US5327230A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Video multiplying system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1992-12-24
•
Granted: 1994-07-05
•
Expires: 2012-12-24
Abstract
Abstract A VCR transmission device is disclosed including a transmitting unit capable of receiving a VCR video signal, conditioning the video signal and outputting the video signal onto a home power line ordinarily carrying an AC power signal. The transmitting device attaches directly to an existing power outlet in the home power line to broadcast the video signal from the VCR throughout the home using the power line as an aerial antenna. A receiving unit then receives the video signal through aerial reception or by connecting to any other power outlet in the home power and delivers the signal to a television set which may be remote from the VCR.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory A. Dockery
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:22
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/10; H04N7/108; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/765; H04N5/775
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
344 words
A broadcast system for use with a video signal source having a source frequency, a power line and a monitor having a tunable frequency, comprising: a transmitter, electrically connected to the power line, including: input means for receiving a video signal at the source frequency from the video signal source, modulation means for converting the signal from the source frequency to a broadcast frequency; transmitter output means, electrically connected to the power line, for electromagnetically radiating the signal from the power line at the broadcast frequency; and an antenna for receiving the electromagnetically radiated signal, including: six switches having input ends and output ends; an output having an output line and a return line, the return line connected to a ground; three antenna lines, the first antenna line connected to the input of the first switch and the input of the sixth switch, the second antenna line connected to the input of the fourth switch and the input of fifth switch, the connection between the input of the fourth switch and the input of the fifth switch forming a first loop, the third antenna line connected to the input of the second switch and the input of the third switch, the connection between the input of the second switch and the input of the third switch forming a second loop, the output of the first switch and the output of the second switch connected together to form a third loop and connected to the output line, the output of the third switch and the fourth switch connected together to form a fourth loop, the output of the fifth switch connected to the output line, and the output of the sixth switch connected to the return line, whereby the impedance of the output line may be adjusted by closing one or more of the six switches, demodulation means, connected to the output line, for converting the signal from the broadcast frequency to the tunable frequency, and antenna output means, connected to the modulation means, for outputting the signal at the tunable frequency to the monitor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
344 words
A broadcast system for use with a video signal source having a source frequency, a power line and a monitor having a tunable frequency, comprising: a transmitter, electrically connected to the power line, including: input means for receiving a video signal at the source frequency from the video signal source, modulation means for converting the signal from the source frequency to a broadcast frequency; transmitter output means, electrically connected to the power line, for electromagnetically radiating the signal from the power line at the broadcast frequency; and an antenna for receiving the electromagnetically radiated signal, including: six switches having input ends and output ends; an output having an output line and a return line, the return line connected to a ground; three antenna lines, the first antenna line connected to the input of the first switch and the input of the sixth switch, the second antenna line connected to the input of the fourth switch and the input of fifth switch, the connection between the input of the fourth switch and the input of the fifth switch forming a first loop, the third antenna line connected to the input of the second switch and the input of the third switch, the connection between the input of the second switch and the input of the third switch forming a second loop, the output of the first switch and the output of the second switch connected together to form a third loop and connected to the output line, the output of the third switch and the fourth switch connected together to form a fourth loop, the output of the fifth switch connected to the output line, and the output of the sixth switch connected to the return line, whereby the impedance of the output line may be adjusted by closing one or more of the six switches, demodulation means, connected to the output line, for converting the signal from the broadcast frequency to the tunable frequency, and antenna output means, connected to the modulation means, for outputting the signal at the tunable frequency to the monitor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A broadcast system according to claim 1, further including: amplifier means, electrically connected to the input means, for amplifying the video signal at the source frequency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A broadcast system according to claim 1, further including: amplifier means, electrically connected to the modulation means, for amplifying the video signal at the broadcast frequency.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A broadcast system according to claim 1, further including amplifier means, electrically connected to the modulation means, for amplifying the video signal to approximately 50 mV at the power line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A broadcast system according to claim 1, wherein the source frequency is between 60.5 MHz and 65.5 MHz and the broadcast frequency is between 902 MHz and 928 MHz.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
227 words
A broadcast system for use with a video signal source having a source frequency, a power line, and a monitor, comprising: a transmitter, electrically connected to the power line, including: input means for receiving a video signal at the source frequency from the video signal source, modulation means for converting the signal from the source frequency to a broadcast frequency; transmitter output means, electrically connected to the power line, for electromagnetically radiating the signal from the power line at the broadcast frequency; receiver means, characterized by an impedance, for aerially receiving the signal electromagnetically radiated from the power line, including: three input lines, at least one input line having first multiple branches, the remaining input lines, if any, not having multiple branches, and at least one input line carrying the video signal; two output lines, at least one output line having second multiple branches, the remaining output line, if any, not having multiple branches; and switching means, connected to the first and second multiple branches and to the remaining input lines, if any, and to the remaining output lines, if any, for selecting electrical connections between (a) the first multiple branches and the remaining input lines, if any, and (b) the second multiple branches and the remaining output lines, if any, thereby tuning the impedance of the receiver means, means for outputting the signal to the monitor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
227 words
A broadcast system for use with a video signal source having a source frequency, a power line, and a monitor, comprising: a transmitter, electrically connected to the power line, including: input means for receiving a video signal at the source frequency from the video signal source, modulation means for converting the signal from the source frequency to a broadcast frequency; transmitter output means, electrically connected to the power line, for electromagnetically radiating the signal from the power line at the broadcast frequency; receiver means, characterized by an impedance, for aerially receiving the signal electromagnetically radiated from the power line, including: three input lines, at least one input line having first multiple branches, the remaining input lines, if any, not having multiple branches, and at least one input line carrying the video signal; two output lines, at least one output line having second multiple branches, the remaining output line, if any, not having multiple branches; and switching means, connected to the first and second multiple branches and to the remaining input lines, if any, and to the remaining output lines, if any, for selecting electrical connections between (a) the first multiple branches and the remaining input lines, if any, and (b) the second multiple branches and the remaining output lines, if any, thereby tuning the impedance of the receiver means, means for outputting the signal to the monitor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A broadcast system according to claim 6, further including: amplifier means, electrically connected to the input means, for amplifying the video signal at the source frequency.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A broadcast system according to claim 6, further including: amplifier means, electrically connected to the modulation means, for amplifying the video signal at the broadcast frequency.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A broadcast system according to claim 6, further including amplifier means, electrically connected to the modulation means, for amplifying the video signal to approximately 50 mV at the power line.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A broadcast system according to claim 6, wherein the source frequency is between 60.5 MHz and 65.5 MHz and the broadcast frequency is between 902 MHz and 928 MH.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
291 words
A broadcast system for use with a video signal source having a source frequency, a power line, and a monitor, comprising: a transmitter, electrically connected to the power line, including: input means for receiving a video signal at the source frequency from the video signal source; modulation means for converting the signal from the source frequency to a broadcast frequency; and transmitter output means, electrically connected to the power line, for electromagnetically radiating the signal from the power line at the broadcast frequency; receiver means, characterized by an impedance, for aerially receiving the signal electromagnetically radiated from the power line, comprising: three input lines connected to a standard power adaptor, at least one input line carrying the signal; two output lines; and a processing means comprising conductive elements including switching means and arrangements of conductive paths in which 1) a first of said three input lines is connected to said switching means by multiple branch lines, 2) the second and third of said three input lines are connected to said switching means by multiple branch lines, 3) a first of said two output lines is connected to said switching means by multiple branch lines, 4) the second of said two output lines is connected to said switching means, the switching means facilitates the selection of alternates of said conductive paths and said conductive elements to pass the signal from the at least one input line carrying the signal to at least one of said output lines thereby tuning the impedance of the receiver, and the processing means enables the simultaneous electrical connection via said conductive elements of one of the output lines with two of the input lines; and means for outputting the signal from the receiver means to the monitor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
291 words
A broadcast system for use with a video signal source having a source frequency, a power line, and a monitor, comprising: a transmitter, electrically connected to the power line, including: input means for receiving a video signal at the source frequency from the video signal source; modulation means for converting the signal from the source frequency to a broadcast frequency; and transmitter output means, electrically connected to the power line, for electromagnetically radiating the signal from the power line at the broadcast frequency; receiver means, characterized by an impedance, for aerially receiving the signal electromagnetically radiated from the power line, comprising: three input lines connected to a standard power adaptor, at least one input line carrying the signal; two output lines; and a processing means comprising conductive elements including switching means and arrangements of conductive paths in which 1) a first of said three input lines is connected to said switching means by multiple branch lines, 2) the second and third of said three input lines are connected to said switching means by multiple branch lines, 3) a first of said two output lines is connected to said switching means by multiple branch lines, 4) the second of said two output lines is connected to said switching means, the switching means facilitates the selection of alternates of said conductive paths and said conductive elements to pass the signal from the at least one input line carrying the signal to at least one of said output lines thereby tuning the impedance of the receiver, and the processing means enables the simultaneous electrical connection via said conductive elements of one of the output lines with two of the input lines; and means for outputting the signal from the receiver means to the monitor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 11, wherein, the processing means enables the simultaneous electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of one of the output lines with the three input lines.