Abstract: Low-cost intelligent control and communication devices are arranged to communicate with one another over one or more shared physical media, such as a powerline or a radio frequency band. No network controller is needed, because any device can act as a master, slave, or repeater. Adding more devices makes the system more robust, by virtue of a simple protocol for communication retransmissions and retries.

Abstract: Low-cost intelligent control and communication devices are arranged to communicate with one another over one or more shared physical media, such as a powerline or a radio frequency band. No network controller is needed, because any device can act as a master, slave, or repeater. Adding more devices makes the system more robust, by virtue of a simple protocol for communication retransmissions and retries.

Abstract: Tokenized commands originating in an infrared (IR) remote control are sent over a home automation network using low-cost radio-frequency (RF) and/or powerline (PL) communications to enables operation of distant IR-controllable devices not within view of the IR beam from the remote control, as well as operation of other devices that are not IR-controllable. Using IR or RF, the remote control sends only a few bytes of tokenized information designating the specific function to be controlled. An IR or RF receiver optionally retransmits the tokens over another network, such as the powerline. “IR Blaster” devices receive the tokens via RF or another network, and apply them to an IR engine that generates an IR pulse stream identical to that of the original remote control. Non-IR devices receive the tokens via RF or another network and interpret them as specific control commands.

Abstract: Low-cost intelligent control and communication devices are arranged to communicate with one another over one or more shared physical media, such as a powerline or a radio frequency band. No network controller is needed, because any device can act as a master, slave, or repeater. Adding more devices makes the system more robust, by virtue of a simple protocol for communication retransmissions and retries.