WO2011021927A1

WO2011021927A1 - System and method for communication between an electronic device and a computer

Info

Publication number: WO2011021927A1
Application number: PCT/NL2009/050507
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dirk Frans Hermanus De Vaal
Original assignee: Alltrifix B.V.
Priority date: 2009-08-21
Filing date: 2009-08-21
Publication date: 2011-02-24

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for communication between an electronic device and at least one remote computer. The remote computer is connected to a local area data network enabling e.g. communication to an external network. The system comprises a device power line communication adaptor for communicating over the domestic power line architecture that can be connected to the electronic device and a data network power line communication adaptor configured to be plugged into a socket of the domestic power line architecture and to be connected to the local area data network. The device power line communication adaptor is configured to enable communication via the domestic power line architecture between the device power line communication adaptor and the data network power line communication adaptor and wherein the data network power line communication adaptor is configured to enable communication via the local area data network between the data network power line communication adaptor and the at least one remote computer. The combination of the two adaptors allows taking over a computer in a household using the present infrastructure.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND A COMPUTER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to adaptors, set-top boxes, systems comprising adaptors and/or set-top boxes and in particular comprising a local area data network. The invention also relates to systems comprising a power line architecture. Further the invention relates to a configuration program. The invention also relates to a method of operating a local area data network, a adaptor and a computer. The invention also relates to a kit of at least two adaptors.

STATE OF THE ART

Power lines are available in most buildings, such as houses, offices, factories etc. Buildings usually comprise a power line network providing electrical power to sockets in the different rooms of such buildings.

It is known in the prior art that the power line architecture in a building may also be used as a computer network architecture allowing two or more computers in the building to form a computer network. The computers may be connected to the power line architecture using power line communication adaptors. The power line

communication adaptors are arranged to be plugged into a socket and comprise an input-output device for receiving and transmitting data. The power line communication adaptor is arranged to receive a network signal from a first computer and transmit the network signal via the power line architecture to a second power line communication adaptor plugged into a second socket. This second power line communication adaptor is arranged to receive the network signal and transmit the network signal to a second computer, connected to the second power line communication adaptor. Accordingly, network signals may be transmitted from the second to the first computer.

Power line communication adaptors are known to allow using the power line architecture provided in a building to be used as a computer network. The control of the network communication between the different computers is managed in a traditional way, such as using a master-slave network architecture using a peer-to-peer

architecture for data transmission. However, when a user wants access to files stored at the first computer at a first position within the building from a second position within the building remote from the first position, the prior art requires the user to have a second computer available at the second position to set up a network connection with the first computer.

EP 2 081 301 Al discloses power line communication method wherein use is made of adaptors that can be plugged into the socket of the power line architecture present in a building in order to provide for communication between a computer located remote from a further device. The power line communication adaptors are provided for transmission of media data and control data from the computer to the further device, for instance a television, a speaker (comprising an amplifier), a speaker set (e.g. HIFI set), a keyboard. The media data may involve, for instance, a video signal and/or an audio (sound) signal.

A disadvantage of the known power line communication method is that an adaptor is needed to be able to send the media data from the remote computer to the further device. This means that the computer, which may already be present in the building and even be pre-installed at the remote location in the building, is using a first socket to provide a power supply to the computer and a second socket to which the power line communication adaptor is to be connected. This second socket is not always present at the remote location.

A further disadvantage is that in many places, homes, local area data networks are already available. Users may not wish to replace the already present infrastructure.

Furthermore, typically multple computers are present on these local area data networks, which may all have media data.

A still further disadvantage is that when the local are network is a wireless network and the remote computer is a laptop or similar mobile device, the computer cannot be used as a mobile device since it should stay connected to the above- mentioned socket of the power line architecture.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system, adaptor and/or method wherein at least some of the above mentioned or other drawbacks of the prior art have been removed or at least reduced.

It is a further object to provide power line communication adaptors that provide a user with easy remote access to a number of computers.

According to an aspect of the present invention at least one of the objects is achieved in a system for communication between at least one electronic device and at least one remote computer, the remote computer being connected to a local area data network for enabling data communication between the remote computer and an external network, for instance the internet, the system comprising:

- a device power line communication adaptor configured to be plugged into a socket of a domestic power line architecture and to be connected to the at least one electronic device,

- a data network power line communication adaptor configured to be plugged into a socket of the domestic power line architecture and to be connected to the local area data network;

wherein the device power line communication adaptor is configured to enable communication via the domestic power line architecture between the device power line communication adaptor and the data network power line communication adaptor and wherein the data network power line communication adaptor is configured to enable communication via the local area data network between the data network power line communication adaptor and the at least one remote computer,

wherein the device power line communication adaptor comprises a processing unit, a power line interface and a peripheral interface and wherein the processing unit is configured to receive media data from the data network power line communication adaptor via the power line interface, process the received media data into at least one media signal and transmit the at least one media signal to the at least one electronic device via the peripheral interface; and configured to receive at least one control signal via the peripheral interface, process the received control signal into control data and transmit the processed control data to the data network power line communication adaptor via the power line interface; and

wherein the data network power line communication adaptor comprises a processing unit, a power line interface and a data network interface, wherein the processing unit is configured to receive media data from the remote computer via the local area data network interface, process the received media data and transmit the processed media data to the device power line communication adaptor via the power line interface; and configured to receive control data from the power line interface and transmit the control data to the remote computer via the data network interface. Accordingly a system is provided that can function as a extension of an already present local area data network allowing the desired functionality of accessing a remote computer and using the computer as a source for display data.

In a preferred embodiment the peripheral interface further comprises a control input element for receiving a control input, for instance a signal from a remote control apparatus. The control signal representative of the control input is then transmitted to the processing unit. The processing unit may transmit a control signal to the remote computer to fetch data (i.e. a media signal) from the computer. After having received the control signal the computer may forward the requested media signal to the processing unit, which processes the media signal (for instance converts it into a different signal format) and sends the processed media signal to the device.

The control input received by the peripheral interface may be generated by a control device that can be connected (using a wired or wireless connection) to the control input element. In embodiments of the present invention the control device is a keyboard, mouse, joystick and/or game controller. This allows the user to use and control the device power line communication adaptor.

In an embodiment of the invention the processing unit of the device power line communication adaptor is configured to convert a received media signal having a first data format into a media signal having a second, different format that is suitable to be handled by the device and transmit the second format media signal to the device. The device power line communication adaptor may comprise a codec for decoding media signals received by the adaptor into media signals having a different format that is suitable for handling by the device. In case the device is a television display, the codec is able to convert media signal of any of a plurality of different media signal formats into a suitable media signal format that can be handled by the television display. The codec may be at least one of an MPEGl, MPEG2, MPEG3, MPEG4, Divx, XVID, WM V9, VOB and/or similar codec for video signals and/or a codec for audio signals.

