Means and method for switching between a narrow band communication and a wide band communication to establish a continuous connection with mobile computers

• US 6,182,144 B1
• Filed: 12/12/1997
• Issued: 01/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: England, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Zarni
• Application Number:
  US08/989,837
• Time in Patent Office: 1,145 Days
• Field of Search: 395/200.68, 395/200.33, 395/200.36, 395/200.37, 395/200.62, 395/200.69, 395/200.49, 709/238, 709/203, 709/206, 709/207, 709/232, 709/239, 709/219
• US Class Current: 709/232
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• 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 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/20 Manipulation of established connections

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for maintaining a continuos communication channel between a first device and a second device. The communication maintained by a first communication channel wherein electronic data is selectively transmitted and a second communication channel wherein re-transmission of extended segments of the electronic data occurs.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for maintaining a continuous communication channel between a first device and a mobile device, said computer-implemented method comprising:

opening a narrow band communication channel between said first device and said mobile device, wherein said narrow band communication channel is operable to transmit electronic data available on said first device;

selectively transmitting a first sub-set of said electronic data along said narrow band communication channel;

opening a wide band communication channel between said first device and said mobile device, wherein said wide band communication is opened in response to a signal from said mobile device; and

selectively transmitting a second sub-set of said electronic data along said wide band communication channel, wherein said second sub-set of electronic data comprises an extended transmission of said first sub-set of electronic data.

2. The computer-implemented method as described in claim 1 wherein said narrow band communication channel comprises a wireless connection.

3. The computer-implemented method as described in claim 2 wherein the first device comprises a server.

4. The computer-implemented method as described in claim 3 wherein selectively transmitting said first sub-set of electronic data comprises following a first set of predefined rules to determine the content of said first sub-set of electronic data.

5. The computer-implemented method as described in claim 4 wherein said electronic data comprises an electronic message.

6. The computer-implemented method as described in claim 5 wherein selectively transmitting said second sub-set of electronic data comprises following a second set of predefined rules to determine the content of said second sub-set of electronic data.

7. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of sequence instructions, the plurality of sequences of instructions including sequences of instructions which, when executed by a first processor of a first device and a second processor of a second device, cause the processors to perform the steps of:

opening a narrow band communication channel between said first device and said mobile device, wherein said narrow band communication channel is operable to transmit electronic data available on said first device;

selectively transmitting a first sub-set of said electronic data along said narrow band communication channel;

opening a wide band communication channel between said first device and said mobile device, wherein said wide band communication is opened in response to a signal from said mobile device; and

selectively transmitting a second sub-set of said electronic data along said wide band communication channel, wherein said second sub-set of electronic data comprises an extended transmission of said first sub-set of electronic data.

8. The computer-readable medium as described in claim 7 wherein said narrow band communication channel comprises a wireless connection.

9. The computer-readable medium as described in claim 8 wherein the first device comprises a server.

10. The computer-readable medium as described in claim 9 wherein the step of selectively transmitting said first sub-set of electronic data comprises following a first set of predefined rules to determine the content of said first sub-set of electronic data.

11. The computer-readable medium as described in claim 10 wherein said electronic data comprises an electronic message.

12. The computer-readable medium as described in claim 11 wherein the step of selectively transmitting said second sub-set of electronic data comprises following a second set of predefined rules to determine the content of said second sub-set of electronic data.