Method and apparatus for configuring communication apparatus in accordance with communication services and protocols

• US 6,546,261 B1
• Filed: 06/10/1997
• Issued: 04/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: MorphICs Technology, Inc. (Infineon Technologies AG)
• Inventors: Cummings, Mark R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Nay
• Application Number:
  US08/872,974
• Time in Patent Office: 2,128 Days
• Field of Search: 455/403, 455/422, 455/550, 455/552-53, 455/560-561, 455/507, 455/575, 455/418, 455/419
• US Class Current: 455/552.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/004 by using forward error control H04L1/0618 takes precedence; coding, decoding or code conversion, for error detection or correction H03M13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0071 Use of interleaving interleaving per se H03M13/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2027/0057 quadrature phase
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/00 Modulated-carrier systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2017 in which the phase changes are non-linear, e.g. generalized and Gaussian minimum shift keying, tamed frequency modulation H04L27/201 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• 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

Information can be communicated to or from an electronic device in accordance with a plurality of protocols to provide a plurality of services for the user. The apparatus can operate with any conventional modulation (analog or digital) and in accordance with at least one of the plurality of protocols. If the user is a person, the services can include providing audio or tone signals. If the user is a device, the services can include providing audio, tone, or data signals. The electronic device is a receiver, a transmitter, or transceiver.

Claims

1. Apparatus for using electromagnetic radiation to communicate with a user in accordance with any one or more of a plurality of predetermined communications protocols, and in accordance with any one or more of a plurality of predetermined communications services, comprising:

a protocol circuit to establish the one or more predetermined communications protocols and generate a protocol signal representative of the one or more predetermined communications protocols established;

a service circuit to establish the one or more predetermined communications services and generate a service signal representative of the one or more predetermined communications services established; and

a radio frequency circuit to receive the protocol signal and the service signal and respond to the protocol signal and the service signal by configuring itself to respond to radio frequency signals in compliance with the one or more predetermined communications protocols and the one or more predetermined communications services.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency circuit is a radio frequency receiver adapted to receive the electromagnetic radiation and produce signals for the user in compliance with at least one of the one or more predetermined communications protocols and with at least one of the one or more predetermined communications services.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency circuit is a radio frequency transmitter adapted to transmit the electromagnetic radiation in compliance with at least one of the one or more predetermined communications protocols and with at least one of the one or more predetermined communications services.

4. A method for using electromagnetic radiation to communicate with a user in accordance with any one or more of a plurality of predetermined communications protocols, and in accordance with any one or more of a plurality of predetermined communications services, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a radio frequency circuit;

b) establishing the one or more predetermined communications protocols;

c) generating a protocol signal representative of the one or more predetermined communications protocols established;

d) establishing the one or more predetermined communications services;

e) generating a service signal representative of the one or more predetermined communications services established;

f) receiving the protocol signal and the service signal; and

g) responding to the protocol signal and the service signal by configuring the radio frequency circuit to respond to radio frequency signals in compliance with the one or more predetermined communications protocols and the one or more predetermined communications services.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the radio frequency circuit established in step a) is a radio frequency receiver adapted to receive the electromagnetic radiation, the method further comprising the step of:

g) producing signals for the user in compliance with at least one of the one or more predetermined communications protocols and with at least one of the one or more predetermined communications services.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the radio frequency circuit established in step a) is a radio frequency transmitter adapted to transmit the electromagnetic radiation, the method further comprising the step of:

g) transmitting the electromagnetic radiation in compliance with at least one of the one or more predetermined communications protocols and with at least one of the one or more predetermined communications services.

7. Apparatus for using electromagnetic radiation to communicate with a user in accordance with any one or more of a plurality of predetermined communications protocols, and in accordance with any one or more of a plurality of predetermined communications services, comprising:

radio frequency circuit means;

protocol establishment means for establishing the one or more predetermined communications protocols;

protocol signal means for generating a protocol signal representative of the one or more predetermined communications protocols established;

service establishment means for establishing the one or more predetermined communications services;

service signal means for generating a service signal representative of the one or more predetermined communications services established;

receiver means for receiving the protocol signal and the service signal; and

electromagnetic radiation response means for responding to the protocol signal and the service signal by configuring the radio frequency circuit means to respond to radio frequency signals in compliance with the one or more predetermined communications protocols and the one or more predetermined communications services.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the radio frequency circuit means is a radio frequency receiver adapted to receive the electromagnetic radiation, the apparatus further comprising signal production means for producing signals for the user in compliance with at least one of the one or more predetermined communications protocols and with at least one of the one or more predetermined communications services.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the radio frequency circuit means is a radio frequency transmitter adapted to transmit the electromagnetic radiation, the apparatus further comprising signal transmitter means for transmitting the electromagnetic radiation in compliance with at least one of the one or more predetermined communications protocols and with at least one of the one or more predetermined communications services.