Abstract:
An apparatus and methodology for permitting subscriber installation of voice over internet protocol (VoIP) service at a subscriber premises. A VoIP adapter is provided that is configured for snap-in mounting in a subscriber premises network interface device (NID). The adapter includes an input plug connector and an output jack connector, as well as VoIP electronics, and is configured such that the VoIP electronics may be easily coupled in the subscriber incoming service line. Methods for subscriber installation of the adapter are also disclosed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a VoIP adapter for use at a subscriber premises. More particularly, the present invention relates to a VoIP adapter that is configured to be provided to a subscriber for installation into a network interface device (NID) at a subscriber premises. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    As telephone companies migrate to higher bandwidth services including data and video offerings, the desire to transform the analog Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) network to a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network increases. VoIP is a term that has become well recognized recently and relates to methodologies for converting analog audio signals into digital data that may be transmitted over the Internet or other digital data transmission networks including, for example, enterprise intranet networks. 
         [0003]    POTS has been in use for some time and, because of its relatively low operating frequencies, operates very compatibly with more recently introduced, concurrently provided, Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) service. More recently, however, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) service has been proposed to be provided exclusively over the communications lines previously shared with POTS. This data without POTS (also sometimes referred to as “naked DSL”) continues to work well using the same communications lines previously shared with POTS; however certain issues may arise from the provision of exclusively DSL service over previously shared communications lines that were not present when the POTS signal was also present. 
         [0004]    Switched loop services such as POTS use direct current (DC) during off-hook conditions for line signaling. In addition to line signaling, a significant benefit arises from the continued presence of the direct current on the communications line, that is, the DC assists in preventing oxidation of electrical connections or coupling points. Under normal POTS operation, approximately 20 milliamps (mA) of DC will flow through the switched loop during an off-hook condition. This current is used not only to signal the central office (CO) line card but also to help maintain mechanical splices (which are necessary and unavoidable occurrences in communication lines) essentially clean of oxides or high resistance films. The current flow responsible for oxidation avoidance is often referred to as a sealing current. 
         [0005]    In the newly emerging environment of data without POTS, absence of the previously concurrently available switched loop signaling DC introduces certain problems. In particular, the absence of switched loop signaling DC in a data without POTS permits mechanical splices to oxidize over a period of time and creates contact problems since the low-level data signals utilized in data without POTS do not carry enough current to properly prevent oxidation. 
         [0006]    One positive aspect to the use of VoIP is that such use eliminates the need for Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) splitters in a subscriber premises setting, such as a private residence, apartment building or small business, as well as the need for call signaling and ringing. This positive aspect, however, contributes toward a negative aspect in that without a ringing signal, a sealing current must be supplied. As is well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the sealing current previously supplied by way of occasional application of ringing currents must be provided from another source to keep access lines clear of corrosion. 
         [0007]    An additional negative aspect to the provision of data without POTS resides in the requirement for a VoIP adapter to be installed at the subscriber premises by trained personnel from the telephone company as subscribers, such as subscribers and small business owners, are not often knowledgeable of proper installation techniques. Not only is such a visit by trained service personnel expensive for the telephone company, but it often involves scheduling between the subscriber and the service provider. Difficulties arising from such required scheduling are well recognized by all parties involved and can be a major source of inconvenience especially to the subscriber who must often take time off from work or other scheduled events to be at the premises for the appointment time. 
         [0008]    In view of the above mentioned issues involving installation of data without POTS at a subscriber premises, it would be desirable to have a VoIP electronics package that can easily be installed by the subscriber, thus avoiding dispatch of trained personnel. Subscriber installable equipment could be shipped to the subscriber along with a VoIP modem, thereby completely eliminating the dispatch of trained service personnel, not to mention the significant increase in convenience to the subscriber who may then install the VoIP electronics at a convenient time. 
         [0009]    While various data without POTS adapters have been developed, no design has yet emerged that generally encompasses all of the desired characteristics, as hereafter presented in accordance with the present invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In view of the recognized deficiencies encountered in the prior art and addressed by the present invention, an improved methodology for installing data without POTS electronics at a subscriber premises has been provided. 
         [0011]    In an exemplary configuration, a VoIP adapter is provided that enables a subscriber to install necessary line coupling equipment without requiring a service provider to dispatch trained service personnel to the premises. 
         [0012]    In a simple form, a data without POTS adapter is provided for mounting in a network interface device, as may commonly be provided at a subscriber premises. 
         [0013]    Another positive aspect of this type of adapter is that a subscriber may easily install the VoIP adapter into a network interface device (NID) at the subscriber premises without prior training. 
         [0014]    In accordance with aspects of certain embodiments of the present invention, apparatus and methodologies are provided to enable installation of a data without POTS adapter in variously configured NIDs. 
