Mechanism for communication with multiple wireless video area networks

• US 20090086695A1
• Filed: 06/30/2008
• Published: 04/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corporation
• Inventors: Gilbert, Jeffery M., Gilb, James P.K.
• Application Number:
  US12/215,959
• Publication Number:
  US 20090086695A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• 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 device is disclosed having a first radio component to enable the device to communicate with devices in a first wireless network via a first wireless communication protocol and a second radio component to enable the device to communicate with devices in a second wireless network via a second wireless communication protocol.

Claims

1. A combination device comprising:

a first radio component to enable the device to communicate with devices in a first wireless network via a first wireless communication protocol; and

a second radio component to enable the device to communicate with devices in a second wireless network via a second wireless communication protocol;

the device to transition from communication with devices in the first network to communicate with devices in the second network at predetermined intervals.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the device monitors the second network for a message from a device on the second network while operating in the first network.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the device transmits a beacon signal announcing its presence on the second network while operating in the first network.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the device waits to receive a response from a device on the second network while operating in the first network.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the device transitions to the second network upon receiving the response from the device on the second network.

6. The device of claim 4 wherein the device transmits a message signal on the first network notifying devices on the first network that it will be absent for the predetermined interval.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the device enters a sleep mode in the first network while communicating with the device in the second network.

8. The device of claim 4 wherein the device transitions back to the first network after servicing the device on the second network.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the first communication protocol is a non line of sight (NLOS) protocol and the second communication protocol is a line of sight (LOS) protocol.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the device bridges data between devices on the first wireless network and the first wireless network.

11. A combination device comprising:

a first radio component to enable the device to communicate with devices in a first wireless network) via a non line of sight (NLOS) protocol; and

a second radio component to enable the device to communicate with devices in a second wireless network via a line of sight (LOS) protocol;

the device to reserve time in the first network and to communicate with devices in the second network during the time reservation in the first network.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the device controls time in the LOS network by operating the LOS network by establishing a time division multiple access (TDMA) network.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the device arranges communication with an LOS device in the second network by transmitting a beacon signal to the LOS device informing the LOS device as to the times at which the LOS device can transmit data to the device.

14. The device of claim 12 wherein the device enters a polling arrangement with an LOS device in the second network by transmitting packets to the LOS device and receiving packets from the LOS device in response.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the device constrains transmissions of the LOS device in time so that the LOS device does not interfere with device operations on the first network.

16. The device of claim 11 wherein the device bridges data between devices on different networks.

17. A method comprising:

a device communicating with devices in a first wireless network via a first wireless communication protocol;

the device transitioning from operating in the first network to operating in a second wireless network at predetermined intervals; and

the device communicating with devices in the second network via a second wireless communication protocol.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the device communicates with the first network via a first radio component and communicates with the second network via a second radio component.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising the device monitoring the second network for a message from a device on the second network while operating in the first network.

20. The method of claim 17 further comprising the device transmitting a beacon signal announcing its presence on the second network while operating in the first network.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising the device waiting to receive a response from a device on the second network while operating in the first network.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising the device transitioning to the second network upon receiving the response from the device on the second network.

23. The method of claim 20 further comprising the device transmitting a message signal on the first network notifying devices on the first network that it will be absent for the predetermined interval.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising the device entering a sleep mode in the first network while communicating with the device in the second network.

25. The method of claim 20 further comprising the device transitioning back to the first network after servicing the device on the second network.

26. A method comprising:

a device communicating with devices in a first wireless network via a first wireless communication protocol;

the device reserving time in the first network; and

the device communicating with devices in a second wireless network via a second wireless communication protocol during the time reservation in the first network.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the device communicates with the first network via a first radio component and communicates with the second network via a second radio component.

28. The method of claim 26 further comprising the device controlling time in the LOS network by operating the LOS network by establishing a time division multiple access (TDMA) network.

29. The method of claim 28 further comprising the device arranging communication with an LOS device in the second network by transmitting a beacon signal to the LOS device informing the LOS device as to the times at which the LOS device can transmit data to the device.

30. The method of claim 28 further comprising the device entering a polling arrangement with an LOS device in the second network by transmitting packets to the LOS device and receiving packets from the LOS device in response.

31. The device of claim 30 further comprising the device constraining transmissions of the LOS device in time so that the LOS device does not interfere with device operations on the first network.

32. The method of claim 26 further comprising the device bridging data between devices on different networks.