U.S. patent application number 14/015492 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-02 for wireless network devices configurable via powerline communications networks.
This patent application is currently assigned to BROADCOM CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is BROADCOM CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Jonathan Ephraim David Hurwitz, Josemaria Ogara Fernandez de Arroyabe, Juan Carlos Riveiro Insua, David Ruiz Lopez.
Application Number | 20140003290 14/015492 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42271013 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140003290 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ruiz Lopez; David ; et
al. |
January 2, 2014 |
Wireless Network Devices Configurable via Powerline Communications
Networks
Abstract
A communications device includes a wireless communications
interface, a power line carrier (PLC) communications interface, and
processing circuitry coupled to the wireless communications
interface and to the PLC communications interface. The
communications device sends a request for wireless communications
interface operational parameters via the PLC communications
interface, receives a response via the PLC communications interface
that includes wireless operational parameters, and configures the
wireless communications interface based upon the response. In
another operation, the processing circuitry is operable to listen
for transmissions of at least one Wireless Access Point (WAP) of
the wireless network. When transmissions of the at least one the
WAP of the wireless network meets a sufficiency threshold, receive
data service via the wireless communications interface and when the
transmissions of the at least one the WAP of the wireless network
fail to meet the sufficiency threshold, receive data service via
the PLC communications interface.
Inventors: |
Ruiz Lopez; David;
(Barcelona, ES) ; Ogara Fernandez de Arroyabe;
Josemaria; (Barcelona, ES) ; Riveiro Insua; Juan
Carlos; (Barcelona, ES) ; Hurwitz; Jonathan Ephraim
David; (Edinburgh, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BROADCOM CORPORATION |
Irvine |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
BROADCOM CORPORATION
Irvine
CA
|
Family ID: |
42271013 |
Appl. No.: |
14/015492 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13097978 |
Apr 29, 2011 |
8559349 |
|
|
14015492 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
370/254 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y04S 40/20 20130101;
H04B 3/542 20130101; H04W 84/12 20130101; G07F 15/08 20130101; H04W
12/001 20190101; H04B 3/54 20130101; H04L 41/0803 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/254 |
International
Class: |
H04L 12/24 20060101
H04L012/24; H04B 3/54 20060101 H04B003/54 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 29, 2010 |
GB |
1007146.2 |
Claims
1. A communications device comprising: a wireless communications
interface; a power line carrier (PLC) communications interface;
processing circuitry configured to: send a request for wireless
operational parameters via the PLC communications interface to a
second communications device; receive a response via the PLC
communications interface from the second communications device, the
response including wireless operational parameters; configure the
wireless communications interface with the wireless operational
parameters; and communicate with the second communications device
via one of the wireless communications interface and the PLC
communications interface based upon service quality available via
the PLC communications interface and the wireless communications
interface.
2. The communications device of claim 1, wherein the processing
circuitry is configured to send the request upon one of: power-up;
restart; reset; timer expiration; and user initiation.
3. The communications device of claim 1, wherein the processing
circuitry is further configured to: determine a timeout condition
when the response is not received; and configure the wireless
communications interface with default wireless operational
parameters.
4. The communications device of claim 3, wherein the processing
circuitry is further configured to: receive a request for wireless
operational parameters via the PLC communications interface from
the second communications device; and prepare a response that
includes the default wireless operational parameters; and transmit
the response via the PLC communications interface that includes the
default wireless operational parameters.
5. The communications device of claim 1, wherein the wireless
operational parameters comprise at least one of: an SSID; password
data; identification data; channel selection data; medium select
data; encryption format data; power saving configuration data; VLAN
configuration data; and quality of service control data.
6. The communications device of claim 1, wherein the processing
circuitry is further configured to transmit a system configuration
message to change or reset a network key.
7. The communications device of claim 1, wherein the processing
circuitry is further configured to manage handoff of a serviced
wireless client to the second communications device via
communications via the PLC communications interface.
8. A method for operating a communications device comprising:
sending a request for wireless operational parameters via a PLC
communications interface to a second communications device;
receiving a response via the PLC communications interface from the
second communications device, the response including wireless
operational parameters corresponding to a wireless network;
configuring a wireless communications interface with the wireless
operational parameters; and communicating with the second
communications device via one of the wireless communications
interface and the PLC communications interface based upon service
quality available via the PLC communications interface and the
wireless communications interface.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising sending the request
upon one of: power-up; restart; reset; timer expiration; and user
initiation.
