Home network using wireless module

• US 7,230,939 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2001
• Issued: 06/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• 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: Toyoshima, Akihiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Phunkulh; Bob A.
• Application Number:
  US09/976,455
• Publication Number:
  US 20060072489A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,070 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/338
• 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 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for implementing a home network including a wireless module. In one implementation, a home network includes: two or more host devices, where at least one host device includes a wireless module port, and where the host devices are connected in a local network; and a wireless module connected to the wireless module port of a host device, where the wireless module provides a wireless connection to an external network; where at least one host device is a consumer appliance.

Claims

1. A method of registering a home network portal, comprising:

evaluating a status of a wireless module port in a first host device in a home network including multiple host devices;

if the wireless module port status indicates a wireless module is not connected, evaluating the status of the wireless module port again; and

if the wireless module port status indicates a wireless module is connected, broadcasting to other host devices in the home network that the first host device is a home network portal having a connected wireless module.

2. The method of claim 1, where at least one host device is a consumer appliance.

3. A system for registering a home network portal, comprising:

means for evaluating a status of a wireless module port in a first host device in a home network including multiple host devices;

means for evaluating the stabs of the wireless module port again if the wireless module port status indicates a wireless module is not connected; and

means for broadcasting to other host devices in the home network that the first host device is a home network portal having a connected wireless module if the wireless module port status indicates a wifeless module is connected.