Wall-mounted interactive sensing and audio-visual node devices for networked living and work spaces

Abstract

Described herein are networked (smart) living and work spaces, including a variety of different wireless nodes that may be distributed, inlcuing wall-mounted and/or retrofitted over existing electrical outlets and light switches, for proiding data streams to a digital hub or master controller. For example, described herein are wall-mounted, interactive sensing and audio-visual node device for a networked living/working space.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An integrated power line communication (PLC) adapter/data power cable device, the device comprising:
 a wall power plug configured to connect to wall power outlet;   an elongate power cord coupled to the wall power plug at a distal end of the elongate power cord;   an adapter housing coupled to the elongate power cord near a proximal end of the elongate power cord;   a PLC circuit within the adapter housing, the PLC circuit configured to receive data from and transmit data on a power line connected to the wall power plug;   a power connector at the proximal end of the device, the power connector configured to connect to a power inlet of a networking device; and   an Ethernet connector coupled to the adapter and connected to the PLC circuit to transmit and receive the data.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the adapter housing is integrally mounted to the elongate power cord. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the adapter housing is within 12 inches of the proximal end of the elongate power cord. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the adapter housing is within 2 inches of the proximal end of the elongate power cord. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the Ethernet connector comprises an Ethernet port on the adapter housing. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the Ethernet connector comprises an Ethernet cable extending from the adapter housing. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the adapter housing further comprises an AC adapter circuit configured to convert AC wall power received from the plug at the distal end of the elongate power cord into DC power at the power connector extending from the proximal end of the device. 
     
     
         8 . An integrated power line communication (PLC) adapter/data power cable device, the device comprising:
 an elongate length of power cord;   a plug at the distal end of the elongate length of power cord;   an adapter housing integrated into the cabling within 24 inches of the proximal end of the elongate length of power cord;   a PCL circuit within the adapter housing comprising a modem configured to transmit and receive a data signal on a power signal;   an Ethernet connector coupled to the adapter housing and connected to the PLC circuit to transmit and received the data signal; and   a power connector extending from the proximal end of the device and configured to mate with a power port on a networking device.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the adapter housing is within 12 inches of the proximal end of the elongate power cord. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the adapter housing is within 2 inches of the proximal end of the elongate power cord. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the Ethernet connector comprises an Ethernet port on the adapter housing. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the Ethernet connector comprises an Ethernet cable extending from the adapter housing. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the adapter housing further comprises an AC adapter circuit configured to convert AC wall power received from the plug at the distal end of the elongate power cord into DC power at the power connector extending from the proximal end of the device. 
     
     
         14 . A method to connect a networking device to a power line communication (PLC) network, the method comprising:
 connecting a plug at a distal end of an integrated PLC adapter/data power cable device to a power outlet coupled to a line power;   connecting a power connector extending from a proximal end of the integrated PLC adapter/data power cable device to a power port on a networking device;   connecting an Ethernet cable in communication with a PLC circuit within an adapter housing near a proximal end of the integrated PLC adapter/data power cable device to an Ethernet port on the networking device; and   transmitting signals encoded on the line power and decoded by the PLC circuit to the networking device through the Ethernet cable.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein connecting the plug comprises connecting the plug to a wall outlet. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein connecting the power connector comprises plugging the proximal end of the integrated PLC adapter/data power cable device into the power port of the networking device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising converting, in the adapter housing, the line power from AC to DC for supplying to the networking device through the power port of the networking device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein connecting the Ethernet cable comprises connecting a first end of the Ethernet cable to an Ethernet port on the adapter housing and connecting a second end of the Ethernet cable to an Ethernet port on the networking device. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising receiving signals from the networking device through the Ethernet cable, encoding the received signals and transmitting the signals on the line power.