System, method and apparatuses for hybrid coax-wireless multimedia networks using 802.11 technology

• US 20040158649A1
• Filed: 12/18/2003
• Published: 08/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Ophir, Lior, Sherman, Itay, Bitran, Yigal, Geri, Noam
• Application Number:
  US10/740,312
• Publication Number:
  US 20040158649A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/250
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

A communication network is provided having a wireless connection and a coax connection comprising a network access point coupled to the wireless connection and the coax connection; a first station coupled to the wireless connection; and a second station coupled to the coax connection. Other systems and methods are disclosed.

Claims

1. A communication network having a wireless connection and a coax connection comprising:

a. a network access point coupled to the wireless connection and the coax connection;

b. a first station coupled to the wireless connection; and

c. a second station coupled to the coax connection.

2. The communication network of claim 1 wherein an antenna is coupled to the network access point to provide the wireless connection.

3. The communication network of claim 1 further comprising an antenna coupled to the coax connection to provide a combination wireless/coax connection.

4. The communication network of claim 3 wherein a third station is coupled to the combination wireless/coax connection.

5. The communication network of claim 1 wherein the network is a home network.

6. The communication network of claim 1 wherein the first station is a set-top box.

7. The communication network of claim 1 wherein the first station is a computer.

8. The communication network of claim 1 wherein the wireless connection is an 802.11 connection.

11. The communication network of claim 1 wherein the coax connection is implemented according to IEEE 802.11 standard specifications over the coax cables

12. The communication network of claim 1 wherein each packet may be selectably transmitted over the air or over coax or over both the air and the coax.

13. The communication network of claim 12 wherein the decision whether to transmit each packet over the air or over coax or over both the air and the coax depends on the packet to be transmitted.

14. The communication network of claim 12 wherein the decision whether to transmit each packet over the air or over coax or over both the air and the coax depend on the destination of the packet.

15. The conmmunication network of claim 12 wherein the access point holds a table storing values identifying stations coupled to the wireless connection.

16. The communication network of claim 15 wherein the decision whether to transmit each packet over the air or over coax or over both the air and the coax depend on the values stored in the table.

17. The communication network of claim 12 wherein the access point holds a table storing values identifying stations coupled to the coax connection

18. The communication network of claim 17 wherein the decision whether to transmit each packet over the air or over coax or over both the air and the coax depend on the values stored in the table.

19. The communication network of claim 12 wherein the access point includes a table storing values defining transmission power to stations communicating via the wireless connection.

20. The communication network of claim 19 wherein the values stored in the table are selected to minimize interference to devices connected via the coax connection.

21. The communication network of claim 20 wherein the transmit power of a packet depends on a value stored the table.

22. The communication network of claim 12 further comprising of a Cable Modem

23. The communication network of claim 22 wherein the node of the access point connected to the coax network and the Cable modem connected to the coax network are connected through a diplexer.

24. The communication network of claim 12 wherein the access point serves as a repeater between the coax network and the wireless network

25. The communication network of claim 12 including a primary server including the network access point and a secondary server, wherein the primary server is a:

a. Primary set top box, or

b. Primary PVR, or

c. Primary entertainment server

9. A method for transmitting data on a network comprising:

a. transmitting first data from a network access point to a first station over a wireless connection coupled to the network access point and the first station; and

b. transmitting second data from a network access point to a second station over a coax connection coupled to the network access point and the second station.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising transmitting third data from a network access point to a third station over a combination wireless/coax connection coupled to the network access point and the third station.

26. An apparatus comprising of two nodes:

a. One node that can be connected to wireless LAN device

b. One node that can be connected to the coax network

27. An apparatus of claim 26 further comprising of automatic gain control element

28. An apparatus of claim 26 further comprising of switching elements

29. An apparatus of claim 28 wherein the switching element performs switching between the receive and the transmit paths