U.S. patent application number 12/072187 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-27 for multi-dwelling unit multipurpose signal distribution apparatus.
Invention is credited to Timothy Frederick Summers.
Application Number | 20090211171 12/072187 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40996947 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090211171 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Summers; Timothy Frederick |
August 27, 2009 |
Multi-dwelling unit multipurpose signal distribution apparatus
Abstract
A multi-dwelling unit multipurpose signal distribution apparatus
includes a housing adapted to be disposed in a multi-dwelling unit
room, an optical network terminal and at least one additional
electrical device disposed in the housing. The at least one
additional electrical device is configured for electrical
connection with an electrical power source of the multi-dwelling
unit room, and the optical network terminal is configured of
optical connection to a fiber optic drop cable.
Inventors: |
Summers; Timothy Frederick;
(Hickory, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CORNING INCORPORATED
SP-TI-3-1
CORNING
NY
14831
US
|
Family ID: |
40996947 |
Appl. No.: |
12/072187 |
Filed: |
February 25, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/27 ;
52/741.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 12/2838 20130101;
H04L 12/283 20130101; H04B 2203/5475 20130101; G02B 6/4466
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/27 ;
52/741.1 |
International
Class: |
E04F 19/00 20060101
E04F019/00 |
Claims
1. A multi-dwelling unit multipurpose signal distribution
apparatus, comprising: a housing adapted to be disposed in a
multi-dwelling unit room; and an optical network terminal and at
least one additional electrical device disposed in the housing,
wherein the at least one additional electrical device is configured
for electrical connection with an electrical power source of the
multi-dwelling unit room, and wherein the optical network terminal
is configured for optical connection to a fiber optic drop
cable.
2. The multipurpose signal distribution apparatus as in claim 1,
wherein the at least one additional electrical device comprises at
least one of a door chime, a smoke detector, a fire alarm, a
security system, a security system component, a video monitoring
unit, a network router, a wireless network access device, a clock,
and a thermostat.
3. The multipurpose signal distribution apparatus as in claim 1,
further comprising a step down transformer within the housing for
managing voltages within the multipurpose signal distribution
apparatus.
4. The multipurpose signal distribution apparatus as in claim 1,
wherein the housing comprises a network interface device.
5. The multipurpose signal distribution apparatus as in claim 1,
wherein the housing comprises one of a) a replacement housing
having a footprint substantially similar to a footprint of an
existing housing of an electrical device in the multi-dwelling unit
room, and b) the existing housing of the electrical device in the
multi-dwelling unit room.
6. A multi-dwelling unit multipurpose signal distribution
apparatus, comprising: a housing adapted to be disposed in a
multi-dwelling unit room; a door chime disposed in the housing, the
door chime configured for electrical connection with an electrical
power source of the multi-dwelling unit room; and an optical
network terminal disposed in the housing proximate the door chime,
the optical network terminal configured for electrical connection
with the electrical power source and configured for optical
connection with a fiber optic cable.
7. The multipurpose signal distribution apparatus as in claim 6,
wherein the housing comprises a network interface device.
8. The multipurpose signal distribution apparatus as in claim 7,
wherein the optical network terminal is configured to be hardwired
to a remote device in the multi-dwelling unit room.
9. The multipurpose signal distribution apparatus as in claim 8,
wherein the remote device is at least one of a television, a
television set-top box, a computer, and a telephone.
10. The multipurpose signal distribution apparatus as in claim 6,
wherein the electrical power source of the multi-dwelling unit room
comprises at least one of an AC power line and a DC power line
configured to be connected to at least one of the door chime and
the optical network terminal to provide electrical power to at
least one of the door chime and the optical network terminal.
11. The multipurpose signal distribution apparatus as in claim 10,
wherein the electrical power source of the multi-dwelling unit room
comprises the AC power line and a step down transformer coupled to
the AC power line.
