Wireless synchronous time system

• US 7,411,869 B2
• Filed: 11/02/2004
• Issued: 08/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Quartex Division of Primex Incorporated, Quartex Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Quartex Division of Primex Incorporated
• Inventors: O'Neill, Terrence J., Pikula, Michael A., Gollnick, Robin W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miska; Vit W
• Application Number:
  US10/979,049
• Publication Number:
  US 20050111304A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,379 Days
• Field of Search: 368/10, 368/11, 368/146, 368/47
• US Class Current: 368/47
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 15/00 Time-pieces comprising means to be operated at preselected times or after preselected time intervals G04G11/00, G04G13/00 take precedence; electronic timers G04F1/005; pulse delay circuits H03K5/13; electronic time-delay switches H03K17/28; electronic time-programme switches which automatically terminate their operation after the programme is completed H03K17/296
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 15/006 for operating at a number of different times cigar or cigarette receptacles or boxes with means for limiting the frequency of smoking A24F15/005
• CPC Class Codes: G04R 20/02 the radio signal being sent by a satellite, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G04R 20/20 the radio signal being an AM/FM standard signal, e.g. RDS

Abstract

A method of synchronizing an event system. The method includes receiving a first signal at a primary device, where the first signal includes a time component, and processing the first signal to produce a second signal, where the second signal includes the time component and an instruction. The method also includes wirelessly transmitting the second signal to a repeating device, wirelessly receiving the second signal at the repeating device, and wirelessly transmitting a third signal from the repeating device, where the third signal includes the time component and the instruction. The method further includes wirelessly receiving the third signal at a secondary device and executing an event with the third signal.

Claims

1. A wireless synchronous time keeping system comprising:

a primary device including

a first receiving unit to receive a first signal, the first signal including a time component,

a first processor coupled to the first receiving unit and operable to process the first signal and produce a processed time component;

a first internal clock to store the processed time component and to increment the component thereafter to produce a first internal time,

a transmitting unit to transmit a second signal, the second signal including the first internal time and an event, the event including an instruction and a time element; and

a secondary device including

a second receiving unit to receive the second signal,

a second internal clock to store the first internal time and to increment the first internal time thereafter to produce a second internal time,

an event switch operable to execute the instruction when the second internal time matches the time element, and

a sensor coupled to the event switch and operable to provide feedback regarding the instruction.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the secondary device further includes a memory operable to store the feedback provided by the sensor.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the memory includes non-volatile memory.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a motion detector.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the secondary device further includes a speaker operable to generate a sound based on the feedback provided by the sensor.

6. A wireless synchronous time keeping system comprising:

a primary device including

a first receiving unit to receive a first signal, the first signal including a time component,

a first processor coupled to the first receiving unit and operable to process the first signal and produce a processed time component;

a first internal clock to store the processed time component and to increment the component thereafter to produce a first internal time.

a transmitting unit to transmit a second signal, the second signal including the first internal time and an event, the event including an instruction and a time element; and

a secondary device including

a second receiving unit to receive the second signal,

a second internal clock to store the first internal time and to increment the first internal time thereafter to produce a second internal time,

an event switch operable to execute the instruction when the second internal time matches the time element, and

a sensor operable to provide feedback,

wherein the sensor is operable to determine whether the instruction was executed.

7. A wireless synchronous time keeping system comprising:

a primary device including

a first receiving unit to receive a first signal, the first signal including a time component,

a first processor coupled to the first receiving unit and operable to process the first signal and produce a processed time component;

a first internal clock to store the processed time component and to increment the component thereafter to produce a first internal time,

a transmitting unit to transmit a second signal, the second signal including the first internal time and an event, the event including an instruction and a time element; and

a secondary device including

a second receiving unit to receive the second signal,

a second internal clock to store the first internal time and to increment the first internal time thereafter to produce a second internal time,

an event switch operable to execute the instruction when the second internal time matches the time element, and a sensor operable to provide feedback,

wherein the sensor is operable to determine whether to execute the instruction.