Method for extending communications protocols over a distance

• US 20050058091A1
• Filed: 08/03/2004
• Published: 03/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Triumph IP LLC (IP Edge LLC)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Rudd, Clarence Charles, Griepentrog, Scott Alan
• Granted Patent: US 7,782,809 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/315
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/215 by non-intrusive coupling means, e.g. acoustic couplers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/737 Characterised by transmission of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. infrared waves
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface

Abstract

A communications system (30) enables two communications devices (10, 12) to communicate with each other over an extended distance using a limited range communication protocol, such as the IrDA or Bluetooth protocol. The communications system includes a pair of repeaters (32, 34), each having a protocol stack (38) that includes a portion of the limited range communications protocol. The repeaters communicate with each other over an extended range communications channel (36) such as the PSTN, while each communications device utilizes its native, limited range communications technique to communicate with an associated repeater. Thus, each communications device can readily communicate with another like device using its native protocol over a distance otherwise beyond the range of that technique.

Claims

1. A method for communicating information over an extended distance between first and second communications devices, each employing a limited range communications protocols, comprising the steps of:

receiving a communications packet, sent from the first communications device via a limited range communications protocol, at a first repeater station having a protocol stack containing at least a portion of the limited range communications protocol; and

forwarding the communications packet from the first repeater station across an extended range communications channel to a second repeater station having at least a portion of the limited range communications protocol to enable transmission of communications packet by the second repeater station to the second user via the limited range communications protocol.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the limited range communications protocol comprises the IrDA protocol.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the limited range communications protocol comprises the Bluetooth protocol.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of forwarding the communication packet further comprises the step of transmitting the packet across the Public Switched Telephone Network.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of forwarding the communication packet further comprises the step of transmitting the packet across a Local Area Network.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of forwarding the communication packet further comprises the step of transmitting the packet across a Wide Area Network.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of forwarding the communication packet further comprises the step of transmitting the packet across a wireless network.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of forwarding the communication packet further comprises the step of transmitting the packet across the Internet.

9. A method for communicating information over an extended distance between first and second communications devices, each employing the IrDA protocol, comprising the steps of:

receiving a communications packet, sent from the first communications device via the IrDA protocol, at a first repeater station having a protocol stack containing at least a portion of the IrDA protocol; and

forwarding the communications packet from the first repeater station across an extended range communications channel to a second repeater station having at least a portion of the IrDA protocol to enable transmission of communications packet by the second repeater station to the second user via the IrDA protocol.

10. The method according to claim 9 wherein the step of forwarding the communication packet further comprises the step of transmitting the packet across the Public Switched Telephone Network.

11. The method according to claim 9 wherein the step of forwarding the communication packet further comprises the step of transmitting the packet across a Local Area Network.

12. The method according to claim 9 wherein the step of forwarding the communication packet further comprises the step of transmitting the packet across a Wide Area Network.

13. The method according to claim 9 wherein the step of forwarding the communication packet further comprises the step of transmitting the packet across a wireless network.

14. The method according to claim 9 wherein the step of forwarding the communication packet further comprises the step of transmitting the packet across the Internet.

15. A communications apparatus for communicating information over an extended distance between first and second communications devices, each employing a limited range communications protocols, comprising the steps of:

means for receiving a communications packet, sent from the first communications device via a limited range communications protocol,

a process having a protocol stack containing at least a portion of the limited range communications protocol, which when executed by the processor, accomplishes forwarding the communications packet across an extended range communications channel for receipt by a second communications apparatus having at least a portion of the limited range communications protocol to enable transmission of communications packet by the second communications apparatus to the second user via the limited range communications protocol.

16. The method according to claim 15 wherein the limited range communications protocol comprises the IrDA protocol.

17. The method according to claim 15 wherein the limited range communications protocol comprises the Bluetooth protocol.