In an embodiment the device power line communication adaptor comprises a memory unit configured to temporarily buffer media data received by the power line interface. For instance, a media file (or a part of the media file) containing media data such as video- and/or audio data, may be buffered in the memory unit. Only when the (part of the) media file is stored in the memory unit, the processing unit may start to process the media data in the media file and forward a media signal to the electronic device connected to the peripheral interface.

In another embodiment of the present invention the peripheral interface alternatively or additionally comprises a media signal input element for receiving a media signal from an external storage device, for instance a USB device. This enables media data to be directly received by the processing unit of the device power line communication adaptor. This processing unit is able to convert the media data (media signal) into a data format that is suitable to be handled by the device (for instance a television screen). The converted format media signal is then forwarded to the device. In accordance to an aspect of the invention a media signal input element is treated as a similar source of data as a remote computer accessed via the network.

As mentioned above the dispay may be (but is not limited to) a television (herin also referred to as a television screen, device or display). In case the device comprises a television, the processing unit of the device power line communication adaptor may be configured to de-overscan a received video signal to change the resolution to the resolution of the display device. In this way the resolution of the signal originating from the remote computer may adapted to the resolution on the television screen.

In embodiments of the present invention the local area data network is a local area network (LAN) covering a small physical area, typically a home or office. In further embodiments the local area data network is a domestic local area data network for communicating data in a domestic environment. In further embodiments of the present invention the data network power line communication adaptor is configured to be connected to a modem device, for instance a cable TV network modem, ADSL modem or similar device. The modem device provides for communication through the local area data network (cable, radio waves, etc.) with the remote computer.

In case the local area data network is a wireless network, a network compliant with IEEE 802.1 IG or higher may be used. This type of network is able to send data to the electronic (display) device with a relatively high data rate (operating at about 22 Mbit/s average throughput). A high data rate makes it possible to transfer relatively large amounts of media data (especially video data). If the data rate is sufficiently high, the (multi-) media data / data signal may be continuously received and normally handled by (e.g. normally displayed to, in case of video data) the end-user (i.e. viewer) while the media data / media signal is being delivered by the remote computer. Contrary to EP 2 091 301 now a laptop computer, not connected to a socket of the power line network, but wirelessly connected to the local area data network, can be used as a source for media data according to the invention. The invention therefore provides extensive advantages over the prior art.

In an embodiment a computer program is provided that, when it is executed on the remote computer, is programmed so as to enable handling of control signals received via the power line architecture and the local area data network and

transmitting media signals to the device via the local area data network and the power line architecture in response to a received control signal. This makes it possible to control the media data to be fetched from the remote computer and the media signals to be forwarded to the electronic device. The media signal that is handled by the electronic device (e.g. displayed on a television screen) can therefore be easily selected by the end-user, for instance a viewer operating an wireless remote control device.

According to an embodiment the system comprises a remote computer that is programmed so as to enable handling of control signals received via the power line architecture and the data network and transmitting media signals to the device via the data network and the power line architecture in response to a received control signal. The computer forms the source of information.

According to a further embodiment the remote computer is programmed to handle control signals and to transmit media signals as a background operation. This will allow a user to be able to access the computer in a normal fashion, while as a background operation files or other data are transmitted over the network as media data to the adaptor and displayed by the display device.

According to another aspect a device power line communication adaptor is provided, for use in the system as described herein, the device power line

communication adaptor being configured to be plugged into a socket of a domestic power line architecture and to be connected to at least one electronic device for communication between the electronic device and at least one remote computer, wherein the device power line communication adaptor comprises a processing unit, a power line interface and a peripheral interface, the processing unit being configured to receive media data via a power line interface, process the received data into at least one media signal and transmit the at least one media signal to the at least one electronic device via the peripheral interface and configured to receive at least one control signal via the peripheral interface, process the received control signal into control data and transmit the control data via the power line interface to the remote computer.

According to a further aspect a data network power line communication adaptor is provided, for use in a system as defined herein, the data network power line communication adaptor being configured to be plugged into a socket of a domestic power line architecture and to be connected to a modem device of a local area data network so as to enable communication between a remote computer and at least one electronic device, the remote computer and the at least one electronic device being connected to the local area data network and the domestic power line architecture respectively, wherein the data network power line communication adaptor comprises a processing unit, a power line interface and a data network interface, the processing unit being configured to receive media data from the remote computer via a data network interface and transmit media data to the device power line communication adaptor via the power line interface; and configured to receive control data via the peripheral interface and transmit the control data to the remote computer via the data network interface.

According to yet a further aspect a method of communicating between at least one electronic device and at least one remote computer is provided, the remote computer to be connected to the at least one electronic device through a local area data network and a domestic power line architecture, the method comprising:

- plugging a device power line communication adaptor into a socket of a domestic power line architecture;

- connecting the device power line communication adaptor to the at least one electronic device;

- plugging a data network power line communication adaptor into a socket of the domestic power line architecture;

- connecting the data network power line communication adaptor to the local area data network, preferably to a modem device of the local area data network;

- receiving at least one control signal at the device power line communication adaptor, processing the received control signal into control data and transmitting the control data over the power line architecture to the data network power line

communication adaptor; - receiving the control data over the power line architecture and transmitting control data to the remote computer via the data network interface;

- selecting media data from the media data stored on the remote computer, wherein the selection is performed based on the control data received by the remote computer;

- sending the selected media data over the data network to the data network power line communication adaptor;

- receiving media data from the remote computer by the data network power line communication adaptor, processing the received media data and transmitting the processed media data to the device power line communication adaptor over the power line architecture;

- receiving media data from the data network power line communication adaptor by the device power line communication adaptor, processing the received media data into at least one media signal and transmitting the at least one media signal to the at least one electronic device.

According to yet a further aspect a kit of a device power line communication adaptor and data network power line adaptor according to any of the above mentioned features is provided. Such a kit is an easy to install product for users having little or no technical knowledge.

According to an embodiment the kit further comprises configuration software according to any of the features disclosed in the application.

OTHER ASPECTS

According to a further aspect a set-top box is provided. The set-top box according to this aspect is arranged for communication between a electronic display device and at least one remote computer, the remote computer to be connected to a local area data network comprising a domestic power line architecture for enabling data

communication between the remote computer and the set-top box over the local area data network. According to this aspect the set-top box comprises:

- a processing unit;

- a power line interface, connected to the processing unit, configured to be plugged into a socket of the domestic power line architecture; - a device interface connected to the processing unit, to be connected to the electronic display device;

- a user interface, connected to the processing unit, for receiving a control signal, e.g. from a user; and

- a memory, connected to the processing unit, having firmware for execution by the processing unit,

wherein the processing unit is arranged to:

receive media data over the local area data network and transmit a media signal to the electronic display device via the device interface; and to

- receive at least one control signal via the user interface and transmit control data over the local area data network to the remote computer

wherein the processing unit is further arranged to allow at least two functional modes:

a theater mode, in which the control data are arranged to operate the remote computer to transmit media data over the local area data network as a background operation on said remote computer

a computer mode, in which the control data are arranged to operate the remote computer to transmit media data over the local area data network

corresponding to captured display data of said remote computer.

