Hierarchical Data Collection Network Supporting Packetized Voice Communications Among Wireless Terminals And Telephones

• US 20080165767A1
• Filed: 03/13/2008
• Published: 07/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1995
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Joseph J. Kubler, Michael D. Morris
• Inventors: Morris, Michael D., Kubler, Joseph J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,916,706 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/353
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0225 User interface arrangements, e.g. keyboard, display; Interfaces to other computer systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10702 Particularities of propagating elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors G06K7/10831 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10841 Particularities of the light-sensitive elements semiconductor devices H01L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10851 Circuits for pulse shaping, amplifying, eliminating noise signals, checking the function of the sensing device basic electronic circuitry H03
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1098 the scanning arrangement having a modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/12 using a selected wavelength, e.g. to sense red marks and ignore blue marks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/343 Cards including a counter
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/02 by keys or other credit registering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0045 with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader
• CPC Class Codes: H03C 3/0908 using a phase locked loop
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/04 Circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/1615 Switching on; Switching off, e.g. remotely battery saving circuits associated with selective call operation H04W52/00; details of power consumption reduction in a PLL, H03L7/0802, H03L7/14, H03L2207/08, H03L2207/18; muting amplifiers by gain control see H03G3/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0802 using antenna selection H04B7/0868 takes precedence; antenna beam directivity switching H01Q3/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/10 Polarisation diversity; Directional diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0002 : by adapting the transmission rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0003 : by switching between different modulation schemes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0025 : Transmission of mode-switching indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0032 : Without explicit signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1671 : the supervisory signal being transmitted together with control information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1685 : the supervisory signal being transmitted in response to a specific request, e.g. to a polling signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/12 : Modulator circuits; Transmitter circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/14 : Demodulator circuits; Receiver circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/156 : with demodulation using temporal properties of the received signal, e.g. detecting pulse width
• 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 45/48 : Routing tree calculation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 : Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/103 : in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/104 : in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 : Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1083 : In-session procedures
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1095 : Inter-network session transfer or sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 : Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 : Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/32 : Architecture of open systems interconnection [OSI] 7-layer type protocol stacks, e.g. the interfaces between the data link level and the physical level
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 : Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 : adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/14 : including a card reading device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 : Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/14 : using intermediate storage
• 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 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 52/0261 : managing power supply demand, e.g. depending on battery level
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/04 : TPC
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/38 : TPC being performed in particular situations
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/46 : in multi hop networks, e.g. wireless relay networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/12 : Wireless traffic scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 : Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 : Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/22 : Manipulation of transport tunnels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 : Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/10 : Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 : Gateway arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 : Inter-networking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

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.

Claims

1-22. -22. (canceled)

23. A method for processing voice in a device supporting wireless internet protocol communications over a network, the method comprising:

receiving a voice stream;

digitizing the voice stream to provide digital voice data;

compressing the digital voice data;

packetizing the digital voice data according to an internet protocol for communication over the network;

transmitting via wireless communication the digital voice data packets;

receiving digital voice data packets communicated over the network;

converting the received digital voice data packets to a voice stream;

buffering, for a buffer time, depacketized digital voice data before converting the digital voice data to a voice stream, the buffer time being adjustable to accommodate variations in propagation times over the network; and

wherein the buffer time is based upon a period of time between sending at least one communication to the origin of received digital voice data packets, and receiving at least one corresponding response communication from the origin of the received digital voice data packets.

24. A method as recited in claim 23 wherein the packetizing includes adding a group identifier to each digital voice data packet.

25. A method as recited in claim 24 includes monitoring the received voice stream for a lack of voice for a minimum period of time;

and adding a different group identifier to a voice stream with voice that is subsequent to the lack of voice for the minimum period of time.

26. A method as recited in claim 23 wherein the device is a mobile device.

27. A method as recited in claim 26 wherein the device is a handheld device configured to be operated while being held in a hand of a user.

