Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for receiving first electromagnetic waves via a transmission medium without utilizing an electrical return path, and inducing second electromagnetic waves at an interface of the transmission medium without the electrical return path. In an embodiment, the first and second electromagnetic waves have a non-optical frequency range. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for receiving first electromagnetic waves via a transmission medium without utilizing an electrical return path, and inducing second electromagnetic waves at an interface of the transmission medium without the electrical return path. In an embodiment, the first and second electromagnetic waves have a non-optical frequency range. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Systems and methods for remote control of an electronic device using a power cord are disclosed. A power cord that provides electric power to the device includes a module configured to receive wireless control signals originating from and/or transmit wireless signals to a remote device. The power cord includes one or more control wires for communicating signals between the module and the device. The module may be configured to translate information or signals received from the communications protocol of the remote device to the communications protocol of the device, and vice versa. The control wire(s) may extend along or within the power cord. Methods for wirelessly controlling a device comprise transmitting a command from a remote device to a module connected to the device's power cord, the module wirelessly receiving the command and transmitting the command to the appliance via control wires extending from the module to the device.

Systems and methods for remote control of an electronic device using a power cord are disclosed. A power cord that provides electric power to the device includes a module configured to receive wireless control signals originating from and/or transmit wireless signals to a remote device. The power cord includes one or more control wires for communicating signals between the module and the device. The module may be configured to translate information or signals received from the communications protocol of the remote device to the communications protocol of the device, and vice versa. The control wire(s) may extend along or within the power cord. Methods for wirelessly controlling a device comprise transmitting a command from a remote device to a module connected to the device's power cord, the module wirelessly receiving the command and transmitting the command to the appliance via control wires extending from the module to the device.

System for cableless bidirectional data transmission in a well (10) for the extraction of formation fluids comprising: a plurality of rods (11, 12) connected to each other in succession so as to form a rod string, which extends from the surface to the bottom of the well (10), the rod string being associable with a plurality of sensors (14) configured for continuously detecting a plurality of parameters relating to the fluids circulating in the well (10) and to the rock formation surrounding the well and/or to safety devices or other remote-controlled well instrumentation; a plurality of communication modules (20) applied at predefined distances along the rod string and configured for the transmission of signals from and towards the bottom of the well (10); each of the communication modules (20) comprising: at least one metal plate selected from: a transmitting metal plate (21); a receiving metal plate (22); a transceiver metal plate (35); an electronic processing and control unit (23) configured for processing signals to be transmitted by means of the at least one metal plate (21, 35) or signals received by means of the at least one metal plate (22, 35); one or more supply batteries (24) for feeding the metal plates (21, 22) and the electronic processing and control unit (23).

System for cableless bidirectional data transmission in a well (10) for the extraction of formation fluids comprising: a plurality of rods (11, 12) connected to each other in succession so as to form a rod string, which extends from the surface to the bottom of the well (10), the rod string being associable with a plurality of sensors (14) configured for continuously detecting a plurality of parameters relating to the fluids circulating in the well (10) and to the rock formation surrounding the well and/or to safety devices or other remote-controlled well instrumentation; a plurality of communication modules (20) applied at predefined distances along the rod string and configured for the transmission of signals from and towards the bottom of the well (10); each of the communication modules (20) comprising: at least one metal plate selected from: a transmitting metal plate (21); a receiving metal plate (22); a transceiver metal plate (35); an electronic processing and control unit (23) configured for processing signals to be transmitted by means of the at least one metal plate (21, 35) or signals received by means of the at least one metal plate (22, 35); one or more supply batteries (24) for feeding the metal plates (21, 22) and the electronic processing and control unit (23).

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a guided wave switch that selectively aligns an end of the first dielectric core of a first conductorless guided wave cable with an end of a selected one of a plurality of second dielectric cores of at least one second conductorless guided wave cable to facilitate coupling of the first guided waves from the first dielectric core to a selected one of the plurality of second dielectric cores. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a guided wave switch that selectively aligns an end of the first dielectric core of a first conductorless guided wave cable with an end of a selected one of a plurality of second dielectric cores of at least one second conductorless guided wave cable to facilitate coupling of the first guided waves from the first dielectric core to a selected one of the plurality of second dielectric cores. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a guided wave switch that selectively aligns an end of the first dielectric core of a first conductorless guided wave cable with an end of a selected one of a plurality of second dielectric cores of at least one second conductorless guided wave cable to facilitate coupling of the first guided waves from the first dielectric core to a selected one of the plurality of second dielectric cores. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a guided wave switch that selectively aligns an end of the first dielectric core of a first conductorless guided wave cable with an end of a selected one of a plurality of second dielectric cores of at least one second conductorless guided wave cable to facilitate coupling of the first guided waves from the first dielectric core to a selected one of the plurality of second dielectric cores. Other embodiments are disclosed.