Electromagnetic field communications system for wireless networks

• US 7,099,621 B1
• Filed: 06/25/1999
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cocomo MB Communications, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Cocomo MB Communications, Inc.
• Inventors: Chadwick, George G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Anderson, Matthew D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEST, LEWIS G
• Application Number:
  US09/340,218
• Time in Patent Office: 2,622 Days
• Field of Search: 455/3.01, 455/3.06, 455/402, 455/899, 455/66, 455/9, 455/523, 343/904, 333/227, 379/55.1
• US Class Current: 455/3.01
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/007 specially adapted for indoor communication
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/22 by structural association with other equipment or articles
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2208 associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns G06K7/00; record carrier for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/46 Electric supply lines or communication lines
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/526 Electromagnetic shields

Abstract

An Electromagnetic Field Communications System for Wireless Networks for producing an electromagnetic field within a structure is disclosed. The electromagnetic field is produced by using common conductive elements already present within virtually all pre-existing residential commercial, industrial buildings. These conductors, which may include electrical ground shields, wiring, pipes, sprinkler conduits or structural members, are excited with a signal, and become the cavity which contains the electromagnetic field. In preferred embodiments of the invention, signals are generated using the High Frequency, Very High Frequency and lower UHF bands (3 to 30, 30 to 300 and up to 400 MHz). The invention may be used to create a local area network inside the field and within the structure. Devices that include receivers tuned to the electromagnetic field may then be connected and networked. The system may be operated without causing interference to other conventional radio devices outside the structure in the HF band.

Claims

1. An electromagnetic field communications system, suitable for use with wireless communication devices, comprising:

a structure including an electrically conductive grid array having a grid opening size;

means for generating a quasi-static non-propagating electromagnetic field within said structure by feeding a frequency signal into said electrically conductive grid array, said frequency signal carrying communications; and

means for receiving said communications from said quasi-static non-propagating electromagnetic field;

wherein the frequency of said frequency signal is selected such that the dimension of said grid opening size is small relative to the wavelength of said frequency signal.

2. The electromagnetic field communications system of claim 1, wherein

the frequency of said frequency signal is selected such that the wavelength is greater than twice the dimension of said grid opening size.

3. The electromagnetic field communications system of claim 1 wherein

said frequency signal is in the range of 3 to 400 Megahertz.

4. The electromagnetic field communications system of claim 1 wherein

said means for receiving said communications are selected from the group including computer hardware and computer networking components, cellular telephones, radios, and televisions.

5. An electromagnetic field system, comprising:

a structure including an electrically conducting grid array having a grid opening size;

an electromagnetic field generator for generating an quasi-static electromagnetic field within said structure by feeding a frequency signal in the range of 3 to 400 Megahertz into said electrically conductive grid array, said frequency signal carrying communications; and

means for receiving said communications from said quasi-static non- propagating electromagnetic field;

wherein said grid opening size is small relative to the wavelength of said frequency signal.

6. The electromagnetic field system of claim 5 wherein:

the dimension of said grid opening size is less than one half the wavelength of said frequency signal.