10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: determining a
timeout condition when the response is not received; establishing
default wireless operational parameters upon the timeout condition;
and configuring the wireless communications interface with the
default wireless operational parameters.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: receiving a request
for wireless operational parameters via the PLC communications
interface; and preparing a response that includes the default
wireless operational parameters and transmitting a response via the
PLC communications interface that includes the default wireless
operational parameters.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein the wireless operational
parameters comprise at least one of: an SSID; password data;
identification data; channel selection data; medium select data;
encryption format data; power saving configuration data; VLAN
configuration data; secure channel information; and quality of
service control data.
13. The method of claim 8, further comprising transmitting a system
configuration message to change or reset a network key for a
wireless network.
14. The method of claim 8, further comprising managing handoff of a
serviced wireless client to a second communications device of the
wireless network via communications with the second communications
device via the PLC communications interface.
15. A communications device comprising: a wireless communications
interface; a power line carrier (PLC) communications interface;
processing circuitry configured to: send a request for wireless
operational parameters via the PLC communications interface;
receive a response via the PLC communications interface, the
response including wireless operational parameters; configure the
wireless communications interface with the wireless operational
parameters; listen for transmissions of a Wireless Access Point
(WAP); when transmissions of the WAP meet a service threshold,
receive data service via the wireless communications interface; and
when the transmissions of the WAP fail to meet the service
threshold, receive data service via the PLC communications
interface.
16. The communications device of claim 15, wherein the processing
circuitry is further configured to enable the wireless
communications interface to service data service for at least one
other communications device.
17. The communications device of claim 16, wherein the processing
circuitry is further configured to enable the wireless
communications interface to provide data service as a WAP.
18. The communications device of claim 17, wherein the processing
circuitry is further configured to transmit its wireless
operational parameters to potential client devices.
19. The communications device of claim 15, wherein the processing
circuitry is configured to send the request upon one of: power-up;
restart; reset; timer expiration; and user initiation.
20. The communications device of claim 15, wherein the wireless
operational parameters comprise at least one of: an SSID; password
data; identification data; channel selection data; medium select
data; encryption format data; power saving configuration data; VLAN
configuration data; and quality of service control data.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present U.S. Utility Patent Application claims priority
pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120, as a continuation, of U.S. Utility
application Ser. No. 13/097,978, entitled "Wireless Network Devices
Configurable via Powerline Communications Networks," filed Apr. 29,
2011, co-pending, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(a) to
Great Britain Provisional Application No. 1007146.2, filed Apr. 29,
2010, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety for all purposes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to communications devices and
network devices, and more particularly to communications devices
being programmed for particular network configurations.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0003] It is known to provide for data communications between and
amongst multi-media devices, which are installed, for example, in a
residential or commercial building, by means of a communications
network. The multi-media devices might, for example, be Network
Attached Storage (NAS), a Home Gateway (HGW), a Personal Computer
(PC), and a Set-Top Box (STB). Communication between and amongst
such multi-media devices is by means of a medium interface circuit
at each multi-media devices (or node) with the medium interface
circuits being operative to communicate data from node to node over
an appropriate medium. The medium interface circuit may be
operative to transmit and receive data over one or more of
powerlines, telephone lines and coaxial cables.
[0004] Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) communications are in widespread
use in residential and commercial environments. For example, a WiFi
communications link may be established between a multi-media
network and a laptop. Invariably there is some form of security
built into a WiFi link. For example, in the 802.11 WiFi standard a
particular wireless Local Area Network (LAN) is identified by a
unique Service Set Identifier (SSID) with communication of data
packets between and amongst LAN nodes requiring use of an SSID
unique to the LAN. Furthermore, every LAN node sharing the same
SSID may be configured to require a password for encryption to
thereby secure data integrity and confidentiality from unauthorised
access. It will be appreciated that the security of WiFi links is
important given the greater accessibility to other parties that
WiFi affords compared with more inherently secure copper or fibre
optic links.
