Wireless remote speaker system

• US 4,829,570 A
• Filed: 05/22/1987
• Issued: 05/09/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Phonex Broadband
• Original Assignee: Recoton Corporation
• Inventors: Schotz, Larry
• Primary Examiner(s): Isen, Forester W.
• Application Number:
  US07/053,355
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• Field of Search: 381/1, 381/2, 381/3, 381/4, 381/13, 455/72, 455/59, 455/103, 340/310 A, 340/310 R, 340/310 CP
• US Class Current: 381/3
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/545 Audio/video application, e.g. interphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5454 Adapter and plugs
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines

Abstract

A device comprised of separate transmitter and receiver sections, which converts an audio signal into an F.M. signal, transmits the F.M. signal over A.C. power lines, and reconverts the F.M. signal into an audio signal, which can then be outputted to loudspeakers or other devices. By transmitting the signal over A.C. lines, no long wires are needed to connect remote loudspeakers or other devices to the source of the audio signal.

Claims

1. A transmitter for transmitting sterophonic audio signals over A.C. power lines, comprising:

input means for providing first and second channels of stereophonic audio signals;

a first signal processing channel including first input buffer means coupled to said input means for amplifying the first channel of stereophonic audio signals, first F.M. modulation means for modulating a first carrier with said first channel of stereophonic audio signals, and first coupling means for coupling said first F.M. modulation means to said first input buffer means;

a second signal processing channel including second input buffer means coupled to said input means for amplifying the second channel of stereophonic audio signals, second F.M. modulation means for frequency modulating a second carrier with said second channel of stereophonic audio signals, and second coupling means for coupling said second F.M. modulation means to said second input buffer means;

said first and second carriers exhibiting different frequencies, each being less than broadcast A.M. frequencies and the n-th harmonic of one frequency (n=1, 2, . . . ) being between the m-th and (m+1)th harmonics of the other frequency (m=1, 2, . . . );

first LC band-pass filter means coupled to said first F.M. modulation means and tuned to the frequency of said first carrier for supplying filtered signals to said A.C. power lines;

second LC band-pass filter means coupled to said second F.M. modulation means and tuned to the frequency of said second carrier for supplying filtered signals to said A.C. power lines; and

said first and second LC band-pass filter means including capacitance means for filtering the respective frequency modulated carrier applied thereto and for summing said frequency modulated carriers supplied to said A.C. power lines.

2. The transmitter of claim 1 wherein said first and second coupling means comprises audio signal compressor means for compressing the dynamic range of said stereophonic audio signals before applying said signals to said first and second F.M. modulation means.

3. The transmitter of claim 2 further comprising signal level detecting means for monitoring the voltage level of said stereophonic audio signals to indicate when said voltage level exceeds a threshold level.

4. The transmitter of claim 1 wherein said first and second F.M. modulation means comprise first and second voltage-controlled oscillators of different oscillating frequencies.

5. The transmitter of claim 3 wherein said first and second input buffer means comprise first and second variable gain amplifying means including adjustable means for changing the gain thereof to reduce the voltage level of said stereophonic audio signals below said threshold level.

6. The transmitter of claim 2 further comprising first and second pre-emphasis means coupled to said audio signal compressor means for pre-emphasizing the compressed stereophonic audio signals before applying same to said first and second F.M. modulation means.

7. A receiver for receiving stereophonic audio signals that are transmitted over A.C. power lines in the form of first and second frequency modulated carriers of different frequencies, each less than broadcast A.M. frequencies and harmonically non-related, said receiver comprising:

input means coupled to the A.C. power lines for receiving the frequency modulated stereophonic audio signals;

a first signal receiving channel including first band-pass filter means coupled to said input means and resonant at the first carrier frequency, first differential amplifier means coupled to said first band-pass filter means for cancelling noise signals present on said A.C. power lines, first plural-stage band-pass filter means coupled to said first differential amplifier means and resonant at said first carrier frequency, first output amplifier means coupled to said first plural-stage band-pass filter means for providing further amplification to the first frequency modulated carrier, and first phase locked loop detecting means coupled to said first output amplifier means for recovering the audio signals frequency modulated on said first carrier;

a second receiving channel including second band-pass filter means coupled to said input means and resonant at the second carrier frequency, second differential amplifier means coupled to said second band-pass filter means for cancelling noise signals present on said A.C. power lines, second plural-stage band-pass filter means coupled to said second differential amplifier means and resonant at said second carrier frequency, second output amplifier means coupled to said second plural-stage band-pass filter means for providing further amplification to the second frequency modulated carrier, and second phase locked loop detecting means coupled to said second output amplifier means for recovering the audio signals frequency modulated on said second carrier; and

output means coupled to said first and second phase locked loop detecting means for outputting recovered stereophonic audio signals.

8. The receiver of claim 7 further comprising output disconnect means for monitoring the presence of received F.M. signals and for disconnecting said output means when no F.M. signals are detected.

9. The receiver of claim 8 wherein said output disconnect means is coupled to at least one of said first and second output amplifier means for detecting the presence of F.M. signals and for disconnecting said output means from said first and second phase locked loop detecting means if no F.M. signals are detected.

10. The receiver of claim further comprising audio signal expander means coupled to said first and second phase locked loop detecting means for expanding the dynamic range of said stereophonic audio signals before applying said stereophonic audio signals to said output means.

11. The receiver of claim 10 further comprising first and second de-emphasis means for coupling said first and second phase locked loop means, respectively, to said output means.

12. The receiver of claim 10 further comprising first and second adjustable filter means for coupling said first and second phase locked loop means, respectively, to said output means.