12. The multipurpose signal distribution apparatus as in claim 6,
further comprising at least one additional electrical device
disposed in the housing, the at least one additional electrical
device comprising at least one of a smoke detector, a fire alarm, a
security system, a security system component, a video monitoring
unit, a network router, a wireless network access device, a clock,
and a thermostat.
13. A method of replacing an existing multi-dwelling unit
electrical device with a multipurpose signal distribution
apparatus, the method comprising: routing an optical fiber drop
cable to a multi-dwelling unit room; locating an existing
electrical device in an interior of the multi-dwelling unit room,
the existing electrical device powered by a multi-dwelling unit
room power source; installing a multipurpose signal distribution
apparatus in place of the existing electrical device, the
multipurpose signal distribution apparatus including an optical
network terminal; and connecting the optical network terminal to
the fiber optic drop cable.
14. The method as in claim 13, wherein the existing electrical
device is one of a door chime, a smoke detector, a fire alarm, a
security system, a security system component, a video monitoring
unit, a network router, a wireless network access device, a clock,
and a thermostat.
15. The method as in claim 13, wherein the optical network terminal
is configured to be hardwired to at least one of a television, a
television set-top box, a computer, and a telephone in the
multi-dwelling unit room.
16. The method as in claim 13, wherein installing a multipurpose
signal distribution apparatus comprises converting a housing of the
existing electrical device into a housing defining a network
interface device in which the existing electrical device and
optical network terminal are disposed.
17. The method as in claim 13 further including forming a hole into
the multi-dwelling unit room proximate a footprint of the existing
electrical device for routing the fiber optic drop cable
therethrough.
18. The method as in claim 13, wherein the multi-dwelling unit room
power source comprises a power line coupled to a step down
transformer, the step down transformer being interposed between the
multipurpose signal distribution apparatus and power line to manage
voltages within the multipurpose signal distribution apparatus.
19. The method as in claim 13, wherein installing a multipurpose
signal distribution apparatus in place of the existing electrical
device comprises one of: a) installing an optical network terminal
within a housing of the existing electrical device; and b)
replacing the existing electrical device with a new housing
containing an optical network terminal and a new electrical
device.
20. The method as in claim 19, wherein the new electrical device is
configured to provide the functionality of the replaced existing
electrical device.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Installing optical fiber in an apartment or condominium
complex, i.e., a multi-dwelling unit (MDU), presents various
obstacles. One of the more serious obstacles is how to enter an
existing MDU apartment and install a network interface device (NID)
and optical network terminal (ONT) without disturbing the
aesthetics inside the apartment since it is often difficult to find
a place inside the apartment to easily connect the NID/ONT to
electric power. Typically, a fiber optic drop cable is routed from
a fiber distribution terminal (FDT) and/or a local convergence
point (LCP) and inserted through a wall of the apartment. The fiber
optic cable is extended to the NID/ONT somewhere in the apartment,
usually into an additional housing that must be installed in the
apartment to accommodate the NID/ONT. Cabling usually also extends
from the NID/ONT to various devices in the subscribing apartment
such as to computers, televisions, television set top boxes,
telephones, etc. to provide telecommunications and broadband
service from a service provider to the apartment.
[0002] United States Patent Application 2007/0052531 to Mathews et
al., incorporated by reference herein, describes systems that
utilize existing wiring of a conventional door chime system,
including an adapter for configuring a door chime wiring circuit
for use with a data communications device. Specifically, Mathews et
al. disclose converting a low voltage alternating current (AC)
wiring circuit to a high speed data communications link, comprising
a primary coupling circuit and a secondary coupling circuit. The
primary circuit provides low voltage AC power to the low voltage
wiring circuit and couples data signals between the low voltage AC
wiring circuit and the high voltage AC power line. The secondary
circuit provides low voltage AC power to the data communications
device and couples high speed data signals between the data device
and the low voltage AC wiring circuit. Therefore, according to
Mathews et al., low voltage AC, control or signaling circuits found
in typical residences, such as used in a door chime, a home
security system, or an HVAC system, may be converted to a high
speed data communications link. However, Mathews et al. does not
address or offer solutions to the problems of installing multiple
NID/ONTs in multi-dwelling units, especially in situations in which
apartment landlords do not want to disturb multiple tenants by
adding a NID/ONT housing in each living unit.