[0005] When a WiFi access point or router is being configured in a
network, the normal approach is to connect a computer to the WiFi
access point or router by means of an Ethernet cable and to
configure the WiFi access point or router by way of a web-page
interface or wizard running on the computer. Alternatively and
where wireless communications with the WiFi access point or router
is open, a wireless connection may be established between the
computer and the WiFi access point or router instead of relying on
an Ethernet cable connection. Each further wireless enabled node in
the network may be configured in the same fashion. Alternatively,
each further network node may be configured by downloading
configuration data from a USB device. Another approach that is
employed in a suitably configured network is user actuation of a
pairing push button of each of an already configured node and a
node to be configured to initiate the transfer of the configuration
data to the node to be configured with the process being repeated
for each of the further nodes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0006] Further features and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from the following specific description, which
is given by way of example only and with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a communications network constructed
according one or more embodiments of the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a flow chart representation of steps involved in
configuring the communications network of FIG. 1 according to one
or more embodiments of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a system diagram illustrating a communications
network constructed according one or more embodiments of the
present invention;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating operations of according
to one or more embodiments of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating operations of according
to one or more embodiments of the present invention; and
[0012] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a communications
device constructed according to one or more embodiments of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] According to a first aspect of the present invention
communications devices form a communications network, the
communications devices including a first medium interface circuit
that is 802.11 compliant and which is configured to, in use,
communicate data through air and over a powerline medium and a
second medium interface circuit that is 802.11 compliant and which
is configured to, in use, communicate data through air and over the
powerline medium. The first and second medium interface circuits
are operative to convey configuration data from the first medium
interface circuit to the second medium interface circuit over the
powerline medium in dependence on a configuration of the first
medium interface circuit being changed, the second medium interface
circuit being further operative to change its configuration in
dependence on received configuration data, whereby the first and
second medium interface circuits have a same configuration.
[0014] In use, the configuration, such as in respect of the SSID or
a password, is changed at the first medium interface circuit. For
example, a user may change the configuration by means of one of the
known approaches described above, such as a wizard or web-page
running on a computer that is connected to the first medium
interface circuit by way of an Ethernet cable. When the
configuration is changed, configuration data is conveyed over the
powerline medium to the second medium interface circuit, which is
thereby operative to adapt its configuration to that of the first
medium interface circuit. Hence, the user is no longer required to
carry out repetitive operations to ensure that the changed
configuration data is copied through a network. Furthermore, the
use of the powerline medium for conveying configuration data from
the first medium interface circuit to the second medium interface
circuit avoids the need to use WiFi, i.e. according to a 802.11
compliant approach, which tends to be problematic in view of the
need to have matching SSIDs before communications can take place
between the medium interface circuits or between a WiFi enabled
computer and the second medium interface circuit.
[0015] Alternatively or in addition, the communications devices may
be at least a third medium interface circuit that is 802.11
compliant and which is configured to, in use, communicate data
through air and over the powerline medium. The first medium
interface circuit and the at least third medium interface circuit
may be operative to convey configuration data from the first or
second medium interface circuit to the third medium interface
circuit over the powerline medium in dependence on a configuration
of the first medium interface circuit being changed, the third
medium interface circuit being further operative to change its
configuration in dependence on received configuration data, whereby
the first and third medium interface circuits have a same
configuration. Hence, a change in configuration of the first medium
interface circuit may be copied to a plurality of other medium
interface circuits in a network.
[0016] Alternatively or in addition, the communications devices
may, in use, include a configuration software agent that is
operative to determine whether or not a configuration of the first
medium interface circuit has changed, e.g. whether or not the SSID
has changed. Also, the configuration software agent may be
operative to effect conveyance of the configuration data from the
first medium interface circuit to the second medium interface
circuit. Where the communications devices further include medium
interface circuits, the configuration software agent may be
operative to effect conveyance of the configuration data to the
further medium interface circuits. The configuration software agent
may be operative to determine whether or not a configuration of the
first medium interface circuit has changed on a periodic basis. For
example, the configuration software agent may be operative once a
day on an autonomous basis to determine whether or not the
configuration has changed.
