Dual mode wireless data communications

• US 20050192048A1
• Filed: 04/15/2005
• Published: 09/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Bridgelall, Raj
• Granted Patent: US 7,363,051 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/553.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/00 Network planning, e.g. coverage or traffic planning tools; Network deployment, e.g. resource partitioning or cells structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/02 Selection of wireless resources by user or terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A dual mode mobile unit is arranged to communicate in either a first or second data communications standard, such as combined Bluetooth and 802.11 operation. An interface unit converts received Bluetooth or 802.11 format signals into 802.11 frame format data signals to be provided to a digital signal processor which is programmed to process signals in either standard. The dual mode mobile unit can operate in the 802.11 standard to reserve a time interval for Bluetooth activity during which other 802.11 units will avoid transmissions to avoid interference.

Claims

1. A method for operating a dual-mode mobile unit arranged to transmit and receive signals using first and second wireless protocols, comprising:

operating said mobile unit under said first wireless protocol;

reserving a transmission time interval in a frame of said first wireless protocol; and

operating said mobile unit under said second wireless protocol during said reserved time interval.

2. A method as specified in claim 1 further comprising operating said mobile unit to transmit using said first wireless protocol during an initial portion of said reserved time interval.

3. A method as specified in claim 2 further comprising operating said mobile unit to transmit using said first wireless protocol during a terminal portion of said reserved time interval.

4. A method for operating a dual mode mobile unit as specified in claim 1, wherein said operating said mobile unit under said second wireless protocol comprises operating said mobile unit under said second wireless protocol to act as a master unit for at least one slave unit operating under said second wireless protocol, reserving a transmission time interval in a frame of said first wireless protocol and controlling said slave unit using said second wireless protocol to transmit using said second wireless protocol during said reserved time interval.

5. A method as specified in claim 4 further comprising operating said mobile unit to transmit using said first wireless protocol during an initial portion of said reserved time interval.

6. A method as specified in claim 5 further comprising operating said mobile unit to transmit using said first wireless protocol during a terminal portion of said reserved time interval.

7. A method for operating a dual mode mobile unit as specified in claim 1 wherein said reserving transmission time is repeated at a selected duty cycle.

8. A method for operating a dual mode mobile unit as specified in claim 7 wherein said selected duty cycle is varied based on the activity of radio traffic using said second wireless protocol.

9. A method for operating a dual mode mobile unit comprising:

providing a first transmitter for operation using a first wireless protocol and responsive to first protocol baseband signals;

providing a first receiver for operation using said first wireless protocol and providing output first protocol baseband signals;

providing a second transmitter for operation using a second wireless protocol and responsive to second protocol baseband signals;

providing a second receiver for operation using said second wireless protocol and providing output second protocol baseband signals;

providing a digital processor programmed to process signals for said first and second protocols, responsive to received digital signals in a first protocol frame format and providing output digital transmission signals in said first protocol frame format;

converting said output first and second protocol baseband signals to said received digital signals in said first protocol frame format; and

converting said output digital transmission signals from said first protocol frame format to said first or second protocol baseband signals.

10. A dual mode mobile unit for operating according to first and second wireless protocols, comprising:

first and second RF modules, respectively for transmitting and receiving signals according to first and second wireless protocols, and each responsive to baseband signals for transmission and providing output baseband signals on reception;

a digital processor responsive to received digital signals for processing said digital signals according to one of said first and second protocols; and

an interface unit for receiving baseband signals from said first and second RF modules and supplying corresponding digital signals to said processor, and for receiving digital signals from said processor and supplying first and second corresponding baseband signals to said first and second RF modules respectively.

11. A dual mode mobile unit according to claim 10 wherein said processor controls said interface unit to send and receive signals to and from said first and second RF modules.

12. A dual mode mobile unit according to claim 10 wherein said interface unit receives output baseband signals from said second RF modules and supplies said corresponding digital signals to said digital processor in a first protocol frame format, and receives digital signals from said digital processor in said first protocol frame format and supplies corresponding baseband signals to said second RF module according to said second wireless protocol.