[0003] Minimizing cabling by exploiting existing electrical power
and devices inside existing multi-dwelling units and avoiding
installation of additional housings or electrical devices in
individual rooms of an MDU would be desirable in the industry.
SUMMARY
[0004] In general, the various exemplary embodiments described
herein and their equivalents leverage existing electrical devices
in MDUs and MDU rooms, such as door chimes, security systems and
the like, to provide unobtrusive NIDs. Thus, the embodiments may
use a footprint similar to the footprint of a door chime for an
apartment's NID by combining the door chime with the NID/ONT and
other components into a unitary, low-profile system.
[0005] In one embodiment, a multi-dwelling unit multipurpose signal
distribution apparatus includes a housing adapted to be disposed in
a multi-dwelling unit room, an optical network terminal, and at
least one additional electrical device disposed in the housing,
wherein the at least one additional electrical device is configured
for electrical connection with an electrical power source of the
multi-dwelling unit room, and wherein the optical network terminal
is configured for optical connection to a fiber optic drop
cable.
[0006] In another embodiment, a multi-dwelling unit multipurpose
signal distribution apparatus includes a housing adapted to be
disposed in a multi-dwelling unit room; a door chime disposed in
the housing, the door chime configured for electrical connection
with an electrical power source of the multi-dwelling unit room;
and an optical network terminal disposed in the housing proximate
the door chime, the optical network terminal configured for
electrical connection with the electrical power source and
configured for optical connection with a fiber optic cable.
[0007] In yet another embodiment, a method of replacing an existing
multi-dwelling unit electrical device with a multipurpose signal
distribution apparatus may include routing an optical fiber drop
cable to a multi-dwelling unit room; locating an existing
electrical device in an interior of the multi-dwelling unit room,
the existing electrical device powered by a multi-dwelling unit
room power source; installing a multipurpose signal distribution
apparatus in place of the existing electrical device, the
multipurpose signal distribution apparatus including optical
network terminal; and connecting the optical network terminal to
the fiber optic drop cable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The foregoing and other features and aspects of the present
disclosure may be better understood when the following detailed
description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic elevational view of a portion of a
room in a multi-dwelling unit, particularly showing a multipurpose
signal distribution apparatus constructed in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic, partial cross-sectional side view of
the multipurpose signal distribution apparatus in accordance with
the embodiment of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the multipurpose signal
distribution apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1;
and
[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a multipurpose signal
distribution apparatus constructed in accordance with another
exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Reference will now be made in detail to the accompanying
drawings in which exemplary embodiments are shown. However, aspects
of the embodiments described in this disclosure may be embodied in
many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the
embodiments set forth herein. These exemplary embodiments are
provided so that this disclosure will be both thorough and
complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to
those skilled in the art. Like reference numbers refer to like
elements throughout the various drawings.
[0014] As used herein, the term "multi-dwelling unit" or "MDU"
includes not only apartment and condominium complexes, but also
office buildings, retail or commercial centers, industrial
facilities, and any other general concentration of end users (such
as customers or subscribers, to provide non-limiting examples) of
an optical network. Also, the term "multi-dwelling unit room" or
"MDU room" includes not only individual apartments or condominiums,
but also individual offices, retail stores, commercial operation,
industrial component, or other location to which fiber optic cables
may be routed. It should be appreciated that some multi-dwelling
unit rooms may have only one fiber optic cable routed to it,
whereas other multi-dwelling unit rooms may have two or more fiber
optic cables routed to it, based upon the particular needs and/or
functions of the particular multi-dwelling unit.