         [0015]    In accordance with aspects of other embodiments of the present invention, methodologies are provided to reconfigure existing components in a NID to install a data without POTS adapter. 
         [0016]    In accordance with yet additional aspects of further embodiments of the present invention, apparatus and accompanying methodologies have been developed to provide a subscriber with all the components necessary to self-install a data without POTS adapter at a subscriber premises without requiring the intervention or assistance of trained service personnel. 
         [0017]    Additional objects and advantages of the present invention are set forth in, or will be apparent to, those of ordinary skill in the art from the detailed description herein. Also, it should be further appreciated that modifications and variations to the specifically illustrated, referred and discussed features and elements hereof may be practiced in various embodiments and uses of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Variations may include, but are not limited to, substitution of equivalent means, features, or steps for those illustrated, referenced, or discussed, and the functional, operational, or positional reversal of various parts, features, steps, or the like. 
         [0018]    Still further, it is to be understood that different embodiments, as well as different presently preferred embodiments, of the present invention may include various combinations or configurations of presently disclosed features, steps, or elements, or their equivalents (including combinations of features, parts, or steps or configurations thereof not expressly shown in the figures or stated in the detailed description of such figures). Additional embodiments of the present invention, not necessarily expressed in the summarized section, may include and incorporate various combinations of aspects of features, components, or steps referenced in the summarized objects above, and/or other features, components, or steps as otherwise shown or discussed in this disclosure. 
         [0019]    It should also be appreciated that while the description of the present invention is directed more specifically to installation of VoIP electronics by a subscriber, such is not a requirement. As will be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art, the presently disclosed apparatus and methodologies may also be used and applied by other than subscribers, including service personnel that may have less training than those that might otherwise be dispatched in order to properly install data without POTS electronics. 
         [0020]    It should further be appreciated that while the present disclosure is directed to the installation of data without POTS electronics at a subscriber premises, such is also not a limitation of the presently disclosed invention as such equipment may also be installed at locations other than subscriber premises including, for example, larger businesses, office buildings, etc. Those of ordinary skill in the art will better appreciate the features and aspects of such embodiments, and others, upon review of the remainder of this disclosure. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in this disclosure, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1(   a ) illustrates a data without POTS adapter kit in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 1(   b ) schematically illustrates the relationship among the connector plug, jack, mounting support and VoIP electronics associated with the first embodiment of the present invention, and also illustrates a portion of a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 2(   a ) and  2 ( b ) illustrate exemplary steps for installing a data without POTS adapter in accordance with the present invention into a subscriber premises network interface device (NID); and 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention for use with insulation displacement connector (IDC) equipped NIDs. 
       
    
    
       [0026]    Repeat use of reference characters throughout this written disclosure and the appended drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    As previously discussed, the present invention is particularly concerned with apparatus and methodologies for allowing a subscriber to install data without POTS at a subscriber premises without assistance from trained service personnel. 
         [0028]    Selected combinations of aspects of the present invention correspond to a plurality of different preferred embodiments. It should be noted that each of the exemplary embodiments presented and discussed herein should not insinuate limitations of the present invention. Features or steps illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used in combination with aspects of another embodiment to yield still further embodiments. Additionally, certain features may be interchanged with similar devices or features not expressly mentioned which perform the same or similar function. 
         [0029]    Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of a data without POTS adapter according to the present invention. Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1(   a ) illustrates a data without POTS adapter kit  100  as might be provided to a subscriber as a part of a kit for self-installation of data without POTS at a subscriber premises. The adapter kit  100  includes an adapter  110  and a jumper  112  that may, in fact, be optional for some installations. 
         [0030]    Jumper  112  may be described as somewhat similar in function to a common telecommunications patch cord in that jumper  112  corresponds to a multi-wire cable  126  having at least a pair of wires contained therein. The wires contained within cable  126  are coupled to a connector plug  122  attached to one end of the cable. Connector plug  122  is selected to be compatible with any existing line module termination device typically utilized in a NID. A connector jack  124  electrically coupled to at least a pair of wires  128  (e.g., a twisted pair) at one end thereof is coupled at the other end thereof to a connector  130  that is also electrically coupled to the at least one pair of wires contained within cable  126 . In this manner, a signal extension cable with matching connector plug and jack is provided for use as required for certain embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0031]    In an exemplary configuration, plug  122  and jack  124  may be RJ-11 type devices although, as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, other matching connector plug and jack types may be used. Generally, of course, the plug and jack will be compatible with, although not necessarily identical to, corresponding connector types already installed in the NID. 
         [0032]    With further reference to  FIG. 1(   a ), it will be noticed that adapter kit  100  also includes a VoIP adapter  110  that, in an exemplary embodiment, is configured as a snap-in support structure  140  designed to snap in place within an existing network interface device (NID) enclosure as will be more fully described later. VoIP adapter  110  includes support structure  140  on which is mounted an electronics circuit, and in particular, selected VoIP electronics  144 . On an upper surface of support structure  140  is mounted a jack  142  that is compatible with plug  122  and is connected electrically to the internally mounted VoIP electronics  144 . 
