APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INTELLIGENT ROUTING OF DATA BETWEEN A REMOTE DEVICE AND A HOST SYSTEM

• US 20070206591A1
• Filed: 05/02/2007
• Published: 09/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Netmotion Wireless Holdings, Inc. (NetMotion Software, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Padcom Incorporated (NetMotion Software, Inc.)
• Inventors: HOUVIG, Flex, DOVIAK, William, WHITMORE, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,602,782 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/389
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5692 Selection among different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/00 Routing or path finding of packets in data switching networks routing or path finding in wireless networks H04W40/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/851 Dynamic network selection or re-selection, e.g. after degradation of quality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/565 Conversion or adaptation of application format or content adding application control or application functional data H04L67/561
• 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: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/06 Optimizing the usage of the radio link, e.g. header compression, information sizing , discarding information system modifying transmission characteristic according to link quality by modifying frame length H04L1/0007; dynamic adaptation of the packet size for flow control or congestion control H04L47/365
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/00 Communication routing or communication path finding
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

An apparatus and method is provided for transparent communication between a remote or mobile device and a fixed communication host network. The apparatus and method may include a remote network controller that logically resides between the host network and the existing infrastructure(s) that are used to provide communications network contact with one or more remote devices. The remote network controller is connected to the host communication network as a protocol-appropriate communications controller so that remote devices are indistinguishable to the host network from the locally-attached devices. Each remote device may be provided with an asynchronous serial data interface to communicate with a mobile data controller. The mobile data controller, in combination with the remote network controller, provides end-to-end data communication such that incompatible protocols are transparent to the remote device and host communication network. A router may be provided which selects a communications network in accordance with user configured parameters. The router communicates over a plurality of incompatible networks and is capable of using a variety of different protocols. Switching between the plurality of incompatible networks is transparent to the remote device and host communication network.

Claims

1. A wireless device for communicating with a destination device, the communicating including transmitting and receiving at least one of a voice signal and a data signal over a plurality of wireless communications media that are autonomous and differ at a network layer or a data link layer, the wireless device comprising:

a plurality of communication interfaces configured to maintain connections with and to communicate over the plurality of wireless communications media; and

a selector section configured to select one of the plurality of communication interfaces based on at least one metric, the selected one of the plurality of communication interfaces communicating over one of the plurality of wireless communications media,

the selector section being further configured to select another one of the plurality of communication interfaces for communication over another one of the plurality wireless communications media while the selected one of the plurality of communication interfaces communicates over the one of the plurality of wireless communications media.

2. The wireless device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one metric comprises at least one of a communication interface availability, a destination communications media, a time of day, a cost, a type of data speed, a signal strength, an installation status, a network health, a configuration status, a network availability, and a priority of each of the plurality of communications media.

3. The wireless device according to claim 1, wherein the communicating of the at least one of a voice signal and a data signal comprises receiving the at least one of a voice signal and a data signal over said one of the plurality of communications media and transmitting the at least one of a voice signal and a data signal over said another of the plurality of communications media.

4. The wireless device according to claim 1, further comprising:

an application operating at a layer above the network layer and executable to communicate the at least one of a voice signal and a data signal to the destination device, wherein selecting the another one of the plurality of communication interfaces occurs transparently to the application.

5. The wireless device according to claim 4, further comprising:

a transmitter configured to transmit a first voice packet on said one of the plurality of communications media immediately before the selector section selects said another of the plurality of communication interfaces, and transmit a second voice packet on said another one of the plurality of communications media immediately after the selector section selects said another of the plurality of communication interfaces.

6. The wireless device according to claim 4, further comprising:

a transmitter configured to transmit a first data packet on said one of the plurality of communications media immediately before the selector section selects said another of the plurality of communication interfaces, and transmit a second data packet on said another one of the plurality of communications media immediately after the selector section selects said another of the plurality of communication interfaces.

7. The wireless device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of communication interfaces is configured to communicate Internet Protocol (IP) signals.

8. The wireless device according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the plurality of communication interfaces is configured to communicate Internet Protocol (IP) signals.

9. The wireless device according to claim 8, further comprising a table configured to store at least one of an IP address of the destination device and at least one intervening intermediate IP address.

10. The wireless device according to claim 4, the selector section comprising:

a message multiplexer configured to perform a one-to-many function for incoming voice or data signals received from said one of the plurality of communication interfaces or said another one of the plurality of communication interfaces,

the message multiplexer being further configured to perform a many-to-one function for outgoing voice or data signals to transported over said one of the plurality of communication interfaces or said another one of the plurality of communication interfaces.

