Patent ID: 7136936

Claim:
A method for converting a plurality of powerlines in at least a building structure into a communication network for a plurality of users, the method comprising: coupling an apparatus for communicating between a data source and at least one of a plurality of users through a powerline network, the apparatus comprising: a datasource connection, the datasource connection coupled to a data source; a powerline device coupled to the datasource, the powerline device being adapted to receive and transmit information in a first format from the datasource and adapted to receive and transmit information in a second format; a virtual local area network device including a first input/output port and a plurality of second input/output ports, each of the second input/output ports numbered from 1 through N, where N is an integer greater than 1; a plurality of modem devices coupled to the virtual local area network device, the plurality of modem devices numbered from 1 through N, each of the plurality of modem devices being coupled respectively to one of the plurality of second input/output ports, each of the plurality of modem devices also being coupled to one of a plurality of powerlines numbered from 1 through N, each of the powerlines being capable of communicating information to and from the data source; allowing at least one of the users to communicate to the data source through one of the plurality of powerlines; and denying access to at least one of the users from communicating to the data source through one of the plurality of powerlines; wherein the allowing at least one of the users comprises receiving a user code from an unauthorized user coupled to the powerline network; processing the user code; and allowing access to the unauthorized user, the unauthorized user that is allowed to use the powerline network being an authorized user.