28. A method as recited in claim 23 wherein the device comprises a keypad.

29. A method as recited in claim 23 wherein the device comprises a display.

30. A method as recited in claim 23 wherein the wireless internet protocol communications employs a spread spectrum technique.

31. A method as recited in claim 30 wherein the spread spectrum technique is a direct sequence spread spectrum technique.

32. A method as recited in claim 23 wherein wireless communications takes place in an unlicensed frequency band.

33. A method as recited in claim 32 wherein the unlicensed frequency band is approximately 2.4 GHz.

34. A method as recited in claim 23 wherein the device is an integrated circuit.

35. A system for processing voice for transmission over a network having variable propagation delays, the system comprising:

a transmitter and receiver for wireless communication;

conversion circuitry for converting an analog voice stream to digital voice data and for converting digital voice data to an analog voice stream for the reproduction of voice;

a processing circuit for managing the packetization of the digital voice data to provide digital voice data packets and for managing the depacketization of digital voice data packets, the processing circuit packetizing the digital voice data according to an internet protocol;

a buffer for buffering digital voice data after depacketization, the processing circuit directing delivery of the buffered digital voice data to the conversion circuitry after a delay that is adjustable by the processing circuit to accommodate variations in packet propagation delays over the network; and

wherein the delay is based upon a period of time between the processing circuit sending at least one communication to the origin of received digital voice data packets, and receiving at least one corresponding response communication from the origin of the received digital voice data packets.

36. A system as recited in claim 35 wherein the system is a mobile device.

37. A system as recited in claim 36 wherein the system is a handheld device configured to be operated while being held in a hand of a user.

38. A system as recited in claim 35 wherein the system comprises a keypad.

39. A system as recited in claim 35 wherein the system comprises a display.

40. A system as recited in claim 35 wherein the wireless internet protocol communications employs a spread spectrum technique.

41. A system as recited in claim 40 wherein the spread spectrum technique is a direct sequence spread spectrum technique.

42. A system as recited in claim 35 wherein wireless communications takes place in an unlicensed frequency band.

43. A system as recited in claim 42 wherein the unlicensed frequency band is approximately 2.4 GHz.

44. A system as recited in claim 35 wherein the system is an integrated circuit.

45. A method for processing voice in a device supporting wireless internet protocol communications over a network, the method comprising:

receiving a voice stream;

digitizing the voice stream to provide digital voice data;

compressing the digital voice data;

packetizing the digital voice data according to an internet protocol for communication over the network;

transmitting via wireless communication the digital voice data packets;

receiving digital voice data packets communicated over the network;

converting the received digital voice data packets to a voice stream;

buffering, for a buffer time, depacketized digital voice data before converting the digital voice data to a voice stream, the buffer time being adjustable to accommodate variations in propagation times over the network; and

wherein the buffer time is based upon a period of time between sending at least one packet to the origin of received digital voice data packets, and receiving at least one corresponding response packet from the origin of the received digital voice data packets.

46. A method as recited in claim 45 wherein the packetizing includes adding a group identifier to each digital voice data packet.

47. A method as recited in claim 46 includes monitoring the received voice stream for a lack of voice for a minimum period of time;

and adding a different group identifier to a voice stream with voice that is subsequent to the lack of voice for the minimum period of time.

48. A method as recited in claim 47 wherein the device is a mobile device.

49. A method as recited in claim 48 wherein the device is a handheld device configured to be operated while being held in a hand of a user.

50. A method as recited in claim 45 wherein the device comprises a keypad.

51. A method as recited in claim 45 wherein the device comprises a display.

52. A method as recited in claim 45 wherein the wireless internet protocol communications employs a spread spectrum technique.

53. A method as recited in claim 52 wherein the spread spectrum technique is a direct sequence spread spectrum technique.

