US 8,576,929 B2 · Powerline communication device

Abstract

A Powerline Communications (PLC) device includes a processing module, memory coupled to the processing module, and a PLC interface coupled to the processing module. The PLC device transmits a plurality of PLC queries, two of the plurality of PLC queries complying with differing and incompatible PLC communication standards. It then receives a plurality of responses from a plurality of other PLC devices, two responses received from respective PLC devices complying with two differing and incompatible PLC communication standards. The PLC device then directs each of the two PLC devices to transmit communications of the differing and incompatible PLC communication standards in an attempt to avoid PLC communication conflicts. The PLC device may establish non-PLC communications with a remote communications device. The PLC device may bridge communications between remote PLC devices and between a remote PLC device and a remote non-PLC device.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A Powerline Communications (PLC) device comprising:

a processing module;
memory coupled to the processing module;
a PLC interface coupled to the processing module, wherein the processing module, the PLC interface, and the memory are operable to:
transmit a plurality of PLC queries, two of the plurality of PLC queries complying with differing and incompatible PLC communication standards;
receive a plurality of responses from a plurality of other PLC devices, two responses received from respective PLC devices complying with two differing and incompatible PLC communication standards;
and
direct each of the two PLC devices to transmit communications of the differing and incompatible PLC communication standards in an attempt to avoid PLC communication conflicts.

4 more elements

A Powerline Communications (PLC) device comprising:

a processing module;
memory coupled to the processing module;
a wireless interface coupled to the processing module;
and
a PLC interface coupled to the processing module, wherein the processing module, the PLC interface, and the memory are operable to:
transmit a plurality of PLC queries, two of the plurality of PLC queries complying with differing and incompatible PLC communication standards;
receive a plurality of responses from a plurality of other PLC devices, two responses received from respective PLC devices complying with two differing and incompatible PLC communication standards;
and
direct each of the two PLC devices to transmit communications of the differing and incompatible PLC communication standards in an attempt to avoid PLC communication conflicts.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Powerline communication device

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Powerline communication device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24