Clustered networked devices

Abstract

A local communication system comprises a first cluster ( 10 ) of devices interconnected for the communication of messages via a first data bus ( 18 ) and in accordance with a first set of communication protocols, a second cluster ( 20 ) interconnected via a second data bus ( 28 ) and following the first set of communication protocols; and a data channel ( 41 ) linking a device ( 19 ) of the first cluster ( 10 ) and a device ( 29 ) of the second cluster ( 20 ). The data channel ( 41 ) suitably comprises an RF link supporting communication of messages in accordance with a second set of communications protocols. A device ( 19 ) of the first cluster ( 10 ) holds a stored software representation of operational features of a selected device (DVHS- 2 ) of the second cluster ( 20 ) and any device ( 11 ) of the first cluster wishing to interact with said selected device (DVHS- 2; 22 ) instead interacts with said stored representation.

1 . A local communication system comprising: 
 a first cluster of devices interconnected for the communication of messages via a first data bus and in accordance with a first set of communication protocols;    a second cluster of devices interconnected for the communication of messages via a second data bus and in accordance with said first set of communication protocols; and    a data channel linking of said first cluster and said second cluster, said data channel supporting communication of messages in accordance with a second set of communications protocols;    wherein a device of the first cluster holds a stored software representation of operational features of a selected device of the second cluster and any device of the first cluster wishing to interact with said selected device instead interacts with said stored representation.    
   
   
       2 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said stored representation is generated by said selected device and transmitted via said data channel to said device of the first cluster.  
   
   
       3 - 4 . (canceled)  
   
   
       5 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said stored representation models said selected device as if it were a device of the first cluster.  
   
   
       6 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the said device of the first cluster holding the stored representation is that device of the first cluster to which the data channel is connected.  
   
   
       7 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said data channel is a wireless link.  
   
   
       8 . (canceled)  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the software representation of operational features of the selected device of the second cluster represents a control system of the selected device.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the software representation of operational features of the selected device of the second cluster comprises a Device Control Module for the selected device.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the software representation of operational features of the selected device of the second cluster is executed on said device of the first cluster wishing to interact with said selected device.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the selected device of the second cluster is a video recorder and the device of the first cluster executing the software representation of the selected device is a set top box.  
   
   
       13 . In a communication system comprising a first data bus operating in accordance with a first set of communication protocols, a second data bus also operating in accordance with the first set of communication protocols, and a data channel linking the first data bus and the second data bus and supporting communication of messages between the first and second data buses in accordance with a second set of communications protocols, a first device comprising: 
 means for communicating via said data channel; and    means for storing a software representation of operational features of a second device which is connected to a different one of the data buses than a one of the data buses to which the first device is connected.    
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the software representation of operational features of the second device comprises a Device Control Module for the selected device including an abstraction of a control system of the second device.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 13 , where the means for storing a software representation stores a generic Device Control Module for a generic device.  
   
   
       16 . A communication system comprising: 
 a first cluster of devices interconnected via a first data bus and adapted to communicate in accordance with a first set of communication protocols;    a second cluster of devices interconnected via a second data bus and adapted to communicate in accordance with said first set of communication protocols; and    a data channel linking said first data bus and said second data bus, said data channel adapted to support communication of messages between the first and second clusters in accordance with a second set of communications protocols;    wherein a first device of the first cluster stores a software representation of operational features of a selected device of the second cluster, permitting a second device of the first cluster to control the selected device by executing the software representation.    
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , the software representation of operational features of the selected device of the second cluster comprises a Device Control Module for the selected device including an abstraction of a control system of the second device.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 16 , the selected device of the second cluster is a video recorder and the second device of the first cluster executing the software representation of the selected device is a set top box.