Power line home network
First Claim
1. An apparatus for controlling video and audio components distributed over a power-line communications (PLC) network, comprising:
- a server configured for controlling the communication of video and audio streams between media devices connected for communicating over said power-line communications (PLC) network; and
means for interpreting commands, received from a user through at least one of said media devices and communicated to said server, and controlling the communication of media content to and/or from said media devices and said server in response thereto.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for controlling video and audio devices distributed over a power-line communications (PLC) network. Streaming video and/or audio is communicated between media devices interfaced with a power-line communications (PLC) network. The devices are typically controlled by a media server which is preferably configured for receiving commands from a user utilizing a remote control unit, wherein commands are received by a media device, and certain commands which are not directed at that media device are passed through the media device to the media server for controlling the action of other media devices. The server supports adjusting encoding and/or decoding latency for synchronizing streams being input or output on media devices. Locking functions and password control features are provided for limiting control or dissemination of content. Rate control is preferably provided for limiting bandwidth utilization by streams, and a room-to-room live pause feature to prevent loss due to interruptions.
431 Citations
58 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling video and audio components distributed over a power-line communications (PLC) network, comprising:
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a server configured for controlling the communication of video and audio streams between media devices connected for communicating over said power-line communications (PLC) network; and
means for interpreting commands, received from a user through at least one of said media devices and communicated to said server, and controlling the communication of media content to and/or from said media devices and said server in response thereto.
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2. An apparatus for controlling video and audio components distributed over a power-line communications (PLC) network, comprising:
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a server configured for controlling the communication of video and audio streams between media devices connected for communicating over said power-line communications (PLC) network;
a power-line communications (PLC) interface coupled to said server for communicating with remote media devices connected over said power-line communications (PLC) network; and
programming associated with said server interface for, interpreting command codes received over said power-line communications (PLC) network;
controlling the operation of said media devices connected over said power-line communications (PLC) network in response to command codes received and interpreted by said server which were received over said power-line communications (PLC) network. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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11. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said content source may be selected fioro the group of content sources selected from cable connections, satellite feeds, broadcasting antennas, or content playback devices.
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40. An apparatus configured for being remotely controlled, comprising:
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a media device configured for inputting or outputting video and/or audio streams;
a power-line communications interface coupled to said media device;
means for receiving control signals at said media device from a remote control unit; and
means for communicating at least a portion of said control signals, received at said media device, over said power-line communications (PLC) network for receipt by a remote media device. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. An apparatus configured for being remotely controlled, comprising:
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a media device configured for inputting or outputting video and/or audio streams; and
a power-line communications interface coupled to said media device configured for transferring streaming video and/or audio over a power-line communications (PLC) network for input to said media device, or for output from said media device. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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55. An apparatus for powering electronic devices from an AC power line, comprising:
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a housing;
an electrical interface;
a power-supply within said housing configured for converting AC line power to a format suitable for powering an electronics device through said electrical interface; and
a power-line communications interface within said housing configured for communicating data over said electrical interface between said apparatus and other devices which communicate with one another over a power-line communications network. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57, 58)
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Specification