Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving time broadcasting information using power line

• US 8,761,270 B2
• Filed: 08/05/2010
• Issued: 06/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science
• Original Assignee: Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science
• Inventors: Woo, Sam Yong, Kim, Young Beom, Kim, Myungsoo, Kwon, Taeg Yong, Yang, Seong Hoon
• Primary Examiner(s): Singh, Hirdepal
• Application Number:
  US13/388,631
• Publication Number:
  US 20120128080A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,419 Days
• Field of Search: 375/257, 375/259, 375/268, 375/271, 375/293, 375/294, 375/295, 375/302, 375/316, 375/322, 375/324, 375/340, 375/34
• US Class Current: 375/257
• 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 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines

Abstract

In the present invention, time information is sent through a common power line in executing home automation devices or using various industrial equipments. In the power line broadcasting, a small amount of data, such as time information, is transmitted unidirectionally, and long-distance power line broadcasting can be possible using carriers of a low frequency band. time setting for various instruments is automatically performed in response to a power signal after a breakdown of electric current, making unnecessary a user'"'"'s action to perform the time setting, and the existing power line can be used without change.

Claims

1. An apparatus for transmitting time broadcasting information using a power line and a dual tone multi-frequency, the apparatus comprising:

a power line for transferring a predetermined power signal;

broadcasting signal generation means for encoding at least one time broadcasting information of a year, a month, a day, an hour, a minute, and a second, corresponding to a specific zero-crossing point of time of an AC signal which is the power signal, and generating a time broadcasting signal which is a synthesis signal of different frequencies of the dual tone multi-frequency so that the time broadcasting signal corresponds to the encoded time broadcasting information; and

broadcasting signal combination means for combining the time broadcasting signal and the power signal.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the broadcasting signal generation means comprises an encoder for encoding the time broadcasting information.

3. An apparatus for receiving time broadcasting information using a power line and a dual tone multi-frequency, the apparatus comprising:

filtering means connected to the power line and configured to extract a time broadcasting signal which is a synthesis signal of different frequencies of the dual tone multi-frequency from the power line and to separate the different frequencies into individual frequencies; and

broadcasting information acquirement means configured to acquire decoded time broadcasting information by decoding the time broadcasting information on a basis of a combination of the separated individual frequencies.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the broadcasting information acquirement means comprises a decoder for decoding the time broadcasting information.

5. A method of transmitting time broadcasting information using a power line and a dual tone multi-frequency, the method comprising:

a step of broadcasting signal generation means encoding at least one time broadcasting information of a year, a month, a day, an hour, a minute, and a second;

a step of the broadcasting signal generation means generating a time broadcasting signal which is a synthesis signal of different frequencies of the dual tone multi-frequency so that the time broadcasting signal corresponds to the encoded time broadcasting information; and

a step of broadcasting signal combination means combining the time broadcasting signal and a power signal of the power line.

6. A method of receiving time broadcasting information using a power line and a dual tone multi-frequency, the method comprising:

a step of filtering means, connected to the power line, extracting a time broadcasting signal which is a synthesis signal of different frequencies of the dual tone multi-frequency from the power line;

a step of the filtering means separating the different frequencies of the time broadcasting signal into individual frequencies;

a step of broadcasting information acquirement means decoding time broadcasting information on a basis of a combination of the separated individual frequencies; and

a step of the broadcasting information acquirement means acquiring the decoded time broadcasting information.