MULTIPLE ADDRESS DIRECT COUPLED COMMUNICATION AND CONTROL CURRENT CARRIER SYSTEM

• US 3,818,481 A
• Filed: 08/14/1972
• Issued: 06/18/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bertrand Dorfman, John Lizzio
• Original Assignee: Bertrand Dorfman, John Lizzio
• Inventors: Dorfman, Bertrand, Lizzio, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Habecker, Thomas B.
• Application Number:
  US05/280,428
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 340/31R,31A
• US Class Current: 340/538.11
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00009 using pulsed signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5416 by adding signals to the wave form of the power source
• 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 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/121 using the power network as support for the transmission

Abstract

A multi-address two-way communication system with a control channel. A master position is inter-connected with a plurality of remote positions only over the AC power lines serviced by the same AC power distribution network. The master position contains a source of RF signals, an RF signal modulator and circuitry for energizing the RF signal source and the RF signal modulator to provide a very large number of unique signal combinations. Each remote position contains a decoder circuit which identifies and responds to a signal combination unique to it. A multiplicity of AC power lines in an AC power distribution network are coupled together by frequency selective coupling devices to permit signalling and communication between positions in separated AC power lines in a large building.

Claims

1. A system for selectively addressing and communicating with a substantial plurality of remote positions from a first position over a plurality of AC power lines in an AC power distribution system in a building comprising a first two-way current carrier communication position, a plurality of remote two-way current carrier communications positions, means for interconnecting said first position and said remote positions for communication by direct coupling each of said positions to the AC power lines, an address signalling system at said first position directly coupled to the AC power line including a source of RF signals, means for modulating said RF signals, and means for energizing the source of RF signals and said modulator means to provide means for selectively generating a substantial pluraLity of different modulated RF signal combinations, decoder means at each of said remote positions directly coupled to said AC power lines for identifying a selected combination of modulated RF signals unique to each, a control channel, a control receiver at said first position tuned to said control channel, means at said first position operable through said control receiver for energizing a means for performing a control function, and operable means at said remote positions tuned to said control channel for operating said last mentioned means for energizing from said remote positions.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said communication positions comprise audio amplifier means and noise supression means including degenerative capacitive fee back means for said amplifier means having a value which is related to frequency and low value capacitive coupling means for said amplifier means for reducing the low frequency gain thereof.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein said communication positions comprise receiver means capable of receiving conductive RF energy from said AC power lines through coupling capacitors directly coupled to the primary of input transformer means,

4. A system according to claim 1 in which said AC line coupling means comprises capacitor means coupled across said signal impeding means in the AC power distribution system.

5. A system according to claim 1, in which said power distribution system has signal impeding means, comprising AC line coupling means associated with said signal impeding means in the AC power distribution system for unifying a plurality of AC power lines for communication between positions connected to different AC power lines.

6. A system according to claim 5 in which said signal impeding means comprises transformer means in the AC power distribution system, in which said AC line coupling means comprises capacitor means coupling together the several AC power line phases on the secondary side of said transformer means for communication with positions on different AC power line phases.

7. A system according to claim 5 in which said signal impeding means comprises transformer means in the AC power distribution system, in which said AC line coupling means comprises capacitor means coupling together the primary and secondary sides of said transformer means for communication between positions on opposite sides of said transformer means.

8. A system according to claim 5 in which said AC power distribution system has a plurality of utility service transformer means serving the same building in which said AC line coupling means comprises capacitor means coupling together the secondary sides of different utility service transformer means for communication between positions served by different utility service transformer means.