Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method of operating an arc fault detection system, an arc fault detection system, and a system. An embodiment is a method of operating an arc fault detection system coupled to a power line, the method including determining one or more arc fault detection windows in power line signals on the power line, the power line signals comprising a communication signal and an alternating current (AC) power signal. The method further includes receiving the power line signals from the power line during the one or more arc fault detection windows, and performing arc fault detection processing on the received power line signals.

Abstract: In a typical powerline communications environment, all electrical outlets and branches are connected to a load center. In this type of electrical system, all communication devices will share the same frequency spectrum, limiting the maximum bandwidth of the network, where all nodes are in contention with each other. In the inventive system, the electrical load center would provide filtering to isolate all branches off the load center into different network segments all capable of carrying the maximum bandwidth allowed by the physical layer technology. The advantages of the method described by this invention will be most noticeable when high bandwidth devices are communicating with each other on the same electrical segment, for example a HDTV receiver communicating with a HDTV monitor in the same room.

Abstract: The invention presents a novel method to channel estimation in OFDM systems. The embodiment of this invention is a block of new logic and modifications performed to other components of the system, added to any existing OFDM receiver, which utilizes information available from other blocks as found in the receiver. This logic would improve the units' error rate because of the improved channel quality estimations it makes available. This improvement is made possible because both channel noise data and channel signal data are used in the estimation process. This data goes through a learning process over time and multiple data blocks for further improvements in the quality of the estimate. This improvement is possible without any direct communications with other remote units, but it could be used in a multi-node environment to improve the performance of the system as the whole.

Abstract: The trend toward moving to digital content is progressing and expanding every day. With that trend comes the availability of a multitude of content from many content sources. There is a need for this content to be distributed to multiple destinations, and there is a further need to have the content synchronized among those multiple destinations. Embodiments described herein detail a method of synchronizing this content in an asynchronous environment, such as a powerline network, including using a PHY timing flag that is used to compensate for PHY-to-channel-to-PHY delays.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a node coupled to a power network and a communications link includes receiving a status from a further node coupled to the power network via the communications link, and adjusting a power consumption of a device coupled to the node and powered by the power network based on the status message and based on a first rule set.

Abstract: Communication systems that use different physical layer (PHY) protocols can coexist on a communication medium (e.g., a powerline medium) by using an Inter-PHY Protocol (IPP). The different protocols may use different signal modulation schemes but still may have some features in common. The IPP includes a resource sharing mechanism that regulates access to the communication medium by devices functioning as communication devices (for example, devices communicating over a power line). A subset of devices that communicate among each other form a logical network that shares the medium with other logical networks that use either the same PHY protocol or a different PHY protocol.

Abstract: An intelligent audio speaker that uses a power line communication element to provide audio distribution within homes, businesses, apartment complexes, and other buildings. Multiple intelligent audio speakers may be networked together, with common control. The intelligent audio speaker may, in some embodiments of the present invention, contain enhanced ambient backlight effects to further enhance the listener's experience. In some embodiments of the present invention, an existing audio speaker is retrofitted to an intelligent audio speaker using a retrofit kit.

Abstract: The trend toward moving to digital content is progressing and expanding every day. With that trend comes the availability of a multitude of content from many content sources. There is a need for this content to be distributed to multiple destinations, and there is a further need to have the content synchronized among those multiple destinations. Embodiments described herein detail a method of synchronizing this content in an asynchronous environment, such as a powerline network, including using a PHY timing flag that is used to compensate for PHY-to-channel-to-PHY delays.

Abstract: A power line communications PLC transmitter and receiver device includes a physical communications protocol layer that provides for dynamic selection of a communications signal transmission operating mode from a plurality of such modes, where each has a corresponding transmission data structure that is based on characteristics of the electric power distribution network to which the PLC device is to be coupled and also the communications protocol profile requirements for the network.

