Apparatus and method for transmitting using automobile DC wiring as a radiating antenna

• US 20080003955A1
• Filed: 06/29/2006
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Tittle, William Roger, Rutkowski, Paul Stanley
• Application Number:
  US11/478,494
• Publication Number:
  US 20080003955A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/91
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3208 characterised by the application wherein the antenna is used
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3291 mounted in or on other locations inside the vehicle or vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/50 Structural association of antennas with earthing switches, lead-in devices or lightning protectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/034 Portable transmitters

Abstract

A compressed digital music adapting apparatus for vehicles is described, which includes a cigarette-lighter power port and an FM modulator/transmitter. The FM modulator/transmitter modulates compressed digital music from a digital music player and then transmits the modulated music to an FM receiver by coupling the RF output of the FM modulator/transmitter directly to a power supply terminal of the FM modulator/transmitter thus causing a loop of RF current flow which generates a magnetic radiating field.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

an RF transmitter;

a power supply input to said RF transmitter;

a connection configured to couple DC power to said power supply input; and

an RF output configured to couple RF energy to said power supply input.

2. The RF transmitter of claim 1 wherein said RF output causes an RF current to flow in a loop from said RF output to said power supply input thus creating an electromagnetic radiation.

3. The RF transmitter of claim 1 wherein said RF output is configured to couple RF energy to a positive terminal of said power supply input.

4. The RF transmitter of claim 1 wherein said RF output is configured to couple RF energy to a negative terminal of said power supply input.

5. The RF transmitter of claim 1 further comprising a switch, said switch coupling said RF energy to one of a positive terminal of said power supply input, a negative terminal of said power supply input or an antenna.

6. The RF transmitter of claim 1 further comprising a digital audio device.

7. The RF transmitter of claim 1 wherein said connection configured to couple DC power comprises an automobile cigarette lighter plug.

8. Means for radiating an RF signal comprising:

means for generating an RF signal;

means for receiving DC power;

power supply input means for supplying operating power to said generating means;

means for coupling said DC power to said power supply input means; and

means for coupling said RF signal from said means for generating to said power supply input means.

9. The means for radiating of claim 8 further comprising means for radiating an electromagnetic field in response to said RF signal.

10. The means for radiating of claim 8 wherein said means for coupling an RF signal couples said RF signal to a positive terminal of said power supply input means.

11. The means for radiating of claim 8 wherein said means for coupling an RF signal couples said RF signal to a negative terminal of said power supply input means.

12. The means for radiating of claim 8 further comprising switching means for coupling said RF signal to one of a positive terminal of said power supply input means, a negative terminal of said power supply input means or an antenna.

13. The means for radiating of claim 8 wherein said means for generating is an FM transmitter.

14. The means for radiating of claim 8 further comprising a digital audio device.

15. The means for radiating of claim 8 wherein said means for receiving DC power comprises an automobile style power plug.

16. A method for radiating an RF signal comprising the steps of:

generating an RF signal in a transmitter;

powering said transmitter from a connection configured to attach to an automobile DC power system; and

coupling said RF signal so as to induce an RF current in a loop to a power supply of said transmitter.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of radiating an electromagnetic field in response to said RF signal.

18. The method of claim, 16 wherein said RF signal is coupled so as to induce an RF current in a loop to a positive power supply terminal of said transmitter.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein said RF signal is coupled so as to induce an RF current in a loop to a negative power supply terminal of said transmitter.

20. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of switching said RF signal between inducing an RF current in a loop to a positive power supply terminal of said transmitter and inducing an RF current in a loop to a negative power supply terminal of said transmitter.