Modular RF communication module for automated home and vehicle systems

• US 6,374,079 B1
• Filed: 05/11/2000
• Issued: 04/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: PNI Corporation (PNI Digital Media)
• Original Assignee: PNI Corporation (PNI Digital Media)
• Inventors: Hsu, George
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Lester G.
• Application Number:
  US09/569,746
• Time in Patent Office: 705 Days
• Field of Search: 455/11.1, 455/15, 455/19, 455/426, 455/507, 455/557, 455/88, 455/69, 455/70, 455/560, 455/561, 455/562, 455/575, 455/422, 455/423
• US Class Current: 455/11.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18576 Satellite systems for providing narrowband data service to fixed or mobile stations, e.g. using a minisatellite, a microsatellite for selecting H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2807 Exchanging configuration information on appliance services in a home automation network arrangements for maintenance or administration involving network analysis for automatically determining the actual topology of a network H04L41/12; hardware or software tools for network management using graphical user interfaces H04L41/22; address allocation H04L61/50
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2825 Reporting to a device located outside the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with telemetering systems H04M11/002
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/025 for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A RF communication module for enabling RF data communication in a wireless communication system is provided. The communication module comprises, a transmitter/receive circuitry for transmitting and receiving data, a RF chipset and microcontroller for enabling and controlling various functions of the RF communication module, an antennae circuitry for enabling function of the transmitter/receive circuitry and a data port for enabling serial communication between the RF module and connected components of a host device, characterized in that the RF communication module functions as a slave module or a controlling module dependent on the host device.

Claims

1. A plurality of distributed RF communication modules enabling RF data communication in a wireless communication system, each RF module comprising:

a transmitter/receiver circuitry for transmitting and receiving data between each RF communication module in the system;

a microcontroller, including software, for enabling and controlling various functions of the RF communication module;

an antenna circuitry for enabling function of the transmitter/receiver circuitry; and

a data port for enabling communication between the RF module and connected components of a host device, characterized in that the RF communication module functions as a slave module or a controlling module dependent on the host device;

wherein, in executing the software, a query sequence is initiated between the RF modules, temporarily assigning to one of the RF modules a master-state of control, the temporary master sending queries to other distributed RF modules in the system, and receiving, evaluating and storing the responses received at the temporary master RF module, and then reassigning temporary master-state of control to each one of the distributed RF modules in a pre-programmed order, with each module completing the query sequence to establish quality of communication between modules, and to assign proxy communication paths in the wireless communication system.

2. The RF communication module of claim 1, wherein the host device is a sensor/actuator device.

3. The RF communication module of claim 1, wherein the host device is a base station.

4. The RF communication module of claim 1, wherein the RF chipset, microcontroller, receive/transmit circuitry, and antenna are packaged in a same device for implementation as the RF module.

5. The RF communication module of claim 4, wherein the package is the discrete device.

6. The RF communication module of claim 4, wherein the package is an ASIC device.

7. The RF communication module of claim 4, wherein the module is configured and implemented as a dedicated signal interceptor and repeater device.

8. A method for maximizing reliability and transmission distance between distributed RF modules in a wireless communications network comprising the steps of:

(a) initiating an off-line state within the communications network;

(b) temporarily assigning one of the distributed RF modules a master-state of control;

(c) initiating a query sequence, the temporary master RF module sending the queries other distributed modules within the communications network;

(d) receiving and evaluating responses received at the temporary master RF module;

(e) populating a portion of a table, the populated data reflecting the results of evaluation of the responses; and

(f) reassigning a temporary master-state of control to each one of the total of distributed RF modules serially for the purpose of each one completing steps (c), (d), and (e) in stated order.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein steps (a) and (b) are automated and programmed to occur at periodic intervals.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein in step (e), a completed table containing data portions entered by all of the participating RF modules is mirrored to each participating module.