275 results about "Power line network" patented technology

A data networking system and method which allows efficient use of bandwidth for data streams such as video and audio. This invention allows network nodes to dynamically identify changing network conditions which are typical on wireless and power line networks. The system and method dynamically adapt to the changes which affect network bandwidth by changing compression rates, compression types, audio / video quality, motion masks, throughput for specific connections, or mass storage of data streams until the network is capable of sending the data. The result is an improved system that requires little or no user intervention as network conditions change.

A method and apparatus for maintaining network connectivity over power lines is disclosed. Such network connectivity is maintained even if various customers are covered by different power line networks or if one or more power lines in a network are unavailable to transmit data. More particularly, in order to bridge a gap in a power line network, one or more messages are extracted from a first node in a power line network and are then transmitted to a second node via free space transmission, illustratively wireless radio frequency (RF) transmission conforming to one or more of the 802.11a, b or g standards. When those messages are received at the second node, the message is injected back into the power line on the other side of a gap in power line coverage. This method of transmission backup will continue until power line connectivity is restore upon which the preferred method will be selected and used.

A wireless electrical power metering system is provided. A processor having a multichannel power line transceiver, a wireless transceiver, and a power meter attached thereto measures power consumption information on a power line inductively coupled with the power meter. The processor converts the power consumption information into IP-based data, and transmits same over the wireless transceiver. The information can be wirelessly received by a remote monitoring station or transmitted across the Internet for storage, analysis, and billing. The processor generates appliance control signals and generates same across the multichannel power line transceiver to remotely control appliances in response to power consumption trends. The processor provides firewall capabilities, and relays information between a wired or wireless network and a power line network, thereby expanding the size of existing household networks. Further, the processor allows multiple dwellings to be networked using power lines, and households to be connected to the Internet via a power line network.

A power line communications that includes a communications device having a first port and a second port is provided. The first port may include a first modem and be communicatively coupled to a power line such as a medium voltage power line. The second port may include a second modem and be communicatively coupled to the first end of a non-power line medium, such as a coaxial cable. The system may include an interface device that couples the second end of the coaxial cable to the internal power line network of the customer premises to provide communications to the user devices coupled to the internal power line network.

A system for communicating content streams (i.e. voice, video, data) between a content server connected to a power-line communications network and a remote electronic device having ultra-wide band connectivity with an interface module. The interface module is a power-line communication / ultra-wide band (PLC / UWB) module preferably connected to a conventional power outlet upon the power-line network. The interface module converts the power-line signals from the server to ultra-wide band signals which are broadcast for reception by the wireless electronic device. Return communications with the server from the wireless electronic device are also preferably supported. The power-line communication and / or ultra-wide band signal can also be encrypted for improved security. The content server and interface module are preferably configured to communicate content streams only within the portions of the bandwidth allocated by a bus master, which may comprise a content server with programming for controlling bandwidth use on the physical power-line communications network.

A wireless electrical power metering system is provided. A processor having a multichannel power line transceiver, a wireless transceiver, and a power meter attached thereto measures power consumption information on a power line inductively coupled with the power meter. The processor converts the power consumption information into IP-based data, and transmits same over the wireless transceiver. The information can be wirelessly received by a remote monitoring station or transmitted across the Internet for storage, analysis, and billing. The processor generates appliance control signals and generates same across the multichannel power line transceiver to remotely control appliances in response to power consumption trends. The processor provides firewall capabilities, and relays information between a wired or wireless network and a power line network, thereby expanding the size of existing household networks. Further, the processor allows multiple dwellings to be networked using power lines, and households to be connected to the Internet via a power line network. The electrical power metering system also includes Global Positioning System (GPS), biometric scanning, emergency alert reception, and environmental monitoring capabilities.

