Apparatus and method for high speed data communication

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/889,776, entitled Apparatus and Method For High Speed Data Communication, filed on Jul. 8, 1997 by Riceman, which claims the benifit of the filling date of Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/021,345 filed on Jul. 8, 1996.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to devices for transmitting data over a communication line/medium/network, and more particularly to an apparatus and a process for transmitting data in parallel over a communication line/medium/network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Devices for transmitting data over communications lines such as modems are well known in the prior art. These devices are commonly used throughout the world to enable businesses, governments and educational institutions to conduct their affairs. They are also being used more commonly in homes throughout the world for personal computing and communication. The use of these devices continues to increase as ever larger numbers of people are communicating on the information super highway.

Although improvements in modem technology enable the speed at which these devices operate to be periodically increased, the process they employ to transmit data serves as an inherent limitation on the top speed they will ever be able to attain. This is because conventional modems transmit data in serial, i.e. one bit of data at a time, over one frequency. It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an apparatus and a process which overcomes this limitation by simultaneously transmitting multiple bits of data over parallel frequencies within the narrowest possible bandwidth while providing a higher level of security.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

An apparatus and method for high speed transmission of data over a communication line/medium/network, wherein this high speed is achieved by generating multiple signals which are alternately combinable and seperableseparable to enable multiple bits of data to be transmitted simultaneously and or in a timed relationship over parallel frequencies rather than being transmitted one bit at a time over one frequency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2</figref> there are shown two exemplary embodiments of the apparatus which is the object of this invention.

Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> there is shown a flow chart illustrating one example of the process which is the object of this invention as it relates to large files such as, but not limited to, stacks of document pages and/or picture files only.

Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4 and 5</figref> there are shown two drawings depicting two additional examples of how the invention which is the subject of this application operates on bits of data in the handling of yet another form of data configuration, such as but not limited to, the real time processing, transmission and reception of voice and/or video files.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, there is shown a system for high speed parallel transmission of data over a communication line/medium/network according to the present invention <b>10</b> . This system is comprised of two basically identical transmitter/receivers <b>11</b> and <b>21</b>. Transmitter-receiver <b>11</b> is comprised of one or more data input/output device(s) <b>12</b>, CPU and/or memory <b>13</b>, outgoing signal generator(s) <b>14</b>, mixer/switcher <b>15</b> multi-frequency connector <b>16</b> and incoming signal discriminators/filters <b>17</b>. Transmitter-receiver <b>21</b> is comprised of one or more data input/output device(s) <b>22</b>, CPU and/or memory <b>23</b>, outgoing signal generator(s) <b>24</b>, mixer/switcher <b>25</b>, multi-frequency connector <b>26</b>, incoming signal discriminator/filters <b>27</b>. Device <b>11</b> is coupled to device <b>21</b> over a communication line/medium/network, such as but not limited to, a standard copper telephone line <b>30</b>. The system disclosed herein can be used to transmit data via computer, facsimile machine, video telephones or any similar device.

There is a limit to the amount of data which can be transmitted over conventional communications systems using existing technology. The fastest conventional modems are only able to transmit 56.6 thousand bits of data per second and this only if the communication line is a short wire, digital, cable or fiber optic cable or is a radio wave broadcast and then only if the access provider can support such a signal. In addition, throughout most of the world, only 28.8 or even 14.4 thousand bits of data, and in some cases even less, can be transmitted per second over the existing copper telephone lines which are all that is typically available.

Even the newest asymmetric systems require the installation of a network card within both the sending and receiving units, a special modem and the payment of a monthly access fee to one or more special communication line provider.

The present invention allows much greater amounts of data to be transmitted by splitting the signal to be transmitted over an existing telephone line or other communication medium/network into multiple signals which, when combined, form a multi-layered t one/signal which can later be filtered/separated and processed, thereby allowing multiple bits of data to be transmitted either simultaneously, or in a timed relationship, over parallel frequencies within, wherever advantageous, the narrowest possible bandwidth configuration.

Further, the present invention performs this function without all of the aforementioned expensive state of the art hardware and needless expense of a monthly special access fees.

By eliminating the aforementioned special communication access gate, and thus the gate keepers monthly fee and equipt ment cost, the present invention will greatly enhance the accessibility of information in even the remotest areas of the poorest countries of the world.

One of the primary objectives of the present invention is to effectively address the desperate need for providing, to the largest number of people worldwide, rapid, inexpensive and dependable interactive access to existing and future information resources.

One of the primary reasons that the aforementioned remote and/or primitively equipped areas of the third world are presently developmentally hindered and/or politically volatile is due directly to their lack of rapid and adequate information access. The present invention is specifically designed to remedy this and other local and world wide information access problems.

One of the ways the present invention addresses the aforementioned problems is by the flexibility of its design and implementation methodology.

The present invention may be produced as a simple after market (plug and play) device which can be easily connect ed to and used with existing hardware such as, but not limited to, computers, televisions and fax machines. Alternatively, the present invention may be incorporated into these and other like devices during the manufacturing process.

Further, the present invention will provide for the aforementioned world wide enhanced and affordable rapid access to information now, when it is most needed. There will no longer be the necessity of waiting for the painfully slow and expansiveexpensive installation of more modern communication lines and hardware such a fiber optic, cable or satellite networks.

The present system is designed to transmit data which can be generated or saved in a one or two bit/bitebyte format or any derivative or multiple thereof. Transmission of the thus formatted data is based on whether a bit signal is present or absent, i.e., is defined/marked/modulated or in some way signified as either on or off.

Detection on the receiving end is based on either the presence or absence of said bit signal demarcated by said defined/marked/modulated specific tone/frequency, while all other tones/frequencies are filtered out and/or ignored or otherwise identified and disregarded. Once the thus received data is converted back into its original bit code format, the data may be viewed, shipped, further processed, printed, otherwise used or saved for later use.

Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, there is shown one of the many possible configurations example of a system for high speed parallel transmission of data over a communication line/medium/network according to the present invention. This system is comprised of two basically identical transmitter/receiver units <b>10</b> and <b>2</b><b>11</b>. Unit <b>10</b> is comprised of one or more data input-output device(s) <b>12</b>, one or more data processing unit <b>2</b><b>13</b>(s), signal generator(s)/filter(s) unit(s) <b>2</b><b>14</b> and signal mixer/splitter unit <b>2</b><b>15</b>(s). Unit <b>2</b><b>11</b> is comprised of one or more data input-output device(s) <b>19</b>, data processing unit <b>18</b>, signal generator(s)/filter(s) unit <b>2</b><b>17</b> and signal mixer/splitter unit <b>2</b><b>16</b>. Unit <b>10</b> is connected to unit <b>2</b><b>11</b> via a communication line/medium/network such as, but not limited to, a standard copper telephone line <b>20</b>. The system herein can be used to transmit and/or receive data via a computer, television, telecommunications network, digital network, facsimile machine, video telephone or other similar device, system or networks either by utilization of direct (hard wired) and/or broadcast (wireless) systems.

Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, there is shown a flowchart detailing one process by which data may be transmitted according to the present invention as it relates to large files such as, but not limited to, multi-page document and/or image files. To transmit a document/image/data file <b>40</b> , using this invention, the document/image/data file is first scanned/captured at <b>41</b> or created in a computer or other device and processed as a binary/digital signal in the CPU at <b>42</b>. This data may or may not be compressed before, during or after being stacked/wrapped at step <b>43</b>.

At step <b>44</b> this stacked/wrapped signal is then processed so that: the first eight bits processed are designated as a first data stream/segment, File <b>1</b>; the next eight bits processed are designated as a second data stream/segment, File <b>2</b>; and so on. Alternatively, the data can be processed so that: the first bit of the first byte is placed in a first data stream/segment, File <b>1</b>; and the second bit of the first byte is placed in a second data stream/segment, File <b>2</b>; and so on. At step <b>44</b> the stacked/wrapped signal is split into eight or more data stream(s)/segments containing an equal, or ue-equalun-<i>equal </i>but unknown, number of bits. Error check and/or clocking/encryption may then be created and added as additional data stream(s)/segment(s) and/or be appended to one or more of said eight or more data streams/segments. Any or all data streams/segments may then be further processed, stored or transmitted.

At step <b>42</b>, <b>43</b>, <b>44</b> and/or <b>45</b> each signal may have added to it a timed start/stop and/or sequence/encryption command to instruct the receiving processor how to read and reassemble the data. Alternatively, the timed start/stop and/or sequence/encryption command may be added to less than all of the data streams/segments. One example of the operation of steps <b>43</b>, <b>44</b> and <b>45</b> on a single byte of data is shown in FIG. <b>3</b><b>4</b>.

At step <b>46</b> the ten different data streams/segments are ideally sent to separate signal generators, which generators create multiple binary/digital signals separated from one another by a set frequency bandwidth. For, one non-limiting example, these multiple signals over which the data in question are to be transmitted could, using tones as an example only, begin at 500 Hertz, with each successive frequency being separated by 750 Hertz. This designation of frequencies can be implemented using existing telephone wiring and hardware and will allow for a minimum of 250 Hertz safe zone of separation with generated beat frequencies. Alternatively, the generated frequencies can be separated from one another by varying, predetermined frequency bandwidths. Moreover, instead of being sent to one signal generator capable of generating multiple signals of varying frequency for each data streams/segments. Alternatively, the aforesaid data streams/segments could be processed separately or sequentially by one or more multi-frequency signal generator(s). Although this sequential processing would be somewhat slower than multi-unit processing, due to the speed of modern processors, it would still allow a much higher transmission speed than can be attained by conventional modems.

