Patent ID: 7808973

Claim:
A data network interface for coupling line-oriented communication devices via a packet-oriented data network to a line-oriented communication network, the packet-oriented data network having at least one data network cable with at least one supply conductor provided for supplying voltage to data communication devices in the data network, comprising: a data network connection for the at least one data network cable of the packet-oriented data network; a communication network connection for at least one communication signal line of said line-oriented communication network; and coupling means, arranged between said communication network connection and said data network connection, for transmitting communication signals between said communication network connection and the at least one supply conductor in the at least one data network cable, wherein the communication signals transmitted between the communication network connection and the at least one supply conductor in the at least one data network cable are line-oriented communication signals fed into the at least one supply conductor, and said coupling means includes feed means for feeding a supply voltage, which originates from the line-oriented communication network that is coupled to said communication network connection, to the at least one supply conductor.