초록 ▼

An apparatus includes a demultiplexer/multiplexer and a local area network (LAN) controller that use an installed cable television cable to establish and control a home LAN. One or more channels of the cable are separated and blocked from the cable television signal path. The blocked channels form a

An apparatus includes a demultiplexer/multiplexer and a local area network (LAN) controller that use an installed cable television cable to establish and control a home LAN. One or more channels of the cable are separated and blocked from the cable television signal path. The blocked channels form a signal path between the LAN controller and peripheral devices connected to the home LAN. The LAN controller is programmable to include a set of heuristics and corresponding instructions for monitoring and operating the peripheral devices. The LAN controller monitors the peripheral devices and provides status messages based on states of the peripheral devices. The LAN controller also receives and executes commands to operate the peripheral devices.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for operating a local area network that controls and monitors a plurality of devices, comprising:monitoring a status of at least one of the devices;obtaining at least one instruction;controlling the devices based on the status, the instruction and heuristics retr

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for operating a local area network that controls and monitors a plurality of devices, comprising:monitoring a status of at least one of the devices;obtaining at least one instruction;controlling the devices based on the status, the instruction and heuristics retrieved from a database,comparing the status against the heuristics to detect a difference result; andgenerating at least one of an alert signal to be output through one of the devices and a command signal to one of the devices based on the difference result and the instruction.