At step <b>47</b> the signals from the one or more multiple frequency signal generators are combined by the signal mixer/switcher into one multi-frequency combined/layered signal which is in a timed and marked sequence. The mixer overlays/combines the multiple signal so that the individual signal sequence remain relatively intact in time, i.e. bits <b>1</b> through <b>10</b> are transmitted and received at the same relative time, i.e. they are transmitted in relative alignment and are received in that same relative alignment. Any synchronizational anomalies which may be introduced during processing, transmission or reception would be corrected at the receiving unit by referring to and making use of the aforementioned stop/start and/or timed sequence/encryption commands. Specifically, when the first bit of data stream/segment, file <b>1</b>, is transmitted the first bit of data in each of streams/segments, file <b>2</b> through <b>10</b>, are also simultaneously transmitted and/or are so marked as to be re-alienablere-<i>alignable </i>by the receiving unit if transmitted other than simultaneously. Each data bit position of the 10 or more signals equals one beat in time or time beat as duration relates to signal transmission.

At step <b>48</b> the multi-layered/multi-frequency mixed signal is transmitted over a communication line/medium/network. At step <b>49</b> the signal is received. At step <b>50</b> the signal is filtered/split and then sent to the CPU. At step <b>51</b> the signal is reassembled. From there the signal can either be viewed, used or stored in memory, sent to a printer or other output device or processing device for further processing. It is understood that any or all of the aforementioned sequencing, filtering/splitting, marking, re-assembly and processing steps may be performed within one or more processing devices located within or in proximity to the sending and/or receiving units and that such a configuration is included within the scope of and therefore covered by the present invention.

Using the aforementioned tonal frequency designations as an example, the following frequencies could be used to transmit data according to the present invention: 500, 1250, 2000, 2700, 3500, 4250, 5000, 6750, 6500 and 7250 Hertz. Beat frequencies (subtractive) generated would be at 750, 1500, 2250, 3000, 3750, 4500, 5250, 6000 and 6750 Hertz. Beat frequencies (additive) generated would be at 1750, 2500, 3250, 4000, 4750, 5500, 6250 and 7000 Hertz. In the foregoing embodiment, additional harmonics would not be closer than 250 Hertz to any main data transmission frequency.

In addition, all frequencies/signals generated above 7500 Hertz would be filtered out or ignored as they would not be used. The foregoing frequencies are representative only and are in no way meant as a limitation.

It is, of course, understood that as filtering and processing technology improves, the separation needed between usable bandwidths which can be filtered or kept clearly separated will narrow so that less bandwidth distance between usable frequencies is required, thereby providing more frequencies on which to transmit data.

It is further understood that the foregoing example is not intended as a limitation but is for example only and that other electromagnetic and optical frequency designations and configurations may be used and would also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Further, by using selected data encoding/encryption commands I.E. data reconfiguration codes or keys, which would be resident within only the sending and receiving units, or sent along or separate from said data transmission, the present invention can be used to encrypt and decrypt the data being transmitted. One way in which this may be accomplished would be by setting the signal to a bit numbering scheme which is set or configured differently for each data stream/segment and/or transmission sequence being transmitted, even to the point of employing a floating encryption based upon a pre-determined algorithm.

The foregoing would permit data to be securely transmitted without fear that the person receiving the transmission is not the intended recipient as may happen when a wrong telephone number is dialed. Only the intended recipient would have the timed encryption key required to reassemble and make use of the data received. Without the key the received data would be a meaningless jumble of random data bits with no discernible pattern.

An illustrative example of how data could be transmitted employing one of the configurations of the present invention, in its tonal embodiment, over the aforementioned frequency designations is provided below. Transmission of the word “TEST” using straight corresponding bit-dash tone/frequency code would occur as follows:

Beginning Code (Handshake) Sent Prior to Actual Document

<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li id="ul0001-0001" num="0036">T=84=01010100=6500+5000+3500+a parity type check tone+timing.</li><li id="ul0001-0002" num="0037">E=69=01000101=6500+5750+7250+a parity type check tone+timing.</li><li id="ul0001-0003" num="0038">S=83=01010011=6500+5000+6500+a parity type check tone+timing.</li><li id="ul0001-0004" num="0039">T=84=01010100=6500+5000+3500+a parity type check tone+timing. <br /> End of Transmission Sequence </li></ul>

In the foregoing example, all four letters would be sent at the same time on four parallel frequencies and would be reassembled after reception based on the parity check and timing key sent along with the data.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 and 4</figref> show two drawings depicting two further examples of how the invention which is the subject of this application operates on bits of data.

It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications to the described embodiments utilizing functionally equivalent elements and/or procedures to those described. Any variations or modifications to the invention just described are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.