Patent ID: 6188314
Filing Date: 2001-02-13
Classification: B60R,H04L

Abstract:
An energy distribution and communication system between a central unit and a plurality of remote units, said system comprising:an electrical conductor interconnecting the central unit and the remote units for conducting electrical energy;energy supply means for providing electrical energy, having a voltage, onto said conductor to power the remote units;voltage messaging means, associated with the central unit, including means for adjusting voltage of the electrical energy past a predetermined threshold to provide a message frame and means for modulating voltage of the electrical energy during the message frame to convey messages from the central unit to the remote units via said conductor;voltage receiver means, at each remote unit, including means for monitoring the voltage of the electrical energy during the message frame and means for detecting the voltage modulations to discern messages from the central unit;current messaging means, at each remote unit, for modulating current of the electrical energy during the message frame to convey messages to the central unit via said conductor, including means for utilizing the modulation of voltage of the electrical energy to clock current modulation; andcurrent receiver means, associated with the central unit, for detecting current modulations to discern messages from the remote units.