PLC intercom/monitor
First Claim
1. A digital intercom device, using power line communication (PLC), comprising:
- a power line interface for connection to a power line serving as a communication medium, wherein the interface communicates over the power line using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM);
an audio codec coupled to the power line interface for encoding and decoding digital data to and from data suitable for use by the power line interface;
a digital to analog converter that receives digital decoded data from the codec and converts the digital coded data to a received analog signal;
a receive audio amplifier that amplifies the received analog signal to a level adequate to drive a speaker;
a transmit audio amplifier that amplifies a transmit audio signal and provides an amplified transmit audio signal as an output;
an analog to digital converter that converts the amplified transmit audio signal to a digital representation thereof and passes the digital representation to the codec;
a control processor that controls operation of the interface and the audio codec; and
a switch interface receiving a signal from a push-to-talk switch, which causes the codec to encode the digital representation and the power line interface to place an OFDM modulated version of the digital representation onto the power line.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A digital intercom device consistent with certain embodiments uses power line communication (PLC). A power line interface connects to a power line serving as a communication medium. An audio codec is coupled to the power line interface for encoding and decoding digital data to and from data suitable for use by the power line interface. A digital to analog converter receives digital decoded data from the codec and converts the digital coded data to a received analog signal. A receive audio amplifier amplifies the received analog signal to a level adequate to drive a speaker. A transmit audio amplifier amplifies a transmit audio signal and provides an amplified transmit audio signal as an output. An analog to digital converter converts the amplified transmit audio signal to a digital representation thereof and passes the digital representation to the codec. A control processor controls operation of the interface and the audio codec. A switch interface receiving a signal from a push-to-talk switch, which causes the codec to encode the digital representation and the power line interface to place an OFDM modulated version of the digital representation onto the power line. This abstract should not be considered limiting since other embodiments may incorporate more, fewer or different elements that those described in this abstract.
111 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A digital intercom device, using power line communication (PLC), comprising:
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a power line interface for connection to a power line serving as a communication medium, wherein the interface communicates over the power line using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM); an audio codec coupled to the power line interface for encoding and decoding digital data to and from data suitable for use by the power line interface; a digital to analog converter that receives digital decoded data from the codec and converts the digital coded data to a received analog signal; a receive audio amplifier that amplifies the received analog signal to a level adequate to drive a speaker; a transmit audio amplifier that amplifies a transmit audio signal and provides an amplified transmit audio signal as an output; an analog to digital converter that converts the amplified transmit audio signal to a digital representation thereof and passes the digital representation to the codec; a control processor that controls operation of the interface and the audio codec; and a switch interface receiving a signal from a push-to-talk switch, which causes the codec to encode the digital representation and the power line interface to place an OFDM modulated version of the digital representation onto the power line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A digital intercom device, using power line communication (PLC), comprising:
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a HomePlug®
compliant power line interface for connection to a power line serving as a communication medium, wherein the interface communicates over the power line using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM);an audio codec coupled to the power line interface for encoding and decoding digital data to and from data suitable for use by the power line interface; a digital to analog converter that receives digital decoded data from the codec and converts the digital coded data to a received analog signal; a speaker; a receive audio amplifier that amplifies the received analog signal to a level adequate to drive the speaker; a transmit audio amplifier that amplifies a transmit audio signal and provides an amplified transmit audio signal as an output; an analog to digital converter that converts the amplified transmit audio signal to a digital representation thereof and passes the digital representation to the codec; a control processor that controls operation of the interface and the audio codec; a switch interface receiving a signal from a push-to-talk switch, which causes the codec to encode the digital representation and the power line interface to place an OFDM modulated version of the digital representation onto the power line; means for receiving an analog audio source, and providing the analog audio source to the analog to digital converter; an alarm switch coupled to the processor; a memory; a digital stream stored in the memory that corresponds to an alarm sound; and means for sending the digital stream to the audio codec when the alarm switch is actuated. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A digital room monitor device using power line communication (PLC), comprising:
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a power line interface for connection to a power line serving as a communication medium, wherein the interface communicates over the power line using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM); an audio codec coupled to the power line interface for encoding digital data to a format suitable for use by the power line interface; a microphone device; a transmit audio amplifier that amplifies a transmit audio signal and provides an amplified transmit audio signal as an output; an analog to digital converter that converts the amplified transmit audio signal to a digital representation thereof and passes the digital representation to the codec; and a control processor that controls operation of the interface and the audio codec. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification