Wireless control system for periodic noise sources

• US 6,349,198 B1
• Filed: 01/25/2000
• Issued: 02/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ASTER Wireless, Inc. (Iota Communications, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Hinman, Mark P., Carlson, Grant B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ferguson, Keith
• Application Number:
  US09/490,514
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: 455/63, 455/67.1, 455/67.5, 455/310, 455/303, 455/304, 455/67.3, 455/403, 455/88, 455/66, 455/295, 455/296, 455/298, 455/299, 455/550, 455/517, 375/346
• US Class Current: 455/63.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/44 Transmit/receive switching
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 15/00 Suppression or limitation of noise or interference by means associated with receiver H04B1/10

Abstract

A wireless control system for use in system having a plurality of periodic noise sources includes an antenna; an RF receiver connected to the antenna for receiving RF noise from an external periodic noise source; a phase synchronization circuit connected to the RF receiver for generating a clock signal that is in phase with the external periodic noise; and a noise source control circuit connected to the phase synchronization circuit for receiving the clock signal and controlling a periodic noise source, whereby the periodic noise sources in the system are synchronized to emit their periodic noise in phase with each other.

Claims

1. A wireless control apparatus for use in a system having a plurality of periodic noise sources, comprising:

a) an antenna;

b) an RF receiver connected to the antenna for receiving RF noise from an external periodic noise source;

c) a phase synchronization circuit connected to the RF receiver for generating a clock signal that is in phase with the external periodic noise; and

d) a noise source control circuit connected to the phase synchronization circuit for receiving the clock signal and controlling an internal periodic noise source, whereby the periodic noise sources in the system are synchronized to emit their periodic noise in phase with each other.

2. The apparatus claimed in claim 1, wherein the periodic noise sources are magnetrons emitting in the 2.4-2.5 GHz ISM band.

3. The apparatus claimed in claim 2, wherein the system is a lighting system.

4. The apparatus claimed in claim 2, wherein the system includes a plurality of microwave ovens.

5. A method of controlling a system having a plurality of periodic noise sources, comprising the steps of:

a) sensing RF noise from an external periodic noise source;

b) generating a clock signal that is in phase with the external periodic noise; and

c) using the clock signal to control an internal periodic noise source, whereby the periodic noise sources in the system are synchronized to emit their periodic noise in phase with each other.

6. The method claimed in claim 5, further comprising the step of transmitting and receiving radio signals during quiescent periods in the periodic noise.

7. The method claimed in claim 5, wherein the periodic noise sources are magnetrons emitting in the 2.4-2.5 GHz ISM band.

8. The method claimed in claim 7, wherein the system is a lighting system.

9. The method claimed in claim 7, wherein the system includes a plurality of microwave ovens.