Hierarchical data collection network supporting packetized voice communications among wireless terminals and telephones
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Accused Products
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.
176 Citations
55 Claims
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1-21. -21. (canceled)
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22. A handheld communication device comprising:
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a first radio frequency interface for transmitting and receiving digital information via a first wireless communication network using a first communication protocol and a first portion of radio frequency spectrum;
a second radio frequency interface for communicating with at least one peripheral device via a second wireless communication network using a second communication protocol and a second portion of radio frequency spectrum;
circuitry for converting between digital and analog representations of sound;
wherein the handheld communication device supports speech communication using the first wireless communication network; and
wherein the handheld communication device transfers digital information between the first and second wireless communication networks. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method of operating a handheld communication device, the method comprising:
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establishing wireless call communication of digital information via a first radio frequency communication network using a first communication protocol;
communicating with at least one peripheral device via a second radio frequency communication network using a second communication protocol;
passing digital information between the first radio frequency communication network and the second radio frequency communication network; and
exchanging digital representations of sound via the first radio frequency communication network. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. A system supporting digital speech and data communication, the system comprising:
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at least one handheld communication device for transmitting and receiving digital information via a first wireless communication network using a first radio frequency interface, the handheld communication device comprising a second radio frequency interface for communicating via a second wireless communication network using a packet protocol;
at least one peripheral device communicatively coupled to the at least one handheld communication device via the second wireless communication network;
wherein the at least one handheld communication device supports speech communication using the first wireless communication network; and
wherein the at least one handheld communication device transfers digital information between the first and second wireless communication networks. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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Specification