Frequency selection method and apparatus
First Claim
1. In a radio frequency (RF) communications system having a plurality of control modules having transceivers operating at various frequencies within a predetermined range, a method for selecting an operating frequency from within said range for use by a new control module seeking to commence operation within said system, said method comprising the steps of:
- scanning, by the new control module, at its intended location of operation, a set of frequencies within said range;
storing a table of information corresponding to signals sensed during said scanning;
evaluating the stored information to determine a number of interference sources associated with each scanned frequency; and
selecting that frequency from within the set having the least number of associated interference sources for use by the new control module.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Within a radio frequency (RF) communications system (200) having a plurality of transceivers (10) operating at various frequencies (F1-FN) within a predetermined range, a method (700-722) and apparatus (600) for selecting an operating frequency from within said range for use by communications equipment (10) commencing operation within said system (200). Said method and apparatus comprising apparatus and method steps whereby the communications equipment (10) scans (at 706), from its intended location of operation, a set of frequencies (F1-FN) within said range, stores (at 708-714) a table of information (800) corresponding to signals (300) sensed during said scanning, evaluates (at 716) the stored information to determine (at 718) a number of interference sources associated with each scanned frequency, and selects (at 722) that frequency from within the range having the least number of associated interference sources.
96 Citations
23 Claims
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1. In a radio frequency (RF) communications system having a plurality of control modules having transceivers operating at various frequencies within a predetermined range, a method for selecting an operating frequency from within said range for use by a new control module seeking to commence operation within said system, said method comprising the steps of:
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scanning, by the new control module, at its intended location of operation, a set of frequencies within said range; storing a table of information corresponding to signals sensed during said scanning; evaluating the stored information to determine a number of interference sources associated with each scanned frequency; and selecting that frequency from within the set having the least number of associated interference sources for use by the new control module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A radio frequency (RF) communications system for minimizing the RF interference from a plurality of control modules having transceivers operating at various frequencies within a predetermined range to a new control module seeking to commence operation within said system, the new control module having a transmitter and a receiver for operating in said range of frequencies, the system comprising:
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said receiver of the new control module including means for scanning a predetermined set of frequencies within said range, at the receiver'"'"'s intended location of operation; memory, coupled to the receiver, for storing a table of values corresponding to signals sensed during said scanning; a processor, coupled to said memory, for evaluating the stored values to determine a number of interference sources associated with each frequency scanned; and said processor further for selecting that frequency from within the set having the least number of associated interference sources for use by the new control module. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. In a radio frequency (RF) communications system having a plurality of control modules operating at various frequencies within a predetermined range, a method for selecting an operating frequency from within said range for use by a new control module having a transmitter and a receiver and seeking to commence operation within said system, said method comprising the steps of:
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scanning, by the new control module, at its intended location of operation, a set of frequencies within said range; receiving control module transmissions on at least some of the scanned frequencies; storing at least some of the information associated with each received transmission; evaluating the stored information to determine a number of interference sources associated with each scanned frequency; and selecting a frequency from within the range having the least number of associated interference sources for use by the new control module. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A wireless radio frequency control module having a transmitter and receiver comprising:
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means for inhibiting the transmitter until a predetermined frequency of operation is selected; means for scanning a predetermined set of possible operating frequencies with the receiver at its intended location of operation; the receiver, coupled to said scanning means, for receiving transmissions on st least some of the scanned frequencies; means, coupled to the receiver, for storing information corresponding to each received transmission; means, coupled to the storing means, for evaluating the stored information to determine a number of interference sources associated with each scanned frequency; means, coupled to the evaluating means, for selecting that frequency from within the scanned range having the least number of associated interference sources for use by the new control module; and means for unlocking the new control module transmitter and permitting it to begin transmissions at the selected frequency.
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Specification