Video multiplying system

• US 5,327,230 A
• Filed: 12/24/1992
• Issued: 07/05/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gregory A. Dockery
• Original Assignee: Gregory A. Dockery
• Inventors: Dockery, Gregory A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): URBAN, EDWARD F
• Application Number:
  US07/997,119
• Time in Patent Office: 558 Days
• Field of Search: 358/86, 455/3.1, 455/3.3, 455/6.3, 455/41, 455/270, 343/861, 343/876, 343/905, 333/32, 340/310 R, 340/310 A
• US Class Current: 725/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/108 the cable being constituted by a pair of wires

Abstract

A VCR transmission device is disclosed including a transmitting unit capable of receiving a VCR video signal, conditioning the video signal and outputting the video signal onto a home power line ordinarily carrying an AC power signal. The transmitting device attaches directly to an existing power outlet in the home power line to broadcast the video signal from the VCR throughout the home using the power line as an aerial antenna. A receiving unit then receives the video signal through aerial reception or by connecting to any other power outlet in the home power and delivers the signal to a television set which may be remote from the VCR.

Claims

1. A broadcast system for use with a video signal source having a source frequency, a power line and a monitor having a tunable frequency, comprising:

a transmitter, electrically connected to the power line, including;

input means for receiving a video signal at the source frequency from the video signal source,

modulation means for converting the signal from the source frequency to a broadcast frequency;

transmitter output means, electrically connected to the power line, for electromagnetically radiating the signal from the power line at the broadcast frequency; and

an antenna for receiving the electromagnetically radiated signal, including;

six switches having input ends and output ends;

an output having an output line and a return line, the return line connected to a ground;

three antenna lines, the first antenna line connected to the input of the first switch and the input of the sixth switch, the second antenna line connected to the input of the fourth switch and the input of fifth switch, the connection between the input of the fourth switch and the input of the fifth switch forming a first loop, the third antenna line connected to the input of the second switch and the input of the third switch, the connection between the input of the second switch and the input of the third switch forming a second loop, the output of the first switch and the output of the second switch connected together to form a third loop and connected to the output line, the output of the third switch and the fourth switch connected together to form a fourth loop, the output of the fifth switch connected to the output line, and the output of the sixth switch connected to the return line, whereby the impedance of the output line may be adjusted by closing one or more of the six switches,

demodulation means, connected to the output line, for converting the signal from the broadcast frequency to the tunable frequency, and

antenna output means, connected to the modulation means, for outputting the signal at the tunable frequency to the monitor.

2. A broadcast system according to claim 1, further including:

amplifier means, electrically connected to the input means, for amplifying the video signal at the source frequency.

3. A broadcast system according to claim 1, further including:

amplifier means, electrically connected to the modulation means, for amplifying the video signal at the broadcast frequency.

4. A broadcast system according to claim 1, further including amplifier means, electrically connected to the modulation means, for amplifying the video signal to approximately 50 mV at the power line.

5. A broadcast system according to claim 1, wherein the source frequency is between 60.5 MHz and 65.5 MHz and the broadcast frequency is between 902 MHz and 928 MHz.

6. A broadcast system for use with a video signal source having a source frequency, a power line, and a monitor, comprising:

a transmitter, electrically connected to the power line, including;

input means for receiving a video signal at the source frequency from the video signal source,

modulation means for converting the signal from the source frequency to a broadcast frequency;

transmitter output means, electrically connected to the power line, for electromagnetically radiating the signal from the power line at the broadcast frequency;

receiver means, characterized by an impedance, for aerially receiving the signal electromagnetically radiated from the power line, including;

three input lines, at least one input line having first multiple branches, the remaining input lines, if any, not having multiple branches, and at least one input line carrying the video signal;

two output lines, at least one output line having second multiple branches, the remaining output line, if any, not having multiple branches; and

switching means, connected to the first and second multiple branches and to the remaining input lines, if any, and to the remaining output lines, if any, for selecting electrical connections between (a) the first multiple branches and the remaining input lines, if any, and (b) the second multiple branches and the remaining output lines, if any, thereby tuning the impedance of the receiver means,

means for outputting the signal to the monitor.

7. A broadcast system according to claim 6, further including:

amplifier means, electrically connected to the input means, for amplifying the video signal at the source frequency.

8. A broadcast system according to claim 6, further including:

amplifier means, electrically connected to the modulation means, for amplifying the video signal at the broadcast frequency.

