Hierarchical data collection network supporting packetized voice communications among wireless terminals and telephones
First Claim
1. A communication network operating to support voice and data communication within a premises, said communication network comprising:
- a plurality of mobile network devices having a buffer that stores incoming digital voice information for a predetermined queuing period before beginning voice reproduction from the stored digital voice information;
a stationary network device;
a wireless network that is used by each of said plurality of mobile network devices to selectively exchange voice and data packets with others of the plurality of mobile network devices;
a hardwired network connected to both said stationary network device and said wireless network;
said hardwired network being used to route voice and data packets between said stationary network device and said plurality of mobile network devices which participate via said wireless network;
a telephone, connected to said stationary network device, that captures, delivers, receives and reproduces voice in an analog voice stream form;
said stationary network device having a buffer that stores digital voice information received from said wireless network for a predetermined queuing period before converting the stored digital voice information into an analog voice stream and delivering the analog voice stream to said telephone; and
said stationary network device converts analog voice streams received from said telephone into voice packets for delivery via said hardwired and wireless networks to a selected one of said plurality of mobile network devices.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A packet-based, hierarchical communication system, arranged in a spanning tree configuration, is described in which wired and wireless communication networks exhibiting substantially different characteristics are employed in an overall scheme to link portable or mobile computing devices. The network accommodates real time voice transmission both through dedicated, scheduled bandwidth and through a packet-based routing within the confines and constraints of a data network. Conversion and call processing circuitry is also disclosed which enables access devices and personal computers to adapt voice information between analog voice stream and digital voice packet formats as proves necessary. Routing pathways include wireless spanning tree networks, wide area networks, telephone switching networks, internet, etc., in a manner virtually transparent to the user. A voice session and associate call setup simulates that of conventional telephone switching network, providing well-understood functionality common to any mobile, remote or stationary terminal, phone, computer, etc.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A communication network operating to support voice and data communication within a premises, said communication network comprising:
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a plurality of mobile network devices having a buffer that stores incoming digital voice information for a predetermined queuing period before beginning voice reproduction from the stored digital voice information;
a stationary network device;
a wireless network that is used by each of said plurality of mobile network devices to selectively exchange voice and data packets with others of the plurality of mobile network devices;
a hardwired network connected to both said stationary network device and said wireless network;
said hardwired network being used to route voice and data packets between said stationary network device and said plurality of mobile network devices which participate via said wireless network;
a telephone, connected to said stationary network device, that captures, delivers, receives and reproduces voice in an analog voice stream form;
said stationary network device having a buffer that stores digital voice information received from said wireless network for a predetermined queuing period before converting the stored digital voice information into an analog voice stream and delivering the analog voice stream to said telephone; and
said stationary network device converts analog voice streams received from said telephone into voice packets for delivery via said hardwired and wireless networks to a selected one of said plurality of mobile network devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A communication network located within a premises for supporting voice and data exchanges, said communication network comprising:
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a plurality of portable terminals, each having a wireless transceiver;
each of said plurality of portable terminals capture voice in an analog voice stream form and generate therefrom digital voice packets, and each of said plurality of portable terminals receive digital voice packets, generate therefrom analog voice streams, and reproduce voice from the analog voice streams;
each of said plurality of portable terminals capture data and generate therefrom data packets, and each of said plurality of portable terminals receive data packets and reproduce data from the data packets received;
a plurality of access devices, each having a wireless transceiver; and
said plurality of access devices using a polling protocol to manage wireless routing of data and voice packets within the premises among said plurality of portable terminals. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A communication network for supporting voice exchanges, said communication network comprising:
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a voice stream network that selectively routes voice signals captured in an analog voice stream form;
a voice packet network, independent of said first network, that selectively routes voice in a digital voice packet form;
a first network device that captures and delivers voice in the analog voice streams form, and said first network device receives and reproduces voice from the analog voice stream form;
a second network device, independent of said first network device, that communicatively couples with said first network device to receive and deliver voice in the analog voice stream form;
said second network device selectively interfaces with said voice stream network to receive and route voice for said first network device in the analog voice stream form;
said second network device selectively interfaces with said voice packet network to receive and route voice for said first network device in the digital voice packet form; and
said second network device converts voice between the analog voice stream form and the digital voice packet form when needed for routing voice between said first network device and said voice packet network. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification