Abstract: A system for communicating data over a plurality of telephone lines between a source of information and a plurality of destinations of data, wherein each of the telephone lines connects to a different one of the plurality of destinations and also carries voice signals to and from a plurality of telephone devices.

Abstract: A system that provides video signal communication between a source of video signals and a plurality of units that include destinations of the video signals, the system including an interface coupled to the source and to conductive paths, each of which serves at least one of the units and carries voice signals to and from one or more telephone devices at said unit. The interface receives video signals from the source, and also receives voice signals. The interface transmits voice and video signals onto the conductive path. Receivers at each destination of information connected to the conductive path recover the video signal and apply it to one or more of the destinations at the unit. The receivers also recover the voice signal from the telephone line and apply it to a telephone device. Signals also transmit in the reverse direction, from the units back to the interface and the source of information.

Abstract: A video transmission system for facilitating transmission of video and control signals, particularly infrared remote control signals, between different locations in a residence using existing telephone wiring. Simultaneous transmission of signals of both types over active telephone lines is possible without interference with telephone communications. Transmission succeeds without requiring special treatment of the video signals beyond RF conversion, despite signal attenuation inherent in transmission over the telephone line media. Two or more video sources may be tied into the system, and selected as desired. Remote control signals generated in one room may be utilized without requiring a clear line of sight between the remote control device and the receiver.

Abstract: An interactive system and method for communicating data over a network of twisted pair wiring that is in active use as a conductive path for ordinary telephone signals. Data is encoded redundantly in multiple channels to avoid interference by noise on the telephone network, such as interference from common radio signals. Data is also communicated in the reverse direction using a more general procedure. This reverse channel can be located above the telephone voice band and below the multiple data channels. Data communications are accomplished without interfering with voice communications. The transmitted data may include audio/video signals, and signals from infrared transmitters.

Abstract: A transceiver is operable to connect to a 2-wire conductive path to communicate information in multiple channels to a companion transceiver. Data is encoded redundantly inside the channels, enabling communication to succeed even when one of the channels drops out due to noise. The channels may be selected so that they do not overlap the bands used by common radio sources. The companion transceiver decodes the data using the signals it receives from the multiple bands, and transmits information back to the first transceiver. Transmitted information may include video signals and signals from infrared transmitters.

Abstract: An interactive system and method for communicating data over a network of twisted pair wiring that is in active use as a conductive path for telephone signals. A first channel is used for transmission of data from a signal interface to a transceiver. The data is made available to the signal interface from an external source of information. The transceiver communicates data in the reverse direction of a second channel. The transceiver can sendcontrol signals upstream to indicate which audio/video content is to be sent back. Information communicated in the reverse channel can be received as a light signal, with the light signal recreated at the opposite end of the link.

Abstract: A method and system for communicating between a number of computers within a residence over an active telephone network, and for communicating data between a telephone exchange and the residence in a first data band concurrently with the computers communicating in a second data band over the telephone wiring network within the residence. A modem bridges communication in the first data band and the second data band enabling the computers to communicate with the telephone exchange, which may provide a data path to other computers, for instance over the Internet. In addition, signals such as video signals can be distributed within the residence in an additional high-frequency band making use of common circuitry for both data and video communication.

Abstract: A communication system for passing information between information services and terminal devices over a twisted wire pair network. The information services include a telephone exchange and other services, such as a data network and a television distribution system. The terminal devices include telephones and other devices, such as computers and televisions. The system includes a main information interface coupled to the information services and to the twisted wire pair network, which couples the terminal devices and to the main information interface. The wiring network includes multiple active telephone pairs for passing voice signals between the telephone exchange and telephones.

Abstract: A video transmission system for facilitating transmission of video and control signals, particularly infrared remote control signals, between different locations in a residence using existing telephone wiring. Simultaneous transmission of signals of both types over active telephone lines is possible without interference with telephone communications. Transmission succeeds without requiring special treatement of the video signals beyond RF conversion, despite signal attenuation inherent in transmission over the telephone line media. Two or more video sources may be tied into the system, and selected as desired. Remote control signals generated in one room may be utilized without requiring a clear line of sight between the remote control device and the receiver.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for connecting peripheral devices to personal computers (PCs), and/or enabling communication between one or more peripheral devices and a PC, without requiring manually providing the PC with a communications driver or user-installed software needed to enable the PC to communicate with the peripheral device. The USB, 1394, and/or PCMCIA interfaces (or standards), for example, can be used to enable a peripheral device to communicate with the PC.