A surveillance system configured for communicating with video cameras and other devices connected over a power-line communication network, such as within a residence, or alternatively a commercial building. The system may be manufactured and installed at low cost without the need to route individual cables to each surveillance video camera or device. Bandwidth within the power-line communication network is preferably dynamically allocated to device streams by a server in response to predetermined and event-driven priorities. By way of example, remote communication is supported for allowing remote access to surveillance data and control of the surveillance system. The system may be implemented as a standalone unit or integrated within existing forms of electronics equipment, such as consumer electronics equipment including a television set, a set-top box, or other forms of video-enabled equipment that is adapted for performing power-line network communication.

Various embodiments are described to coordinate a wireless network over a power line network or other wired back channel.

A surveillance system configured for communicating with video cameras and other devices connected over a power-line communication network, such as within a residence, or alternatively a commercial building. The system may be manufactured and installed at low cost without the need to route individual cables to each surveillance video camera or device. Bandwidth within the power-line communication network is preferably dynamically allocated to device streams by a server in response to predetermined and event-driven priorities. By way of example, remote communication is supported for allowing remote access to surveillance data and control of the surveillance system. The system may be implemented as a standalone unit or integrated within existing forms of electronics equipment, such as consumer electronics equipment including a television set, a set-top box, or other forms of video-enabled equipment that is adapted for performing power-line network communication.

A power supply provides digital data coupling for power-line networking. The power supply includes a power supply side digital interface to transmit and receive a digital data passed through a digital coupler to and from a power-line network access circuitry side digital interface of power-line network access circuitry. The power supply further includes a digital-to-analog converter to process digital data into a high-frequency analog data carrier to provide to a power line of a power-line network. An analog-to-digital converter of the power supply converts a high-frequency analog data carrier from the power line into digital data for the power-line network access circuitry. A power-line analog front end of the power supply transmits and receives the high-frequency analog data carrier to and from the power line. Digital data exchanged between the power supply and the network access circuitry may include control signals for a control circuitry of the power supply. Control circuitry of the power supply may handle control of the digital-to-analog converter, the analog-to-digital converter and the analog front end.

Fault detection and power network quality monitoring are performed for a power line network using power line communications (“PLC”) signal transceiving and data processing capabilities. Power line signals are continuously received and processed to obtain signal data representative of power line network operating conditions that are expressed in the received power line signals. The harmonic content and noise signature of the signal data are evaluated with reference to known fault signature data and power line network topology properties for detecting and identifying the location of an existing or anticipated fault in the power line network and assessing power transmission quality of the network.

System and method for repeater in a power line network. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for power line communication network. The method includes providing a virtual local area network (VLAN), which VLAN includes at least a repeater, a client, and a gateway. The VLAN is associated with a network encryption key. The repeater is associated with a first identification. The client is associated with a second identification. The gateway is associated with a third identification. The first identification and the third identification are a service identification type. The second identification is a client identification type. The method also includes providing a power line network that is configured to transmit data through OFDM signaling. The method includes sending a first data packet in first format from the client through the power line network. The method additionally includes receiving the first data packet by the repeater through the power line network at through a first network interface.

A controlling device and a controlling system. The controlling device transmits controlling signals to an electronic device and receives operation statuses thereof through a power line. The controlling device includes a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) device for displaying the operation statuses of the electronic device. The controlling device includes a controller, an HMI device connected to the controller, a power supply for providing an electric power to the controller and the HMI device, and a power line network signal transmit / receive module connected to the controller.

A method of transmitting data over lines of power line network comprising: inductively generating opposite polarity currents representing the data on first and second lines of a pair of lines of the network at a first location along the lines that propagate along the lines; and sensing the propagated currents at a second location along the lines.

A universal gateway that allows data to be transferred between one or more network protocols and one or more control protocols is described. The various protocols can coexist on the same physical network medium or on separate networks. The gateway also provides tunneling of network protocols through a selected protocol, and centralized control of network nodes. By using the gateway, end-users can mesh together traditionally standalone, incompatible, networks into a universally accessible, centrally administered, “super-network.” The gateway provides a centralized node database, support for legacy protocols, a rules engine, and an object-oriented class library interface. Configuration is simplified through automatic device discovery. The centralized node database is managed by an active server node. High reliability access to the centralized node database is enhanced by the system fault tolerance provided by standby server nodes. When used in connection with a power line network, the gateway provides the ability to distribute various types of data streams over the power line. Routing handlers provided by the gateway allow virtually any of the legacy data networking services such as TCP / IP to be routed over the power-line.