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 11, wherein the processing means electrically connects via certain of said conductive elements the first input line with the second input line.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 13, wherein the processing means also electrically connects via certain of said conductive elements the second input line with the third input line.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 11, wherein the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain said conductive elements of at least one of the output lines with each of the three input lines.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 11, wherein the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of each of the output lines with each of the three input lines.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 11, wherein the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the first output line with each of the input lines and also enables the electrical connection via certain conductive elements of the second output line with each of the input lines.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system of claim 11, wherein, the processing means enables, by a first setting of the switching means, the first output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements simultaneously with two of the input lines and also enables, by a second setting of the switching means, the second output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements simultaneously with two of the input lines.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
94 words
The system of claim 11, wherein, the first and second output lines are connected to a coaxial cable coupler with the first output line connected to the internal (signal) line of the coupler and the second output line connected to the external (return) line of the coupler, and wherein the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the second output line with at least one input line while the first output line is not electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements to any of the input lines.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 19, wherein, the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the first output line with at least one of the input lines while the second output line is not electrically connected via said conductive elements to any of the input lines.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
70 words
The system of claim 11, wherein the processing means enables the simultaneous electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of one of the output lines with two of the input lines, electrically connects via certain of said conductive elements the first input line with the second input line, and enables the electrical connection via conductive elements of each of the output lines with each of the three input lines.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
205 words
The system of claim 21, wherein the processing means enables, by a first setting of the switching means, the first output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements simultaneously with two of the input lines and also enables, by a second setting of the switching means, the second output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements simultaneously with two of the input lines, and wherein the first and second output lines are connected to a coaxial cable coupler with the first output line connected to the internal line of the coupler and the second output line connected to the external line of the coupler, wherein the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the second output line with at least one of the input lines while the first output line is not electrically connected via said conductive elements to any of the input lines, and wherein the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the first output line with at least one of the input lines while the second output line is not electrically connected via said conductive elements to any of the input lines.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
305 words
A broadcast system for use with a video signal source having a source frequency, a power line, and a monitor, comprising: a transmitter, electrically connected to the power line, including: input means for receiving a video signal at the source frequency from the video signal source; and transmitter output means, electrically connected to the power line, for electromagnetically radiating the signal from the power line; receiver means, characterized by an impedance, for aerially receiving the signal electromagnetically radiated from the power line, comprising: at least two input lines connected to a standard power adaptor, at least one input line carrying the video signal; two output lines; a processing means comprising conductive elements including switching means and arrangements of conductive paths in which 1) a first of said at least two input lines is connected to said switching means by multiple branch lines, 2) a second of said at least two input lines is connected to said switching means by multiple branch lines or by direct line, 3) a first of said two output lines is connected to said switching means by multiple branch lines, 4) the second of said two output lines is connected to said switching means by multiple branch lines or by direct line, and the switching means facilitates the selection of alternates of said conductive paths and said conductive elements to pass the video signal from the at least one input line carrying the video signal to at least one of said output lines thereby tuning the impedance of the receiver, and the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the first output line with each of the input lines and also enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the second output line with each of the first and second input lines.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
305 words