Abstract: A peripheral device and a method for operating the peripheral device for automatic installation, in which the method includes coupling the peripheral device to a computer and sending a first device identification from the peripheral device to the computer. The peripheral device emulates a device of a type determined by the first device identification, including transferring a driver from the peripheral device to the computer. Then, the peripheral device sends a second device identification from the peripheral device to the computer, such that the sent device identification is for a device supported by the driver transferred to the computer. The peripheral device then operates by interacting with the driver on the computer.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system and method that allows multiple computers, optionally separated by a distance greater than specified in the IEEE 802.3 standard, to utilize an existing wiring infrastructure to obtain a high speed connection to a network such as the Internet.

Abstract: A peripheral device and a method for operating the peripheral device for automatic installation, in which the method includes coupling the peripheral device to a computer and sending a first device identification from the peripheral device to the computer. The peripheral device emulates a device of a type determined by the first device identification, including transferring a driver from the peripheral device to the computer. Then, the peripheral device sends a second device identification from the peripheral device to the computer, such that the sent device identification is for a device supported by the driver transferred to the computer. The peripheral device is then operates by interacting with the driver on the computer.

Abstract: A system that provides video signal communication between a source of the video signal and a plurality of units that include destinations of the video signal includes an interface coupled to the source and to telephone lines, each of which serves at least one of the units and carries voice signals to and from one or more telephones coupled to the telephone line at said unit. The interface receives the video signal from the source, and transmits the received video signal onto at least one of the telephone lines in a selected frequency range that is different from frequencies at which the voice signals are carried on that telephone line. This causes the video signal to be coupled to a receiver which is connected to the telephone line at the unit served by that line and is adapted to recover the video signal from the telephone line and apply it to one or more of the destinations at the unit. The source is a cable (e.g.

Abstract: A communication system for passing information between information services and terminal devices over a twisted wire pair network. The information services include a telephone exchange and other services, such as a data network and a television distribution system. The terminal devices include telephones and other devices, such as computers and televisions. The system includes a main information interface coupled to the information services and to the twisted wire pair network, which couples the terminal devices and to the main information interface. The wiring network includes multiple active telephone pairs for passing voice signals between the telephone exchange and telephones.

Abstract: A system that provides video signal communication between a source of the video signal and a plurality of units that include destinations of the video signal includes an interface coupled to the source and to telephone lines, each of which serves at least one of the units and carries voice signals to and from one or more telephones coupled to the telephone line at said unit. The interface receives the video signal from the source, and transmits the received video signal onto at least one of the telephone lines in a selected frequency range that is different from frequencies at which the voice signals are carried on that telephone line. This causes the video signal to be coupled to a receiver which is connected to the telephone line at the unit served by that line and is adapted to recover the video signal from the telephone line and apply it to one or more of the destinations at the unit. The source is a cable (e.g.

Abstract: A video transmission system for facilitating transmission of video and control signals, particularly infrared remote control signals, between different locations in a residence using existing telephone wiring. Simultaneous transmission of signals of both types over active telephone lines is possible without interference with telephone communications. Transmission succeeds without requiring special treatement of the video signals beyond RF conversion, despite signal attenuation inherent in transmission over the telephone line media. Two or more video sources may be tied into the system, and selected as desired. Remote control signals generated in one room may be utilized without requiring a clear line of sight between the remote control device and the receiver.

Abstract: A system that provides video signal communication between a source of the video signal and a plurality of units that include destinations of the video signal includes an interface coupled to the source and to telephone lines, each of which serves at least one of the units and carries voice signals to and from one or more telephones coupled to the telephone line at said unit. The interface receives the video signal from the source, and transmits the received video signal onto at least one of the telephone lines in a selected frequency range that is different from frequencies at which the voice signals are carried on that telephone line. This causes the video signal to be coupled to a receiver which is connected to the telephone line at the unit served by that line and is adapted to recover the video signal from the telephone line and apply it to one or more of the destinations at the unit. The source is a cable (e.g.

Abstract: A system that provides video signal communication between a source of the video signal and a plurality of units that include destinations of the video signal includes an interface coupled to the source and to telephone lines, each of which serves at least one of the units and carries voice signals to and from one or more telephones coupled to the telephone line at said unit. The interface receives the video signal from the source, and transmits the received video signal onto at least one of the telephone lines in a selected frequency range that is different from frequencies at which the voice signals are carried on that telephone line. This causes the video signal to be coupled to a receiver which is connected to the telephone line at the unit served by that line and is adapted to recover the video signal from the telephone line and apply it to one or more of the destinations at the unit. The source is a cable (e.g.

Abstract: A video transmission system for facilitating transmission of video and control signals, particularly infrared remote control signals, between different locations in a residence using existing telephone wiring. Simultaneous transmission of signals of both types over active telephone lines is possible without interference with telephone communications. Transmission succeeds without requiring special treatement of the video signals beyond RF conversion, despite signal attenuation inherent in transmission over the telephone line media. Two or more video sources may be tied into the system, and selected as desired. Remote control signals generated in one room may be utilized without requiring a clear line of sight between the remote control device and the receiver.