System and method for multi-link communication in home network

• US 20050063355A1
• Filed: 03/01/2004
• Published: 03/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Iwamura, Ryuichi
• Granted Patent: US 7,965,673 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/351
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5408 using protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/542 the information being in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A client in a home entertainment network can communicate with other components, including the server, over both a wired and a wireless link, with the particular path being selected based a component preference, and/or a bandwidth capability, and/or an occupancy ratio. Both links may be simultaneously used.

Claims

1. A home entertainment system, comprising:

at least one server configured for both wired and wireless communication; and

at least one component configured for communicating with the server along a wired path and also being configured for communicating with the server along a wireless path, at least one of;

the server, and component, determining which path to use for communication based on at least one of;

a component preference, a bandwidth capability, and an occupancy ratio.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein a respective address is associated with each path over which the component communicates.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the addresses are IP addresses.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the component is selected from the group of components consisting of:

televisions, and portable computers.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the component is a TV.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of:

the server, and component, determines which path to use for communication based at least in part on a component preference.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of:

the server, and component, determines which path to use for communication based at least in part on a bandwidth capability.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of:

the server, and component, determines which path to use for communication based at least in part on an occupancy ratio.

9. A method for communicating a home network, comprising:

determining that both a wired and a wireless path exist between the components;

determining whether at least one of the components prefers a particular path and if so, communicating data over that path;

otherwise

communicating data over at least one of the paths based on at least one of;

a bandwidth capability, and an occupancy ratio.

10. The method of claim 9, comprising communicating simultaneously between the components using both paths.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein a respective address is associated with each path over which the component communicates.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the addresses are IP addresses.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one component is selected from the group of components consisting of:

televisions, and portable computers.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the component is a TV.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one of:

a server, and a component, determines which path to use for communication based at least in part on a component preference.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one of:

a server, and a component, determines which path to use for communication based at least in part on a bandwidth capability.

18. A system for communicating between at least first and second components in a home network, comprising:

means for establishing a wired communication path between the components;

means for establishing a wireless communication path between the components;

means for communicating data over a component-preferred path when a component-preferred path is indicated, the component-preferred path being selected from the wired and wireless communication paths;

means for, when no component-preferred path is indicated, communicating data over at least one of the paths based on at least one of;

a bandwidth capability, and an occupancy ratio.

17. The method of claim 18, wherein at least one of:

a server, and a component, determines which path to use for communication based at least in part on an occupancy ratio.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein a respective address is associated with each path.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the addresses are IP addresses.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein at least one component is selected from the group of components consisting of:

televisions, and portable computers.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the component is a TV.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein at least one of:

a server, and a component, determines which path to use for communication based at least in part on a component preference.

24. The system of claim 18, wherein at least one of:

a server, and a component, determines which path to use for communication based at least in part on a bandwidth capability.

25. The system of claim 18, wherein at least one of:

a server, and a component, determines which path to use for communication based at least in part on an occupancy ratio.