Audio Modulation for Wireless Data Transmission Over Voice Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pay television set-top boxes face communication challenges with central data collection systems due to the increasing absence of wired lines in homes, leading to high costs for short-message-service (SMS) data transmission and unavailability of features like pay-per-view services for many subscribers.
Innovation Solution
Modulating data into audio signals with characteristics of human speech for transmission over wireless telephone networks, allowing data exchange through voice channels, which minimizes distortion and leverages existing voice compression techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If short-message-service (SMS) is used for data transmission, then data can be transmitted over wireless networks, but transmission costs become prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the SMS messaging system with a voice-based modem communication system. Instead of using text message protocols, the invention uses audio frequency modulation over voice channels to transmit data, substituting one communication mechanism (SMS) with another (voice band modem) that is more cost-effective for data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission medium from text-based SMS to audio-based voice channels. By modulating data into audio frequencies within the voice band (300-3400 Hz), the system exploits the existing voice infrastructure for data transmission, changing the fundamental parameter of how data is encoded and transmitted.
2Reliability
If wired lines are used for communication, then reliable data transmission is achieved, but infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the wireless telephone network serve multiple functions - both voice communication and data transmission. By implementing a modem that can modulate data into audio signals, the existing voice infrastructure is made universal, capable of handling both traditional voice calls and data transmission without requiring separate infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an audio signal as an intermediary between digital data and the voice channel. The modem converts digital data into audio frequency signals that can traverse the voice network, acting as a mediator that enables communication over the existing voice infrastructure without requiring new dedicated data lines.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple SMS messages are used for data transmission, then complete data can be sent, but transmission time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous data transmission over the voice channel during the duration of a phone call. Unlike SMS which requires discrete message transmissions, the voice-based modem allows for continuous streaming of data encoded in audio signals, maintaining constant communication throughout the call period without interruption or retransmission delays.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables cost-effective and efficient data transmission between client devices and remote servers over wireless telephone networks, ensuring features like pay-per-view services are accessible to a broader audience without incurring excessive SMS costs.
Implementation Method 1
data from a client device is modulated into an audio signal having characteristics of human speech
Data Source
AI summary
The various embodiments described herein generally provide apparatus, systems and methods which facilitate the transmission of data between a client device and a remote device over a wireless telephone network. More particularly, data from a client device is modulated into an audio signal and transmitted to a wireless telephone. The wireless telephone receives the audio signal and places a phone call to a remote device over a wireless telephone network. During the phone call, the wireless telephone transmits the audio signal across a voice channel of the wireless telephone network to the remote device. The remote device receives and decodes the audio signal to extract the transmitted data.