[0017] Operation of the configuration software agent may be
initiated in dependence upon a user operation. The user operation
may be changing a configuration of the first medium interface
circuit. Hence, the configuration software agent may be initiated
in dependence on the configuration of the first medium interface
circuit being changed and may be operative to copy the change in
configuration through the network. Alternatively or in addition,
the user operation may be an operation other than changing a
configuration of the first medium interface circuit. Hence, the
user operation may include actuating a switch, such as a push
button switch, on solely one medium interface circuit, e.g. the
first medium interface circuit. Thus and in contrast to the known
approach there may be no need to actuate a push button on each of
the medium interface circuits to effect copying of changed
configuration data through the network.
[0018] Alternatively or in addition, the configuration data may
include at least one of: an SSID; password data; identification
data; channel selection data; medium select data (e.g. powerline or
air); encryption format data; power saving configuration data; VLAN
configuration data; and quality of service control data.
Alternatively or in addition, the configuration data may be
operative when conveyed through the network to change or reset a
network key of at least one of WiFi communications circuits and
powerline communications circuits of the network.
[0019] Alternatively or in addition, the medium interface nodes may
be further configured to provide for changing configuration data
through the network by at least one of the approaches described
above. For example, each medium interface circuit may include a
push button switch and configuration data may be copied from one
medium interface circuit to another by pressing their respective
push buttons.
[0020] Alternatively or in addition, the communications devices may
include a third medium interface circuit that is configured to
communicate over a powerline medium, 802.11, and/or compliant and
configured to communicate through air. The third medium interface
circuit may be configured to communicate over a powerline medium
and may be operative to convey configuration data from one of the
first and second medium interface circuits to the third medium
interface circuit over the powerline medium.
[0021] Alternatively or in addition, the first medium interface
circuit may be operative to receive configuration data, such as a
changed SSID or password, in dependence on a user action. Hence and
according to an aspect of the present invention, there may be
provided a communications network comprising communications devices
according to the first aspect of the present invention and user
operable devices that is operable to form configuration data in
dependence on a user action and to convey the configuration data
over the air to the first medium interface circuit. The user
operable devices may, for example, be a WiFi enabled Personal
Computer (PC), such as a laptop. The user operable devices may be
operative to configure the first medium interface circuit in
accordance with a known approach, e.g. one of the known approaches
described above, such as by means of a web-page.
[0022] The communications network may be a multi-media network,
e.g. installed or for installation in a residential or commercial
building. The communications network may include at least one
operative device, e.g. such that there is an operative device at
each node. The operative devices may be heterogeneous devices. The
devices may be heterogeneous as regards their configuration for
different applications, e.g. one operative device may be a media
player and another operative device may be a storage device.
Alternatively or in addition, the operative devices may be for
substantially a same application, e.g. media playing, but be
heterogeneous as regards their different hardware or firmware
configurations, e.g. a general purpose device, such as a PC,
configured to play video and a dedicated video player. The
operative devices may include at least one multi-media device, such
as Network Attached Storage (NAS), a Home Gateway (HGW), a Personal
Computer (PC), and a Set-Top Box (STB).
[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method of changing a configuration of at least a
second of a plurality of medium interface circuits in a
communications network, each of the plurality of medium interface
circuits being 802.11 compliant and being configured to, in use,
communicate data through air and over a powerline medium. The
method includes changing a configuration of a first medium
interface circuit, conveying configuration data from the first
medium interface circuit to a second medium interface circuit over
the powerline medium in dependence on a configuration of the first
medium interface circuit being changed, and changing a
configuration of the second medium interface circuit in dependence
on the received configuration data, whereby the first and second
medium interface circuits have a same configuration.
