Broadband data services over vehicle power lines

• US 20050143868A1
• Filed: 12/23/2004
• Published: 06/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Anthony Whelan
• Original Assignee: Anthony Whelan
• Inventors: Whelan, Anthony
• Application Number:
  US11/020,766
• Publication Number:
  US 20050143868A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0027 Radio-based, e.g. using GSM-R
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0036 Conductor-based, e.g. using CAN-Bus, train-line or optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 3/10 using current passing between devices along the route and devices on the vehicle or train
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5408 using protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5425 improving S/N by matching impedance, noise reduction, gain control
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5441 Wireless systems or telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/545 Audio/video application, e.g. interphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5458 Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5466 using three phases conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/547 via DC power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5479 using repeaters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5483 using coupling circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5491 using filtering and bypassing
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/542 the information being in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/544 Setting up communications; Call and signalling arrangements

Abstract

A method of providing broadband data services over power lines for moving vehicles is provided herein. Using broadband over power line (BPL) networking, a data signal is connected to a vehicle that is connected to a transport power line. The signal is communicated from the transport power line to the vehicle. The signal is then demodulated for use aboard the vehicle. The data signal connection allows for access to wide area networks such as the Internet. Access points can wirelessly broadcast wide area network signals from stationary locations to define meshed wireless networks in metropolitan areas.

Claims

1. A method of providing data services to a vehicle connected to a power line comprising

connecting the power line to a broadband over power line data signal;

communicating the data signal from the power line to the vehicle; and

distributing the data signal to a set of passengers on the vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein connecting the power line to the data signal comprises injecting the data signal onto a third rail.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein connecting the power line to the data signal comprises injecting the data signal onto an overhead wire.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising repeating the data signal on the power line.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein repeating the data signal on the power line comprises

extracting the data signal from the power line;

and

reinjecting the data signal onto the power line.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein connecting the power line to the signal comprises connecting the power line to a RF data signal.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein connecting the power line to the RF data signal comprises connecting the power line to a spread spectrum signal.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein connecting the power line to the data signal comprises connecting the power line to a symmetrical data signal.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein distributing the data signal comprises using wireless networking.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein distributing the data signal comprises providing a plurality of connected terminals built into the vehicle.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein providing the connected terminals comprises providing a plurality of media content systems comprising a data receiver and an output device.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a plurality of security cameras connected to the data signal.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the data signal to users outside of the vehicle using wireless networking.

14. A system for delivering data to an electrically connected vehicle comprising

a data server to provide a data signal;

at least one medium voltage power line (MVPL) to provide a transportation medium for the data signal;

a MVPL RF signal injector to connect the data signal to the MVPL;

a MVPL RF signal extractor to demodulate the signal from the MVPL;

a vehicle connected to the MVPL extractor; and

a network on the vehicle to deliver the data signal.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the network comprises a wireless network.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the network comprises a HomePlug™

powerline network.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the MVPL comprises a third rail.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the MVPL comprises overhead wires.

19. A vehicle with data access comprising

at least one passenger carriage;

a network of low voltage power wires on the carriage that carry a data signal within the carriage; and

a plurality of electrical outlets connected to the low voltage power wires where data is made available to a plurality of users via the outlets on the vehicle.

20. The vehicle of claim 19, further comprising a transport power line that provides the data signal to the passenger carriage.

21. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein the transport power line comprises a medium voltage power line.

22. A method of delivering wide area network based content to a moving vehicle comprising

connecting to a broadband over power line (BPL) network that is in communication with the wide area network;

streaming a set of content from the wide area network; and

displaying the content on the moving vehicle.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein displaying the content on the moving vehicle comprises displaying the content on an audiovisual monitor on the moving vehicle.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein streaming comprises wirelessly communicating the data from spaced injection points along the power line to the moving vehicle.

25. The method of claims 22, wherein streaming comprises connecting the power line physically to the vehicle.

26. A system for delivering broadband access to a wide area network, the method comprising:

a source for a data signal from the wide area network;

a medium voltage power line;

an RF signal injector communicating the data signal from the source to the medium voltage power line;

a vehicle connected to and powered by the medium voltage power line; and

a plurality of access points connected to the power line and configured to distribute the data signal to a plurality of devices.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the plurality of access points are distributed in the vehicle.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the plurality of access points comprise electrical outlets on the vehicle.

29. The system of claim 26, wherein plurality of access points comprise stationary wireless transmitters along the power line.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein each of the plurality of access points is positioned within about 180 meters of another of the plurality of access points.

31. The system of claim 29, wherein the plurality of access points have overlapping transmittance ranges to define a meshed region of access to the data signal.