According to this aspect a set-top box is provided to communicate over a local area data network accessing the network at the domestic power line architecture. The local area data network comprises at least a part that is formed by a domestic power line architecture. The set-top box according to the invention is connected to the domestic power line architecture allowing high bandwidth data transfer. According to this aspect of the invention the set-top box is arranged to receive media data over the local area data network and to provide at least a display signal for displaying on the electronic display device such as a television. Further media signals can be provided combined or separate from the display signal, e.g. an audio signal, to be provided to the same electronic display device or to another peripheral device such as a HIFI set. According to this aspect of the invention a simplified functionality is provided allowing access to a remote computer using the set-top box, using a simplified interface in combination with a low impact usage of the remote computer as a source for said media data. This is achieved by allowing the set-top box to function in at least two modes. The theater mode allows the set-top box to receive and transmit media data and media signal respectively, while the remote computer is controlled to operate the transmission of the media data as a background operation. In the theater mode the user of the set-top box can watch the media data/signal on a television, while another user can use the remote computer. The remote computer functions as a data source for the set-top box, but is allowed to function relatively normal. In the computer mode, the user operating the set- top box can gain full control of the computer. The set-top box receives media data from the computer that represent the 'normal' display data of that remote computer, allowing the set-box user to control the computer from a distance, by viewing the electronic display device provided with the display signal from the set-top box. When such full control access is not necessary, e.g. when a user wants to view a media file such as a movie, media data are provided from the remote computer by the processor function according to a background operation.

According to this aspect the remote computer can be directly connected to the power line architecture, e.g. using a power line modem, e.g. in the form of a network card received in a computer extension slot.

According to a special aspect a set-top box for communication between a electronic display device and at least one remote computer is provided. The remote computer according to this aspect is to be connected to a local area data network for enabling data communication between the remote computer and the set-top box over the local area data network. The set-top box comprises a processing unit, a local area data network interface, connected to the processing unit, configured to be connected to the local area data network, a device interface connected to the processing unit, to be connected to the electronic display device, a user interface, connected to the processing unit, for receiving a control signal, e.g. from a user, and a memory, connected to the processing unit, having firmware for execution by the processing unit. According to this aspect the processing unit is arranged to receive media data over the local area data network and transmit a media signal to the electronic display device via the device interface and is also arranged to receive at least one control signal via the user interface and transmit control data over the local area data network to the remote computer. Further the processing unit is arranged to allow at least two functional modes. A first allowed functional mode is a theater mode, in which the control data are arranged to operate the remote computer to transmit media data over the local area data network as a background operation on said remote computer. The second mode can be a computer mode, in which the control data are arranged to operate the remote computer to transmit media data over the local area data network corresponding to captured display data of said remote computer. According to this special aspect the set-top box can be connected to local area data network such as a cable modem or a Ethernet or wireless local network. Further advantages of this special aspect are indicated in combination with access via the power line interface.

According to a further embodiment the processing unit is arranged to transmit in the computer mode control data arranged to operate the remote computer to prevent user control via a remote computer interface at said remote computer. According to this further embodiment not only full control over the remote computer is taken over via the local area data network with the set-top box, but also local control of the remote computer is shut off.

According to an embodiment the processing unit is arranged to switch between the functional modes upon receiving a suitable control signal from the user interface. The user can input a command using a suitable user interface, such as a remote control. The command can allow the user to switch between modes.

According to an embodiment the processing unit is further arranged to allow a choose computer mode, in which the processing unit is arranged to configure and transmit a media signal to the electronic display device representing a list of remote computers, and to receive via the user interface at least one control signal representing one of the computers from the list of computers, and transmit control data over the local area data network to the remote computer represented by the received control signal. In the choose computer mode the user can view a list of remote computers on the display device provided with the display signal. The user can choose a remote computer. In an embodiment the user can choose to take control of one of the listed computer by indicating that remote computer and switching to the computer mode. In another embodiment the user can choose to operate a desired computer in a background operation while being provided with media data from that computer.

In an embodiment and preferably in the theater mode, the processing unit is arranged to receive media data over the local area data network representing a list of files on the remote computer and transmit a media signal to the electronic display device representing the list of files, and to receive via the user interface at least one control signal representing one of the files from the list of files, and transmit control data over the local area data network to the remote computer, the control data arranged to indicate to transmit media data over the local area data network by the computer from the represented file. This allows the user to receive a list of files from the remote computer, in an embodiment operated as a background operation. The list of files can e.g. be configured using the processing unit to be displayed by the electronic display device. Part of configuring the media signal can comprise using a display fragment from that file, if the file is e.g. a movie file. In another embodiment an external network such as the internet can be accessed, either by the set-top box or the remote computer to request and receive a suitable representation of the file to be displayed. The processing unit in the set-top box is arranged to allow configuration of a list of files to be picked by the user in many ways, as the skilled person is aware of different ways to list such a list of choices.

It will be clear that some features according to other aspects in this application can be combined with embodiments according to this aspect, e.g. buffering of media data at the set-top box or suitable connections to user interface devices.

According to a similar aspect further a system for communication between a electronic display device and at least one remote computer can be provided. According to this aspect the remote computer has a processor and being connected to a local area data network comprising a power line architecture for enabling data communication between the remote computer and the electronic display device over the local area data network, the system comprising a set-top box having any of the features indicated above, and wherein the computer processor is arranged to transmit media data over the local area data network, and to, when the set-top box is operated in the theater mode, execute the transmission as a background operation on said remote computer, or to, when operated in the computer mode, capture display data of the remote computer to form the media data. According to this aspect a system is provided with a set-top box that can function in at least two modes, allowing full control of the remote computer or access to the remote computer performed as a background operation, allowing a user of the remote computer to use the remote computer in a 'normal' way. According to the invention a set-top box user can, from a remote location, such as a living room, gain full access and control over a remote computer, e.g. a computer in the same house in a different room. The set-top box is a low costs utility providing full computer functionality at a desired location in the house. According to the invention it is beneficial to provide the theater mode in which the remote computer is used as a source for data, while the remote computer can be operated in a normal way by another user, since the media data from that remote computer are provided to the local network and set-top box as a background operation.

According to an embodiment the set-top box in the system according to this aspect of the invention has any of the features indicated above.

In an embodiment the remote computer comprises a memory. A configuration program can loaded into said memory of the remote computer, the configuration program being arranged to operate the processor in accordance with the two modes.

The program allows communication with the set-top box. The program is arranged to operate the processor in accordance to the received control data from the set-top box over the local area data network. The program allows capturing the normal display data of the computer and can transmit the captured data over the network as media data. This action will provide said media data representing the captured display data to the set-top box allowing to process the data and form a display signal to be displayed by the electronic display device. The electronic display device will show a computer desktop display as if the computer is operated directly from the set-top box.