11. The wireless device according to claim 10, further comprising a table configured to store a list of names or addresses for transmitting and receiving the at least one of a voice signal and a data signal.

12. The wireless device according to claim 11, wherein the selector section is further configured to select said another one of the plurality of wireless communication interfaces based on a destination network address specified within a data packet or datagram.

13. The wireless device according to claim 10, further comprising a table configured to store at least one of an assigned port, communications media priority, or an application.

14. The wireless device according to claim 13, the selector section comprising:

a plurality of electronic ports connectable to the plurality of communication interfaces for communicating the at least one of a voice signal and a data signal over one or more of the plurality of communications media.

15. The wireless device according to claim 12, further comprising:

a user configuration interface configured to generate configuration information, the selector section being further configured to select said one and said another of the plurality of communication interfaces based on the configuration information and a status of the plurality of communication interfaces.

16. The wireless device according to claim 15, wherein the configuration information comprises at least one parameter specifying a time or a wireless communications media.

17. A wireless device for communicating with a destination device, the communicating including transmitting and receiving at least one of a voice signal and a data signal over a plurality of wireless communications media that are autonomous and differ at a data link layer, the wireless device comprising:

an application executable to communicate the at least one of a voice signal and a data signal to the destination device;

a plurality of communication interfaces configured to enable communicating over the plurality of wireless communications media;

a network availability determiner section configured to determine at least one metric;

a user configuration processor configured to receive at least one parameter;

a decider section configured to generate a deciding signal based on the at least one metric and the at least one parameter;

a core section configured to generate a selecting signal based on the deciding signal;

a selector section configured to select one of the plurality of communication interfaces based on the selecting signal, the selected one of the plurality of communication interfaces communicating over one of the plurality of wireless communications media,

the selector section being further configured to select another one of the plurality of communication interfaces transparently to said application for communication over another one of the plurality of wireless communications media while the selected one of the plurality of communication interfaces communicates over the one of the plurality of wireless communications media.

18. A method for communicating with a destination device, including transmitting and receiving at least one of a voice signal and a data signal over a plurality of wireless communications media that are autonomous and differ at a network layer or a data link layer, the method comprising:

maintaining connections over a plurality of communication interfaces corresponding to the plurality of wireless communications media;

selecting one of the plurality of communication interfaces based on at least one metric, the selected one of the plurality of communication interfaces communicating over one of the plurality of wireless communications media,

selecting another one of the plurality of communication interfaces for communication over another one of the plurality wireless communications media while the selected one of the plurality of communication interfaces communicates over the one of the plurality of wireless communications media.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the at least one metric comprises at least one of a communication interface availability, a destination communications media, a time of day, a cost, a type of data speed, a signal strength, an installation status, a network health, a configuration status, a network availability, and a priority of each of the plurality of communications media.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the communicating of the at least one of a voice signal and a data signal comprises receiving the at least one of a voice signal and a data signal over said one of the plurality of communications media and transmitting the at least one of a voice signal and a data signal over said another of the plurality of communications media.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the selecting of said another one of the plurality of communication interfaces occurs transparently to an application, the application operating at a layer above the network layer and executable to communicate the at least one of a voice signal and a data signal to the destination device.

22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising:

transmitting a first voice packet on said one of the plurality of communications media immediately before selecting said another of the plurality of communication interfaces; and

transmitting a second voice packet on said another one of the plurality of communications media immediately after selecting said another of the plurality of communication interfaces.

23. The method according to claim 21, further comprising:

transmitting a first data packet on said one of the plurality of communications media immediately before selecting said another of the plurality of communication interfaces; and

transmitting a second data packet on said another one of the plurality of communications media immediately after selecting said another of the plurality of communication interfaces.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein the selecting of said one of the plurality of communication interfaces and the selecting of said another one of the plurality of communication interfaces comprises:

demultiplexing incoming voice signals in a one-to-many scheme; and

multiplexing outgoing voice signals in a many-to-one scheme.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein the selecting of said one of the plurality of communication interfaces and the selecting of said another one of the plurality of communication interfaces comprises:

demultiplexing incoming data signals in a one-to-many scheme; and

multiplexing outgoing data signals in a many-to-one scheme.

26. The method according to claim 21, further comprising:

storing a list of names or addresses to which the at least one of a voice signal and a data signal may be transmitted, the selecting of said one of the plurality of communication interfaces and said another one of the plurality of communication interfaces being further based on the list of names and addresses.

27. The method according to claim 26, further comprising:

generating configuration information for selecting said one and said another of the plurality of communication interfaces.

