Apparatus and method for transmitting digital data over various communication media

• US 7,391,317 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2005
• Issued: 06/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Satius Holding, Inc. (Satius, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Satius, Inc.
• Inventors: Abraham, Charles, Reinert, Chris, Jarels, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUNG
• Application Number:
  US11/029,755
• Publication Number:
  US 20060049693A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,266 Days
• Field of Search: 340/531, 340/538, 340/932.2, 340/937, 340/506, 340/825.69, 340/644, 340/310.11, 348/148
• US Class Current: 375/260
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5408 using protocols
• 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 2203/547 via DC power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/0266 Arrangements for providing Galvanic isolation, e.g. by means of magnetic or capacitive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/10 Frequency-modulated carrier systems, i.e. using frequency-shift keying H04L27/32 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/18 Phase-modulated carrier systems, i.e. using phase-shift keying H04L27/32 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2601 Multicarrier modulation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/34 Amplitude- and phase-modulated carrier systems, e.g. quadrature-amplitude modulated carrier systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/023 Multiplexing of multicarrier modulation signals multicarrier modulation H04L27/2601

Abstract

A system is described for transmitting video signals over various communication media using digital signal processing techniques. An embodiment of the system uses an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation process that enables high-speed data communications of Ethernet and/or MPEG or JPEG or H264 compressed or uncompressed digital video. A second embodiment frequency modulates the OFDM modulated signal (FM-OFDM). The first and second embodiments are implemented with a transmit Ethernet interface, an MPEG or JPEG or H264 compressed or uncompressed digital video capture device, and a modem including a modulator and demodulator that provides communication with several other modem devices along communication media such as power lines, wireless (air), cable, or twisted pairs.

Claims

1. A system for distributing signals over a vehicle power distribution system and for communicating between the vehicle and a remote station, the system comprising:

a first modem connected to the vehicle power distribution system, said first modem being configured to;

(1) receive and modulate a carrier signal by at least one of a first source of video, a first sensor, a first computer, and a first telephone and provide a first modulated signal to the vehicle power distribution system, and (2) receive, second, third and fourth modulated signals from the vehicle power distribution system, demodulate the second, third and fourth modulated signals and provide a demodulated signal to at least one of a first video display, the first computer, and the first telephone;

a second modem connected to the vehicle power distribution system, said second modem being configured to;

(1) receive and modulate a carrier signal by at least one of a second source of video, a second sensor, a second computer, and a second telephone and provide a second modulated signal to the vehicle power distribution system, and (2) receive the first, third and fourth modulated signals from the vehicle power distribution system, demodulate the first, third and fourth modulated signals and provide a demodulated signal to at least one of a second video display, the second computer, and the second telephone; and

a third modem connected to the vehicle power distribution system, said third modem being configured to;

(1) receive the first modulated signal and the second modulated signal from the vehicle power distribution system, demodulate the first and second modulated signals and (a) provide the demodulated signals to at least one of a monitor, and a computer and (b) remodulate the demodulated first modulated signal and the demodulated second modulated signal and transmit the remodulated signals to the remote station, and (2) receive a modulated signal from the remote station, demodulate the signal from the remote station and provide the demodulated signal to at least one of a third video display, a third computer, and a third telephone and remodulate the third modulated signal and provide a third modulated signal to the vehicle power distribution system, and (3) receive and modulate signals from at least one of a third source of video, the third computer, and the third telephone and provide a fourth modulated signal to at least one of the vehicle power distribution system and the remote station.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle power distribution system distributes alternating current.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle power distribution system distributes direct current.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the signals transmitted between the vehicle and the remote station are encrypted.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the signals transmitted between the vehicle and the remote station are transmitted wirelessly.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the signals being transmitted between the vehicle and the remote station employ orthogonal frequency division modulation or frequency modulation-orthogonal frequency division modulation using carrier modulation selected from the group consisting of BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 32QAM, 64QAM, FSK, FOK and spread spectrum.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the signals being transmitted between the vehicle and the remote station are transmitted via a vehicle electrification system.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the remote station is wirelessly connected to the electrification system.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the signals being transmitted between the vehicle and the remote station employ orthogonal frequency division modulation or frequency modulation-orthogonal frequency division modulation using carrier modulation selected from the group consisting of BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 32QAM, 64QAM, FSK, FOK and spread spectrum.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensors include at least one of an air pressure sensor, a tire pressure sensor and an oil pressure sensor.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the source of video is a camera located on at least one of the rear of the vehicle and the right side of the vehicle.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the video is uncompressed video.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the signals transmitted between the vehicle and the remote station are transmitted while the vehicle is moving.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the signals transmitted between the first modem, the second modem and the third modem are time division multiplexed on the power distribution system.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the signals transmitted between the first modem, the second modem and the third modem are frequency division multiplexed on the power distribution system.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first modem, the second modem and the third modem includes a video compression module capable of compressing the video signal received from the source of video prior to modulating the video signal.

17. A monitoring system for twenty four hour monitoring of a parking lot, in which monitoring signals are transmitted though a lighting power system of the parking lot, the monitoring system comprising:

a master modem configured to receive a plurality of modulated signals from the lighting power system of the parking lot, and provide a plurality of demodulated signals to a recording device, and

a plurality of slave modems, each of which is configured to receive a video signal from a camera, modulate the video signal and provide the modulated signal to the lighting power system, wherein each of the slave modems and each of the cameras receive operating power from the lighting power system, wherein the lighting power is available for only a portion of each twenty four hour period, and wherein each slave modem and each camera includes means for operating when the lighting power is not available, wherein the master modem and each slave modem are respectively connected to the lighting power system via a coupler, the coupler being either a capacitive or a resin/dielectric-filled type of coupler which matches the characteristic impedance of the lighting power system TDM the characteristic impedance of the modem.

