Hierarchical data collection network supporting packetized voice communications among wireless terminals and telephones

• US 20050013266A1
• Filed: 05/05/2004
• Published: 01/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1995
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Joseph J. Kubler, Michael D. Morris
• Inventors: Morris, Michael D., Kubler, Joseph J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,018,907 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0225 User interface arrangements, e.g. keyboard, display; Interfaces to other computer systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10702 Particularities of propagating elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors G06K7/10831 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10841 Particularities of the light-sensitive elements semiconductor devices H01L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10851 Circuits for pulse shaping, amplifying, eliminating noise signals, checking the function of the sensing device basic electronic circuitry H03
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1098 the scanning arrangement having a modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/12 using a selected wavelength, e.g. to sense red marks and ignore blue marks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/343 Cards including a counter
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/02 by keys or other credit registering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0045 with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader
• CPC Class Codes: H03C 3/0908 using a phase locked loop
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/04 Circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/1615 Switching on; Switching off, e.g. remotely battery saving circuits associated with selective call operation H04W52/00; details of power consumption reduction in a PLL, H03L7/0802, H03L7/14, H03L2207/08, H03L2207/18; muting amplifiers by gain control see H03G3/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0802 using antenna selection H04B7/0868 takes precedence; antenna beam directivity switching H01Q3/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/10 Polarisation diversity; Directional diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0002 : by adapting the transmission rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0003 : by switching between different modulation schemes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0025 : Transmission of mode-switching indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0032 : Without explicit signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1671 : the supervisory signal being transmitted together with control information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1685 : the supervisory signal being transmitted in response to a specific request, e.g. to a polling signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/12 : Modulator circuits; Transmitter circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/14 : Demodulator circuits; Receiver circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/156 : with demodulation using temporal properties of the received signal, e.g. detecting pulse width
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/00 : Routing or path finding of packets in data switching networks routing or path finding in wireless networks H04W40/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/48 : Routing tree calculation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 : Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/103 : in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/104 : in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 : Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1083 : In-session procedures
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1095 : Inter-network session transfer or sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 : Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 : Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/32 : Architecture of open systems interconnection [OSI] 7-layer type protocol stacks, e.g. the interfaces between the data link level and the physical level
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 : Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 : adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/14 : including a card reading device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 : Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/14 : using intermediate storage
• 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 40/00 : Communication routing or communication path finding
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 : Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 : Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0261 : managing power supply demand, e.g. depending on battery level
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/04 : TPC
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/38 : TPC being performed in particular situations
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/46 : in multi hop networks, e.g. wireless relay networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/12 : Wireless traffic scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 : Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 : Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/22 : Manipulation of transport tunnels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 : Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/10 : Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 : Gateway arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 : Inter-networking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

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.

Claims

1-21. -21. (Canceled)

22. A multi-mode data communication system comprising:

a communication terminal capable of selectively exchanging data via a first wireless communication network, the communication terminal comprising identifying information;

a first transceiver communicatively coupled to the communication terminal, the first transceiver capable of selectively exchanging data via a second wireless communication network;

a second transceiver capable of selectively exchanging data with the first transceiver via the second wireless communication network, the first and second transceivers adapted to exchange data wirelessly within a premises;

at least one processor communicatively coupled to the second transceiver, the at least one processor capable of exchanging data via a wired network; and

the system selecting exchange of data via one of the first and second wireless communication networks based upon at least one operating condition of one of the first and second wireless communication networks.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the identifying information comprises a unique number.

24. The system of claim 22 wherein the communication terminal comprises a cellular telephone.

25. The system of claim 22 wherein the first wireless communication network comprises a cellular communication network.

26. The system of claim 22 wherein the wired network comprises a packet network.

27. The system of claim 22 wherein the wired network comprises the Internet.

28. The system of claim 22 wherein the second wireless communication network comprises a wireless local area network.

29. The system of claim 22 wherein the second wireless communication network operates at a frequency of approximately 2.4 gigahertz.

30. The system of claim 22 wherein the second wireless communication network uses a spread spectrum communication technique.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein the spread spectrum technique comprises a direct sequence spread spectrum technique.

32. The system of claim 30 wherein the spread spectrum technique comprises a frequency hopped spread spectrum technique.

33. The system of claim 22 wherein the at least one operating condition comprises the first and second transceivers being within a predefined communication range.

34. A method of multi-mode data communication employing a communication terminal capable of operating on a plurality of wireless communication links and an access device capable of wireless communication with the communication terminal, the access device communicatively coupled to a wired network, the method comprising:

establishing wireless communication between the communication terminal and the access device via a first of the plurality of wireless communication links, if at least one predefined operating condition exists;

exchanging data between the communication terminal and a destination on the wired network via the access device using the first of the plurality of wireless communication links, if the at least one predefined operating condition exists;

establishing wireless communication between the communication terminal and the destination on the wired network via a second of the plurality of wireless communication links, if the at least one predefined operating condition does not exist; and

automatically arranging communication of data between the communication terminal and the wired network via one of the first and the second of the plurality of wireless communication links depending at least upon whether or not the at least one predefined operating condition exists.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein the communication terminal comprises a cellular telephone.

36. The method of claim 34 wherein the plurality of wireless communication links comprises a cellular communication network.

37. The method of claim 34 wherein the wired network comprises a packet network.

38. The method of claim 34 wherein the wired network comprises the Internet.

39. The method of claim 34 wherein the plurality of wireless communication links comprises a wireless local area network.

40. The method of claim 34 wherein at least one of the plurality of wireless communication links operates at a frequency of approximately 2.4 gigahertz.

41. The method of claim 34 wherein at least one of the plurality of wireless communication links uses a spread spectrum communication technique.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein the spread spectrum technique comprises a frequency hopped spread spectrum technique.

43. The method of claim 41 wherein the spread spectrum technique comprises a direct sequence spread spectrum technique.

44. The method of claim 34 wherein the at least one operating condition comprises the communication terminal and access device being within a predefined communication range.

45. The method of claim 34 wherein the at least one operating condition comprises the cost of communication via the first of the plurality of wireless communication links being less that the cost of communication via the second of the plurality of wireless communication links.

46. A multi-mode data communication system comprising:

a communication terminal capable of exchanging data via a first wireless communication network;

at least one processor capable of exchanging data via a wired network;

at least two transceivers, a first of the at least two transceivers communicatively coupled to the communication terminal and a second of the at least two transceivers communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, each of the first and second transceivers capable of direct wireless communication of data with the other via a second wireless communication network; and

at least one of the at least two transceivers functioning to detect communication signals of another of the at least two transceivers, the system automatically establishing communication of data between the communication terminal and the wired network via one of the first and second wireless networks based upon at least one predetermined parameter.

47. The system of claim 46 wherein the communication terminal comprises a cellular telephone.

48. The system of claim 46 wherein the first wireless communication network comprises a cellular communication network.

49. The system of claim 46 wherein the wired network comprises a packet network.

50. The system of claim 46 wherein the wired network comprises the Internet.

51. The system of claim 46 wherein the second wireless communication network comprises a wireless local area network.

52. The system of claim 46 wherein at least one of the first and second wireless communication networks operates at a frequency of approximately 2.4 gigahertz.

53. The system of claim 46 wherein at least one of the first and second wireless communication networks uses a spread spectrum communication technique.

54. The system of claim 53 wherein the spread spectrum communication technique comprises a frequency hopping spread spectrum technique.

55. The system of claim 53 wherein the spread spectrum communication technique comprises a direct sequence spread spectrum technique.

56. The system of claim 46 wherein the at least one predetermined parameter comprises a communication range.

57. The system of claim 46 wherein the at least one predetermined parameter comprises a cost of communication via at least one of the first wireless communication network and the second wireless communication network.

58. The system of claim 46 wherein the communication terminal comprises unique numeric identifier.