Method for extending communications protocols over a distance
First Claim
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.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
17 Claims
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification