Method for synchronizing operation across devices

• US 20030139898A1
• Filed: 01/23/2002
• Published: 07/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Hietanen, David John, Chambers, Robert Baxter II, Miller, Daniel Halvard
• Application Number:
  US09/683,596
• Publication Number:
  US 20030139898A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/178
• CPC Class Codes: G04R 20/12 Decoding time data; Circuits therefor

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a method of synchronizing the actions of one or more devices using an RF time signal. In one embodiment, a clock in a device is synchronized to an RF time signal, and the clock is applied in a timed event performed by the device. The timed event may include determining a time of occurrence of an event associated with the device or starting a process performed by the device at a predetermined time. In an alternative embodiment, the method includes: coordinating a first timed event to be performed by a first device and a second timed event to be performed by a second device; receiving an RF time signal at the first and second devices; synchronizing a first clock in the first device and a second clock in the second device to a time indicated in the RF time signal; applying the first clock in the first timed event performed by the first device; and applying the second clock in the second timed event performed by the second device. The first and second events may be performed simultaneously or at different times. A global positioning system receiver within each device may be used to compensate for any propagation delay of the RF time signal between the transmitter of the RF signal and the device.

Claims

1. A method of synchronizing the actions of one or more devices, comprising:

receiving an RF time signal;

synchronizing a first clock using a time indicated in said RF time signal; and

applying said first clock in a first timed event performed by a first device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said first timed event includes:

at a predetermined time, starting a process performed by said first device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said first timed event includes:

at a predetermined time, stopping a process performed by said first device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said first timed event includes:

determining a time of occurrence of an event associated with said first device.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

prior to applying said first clock in said first timed event, providing a signal indicating said predetermined time to said first device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said signal further indicates said process to be performed at said predetermined time.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

synchronizing a second clock using the time indicated in said RF time signal; and

applying said second clock in a second timed event performed by a second device, said first timed event and said second timed event are coordinated such that devices 12 work together to perform a common function.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said first timed event includes at least one of:

at a first predetermined time, starting a process performed by said first device, and

determining a time of occurrence of an event associated with said first device; and

wherein said second timed event includes at least one of;

at a second predetermined time, starting a process performed by said second device, and

determining a time of occurrence of an event associated with said second device.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

prior to applying said first clock in said first timed event, providing a signal indicating said first predetermined time to said first device; and

prior to applying said second clock in said second timed event, providing a signal indicating said second predetermined time to said second device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said signal indicating said first predetermined time further indicates said process to be performed by said first device at said first predetermined time, and said signal indicating said second predetermined time further indicates said process to be performed by said second device at said second predetermined time.

11. The method of claim 1, further including:

determining a location of said first device using a GPS receiver;

calculating a distance between a transmitter of said RF time signal and said first device using said location of said first device;

calculating a propagation delay of said RF time signal from said transmitter to said first device using said distance; and

synchronizing said first clock using said propagation delay.

12. A method of synchronizing the actions of one or more devices, comprising:

coordinating a first timed event to be performed by a first device and a second timed event to be performed by a second device;

receiving an RF time signal at said first device;

synchronizing a first clock using a time indicated in said RF time signal;

receiving said RF time signal at said second device;

synchronizing a second clock using said time indicated in said RF time signal;

applying said first clock in said first timed event performed by said first device; and

applying said second clock in said second timed event performed by said second device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said first timed event includes at least one of:

at a first predetermined time, starting a process performed by said first device, and

determining a time of occurrence of an event associated with said first device; and

wherein said second timed event includes at least one of;

at a second predetermined time, starting a process performed by said second device, and

determining a time of occurrence of an event associated with said second device.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

prior to applying said first clock in said first timed event, providing a signal indicating said first predetermined time to said first device; and

prior to applying said second clock in said second timed event, providing a signal indicating said second predetermined time to said second device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said signal indicating said first predetermined time further indicates said process to be performed by said first device at said first predetermined time, and said signal indicating said second predetermined time further indicates said process to be performed by said second device at said second predetermined time.

16. The method of claim 12, further including:

determining a location of said first device using a first GPS receiver;

calculating a first distance between a transmitter of said RF time signal and said first device using said location of said first device;

calculating a first propagation delay of said RF time signal from said transmitter to said first device using said first distance;

synchronizing said first clock using said first propagation delay;

determining a location of said second device using a second GPS receiver;

calculating a second distance between a transmitter of said RF time signal and said second device using said location of said second device;

calculating a second propagation delay of said RF time signal from said transmitter to said second device using said second distance; and

synchronizing said second clock using said second propagation delay.