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.

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.