Low frequency bilateral communication over distributed power lines

Claim 2

A full-duplex communications system for transmitting information, comprising: an electric power distribution line to transmit an electrical power signal; a power distribution circuit coupled to the electric power distribution line to provide the electrical power signal to a power consumer via the electric power distribution line; a first information transmitter coupled to the power distribution circuit to provide first information signals concurrently with the electrical power signal to the power consumer via the electric power distribution line; a first information receiver, coupled to a power consumer device powered by the electrical power signal, to receive the first information signals via the electric power distribution line; a second information transmitter coupled to the power consumer device to provide second information signals concurrently with the electrical power signal via the electric power distribution line; and a second information receiver coupled to the power distribution circuit to receive the second information signals via the electric power distribution line; and wherein full duplex communication between the power distribution circuit and the power consumer is accomplished via the electric power distribution line, the first and second information transmitters each comprise a sub-carrier signal generator circuit to respectively modulate the first and second information signals onto the electrical power signal, and each of the sub-carrier signal generator circuits comprise a low frequency signal modulator to modulate the corresponding first and second information signals onto the electrical power signal at a frequency lower than a frequency of the electrical power signal.

Claim 3

A full-duplex communications system for transmitting information, comprising: an electric power distribution line to transmit an electrical power signal; a power distribution circuit coupled to the electric power distribution line to provide the electrical power signal to a power consumer via the electric power distribution line; a first information transmitter coupled in series with a neutral connection of the power distribution circuit to provide first information signals concurrently with the electrical power signal to the power consumer via the electric power distribution line; at least one protection module coupled between the neutral connection and ground to provide a short-circuit connection between the neutral connection and ground upon recognition of an open-circuit condition at the first information transmitter; a first information receiver, coupled to a power consumer device powered by the electrical power signal, to receive the first information signals via the electric power distribution line; a second information transmitter coupled to the power consumer device to provide second information signals concurrently with the electrical power signal via the electric power distribution line; and a second information receiver coupled to the power distribution circuit to receive the second information signals via the electric power distribution line; and whereby full duplex communication between the power distribution circuit and the power consumer is accomplished via the electric power distribution line.

Claim 4

A full-duplex communications system for transmitting information, comprising: an electric power distribution line to transmit an electrical power signal; a power distribution circuit coupled to the electric power distribution line to provide the electrical power signal to a power consumer via the electric power distribution line; a first information transmitter coupled in series with a neutral connection of the power distribution circuit to provide first information signals concurrently with the electrical power signal to the power consumer via the electric power distribution line; at least one protection module coupled between the neutral connection and ground to provide a short-circuit connection between the neutral connection and ground upon recognition of an open-circuit condition at the first information transmitter; a first information receiver, coupled to a power consumer device powered by the electrical power signal, to receive the first information signals via the electric power distribution line; a second information transmitter coupled to the power consumer device to provide second information signals concurrently with the electrical power signal via the electric power distribution line; and a second information receiver coupled to the power distribution circuit to receive the second information signals via the electric power distribution line; and whereby full duplex communication between the power distribution circuit and the power consumer is accomplished via the electric power distribution line.

Claim 5

The full-duplex communications system as in claim 2, wherein the at least one protection module comprises: a first conductor, coupled to the neutral connection, having electrical characteristics sufficient to conduct a current carried on the neutral connection; a second conductor, coupled to the ground, having electrical characteristics sufficient to conduct the current carried on the neutral connection, the second conductor being forcedly directed towards the first conductor; a voltage threshold device coupled between the first and second conductors, having resistance properties such that its resistance drops as voltage increases; and a conductive restraining device coupled between the first and second conductors and in series with the voltage threshold device; and wherein the conductive restraining device separates the first and second conductors until the voltage at the neutral connection is sufficiently high to pass a current through the voltage threshold device capable of diminishing rigidity of the conductive separator, thereby causing the first and second conductors to become juxtaposed.

Claim 6

A communications system for transmitting information from a utility power distribution node to a power consumer via an electric power distribution line used to provide power to the power consumer, the communications system comprising: a transmitting circuit at the power distribution node to transmit an information signal via the electric power distribution line at a frequency no greater than a power transmission frequency at which the power is transmitted; and a receiving circuit at a customer site coupled to the transmitting circuit via the electric power distribution line to receive the information signal for use at the customer site.

Claim 7

A communications system for transmitting information from a utility power distribution node to a power consumer via an electric power distribution line used to provide power to the power consumer, the communications system comprising: a transmitting circuit at the power distribution node to transmit an information signal via the electric power distribution line at a frequency no greater than a power transmission frequency at which the power is transmitted; and a receiving circuit at a customer site coupled to the transmitting circuit via the electric power distribution line to receive the information signal for use at the customer site.