[0024] FIG. 1 shows a multi-media communications network 10
installed in a residential building. The network 10 includes first
12, second 14, third 16 and fourth 18 communications devices. Each
of the first to fourth communications devices 12, 14, 16, 18
includes a powerline medium interface circuit 20 that is operative
to provide for communication of media and associated control and
configuration data over a powerline medium 22. The powerline medium
interface circuit 20 is of known form and function. Thus, the
powerline medium 22 provides for communication between and amongst
the communication devices. Each of the first, second and fourth
communications devices 12, 14, 18 includes a WiFi medium interface
circuit 24. The WiFi medium interface circuit 24 is of known form
and function in accordance with one of several WiFi standards, such
as that described at
http://standards.ieee.org/getieee802/download/802.11-2007.pdf. The
WiFi medium interface circuits 24 provide for WiFi communications
between and amongst the first, second and fourth communications
devices 12, 14, 18. The network 10 of FIG. 1 also includes a WiFi
enabled laptop 26, which is operative to provide for WiFi
communication between the laptop and the first, second and fourth
communications devices 12, 14, 18. As can be seen from FIG. 1,
there is a communications link 28 between the powerline medium
interface circuit 20 and the WiFi medium interface circuit 24 in
each of the first, second and fourth communications devices 12, 14,
18. The communications link 28 represents means of communicating
data between the WiFi and powerline circuits of each communications
devices. The means whereby data is communicated between the WiFi
and powerline circuits is known and the design of software to
effect such communication is within the ordinary design
capabilities of the person of ordinary skill in the art.
[0025] The changing of a configuration of the network 10 shown in
FIG. 1 will now be described with reference to the operations 40 of
the flow chart shown in FIG. 2. The first step involves changing a
configuration of the WiFi medium interface circuit 24 of the first
communications devices 12 by means of the laptop 26, 42. This step
is in accordance with the known approaches described above of
establishing a WiFi link between the laptop 26 and the first
communications devices 12 where the WiFi link is open or connecting
the laptop 26 to the first communications devices 12 using a direct
Ethernet cable 30 and using a wizard or a web-page interface to
effect the change in configuration. An example of a configuration
change is in respect of the SSID. Other configuration changes might
relate to features of operation of the first communications devices
12 in general and not solely the WiFi medium interface circuit,
such as WiFi channel select data, encryption format data, power
saving data, VLAN configuration data, quality of service data,
password, etc. VLAN is a standard field in the Ethernet packet used
in accordance with IEE 802.1Q. Details for IEE 802.1Q can be found
at
http://standards.ieee.org/getieee802/download/802.1Q-2005.pdf.
[0026] The next step involves detecting the change in configuration
of the first communications devices 12, 44. In one form, a
configuration software agent, which is resident in at least one the
communications devices, periodically checks the configuration data
of the first communications devices and if a change is detected the
software agent initiates the copying of the changed data from the
first communications devices to other communications devices in the
network as appropriate depending on the type of configuration data
changed. In another form, a configuration software agent is spawned
by the user gaining access to the first communications devices 12
and is operative to detect a change in configuration data and
initiate the copying 46 of the changed data from the first
communications devices to other communications devices in the
network. In yet another form, operation of a configuration software
agent is initiated by actuating a push button on the first
communications devices 12 or on any one of the other communications
devices 14, 16, 18. Similarly the configuration software agent is
operative to detect a change in configuration data and initiate the
copying 46 of the changed data from the first communications
devices to other communications devices in the network. In all
forms, the configuration data is copied on an autonomous basis over
the powerline medium 22 to each of the other communications devices
46. Hence, there may be no need to carry out the known, repetitive
operations that are required to copy changed configuration data
from one communications devices to the other communications devices
in a network. The identities of the communications devices
receiving and acting upon changed data will depend on the nature of
the changed configuration data. For example, in the present example
if the SSID is changed the changed SSID is copied to and acted upon
by the second and fourth communications devices 14, 18, there being
no need for a change in SSID of the third communications devices in
view of it being configured for powerline communications only. A
further example is a change in Quality of Service (QoS) rules for
powerline and/or WiFi communications in the network. In this case,
the change in QoS rules is copied to the second, third and fourth
communications devices 14, 16, 18 because all the communications
devices are configured for communication over the powerline medium
22.
[0027] When the changed configuration data is received at each of
the appropriate communications devices, the receiving
communications devices is operative to change its configuration
data such that it is the same as the changed configuration data of
the first communications devices 48. For example and according to
the change in SSID example provided above, each of the second and
fourth communications devices 14, 18 is operative to change its
SSID to the SSID received over the powerline medium from the first
communications devices 12. For example and according to the change
in QoS rules example provided above, each of the second, third and
fourth communications devices 14, 16, 18 is operative to change its
QoS rules to the changed QoS rules received over the powerline
medium from the first communications devices 12. Each of the
communications devices includes a push button and is configured
such that configuration data may be copied according to the known,
push button approach described above instead of by the method
described above with reference to FIG. 2.