[0015] As used herein, the term "network interface device" or "NID"
includes, but is not limited to, network interface devices or
network interface units that comprise a housing, that may or may
not include a selectively pivotable and/or removable cover, in
which may be disposed one or more fiber optic connections
(including, but not limited to, splices, splice holders, splice
trays, and/or connector-connector interfaces using an adapter or
the like), cable slack storage, and/or ONTs. The NID acts as a
physical demarcation point between a service provider and a
subscriber.
[0016] As used herein, the term "optical network terminal" or "ONT"
includes, but is not limited to, optical network terminals and/or
optical network units that enable voice, video, data, and other
services to be delivered to customer premises over one or more
optical fibers. In general, the ONT converts a light signal over a
fiber optic cable into an electrical signal, and vise versa. ONTs
of some embodiments include an optical-to-electrical converter
and/or an electrical-to-optical converter in addition to other
standard ONT components. A NID may include an ONT, or the ONT may
be used separately from the NID. As used herein, the term "NID/ONT"
refers to a NID alone, a NID with an ONT, or an ONT alone.
[0017] As used herein, the term "drop cable" refers to a final
length of a cable that is used to connect to a user's location from
a fiber distribution terminal of a distribution or branch cable,
and is intended to include a fiber optic cable containing one or
more optical fibers. As used herein, the terms "distribution cable"
and "branch cable" are intended to include any type of fiber optic
cable having an optical fiber count greater than or equal to that
of the drop cable(s) feeding therefrom. As used herein, the term
"optical fiber" is intended to include all types of single mode and
multi-mode light waveguides, including one or more optical fibers
or any other expedient of a medium for transmitting light
signals.
[0018] The present disclosure generally provides various
embodiments of a multipurpose signal distribution apparatus (MSDA)
for use in a multi-dwelling unit (MDU). The MSDA consolidates
multiple devices into a single housing of an electrical device. In
some embodiments, the housing comprises a network interface device
(NID), such as a NID of the types available from Coming Cable
Systems LLC of Hickory, North Carolina, to provide one non-limiting
example. In some embodiments, the housing is the existing housing
of the electrical device, such as the housing of an existing door
chime, an existing thermostat, an existing security system, or an
existing smoke detector, to provide several non-limiting examples.
In other embodiments the housing of the MSDA replaces the housing
of the electrical device, and the electrical device, either with or
without the electrical device housing, is disposed with the housing
of the MSDA along with other components of the MSDA, such as an
optical network terminal (ONT). The consolidated devices disposed
within the MSDA may include, but are not limited to, a door chime,
a smoke detector, a fire alarm, a security system or components
thereof (including but not limited to components designed to
monitor, detect, observe or communicate about activity that may
pose a security threat), a video monitoring unit, a network router,
a wireless network access device, a clock, a thermostat, and the
like. Accordingly, the MSDA of some embodiments does not require
installation of additional space-consuming devices within an MDU
room since the MSDA utilizes, more or less, an existing footprint
of the door chime or other existing electrical devices that are
present in the MDU room. However, MSDAs of further embodiments may
be larger or smaller than the existing footprints or may be
installed at an alternative location from the previous footprint of
the door chime or other existing electrical devices. In some
embodiments, the existing electrical devices are on interior walls
or ceilings of the MDU room.
[0019] The MSDA of some embodiments reduces the amount of cabling
inside of MDUs and MDU rooms by exploiting the presence of electric
power at the locations of existing electrical devices (such as, for
example, door chimes) within the MDUs and MDU rooms, as described
more fully below. Additionally, the MSDA eliminates unnecessary
cabling from the drop cable point-of-entry in the apartment to the
NID/ONT and may further eliminate obtrusive cabling from the
NID/ONT to various remote devices in the MDU room such as
computers, televisions, telephones and the like by using a wireless
connection between the NID/ONT and these devices.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 1, an MSDA for use in a room 901 of an
MDU is designated in general by reference number 10. As shown, the
MDU room 901 includes a ceiling 903, a floor 905, a door 907 and an
interior wall 909. As used herein, an "interior wall" refers to a
wall surface within an MDU room, and "exterior wall" refers to a
wall surface outside of an MDU room. An "exterior wall" as used
herein may be interior or exterior to the MDU itself.
