Method and apparatus for moderating interference while effecting impulse radio wireless control of equipment

A method for moderating interfering effects upon impulse wireless control of an appliance;

• said interfering effects being caused by a plurality of interfering signals;
• said plurality of interfering signals occurring in at least one frequency range;
• said controller transmitting impulse radio control signals to said appliance;
• said control signals having a transmission power and a data rate;
• the method comprising the steps of:
• (a) periodically effecting parametric measurement of at least one parameter associated with said plurality of interfering signals in a selected set of frequency ranges of said at least one frequency range;
• said selected set of frequency ranges involving at least one frequency range of said at least one frequency range;
• (b) combining said parametric measurements from said selected set of frequency ranges to determine observed interference periods;
• said observed interference periods indicating presence of at least one interfering signal of said plurality of interfering signals in said selected set of frequency ranges, said observed interference periods being measured by said at least one parameter;
• (c) employing said observed interference periods to establish predicted future interference periods, said predicted future interference periods being measured by predicted said at least one parameter;
• and
• (d) effecting an alteration of transmission of said control signals in anticipation of said predicted said at least one parameter exceeding a predetermined value.

An apparatus for moderating interference with impulse radio wireless control of an appliance;

• said control being effected by a controller remote from said appliance, said controller transmitting impulse radio digital control signals to said appliance;
• said control signals having a transmission power and a data rate;
• the apparatus comprising:
• a threshold means for establishing a maximum acceptable noise value for a parameter relating to interfering signals in a predetermined frequency range;
• and a measuring means for measuring said parameter for said interference signals within said frequency range;
• and a transmission control means for effecting alteration of said transmission of said control signals when said parameter exceeds said maximum acceptable noise value.

An apparatus for moderating interfering effects upon impulse wireless control of an appliance;

• said interfering effects being caused by a plurality of interfering signals;
• said plurality of interfering signals occurring in at least one frequency range;
• said controller transmitting impulse radio control signals to said appliance;
• said control signals having a transmission power and a data rate;
• the apparatus comprising:
• measuring means for periodically effecting parametric measurement of at least one parameter associated with said plurality of interfering signals in a selected set of frequency ranges of said at least one frequency range;
• said selected set of frequency ranges involving at least one frequency range of said at least one frequency range;
• combining means for combining said parametric measurements from said selected set of frequency ranges to determine observed interference periods;
• said observed interference periods indicating presence of at least one interfering signal of said plurality of interfering signals in said selected set of frequency ranges, said observed interference periods being measured by said at least one parameter;
• prediction means for employing said observed interference periods to establish predicted future interference periods, said predicted future interference periods being measured by predicted said at least one parameter;
• and transmission control means for effecting an alteration of transmission of said control signals in anticipation of said predicted said at least one parameter exceeding a predetermined value.