Network protocol--based home entertainment network

• US 6,026,150 A
• Filed: 10/30/1997
• Issued: 02/15/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Epigram, Inc. (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Frank, Edward H., Holloway, John T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Wing F.
• Application Number:
  US08/960,842
• Time in Patent Office: 838 Days
• Field of Search: 379/90.01, 379/93.01-93.09, 379/93.26, 379/93.28, 379/93.37, 379/102.01-102.04, 379/102.07, 379/106.01, 379/110.01, 370/445, 370/450, 370/481, 370/488-497, 455/556, 455/557
• US Class Current: 379/90.01
• 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 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• 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 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2845 Telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances

Abstract

An in-home network which includes a telephone line and a plurality of consumer electronic devices coupled to the telephone line. Each of the consumer electronic devices is assigned a unique address, such that each of the consumer electronics devices is individually addressable via the telephone line. The consumer electronic devices communicate using a packet-based protocol, wherein each of the consumer electronic devices transmits analog signal bursts on telephone line. Each of the consumer electronic devices can include a wireless signal receiver, such that a first consumer electronic device can receive control information from a remote control, and then control the operation of a second consumer electronic device by transmitting the control information to the second consumer electronic device via the telephone line.

Claims

1. An in-home network comprising:

a telephone line; and

a plurality of consumer electronic devices coupled to the telephone line, the consumer electronic devices communicating via a packet-based protocol over the telephone line, wherein each of the consumer electronic devices includes a wireless signal receiver, wherein a first one of the consumer electronic devices receives a control signal for controlling a second one of the consumer electronic devices and transmits the control signal to the second one of the consumer electronic devices on the telephone line.

2. The in-home network of claim 1, wherein the packet-based protocol enables a transmission rate sufficient to transmit uncompressed audio or compressed video information on the telephone line.

3. The in-home network of claim 1, wherein the transmission rate is at least about 1.5 Mbits per second.

4. The network of claim 1, wherein the packet-based protocol comprises the transmission of analog signal burst of discrete duration on the telephone line.

5. The network of claim 1, wherein the control signal controls the on/off status of the second one of the consumer electronic devices.

6. The network of claim 1, wherein the control signal controls the volume of the second one of the consumer electronic devices.

7. The network of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication is infra-red.

8. The network of claim 1, wherein each of the consumer electronic devices is individually addressable by signals transmitted on the telephone line.