A broadcast system for use with a video signal source having a source frequency, a power line, and a monitor, comprising: a transmitter, electrically connected to the power line, including: input means for receiving a video signal at the source frequency from the video signal source; and transmitter output means, electrically connected to the power line, for electromagnetically radiating the signal from the power line; receiver means, characterized by an impedance, for aerially receiving the signal electromagnetically radiated from the power line, comprising: at least two input lines connected to a standard power adaptor, at least one input line carrying the video signal; two output lines; a processing means comprising conductive elements including switching means and arrangements of conductive paths in which 1) a first of said at least two input lines is connected to said switching means by multiple branch lines, 2) a second of said at least two input lines is connected to said switching means by multiple branch lines or by direct line, 3) a first of said two output lines is connected to said switching means by multiple branch lines, 4) the second of said two output lines is connected to said switching means by multiple branch lines or by direct line, and the switching means facilitates the selection of alternates of said conductive paths and said conductive elements to pass the video signal from the at least one input line carrying the video signal to at least one of said output lines thereby tuning the impedance of the receiver, and the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the first output line with each of the input lines and also enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the second output line with each of the first and second input lines.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system of claim 23, wherein the processing means enables, by a first setting of the switching means, the first output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements simultaneously with two of the input lines and also enables, by a second setting of the switching means, the second output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements simultaneously with two of the input lines.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
94 words
The system of claim 23, wherein, the first and second output lines are connected to a coaxial cable coupler with the first output line connected to the internal (signal) line of the coupler and the second output line connected to the external (return) line of the coupler, and wherein the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the second output line with at least one input line while the first output line is not electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements to any of the input lines.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system of claim 25, wherein, the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the first output line with at least one of the input lines while the second output line is not electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements to any of the input lines.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system of claim 26, wherein, the processing means enables, by a first setting of the switching means, the first output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements simultaneously with two of the input lines and also enables, by a second setting of the switching means, the second output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements simultaneously with two of the input lines.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
302 words
A broadcast system for use with a video signal source having a source frequency, a power line, and a monitor, comprising: a transmitter, electrically connected to the power line, including: input means for receiving a video signal at the source frequency from the video signal source; modulation means for converting he signal from the source frequency to a broadcast frequency; and transmitter output means, electrically connected to the power line, for electromagnetically radiating the signal from the power line at the broadcast frequency; receiver means, characterized by an impedance, for aerially receiving the signal electromagnetically radiated from the power line, comprising: at least a first and a second input line connected to a standard power adaptor, at least one input line carrying the video signal; first and second output lines; a coaxial cable coupler; and a processing means comprising conductive elements including switching means and arrangements of conductive paths in which 1) the input lines are connected to the switching means by conductive elements including the arrangements of said conductive paths, 2) the output lines are connected to the switching means by the conductive elements including the arrangement of said conductive paths, 3) the output lines are connected to the coaxial cable coupler, 4) the processing means enables the first output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements with each of the first and second input lines and also enables the second output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements with each of the input lines, and the switching means facilitates the selection of alternates of said conductive paths and said conductive elements to pass the video signal from the at least one input line carrying the video signal to at least one of said output lines thereby tuning the impedance of the receiver.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
302 words
A broadcast system for use with a video signal source having a source frequency, a power line, and a monitor, comprising: a transmitter, electrically connected to the power line, including: input means for receiving a video signal at the source frequency from the video signal source; modulation means for converting he signal from the source frequency to a broadcast frequency; and transmitter output means, electrically connected to the power line, for electromagnetically radiating the signal from the power line at the broadcast frequency; receiver means, characterized by an impedance, for aerially receiving the signal electromagnetically radiated from the power line, comprising: at least a first and a second input line connected to a standard power adaptor, at least one input line carrying the video signal; first and second output lines; a coaxial cable coupler; and a processing means comprising conductive elements including switching means and arrangements of conductive paths in which 1) the input lines are connected to the switching means by conductive elements including the arrangements of said conductive paths, 2) the output lines are connected to the switching means by the conductive elements including the arrangement of said conductive paths, 3) the output lines are connected to the coaxial cable coupler, 4) the processing means enables the first output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements with each of the first and second input lines and also enables the second output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements with each of the input lines, and the switching means facilitates the selection of alternates of said conductive paths and said conductive elements to pass the video signal from the at least one input line carrying the video signal to at least one of said output lines thereby tuning the impedance of the receiver.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system of claim 28, wherein, the processing means enables, by a first setting of the switching means, the first output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements simultaneously with two of the input lines and also enables, by a second setting of the switching means, the second output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements simultaneously with two of the input lines.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
