# US 6,873,573 B2 · Wireless synchronous time system

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- Number: US 6,873,573 B2
- Document ID: US6873573B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 09/960,638
- Filed: 2001-09-21
- Published: 2003-03-27
- Granted: 2005-03-29
- Earliest claimed: 2001-09-21
- Assignees: Quartex, Inc.
- Inventors: Michael A. Pikula; Robin W. Gollnick; Terrence J. O'Neill
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6873573B2

## CPC

- 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)}
- G04R 20/00: Setting the time according to the time information carried or implied by the radio signal
- G04R 20/02: the radio signal being sent by a satellite, e.g. GPS
- G04G: ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
- G04R: RADIO-CONTROLLED TIME-PIECES

## Abstract

A wireless synchronous time system comprising a primary master event device and secondary slave devices. The primary event device receives a global positioning systems “GPS” time signal, processes the GPS time signal, receives a programmed instruction, and broadcasts or transmits the processed time signal and the programmed instruction to the secondary slave devices. The secondary slave devices receive the processed time signal and the programmed instruction, select an identified programmed instruction, display the time, and execute an event associated with the programmed instruction. The primary event device and the secondary devices further include a power interrupt module for retaining the time and the programmed instruction in case of a power loss.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A synchronous event system comprising:
a primary event device including
a first receiver operable to receive a GPS time signal,
a first processor coupled to the first receiver and operable to process the GPS time signal to produce a processed time component,
a memory coupled to the first processor and operable to store a programmed instruction including a time element,
an internal clock coupled to the first processor to store the processed time component and to increment relative to the processed time component thereafter to produce a first internal time, and
a transmitter coupled to the first processor and operable to transmit the first internal time and the programmed instruction; and
a secondary event device including
a second receiver operable to wirelessly receive the first internal time and the programmed instruction,
a second processor coupled to the second receiver and operable to selectively register the programmed instruction,
an internal clock coupled to the second receiver to store the first internal time and to increment relative to the first internal time thereafter to produce a second internal time, and
an event switch operable to execute the registered programmed instruction when the second internal time matches the time element.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the programmed instruction includes displaying a time.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the programmed instruction includes executing a pre-determined timed function.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the primary event device further includes a power interrupt module coupled to the first processor and operable to retain the first internal time and the programmed instruction.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless secondary event device further includes a power interrupt module coupled to the second processor and operable to retain the second internal time and the programmed instruction.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter transmits the first internal time and the programmed instruction at approximately a frequency of between approximately 72 MHz and approximately 76 MHz.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the programmed instruction further comprises a data packet including a preamble, a sync bit, a packet identification byte, an hour byte, a minute byte, a second byte, a function byte, a checksum byte, and a postamble.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the primary event device further comprises a channel switch, a time zone switch, and a daylight savings bypass switch.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the primary event device further comprises a display coupled to the first processor and operable to display a time, a day, a date, and a reception status.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the primary event device further comprises a programmer input connector coupled to the processor and operable to receive programming information.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless secondary event device includes a clock.

### Claim 12

A method of synchronizing an event system, the method comprising:
receiving an instruction at a primary event device, the instruction including a time element and a function element;
processing the instruction;
wirelessly transmitting the instruction;
wirelessly receiving the instruction at a second receiver; and
executing the function element based at least in part on the time element.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further comprising displaying a time.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further comprising detecting a power failure at the primary event device and retaining the instruction at the power failure.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further comprising detecting a power failure at the secondary event device and retaining the instruction at the power failure.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein the instruction is transmitted at approximately a frequency of between approximately 72 MHz and approximately 76 MHz.

### Claim 17 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, where wirelessly transmitting the instruction further comprises transmitting a data packet including a preamble, a sync bit, a packet identification byte, an hour byte, a minute byte, a second byte, a function byte, a checksum byte, and a postamble.

### Claim 18 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein the instruction comprises global positioning system signals.

### Claim 19 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further comprising:
selecting a channel;
selecting a time zone; and
selecting a daylight savings bypass switch.

### Claim 20 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further comprising displaying a reception indication.

### Claim 21 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving a programmer input.

### Claim 22

A method of controlling a timed-system, the method comprising:
receiving a GPS time signal at a primary master device;
processing the GPS time signal to produce a first internal time;
retrieving operational data from a memory;
wirelessly transmitting the first internal time and the operational data;
wirelessly receiving the first internal time and the operational data at a second device including a second receiver;
selectively storing the operational data in a second memory coupled to the second receiver;
storing the first internal time in the second memory coupled to the second receiver to produce a second internal time; and
executing an event at the second device coupled to the second receiver based at least in part on the second internal time and the operational data.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The method of claim 22, executing the event further comprises displaying a time.

### Claim 24 (depends on 22)

The method of claim 22, further comprising detecting a power failure and retaining the second internal time and the operational data at the power failure.

### Claim 25 (depends on 22)

The method of claim 22, wherein the first internal time and the operational data are transmitted by the primary master device at approximately a frequency of between approximately 72 MHz and approximately 76 MHz.

### Claim 26 (depends on 22)

The method of claim 22, wherein wirelessly transmitting the first internal time and the operational data by the primary master device further comprises transmitting a data packet including a preamble, a sync bit, a packet identification byte, an hour byte, a minute byte, a second byte, a function byte, a checksum byte, and a postamble.

### Claim 27 (depends on 22)

The method of claim 22, further comprising:
selecting a channel;
selecting a time zone; and
selecting a daylight savings bypass switch.

### Claim 28 (depends on 22)

The method of claim 22, further comprising displaying a reception indication.

### Claim 29 (depends on 22)

The method of claim 22, further comprising receiving a programmer input.

### Claim 30

A method of wirelessly synchronizing a timed-system, the method comprising:
receiving a GPS time signal at a primary master device;
setting the GPS time signal in a first internal clock;
incrementing the first internal clock relative to the GPS time signal;
retrieving operational data including a preprogrammed time element and a preprogrammed functional element from a memory;
retrieving a first internal time from the first internal clock;
wirelessly transmitting the first internal time and the operational data;
wirelessly receiving the first internal time and the operational data at a second receiver;
selectively registering the operational data in a second memory;
setting a second internal clock to the first internal time;
incrementing the second internal clock relative to the first internal time;
retrieving a second internal time from the second internal clock;
displaying the second internal time;
identifying a function from the preprogrammed functional element; and
executing the function when the second internal time matches the preprogrammed time element.

### Claim 31 (depends on 30)

The method of claim 30, further comprising detecting a power failure and retaining the first internal clock and the operational data at the power failure.

### Claim 32 (depends on 30)

The method of claim 30, further comprising detecting a power failure and retaining the second internal clock and the operational data at the power failure.

### Claim 33 (depends on 30)

The method of claim 30, wherein the GPS time signal and the operational data are transmitted by the primary master device at approximately a frequency of between approximately 72 MHz and approximately 76 MHz.

### Claim 34 (depends on 30)

The method of claim 30, wherein wirelessly transmitting the internal time and the operational data by the primary master device further comprises transmitting a data packet including a preamble, a sync bit, a packet identification byte, an hour byte, a minute byte, a second byte, a function byte, a checksum byte, and a postamble.

### Claim 35 (depends on 30)

The method of claim 30, further comprising:
selecting a channel;
selecting a time zone; and
selecting a daylight savings bypass switch.

### Claim 36 (depends on 30)

The method of claim 30, further comprising displaying a reception indication.

### Claim 37 (depends on 30)

The method of claim 30, further comprising receiving a programmer input.

### Claim 38

A method of wirelessly synchronizing a timed-system, the method comprising:
receiving a GPS time signal at a primary master device;
setting the GPS time signal in a first internal clock;
incrementing the first internal clock relative to the GPS time signal;
retrieving a first internal time from the first internal clock;
wirelessly transmitting the first internal time;
wirelessly receiving the first internal time at a second receiver;
selecting a time zone;
setting a second internal clock coupled to the second receiver to the first internal time;
incrementing the second internal clock relative to the first internal time and the time zone;
retrieving a second internal time from the second internal clock time; and
displaying the second internal time.

### Claim 39 (depends on 38)

The method of claim 38, further comprising detecting a power failure and retaining the first internal clock at the power failure.

### Claim 40 (depends on 38)

The method of claim 38, further comprising detecting a power failure and retaining the second internal clock at the power failure.

### Claim 41 (depends on 38)

The method of claim 38, wherein the GPS time signal is transmitted by the primary master device at approximately a frequency of between approximately 72 MHz and approximately 76 MHz.

