Dual network modem

• US 20030031150A1
• Filed: 08/10/2001
• Published: 02/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Accetio, Inc. (Franklin Wireless Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Accetio, Inc. (Franklin Wireless Corporation)
• Inventors: Yukie, Satoru
• Application Number:
  US09/927,119
• Publication Number:
  US 20030031150A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5692 Selection among different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for implementing a wireless modem that operates in two or more wireless networks, such as a packet switched network and a circuit switched network. In one implementation, a modem includes: at least one antenna; a plurality of air interface components, where each air interface component is connected to an antenna and each air interface component corresponds to a respective wireless network, where at least one wireless network is a packet switched network; a modem control component, where the modem control is connected to each of the air interface components; and a modem interface, where the modem interface is connected to the modem control component.

Claims

1. A modem, comprising:

at least one antenna;

a plurality of air interface components, where each air interface component is connected to an antenna and each air interface component corresponds to a respective wireless network, where at least one wireless network is a packet switched network;

a modem control component, where the modem control is connected to each of the air interface components; and

a modem interface, where the modem interface is connected to the modem control component.

2. The modem of claim 1, where the second wireless network is a circuit switched network.

3. The modem of claim 2, where the second wireless network is a CDMA network.

4. The modem of claim 1, where the first wireless network uses IP packets.

5. The modem of claim 1, where a first air interface component corresponds to a packet switched network and a second air interface component corresponds to a circuit switched network, and where the first air interface component packetizes data to be sent to the first wireless network.

6. The modem of claim 5, where the second air interface component does not packetize data to be sent to the second wireless network.

7. The modem of claim 1, where the modem control component determines the availability of the wireless networks corresponding to the air interface components.

8. The modem of claim 1, where the modem control component selects one air interface component to use to communicate with an available wireless network.

9. The modem of claim 8, where the modem control component selects one air interface component to use based on which of the wireless networks currently provides a higher data rate.

10. The modem of claim 8, where the modem control component selects one air interface component to use based on which of the wireless networks currently provides a lower cost.

11. The modem of claim 8, where the modem control component selects one air interface component to use based on which of the wireless networks currently provides a lower energy consumption rate.

12. The modem of claim 8, where the modem control component selects the air interface component corresponding to the wireless network that is a primary network if available.

13. The modem of claim 1, where the modem interface is compatible with a PCMCIA interface.

14. The modem of claim 1, where the modem interface is compatible with a memory card interface.

15. The modem of claim 1, where the modem interface is compatible with a USB interface.

16. The modem of claim 1, where the modem interface is compatible with an IEEE-1394 interface.

17. The modem of claim 1, where the modem interface is compatible with a short-range wireless interface.

18. The modem of claim 1, where the modem comprises two antennas.

19. The modem of claim 18, where each air interface component is connected to a respective antenna.

20. A method of sending and receiving data, comprising:

monitoring availability of a first wireless network and a second wireless network, where the first wireless network is a packet switched network;

if the first wireless network is available, sending and receiving data through a first air interface using the first wireless network; and

if the first wireless network is not available, sending and receiving data through a second air interface using the second wireless network.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising packetizing data to be sent through the first air interface.

22. The method of claim 20, where monitoring availability of the first wireless network and the second wireless network comprises determining which wireless network currently provides the higher data rate.

23. The method of claim 20, where the first wireless network is available if the first wireless network currently provides a higher data rate than the second wireless network.

24. A system for sending and receiving data, comprising:

means for monitoring availability of a first wireless network and a second wireless network, where the first wireless network is a packet switched network;

means for sending and receiving data through a first air interface using the first wireless network if the first wireless network is available; and

means for sending and receiving data through a second air interface using the second wireless network if the first wireless network is not available.