Network bridge device and methods for programming and using the same

• US 7,853,221 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2004
• Issued: 12/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Watt Stopper Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: Homerun Holdings Corporation
• Inventors: Garcia, Ben L., Rodriguez, Yan
• Primary Examiner(s): Wendell; Andrew
• Application Number:
  US10/988,078
• Publication Number:
  US 20060104291A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,223 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.2, 455/41.3, 455/66.1, 455/554.1, 455/554.2, 455/556.1, 455/557, 455/74, 455/74.1
• US Class Current: 455/74
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5441 Wireless systems or telephone
• 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 12/2836 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 12/462 LAN interconnection over a bridge based backbone
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2601 Multicarrier modulation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A network bridge device that links a wireless network and a wired network to one another. The bridge includes a wireless signal transceiver adapted to receive and send signals in a wireless format, and a wired signal transceiver adapted to receive and send signals in a wired format. A bridge controller is connected to both transceivers and converts the wireless signals from the first format to the second format and the wired signals from the second format to the first format. The bridge may also be configured to communicate with a wireless network control device and/or a wired network control device.

Claims

1. A network bridge device linking devices on a wired network to devices on a wireless network, comprising:

a wireless signal transceiver adapted to send and receive wireless signals to and from at least one wireless node using a first protocol;

a wired signal transceiver adapted to send and receive wired signals to and from at least one wired node using a second protocol;

a bridge controller programmed to receive operational signals from said wireless signal transceiver and said wired signal transceiver;

convert said operational signals between said first and second protocols and the physical data associated therewith; and

send operational signals in said converted protocols to said wired signal transceiver and said wireless signal transceiver so that said bridge controller forms a virtual abstraction of one of the wired network and the wireless network onto the other so that commands generated by one type of node can be passed to a specific node of the other type;

a power supply system connected to said bridge controller, said power supply system adapted to receive line power for distribution to said bridge controller; and

a battery connected to said bridge controller, said bridge controller receiving power from said battery as needed when the line power is not connected to said power supply system,

wherein said wired nodes are plugged into line power, and said bridge controller learns identification codes associated with said wired nodes and only assigns identification codes to said wireless nodes when unplugged from line power and said bridge controller receives, converts and sends said operational signals when connected to line power.

2. The network bridge device according to claim 1, further comprising

a user interface connected to said bridge controller, said user interface adapted to assign identification codes to said wireless nodes that send and receive signals in said first protocol, and said user interface adapted to learn identifications codes from said wired nodes that send and receive signals in said second protocol.

3. The bridge device according to claim 2, wherein said user interface comprises:

at least one selector switch connected to said bridge controller, said at least one selector switch having a plurality of designations, wherein each of said plurality of designations corresponds to one of said identification codes.

4. The bridge device according to claim 3 wherein said user interface further comprises:

a check code switch connected to said bridge controller; and

a status indicator connected to said controller, said controller determining whether said designation associated with said at least one selector switch is available for association with one of said wireless node and said wired node and indicating such availability via said status indicator.

5. The bridge device according to claim 4, further comprising:

an add wireless node switch connected to said controller, and

an add wired node switch connected to said controller, wherein activation of said one of add node switches enables said bridge controller to learn a corresponding one of said wireless node and said wired node, assign one of said identification codes thereto, and confirm such addition via said status indicator.

6. The bridge device according to claim 5, further comprising:

a remove wireless node switch connected to said controller; and

a remove wired node switch connected to said controller, wherein actuation of said one of remove node switches enables said bridge controller to delete a corresponding one of said wireless node and said wired node, clears said identification code therefrom and indicates such deletion via said status indicator.

7. The bridge device according to claim 6, wherein simultaneous actuation of said add node switches for a predetermined period of time enables said bridge controller to learn a primary control device, assign one of said identification codes thereto, and confirm such addition via said status indicator.

8. The bridge device according to claim 7, wherein learning of said primary control device initiates a transfer of said identification codes from said bridge controller to said primary control device.

9. The bridge device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a light connected to said bridge controller.

10. The network bridge device according to claim 1, further comprising either or both of:

a wired control device associated with said bridge controller to allow for control of said at least one of wireless nodes, and a wireless control device associated with said bridge controller to allow for control of said at least one of wired nodes.