A network infrastructure integrated system which is able to integrate a telephone line network and a power line network as a single network using a simple circuit includes a first network to which a plurality of Home Information Machines are connected; a second network to which a plurality of Home Information Machines are connected; and a network bridge connected between the first and second networks and enabling the Home Information Machines to share respective applications and data with each other, whereby the cost can be reduced, the interchangeability is increased, and the accessibility to the network can be increased by using both the power lines and the telephone lines.

A system and method for switching data packet traffic distribution across diverse transmission medium according to detected quality of service characteristics for a given data packet rate from server to client. It should be recognized that diverse medium are not interdependent with regard to fading or signal strength considerations. One mode of switching comprises switching all the data packets from transmission on a first medium to transmission over a second diverse medium. In a second mode of switching the distribution is changed according to a media-time coding mechanism in which typically data is being transmitted simultaneously across more than one of the multiple diverse medium. The data packet transmissions preferably comprise audio-video data packet streams, such as MPEG-2 streams. By way of example, the diverse transmission medium may comprise a wireless connection (i.e. WiFi) used in combination with a power-line network connection, such as within a home network.

An economically attractive method to provide multiuse broadband connectivity to the edge of legacy telecommunication and emerging networks is disclosed. The invention utilizes a multi-phase common signal return coupling scheme that passes signals onto the step-down side of power transformers. This invention enables the transformer to serve as an economically attractive distribution point that transfers external payload signals from service providers to customer network access points on the load side of the transformer. The resulting power line network will permit remote control of utilization and access to any legacy or emerging network payload such as ITU and IETF that is present at any type of electric power transformer.

A wireless electrical power metering system is provided. A processor having a multichannel power line transceiver, a wireless transceiver, and a power meter attached thereto measures power consumption information at a location. The processor converts the power consumption information into IP-based data, and transmits same over the wireless transceiver. The information can be wirelessly received by a remote monitoring station or transmitted across the Internet for storage, analysis, and billing. The processor can remotely control appliances in response to power consumption trends. The processor can relay information between a wired or wireless network and a power line network, to allow multiple dwellings to be networked using power lines, and households to be connected to the Internet via a power line network. The electrical power metering system also includes Global Positioning System (GPS), biometric scanning, emergency alert reception, and environmental monitoring capabilities.

An apparatus and method for equitably allocating bandwidth to virtual networks operating on a common physical network, such as a power-line network for homeowners sharing a single power-line distribution transformer. An ad-hoc master is selected from the virtual power-line network controllers. The master allocates bandwidth to streams based on their priority group categorization. By way of example, four priority groups (A-D) are described into which stream priority is classified, with the highest priority group for communicating isochronous streams, the lowest priority for transferring asynchronous streams and the other priority groups for communicating streams having an intermediate level of transmission priority. Within a given priority group all bandwidth requests are fulfilled for virtual networks requesting up to their fair share of the bandwidth within the priority group, and bandwidth available from virtual networks not utilizing their full share is allocated equally amongst those requesting more bandwidth.

An apparatus and method for equitably allocating bandwidth to virtual networks operating on a common physical network, such as a power-line network for homeowners sharing a single power-line distribution transformer. An ad-hoc master is selected from the virtual power-line network controllers. The master allocates bandwidth to streams based on their priority group categorization. By way of example, four priority groups (A-D) are described into which stream priority is classified, with the highest priority group for communicating isochronous streams, the lowest priority for transferring asynchronous streams and the other priority groups for communicating streams having an intermediate level of transmission priority. Within a given priority group all bandwidth requests are fulfilled for virtual networks requesting up to their fair share of the bandwidth within the priority group, and bandwidth available from virtual networks not utilizing their full share is allocated equally amongst those requesting more bandwidth.

