impedances.…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.