9. A broadcast system according to claim 6, further including amplifier means, electrically connected to the modulation means, for amplifying the video signal to approximately 50 mV at the power line.

10. A broadcast system according to claim 6, wherein the source frequency is between 60.5 MHz and 65.5 MHz and the broadcast frequency is between 902 MHz and 928 MH.

11. A broadcast system for use with a video signal source having a source frequency, a power line, and a monitor, comprising:

a transmitter, electrically connected to the power line, including;

input means for receiving a video signal at the source frequency from the video signal source;

modulation means for converting the signal from the source frequency to a broadcast frequency; and

transmitter output means, electrically connected to the power line, for electromagnetically radiating the signal from the power line at the broadcast frequency;

receiver means, characterized by an impedance, for aerially receiving the signal electromagnetically radiated from the power line, comprising;

three input lines connected to a standard power adaptor, at least one input line carrying the signal;

two output lines; and

a processing means comprising conductive elements including switching means and arrangements of conductive paths in which

1) a first of said three input lines is connected to said switching means by multiple branch lines,

2) the second and third of said three input lines are connected to said switching means by multiple branch lines,

3) a first of said two output lines is connected to said switching means by multiple branch lines,

4) the second of said two output lines is connected to said switching means,

the switching means facilitates the selection of alternates of said conductive paths and said conductive elements to pass the signal from the at least one input line carrying the signal to at least one of said output lines thereby tuning the impedance of the receiver, and

the processing means enables the simultaneous electrical connection via said conductive elements of one of the output lines with two of the input lines; and

means for outputting the signal from the receiver means to the monitor.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein,

the processing means enables the simultaneous electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of one of the output lines with the three input lines.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the processing means electrically connects via certain of said conductive elements the first input line with the second input line.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the processing means also electrically connects via certain of said conductive elements the second input line with the third input line.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain said conductive elements of at least one of the output lines with each of the three input lines.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of each of the output lines with each of the three input lines.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the first output line with each of the input lines and also enables the electrical connection via certain conductive elements of the second output line with each of the input lines.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein,

the processing means enables, by a first setting of the switching means, the first output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements simultaneously with two of the input lines and also enables, by a second setting of the switching means, the second output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements simultaneously with two of the input lines.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein,

the first and second output lines are connected to a coaxial cable coupler with the first output line connected to the internal (signal) line of the coupler and the second output line connected to the external (return) line of the coupler, and

wherein the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the second output line with at least one input line while the first output line is not electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements to any of the input lines.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein,

the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the first output line with at least one of the input lines while the second output line is not electrically connected via said conductive elements to any of the input lines.

21. The system of claim 11, wherein the processing means

enables the simultaneous electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of one of the output lines with two of the input lines,

electrically connects via certain of said conductive elements the first input line with the second input line, and

enables the electrical connection via conductive elements of each of the output lines with each of the three input lines.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein

the processing means enables, by a first setting of the switching means, the first output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements simultaneously with two of the input lines and also enables, by a second setting of the switching means, the second output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements simultaneously with two of the input lines, and

wherein the first and second output lines are connected to a coaxial cable coupler with the first output line connected to the internal line of the coupler and the second output line connected to the external line of the coupler,

wherein the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the second output line with at least one of the input lines while the first output line is not electrically connected via said conductive elements to any of the input lines, and

wherein the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the first output line with at least one of the input lines while the second output line is not electrically connected via said conductive elements to any of the input lines.

23. A broadcast system for use with a video signal source having a source frequency, a power line, and a monitor, comprising:

a transmitter, electrically connected to the power line, including;

input means for receiving a video signal at the source frequency from the video signal source; and

transmitter output means, electrically connected to the power line, for electromagnetically radiating the signal from the power line;

receiver means, characterized by an impedance, for aerially receiving the signal electromagnetically radiated from the power line, comprising;

at least two input lines connected to a standard power adaptor, at least one input line carrying the video signal;

two output lines;

a processing means comprising conductive elements including switching means and arrangements of conductive paths in which

1) a first of said at least two input lines is connected to said switching means by multiple branch lines,

2) a second of said at least two input lines is connected to said switching means by multiple branch lines or by direct line,

3) a first of said two output lines is connected to said switching means by multiple branch lines,

