Bridging apparatus for interconnecting a wireless PAN and a wireless LAN
First Claim
1. A two-way wireless communication system comprising:
- a plurality of wireless personal area network devices;
a wireless local area network device; and
a wireless bridge apparatus having a first transceiver module for two-way data communication with said personal area network devices and having a second transceiver module for two-way data communication with said local area network device.
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Abstract
A Wireless bridge conjoins two previously incompatible technologies within a single device to leverage the strengths of each. The Wireless bridge marries the Personal Area Network (PAN) technology of Bluetooth as described in Bluetooth Specification Version 1.0B with the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technology described in the IEEE802.11a specification to provide a wireless system level solution for peripheral devices to provide Internet service so interactions. The invention brings together in a single working device implementations of these technologies so they do not interfere or disrupt the operation of each other and instead provide a seamless transition of a Bluetooth connection to Wireless Local Area Network/Internet connection. From the Wireless Local Area Network perspective the inventive wireless bridge extension allows a Bluetooth-enabled device to roam from one Wireless Access Point (bridge) to the next without losing its back end connection. The invention takes into account the minimum separation and shielding required of these potentially conflicting technologies to inter-operate.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A two-way wireless communication system comprising:
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a plurality of wireless personal area network devices;
a wireless local area network device; and
a wireless bridge apparatus having a first transceiver module for two-way data communication with said personal area network devices and having a second transceiver module for two-way data communication with said local area network device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A two-way wireless communication system for data transmission between at least one personal area network device and a remote server located beyond the range of the personal area network device;
- the communication system comprising;
a wireless local area network device in communication with said remote server; and
a wireless bridge apparatus having a first transceiver module for two-way data communication with said personal area network device and having a second transceiver module for two-way data communication with said local area network device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
- the communication system comprising;
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21. A two-way wireless data communication system for use at a commercial site, the site having at least one kiosk through which a consumer may conduct a transaction for goods or services using a PAN device, the site also having a data server remote from the kiosk and too distant from the consumer'"'"'s PAN device to communicate directly with the PAN device;
- the communication system enabling two-way real time data transfer between the PAN device and the remote server and comprising;
a wireless local area network device connected to said remote server; and
a wireless bridge apparatus having a first transceiver module for two-way data communication with said PAN device and having a second transceiver module for two-way data communication with said local area network device. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 33, 34, 38, 39, 40)
- the communication system enabling two-way real time data transfer between the PAN device and the remote server and comprising;
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30. A two-way wireless data communication system for use at a commercial site, the site having at least one kiosk through which a consumer may conduct a transaction for goods or services using a PAN device, the site also having a data server remote from the kiosk and too distant from the consumer'"'"'s PAN device to communicate directly with the PAN device;
- the communication system enabling two-way real time data transfer between the PAN device and the remote server and comprising;
a wireless local area network device connected to said remote server; and
a wireless bridge apparatus having a first transceiver module for two-way data communication with said PAN device and having a second transceiver module for two-way data communication with said local area network device;
wherein said commercial site is a vehicle service station and said kiosk provides at least one gasoline pump. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 35)
- the communication system enabling two-way real time data transfer between the PAN device and the remote server and comprising;
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36. A method for providing a data communication interface in a vehicle service station having a plurality of gasoline pumps located remote from a station Internet-connected backend server, the interface being between at least one wireless PAN device and the Internet-connected backend server;
- the method comprising the steps of;
placing a wireless LAN transceiver and a wireless PAN transceiver within a data transfer bridge;
locating said bridge within a first selected distance from said pumps, said first selected distance being within the maximum range of said PAN device;
connecting said Internet-connected backend server to a LAN communications apparatus;
locating said LAN communications apparatus within a second selected distance from said bridge, said second selected distance being within the maximum range of said LAN transceiver; and
operating said wireless LAN transceiver and said wireless PAN transceiver at different transmission frequencies to preclude interference therebetween.
- the method comprising the steps of;
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37. A communication system for providing a communications link between a moveable wireless device and a remotely located internet connected backend server, the moveable device having no internet protocol address;
- the system comprising;
at least two communication multiplexing devices positioned at spaced apart locations and forming separate coverage zones for two-way communication with said moveable device when said moveable device is located in a corresponding zone;
each said multiplexing device having a unique internet protocol address and a separate connection to said server; and
automatic buffering and switching means for selecting an alternative internet protocol address and separate connection between the server and a corresponding multiplexing device when said moveable device leaves one said coverage zone and enters another said coverage zone.
- the system comprising;
Specification