         [0033]    VoIP electronics  144  may itself be mounted on a printed circuit board with the printed circuit board mounted to or within the VoIP adapter  110 . The VoIP electronics  144  may vary depending on service provider and/or user requirements, but generally the VoIP electronics  144  may include, but is not limited to, sealing current termination circuitry and/or DSL related filters. 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIG. 1(   b ), the general relationship of the VoIP adapter  110  with respect to the VoIP electronics  144  is illustrated. Reference numerals appearing in  FIG. 1(   b ) correspond to the same elements appearing in  FIG. 1(   a ) so that there is illustrated a plug  150  electrically coupled to a cable  152  and from there to VoIP electronics  144 . Wiring  146  internal to support structure  140  provides a signal connection from VoIP electronics  144  to jack  142  mounted on or incorporated into the upper surface of the support structure. 
         [0035]    With further reference to  FIG. 1(   b ), a first modification of the VoIP adapter  110  may be seen by way of reference to the right hand end of support structure  140 . As schematically represented and depicted by dashed lines, optional connection lines  148  may be connected directly to VoIP electronics  144  at one end and to a jack  124  at the other end. Connection lines  148  may be chosen to be of such a length as to correspond to at least the combined length of the connecting wires illustrated for jumper  112  in  FIG. 1(   a ). As will be more fully described later, in some embodiments where the use of jumper  112  is required, the alternate form illustrated in  FIG. 1(   b ) may be employed. Such alternate form provides economies of construction by requiring one less plug  122  (compare  FIG. 1(   a )). In embodiments where jumper  112  is not required, connection lines  148  may be cut to remove the unnecessary components. 
         [0036]    With reference now to  FIGS. 2(   a ) and  2 ( b ), there is illustrated exemplary steps for installing a data without POTS adapter in accordance with the present invention in a subscriber network interface device. As may be observed from  FIGS. 2(   a ) and  2 ( b ), in a first embodiment of the present invention, a subscriber NID  200  may normally be provided in a POTS environment with a conventional line module  202  having screw terminals representatively illustrated at  206 ,  208 . 
         [0037]    As a first step in an exemplary self-installation procedure, a subscriber, after gaining access to the interior of the NID by opening a customer access door (not illustrated) will snap VoIP adapter  110  into position within an empty line module slot, as illustrated in  FIG. 2(   a ). The subscriber will then unplug plug  204  from its normally engaged position in jack  210  of existing line module  202  and insert plug  150  of the VoIP adapter  110  into jack  210  of the existing line module. 
         [0038]    The plug  204  associated with existing line module  202  is then inserted into jack  124  provided on the optional jumper  112  and the installation is completed by inserting plug  122  of the optional jumper into jack  142  on the upper surface of VoIP adapter  110 . 
         [0039]    In the instance that optional connection lines  148  and plug  124  are provided as illustrated in  FIG. 1(   b ), the installation sequence of the previous paragraph may be replaced by simply inserting plug  204  associated with existing line module  202  directly into jack  124  provided at the end of optional connection lines  148 . 
         [0040]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , there is illustrated a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention for use with insulation displacement connector (IDC) termination device equipped NIDs. In a POTS environment, IDC subscriber bridge  302  equipped with insulation displacement connectors (IDC) is normally positioned in space, or slot,  330  in NID  300 . IDC subscriber bridge  302  is normally configured with a plug (not visible) on the underside of the movable cover of the bridge positioned such that, in POTS environments, the plug is compatible with and plugged into a line module jack  310 . 
         [0041]    In accordance with this second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, installation of VoIP adapter  110  is accomplished by a subscriber by first snapping VoIP adapter  110  into an appropriately configured mounting area  330  of NID  300 , for example below IDC subscriber bridge  302 . The subscriber will then unplug the subscriber bridge plug from its normal position in area  320  of NID  300  and instead insert it into jack  142  of previously mounted VoIP adapter  110 . [Note: VoIP adapter  10  is not shown in  FIG. 3 ] The installation is then completed by inserting VoIP adapter plug  150  into line module jack  310 . In this exemplary installation procedure, the optional jumper  112  illustrated in  FIG. 1(   a ) is not required. Moreover, should the VoIP adapter  110  kit be configured as illustrated in  FIG. 1(   b ) to include optional connection lines  148  and plug  124 , the connection lines may be cut to remove the plug  124  which, like the optional jumper  112 , is not used in this installation configuration. [Note: Is this description of  FIG. 3  correct?] 
         [0042]    While the present invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing may readily produce alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, and does not preclude inclusion of such modifications, variations, equivalents and/or additions to the present invention as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.