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US5574979A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Periodic interference avoidance in a wireless radio frequency communication system

Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Ltd
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Filing: 1994-06-03
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Granted: 1996-11-12
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Expires: 2014-06-03
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A hierarchical communication system is described whereby periodic interference can be detected and avoided utilizing constituents' computer controllers and sync signals generated in response to the interference. The use of a predictive sync signal allows radio frequency communication to be optimally timed to efficiently make use of the interference-free time within the periodic interference signal.

Inventors

  • 👤 Guy J. West

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 15:27
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W52/00; H04W52/04; H04W52/38; H04W52/46; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/06; H04B1/10; H04B1/1027; H04L; H04L7/00; H04L7/04; H04L7/041; H04L2007/045; H04L7/02; H04L7/027; H04L7/046

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim 109 words
A system for transmitting and receiving radio frequency communication in an environment where there is periodic interference, comprising: (a) means for transmitting a communications message via wireless radio frequency communication; (b) sync means comprising: (b1) sensing means for sensing periodic interference; and (b2) means, coupled with said sensing means, for generating a sync signal that tracks an alternating current associated with a power main which is representative of the timing of said periodic interference and controlling said transmitting means to effect radio frequency transmission of a communication message according to the sync signal, so as to tend to avoid errors in radio frequency communication due to said periodic interference.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 109 words
A system for transmitting and receiving radio frequency communication in an environment where there is periodic interference, comprising: (a) means for transmitting a communications message via wireless radio frequency communication; (b) sync means comprising: (b1) sensing means for sensing periodic interference; and (b2) means, coupled with said sensing means, for generating a sync signal that tracks an alternating current associated with a power main which is representative of the timing of said periodic interference and controlling said transmitting means to effect radio frequency transmission of a communication message according to the sync signal, so as to tend to avoid errors in radio frequency communication due to said periodic interference.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 32 words
The system of claim 1, comprising a user supported terminal and a radio base station, each having sync means and means for transmitting and receiving communication messages via wireless radio frequency communication.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 47 words
The system of claim 2, wherein the user supported terminal and the radio base station each include sync circuit means and controlling means, comprising a computer controller, for controlling transmission of communication messages to tend to avoid errors in radio frequency communication due to said periodic interference.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 62 words
The system of claim 3, wherein the respective sync circuit means of the user supported terminal and the radio base station is coupled to the respective computer controller means of the user supported terminal and the radio base station to supply the respective sync signal thereto, so that two way transmission of communications messages tends to avoid errors due to periodic interference.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 32 words
The system of claim 4, wherein the computer controller means of the user supported terminal and the radio base station determine whether to inhibit radio frequency communication based on communication error rates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 15 words
The system of claim 1, wherein radio frequency communication occurs in the 2.4 gigahertz band.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 78 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the sync signal has first and second logic levels corresponding to periodic interference, and said transmitting means is controlled to effect radio frequency communication a relatively short fixed time after the sync signal shifts to the second logic level corresponding to an absence of interference, and to inhibit radio frequency communication a relatively short fixed time before the sync signal shifts to the first logic level corresponding to the presence of interference.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 31 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the sync means includes a sync waveform generator means for generating the sync signal, and the sync waveform generator means is an analog integrated circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 19 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the sensing means comprises a receiving loop means for sensing said periodic interference.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 17 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the periodic interference is generated by ac powered microwave oven magnetrons.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 21 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the sensing means senses said periodic interference by coupling directly to an ac power line.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 74 words
A method of transmitting and receiving wireless communication in an environment where there is periodic and non-periodic interference, comprising the steps of: sensing interference; generating a sync waveform that tracks an alternating current signal associated with a power main; determining whether the sensed interference tracks the sync waveform; and selectively conducting wireless communication if the sensed interference tracks the sync waveform, so as to tend to avoid communication errors due to said periodic interference.
Claim 14
Independent Claim 74 words
A method of transmitting and receiving wireless communication in an environment where there is periodic and non-periodic interference, comprising the steps of: sensing interference; generating a sync waveform that tracks an alternating current signal associated with a power main; determining whether the sensed interference tracks the sync waveform; and selectively conducting wireless communication if the sensed interference tracks the sync waveform, so as to tend to avoid communication errors due to said periodic interference.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 12, wherein wireless communication comprises radio frequency transmission in the 2.4 gigahertz band.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 19 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the step of generating a sync waveform is performed by an integrated circuit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the step of sensing interference is performed utilizing a receiving loop.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the periodic interference is generated by a microwave oven.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 19 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the step of sensing interference is performed by coupling with the power main.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 94 words
A wireless communication device comprising: a receiver that wirelessly receives messages and detects interference; a transmitter that wirelessly transmits messages; a synchronization circuit that tracks an alternating current cycle associated with a power main; a controller which interacts with said receiver and said transmitter pursuant to a communication protocol for managing exchanges of messages; said controller coordinates with said synchronization circuit and said receiver to identify periodic interference that is synchronous with the alternating current cycle associated with the power main; and said controller adapting said protocol for operation when periodic interference is identified.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 94 words
A wireless communication device comprising: a receiver that wirelessly receives messages and detects interference; a transmitter that wirelessly transmits messages; a synchronization circuit that tracks an alternating current cycle associated with a power main; a controller which interacts with said receiver and said transmitter pursuant to a communication protocol for managing exchanges of messages; said controller coordinates with said synchronization circuit and said receiver to identify periodic interference that is synchronous with the alternating current cycle associated with the power main; and said controller adapting said protocol for operation when periodic interference is identified.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 23 words
The wireless communication device of claim 18 wherein the period interference is generated by an external device that connects to the power main.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4335468A Cited
US4479245A Cited
US5280471A Cited
US5239666A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1999-11-12 2000-05-13 2000-11-12 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2003-11-12 2004-05-13 2004-11-12 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2007-11-12 2008-05-13 2008-11-12 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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