Method and system for a low cost wireless telephone link for a set top box
AssigneePhonex Broadband Corporation
InventorsDavid Bartholomew, Scott Smith, Alan Stettler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A telephone link for set top box communication between the set top box and a central office is provided. This invention makes use of an AC power line to provide a communication channel between the set top box and the central office. The set top box is configured to include an interface, including coupling and modulation, between the set top box and the AC power line. A base unit, connected to the central office provides another interface configured to facilitate the coupling and modulation of signals between the central office and the AC power line.
Claims20
A wireless telephone communication system for a set top box, comprising:
- (A) a base unit connected to an AC power line for the transmission and receipt of control and data signals;
- and
- (B) a set top box configured to receive AC power, and control and data signals from said AC power line at an AC power line input;
- wherein said set top box further comprises first and second inductors and a capacitor, wherein said AC power line input comprises a hot line input and a neutral line input;
- wherein a hot line is connected to said hot line input and a neutral line is connected to said neutral line input;
- wherein said first inductor is on said hot line, wherein said second inductor is on said neutral line, and wherein said capacitor is connected between said hot line and neutral line on the opposite side of said AC power line input.
A set top box front end comprising:
- a power input comprising a hot power input and a neutral power input, and wherein said power input is configured to be electrically connected to an AC power line and is configured to provide power and communication signals over said AC power line;
- a first inductor and a second inductor, each comprising first and second ends;
- and
- a power output comprising a hot power output and a neutral power output, wherein said power output is configured to provide power to the set top box power supply;
- wherein said hot power input is electrically connected to said first end of said first inductor, and wherein said hot power output is electrically connected to said second end of said first inductor;
- wherein said neutral power input is electrically connected to said first end of said second inductor, and wherein said neutral power output is electrically connected to said second end of said second inductor;
- wherein said capacitor is connected between said second ends of said first and second inductors;
- and wherein no capacitor is connected directly between said first ends of said first and second inductors.
A set-top-box power supply input circuit, wherein said set-top-box power supply input circuit comprises at least a first inductor located between a power input terminal and a power supply filter capacitor;
- wherein the location of said first inductor is configured to reflect inductive impedance to an AC power line.
A set-top-box power supply input circuit having power input terminals and power supply filter capacitors wherein the power supply input circuit comprises:
- one or more inductors between the power input terminals and the power supply filter capacitors, wherein said one or more inductors are configured to reflect inductive impedance to the power line;
- and
- a radio frequency coupling circuit comprising of a capacitor and a radio frequency coupling transformer, wherein said radio frequency coupling circuit is connected through a fuse to the power input terminals.
A wireless telephone communication system for a set top box, comprising:
- (A) a base unit, wherein said base unit is connected to a standard telephone cable and to an AC power line, and wherein said base unit is configured to transmit and receive control and data signals over both said standard telephone cable and said AC power line;
- (B) an extension unit connected to said AC power line for the transmission and receipt of control and data signals to and from said base unit, wherein said extension unit is embedded within said set top box, and wherein said embedded extension unit is controlled by said set top box;
- (C) a central office device connected to said base unit,
- (D) a power supply comprising:
- a first transformer;
- a hot line coupled to said first transformer;
- a neutral line coupled to said first transformer;
- a first capacitor coupled between said first transformer and said neutral line;
- a first inductor coupled to said hot line;
- a second inductor coupled to said neutral line;
- a second capacitor coupled between said hot line and said neutral line on the opposite side of said first and second inductors as the side where said transformer is coupled;
- a third capacitor coupled between said neutral line and a ground line on the opposite side of said second inductor as the side where said transformer is coupled;
- and
- a fourth capacitor coupled between said hot line and said ground line on the opposite side of said first inductor as the side where said transformer is coupled.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.