Remote UltraWide Band communication system with short messaging and other functions

• US 20040214568A1
• Filed: 03/27/2003
• Published: 10/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Uraxs Communications, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Uraxs Communications, Inc.
• Inventors: Anderson, G. Smith
• Application Number:
  US10/401,517
• Publication Number:
  US 20040214568A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/426.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/7163 using impulse radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/566 Routing instructions carried by the data packet, e.g. active networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/04 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42382 Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A wireless communication system especially suitable for children utilizes Ultra Wideband (UWB) forward, Internet Protocol messaging (IPv6) and cellular communication technologies. The system comprises a UWB Mobile Remote Communication Device (MRCD) worn by a child. A Unified Receiver Translate Forward Module (URTFM) receives messages from the MRCDs and converts them to standard cellular signals, to physical layer signaling messages to a network, for delivery, for example, to the child'"'"'s parent. Messaging options provided include an emergency notification and non-emergency standard unified messaging options. These and other delivery options may be pre-programmed via an interface using a webphone, voicemail or website. This eliminates the need for the child to know or dial telephone numbers, email addresses or the like.

Claims

1. A wireless communication system comprising:

a remote communication device having one or more actuators, each actuator associated with a predetermined, human conversational message;

a message transcoder, connected to the actuators, for selecting a predetermined message packet upon a user selecting one of the actuators;

a wireless communication transmitter, for transmitting the selected predetermined message packet over a first, short range wireless network;

a receiver/translator forwarding module, arranged to receive the message packet from the first wireless network, and to forward the message packet over a second network; and

a network server, connected to receive the message packet from the second network, and to further forward the message to an intended network destination of a supervisory subscriber associated with the specific remote communication device.

2. A system as in claim 1 wherein the first wireless network uses UltraWide Band (UWB) modulation.

3. A system as in claim 1 wherein the second network is a wireless network.

4. A system as in claim 3 wherein the second network is selected from a group consisting of cellular mobile telephone, cellular packet data, and wireless local area network.

5. A system as in claim 1 wherein the second network is a wired network.

6. A system as in claim 1 wherein the receiver/translator forwarding module routes the message packet according to predetermined routing instructions specified by the subscriber.

7. A system as in claim 6 wherein the subscriber specifies different routing instructions to be carried out according to a priority associated with each message.

8. A system as in claim 6 wherein the subscriber specifies different routing instructions to be carried out according to a time of date associated with each message.

9. A system as in claim 1 wherein the wireless transmitter transmits packets over a secondary wireless network.

10. A system as in claim 1 wherein a packet message that is undeliverable, due to an out of range condition, is stored and forwarded once the unit is within a connection range of a receiver translator forwarding module.

11. A system as in claim 1 wherein each supervisory subscriber determines the predetermined set of human conversational messages to made be available for selection for users associated with that subscriber.

12. A system as in claim 1 wherein the user is a child and the supervisory subscriber is the child'"'"'s parent.

13. A system as in claim 1 wherein UltraWide Band signaling is used within the first wireless network, and the system is used specifically for communication with children.

14. A system as in claim 13 wherein the receiver/translator forwarding module is located in a place where children regularly congregate, the place selected from a group consisting of a school, playground, church, or camp.

15. A system as in claim 1 wherein UltraWide Band signaling within the first wireless network is used for location of the user, and the user is a child.

16. A system as in claim 15 wherein, when a child user selects one of the predetermined messages indicating that the child is in danger, location information is provided with the forwarded message.

17. A system as in claim 1 wherein time stamp information is added to the message, and wherein the message is not forwarded if the same message has been routed within a predetermined time frame.

18. A system as in claim 1 wherein the user is a dependent person and the supervisory subscriber is a caretaker.

19. A method for wireless communication comprising the steps of:

providing a remote communication device with one or more actuators, each actuator associated with a predetermined, human conversational message;

selecting a predetermined message packet upon a user selecting one of the actuators;

transmitting the selected predetermined message packet over a first, short range wireless network;

receiving the message packet from the first wireless network, and then forwarding the message packet over a second network; and

receiving the message packet from the second network at a network server, and further forwarding the message to an intended network destination of a supervisory subscriber associated with the specific remote communication device.

20. A method as in claim 19 wherein the first wireless network uses UltraWide Band (UWB) modulation.

21. A method as in claim 19 wherein the second network is a wireless network.

22. A method as in claim 21 wherein the second network is selected from a group consisting of cellular mobile telephone, cellular packet data, and wireless local area network.

23. A method as in claim 19 wherein the second network is a wired network.

24. A method as in claim 19 wherein the routing step routes the message packet according to predetermined message routing instructions specified by the subscriber.

25. A method as in claim 19 wherein a packet message that is undeliverable, due to an out of range condition, is stored and forwarded once the remote unit is within a connection range.

26. A method as in claim 19 wherein the user is a child and the supervisory subscriber is the child'"'"'s parent.

27. A method as in claim 19 wherein each supervisory subscriber determines the predetermined set of human conversational messages to made be available for selection for users associated with that subscriber.

28. A method as in claim 19 wherein UltraWide Band signaling is used within the first wireless network, and the system is used specifically for communication with children.

29. A method as in claim 19 wherein UltraWide Band signaling within the first wireless network is used for location of the user, and the user is a child.

30. A method as in claim 28 wherein the step of forwarding the message is carried out in a place where children regularly congregate, the place selected from a group consisting of a school, playground, church, or camp.

31. A method as in claim 29 wherein, when a child user selects one of the predetermined messages indicating that the child is in danger, location information is provided with the forwarded message.

32. A method as in claim 19 wherein time stamp information is added to the message, and wherein the message is not forwarded if the same message has been routed within a predetermined time frame.

33. A method as in claim 19 wherein the user is a dependent person and the supervisory subscriber is a caretaker.