[0028] Subsequent configuration changes to the first 12 or indeed
to any one of the other communications devices 14, 16, 18 are
detected and copied to the other communications devices in
accordance with the method described above. The design of the
configuration software agent and other software required to
implement the above described method is within the ordinary design
capabilities of the person skilled in the art.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a system diagram illustrating a communications
network 300 constructed according one or more embodiments of the
present invention. The communications network 300 includes
Powerline Carrier (PLC) networks 302 and 304, which couple to the
Internet 306 via gateways 326 and 324. The communication link
between the Internet 306 and the PLC networks 302 and 304 may be
wired such as via cable modem plant, optical plant, Ethernet plant,
etc. with requisite service provider links or via one or more
wireless links such as a satellite network link, a Wireless Wide
Area Network (WWAN) link, point top point wireless link, or another
type of wireless link. In any case, the gateways 324 and/or 326
provide data service accessible to the PLC networks 302 and 304. In
another embodiment, the PLC networks 302 and/or 304 do not have
data service provided thereto by the gateways 324 and/or 326 but
have data service provided thereto by one or more of the
combination PLC/wireless devices, referred to herein further as
communication devices.
[0030] Communication devices 308, 310, 312, 314, 320, and 322
constructed and operating according to the present invention each
include a wireless communications interface, a PLC communications
interface, processing circuitry, and other components, some of
which are further described herein with reference to FIG. 6. Each
of these communication devices 308, 310, 312, 314, 320, and 322
couples to one or more respective PLC networks, e.g., 302 and/or
304. Each of these communication devices 308, 310, 312, 314, 320,
and 322 is capable of communicating according to one or more
wireless communication interface protocols, e.g., 802.11,
Bluetooth, Cellular, 60 GHz, etc. as well as communicating
according to one or more PLC communication protocols.
[0031] The communication devices 308, 310, 312, 314, 320, and 322
may be personal computers, tablet computers, data terminals,
cellular telephones, Wireless Access Points (WAPs), or another of
the types of devices described herein. One or more of these devices
may provide wireless service to wireless devices 316, 318, and 324,
which may be gaming devices, wireless terminals, cellular
telephones, WiFi phones, etc.
[0032] According to one aspect of the present invention, a
communications device, e.g., device 310 is operable to send a
request for wireless communications interface operational
parameters via its PLC communications interface. The device 310 is
then operable to receive a response via the PLC communications
interface, the response including wireless communications interface
operational parameters corresponding to a wireless network.
Finally, the device 310 is operable to configure its wireless
communications interface based upon response. Any of the various
particular operations described herein may be employed by this
device 310 in its operations.
[0033] The communications device 310 may send the request upon one
or more of power-up, restart, reset, upon the expiration of a
timer, and/or upon user initiation. The communications device 310
may further be operable to determine a timeout condition when the
response is not received, establish default wireless operational
parameters upon the timeout condition, and configure the wireless
communications interface with the default operational parameters.
In such case, the communications device 310 will not receive
wireless network details via the PLC interface but may propagate
such network details to other communications devices later via the
PLC interface. In such case, the communications device is further
operable to receive a request for wireless communications interface
operational parameters via the PLC communications interface, to
prepare a response that includes the default wireless operational
parameters, and to transmit a response via the PLC communications
interface that includes the default operational parameters.
[0034] The wireless operational parameters may include one or more
of an SSID, password data, identification data, channel selection
data, medium select data, encryption format data, power saving
configuration data, VLAN configuration data, and quality of service
control data. In still further operations, the communications
device 310 may be further operable to transmit a system
configuration message to change or reset a network key for the
wireless network. Moreover, the communications device may be
further operable to manage handoff of a serviced wireless client to
a second communications device of the wireless network via
communications with the second communications device via the PLC
communications interface.
