Automated home control using existing electrical lines as a communications medium

• US 6,091,320 A
• Filed: 04/19/1999
• Issued: 07/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Odinak, Gilad
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Application Number:
  US09/294,746
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 340/310.01, 340/310.02, 340/310.06, 375/259, 375/260
• US Class Current: 340/12.33
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5408 using protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5437 Wired telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/545 Audio/video application, e.g. interphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• 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 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/106 for domestic distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/108 the cable being constituted by a pair of wires

Abstract

A home control system as described herein uses existing electrical power lines in a home for communications. A system includes one or more analog signal sources connected to transmit analog signals using high-bandwidth frequency channels on the electrical power lines, at relatively high bandwidths. The analog signal sources receive control data using a low-bandwidth frequency channel on the same electrical power lines, at a comparatively low bandwidth. One or more analog signal receivers are connected to receive the analog signals using the high-bandwidth frequency channels, and to receive control data using the low-bandwidth frequency channel. A controller is configured to designate one or more source/receiver groups from the analog signal sources and receivers. The controller is connected to send control data to the source and receiver of each group using the low-bandwidth frequency channel. The control data instructs each group to use a different one of the high-bandwidth frequency channels.

Claims

1. An electrical component for connection to electrical power lines in a building, comprising:

a control receiver that receives control data using a low-bandwidth frequency channel on the electrical power lines at a relatively low bandwidth;

an analog signal receiver that receives an analog signal using a high-bandwidth frequency channel on the electrical power lines at a relatively high bandwidth.

2. An electrical component as recited in claim 1, further comprising a control transmitter that transmits control data using the low-bandwidth frequency channel on the electrical power lines at the relatively low bandwidth.

3. An electrical component as recited in claim 1, wherein the electrical component is responsive to the control data to use a particular high-bandwidth frequency channel from a plurality of high-bandwidth frequency channels that the electrical component is capable of using.

4. An electrical component as recited in claim 1, wherein the analog signal is an audio/video signal.

5. An electrical component as recited in claim 1, wherein the low-bandwidth frequency channel is at a lower frequency than the high-bandwidth frequency channel.

6. An electrical component for connection to electrical power lines in a building, comprising:

a control receiver that receives control data using a low-bandwidth frequency channel on the electrical power lines at a relatively low bandwidth;

an analog signal transmitter that transmits an analog signal using a high-bandwidth frequency channel on the electrical power lines at a relatively high bandwidth.

7. An electrical component as recited in claim 6, further comprising a control transmitter that transmits control data using the low-bandwidth frequency channel on the electrical power lines at the relatively low bandwidth.

8. An electrical component as recited in claim 6, wherein the electrical component is responsive to the control data to use a particular high-bandwidth frequency channel from a plurality of high-bandwidth frequency channels that the electrical component is capable of using.

9. An electrical component as recited in claim 6, wherein the analog signal is an audio/video signal.

10. An electrical component as recited in claim 6, wherein the low-bandwidth frequency channel is at a lower frequency than the high-bandwidth frequency channel.