Claim 8

The communications system as in claim 4, wherein the transmitting circuit comprises a low frequency modulating circuit to modulate the information signal on a power signal providing the power to the power consumer.

Claim 9

The communications system as in claim 5, wherein the low frequency modulating circuit comprises: a zero-crossover sense circuit to determine approximate zero-crossover points of the power signal; a signal inversion circuit coupled to the zero-crossover sense circuit to modulate the information signal at predetermined ones of the approximate zero-crossover points to create a carrier power signal which embodies the power signal and the information signal modulated thereon; and signal driving circuitry coupled to the signal inversion circuit and to the electric power distribution line to drive the carrier power signal onto the electric power distribution line.

Claim 10

The communications system as in claim 6, wherein the signal inversion circuit comprises an inverter to invert every nth half-period of the power signal of the power signal between successive ones of the zero-crossover points.

Claim 11

The communications system as in claim 6, wherein the signal inversion circuit comprises a phase-shifting circuit to shift the phase of every nth half-period of the power signal by approximately 180 degrees between successive ones of the zero-crossover points.

Claim 12

The communications system as in claim 6, wherein the signal inversion circuit comprises phase-inverting circuitry to invert the phase of every nth half-period of the power signal between successive ones of the zero-crossover points, and wherein consecutive positive phases of the power signal correspond to a first logic state of the information signal and consecutive negative phases of the power signal correspond to a second logic state of the information signal, whereby the information signal has a frequency which is necessarily no greater than the frequency of the power signal.

Claim 13

The communications system as in claim 4, further comprising a transformer coupled in parallel with the electric power distribution line, and further coupled to the transmitting circuit, to induce the information signal from the transmitting circuit onto the electric power distribution line concurrently with a power signal provided to the power consumer.

Claim 14

The communications system as in claim 4, further comprising at least one customer device coupled to the receiving circuit, and wherein the information signal comprises control signals to manipulate the operation of the at least one customer device.

Claim 15

The communications system as in claim 4, wherein: the customer site further comprises a customer site transmitting circuit to transmit a customer information signal to the distribution node via the electric power distribution line at a frequency no greater than the power transmission frequency; and the distribution node further comprises a distribution node receiving circuit coupled to the customer site transmitting circuit via the electric power distribution line to receive the customer information signal for use at the distribution node.

Claim 16

The communications system as in claim 4, further comprising a plurality of customer sites, each comprising at least one receiving circuit coupled to the electric power distribution line to receive the information signal and accept information having a matching address.

Claim 17

The communication system as in claim 4, wherein the transmitting circuit comprises: (a) an information signal modulating circuit to superimpose an information signal on a power signal transmitting the power, wherein the information signal has a frequency less than a frequency of the power signal, comprising: (i) a zero-crossover sense circuit to determine approximate zero-crossover points of the power signal; (ii) a signal inversion circuit coupled to the zero-crossover sense circuit to invert the phase of every nth half-period of the power signal between successive ones of the zero-crossover points to create a carrier power signal, wherein consecutive positive phases of the carrier power signal correspond to a first logic state of the information signal and consecutive negative phases of the carrier power signal correspond to a second logic state of the information signal; and (b) signal driving circuitry coupled to the signal inversion circuit and to the electric power distribution line to drive the carrier power signal to the power consumer via the electric power distribution line.

Claim 18

A communication method for communicating between an electric power provider and an electric power consumer via an electric power distribution line, the communication method comprising: providing a power signal to the power consumer via the electric power distribution line at a predetermined power signal frequency; and concurrently transmitting a control signal, corresponding to the control information, to the power consumer via the electric power distribution line at a basebond control frequency less than the power signal frequency, wherein the control information manipulates the operation of at least one consumer device at a power consumer site.

Claim 19

A communication method for communicating between an electric power provider and an electric power consumer via an electric power distribution line, the communication method comprising: providing a power signal to the power consumer via the electric power distribution line at a predetermined power signal frequency; and concurrently transmitting a control signal, corresponding to the control information, to the power consumer via the electric power distribution line at a basebond control frequency less than the power signal frequency, wherein the control information manipulates the operation of at least one consumer device at a power consumer site.

Claim 20

The method of claim 15, wherein concurrently transmitting a control signal comprises superimposing the control signal onto the power signal.

Claim 21

The method of claim 16, wherein superimposing the control signal onto the power signal comprises utilizing the power signal frequency as a carrier signal and modulating the carrier signal to correspond to the control signal.

