High speed data interface to the AC power line through a standard light bulb socket

• US 7,455,435 B2
• Filed: 08/25/2004
• Issued: 11/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Global Franchising Corp., Radioshack Online IPCO LLC
• Original Assignee: RadioShack Legacy Corporation
• Inventors: Griffin, Alfred C., Mathews, David K.
• Primary Examiner(s): VO, TUYET THI
• Application Number:
  US10/925,467
• Publication Number:
  US 20060033454A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,553 Days
• Field of Search: 362/443, 362/437, 362/441, 362/444, 362/358, 362/633, 362/632, 362/184, 362/378
• US Class Current: 362/441
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0056 Audio equipment, e.g. music instruments, radios or speakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/185 via power line carrier transmission

Abstract

A data receiving or transmitting device, having data receiving or transmitting capability, is coupled respectively from or to an AC power line through a standard light bulb socket. In one aspect, a data interface includes a data receiving device that may be configured for extracting data encoded for transmission or encoding data to be embedded and transmitted along the AC power line branch circuit. In another aspect a data receiving device includes a loudspeaker, an amplifier, and a data decoder coupled to the AC power line for playback of audio program material communicated to the device along the power line. The device screws into a light bulb socket for a “no-tools” installation.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing a data interface to an AC powerline through a standard light bulb socket, comprising:

a data terminal device for coupling to an AC power line and processing data communicated along the AC power line; and

a data interface for coupling the data terminal device to the AC power line via a standard medium lamp base, comprising;

a frame;

a standard medium lamp base supported by the frame and for connecting to a branch circuit of the AC power line;

an electrical device having signal terminals and supported by the frame;

electrical circuitry having a first input and a first output, the first output coupled to the signal terminals for driving the electrical device; and

a data receiver having a first input for receiving both AC power and a data signal from the AC power line, the first input coupled to the lamp base, and a first output coupled to the first input of the electrical circuitry.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises the frame of a transducer.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises the frame of a loudspeaker.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrical circuitry comprises an audio amplifier preceded by a low pass filter.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrical device comprises a transducer.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the transducer comprises a loudspeaker.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the transducer comprises a plurality of loudspeakers.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame further includes a standard medium lamp receptacle supported thereon and coupled to the AC power line for receiving a lamp bulb therein.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the data receiving device is configured in combination with a loudspeaker system.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the loudspeaker system is configured as an extension speaker.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the loudspeaker system is configured as a unit of a surround sound speaker system.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the loudspeaker system is configured as an extension speaker for mounting at least partially in a ceiling or wall surface.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the electrical device comprises a loudspeaker, the electrical circuitry comprises an audio amplifier, and a wall-mounted control unit associated with a light switch assembly connected to the AC power line that maintains power to the electrical device and data receiver and provides control of the volume and source selection to the loudspeaker while including control of a lamp bulb connected in the standard medium lamp receptacle of the data receiving unit.

14. Sound reproduction apparatus responsive to data signals coupled through a light bulb socket, comprising:

a frame for a loudspeaker device;

a loudspeaker device supported by the frame, for reproducing audio signals decoded from data signals communicated on an AC power line;

a light bulb base supported by the flame; and

a data interface device for coupling the loudspeaker device to the AC power line via the light bulb base;

wherein the data interface device comprises a data receiving interface circuit for decoding, extracting, and amplifying the audio signals from the data signals communicated through the AC power line.