Suitable user interfaces can be used. In an embodiment the user interface and device interface use a single connector. An example is a touch sensitive display, allowing display of the display signal, while touching the screen results in suitable control signals to be processed by the processor unit of the set-top box.

In an embodiment the configuration program, when executed by the processor of the remote computer, is arranged to operate the processor to collect a listing of files on the remote computer and to transmit the listing of files as media data over the local area data network. This will allow the set-top box to configure a display signal representing a listing of available files on the remote computer. The user can choose a desired file/program to be executed.

According to yet a further aspect a configuration program is provided. The configuration program is to be loaded into a memory of a remote computer, the configuration program, when executed on the a remote computer, being arranged to operate a processor of the remote computer to receive control data from a power line communication adaptor over a local area data network comprising a power line architecture, said control data indicating a functional mode, and to transmit, when the received control data indicates a theater mode, media data, the transmission executed as a background operation on the computer, or to transmit, when the received control data indicates a computer mode, media data formed by capturing display data of the remote computer. The configuration program allows the remote computer to transmit media data according to one of at least two operational modes for allowing the remote computer to function as a source for media data for e.g. a set-top box.

In an embodiment the configuration program, when executed by the processor of the remote computer, is arranged to operate the processor to collect a listing of files on the remote computer and to transmit the listing of files as media data over the local area data network. This will allow to transmit to a remote location, such as a set-top box, media data representing possible sources of data/files to be displayed at a remote location, such as a electronic display device connected to device power line

communication adaptor, such as a set-top box.

According to a different as aspect a device power line communication adaptor is improved. According to this aspect a cost reduction and simplification is achieved allowing a user to create or elaborate a local area data network in a straightforward manner. According to this aspect a device power line communication adaptor and in particular a set-top box connectable to a power line architecture, are simplified.

According to the state of the art a functionality is provided in a device power line communication adaptor or set-top box. A power line modem is provided separate from the adaptor/set-top box to connect the adaptor/set-top box to the power line

architecture.

The set-top box has a functionality. This functionality can be a functionality as described in this application or can be another functionality to be performed by a set- top box. It can be digital television functionality, including e.g. a subscription identification, e.g. using a identification interface. The interface can comprise a card reader. In an embodiment the card reader is a slot for receiving a SIM card. The set top box can receive a media signal from a local area data network

According to this aspect a device power line communication adaptor, and in particular a set-top box, is provided for communication between a electronic device and at least one remote computer, the remote computer to be connected to a local area data network comprising a domestic power line architecture for enabling data

communication of the device power line communication adaptor over the local area data network, said device power line communication adaptor having a house, the house receiving:

- a power line interface configured to be plugged into a socket of the domestic power line architecture;

- a processing unit,

- a device interface connected to the processing unit, to be connected to the electronic device;

- a user interface, connected to the processing unit, for receiving control signals, e.g. from a user, and

wherein the processing unit is arranged to:

receive data over the local area data network and to transmit a signal to the electronic device via the device interface; and to

receive at least one control signal via the user interface and transmit control data over the local area data network to the remote computer via the power line interface

wherein the device power line communication adaptor has a single electrical connector to be plugged into a socket of the domestic power line architecture, the single electrical connector forming a part of the power line interface and being arranged to provide electrical power to the device power line communication adaptor.

In an embodiment the device power line communication adaptor is a set-top box as a memory, connected to the processing unit, having firmware for execution by the processing unit, is incorporated in the housing.

Such a device power line communication adaptor or set-top box is easy to connect and incorporate in a local area data network, even for non technically skilled persons such as elderly people. In fact the user does not even have to be aware that he is creating or elaborating his local area data network by plugging the connector in to a socket of the power line architecture, as the user might think that he is only providing a connection with an electric power source. It will be clear that such a device power line communication adaptor or set-top box can have any of the other functionalities or features described in this application in combination with other aspects of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The invention will be explained in detail with reference to some drawings that are only intended to show embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope. The scope of the invention is defined in the annexed claims and by its technical equivalents. The drawings show:

Figure 1 shows a general setup of a computer arrangement suitable to perform the method of the invention.

Figure 2 schematically shows a system for communication according to the invention. Figure 3 schematically shows an device power line communication adaptor according to the invention.

Figure 4 schematically shows a house illustrating some aspects of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In Figure 1 , an overview is given of a computer arrangement that can be used to carry out the method according to the invention. The arrangement comprises a processor 1 for carrying out arithmetic operations.

The processor 1 is connected to a plurality of memory components, including a hard disk 5, Read Only Memory (ROM) 7, Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) 9, and Random Access Memory (RAM) 11. Not all of these memory types need necessarily be provided. Moreover, these memory components need not be located physically close to the processor 1 but may be located remote from the processor 1.

The processor 1 is also connected to units for inputting instructions, data etc. by a user, like a keyboard 13, and a mouse 15. Other input units, such as a touch screen, a track ball and/or a voice converter, known to persons skilled in the art may be provided too.

A reading unit 17 connected to the processor 1 is provided. The reading unit 17 is arranged to read data from and possibly write data on a data carrier like a floppy disk 19 or a CDROM 21. Other data carriers may be tapes, DVD, BIu Ray disks, memory sticks, etc. as is known to persons skilled in the art. The data carrier may be provided with a computer program product comprising instructions and data arranged to be read by the processor 1 and, after being read, allowing the processor 1 to perform a method in accordance with the invention. Such a computer program product may then be loaded in one of the memory components 5, 7, 9, 11. However, such computer program product may, alternatively, be downloaded via the telecommunication network 27. The processor 1 may be connected to a printer 23 for printing output data on paper, as well as to a display 3, for instance, a monitor or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen, a plasma display panel, or any other type of display known to persons skilled in the art.

The processor 1 may be connected to a communication network 27, for instance, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), the Internet, etc. by means of an I/O unit 25. The processor 1 may be arranged to communicate with other communication arrangements through the network 27.

The processor 1 may be implemented as stand alone system, or as a plurality of parallel operating processors each arranged to carry out subtasks of a larger computer program, or as one or more main processors with several sub-processors. Parts of the functionality of the invention may even be carried out by remote processors communicating with processor 1 through the network 27.

Figure 2 schematically shows a system for communication 200 according to the invention. The system 200 comprises device power line communication adaptor (DPCA) 110, electronic display device 112, electronic audio device 113, keyboard 114, and mouse 115. The system further comprises data network power line adaptor 111, data network switch 116, first computer device 118, second computer device 119, and wide area network adaptor 117. The system also comprises power line network 120, local area network 121, and wide area network 122. The term "remote computer" also applies to the first and second remote computer devices, and in general to a computer on a data network.

