Multiprotocol adaptor for communication between CEBus devices and remote controllers over an ATM-based broadband access network

• US 5,949,779 A
• Filed: 05/08/1997
• Issued: 09/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Original Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Kumar, Rajesh, Mostafa, Mohamed
• Primary Examiner(s): Jung, Min
• Application Number:
  US08/853,109
• Time in Patent Office: 852 Days
• Field of Search: 370/401, 370/402, 370/403, 370/410, 370/466, 370/465, 370/389
• US Class Current: 370/389
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2836 Protocol conversion between an external network and a home network controlling appliance services of a home automation network from a device located outside the home and the home network H04L12/2818; protocol conversion H04L69/08; adaptation of digital video signals for transport over a specific home network H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/561 Star, e.g. cross-connect, concentrator, subscriber group equipment, remote electronics
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5615 Network termination, e.g. NT1, NT2, PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5638 Services, e.g. multimedia, GOS, QOS
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0478 Provisions for broadband connections

Abstract

A system for providing remote access and control of electronic devices connected to a CEBus network includes a remotely located master node, e.g., a utility server controller, which is linked to the CEBus network via an ATM-based broadband access network ("BAN"). A proxy node is provided on the CEBus network, wherein the proxy node is also linked to the master node via the BAN. The remotely located master node may thereby communicate with one or more devices located on the CEBus network by transmitting messages to the proxy node over the BAN. The proxy node converts the messages from an ATM protocol compatible with transmission over the BAN to a respective CEBus network protocol, and then forwards the messages to recipient device(s) over the CEBus network. In the opposite direction, a device on a CEBus network may communicate with the remotely located master node by transmitting CEBus-standard messages to the respective proxy node over the CEBus network. The proxy node packetizes the messages into an ATM transmission format and forwards the messages to the master node over the BAN. The system may be advantageously employed as an energy management system for providing remote control by a utility host master node of a plurality of utility-managed settable nodes located on a plurality of CEBus networks.

Claims

1. A system for providing remote control of CEBus devices located on a plurality of CEBus networks, comprising:

a master node having a first interface port configured for transmitting and receiving messages to and from a first plurality of CEBus devices located on a first selected CEBus network over non-CEBus access network, and a second interface port configured for transmitting and receiving messages to and from a second plurality of CEBus devices located on a second selected CEBus network over the non-CEBus access network; and

a plurality of network terminals, at least one network terminal located on each of the first and second selected CEBus networks, wherein each network terminal is configured for transmitting and receiving messages over the respective CEBus network on which it is located, and wherein each network terminal is further configured for transmitting and receiving messages to and from the master node over the non-CEBus access network.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first interface port of the master node and the respective first plurality of CEBus devices and the one or more network terminals located on the first selected CEBus network are all assigned to a first common CEBus house code.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the second interface port of the master node and the respective second plurality of CEBus devices and the one or more network terminals located on the second selected CEBus network are all assigned to a second common CEBus house code.

4. An energy management system for providing remote control of first and second utility managed settable nodes ("UMSNs") located on respective first and second CEBus networks, comprising:

a utility host master node ("UHMN") configured for communication over a non-CEBus access network;

a first network terminal ("NT") located on the first CEBus network, the first NT configured for transmitting and receiving messages to and from the first UMSN over the first CEBus network, and for transmitting and receiving messages to and from the UHMN over the access network; and

a second NT located on the second CEBus network, the second NT configured for transmitting and receiving messages to and from the second UMSN over the second CEBus network, and for transmitting and receiving messages to and from the UHMN over the access network.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the access network is an ATM-based broadband access network.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the access network further comprises an energy management terminal ("EMT") configured to transmit and receive internet protocol messages to and from the UHMN, and to transmit and receive ATM messages to and from the respective first and second NTs over the access network.

7. A method for transmitting messages from a master node located on a non-CEBus access network to first and second CEBus devices located on respective first and second CEBus networks via respective first and second network terminals, the first network terminal located on both the access network and the first CEBus network, the second network terminal located on both the access network and the second CEBus network, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting a first CEBus house code for a first access network interface port of the master node;

selecting a second CEBus house code for a second access network interface port of the master node;

assigning the first selected CEBus house code to the first selected network interface port, the first network terminal and the first CEBus device; and

assigning the second selected CEBus house code to the second selected network interface port, the second network terminal and the second CEBus device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the respective steps of selecting and assigning the respective first and second house codes are performed by the master node.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of selecting a CEBus house code for the first interface port of the master node comprises the steps of:

broadcasting a first proposed house code from the master node over the access network; and

assigning the first proposed house code to the first interface port of the master node if no responsive message to the broadcast is received by the master node within a selected time period.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of selecting a CEBus house code for the first interface port of the master node further comprises the steps of:

broadcasting a second proposed house code from the master node over the access network if a responsive message to the first proposed house code broadcast is received within the selected time period; and

assigning the second proposed house code to the first interface port of the master node if no responsive message to the second broadcast is received by the master node within the selected time period.