[0035] In still another operation according to the present
invention, a communications device, e.g., device 320, is operable
to send a request for wireless communications interface operational
parameters via the PLC communications interface. In response
thereto, the device 320 is operable to receive a response via the
PLC communications interface, the response including wireless
communications interface operational parameters corresponding to a
wireless network. The device 320 is the operable to listen for
transmissions of at least one WAP of the wireless network, e.g.,
WAP 322. When transmissions of the at least one the WAP of the
wireless network meets a sufficiency threshold, the communications
device 320 receives data service via the wireless communications
interface. However, when the transmissions of the at least one the
WAP of the wireless network fails to meet the sufficiency
threshold, the communications device receives data service via the
PLC communications interface.
[0036] In one particular operation, the communications device 320
is further operable to enable the wireless communications interface
to service data service for at least one other communications
device, e.g., communications device 324. In providing such service,
the communications device 320 may be further operable to enable the
wireless communications interface to provide data service as a WAP
of the wireless network. In such case, the communications device
may be further operable to transmit its wireless communications
interface operational parameters to potential client devices.
[0037] The PLC N/Ws 302 and 304 may service different dwellings in
a multi-unit dwelling complex. Alternately, the PLC N/Ws 302 and
304 may service different homes that are adjacent or otherwise
proximate to one another. In such case, privacy of communications
is desirable. In such case, the communications device 320 or 314,
for example, is further operable to coordinate transmit power of
the wireless communications interface with transmit power of other
communications devices of the wireless network via power level
coordination communication messages transmitted and received via
the PLC communications interface. In such case, coverage within a
dwelling is provided but transmit power is limited so as not to
transmit communications beyond a desired range.
[0038] Further, operations according to the present invention
support efficient traffic routing of communications of traffic
within a premises that a serviced device, e.g., 316, frequents. In
such case, routing tables may be distributed via the PLC N/Ws 302
and 304 so that traffic may be efficient routed to the serviced
device that moves about the premises but that typically stays in
range of the WAPs 308, 310, 312 and 314 of the serviced WLAN.
[0039] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating operations of according
to one or more embodiments of the present invention. The operations
400 of FIG. 4 commence with a communications device sending a
request for wireless communications interface operational
parameters via the PLC communications interface (Step 402). The
communications device then receives a response via the PLC
communications interface, the response including wireless
communications interface operational parameters corresponding to a
wireless network (Step 404). Then communications device then
configures its wireless communications interface based upon
response (Step 406). The communications device may then service
data communications via its wireless interface using the
configurations made (Step 408). In doing so, the communications
device may service not only its own communications needs but also
the communications needs of serviced client devices (Step 410). The
various alternate operations of the communications device that were
previously described may also be implemented with the operations
400 of FIG. 4.
[0040] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating operations of according
to one or more embodiments of the present invention. The operations
500 of FIG. 5 commence with a communications device sending a
request for wireless communications interface operational
parameters via the PLC communications interface (Step 502).
Operations continue with the communications device receiving a
response via the PLC communications interface, the response
including wireless communications interface operational parameters
corresponding to a wireless network (Step 504). The communications
device then listens for transmissions of at least one Wireless
Access Point (WAP) of the wireless network (Step 506). When
transmissions of the at least one the WAP of the wireless network
meets a sufficiency threshold, the communications device receives
data service via the wireless communications interface (Step 508).
However, when the transmissions of the at least one the WAP of the
wireless network fail to meet the sufficiency threshold, the
communications device receives data service via the PLC
communications interface (Step 510). In accomplishing these
operations, the communications device may provide service data
service for at least one other communications device (Step
512).
[0041] In accomplishing the operations 500 of FIG. 5, the
communications device may provide data service as a WAP of the
wireless network. In doing so, the communications device may
transmit its wireless communications interface operational
parameters to potential client devices. Further, the communications
device may coordinate transmit power of the wireless communications
interface with transmit power of other communications devices of
the wireless network via power level coordination communication
messages transmitted and received via the PLC communications
interface.
[0042] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a communications
device constructed according to one or more embodiments of the
present invention. The communications device 600 includes one or
more wireless communications interfaces 602, a PLC communications
interface 604, processing circuitry, memory 608 and a user
interface 610. The wireless communications interfaces 602 may
support WiFi (802.11) WLAN standards, one or more cellular
communications standards, the Bluetooth standard, one or more 60
GHz communication standards, one or more infrared standards, and
may support other wireless communications as well. The PLC
communications interface 604 supports at least PLC communication
standard. The processing circuitry 606 may be one or more system
processors, digital signal processors, one or more application
specific integrated circuits, custom logic, a programmable gate
array, or another type of digital or combination digital/analog
circuit that is capable of executing software instructions and
processing data.