### Claim 42 (depends on 38)

The method of claim 38, wherein wirelessly transmitting the GPS time signal by the primary master device further comprises transmitting a data packet including a preamble, a sync bit, a packet identification byte, an hour byte, a minute byte, a second byte, a function byte, a checksum byte, and a postamble.

### Claim 43 (depends on 38)

The method of claim 38, further comprising:
selecting a channel; and
selecting a daylight savings bypass switch.

### Claim 44 (depends on 38)

The method of claim 38, further comprising displaying a reception indication.

### Claim 45 (depends on 38)

The method of claim 38, further comprising receiving a programmer input.

### Claim 46

A method of wirelessly synchronizing a timed-system, the method comprising:
receiving a GPS time signal at a primary master device;
setting the GPS time signal in a first internal clock;
incrementing the first internal clock relative to the GPS time signal;
retrieving a first internal time from the first internal clock;
wirelessly transmitting the first internal time;
wirelessly receiving the first internal time at a second receiver;
selecting a daylight savings bypass switch;
setting a second internal clock coupled to the second receiver to the first internal time;
incrementing the second internal clock relative to the first internal time and the daylight savings bypass switch;
retrieving a second internal time from the second internal clock time; and
displaying the second internal time.

### Claim 47 (depends on 46)

The method of claim 46, further comprising detecting a power failure and retaining the first internal clock and the operational data at the power failure.

### Claim 48 (depends on 46)

The method of claim 46, further comprising detecting a power failure and retaining the second internal clock at the power failure.

### Claim 49 (depends on 46)

The method of claim 46, wherein the GPS time signal is transmitted by the primary master device at approximately a frequency of between approximately 72 MHz and approximately 76 MHz.

### Claim 50 (depends on 46)

The method of claim 46, wherein wirelessly transmitting the GPS time signal by the primary master device further comprises transmitting a data packet including a preamble, a sync bit, a packet identification byte, an hour byte, a minute byte, a second byte, a function byte, a checksum byte, and a postamble.

### Claim 51 (depends on 46)

The method of claim 46, further comprising:
selecting a channel; and
selecting a time zone.

### Claim 52 (depends on 46)

The method of claim 46, further comprising displaying a reception indication.

### Claim 53 (depends on 46)

The method of claim 46, further comprising receiving a programmer input.

### Claim 54

A synchronous event system comprising:
a first device including
a first receiver operable to receive a time signal,
a first processor coupled to the first receiver and operable to process the time signal to produce a processed time component,
a memory coupled to the first processor and operable to store a programmed instruction including a time element,
an internal clock coupled to the first processor to store the processed time component and to increment relative to the processed time component thereafter to produce a first internal time, and
a transmitter coupled to the first processor and operable to transmit the first internal time and the programmed instruction; and
a second device including
a second receiver operable to wirelessly receive the first internal time and the programmed instruction,
an internal clock coupled to the second receiver to store the first internal time and to increment relative to the first internal time thereafter to produce a second internal time, and
an event switch operable to execute the programmed instruction when the second internal time matches the time element of the programmed instruction.

### Claim 55 (depends on 54)

The system of claim 54, wherein the first device further includes a power interrupt module coupled to the first processor and operable to retain the first internal time and the programmed instruction.

### Claim 56 (depends on 54)

The system of claim 54, wherein the second device further includes a power interrupt module coupled to the second processor and operable to retain the second internal time and the programmed instruction.

### Claim 57 (depends on 54)

The system of claim 54, wherein the transmitter transmits the first internal time and the programmed instruction at approximately a frequency of between approximately 72 MHz and approximately 76 MHz.

### Claim 58 (depends on 54)

The system of claim 54, wherein the programmed instruction further comprises a data packet including a preamble, a sync bit, a packet identification byte, an hour byte, a minute byte, a second byte, a function byte, a checksum byte, and a postamble.

### Claim 59 (depends on 54)

The system of claim 54, wherein the first device further comprises a channel switch, a time zone switch, and a daylight savings bypass switch.

### Claim 60 (depends on 54)

The system of claim 54, wherein the first device further comprises a display coupled to the first processor and operable to display a time, a day, a date, and a reception status.

### Claim 61 (depends on 54)

The system of claim 54, wherein the second device includes a clock.