The DPCA 110 is connected to electronic display device 112 and arranged to send a media signal to electronic display device 112. The DPCA 110 is connected to electronic audio device 113 and arranged to send media data to device 113. The DPCA is connected to keyboard 114 and to mouse 115, and arranged to receive control signals from keyboard 114 and mouse 115. Keyboard 114 and mouse 115 belong to the class of input devices and electronic display device 112 and electronic audio device 113 belong to the class of output devices. Output devices 112 and 113 are also known as electronic devices. Other input devices may be a joystick or a game controller. A game controller can be a general purpose gaming pad, or dedicated gaming hardware such as a gaming gun or steering wheel.

The connections between DPCA 110 and input and output devices 112, 113, 114, 115 can be made with cabling, or wireless. Advantageously, the connections between the input devices 114, 115 and the DPCA 110 is wireless, for example using a

BlueTooth or RF connection, to reduce cable clutter in the room where the DPCA 110 is located.

Remote control device 123 for DPCA 110 also belongs to the class of input devices. The remote control can function using infrared or BlueTooth, or any other wireless communication protocol. For all wireless input devices, the DPCA is equipped with a matching interface device, such as for example a BlueTooth element, an RF element, or an infrared sensor element.

The device power line communication adaptor 110 is connected to an electrical socket 123. The electrical socket 123 is connected to a power line architecture or power line network 120. The power line architecture or network 120 can be a standard domestic electric power line architecture, with for example alternating current (AC) at electric voltages of approximately 110 Volts or approximately 230 Volts. In this document "power line network" and "power line architecture" are synonymous.

In an embodiment, the DPCA 110 is adapted to exchange digital data via the electrical socket 123 over a local area data network, such as the power line network 120, and to draw electrical current from the power line network. Thus, advantageously, the DPCA can utilize a single wire connection, connected to socket 123, for the dual purpose of drawing current and sending and receiving digital data, thus further reducing cable clutter.

When the DPCA 110 is arranged as a set-top box (STB), for example an STB which in addition to the DPCA 110 functionality also offers a card reader interface, for a digital TV subscription smartcard or SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card, and means for digital TV reception and decoding, the data network interface of the STB may comprise for example a wireless network interface or an Ethernet network interface, instead of a network interface for a power line architecture.

The local area data network power line adaptor 111 is connected to an electrical socket 124 and arranged to exchange digital data via the electrical socket 124 over the power line network 120, and to draw electrical current from the power line network. The local area data network power line adaptor 111 is connected to local area data network switch 116, and arranged to exchange digital data with the local area data network switch 116. The connection between adaptor 111 and switch 116 may be a standard Ethernet connection, for example utilizing a cat5 cable with RJ45 connectors. Many other digital data connections will be known to a skilled person. The local area data network power line adaptor 111 is arranged to receive digital data from the power line network 120 , and to transmit said data to the network switch 116. The local area data network power line adaptor 111 is also arranged to receive digital data from the network switch 116, and to transmit said data to the power line network 120.

Typically, the local area data network equipment 111, 116, 117 is located in a different room than the DPCA 110 or set-top box. This advantageously hides the local area data network equipment from the view of a person in the room where the DPCA 110 is located.

In figure 2, the local area data network switch 116 has at least 4 network connectors. The first network connector is for the connection to the local area data network power line adaptor 111. The second network connector is for a connection to a first computer device 118 via local area network 121. The third network connector is for a connection to a second computer device 119 via local area network 121. The local area network 121 may comprise two cat5 cables with RJ45 plugs, one cat5 cable running between local area data network switch 116 and the first computer device 119, and one cat5 cable running between local area data network switch 116 and the second computer device 119. In general, any kind of domestic or local area data network, such as for example a IEEE 802.1 Ig wireless, can be used.

The fourth network connector of the local area data network switch 116 is for a connection to a wide area network adaptor 117. The connection may comprise a cat5 cable with RJ45 plugs. The wide area network adaptor 117 is adapted to exchange digital data with a wide area network 122, such as the internet or a corporate intranet. The term "data exchange" is synonymous with "data communication". The wide area network adaptor 117 can receive digital data from the wide area network 122 and make it available to devices connected to the local area data network switch 116. Vice versa, the wide area network adaptor 117 can receive digital data from a device connected to the local area data network switch and send it to a destination on the wide area network 122. The wide area network adaptor 117 may be a cable or ADSL modem.

The local area data network switch 116 and computer devices 118 and 119 may each comprise a wireless network interface, for example according to the IEEE 802.1 Ig standard, and the local area network 121 may then comprise only air. Any combination of wired and wireless local area data networks to connect the local area data network switch 116 with devices 11, 117, 118, and/or 119 is possible.

The functionality of wide area network adaptor 117, and/or of the power line adaptor 111, and/or of local area data network switch 116, and/or of a wireless network adaptor (not shown) may be integrated into a single device.

The system 200, possibly excluding the wide area network 122, can be inside a building, more specifically inside a domestic building.

In an embodiment, at least one remote computer is connected to the same network that the DPCA is connected to. This network may be a power line architecture or power line network. Therefore, in such an embodiment, the power line network and the local area data network are identical, and the DPCA power line interface is also a local area data network interface.

The device power line communication adaptor

Figure 2 schematically shows the device power line communication adaptor 110, comprising house 160, device power line interface 140, processing unit 141, device interface 142, and user interface 143. Device interface 142 comprises video output or display element 144 and audio output or hifi element 145. User interface 146 comprises infrared sensor element 147, BlueTooth connection element 148, and USB connection element 149. The device interface 142 and user interface 143 together form the peripheral interface 150. Preferably, device power line interface 140, processing unit 141, and peripheral interface 150 are contained inside the house 160 of the DPCA 110. The device power line interface 140 has a power cable 151 with electrical connector or plug 152 to connect to a power socket 123 to make a connection to a power line architecture or power line network 120. The power cable 151 may be detachable from the house 160 of the DPCA 110 or permanently affixed. The device power line interface 140 is connected to and controlled by the processing unit 141. The device power line interface 140 can receive data from the processing unit 141, convert this data to a format suitable for the power line network 120, and send this data on the power line network 120. The device power line interface 140 can also receive data from the power line network 120, convert this data to a format suitable for the processing unit 141, and send this data on the processing unit 141.

The processing unit 141 may be formed as a (micro) processor that is

programmed to perform the functionality as described in the embodiments. The processing unit 141 may comprise a memory, such as ROM or EEPROM memory, that stores programming lines that are readable and accessible by the processors to perform the functionality as described in the embodiments. The programming lines are also called "software" or "firmware". The processing unit 141 may comprise a read/write memory, such as a RAM memory, for storing intermediate results and for buffering data. The processing units 141 may also be formed as a chip with hardware arranged to perform the functionality as described in the embodiments.

Buffering data in the DPCA 110, more particularly in the processing unit 141, can advantageously hide disruptions in the supply of media data from for example a remote computer. A disruption may be caused by a spike in the computer's processing load, a dip in the available network bandwidth on one of the networks that the media data must traverse, or any other cause.