[0043] The memory 608 may be one more of RAM, ROM, flash memory,
optical memory, magnetic memory, or another type of memory that is
capable of storing software instructions and data. The memory 608
stores various software instructions and data, including device
configuration software 612, WAP service software 614, network
configuration software 616, and also other software instructions
for operating the communications device 600. The communications
device 600 also includes a user interface that may include a
keyboard, mouse, a display, a touch pad, one or more buttons,
speakers, a microphone, and/or other components that allows as user
to interface with the communications device to accomplish the
operations of the present invention and other operations.
[0044] The terms "circuit" and "circuitry" as used herein may refer
to an independent circuit or to a portion of a multifunctional
circuit that performs multiple underlying functions. For example,
depending on the embodiment, processing circuitry may be
implemented as a single chip processor or as a plurality of
processing chips. Likewise, a first circuit and a second circuit
may be combined in one embodiment into a single circuit or, in
another embodiment, operate independently perhaps in separate
chips. The term "chip," as used herein, refers to an integrated
circuit. Circuits and circuitry may comprise general or specific
purpose hardware, or may comprise such hardware and associated
software such as firmware or object code.
[0045] The present invention has also been described above with the
aid of method steps illustrating the performance of specified
functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of
these functional building blocks and method steps have been
arbitrarily defined herein for convenience of description.
Alternate boundaries and sequences can be defined so long as the
specified functions and relationships are appropriately performed.
Any such alternate boundaries or sequences are thus within the
scope and spirit of the claimed invention.
[0046] The present invention has been described above with the aid
of functional building blocks illustrating the performance of
certain significant functions. The boundaries of these functional
building blocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of
description. Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the
certain significant functions are appropriately performed.
Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also have been arbitrarily
defined herein to illustrate certain significant functionality. To
the extent used, the flow diagram block boundaries and sequence
could have been defined otherwise and still perform the certain
significant functionality. Such alternate definitions of both
functional building blocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences
are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. One
of average skill in the art will also recognize that the functional
building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules and
components herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discrete
components, application specific integrated circuits, processors
executing appropriate software and the like or any combination
thereof.
[0047] As may be used herein, the terms "substantially" and
"approximately" provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its
corresponding term and/or relativity between items. Such an
industry-accepted tolerance ranges from less than one percent to
fifty percent and corresponds to, but is not limited to, component
values, integrated circuit process variations, temperature
variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermal noise. Such
relativity between items ranges from a difference of a few percent
to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, the term(s)
"coupled to" and/or "coupling" and/or includes direct coupling
between items and/or indirect coupling between items via an
intervening item (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, a
component, an element, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for
indirect coupling, the intervening item does not modify the
information of a signal but may adjust its current level, voltage
level, and/or power level. As may further be used herein, inferred
coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another element by
inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two items
in the same manner as "coupled to." As may even further be used
herein, the term "operable to" indicates that an item includes one
or more of power connections, input(s), output(s), etc., to perform
one or more its corresponding functions and may further include
inferred coupling to one or more other items. As may still further
be used herein, the term "associated with," includes direct and/or
indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item being embedded
within another item. As may be used herein, the term "compares
favorably," indicates that a comparison between two or more items,
signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when
the desired relationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude
than signal 2, a favorable comparison may be achieved when the
magnitude of signal 1 is greater than that of signal 2 or when the
magnitude of signal 2 is less than that of signal 1.
[0048] The present invention has also been described above with the
aid of method steps illustrating the performance of specified
functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of
these functional building blocks and method steps have been
arbitrarily defined herein for convenience of description.
Alternate boundaries and sequences can be defined so long as the
specified functions and relationships are appropriately performed.
Any such alternate boundaries or sequences are thus within the
scope and spirit of the claimed invention.
[0049] Moreover, although described in detail for purposes of
clarity and understanding by way of the aforementioned embodiments,
the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. It will
be obvious to one of average skill in the art that various changes
and modifications may be practiced within the spirit and scope of
the invention, as limited only by the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *
References