Home network using wireless module

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.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . Method comprising:
 providing at least two components;   establishing communication between the components using a network; and   enabling a user of the network to establish which component defines a portal to the Internet, each component having at least one associated port and at least one determining whether a module is connected to the associated port of the at least one component, the at least one component in response to determining that a module is connected to the associated port sending to another component in the network an indication thereof, the at least one component in response to determining that a module has been disconnected from its associated port sending to another component in the network an indication thereof.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein a first one of the components is a TV and a second one of the components is a home appliance. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , comprising connecting first and second modules to the respective TV and home appliance to establish respective first and second network portals simultaneously. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the first home portal communicates with the Internet and the second home portal communicates with a network other than the Internet. 
     
     
         31 . Assembly comprising:
 at least first and second components configured for communication for communication with each other over a home network; wherein
 each component has at least one associated port and at least the first component determines whether a module is connected to the associated port of the first component, the first component in response to determining that a module is connected to the associated port sending to the second component in the network an indication thereof, the first component in response to determining that a module has been disconnected from its associated port sending to the second component in the network an indication thereof 
   
     
     
         32 . The assembly of  claim 31 , wherein a first one of the components is a TV and a second one of the components is a home appliance. 
     
     
         33 . The assembly of  claim 32 , comprising first and second modules connected to the respective TV and home appliance to establish respective first and second network portals simultaneously. 
     
     
         34 . The assembly of  claim 33 , wherein the first home portal communicates with the Internet and the second home portal communicates with a network other than the Internet. 
     
     
         35 . The assembly of  claim 31 , wherein a user of the network is enabled to establish which component defines a portal to the Internet. 
     
     
         36 . Method comprising:
 providing at least two components;   establishing communication between the components using a network;   each component having at least one associated port;   at least a first one of the components determining whether a module is connected to the associated port of the component;   the first component in response to determining that a module is connected to the associated port sending to another component in the network an indication thereof; and   the first component in response to determining that a module has been disconnected from its associated port sending to another component in the network an indication thereof.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein a first one of the components is a TV and a second one of the components is a home appliance. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , comprising connecting first and second modules to the respective TV and home appliance to establish respective first and second network portals simultaneously. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the first home portal communicates with the Internet and the second home portal communicates with a network other than the Internet. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 36 , comprising enabling a user of the network to establish which component defines a portal to the Internet.