[0021] By way of brief introduction and described in greater detail
below, a drop cable from a fiber distribution terminal(not shown)
may be routed along an exterior or a common-use area of the MDU,
such as a hallway (not shown), until the drop cable reaches the
area outside of the intended MDU room, such as the room 901. In the
exemplary implementation of FIG. 1, an existing door chime within
MDU room 901 is replaced by the MSDA 10 which includes a door
chime, a NID/ONT and/or other components as described below. In one
embodiment, the MSDA 10 includes a wireless access device(s) such
that no cabling is required within the MDU room from the NID/ONT
to, for example, a computer, a television, a telephone and the
like. In other embodiments, the housing of the existing electrical
device (e.g., the housing of the existing door chime in the
exemplary implementation) may be modified to include the NID/ONT
and/or other components. These and other embodiments and their
equivalents may be better understood from the following
discussion.
[0022] Turning now to FIG. 2, an installer of the MSDA will locate
an existing conveniently located electrical device having an
associated existing power line 16 within the MDU room 901 (e.g., a
door chime on the interior wall 909 in the exemplary
implementation). The existing electrical device is preferably near
a common-use area of the MDU, such as a hallway leading to room
901, or other area that can be accessed without disturbing
occupants of room 901. In this example, the installer will drill a
hole 913 through the interior wall 909 within the footprint of the
existing electrical device. The installer may also have to drill a
similar hole 913 through an exterior wall 911, depending on the
building construction of the MDU. Once the holes 913 are formed, a
drop cable 14 is routed through holes 913 in walls 909, 911 into
room 901, with drop cable 14 entering room 901 within the
approximate footprint of the electrical device already existing in
room 901.
[0023] Those skilled in the art will understand that the exemplary
illustration of the location of the existing electrical device in
room 901 is not limiting. For example, in other implementations the
existing electrical device (e.g., a door chime) may be located on
the ceiling 903, or nearer floor 905 than ceiling 903. Those
skilled in the art will further understand the drop cable 14 could
transit the walls 909, 911, ceiling 903 or floor 905 at some points
other than directly behind the footprint of the existing electrical
device and then be routed to the MSDA 10, such as between the walls
909 and 911, above ceiling 903, below floor 905, or along an
interior surface of wall 909, ceiling 903, or floor 905 Thus, the
exact location of MSDA 10 and the routing of the drop cable 14 as
illustrated in FIG. 2 is not intended to be limiting.
[0024] After drop cable 14 is routed proximate the footprint of the
existing electrical device, the existing electrical device (e.g., a
door chime) is converted into the MDSA 10 by the inclusion of an
NID/ONT therein, or alternatively the existing electrical device is
replaced with the MSDA 10 having its own cover or housing 12 as
shown. In one embodiment, when the existing electrical device is
replaced with the MSDA 10, the MSDA 10 includes a new electrical
device that provides the functionality of the replaced electrical
device. For example, if the MSDA 10 replaces an existing door
chime, the MSDA 10 includes an additional electrical device that
provides the functionality of a door chime. The NID/ONT is
connected to drop cable 14 at fiber optic connection 15 and the
NID/ONT and any other electrical components of the MSDA are
powered, as necessary, by the power line 16. As noted above, fiber
optic connection 15 may comprise any suitable fiber optic
connection (including, but not limited to, mechanical and fusion
splices and/or connector-connector interfaces using an adapter or
the like).
[0025] FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of the MSDA 10. The housing 12
may encompass a plurality of electrical devices 18, 20, 22, 24, 26.
By way of example and without limitation, the electrical devices
may be a door chime 18, an ONT 20, a router 22, a video monitoring
unit 24, and/or a wireless access device 26. Those skilled in the
art will recognize different and/or additional components and
devices could be encompassed within housing 12, such as, without
limitation, a smoke detector, a fire alarm, a security system or
components thereof (including but not limited to components
designed to monitor, detect, observe or communicate about activity
that may pose a security threat), a clock, a thermostat, and the
like.
