Patent ID: 7990908

Claim:
A device for coupling data units to the Internet over wiring, the wiring being connected for carrying a digital data signal in a digital data frequency band that is distinct from, and higher than, the frequency of another signal, said device comprising: a connector consisting of one of an AC power plug and a telephone connector for connecting to the wiring; a modem for transmitting and receiving digital data over the wiring; a high pass filter coupled between said connector and said modem for substantially passing only signals in the digital data frequency band; a first data port for coupling to a first data unit; a first transceiver coupled to said first data port for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with the first data unit; a second data port for coupling to a second data unit; a second transceiver coupled to said second data port for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with the second data unit; a multiport interconnection circuit consisting of one of: a switch; a router; and a gateway, coupled to pass digital data between said modem and said first and second transceivers; a processor coupled to control and monitor said first and second transceivers and said modem; a first address unit coupled to said processor for storing a first address that uniquely identifies said device in a digital data network; and a single enclosure housing said connector, said modem, said high pass filter, said first and second data ports, said first and second transceivers, said multiport interconnection circuit, said processor and said first address unit.