28. A method for communicating with a destination device, including transmitting and receiving at least one of a voice signal and a data signal over a plurality of wireless communications media that are autonomous and differ at a data link layer, the method comprising:

enabling a plurality of communication interfaces to communicate over the plurality of wireless communications media;

communicating the at least one of a voice signal and a data signal from an application to the destination device;

determining at least one metric;

receiving at least one parameter;

generating a selecting signal based on the at least one metric and the at least one parameter;

selecting one of the plurality of communication interfaces based on the selecting signal, the selected one of the plurality of communication interfaces communicating over one of the plurality of wireless communications media; and

selecting another one of the plurality of communication interfaces transparently to said application for communication over another one of the plurality wireless communications media while the selected one of the plurality of communication interfaces communicates over the one of the plurality of wireless communications media.

29. A computer readable medium embodying a program executable to enable wirelessly communicating with a destination device, the communicating including transmitting and receiving at least one of a voice signal and a data signal over a plurality of wireless communications media that are autonomous and differ at a network or data link layer, the computer readable medium comprising:

a communication interface code segment being executable to maintain connections with and to enable communication over the plurality of wireless communications media;

a selector code segment being executable to select one of the plurality of communication interfaces based on at least one metric, the selected one of the plurality of communication interfaces communicating over one of the plurality of wireless communications media,

the selector code segment being further executable to select another one of the plurality of communication interfaces for communication over another one of the plurality of wireless communications media while the selected one of the plurality of communication interfaces communicates over the one of the plurality of wireless communications media.

30. The computer readable medium according to claim 29, wherein the at least one metric comprises at least one of a communication interface availability, a destination communications medium, a time of day, a cost, a type of data speed, a signal strength, an installation status, a network health, a configuration status, a network availability, and a priority of each of the plurality of communications media.

31. The computer readable medium according to claim 29, further comprising:

a receiving code segment being executable to receive the at least one of a voice signal and a data signal over said one of the plurality of communications media; and

a sending code segment being executable to send the at least one of a voice signal and a data signal over said another of the plurality of communications media.

32. The computer readable medium according to claim 31, further comprising:

an application interface code segment being executable to interface with an application, operating at a layer above the network layer, to communicate the at least one of a voice signal and a data signal to the destination device, wherein selecting the another one of the plurality of communication interfaces occurs transparently to the application.

33. The computer readable medium according to claim 32, wherein the sending code segment is further executable to send a first voice packet on said one of the plurality of communications media immediately before the selector code segment executes to select said another of the plurality of communication interfaces, and to send a second voice packet on said another one of the plurality of communications media immediately after the selector code segment executes to select said another of the plurality of communication interfaces.

34. The computer readable medium according to claim 29, further comprising:

a sending code segment being executable to send a first data packet on said one of the plurality of communications media, and to send a second data packet on said another one of the plurality of communications media,

said first data packet being sent immediately before the selector code segment selects said another of the plurality of communication interfaces, and said second data packet being sent on said another one of the plurality of communications media immediately after the selector code segment selects said another of the plurality of communication interfaces.

35. The computer readable medium according to claim 29, the selector code segment comprising:

a multiplexer code segment being executable to perform a one-to-many function for incoming voice or data signals and a many-to-one function for outgoing voice or data signals.

36. The computer readable medium according to claim 29, further comprising:

a user configuration interface code segment being executable to generate configuration information based on a user input,

the selector code segment being further executable to select said one and said another of the plurality of communication interfaces based on the configuration information and a status of the plurality of communication interfaces.

37. The medium according to claim 36, wherein the user input comprises at least one parameter specifying a time or a wireless communications media.

38. A computer readable medium embodying a program executable for communicating at least one of a voice signal and a data signal from an application over a plurality of wireless communications media that are autonomous and differ at a data link layer, the computer readable medium comprising:

a communication code segment being executable to communicate the at least one of a voice signal and a data signal from the application to the destination device;

a communication interface code segment being executable to enable communicating over the plurality of wireless communications media;

a metric determiner code segment being executable to determine at least one metric;

a user configuration code segment being executable to receive at least one parameter;

a core configuration code segment being executable to generate a selecting signal based on the at least one metric and the at least one parameter;

a selector code segment being executable to select a first interface of a plurality of communication interfaces based on the selecting signal, the selected communication interface enabling communication over a first one of the plurality of wireless communications media,

the selector code segment being further executable to select a second interface of the plurality of communication interfaces transparently to the application for enabling communication over a second one of the plurality wireless communications media while the first communication interface continues to enable communication over the first one of the plurality of wireless communications media.