18. The monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the outputs of the plurality of slave modems are frequency division multiplexed on the lighting power system.

19. The monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the outputs of the plurality of slave modems are time division multiplexed on the lighting power system.

20. The monitoring system of claim 17, wherein each slave modem includes batteries for operating when the lighting power is not available.

21. The monitoring system of claim 17, wherein each slave modem includes a sun operated source of power for operating when the lighting power is not available.

22. The monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the signals being transmitted between each slave modem and the master modem employ orthogonal frequency division modulation or frequency modulation-orthogonal frequency division modulation using carrier modulation selected from the group consisting of BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 32QAM, 64QAM, FSK, FOK and spread spectrum.

23. The monitoring system of claim 17, wherein the signals being transmitted between each slave modem and the master modem are encrypted.

24. The monitoring system of claim 17, wherein each slave modem includes a video compression module capable of compressing the video signal received from the camera.

25. A monitoring system for twenty four hour monitoring of a parking lot, in which monitoring signals are transmitted though a lighting power system of the parking lot, the monitoring system comprising:

a master modem configured to receive a plurality of modulated signals from the lighting power system of the parking lot, and provide a plurality of demodulated signals to a recording device, and

a plurality of slave modems, each of which is configured to receive a video signal from a camera, modulate the video signal and provide the modulated signal to the lighting power system, wherein each of the slave modems and each of the cameras receive operating power from the lighting power system, wherein the lighting power is available for only a portion of each twenty four hour period, and wherein each slave modem and each camera includes means for operating when the lighting power is not available, wherein the lighting power system provides a low voltage when the lighting power is not available, said slave modems and said cameras each including a switch for supplying the low voltage to said slave modems and said cameras.

26. A security monitoring system which utilizes a power line within a structure for transmission of signals between components attached thereto, comprising:

a master modem configured to receive a plurality of modulated signals from the power line, to provide a demodulated signal for transmission over the Internet and to receive commands from the Internet, and

a plurality of slave modems, each of which is configured to receive a video signal from a camera, modulate the video signal and provide the modulated signal to the power line, wherein the video signal from any one of the cameras may be selected for transmission over the Internet by the reception of an appropriate one of the commands, wherein the master modem and each slave modem are respectively connected to the lighting power system via a coupler, the coupler being either a capacitive or a resin/dielectric-filled type of coupler which matches the characteristic impedance of the lighting power system to the characteristic impedance of the modem.

27. The monitoring system of claim 26, wherein the outputs of the plurality of slave modems are frequency division multiplexed on the lighting power system.

28. The monitoring system of claim 26, wherein the outputs of the plurality of slave modems are time division multiplexed on the lighting power system.

29. The monitoring system of claim 26, wherein the signals being transmitted between each slave modem and the master modem employ orthogonal frequency division modulation or frequency modulation-orthogonal frequency division modulation using carrier modulation selected from the group consisting of BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 32QAM, 64QAM, FSK, FOK and spread spectrum.

30. A system for transmitting a video signal over an electrical power line connected to a plurality of premises comprising:

a first modem, the output of which is connected to the power line, said modem receiving the video signal from a source and providing a modulated signal to the power line;

a second modem, the input of which is connected to the power line, said modem demodulating the modulated signal, and

a display device connected to the output of said second modem, wherein the video signal is transmitted from the source to said first modem via the Internet, wherein the first modem and the second modem are each connected to the electrical power line via a coupler, the coupler being either a capacitive or a resin/dielectric-filled type of coupler which matches the characteristic impedance of the electrical power line to the characteristic impedance of the modem.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the source of the video is selected from the group consisting of a camera and a television channel.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein the modulated signal being transmitted between the first modem and the second modem employs orthogonal frequency division modulation or frequency modulation-orthogonal frequency division modulation using carrier modulation selected from the group consisting of BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 32QAM, 64QAM, FSK, FOK and spread spectrum.

33. A system for transmitting a video signal over an electrical power line connected to a plurality of premises comprising:

a first modem, the output of which is connected to the power line, said modem receiving the video signal from a source and providing a modulated signal to the power line;

a second modem, the input of which is connected to the power line and the output of which is connected to the Internet at a first access point, said second modem demodulating the modulated signal, and

a display device connected to the Internet at a second access point for displaying the video signal, wherein the first modem and the second modem are each connected to the electrical power line via a coupler, the coupler being either a capacitive or a resin/dielectric-filled type of coupler which matches the characteristic impedance of the electrical power line to the characteristic impedance of the modem.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the modulated signal being transmitted between the first modem and the second modem employs orthogonal frequency division modulation or frequency modulation-orthogonal frequency division modulation using carrier modulation selected from the group consisting of BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 32QAM, 64QAM, FSK, FOK and spread spectrum.

35. A system for transmitting a cable television signal over an electrical power line connected to a plurality of premises comprising:

a first modem for receiving the cable television signal, the output of said first modem being connected to the power line;

a second modem, the input of said second modem being connected to the power line for receiving the cable television signal, and

a display device connected to the output of said second modem, wherein orthogonal frequency division modulation or frequency modulation-orthogonal frequency division modulation is used for transmitting the cable television signal over the power line, wherein the first modem and the second modem are each connected to the electrical power line via a coupler, the coupler being either a capacitive or a resin/dielectric-filled type of coupler which matches the characteristic impedance of the electrical power line to the characteristic impedance of the modem.