Broadcasting a message using modulated power

• US 9,729,201 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2014
• Issued: 08/08/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2014
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC (Allied Inventors Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC (Allied Inventors Management, LLC)
• Inventors: Fine, Kevin S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayard, Emmanuel
• Application Number:
  US14/405,084
• Publication Number:
  US 20160285515A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,202 Days
• Field of Search: 375258, 375295, 375257
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/266 One coil at each side, e.g. with primary and secondary coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/72 for local intradevice communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services

Abstract

Technologies are generally described for methods and systems effective to broadcast a message. In some examples, the methods may include receiving the message at a modulator. The modulator may receive a power signal configured to provide power to a closed conductive loop. The modulator may modulate the power signal using the message to generate a modulated power signal. The modulator may broadcast the message by sending the modulated power signal through the closed conductive loop. The modulated power signal, when passing through the closed conductive loop, may produce a modulated magnetic wave that includes an indication of the message. A receiver may be configured to detect the modulated magnetic wave from the closed conductive loop. The receiver may be configured to convert the modulated magnetic wave into the modulated power signal. The receiver may be configured to demodulate the modulated power signal to reproduce the message.

Claims

1. A method to broadcast a message, the method comprising, by a modulator:

receiving the message;

receiving a power signal configured to provide power to a closed conductive loop formed by at least one wire;

modulating the power signal using the message to generate a modulated power signal; and

broadcasting the message by sending current associated with the modulated power signal through the closed conductive loop formed by the at least one wire, wherein sending the current associated with the modulated power signal through the closed conductive loop produces a modulated magnetic wave that includes an indication of the message.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the message is from a transmitting device configured to store the message.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein modulating the power signal comprises:

analyzing the message to generate a control signal, wherein the control signal corresponds to the message; and

controlling a switch, using the control signal, to switch a reactive element into the closed conductive loop and affect an impedance of the closed conductive loop.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending the modulated power signal through a power distribution network.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the power signal is from a step-down transformer.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the message relates to login information of a network.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the power signal includes a voltage of 120 Volts and a frequency of 60 Hertz.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein broadcasting the message includes broadcasting the message in an unencrypted format.

9. A device configured to broadcast a message, the device comprising:

a data receiver configured to receive the message;

a power receiver configured to receive a power signal, the power signal configured to provide power to a closed conductive loop formed by at least one wire;

a modulator configured to modulate the power signal with use of the message to generate a modulated power signal; and

a transmitter configured to broadcast the message by transmission of current associated with the modulated power signal through the closed conductive loop formed by the at least one wire, wherein the transmission of the current associated with the modulated power signal through the closed conductive loop produces a modulated magnetic wave that includes an indication of the message.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the modulator includes:

a reactive element; and

a switch configured to be in communication with the reactive element.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the modulator is configured to:

analyze the message to generate a control signal, wherein the control signal corresponds to the message; and

control the switch, by use of the control signal, to switch the reactive element into the closed conductive loop and affect an impedance of the closed conductive loop.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the message relates to login information of a network.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein the power signal includes a voltage of 120 Volts and a frequency of 60 Hertz.

14. A receiver configured to retrieve a message from a closed conductive loop formed by at least one wire, the receiver comprising:

a magnetometer;

a demodulator configured to be in communication with the magnetometer; and

a processor configured to be in communication with the magnetometer and the demodulator, the processor being configured to control operations of the magnetometer and the demodulator,

wherein the magnetometer is configured to;

detect a modulated magnetic wave from the closed conductive loop formed by the at least one wire, wherein the modulated magnetic wave includes an indication of the message; and

in response to the detection of the modulated magnetic wave, convert the modulated magnetic wave into a modulated power signal, and

wherein the demodulator is configured to demodulate the modulated power signal to reproduce the message.

15. The receiver of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to:

generate a request for the message; and

send the request to a transmitting device configured to store the message.

16. The receiver of claim 14, wherein the message relates to login information of a network.

17. The receiver of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to output the message on a display of the receiver.

18. A system configured to broadcast a message, the system comprising:

a transmitting device configured to store the message;

a transformer configured to be in communication with the transmitting device, the transformer being configured to;

receive a power signal of a first voltage; and

transform the power signal to a transformed power signal of a second voltage, wherein the second voltage is less than the first voltage;

a data receiver configured to receive the message;

a power receiver configured to receive the transformed power signal, the transformed power signal configured to provide power to a closed conductive loop formed by at least one wire;

a modulator configured to modulate the transformed power signal with use of the message to generate a modulated power signal; and

a transmitter configured to broadcast the message by transmission of current associated with the modulated power signal through the closed conductive loop formed by the at least one wire, wherein the transmission of the current associated with the modulated power signal through the closed conductive loop produces a modulated magnetic wave that includes an indication of the message.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the transmitter is configured to send the modulated power signal through a power distribution network.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the transmitter is configured to broadcast the message in an unencrypted format.