4) the second of said two output lines is connected to said switching means by multiple branch lines or by direct line, and

the switching means facilitates the selection of alternates of said conductive paths and said conductive elements to pass the video signal from the at least one input line carrying the video signal to at least one of said output lines thereby tuning the impedance of the receiver, and

the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the first output line with each of the input lines and also enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the second output line with each of the first and second input lines.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein

the processing means enables, by a first setting of the switching means, the first output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements simultaneously with two of the input lines and also enables, by a second setting of the switching means, the second output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements simultaneously with two of the input lines.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein,

the first and second output lines are connected to a coaxial cable coupler with the first output line connected to the internal (signal) line of the coupler and the second output line connected to the external (return) line of the coupler, and

wherein the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the second output line with at least one input line while the first output line is not electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements to any of the input lines.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein,

the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the first output line with at least one of the input lines while the second output line is not electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements to any of the input lines.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein,

the processing means enables, by a first setting of the switching means, the first output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements simultaneously with two of the input lines and also enables, by a second setting of the switching means, the second output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements simultaneously with two of the input lines.

28. A broadcast system for use with a video signal source having a source frequency, a power line, and a monitor, comprising:

a transmitter, electrically connected to the power line, including;

input means for receiving a video signal at the source frequency from the video signal source;

modulation means for converting he signal from the source frequency to a broadcast frequency; and

transmitter output means, electrically connected to the power line, for electromagnetically radiating the signal from the power line at the broadcast frequency;

receiver means, characterized by an impedance, for aerially receiving the signal electromagnetically radiated from the power line, comprising;

at least a first and a second input line connected to a standard power adaptor, at least one input line carrying the video signal;

first and second output lines;

a coaxial cable coupler; and

a processing means comprising conductive elements including switching means and arrangements of conductive paths in which

1) the input lines are connected to the switching means by conductive elements including the arrangements of said conductive paths,

2) the output lines are connected to the switching means by the conductive elements including the arrangement of said conductive paths,

3) the output lines are connected to the coaxial cable coupler,

4) the processing means enables the first output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements with each of the first and second input lines and also enables the second output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements with each of the input lines, and

the switching means facilitates the selection of alternates of said conductive paths and said conductive elements to pass the video signal from the at least one input line carrying the video signal to at least one of said output lines thereby tuning the impedance of the receiver.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein,

the processing means enables, by a first setting of the switching means, the first output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements simultaneously with two of the input lines and also enables, by a second setting of the switching means, the second output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements simultaneously with two of the input lines.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein,

the first and second output lines are connected to a coaxial cable coupler with the first output line connected to the internal (signal) line of the coupler and the second output line connected to the external (return) line of the coupler, and

wherein the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the second output line with at least one of the input lines while the first output lines is not electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements to any of the input lines.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein,

the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the first output line with at least one of the input lines while the second output line is not electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements to any of the input lines.

32. A broadcast system for use with a video signal source having a source frequency, a power line, and a monitor, comprising:

a transmitter, electrically connected to the power line, including;

input means for receiving a video signal at the source frequency from the video signal source; and

transmitter output means, electrically connected to the power line, for electromagnetically radiating the signal from the power line;

receiver means, characterized by an impedance, for aerially receiving the signal electromagnetically radiated from the power line, comprising;

at least a first and a second input line connected to a standard power adaptor, at least one input line carrying the video signal;

first and second output lines; and

a processing means comprising conductive elements including switching means and arrangements conductive paths in which

1) the input lines are connected to the switching means by the conductive elements including the arrangements of the conductive paths,

2) the output lines are connected to the switching means by the conductive elements including the arrangements of the conductive paths,

3) the processing means enables the first output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements with each of the input lines, and also enables the second output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements with each of the input lines,

the switching means facilitates the selection of alternates of said conductive paths and said conductive elements to pass the video signal from the at least one input line carrying the video signal to at least one of said output line thereby turning the impedance of the receiver.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein,

the processing means enables, by a first setting of the switching means, the first output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements simultaneously with two of the input lines and also enables, by a second setting of the switching means, the second output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements simultaneously with two of the input lines.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein,

the first and second output lines are connected to a coaxial cable coupler with the first output line connected to the internal (signal) line of the coupler and the second output line connected to the external (return) line of the coupler, and

wherein the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the first output line with at least one of the input lines while the second output line is not electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements to any of the input lines.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein,

the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the first output line with at least one of the input lines while the second output line is not electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements to any of the input lines.