Claim 22

The method of claim 15, wherein the basebond control frequency is derived from the power signal frequency.

Claim 23

The method of claim 15, wherein concurrently transmitting a control signal comprises modifying waveforms of the power signal to create patterns of half-period waveforms corresponding to a digital representation of the control information.

Claim 24

The method of claim 19, wherein modifying waveforms of the power signal comprises detecting zero-crossover points of the power signal, and inverting selected ones of the half-period waveforms to create the patterns of half-period waveforms corresponding to a digital representation of the control information.

Claim 25

The method of claim 15, wherein providing a power signal to the power consumer comprises providing the power signal at a frequency set by the electric power provider.

Claim 26

The method of claim 15, wherein providing a power signal to the power consumer comprises providing the power signal at a frequency of approximately 50 Hz.

Claim 27

The method of claim 15, wherein providing a power signal to the power consumer comprises providing the power signal at a frequency of approximately 60 Hz.

Claim 28

The method of claim 15, further comprising controlling active and inactive intervals of the at least one consumer device.

Claim 29

The method of claim 24, wherein controlling active and inactive intervals of the at least one consumer device comprises managing maximum power loads by inactivating selected ones of the at least one consumer device when power loads exceed a predetermined threshold.

Claim 30

The method of claim 15, further comprising providing general information to the power consumer via the control signal, the general information including information selected from the group comprising: current time, price of power, and temperature.

Claim 31

The method of claim 15, wherein transmitting the control signal comprises implementing a control signal protocol having a packet type indicator to designate an information category, an address field to designate an address of one or more of the consumer devices at one or more of the power consumer sites, and a data field to provide the control information to the one or more power consumer sites.

Claim 32

The method of claim 27, wherein implementing a control signal protocol further comprises providing synchronization designators to delineate the control signals.

Claim 33

A signal transmission device for transmitting information signals from a utility power distribution node to a power consumer via a power distribution line used to provide a power signal to the power consumer, the signal transmission device comprising: (a) an information signal modulating circuit to superimpose an information signal on the power signal, wherein the information signal has a basebond frequency less than a frequency of the power signal, comprising: (i) a zero-crossover sense circuit to determine approximate zero-crossover points of the power signal; (ii) a signal inversion circuit coupled to the zero-crossover sense circuit to invert the phase of every nth half-period of the power signal between successive ones of the zero-crossover points to create a carrier power signal, wherein consecutive positive phases of the carrier power signal correspond to a first logic state of the information signal and consecutive negative phases of the carrier power signal correspond to a second logic state of the information signal; and (b) signal driving circuitry coupled to the signal inversion circuit and to the power distribution line to drive the carrier power signal to the power consumer via the power distribution line.

Claim 34

A signal transmission device for transmitting information signals from a utility power distribution node to a power consumer via a power distribution line used to provide a power signal to the power consumer, the signal transmission device comprising: (a) an information signal modulating circuit to superimpose an information signal on the power signal, wherein the information signal has a basebond frequency less than a frequency of the power signal, comprising: (i) a zero-crossover sense circuit to determine approximate zero-crossover points of the power signal; (ii) a signal inversion circuit coupled to the zero-crossover sense circuit to invert the phase of every nth half-period of the power signal between successive ones of the zero-crossover points to create a carrier power signal, wherein consecutive positive phases of the carrier power signal correspond to a first logic state of the information signal and consecutive negative phases of the carrier power signal correspond to a second logic state of the information signal; and (b) signal driving circuitry coupled to the signal inversion circuit and to the power distribution line to drive the carrier power signal to the power consumer via the power distribution line.

Claim 35

A full-duplex communications system for transmitting information, comprising: an electric power distribution line to transmit an electrical power signal; a power distribution circuit coupled to the electric power distribution line to provide the electrical power signal to a power consumer via the electric power distribution line; a first information transmitter coupled to the power distribution circuit to provide first information signals concurrently with the electrical power signal to the power consumer via the electric power distribution line; a first information receiver, coupled to a power consumer device powered by the electrical power signal, to receive the first information signals via the electric power distribution line; a second information transmitter coupled to the power consumer device to provide second information signals concurrently with the electrical power signal via the electric power distribution line; and a second information receiver coupled to the power distribution circuit to receive the second information signals via the electric power distribution line, whereby full duplex communication between the power distribution circuit and the power consumer is accomplished via the electric power distribution line, wherein the first and second information transmitters each comprise a sub-carrier signal generator circuit to respectively modulate the first and second information signals onto the electrical power signal wherein each of the sub-carrier signal generator circuits comprise a signal modulator to modulate the corresponding first and second information signals onto the electrical power signal at a frequency lower than a frequency of the electrical power signal.

Claim 36

A full-duplex communications system for transmitting information, comprising: an electric power distribution line to transmit an electrical power signal; a power distribution circuit coupled to the electric power distribution line to provide the electrical power signal to a power consumer via the electric power distribution line; a first information transmitter coupled to the power distribution circuit to provide first information signals concurrently with the electrical power signal to the power consumer via the electric power distribution line; a first information receiver, coupled to a power consumer device powered by the electrical power signal, to receive the first information signals via the electric power distribution line; a second information transmitter coupled to the power consumer device to provide second information signals concurrently with the electrical power signal via the electric power distribution line; and a second information receiver coupled to the power distribution circuit to receive the second information signals via the electric power distribution line, whereby full duplex communication between the power distribution circuit and the power consumer is accomplished via the electric power distribution line, wherein the first and second information transmitters each comprise a sub-carrier signal generator circuit to respectively modulate the first and second information signals onto the electrical power signal wherein each of the sub-carrier signal generator circuits comprise a signal modulator to modulate the corresponding first and second information signals onto the electrical power signal at a frequency lower than a frequency of the electrical power signal.

Claim 37

A full-duplex communications system for disseminating information from a power distribution station to a plurality of power consumer sites via an electric power distribution line which provides power to the plurality of power consumer sites, comprising: a power distribution line coupled to each of the plurality of power consumer sites; a power distribution circuit coupled to the power distribution line at the power distribution station to provide a power signal to the plurality of power consumer sites via the power distribution line; an information transmitter coupled to the power distribution circuit to provide information signals concurrently with the power signal to the plurality of power consumers via the power distribution line; at least one information receiver at each of the plurality of power consumer sites, each of the information receivers being coupled to a power consumer device powered by the power signal, wherein each of the information receivers receives the information signals via the power distribution line; a consumer information transmitter at each of the power consumer devices to provide consumer information signals concurrently with the power signal to the power distribution station via the power distribution line; and a consumer information receiver coupled to the power distribution circuit to receive the consumer information signals via the power distribution line, whereby full duplex communication between the power distribution circuit and the plurality of power consumer sites is accomplished via the power distribution line, wherein the information transmitter and the consumer information transmitter each comprise a sub-carrier signal generator circuit to respectively modulate the information and consumer information signals onto the electrical power signal wherein each of the sub-carrier signal generator circuits comprise a signal modulator to modulate the corresponding first and second information signals onto the electrical power signal at a frequency lower than a frequency of the electrical power signal.

Claim 38

A full-duplex communications system for disseminating information from a power distribution station to a plurality of power consumer sites via an electric power distribution line which provides power to the plurality of power consumer sites, comprising: a power distribution line coupled to each of the plurality of power consumer sites; a power distribution circuit coupled to the power distribution line at the power distribution station to provide a power signal to the plurality of power consumer sites via the power distribution line; an information transmitter coupled to the power distribution circuit to provide information signals concurrently with the power signal to the plurality of power consumers via the power distribution line; at least one information receiver at each of the plurality of power consumer sites, each of the information receivers being coupled to a power consumer device powered by the power signal, wherein each of the information receivers receives the information signals via the power distribution line; a consumer information transmitter at each of the power consumer devices to provide consumer information signals concurrently with the power signal to the power distribution station via the power distribution line; and a consumer information receiver coupled to the power distribution circuit to receive the consumer information signals via the power distribution line, whereby full duplex communication between the power distribution circuit and the plurality of power consumer sites is accomplished via the power distribution line, wherein the information transmitter and the consumer information transmitter each comprise a sub-carrier signal generator circuit to respectively modulate the information and consumer information signals onto the electrical power signal wherein each of the sub-carrier signal generator circuits comprise a signal modulator to modulate the corresponding first and second information signals onto the electrical power signal at a frequency lower than a frequency of the electrical power signal.

Claim 39

A full-duplex communications system for transmitting information, comprising: an electric power distribution line to transmit an electrical power signal; a power distribution circuit coupled to the electric power distribution line to provide the electrical power signal to a power consumer via the electric power distribution line; a first low frequency signal modulator coupled to the power distribution circuit to modulate first information signals onto the electrical power signal, at a frequency lower than a frequency of the electrical power signal, thereby providing to the power consumer via the electric power distribution line, the first information signals passing through one or more transformers disposed along the power distribution line; a first information receiver, coupled to a power consumer device powered by the electrical power signal, to receive the first information signals via the electric power distribution line; a second low frequency signal modulator coupled to the power consumer device to modulate second information signals onto the electrical power signal, at a frequency lower than a frequency of the electrical power signal, via the electric power distribution line, the second information signals passing through one or more transformers disposed along the power distribution line; and a second information receiver coupled to the power distribution circuit to receive the second information signals via the electric power distribution line, whereby full duplex communication between the power distribution circuit and the power consumer is accomplished via the electric power distribution line.

Claim 40

A full-duplex communications system for transmitting information, comprising: an electric power distribution line to transmit an electrical power signal; a power distribution circuit coupled to the electric power distribution line to provide the electrical power signal to a power consumer via the electric power distribution line; a first low frequency signal modulator coupled to the power distribution circuit to modulate first information signals onto the electrical power signal, at a frequency lower than a frequency of the electrical power signal, thereby providing to the power consumer via the electric power distribution line, the first information signals passing through one or more transformers disposed along the power distribution line; a first information receiver, coupled to a power consumer device powered by the electrical power signal, to receive the first information signals via the electric power distribution line; a second low frequency signal modulator coupled to the power consumer device to modulate second information signals onto the electrical power signal, at a frequency lower than a frequency of the electrical power signal, via the electric power distribution line, the second information signals passing through one or more transformers disposed along the power distribution line; and a second information receiver coupled to the power distribution circuit to receive the second information signals via the electric power distribution line, whereby full duplex communication between the power distribution circuit and the power consumer is accomplished via the electric power distribution line.

Claim 41

A full-duplex communications system for transmitting information, comprising: an electric power distribution line to transmit an electrical power signal; a power distribution circuit coupled to the electric power distribution line to provide the electrical power signal to a power consumer via the electric power distribution line; a first information transmitter coupled in series with a neutral connection of the power distribution circuit to provide first information signals concurrently with the electrical power signal to the power consumer via the electric power distribution line, the first information signals passing through one or more transformers disposed along the power distribution line; at least one protection module coupled between the neutral connection and ground to provide a short-circuit connection between the neutral connection and ground upon recognition of an open circuit condition at the first information transmitter; a first information receiver, coupled to a power consumer device powered by the electrical power signal, to receive the first information signals via the electric power distribution line; a second information transmitter coupled to the power consumer device to provide second information signals concurrently with the electrical power signal via the electric power distribution line, the second information signals passing through one or more transformers disposed along the power distribution line; and a second information receiver coupled to the power distribution circuit to receive the second information signals via the electric power distribution line, whereby full duplex communication between the power distribution circuit and the power consumer is accomplished via the electric power distribution line.

Claim 42

A full-duplex communications system for transmitting information, comprising: an electric power distribution line to transmit an electrical power signal; a power distribution circuit coupled to the electric power distribution line to provide the electrical power signal to a power consumer via the electric power distribution line; a first information transmitter coupled in series with a neutral connection of the power distribution circuit to provide first information signals concurrently with the electrical power signal to the power consumer via the electric power distribution line, the first information signals passing through one or more transformers disposed along the power distribution line; at least one protection module coupled between the neutral connection and ground to provide a short-circuit connection between the neutral connection and ground upon recognition of an open circuit condition at the first information transmitter; a first information receiver, coupled to a power consumer device powered by the electrical power signal, to receive the first information signals via the electric power distribution line; a second information transmitter coupled to the power consumer device to provide second information signals concurrently with the electrical power signal via the electric power distribution line, the second information signals passing through one or more transformers disposed along the power distribution line; and a second information receiver coupled to the power distribution circuit to receive the second information signals via the electric power distribution line, whereby full duplex communication between the power distribution circuit and the power consumer is accomplished via the electric power distribution line.

Claim 43

The full-duplex communications system as in claim 33, wherein the at least one protection module comprises: a first conductor, coupled to the neutral connection, having electrical characteristics sufficient to conduct a current carried on the neutral connection; a second conductor, coupled to the ground, having electrical characteristics sufficient to conduct the current carried on the neutral connection, the second conductor being forcedly directed towards the first conductor; a voltage threshold device coupled between the first and second conductors, having resistance properties such that its resistance drops as voltage increases; a conductive restraining device coupled between the first and second conductors and in series with the voltage threshold device; and wherein the conductive restraining device separates the first and second conductors until the voltage at the neutral connection is sufficiently high to pass a current through the voltage threshold device capable of diminishing rigidity of the conductor separator, thereby causing the first and second conductors to become juxtaposed.