96 words
The system of claim 29, wherein, the first and second output lines are connected to a coaxial cable coupler with the first output line connected to the internal (signal) line of the coupler and the second output line connected to the external (return) line of the coupler, and wherein the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the second output line with at least one of the input lines while the first output lines is not electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements to any of the input lines.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system of claim 30, wherein, the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the first output line with at least one of the input lines while the second output line is not electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements to any of the input lines.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
265 words
A broadcast system for use with a video signal source having a source frequency, a power line, and a monitor, comprising: a transmitter, electrically connected to the power line, including: input means for receiving a video signal at the source frequency from the video signal source; and transmitter output means, electrically connected to the power line, for electromagnetically radiating the signal from the power line; receiver means, characterized by an impedance, for aerially receiving the signal electromagnetically radiated from the power line, comprising: at least a first and a second input line connected to a standard power adaptor, at least one input line carrying the video signal; first and second output lines; and a processing means comprising conductive elements including switching means and arrangements conductive paths in which 1) the input lines are connected to the switching means by the conductive elements including the arrangements of the conductive paths, 2) the output lines are connected to the switching means by the conductive elements including the arrangements of the conductive paths, 3) the processing means enables the first output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements with each of the input lines, and also enables the second output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements with each of the input lines, the switching means facilitates the selection of alternates of said conductive paths and said conductive elements to pass the video signal from the at least one input line carrying the video signal to at least one of said output line thereby turning the impedance of the receiver.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
265 words
A broadcast system for use with a video signal source having a source frequency, a power line, and a monitor, comprising: a transmitter, electrically connected to the power line, including: input means for receiving a video signal at the source frequency from the video signal source; and transmitter output means, electrically connected to the power line, for electromagnetically radiating the signal from the power line; receiver means, characterized by an impedance, for aerially receiving the signal electromagnetically radiated from the power line, comprising: at least a first and a second input line connected to a standard power adaptor, at least one input line carrying the video signal; first and second output lines; and a processing means comprising conductive elements including switching means and arrangements conductive paths in which 1) the input lines are connected to the switching means by the conductive elements including the arrangements of the conductive paths, 2) the output lines are connected to the switching means by the conductive elements including the arrangements of the conductive paths, 3) the processing means enables the first output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements with each of the input lines, and also enables the second output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements with each of the input lines, the switching means facilitates the selection of alternates of said conductive paths and said conductive elements to pass the video signal from the at least one input line carrying the video signal to at least one of said output line thereby turning the impedance of the receiver.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system of claim 32, wherein, the processing means enables, by a first setting of the switching means, the first output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements simultaneously with two of the input lines and also enables, by a second setting of the switching means, the second output line to be electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements simultaneously with two of the input lines.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
96 words
The system of claim 33, wherein, the first and second output lines are connected to a coaxial cable coupler with the first output line connected to the internal (signal) line of the coupler and the second output line connected to the external (return) line of the coupler, and wherein the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the first output line with at least one of the input lines while the second output line is not electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements to any of the input lines.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system of claim 34, wherein, the processing means enables the electrical connection via certain of said conductive elements of the first output line with at least one of the input lines while the second output line is not electrically connected via certain of said conductive elements to any of the input lines.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2562654A
Cited
US2925598A
Cited
US2915627A
Cited
US2991355A
Cited
US3093796A
Cited
US3290601A
Cited
US3369038A
Cited
US3324473A
Cited
US3649742A
Cited
US3983563A
Cited
US4032723A
Cited
US4054910A
Cited
US4429299A
Cited
US4401989A
Cited
US4782322A
Cited
US4507646A
Cited
US4912553A
Cited
US4772870A
Cited
US4745391A
Cited
US4829570A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-07-04 | 1998-01-03 | 1998-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-07-04 | 2002-01-03 | 2002-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-07-04 | 2006-01-03 | 2006-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |