Abstract: A communication device for use with a power line communication system is provided. One embodiment forms a bypass device and comprises a low voltage coupler, a low voltage signal conditioner, a controller, a medium voltage modem, a first medium signal conditioner, an isolator, a second medium voltage signal conditioner, and a medium coupler. The controller may provide routing functions to give priority to certain types of data, control access to the network, filter data packets, process software upgrades, and provision new subscriber devices. In addition, the controller may monitor, process, and transmit traffic data, measured power data, errors, and other collected data.

Abstract: The invention includes a method, system, and device for communicating a data signal on an electric power system. The inventive method includes communicating the data signal to the electric power system, and modifying the characteristics of the electric power system to reduce the data signal communicated to an electrical component located on the electric power system without substantially reducing a voltage signal. The method further includes communicating the data signal to a customer premise. The electrical component may include, for example, an electrical transformer.

Abstract: The coupler of the present invention couples broadband RF signals to and from a power line conductor. The coupler of one embodiment that is for use with overhead power lines includes a length of URD MV cable with the neutral conductor removed and that is communicatively coupled to a MV power line at each end on opposite sides of a low pass filter. A radio frequency choke is communicatively coupled to URD MV cable between first and second coupling capacitors. The semi-conductive jacket of the URD cable may be coupled to ground via a low frequency conductive path.

Abstract: A communication device for use with a power line communication system is provided. One embodiment forms a bypass device and comprises a low voltage coupler, a low voltage signal conditioner, a controller, a medium voltage modem, a first medium voltage signal conditioner, an isolator, a second medium voltage signal conditioner, and a medium voltage coupler. The controller may provide routing functions to give priority to certain types of data, control access to the network, filter data packets, process software upgrades, and provision new subscriber devices. In addition, the controller may monitor, process, and transmit traffic data, measured power data, errors, and other collected data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a communication device for use with a power line communication system. One embodiment of the present invention forms a bypass device and comprises a LV coupler, a LV signal conditioner, a controller, a MV modem, a first MV signal conditioner, an isolator, a second MV signal conditioner, and a MV coupler. The controller may provide routing functions to give priority to certain types of data, control access to the network, filter data packets, process software upgrades, and provision new subscriber devices. In addition, the controller may monitor, process, and transmit traffic data, measured power data, errors, and other collected data.

Abstract: The coupler of the present invention couples broadband RF signals to and from a power line conductor. The coupler of one embodiment that is for use with overhead power lines includes a length of URD MV cable with the neutral conductor removed and that is communicatively coupled to a MV power line at each end on opposite sides of a low pass filter. A radio frequency choke is communicatively coupled to URD MV cable between first and second coupling capacitors. The semi-conductive jacket of the URD cable may be coupled to ground via a low frequency conductive path.

Abstract: The invention includes a method, system, and device for communicating a data signal on an electric power system. The inventive method includes communicating the data signal to the electric power system, and modifying the characteristics of the electric power system to reduce the data signal communicated to an electrical component located on the electric power system without substantially reducing a voltage signal. The method further includes communicating the data signal to a customer premise. The electrical component may include, for example, an electrical transformer.

Abstract: Video images derived from a video recording medium (such as a video disc or tape) using a video playback unit are displayed on the screen of a cathode ray tube display simultaneously with video images generated from a microprocessor-controlled video game. The video game permits a user to manually control the position of some of the generated video images displayed. Signals in the horizontal interval portion of each field from the video playback unit are related to the video images in the pictorial portion of each such field and identify certain characteristics of the video images such as the location of the video images. This information is used in such a manner that the video images from the video playback unit can interact with the video images from the video game.

Abstract: An interactive game of a strategy nature employing a digital processor includes a keyboard to preselect the successive directional movements of one or more of the simulated player symbols prior to the start of the game and/or supplement this preprogrammed game action with real-time control over further game action during the playing of the game.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating and controlling the position of a displayed symbol for a video game comprises a plurality of voltage comparators responsive to inputs thereto from multiple control voltage sources including a microprocessor and a participant control such that the microprocessor and participant control introduce separate bias offset voltages into the comparators to occasion positioning of the displayed symbol in accordance with the net effect of the multiple inputs.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed herein for use in conjunction with raster scan video displays, including standard monochrome and color television receivers, for the generation, display and manipulation of images upon the screen of a display for the purpose of playing games or for the purpose of drawing pictures. In addition to the generation of signals which, when supplied to the video display, cause the display of moveable and immoveable game playing indicia such as walls, players, and balls to play a variety of typical games such as tennis, handball, billiards, and the like, in a manner well known in the art, other indicia are displayed on the display screen in response to commands from the game operator which are defined by the operator as to shape, location, color and other attributes and are, furthermore, endorsed with interactive characteristics.

Abstract: Synchronization of a source of computer controlled video to another video source is achieved by providing clock pulses for the source of computer controlled video at some multiple of the horizontal synchronization frequency of the other video source to obtain frequency coherence and by detecting phase incoherence between the signals from the two sources and in response thereto causing the clock pulses to cease for a predetermined period to allow the source of computer controlled video to "slip" sync to obtain phase coherence.

Abstract: Instant replay for microprocessor-controlled video games is provided by storing and retaining for a period of time in a random access memory the results of microprocessor polling of each of the player command entry devices. In a memory conserving embodiment only newly entered player commands and the times when such commands are entered need be stored and retained.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided to permit the control of circuitry within a video game generator including an audio playback device employing an audio tape or phonograph disc having recorded thereon digital data which is decoded and interfaced with the video game generator.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating horizontal and vertical synchronization signals in synchronism with synchronization signals generated by an ongoing television program received by a user without internal connections to the user's television receiver, is provided by optically extracting pulses from a displayed raster of the ongoing television program and generating therefrom the synchronization signals in synchronization with the ongoing program.