Power Line Video Distribution via Home Plug Protocol

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing home automation systems require extensive and costly cabling for data distribution, including coaxial cables, cat5, and other media, which complicates installation and increases costs.

Innovation Solution

The system utilizes electrical power lines with 'Home Plug' or other power line protocols to distribute video data, eliminating the need for additional cabling by leveraging existing electrical wiring and advanced home networking protocols, allowing for plug-and-play installation of cameras and reducing the need for separate power sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If coaxial cabling, cat5 or other media are used to distribute data, then data distribution reliability is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata distribution reliabilityVSAvoidcabling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by making the electrical power line serve dual functions: both power delivery and data communication. Existing power lines that were previously used only for electrical power distribution are now utilized for both purposes, eliminating the need for separate dedicated data cabling infrastructure while maintaining reliable data distribution throughout the home automation system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the power delivery function and data communication function into a single infrastructure. By combining electrical power transmission and data signal transmission over the same power line network, the system eliminates the need for separate coaxial cables, cat5 wires, and other dedicated media, thereby reducing installation complexity while preserving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If extensive cabling systems are used to communicate with controllers and display devices, then data distribution capability is improved, but installation effort and expense increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata distribution capabilityVSAvoidinstallation effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by allowing the existing power line infrastructure to serve the additional purpose of data communication without requiring external intervention or additional installation. The power lines already present in the building automatically become the data transmission medium, eliminating the need for specialized installation crews to lay new cabling while maintaining full data distribution capability for controllers, display devices, and other home automation components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If specialized cabling is installed for home automation systems, then system functionality is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoidcabling material cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the data communication function from the traditional dedicated cabling infrastructure and relocates it to the existing power line network. By taking out the assumption that separate data cabling is required and instead utilizing the power lines already installed in the building, the system maintains full functionality for controllers, display devices, and communication while eliminating the need to purchase and install additional specialized cabling materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This approach simplifies installation, reduces costs, enhances reliability compared to wireless solutions, and integrates seamlessly with existing hardware, providing efficient data distribution between controllable devices, including video data, over an electrical power line network.

Implementation Method 1

distribute video data over an electrical power line

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical signal transmission: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS8931001B2System and method for distributing video data over an electrical power line

Publication Date: 2015.01.06 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

A non-transitory tangible computer readable medium is disclosed, containing a computer program for distributing video data over an electrical power line, the computer program including but not limited to instructions to receive first video data and second video data concurrently at a first internet protocol television client device over an electrical power line from a second and third controllable devices in response to the detecting the first event data in the first location at the first controllable device; instructions to create at a first client end user device, a client created internet protocol television channel and insert the client created channel into an existing electronic program guide for the first and second video data; and instructions to send the electronic program guide to a second client end user device for selection and display of the first and second video concurrently at a display for the second client end user device.