A power node provides energy management and network expansion features in a networked data communications and control environment that may be utilized in an energy management system implementing a method of managing energy. Network expansion may be provided by integrating a networking bridge from a power line network to one or more wired network ports or a wireless network. The power outlet on the power node providing power to a device may be identified and associated with information about the device.

A system and method for switching data packet traffic distribution across diverse transmission medium according to detected quality of service characteristics for a given data packet rate from server to client. It should be recognized that diverse medium are not interdependent with regard to fading or signal strength considerations. Two general modes of switching are described, switching all the data packets, and switching according to a media-time coding mechanism. In one embodiment the data is encoded using Fountain encoding prior to transmission. The data packet transmissions preferably comprise audio-video data packet streams, such as MPEG-2 streams. By way of example, the diverse transmission medium may comprise a wireless connection (i.e., WiFi) used in combination with a power-line network connection, such as within a home network.

A universal gateway that allows data to be transferred between one or more network protocols and one or more control protocols is described. The various protocols can coexist on the same physical network medium or on separate networks. The gateway also provides tunneling of network protocols through a selected protocol, and centralized control of network nodes. By using the gateway, end-users can mesh together traditionally standalone, incompatible, networks into a universally accessible, centrally administered, “super-network.” The gateway provides a centralized node database, support for legacy protocols, a rules engine, and an object-oriented class library interface. Configuration is simplified through automatic device discovery. The centralized node database is managed by an active server node. High reliability access to the centralized node database is enhanced by the system fault tolerance provided by standby server nodes. When used in connection with a power line network, the gateway provides the ability to distribute various types of data streams over the power line. Routing handlers provided by the gateway allow virtually any of the legacy data networking services such as TCP / IP to be routed over the power-line.

A system and method for modulating and coding a signal is disclosed. Data from a Media Access Control (MAC) layer is convolutionally encoded. Robust coding of the data from the MAC layer is performed either before or after the convolutional encoding. The coded data is differentially modulating and then Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed to create an OFDM output signal adapted to be transmitted on a power line network. The robust coding may be a repetition 2 coding or a repetition N coding. The robust coding may add an outer code prior to the convolutional encoding. The robust coding may be Reed Solomon coding performed prior to the convolutional encoding. An optional header for identifying the robust coding is also disclosed along with a method for decoding the header.

The present invention relates to a control apparatus for managing communications between a plurality of electric appliances connected to a household power line network. The apparatus transmits a plurality of types of modulation method control signals to each of the plurality of electric appliances, each type of control signal utilizing a different modulation method. When receiving a response from each electric appliance, the apparatus detects to which type of modulation method control signal the response was made and judges the type of the modulation method that is utilized in each electric appliance based on the detection.

A power node provides energy management and network expansion features in a networked data communications and control environment that may be utilized in an energy management system implementing a method of managing energy. Network expansion may be provided by integrating a networking bridge from a power line network to one or more wired network ports or a wireless network. The power outlet on the power node providing power to a device may be identified and associated with information about the device.

The present invention relates to a control apparatus for managing communications between a plurality of electric appliances connected to a household power line network. The apparatus transmits a plurality of types of modulation method control signals to each of the plurality of electric appliances, each type of control signal utilizing a different modulation method. When receiving a response from each electric appliance, the apparatus detects to which type of modulation method control signal the response was made and judges the type of the modulation method that is utilized in each electric appliance based on the detection.

Systems and methods for redundant data communication are presented. In some embodiments, a redundant wireless networking system includes at least two wireless access points directly associated with a wired network and configured to provide wireless network access over one or more common areas, and one or more transceivers whose locations are restricted within the common area(s). Some embodiments concern a system for providing data communications over a power line network, including a host associated with one or more power lines, where the host is configured to mange a self-configuring data communications network, and a plurality of client devices configured to communicate with the host over the power line(s) in an ad-hoc manner. Certain embodiments may have usage in industrial applications.