Home network using wireless module

• US 7,693,121 B2
• Filed: 10/10/2006
• Issued: 04/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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:
  US11/545,388
• Publication Number:
  US 20070038724A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,274 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. Method comprising:

connecting by hand a wireless module to a device from among one of;

a TV, or a home appliance to establish a first home network portal, the TV communicating with the home appliance using a home network;

using the first home network portal to establish communication between at least one appliance in the home network other than the device establishing the first home network portal and the Internet;

disconnecting the wireless module to dissolve the first home network portal;

connecting the wireless module to the other of;

the home appliance, or the TV to establish a second home network portal; and

using the second home network portal to establish communication between at least one appliance in the home network other than the device establishing the first home network portal and the Internet.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising connecting first and second wireless modules to the respective TV and home appliance to establish respective first and second home network portals simultaneously.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first home portal communicates with the Internet and the second home portal communicates with a network other than the Internet.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein both home portals communicate with the Internet.

5. System comprising:

at least one TV;

at least one home appliance communicating with the TV over a home intranet; and

at least one wireless module configured to communicate with the Internet, the wireless module being connectable by hand to the TV and to the home appliance such that a user has flexibility in establishing which of the TV and home appliance establishes, with the wireless module, a home network portal, wherein a device in the home intranet not connected to the wireless module communicates with the Internet through the home network portal.

6. The system of claim 5, comprising a substrate bearing instructions to a user to select which of the TV and home appliance to connect the wireless module to establish the portal.