Furthermore, the processing unit 141 may be arranged to process the data received from the device power line interface 140 or from the user interface 146.

The device interface 142 is connected to the processing unit 141, and can receive processed media signals from the processing unit. The device interface can make these signals available on display element or video output 144 and/or audio output 145. The device interface may apply a format conversion or enhancement to the received media signal. The video output 144 can comprise for example a SCART connector or a HDMI connector. The audio output 145 can comprise an S/PDIF connector. Multiple video and audio output connectors may be available. Different audio and video formats may be available on different connectors. A connector may be available for other data than video or audio. Video and audio data may contain additional data, such as for example subtitles.

The user interface 146 is connected to the processing unit 141, and can transmit received keyboard, mouse, remote control, or other control signals to the processing unit 141 via BlueTooth connection element 148 or infrared sensor element 147. It may send data, particularly media data, read from a USB device connected to USB connector 149 to the processing unit 141, or receive data from the processing unit 141 for storage on a USB device connected to USB connector 149.

Data read from an input device, such as a USB device, or from a network interface, such as the device power line interface, may be used to update the programming lines of the processing unit 141, for example to add new functionality or to remove erroneous instructions.

The user interacts with the DPCA using principally input devices 114, 115, and 123. The input devices, such as keyboard 114 , mouse 115, and remote control 123, send control signals to the DPCA. This device can forward these control signals over the power line network 120, or alternatively process the control signals. For example, pressing a "play " button on the remote control 123 may cause the device to start playing a selected media file.

The programming lines or software of the DPCA 110 can comprise a program that shows, on the display device 110, a user interface representation, preferably a graphical user interface (GUI). This GUI may be implemented as a series of menus which may be navigated by making choices in each menu using the remote control 123, the mouse 115, and/or the keyboard 114. The GUI makes the various functions of the DPCA easily accessible to the user. The GUI may have a settings menu, allowing the user to customize options and/or to enter relevant configuration data.

The GUI makes it possible to access the various functional modes of the DPCA 110. For example, the user may select the "theater mode", for example to play a media file from a remote computer. The user may select the "computer mode" to take over control of a remote computer. The use may select the "choose computer mode" to select a computer for taking over, or to select a computer to browse for data such as media files.

Alternatively, the GUI may be displayed on a small display on the DPCA 110. Advantageously, this allows a user to access DPCA 110 functionality without first turning on the electronic display device 112, which may be convenient if the user intents to play an audio track on the electronic audio device 113.

In an embodiment, the display onto which the user interface is displayed comprises a touch screen interface. This display may be electronic display device 112 or a display on the DPCA house. In this case, the touch screen display also functions as an input device, and control signals are sent from the display to the processing unit 141. With "playing a file" is meant that the device reads media data associated with a media file, and converts this media data to a media signal suitable for rendering on an output device. With rendering is meant making visible, audible, or any other means of making the media signal available for humans. The media data associated with a media file may be digital or analog data, but is preferably digital. Converting the media data to a media signal may involve decompression, for example decoding MPEG encoded video material or MP3 encoded audio material. It may also involve a digital to analog conversion, for example converting PCM audio data to an analog audio signal. Many types of media data exists, and many types of media signal formats exist. A skilled person will know how to convert a type of media data into a type of media signal.

Preferably, decoding and format conversions are performed by the processing unit 141. However, the peripheral interface 150, in particular the device interface 142, may also be adapted to perform video and audio signal processing operations. With

"signal processing" is meant any type of processing that reads a signal, representing for example audio or video, and outputs a signal, representing for example converted audio or video. Software or a software and hardware combination for coding an decoding media data is also known as a "codec". The codecs and media file formats supported by the processing unit 141 and/or the device interface 142 may include any of MPEGl, MPEG2, MPEG3, MPEG4, DIVX, XVID, WMV9, H.263, H.264, AC3, etc. MPEG stands for Motion Pictures Expert Group.

Before a file is played, the DPCAl 10 or custom software on a computer device may analyze the file to decide if the file can be played by the DPCA 110. If it cannot, the custom software can offer alternative ways to play the file, for example by decoding the file on the computer device on which the custom software is running and sending processed media data, possibly uncompressed media data, to the DPCA 110.

The media signal may be converted from one scan rate format to another. For example, the played media data may be encoded at an interlaced resolution of 720x576i (PAL resolution for TV), while electronic display device 112 is a 72Op High Definition (HD) display. The DPCA may automatically upconvert 720x576i resolution to a progressive 1280x720 HDTV signal. Similarly, the DPCA 110 can support a multitude of output formats, such as VGA, 72Op, 1080i, 1080p, etc. The DPCA may process the media signal, for example adjusting contrast, sharpness, or motion portrayal, using video processing algorithms.

When the device is playing a file, media data is sent to the electronic display device 112 and the electronic audio device 113. The media data can be a video signal, or an audio signal or a combination thereof. It may involve other signals, such as subtitle information, videotext data, media information such as artist name, etc. The media signals may be analog, for example composite or RGB (Red-Green-Blue) component video, or digital, for example digital audio. The media signals may also be a mix of analog and digital. The electronic display device 112 and electronic audio device 113 are arranged to render the media signals according to capability. The electronic display device 112 may for example convert the media signals to video and stereo sound, whereas the audio device may render 5.1 channel sound and ignore the video signals. The signals going to the electronic audio device 113 may or may not be identical to the signals going to the video device 112. Any number of output devices 112, 113 may be connected to the DPCA according to the invention.

Network use

The device power line communication adaptor 110 is a networked device. It is connected via socket 123 to power line network 120. The power line network 120 is connected, via socket 124, power line adaptor 111 and local area data network switch 116, to local area network 121. It is also connected, via local area data network switch 116 and wide area network adaptor 122, to wide area network 122.

The DPCA 110 is thus adapted to exchange digital data using for example a standard protocol such as TCP/IP, between devices on the local area network 121 and/or the wide area network 122. The local area network 121 may be a domestic computer network comprising one or more computers. The wide area network 122 may be the internet.

For a skilled person it is clear how to arrange an DPCA 110 connected to a network so that it may access files on other devices connected the network, when those files are made available using standard protocols such as HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol), FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or SMB (Server Message Block).

The invention also provides a configuration program to make files available for the device power line communication adaptor 110. The configuration program is installed on the networked devices that host the media files that are to be played by the DPCA. For example, the configuration program is installed on the first computer device 118. The custom software on first computer device 118 will respond to a signal sent over the network from the DPCA. Responses may include the sending of a list of available files, or sending media data associated with a media file. Sending media data may involve sending an exact copy of the media file, or processing the data in the media file on the computer device and sending the processed media data. Such processing may involve (partly) decompressing the media file, converting the media file to another media format (this is also known as "transcoding"), and/or decrypting encrypted media files .

Advantageously, a user of the first computer device can continue using the computer while the configuration program is performing the functionality as described in the previous text. The configuration program may be executed as a so-called background process, sometimes also indicated as a "service" or "daemon" process. The device power line communication adaptor may thus receive media data via the network. It may also receive media data from internal storage, such as a hard disk, or external storage, such as a USB stick or USB harddisk connected to a USB port of the DPCA, or a optical storage disc inserted into an optical drive of the DPCA 110. Computer Doubling

The invention also provides a configuration program to allow a user of the device power line communication adaptor 110 to use input devices 114, 115, 123, of the DPCA 110 to remotely control a computer device on which said configuration program is installed.

For example, let said configuration program be installed on the second computer device 119. A user of the DPCA 110 can now, interacting with the software on the DPCA 110, select to take over second computer device 119. Key presses on keyboard 114 and mouse 115 movements or button presses are sent as control signal to the processing unit 141, and will be forwarded, as control data, via the networks and interfaces as described in the previous text, to second computer device 119, whereupon the configuration program running on second computer device 119 will take the necessary steps to make it appear that the control signals were generated using a locally attached keyboard and mouse. In other words, moving the mouse 115 connected to the DPCA 110 will shift the mouse pointer on the screen of the second computer device 119.

Video (display) and audio signals generated by the second computer device 119 are transmitted as media (video and audio) data by the configuration program running on the second computer device 119 over the networks to the DPCA 110. The video and audio signals generated by the second computer device 119 can be said to be captured. The capturing of the signals may be done using software means, i.e. by the custom computers software, or using a combination of software means and hardware means, such as a video capture extension card inside the computer or an external video capture device.

The DPCA 110 will receive the media data and send them as media signals to the electronic display device 112 and/or the electronic audio device 113. The DPCA 110 may change the format of the media signals, for example converting an image 1024 pixels wide and 768 lines high (1024x768) at 60 images per second to a 72Op 50 Hertz video signal. The DPCA may zoom in on a section of the video data, or may crop the received video data to obtain and display a subset of the data.

The media data may be sent by the configuration program as uncompressed video and audio data, for example in BMP (bitmap, video) and WAV (wave, audio) format. Alternatively, a compressed format such as GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) may be used for video. A video compression scheme may be used in which only the updated parts of the image are transmitted, for example the area where the mouse pointer is moving. An advantage of uncompressed video and audio is that is relatively easy to implement both on the computer device 119 and on the DPCA 110, and workable across a wide range of computer devices and operating system (OS) software. A disadvantage is that it can be network bandwidth intensive. An advantage of compressed schemes is that the bandwidth usage is reduced. A disadvantage is that the configuration program is made more complex. Another way of transmitting video data is through a tighter integration with the operation system (OS). Instead of transmitting graphics data, as much meta data as possible is transmitted. For example, to transmit a word to be displayed, instead of sending an (un)compressed bitmap of the displayed word, an ASCII representation of the word is sent along with font information, allowing the DPCA 110 to render the word using the specified font. Such a metadata scheme advantageously has a very low bandwidth. A disadvantage is that the metadata scheme is a relatively complex solution and very specifically tailored for a computer operating system.. Advantageously, the configuration program may alternate between the various compression schemes depending on factors such as network bandwidth availability.

The media data sent by the configuration program to the DPCA 110 may be moving video data from a video sequence such as for example a MPEG-2 file.

Any number of computer devices may be connected to the electronic device 110 for taking over. Typically, an DPCA 110 will be used to take over one computer device at a time. However, it is possible to take over two or more computer devices

simultaneously, and displaying the received computer image data on the video device 112 for example using a split-screen image partition.

A remote computer that has been taken over, may be usable for a person at the remote computer location. For example the person may be able to control the mouse pointer using a mouse device directly connected to the remote computer, but may not be able to prevent the mouse pointer also being manipulated by a user of a controlling DPCA. Key presses from a locally attached keyboard may be intermixed with key presses done by the DPCA user. Alternatively, the custom control software on the remote computer may be adapted to make the remote computer ignore control signals from locally connected input devices such as for example keyboards and mice for as long as the remote computer is taken over by a DPCA.

On the remote computer, as part of the configuration program, an indexing program may be loaded and executed, preferably in the background, said indexing program analyzing the content of local and/or remote storage units of the computer and/or the computer's network environment, and building a listing of relevant media files. This listing, or a derived listing, may be transmitted as media data to a DPCA and shown to the user in on of the functional modes. Thus, advantageously, digital content available on the PC is automatically made available on the DPCA. Alternatively, this listing may be created by the configuration program on-the-fly, that is, as soon as a control signal requesting such a listing is received.

Figure 4 schematically shows a house 180 illustrating some aspects of the invention. The DPCA 110 is in one room of the house 180 and is plugged into socket 182 of the power line architecture or power line network 120. Connected to the device interface of the DPCA 110 are electronic display device 112 and electronic audio or hifi device 113. A keyboard 114 is connected to the user interface of DPCA 110.

In preferably another room of the house 180 a remote computer 181 is connected to a data network power line adaptor 111, which is plugged into power socket 183. Power socket 183 is part of the domestic power line architecture 120. Data network power line adaptor 111 and DPCA 110 can communicate with each other across the power line network 120. The connection between data network power line adaptor 111 and remote computer 181 may be a standard computer network connection, such as a cat5 cable. On the remote computer 181 the configuration program is loaded and executed. The relevant functionally of the DPCA system as described in the preceding text is available to the user of the DPCA. For example the DPCA can send control data to the remote computer, for example to access media files located on the computer's storage or otherwise accessible to the remote computer, so that the DPCA can display or make audible said media files on electronic devices 112 and/or 113. In another example the user of the DPCA may take over the remote computer 181 in the DPCA "computer mode".

This is only intended to show how an implementation of the invention may work. The skilled reader will understand that many other implementations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. System for communication between at least one electronic device and at least one remote computer, the remote computer being connected to a local area data network for enabling data communication between the remote computer and an external network, for instance the internet, the system comprising:

wherein the data network power line communication adaptor comprises a processing unit, a power line interface and a data network interface, wherein the processing unit is configured to receive media data from the remote computer via the local area data network interface, process the received media data and transmit the processed media data to the device power line communication adaptor via the power line interface; and configured to receive control data from the power line interface and transmit the control data to the remote computer via the data network interface.

2. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the peripheral interface comprises a user interface including a control input element for receiving a control input and transmitting a corresponding control signal to the processing unit.

3. System as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the control input element is configured to be connected to a control device for controlling the remote computer, preferably a keyboard, mouse, joystick and/or game controller.

4. System as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the user interface of the peripheral interface comprises a media signal input element for receiving a media signal from an external storage device, for instance a USB device.

5. System as claimed in any of claims 1-4, wherein the processing unit of the device power line communication adaptor is configured to convert a received media signal having a first data format into a media signal having a second, different format that is suitable to be handled by the device and transmit the second format media signal to the device.

6. System as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the device power line communication adaptor comprises a buffer unit to buffer received media data.

7. System as claimed in any of the preceding claims, the processing unit comprises a codec, for instance a MPEGl, MPEG2, MPEG3, MPEG4, Divx, XVID, WM V9, VOB and/or similar codecs for video signals and/or for audio signals.

8. System as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the control input element is configured for wireless communication of the control input.

9. System as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the data network is a wired network, preferably an Ethernet network.

10. System as claimed in any of the claims 1-9, wherein the data network is a wireless network, for instance a IEEE 802.11 G or preferably N network.

11. System as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the data network power line communication adaptor is configured to be connected to a modem device, for instance a cable TV network modem, ADSL modem or similar device, that provides for communication through the local area data network.

12. System as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic device is a display device and wherein the at least one media signal comprises a video signal and the peripheral interface comprises a video output to transmit the video signal to the at least one display device.

13. System as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising a remote computer that is programmed so as to enable handling of control signals received via the power line architecture and the local area data network and transmitting media signals to the device via the local area data network and the power line architecture in response to a received control signal.

14. System as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the processing unit of the device power line communication adaptor is configured to de-overscan a received video signal to change the resolution to the resolution of the display device.

15. System as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the remote computer is programmed to handle control signals and transmit media signals in its background.

16. Device power line communication adaptor for use in a system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, the device power line communication adaptor being configured to be plugged into a socket of a domestic power line architecture and to be connected to at least one electronic device for communication between the electronic device and at least one remote computer, wherein the device power line communication adaptor comprises a processing unit, a power line interface and a peripheral interface, the processing unit being configured to receive media data via a power line interface, process the received data into at least one media signal and transmit the at least one media signal to the at least one electronic device via the peripheral interface and configured to receive at least one control signal via the peripheral interface, process the received control signal into control data and transmit the control data via the power line interface to the remote computer.

17. Data network power line communication adaptor for use in a system as claimed in any of claims 1-16, the data network power line communication adaptor being configured to be plugged into a socket of a domestic power line architecture and to be connected to a modem device of a local area data network so as to enable communication between a remote computer and at least one electronic device, the remote computer and the at least one electronic device being connected to the local area data network and the domestic power line architecture respectively, wherein the data network power line communication adaptor comprises a processing unit, a power line interface and a data network interface, the processing unit being configured to receive media data from the remote computer via a data network interface and transmit media data to the device power line communication adaptor via the power line interface; and configured to receive control data via the peripheral interface and transmit the control data to the remote computer via the data network interface.

18. Method of communicating between at least one electronic device and at least one remote computer, the remote computer to be connected to the at least one electronic device through a local area data network and a domestic power line architecture, the method comprising:

- plugging a data network power line communication adaptor into a socket of the domestic power line architecture; - connecting the data network power line communication adaptor to the local area data network, preferably to a modem device of the local area data network;

communication adaptor;

- receiving the control data over the power line architecture and transmitting control data to the remote computer via the data network interface;

19. Method as claimed in claim 18, wherein a system as claimed in any of claims 1-15 is used.

20. Kit of a device power line communication adaptor according to claim 16 and data network power line adaptor according to claim 17.

21. Kit according to claim 20, wherein the kit further comprises configuration software according to any of the features disclosed in the application.

22. Set-top box for communication between a electronic display device and at least one remote computer, the remote computer to be connected to a local area data network comprising a domestic power line architecture for enabling data communication between the remote computer and the set-top box over the local area data network, the set-top box comprising:

- a processing unit,

- a power line interface, connected to the processing unit, configured to be plugged into a socket of the domestic power line architecture;

- a device interface connected to the processing unit, to be connected to the electronic display device;

- a user interface, connected to the processing unit, for receiving a control signal, e.g. from a user, and

wherein the processing unit is arranged to:

corresponding to captured display data of said remote computer.

23. Set-top box according to claim 22, wherein in the computer mode, the control data are further arranged to operate the remote computer to prevent user control through a remote computer interface at said remote computer.

24. Set-top box according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the processing unit is arranged to switch between the functional modes upon receiving a suitable control signal from the user interface.

25. Set-top box according to any of the claims 22-24, wherein the processing unit is further arranged to allow a choose computer mode, in which the processing unit is arranged to

- configure and transmit a media signal to the electronic display device representing a list of remote computers, and to

- receive via the user interface at least one control signal representing one of the computers from the list of computers, and transmit control data over the local area data network to the remote computer represented by the received control signal.

26. Set-top box according to any of the claims 22-25, wherein, in the theater mode, the processing unit is arranged to

- receive media data over the local area data network representing a list of files on the remote computer and transmit a media signal to the electronic display device representing the list of files, and to

- receive via the user interface at least one control signal representing one of the files from the list of files, and transmit control data over the local area data network to the remote computer, the control data arranged to indicate to transmit media data over the local area data network by the computer from the represented file.

27. System for communication between a electronic display device and at least one remote computer, the remote computer having a processor and being connected to a local area data network comprising a power line architecture for enabling data communication between the remote computer and the electronic display device over the local area data network, the system comprising a set-top box according to any of the claims 21-25, and wherein the computer processor is arranged to

transmit media data over the local area data network, and to

when the set-top box is operated in the theater mode, execute the transmission as a background operation on said remote computer, or to

when operated in the computer mode, capture display data of the remote computer to form the media data.

28. System according to claim 27, wherein the remote computer comprises a memory, wherein a configuration program is loaded into said memory of the remote computer, the configuration program being arranged to operate the processor in accordance with the two modes.

29. System according to claim 27 or 28, wherein the configuration program, when executed by the processor of the remote computer, is arranged to operate the processor to

collect a listing of files on the remote computer and to

transmit the listing of files as media data over the local area data network.

30. Configuration program to be loaded into a memory of a remote computer, the configuration program, when executed on the a remote computer, being arranged to operate a processor of the remote computer to

- receive control data from a power line communication adaptor over a local area data network comprising a power line architecture, said control data indicating a functional mode, and to

- transmit, when the received control data indicates a theater mode, media data, the transmission executed as a background operation on the computer, or to

- transmit, when the received control data indicates a computer mode, media data formed by capturing display data of the remote computer.

31. Configuration program according to claim 30, wherein the program, when executed by the processor of the remote computer, is arranged to operate the processor to

collect a listing of files on the remote computer and to

- transmit the listing of files as media data over the local area data network.

32. A device power line communication adaptor for communication between a electronic device and at least one remote computer, the remote computer to be connected to a local area data network comprising a domestic power line architecture for enabling data communication of the device power line communication adaptor over the local area data network, said device power line communication adaptor having a house, the house receiving: - a power line interface configured to be plugged into a socket of the domestic power line architecture;

- a processing unit,

wherein the processing unit is arranged to:

33. A device power line communication adaptor according to claim 32, wherein the device power line communication adaptor is a set-top box.