The patent record shows that Bill Gates鈥� embattled Microsoft continues to
break new ground and is planning a move into consumer electronics. The company
has filed for a patent to a home automation system that carries audio, video and
control signals around a house using the mains electricity wiring (WO 98/57462).
This means you could access the TV and music in any room, and operate household
devices remotely. A wide channel carries video at about 450 megahertz, audio at
4 megahertz and remote control signals at 500 kilohertz.
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