Set-top-box having a built-in master node that provides an external interface for communication and control in a power-line-based residential communication system

Abstract

A set-top-box (STB) provides capability for monitoring and control of power usage and the ability to establish communications. A smart residential service system (SRSS) is provided that uses power line communication (PLC) technology to provide secure in-home LAN communication and also to monitor and provide remote control of connected appliances in the home. An embodiment combines the STB with a master unit (MST) that is used with PLC to meet the requirements of the central device in the SRSS.

1 . A system configured to receive control signals and to provide streaming of any of audio, video, and graphic information over a wide area network (WAN), wherein the system comprises:
 a digital media processor (MCU);   a communication module;   a communication link between the MCU and to the WAN; and   a master switch (MST);   wherein the MST is configured for connection to the WAN through the communication link, wherein the MST is communicatively connected to a power line communication (PLC) local area network (LAN) established on a power line;   wherein the MST is connected to a sensor over the PLC LAN;   wherein the sensor is connected to the power line and to a corresponding appliance, wherein the corresponding appliance is powered by power from the power line under control of the sensor;   wherein the sensor is configured to:
 collect power usage information of the corresponding appliance, 
 transmit the collected power usage information to the MST over the PLC LAN, 
 receive a control command over the PLC LAN from the MST; and 
 controllably power the corresponding appliance in response to the received control command; 
   wherein the MST is configured to
 receive the collected power usage information over the PLC LAN from the sensor; and 
 transfer any of data, control, and streaming video through the communication link; 
   wherein the communication module is configured to
 modulate any of the data, control or streaming video for transfer over the PLC LAN to the corresponding appliance connected through the sensor within the PLC LAN; and 
 receive responses and communication inputs sent as modulated signals from the corresponding appliance connected to the PLC LAN through the sensor, and demodulate the received inputs to transfer the received inputs to the WAN; and 
   wherein the MST is further configured to
 receive control signals through the WAN, 
 transmit the control signals to the sensor through the PLC LAN, 
 receive control responses over the PLC LAN from the sensor, 
 consolidate the collected power usage information, and 
 transfer any of the control responses or the consolidated power usage information to the WAN over the communication link. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the communication link includes any of a cable modem or a video tuner/amplifier. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a coupler filter, wherein the coupler filter is configured for any of:   preventing unwanted frequencies from being impressed on the communication module from the PLC LAN; and   preventing unwanted high frequency noise from being impressed on the PLC LAN from the communication module.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the MCU is configured to monitor and control power usage of the corresponding appliance. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the MCU is configured to collect and to compile information related to the power usage and control and to exchange the information between the WAN and an Internet. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the MCU is configured to operate the system as a gateway between the WAN and the PLC. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the MCU is configured to control operation of entertainment devices connected to the PLC LAN. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a power plug connected to the PLC LAN;   wherein the MCU is configured to monitor and control the power plug via the PLC LAN.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the MCU is configured to communicate via the PLC LAN with the corresponding appliance for any of power monitoring and control of the corresponding appliance and to provide connectivity for data communication with the corresponding appliance via the PLC LAN. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the MCU is configured to operate the system as a gateway in accordance with predetermined security and connection rules. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the MCU is configured to operate the system as a collection and compilation point for a power monitoring function in which power usage by the corresponding appliance is received and compiled by the MCU. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the MCU is configured to monitor and control power delivery through the corresponding appliance in response to control information from another appliance connected to the PLC. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the MCU is configured for any of sending control signals to, to and collecting information from the corresponding appliance in response to remotely originated control information received via the WAN. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the MCU is configured for macro level collection and compilation of power usage information with regard to the corresponding appliance; and
 wherein the MCU is configured to transmit the collected power monitoring and usage information over the WAN to one or more remotely located, central power usage collection units.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the MST is connected to an associated appliance, wherein the associated appliance is powered by power from the power line under control of the MST, and wherein the MST is configured to collect power usage information for the associated appliance. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the MST is enabled to consolidate the stored power usage information received from the sensor with the power usage information for the associated appliance. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is any of
 a power switch (SW), or   a communication enabled power switch (ETH).   
     
     
         18 . A method, comprising:
 receiving by a system control signals and streaming of audio, video, or graphic information from a wide area network (WAN), wherein the system includes   a digital media processor (MCU),   a communication module,   a communication link the MCU and to the WAN, and   a master switch (MST);   wherein the MST is connected to the WAN through the communication link, wherein the MST is communicatively connected to a power line communication (PLC) local area network (LAN) established on a power line;   wherein the MST is connected to a sensor over the PLC LAN;   wherein the sensor is connected to the power line and to a corresponding appliance, wherein the corresponding appliance is powered by power from the power line under control of the sensor;   wherein the sensor:
 collects power usage information of the corresponding appliance, 
 transmits the collected power usage information to the MST over the PLC LAN, 
 receives a control command over the PLC LAN from the MST; and 
 powers the corresponding appliance in response to the received control commands; 
   wherein the MST stores the collected power usage information received from the sensor;   wherein the MST
 transferring data, control, and streaming video through the communication module; and 
 modulating any of the data, control and streaming video with the communication module for transfer over the PLC LAN to the corresponding appliance connected through the sensor within the PLC LAN; 
   with the communication module,
 receiving inputs that are sent as modulated signals from the corresponding appliance connected to the PLC LAN through the sensor; 
 demodulating the received inputs, and 
 transferring the received inputs to the WAN; 
   with the MST,
 receiving control signals through the WAN, 
 transmitting the control signals to the sensor through the PLC LAN, 
 receiving control responses over the PLC LAN from the sensor, 
 consolidating the collected power usage information, and 
 transferring any of the control responses or the consolidated power usage information to the WAN over the communication link. 
   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the communication link includes any of a cable modem or a video tuner/amplifier. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the system includes a coupler filter, and wherein the method further comprises any of:
 with the coupler filter, preventing unwanted frequencies from being impressed on the communication module from the PLC LAN; or   with the coupler filter, preventing unwanted high frequency noise from being impressed on the PLC LAN from the communication module.   
     
     
         21 . A non-transitory storage medium containing program instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement the method of  claim 18 . 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the MCU monitors and controls power usage of the corresponding appliance. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the MCU collects and compiles information related to the power usage and control and to exchange the information between the WAN and an Internet. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the MCU operates the system as a gateway between the WAN and the PLC LAN. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the MCU controls operation of entertainment devices connected to the PLC LAN. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the MST is connected to an associated appliance, wherein the associated appliance is powered by power from the power line under control of the MST, and wherein the MST is configured to collect power usage information for the associated appliance. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the MST is enabled to consolidate the stored power usage information received from the sensor with the power usage information for the associated appliance. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the sensor is any of
 a power switch (SW), or   a communication enabled power switch (ETH).