54. A method as recited in claim 45 wherein wireless communications takes place in an unlicensed frequency band.

55. A method as recited in claim 54 wherein the unlicensed frequency band is approximately 2.4 GHz.

56. A method as recited in claim 45 wherein the device is an integrated circuit.

57. A system for processing voice for transmission over a network having variable propagation delays, the system comprising:

a transmitter and receiver for wireless communication;

conversion circuitry for converting an analog voice stream to digital voice data and for converting digital voice data to an analog voice stream for the reproduction of voice;

a processing circuit for managing the packetization of the digital voice data to provide digital voice data packets and for managing the depacketization of digital voice data packets, the processing circuit packetizing the digital voice data according to an internet protocol;

a buffer for buffering digital voice data after depacketization, the processing circuit directing delivery of the buffered digital voice data to the conversion circuitry after a delay that is adjustable by the processing circuit to accommodate variations in packet propagation delays over the network; and

wherein the delay is based upon a period of time between the processing circuit sending at least one packet to the origin of received digital voice data packets, and receiving at least one corresponding response packet from the origin of the received digital voice data packets.

58. A system as recited in claim 57 wherein the system is a mobile device.

59. A system as recited in claim 58 wherein the system is a handheld device configured to be operated while being held in a hand of a user.

60. A system as recited in claim 57 wherein the system comprises a keypad.

61. A system as recited in claim 57 wherein the system comprises a display.

62. A system as recited in claim 57 wherein the wireless internet protocol communications employs a spread spectrum technique.

63. A system as recited in claim 62 wherein the spread spectrum technique is a direct sequence spread spectrum technique.

64. A system as recited in claim 57 wherein wireless communications takes place in an unlicensed frequency band.

65. A system as recited in claim 64 wherein the unlicensed frequency band is approximately 2.4 GHz.

66. A system as recited in claim 57 wherein the system is an integrated circuit.

67. A method for processing voice in a device supporting wireless internet protocol communications over a network, the method comprising:

packetizing digital voice data according to an internet protocol for communication over the network;

transmitting for wireless communication over the network, the digital voice data packets;

receiving digital voice data packets communicated over the network;

buffering, for a buffer time, depacketized digital voice data before converting the digital voice data to a voice stream, the buffer time being adjustable to accommodate variations in propagation times over the network; and

wherein the buffer time is based upon a period of time between sending at least one communication to the origin of received digital voice data packets, and receiving at least one corresponding response communication from the origin of the received digital voice data packets.

68. A method as recited in claim 67 wherein the packetizing includes adding a group identifier to each digital voice data packet.

69. A method as recited in claim 68 includes monitoring the received voice stream for a lack of voice for a minimum period of time;

and adding a different group identifier to a voice stream with voice that is subsequent to the lack of voice for the minimum period of time.

70. A method as recited in claim 67 wherein the device is a mobile device.

71. A method as recited in claim 70 wherein the device is a handheld device configured to be operated while being held in a hand of a user.

72. A method as recited in claim 67 wherein the device comprises a keypad.

73. A method as recited in claim 67 wherein the device comprises a display.

74. A method as recited in claim 67 wherein the wireless internet protocol communications employs a spread spectrum technique.

75. A method as recited in claim 74 wherein the spread spectrum technique is a direct sequence spread spectrum technique.

76. A method as recited in claim 67 wherein wireless communications takes place in an unlicensed frequency band.

77. A method as recited in claim 76 wherein the unlicensed frequency band is approximately 2.4 GHz.

78. A method as recited in claim 67 wherein the device is an integrated circuit.

79. A system for processing voice for wireless communication over a network having variable propagation delays, the system comprising:

a processing circuit for managing packetization of digital voice data to provide digital voice data packets and for managing depacketization of digital voice data packets, the processing circuit packetizing the digital voice data according to an internet protocol;

a buffer for buffering digital voice data after depacketization, the processing circuit directing delivery of the buffered digital voice data to conversion circuitry after a delay that is adjustable by the processing circuit to accommodate variations in packet propagation delays over the network; and

wherein the delay is based upon a period of time between the processing circuit sending at least one communication to the origin of received digital voice data packets, and receiving at least one corresponding response communication from the origin of the received digital voice data packets.

80. A system as recited in claim 79 wherein the system is a mobile device.

81. A system as recited in claim 80 wherein the system is a handheld device configured to be operated while being held in a hand of a user.

82. A system as recited in claim 79 wherein the system comprises a keypad.

83. A system as recited in claim 79 wherein the system comprises a display.

84. A system as recited in claim 79 wherein the wireless internet protocol communications employs a spread spectrum technique.

85. A system as recited in claim 84 wherein the spread spectrum technique is a direct sequence spread spectrum technique.

86. A system as recited in claim 79 wherein wireless communications takes place in an unlicensed frequency band.

87. A system as recited in claim 86 wherein the unlicensed frequency band is approximately 2.4 GHz.

88. A system as recited in claim 79 wherein the system is an integrated circuit.

89. A method for processing voice in a device supporting wireless internet protocol communications over a network, the method comprising:

packetizing the digital voice data according to an internet protocol for communication over the network;

transmitting for wireless communication over the network, the digital voice data packets;

receiving digital voice data packets communicated over the network;

buffering, for a buffer time, depacketized digital voice data before converting the digital voice data to a voice stream, the buffer time being adjustable to accommodate variations in propagation times over the network; and

wherein the buffer time is based upon a period of time between sending at least one packet to the origin of received digital voice data packets, and receiving at least one corresponding response packet from the origin of the received digital voice data packets.

90. A method as recited in claim 89 wherein the packetizing includes adding a group identifier to each digital voice data packet.

91. A method as recited in claim 90 includes monitoring the received voice stream for a lack of voice for a minimum period of time;

and adding a different group identifier to a voice stream with voice that is subsequent to the lack of voice for the minimum period of time.

92. A method as recited in claim 91 wherein the device is a mobile device.

93. A method as recited in claim 92 wherein the device is a handheld device configured to be operated while being held in a hand of a user.

94. A method as recited in claim 89 wherein the device comprises a keypad.

95. A method as recited in claim 89 wherein the device comprises a display.

96. A method as recited in claim 89 wherein the wireless internet protocol communications employs a spread spectrum technique.

97. A method as recited in claim 96 wherein the spread spectrum technique is a direct sequence spread spectrum technique.

98. A method as recited in claim 89 wherein wireless communications takes place in an unlicensed frequency band.

99. A method as recited in claim 98 wherein the unlicensed frequency band is approximately 2.4 GHz.

100. A method as recited in claim 89 wherein the device is an integrated circuit.

101. A system for processing voice for wireless communication over a network having variable propagation delays, the system comprising:

a processing circuit for managing packetization of digital voice data to provide digital voice data packets and for managing depacketization of digital voice data packets, the processing circuit packetizing the digital voice data according to an internet protocol;

a buffer for buffering digital voice data after depacketization, the processing circuit directing delivery of the buffered digital voice data to conversion circuitry after a delay that is adjustable by the processing circuit to accommodate variations in packet propagation delays over the network; and

wherein the delay is based upon a period of time between the processing circuit sending at least one packet to the origin of received digital voice data packets, and receiving at least one corresponding response packet from the origin of the received digital voice data packets.

102. A system as recited in claim 101 wherein the system is a mobile device.

103. A system as recited in claim 102 wherein the system is a handheld device configured to be operated while being held in a hand of a user.

104. A system as recited in claim 101 wherein the system comprises a keypad.

105. A system as recited in claim 101 wherein the system comprises a display.

106. A system as recited in claim 101 wherein the wireless internet protocol communications employs a spread spectrum technique.

107. A system as recited in claim 106 wherein the spread spectrum technique is a direct sequence spread spectrum technique.

108. A system as recited in claim 101 wherein wireless communications takes place in an unlicensed frequency band.

109. A system as recited in claim 108 wherein the unlicensed frequency band is approximately 2.4 GHz.

110. A system as recited in claim 101 wherein the system is an integrated circuit.