Home network using wireless module

• US 7,894,414 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2009
• Issued: 02/22/2011
• 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:
  US12/609,595
• Publication Number:
  US 20100049831A1
• Time in Patent Office: 480 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:

providing at least two components in a home network;

establishing communication between the components using the home network; and

providing means for a user of the home network to dynamically establish which component defines a portal to the Internet, each component having at least one associated port and each component periodically determining whether a wireless module is connected to the associated port of the component, each component in response to determining that a wireless module is connected to the associated port sending to other components in the home network an indication thereof, each component in response to determining that a wireless module has been disconnected from its associated port sending to other components in the home network an indication thereof.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a first one of the components is a TV and a second one of the components is a home appliance.

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

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