Abstract: An integrated network adapter is operable to establish a network interface with a plurality of media types, including at least a power line network and a telephone line network, based on pre-configuration, upon initialization and dynamically during operation. The adapter further is operable to establish network interfaces simultaneously or separately with a plurality of media types and provide that a communications event can occur simultaneously or separately over a plurality of media types.

Abstract: A system for using Powerline Communications (PLC) as a means to solve various flat wire limitations. The PLC modem connects to the electrical power line and can communicate with devices on the powerline network. The PLC data is then coupled to the flat wire, which conducts the data to the end device. Encoding/decoding of the PLC data can be done either at the electrical power interface or at the device end of the flat wire.

Abstract: A power outlet adaptor device having a housing, at least one multimedia, networking and/or communications component, and an electrical socket box including at least one electrical socket is provided. The multimedia, networking, and/or communications component is secured within the housing and provides multimedia, networking and/or communications capabilities. The electrical socket accommodates an electrical device plug. The housing fits around the electrical socket box. The electrical socket box electrically couples to the multimedia, networking, and/or communications component.

Abstract: A system and method of delivering synchronized audio and audio/video signals in the form of analog signals and streamed data over networks such a hybrid power line communications network is described. Signal magnitude matching by monitoring directly feed audio outputs is also provided.

Abstract: Powerline networks are inherently noisy and subject to power surges, spikes, and other events. Devices exist to combat these issues and protect electrical appliances that are connected downstream from the power sources for theses devices, but these devices usually also severely limit data communication that may also be desired on this network. This invention provides an intelligent, self-aware powerline conditioning and communication node that allows for, or even improves, data communication on the network, and still provides for noise reduction, line filtering, and surge protection for downstream electrical appliances.

Abstract: A method is described for communicating among multiple devices over a shared communication medium. The method includes, in a schedule among multiple subsets of the devices that includes at least one respective time slot for each subset, transmitting from at least one of the devices in a given subset a presence signal associated with the given subset within a time slot for the given subset. A presence signal associated with a given subset is configured to indicate the presence of at least one device in the given subset. The method also includes communicating among devices in a given subset based on presence signals detected from one or more devices in at least one different subset.

Abstract: When an audio distribution system is installed, it is normally required to install wiring between the audio source or sources, and all of the speakers that are installed throughout a building or structure. The installation of this wiring is normally time consuming and difficult, and can be a large cost component of the system installation. Therefore, there is a need for an audio distribution system that makes use of, and takes a benefit from, already installed electrical power wiring, or allows a lesser number of wires to be run where new installations are necessary, through the means of upgrading the system to provide uninterrupted power to the powered speakers while maintaining the ability to control lighting fixtures powered through the same wiring infrastructure.

Abstract: An integrated network adapter is operable to establish a network interface with a plurality of media types, including at least a power line network and a telephone line network, based on pre-configuration, upon initialization and dynamically during operation. The adapter further is operable to establish network interfaces simultaneously or separately with a plurality of media types and provide that a communications event can occur simultaneously or separately over a plurality of media types.

Abstract: A provisioning device is provided that communicates over a trusted out-of-band communications channel to digital electronic devices in order to exchange security data such as passwords and private or public keys, thereby establishing a secure communications network between the devices.

Abstract: An integrated network adapter is operable to establish a network interface with a plurality of media types, including at least a power line network and a telephone line network, based on pre-configuration, upon initialization and dynamically during operation. The adapter further is operable to establish network interfaces simultaneously or separately with a plurality of media types and provide that a communications event can occur simultaneously or separately over a plurality of media types.

Abstract: The invention presents a novel method to channel estimation in OFDM systems. The embodiment of this invention is a block of new logic and modifications performed to other components of the system, added to any existing OFDM receiver, which utilizes information available from other blocks as found in the receiver. This logic would improve the units' error rate because of the improved channel quality estimations it makes available. This improvement is made possible because both channel noise data and channel signal data are used in the estimation process. This data goes through a learning process over time and multiple data blocks for further improvements in the quality of the estimate. This improvement is possible without any direct communications with other remote units, but it could be used in a multi-node environment to improve the performance of the system as the whole.