[0026] As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, the door
chime 18 is connected to a door chime switch 28. The door chime 18
may run on 8, 16, 24 VAC, 9 VDC, or other usable voltage AC or DC,
which is stepped down from standard household voltage, e.g.,
110/120 VAC 50/60 Hz, as discussed below. The door chime switch 28
is activated in a known manner on the exterior wall 911 near the
door 907. The ONT 20 may run off 9 VDC, 12 VDC, 18 VDC, 48 VDC, or
other usable voltage AC or DC and is likewise stepped down from the
household voltage. By way of example but not of limitation, an
exemplary NID/ONT for use as the ONT 20 is Tellabs 1600 Optical
Network Terminal Series available from Tellabs of Naperville, Ill.
(ONT).
[0027] As noted above, although the figures show the MSDA 10
installed on wall 909 above the door 907, the skilled artisan will
appreciate that the MSDA 10 may be located anywhere in the room
901; however, the MSDA 10 is intended to leverage an existing
footprint of an existing door chime or other electrical device,
e.g., on the wall 909 (see FIG. 1) that already has electric power
(e.g., power line 16) to avoid adding an additional enclosure or
housing on the wall 909 or other wall or ceiling within the room
901 thereby having to run electrical power to that additional
housing.
[0028] FIG. 3 further shows that the housing 12 may include a
transformer 30 that is connected to the existing power line 16.
Although some electrical devices (e.g., a smoke detector) may run
off the household voltage, e.g., 110/120 VAC 50/60 Hz, provided by
the power line 16, voltages for other devices in the housing 12 may
range from 8 to 48 VDC or VAC as briefly introduced above. Such
devices therefore may require use of the transformer 30 to step
down the household voltage to the required device voltages. If the
transformer 30 is not part of the MSDA 10 but located elsewhere in
the room 901, or elsewhere in the MDU as a whole, there would only
be one voltage available at the MSDA 10 and additional wiring and
transformers may be needed to accommodate the various step down
voltages of some devices in the MSDA 10.
[0029] FIG. 3 also shows that the wireless access device 26 is in
wireless communication with various remote devices in the room 901
or elsewhere within the MDU. Specifically, wireless signals 34,
which may be of any suitable technology and format, for example,
Wi-Fi.RTM., Bluetooth.RTM. or ultra wide band technology (3.1-10.6
GHz) and the like, are sent from the wireless access device 26 to
wireless units 32 such as a television or television set top box
36, a telephone 38, a wireless equipped personal computer 40,
and/or other remote devices in the room 901. These wireless units
32 likewise send wireless signals 34 to the wireless access device
26 for communication with the ONT 20 to transfer their respective
signals in a known matter.
[0030] With reference now to FIG. 4, another embodiment according
to the disclosure includes an MSDA 110, which is similar in some
ways to the previously described embodiment of MSDA 10. Many
components, aspects and materials of the illustrated embodiment of
MSDA 110 are the same or similar to the foregoing embodiments of
MSDA 10, and have reference numbers incremented by 100 from the
reference numbers of FIG. 3. Accordingly, only select features and
components of the present embodiment of MSDA 110 are described
below for clarity and brevity. Reference is therefore made to the
foregoing embodiments to provide a full and enabling disclosure
where like or similar features are not expressly described.
[0031] FIG. 4 particularly shows that units 132, such as a
television or television set top box 136, a telephone 138 and a
personal computer 140 may be hardwired by one or more wires or
cables 134 to an ONT 120 contained in a housing 112 of the MSDA
110.
[0032] The foregoing is a description of various embodiments of the
disclosure that are provided here by way of example only. Although
the multipurpose signal distribution apparatus has been described
with reference to presently preferred embodiments and examples
thereof, other embodiments and examples may perform similar
functions and/or achieve similar results in multi-dwelling units.
All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit
and scope of the present disclosure and are intended to be covered
by the appended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are
employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense
only and not for purposes of limitation.
* * * * *