Short range RF network
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A short range RF network for providing wireless communication of data in a local environment to a wireless user terminal, comprising:
- a host device connectable to an external network; and
a plurality of beacon devices disposed at arbitrary locations in the local environment and within a wireless operating range of at least one other like beacon device or said host device, at least some of the plurality of beacon devices comprise a processor and a plurality of wireless transceivers, said wireless transceivers comprising, a first wireless transceiver for providing upstream communication along wireless communication links with beacon devices located closer to the host device; and
a second wireless transceiver for providing downstream communication along wireless communication links with beacon devices located further away from the host device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A network including a host device and a plurality of transceiver beacons for communicating data from terminal devices interacting with the beacons, to the host. The beacons include identification codes used by the host for establishing wireless communication links either between a beacon and the host, or between two or more beacons. A routing mechanism is included in the beacons for selecting a most favorable transmission path among available paths for communicating data to the host.
17 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A short range RF network for providing wireless communication of data in a local environment to a wireless user terminal, comprising:
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a host device connectable to an external network; and
a plurality of beacon devices disposed at arbitrary locations in the local environment and within a wireless operating range of at least one other like beacon device or said host device, at least some of the plurality of beacon devices comprise a processor and a plurality of wireless transceivers, said wireless transceivers comprising, a first wireless transceiver for providing upstream communication along wireless communication links with beacon devices located closer to the host device; and
a second wireless transceiver for providing downstream communication along wireless communication links with beacon devices located further away from the host device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A beacon device having a wireless operating range for use in a wireless network having a host device connectable to an external network for providing wireless communication of data in a local environment to a wireless user terminal, said beacon device comprising:
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a processor; and
a plurality of wireless transceivers capable of communicating with one or more of like beacon devices or the host when said beacon device is disposed within an operating range of said one or more like beacon devices or the host, said wireless transceivers comprising, a first wireless transceiver for providing upstream communication along wireless communication links with said one or more like beacon devices which are located closer to the host device than said beacon device, and a second wireless transceiver for providing downstream communication along wireless communication links with said one or more like beacon devices which are located further away from the host device than said beacon device. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of providing wireless communication of data in a local environment over a short range RF network to a wireless user terminal, comprising the steps of:
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connecting a host device connectable to an external network; and
forming a plurality of wireless communication links between a plurality of beacon devices disposed at arbitrary locations in the local environment and within a wireless operating range of at least one other like beacon device or said host device;
providing upstream communication along wireless communication links with beacon devices located closer to the host device; and
providing downstream communication along wireless communication links with beacon devices located further away from the host device. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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Specification