Radio frequency multiple protocol bridge

• US 20070183449A1
• Filed: 09/06/2006
• Published: 08/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Legrand Home Systems Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: Vantage Controls, Inc. (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Taylor, Peter, Lemke, Jared, Beagley, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,778,262 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

An apparatus for interfacing with devices using different communication protocols. The apparatus may scan a range of known frequencies for a communication protocol. The apparatus may decode and translate the communication protocol into a common interface language. The apparatus may include a pair of separate and co-located transceivers to accomplish the interface.

Claims

1. An apparatus for interfacing between devices using distinct communication protocols, the apparatus comprising:

a send/receive module for sending and receiving communication packets using different communication protocols;

a decoding module for decoding communication protocols; and

a conversion module for converting a decoded communication protocol into at least one of another communication protocol and a common interface language.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a handshake module for establishing communication with a controller.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a scanning module for scanning a predetermined range of frequencies.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the send/receive module comprises two separate radio frequency transceivers.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a weighting module for weighting communication protocols.

6. An apparatus for interfacing between radio devices, the system comprising:

a processor;

a power supply;

a primary radio frequency interface;

a secondary radio frequency interface; and

a memory, wherein the processor, power supply, primary radio frequency interface, secondary radio frequency interface and memory configured to allow communication between a first radio device and an incompatible second radio device.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising at least one contact input.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising at least one relay.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a display.

10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the memory has stored thereon a program operable to decode a communications protocol.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the memory has stored thereon a program operable to translate a decoded communications protocol into at least one of another communications protocol and a common interface language.

12. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising at least one contact input and one relay.

13. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a first antenna and a second antenna, the first antenna associated with the primary radio interface and the second antenna associated with the secondary radio interface.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the primary radio interface and the secondary radio interface operate on different frequencies.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the secondary radio interface scans a range of frequencies.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 where the secondary radio interface sends and receives signals in different communication protocols.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the primary radio interface sends and receives signals using a common interface language.

18. A system for interfacing between radio devices, the system comprising:

a processor;

power supply;

a radio interface;

an antenna;

a transceiver;

a controller;

a memory containing modules for execution on a processor, the modules comprising;

a scanning module for scanning radio frequencies;

a decoding module for decoding a communication protocol;

a conversion module for converting a communication protocol into a communication language;

a send/receive module for sending and receiving communication packets containing data in a communication language to the controller;

a handshake module for establishing communication with the controller; and

a bus for operably connecting the processor, antenna, transceiver, radio interface, and memory.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising at least one contact input.

20. The system of claim 18, further comprising at least one relay.

21. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to:

scan known frequencies for a communication protocol;

decode the communication protocol;

convert the decoded communication protocol into a predetermined interface language;

create a communication packet containing the converted communication protocol; and

send the communication packet to a radio device controller.

22. A computer program product as defined in claim 21 wherein the computer readable program causes the computer to determine the frequency of one or more radio devices and wherein the computer comprises at least one computing device selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a telecommunications device, programmable hardware devices and a central processing unit.

23. A computer program product as defined in claim 21 wherein the computer readable program causes the computer to evaluate at least one of a preamble or first portion of a communication protocol to determine if the signal is valid.

24. A method for interfacing between radio devices, the method comprising:

scanning known frequencies for a communication protocol;

decoding the communication protocol;

converting the decoded communication protocol into a predetermined interface language;

creating a communication packet containing the converted communication protocol; and

sending the communication packet to a radio device controller.

25. A method as defined in claim 24 further comprising determining the frequency of one or more radio devices.

26. An apparatus for interfacing between radio devices, the apparatus comprising:

means for scanning known frequencies for a communication protocol;

means for decoding the communication protocol;

means for converting the decoded communication protocol into a predetermined interface language;

means for creating a communication packet containing the converted communication protocol;

means for sending the communication packet to a radio device controller; and

means for receiving an acknowledgment that the communication packet was received by the radio device controller.

27. An apparatus as defined in claim 26 further comprising means for determining the frequency of one or more radio devices.