Data communication system

• US 4,937,569 A
• Filed: 06/28/1988
• Issued: 06/26/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thorn EMI Patents Limited
• Original Assignee: EMI Ltd (Universal Music Group NV)
• Inventors: Trask, Jeremy R., Wiener, Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Griffin, Robert L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, Ralph
• Application Number:
  US07/212,068
• Time in Patent Office: 728 Days
• Field of Search: 455/8, 455/9, 455/14, 340/310 R, 340/825.02, 340/825.03, 340/825.52, 370/16, 370/58, 370/88, 370/85, 370/60, 370/90
• US Class Current: 340/9.1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00009 using pulsed signals
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00034 the elements or equipment being or involving an electric power substation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• 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

The signalling network has a main control unit which can communicate with any of a number of home units each associated with a separate household. Some home units have signal-repeater facilities. Each of the control units and the home units has an address identity unique in the network.

When a signal is sent out targeted at a specific home unit, the main control unit monitors for acknowledgement of reaching its destination. If no such acknowledgement is received, the main control unit sends out the signal again, but re-routed via an intermediate home unit with a repeater facility.

Claims

1. A communications system comprising a main control unit, a plurality of stations each capable of receiving, generating and transmitting signals, the stations being spaced apart along a common transmission path such that signals may be transmitted directly between the main central unit and any intended destination station, signal-repeater means in each of one or more of said stations, means to selectively effect use of the repeater means of one or more of said stations in sending a signal along the common transmission path between the control unit and a station on the common transmission path, the means to selectively effect use of the repeater means comprising:

means to determine that a signal has not reached its intended destination station;

means to modify the signal to address it to a station incorporating a signal repeater means on the common transmission path intermediate the main control unit and the intended destination station, for subsequent passage to the intended destination station;

means to direct the signal to said intermediate station corresponding to the modified address for subsequent passage to its intended destination station; and

the main control unit having means to monitor for the launch of the signal from the intermediate station towards the intended station(s).

2. A communications system according to claim 1, characterised by a station having means to process a received signal to locate and inspect any target identity and/or repeater identity contained within the received signal.

3. A communications system according to claim 1, characterised by a station having a target identity which is for use when that station is the intended destination of a signal, and a repeater identity (different to the target identity) which is for use when that station is to operate on the signal as a repeater.

4. A communications system comprising a main control unit, a plurality of stations each capable of receiving, generating and transmitting signals, the stations being spaced apart along a common transmission path such that signals may be transmitted directly between the main central unit and any intended destination station, signal-repeater means in each of one or more of said stations, means to selectively effect use of the repeater means of one or more of said stations in sending a signal along the common transmission path between the control unit and a station on the common transmission path, the means to selectively effect use of the repeater means comprising:

means to determine that a signal has not reached its intended destination station;

means to modify the signal to address it to a station incorporating a signal repeater means on the common transmission path intermediate the main control unit and the intended destination station, for subsequent passage to the intended destination station;

means to direct the signal to said intermediate station corresponding to the modified address for subsequent passage to its intended destination station; and

the system utilizing a signal which includes a section identifying the target station(s) which is or are the intended destination of the signal, and a section identifying any intermediate station which is to act as a repeater.

5. A main control unit for a communications system with a plurality of stations each capable of receiving, generating and transmitting signals, the stations being spaced apart along a common transmission path such that signals may be transmitted directly between the main control unit and any intended destination station, one or more of said stations having signal-repeater means, the main control unit comprising means to selectively effect use of the repeater means of one or more of said stations in sending a signal along the common transmission path between the control unit and a station on the common transmission path, means to determine that a signal has not reached its intended destination station, means to modify a signal to address it to a station incorporating a signal repeater means on the common transmission path intermediate the main control unit and the intended destination station for subsequent passage to the intended destination, and means to direct the signal to said intermediate station corresponding to the modified address for subsequent passage to its intended destination station.

6. A control unit according to claim 5, characterised by means to monitor for the launch of the signal from the intermediate station towards the intended station(s).