INTELLIGENT PICO-CELL FOR TRANSPORT OF WIRELESS DEVICE COMMUNICATIONS OVER WIRELINE NETWORKS

• US 20100272024A1
• Filed: 06/15/2010
• Published: 10/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hicks, John Alson III, O'Neil, Douglas
• Granted Patent: US 8,208,431 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor

Abstract

In one embodiment a pico cell may be used to detect a presence of a wireless device and receive a wireless signal from the wireless device. The wireless signal may then be converted from a protocol used by the wireless device to a converted signal in a protocol suitable for use with a broadband connection. The converted signal may then be transmitted over the broadband connection.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a radio frequency (RF) interface that receives information via at least one first electromagnetic signal emitted by a wireless device and emits at least one second electromagnetic signal to the wireless device;

one or more processors; and

a memory that includes computer-executable instructions that, in response to execution by the one or more processors, implement a group of components comprising;

a remote administrator module that collects data relating to at least one of operation, environment, or location of the system; and

a proximate channel list (PCL) module that stores a list of channel identifiers of RF channels and RF strength levels of the RF channels, and updates the list in response to reception of an update to the list from the remote administrator module.

2. The system of claim 1, the group of components further comprising:

a network interface that receives at least one remote command, wherein the at least one remote command dictates a channel set employed to communicate via the RF interface.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the network interface receives remote commands that restrict utilization of the system to wireless devices associated with accounts of specific carriers.

4. The system of claim 3, the group of components further comprising a pairing module that confirms the wireless device has security clearance to communicate wirelessly via the system.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote administrator module compares the list of channel identifiers to a list of channel identifiers of markets for a cellular carrier to determine a local market of the system.

6. The system of claim 4, further comprising a network administrator module that conveys remote commands to the network interface and allows a cellular carrier to administer licensed channels available to the cellular carrier for wireless communication in a location of the RF interface.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the network administrator module conveys a remote command that restricts utilization of the system to wireless devices associated with accounts of specific carriers.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the network administrator module allows software updates to be downloaded to the memory.

9. A method, comprising:

receiving information through first electromagnetic signals emitted by a wireless device;

emitting second electromagnetic signals to the wireless device;

collecting data on at least one of operation, environment, or location of the system; and

storing a list of channel identifiers of RF channels and RF strength levels of the RF channels, and updating the list in response to receiving an update to the list.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving at least one remote command, wherein the at least one remote command dictates a channel set employed to communicate via the RF interface.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the receiving includes receiving remote commands that restrict utilization of the wireless device to an account of a specific carrier.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

confirming the wireless device has security clearance for conveying at least a portion of the information or for receiving at least a portion of the information.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

allowing a cellular carrier to administer licensed channels available to the cellular carrier for wireless communication in a location in which the receiving occurs.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

conveying a remote command that restricts utilization of the wireless device to the account of the specific carriers.

15. A system, comprising:

means for receiving a first group of electromagnetic signals emitted by a wireless device;

means for emitting a second group of electromagnetic signals to the wireless device;

means for collecting data on at least one of operation, environment, or location of the system;

means for storing a list of channel identifiers of RF channels and RF strength levels of the RF channels; and

means for updating the list in response to reception of an update to the list.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising:

means for receiving at least one remote command, wherein the at least one remote command dictates a channel set employed to communicate via the RF interface.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

means for receiving remote commands that restrict utilization of the system to wireless devices associated with accounts of specific carriers.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

means for confirming the wireless device has security clearance to communicate wirelessly via the system.

19. The system of claim 15, further comprising:

means for comparing the list of channel identifiers to a list of channel identifiers of all markets for a cellular carrier to determine a local market of the system.

20. The system of claim 18, further comprising:

means for allowing a cellular carrier to administer licensed channels available to the cellular carrier for wireless communication in a location of the system.