Communication system and method

• US 6,680,923 B1
• Filed: 05/23/2000
• Issued: 01/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Calypso IP LLC (Calypso IP Management II LLC)
• Original Assignee: Calypso Wireless, Inc. (Calypso Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Leon, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Yao, Kwang Bin
• Application Number:
  US09/577,812
• Time in Patent Office: 1,337 Days
• Field of Search: 370/328, 370/329, 370/330, 370/338, 370/345, 370/349, 370/352, 370/353, 370/354, 370/355, 370/356, 370/343, 370/395.2, 370/395.3, 370/395.52
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup

Abstract

A system and method for establishing communication with any one of a variety of different wireless communication devices including through the provision of a short range transceiver assembly so as to provide data communication from a sender to the wireless communication device either over the Internet, utilizing an Internet access facility, such as a computer, or alternatively using an over-the-air network, compatible with the communication device. The wireless communication device is structured to operate on either of at least two independent frequencies for communication with the computer or with the over-the-air network, dependent on predetermined parameters including the acceptance of a unique identifier or code and/or the positioning of the wireless communication device, within a predetermined vicinity range relative to the computer. An auto switching capability establishes data communication with the computer or with the over-the-air network, dependent on whether the identification and vicinity parameters have been met.

Claims

1. A hybrid communication system for wireless data communication said system comprising:

a) a wireless communication device including a unique identifier and capable of conducting data communication through an over-the-air network,

b) a computer configured for computerized network access,

c) a transceiver assembly operative on a short range communication standard and structured to interconnect said wireless communication device with a computer facility to establish data communication therewith,

d) said transceiver assembly including a first transceiver connected to said computer and at least a second transceiver connected to said wireless communication device and an auto-switching capability responsive to pre-determined parameters,

e) said auto-switching capability being determinative of data communication with said wireless communication device either over the computerized network through said computer facility or by the over-the-air network dependent on the establishment of said redetermined parameters, and

f) at least one of said predetermined parameters comprising a pre-established vicinity range.

2. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said transceiver assembly is operative on a short range frequency.

3. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said auto-switching capability establishes data communication with said wireless communication device outside said pre-established vicinity range.

4. A system as recited in claim 3 wherein said transceiver assembly automatically establishes communicative recognition between said computer and said wireless communication device within said pre-established vicinity range.

5. A system as recited in claim 4 wherein said predetermined parameters further comprise recognition compliance of said wireless communication device based at least partially on said unique identifier.

6. A hybrid communication system for data communication, said system comprising:

a) a plurality of wireless communication devices each including a unique identifier and capable of establishing messaging communication by an over-the-air network,

b) a plurality of Internet access facilities each capable of recognizing different ones of said wireless communication devices by means of said unique identifiers,

c) a transceiver assembly comprising a plurality of first transceivers each connected to a different one of said Internet access devices and a plurality of second transceivers each connected to a different one of said plurality of wireless communication devices,

d) said transceiver assembly including an auto-switching switching capability responsive to said predetermined parameters,

e) said predetermine parameters comprising acceptance of said unique identifiers and a pre-established vicinity range existing between any one of said wireless communication devices and any one of said plurality of Internet access devices, and

f) said transceiver assembly and said auto-switching capability determinative of data communication with said wireless communication device, either by said over-the-air network or by Internet access, dependent on the establishment of said predetermined parameters.

7. A system as recited in claim 6

wherein said transceiver assembly includes a scanner capability.

8. A system as recited in claim 7 wherein said scanner capability is structured to provide continuous searching by at least one of said first plurality of transceivers or said second plurality of transceivers for the other and establish communication there between, when a corresponding one of said plurality of wireless communication devices is within said pre-established vicinity range of said plurality of Internet access facilities.

9. A system as recited as recited in claim 7 further comprising a configuration facility selectively operative to regulate transmission of data to any one of said plurality of wireless communication devices by means of said over-the-air network.

10. A system as recited in claim 9 wherein said over-the-air network is responsive to selectively store all data intended for transmission to any one of said plurality of wireless communication devices and/or transmit data thereto within a selectable time window.

11. A method of hybrid communication utilizing a multi-frequency wireless communication device and an Internet access facility, said method comprising:

a) establishing communication between the Internet access facility and the wireless communication device when both are located within a pre-establish vicinity range,

b) communicating data to the wireless communication device over he Internet through the Internet access facility,

c) alternaltively establishing data communication with the wireless communication device by a compatible over-the-air network when the Internet access facility and the wireless communication device are disposed outside of the pre-established vicinity range, and

d) automatically switching messaging communication with said wireless communication device between the Internet and the over-the-air network dependent at least on said wireless communication device being inside or outside said pre-established vicinity range relative to the Internet access facility.

12. A method as recited in claim 11 comprising establishing at least two-way messaging with the wireless communication device over the Internet through the Internet access facility.

13. A method as recited in claim 12 comprising establishing at least one-way messaging with said wireless communication device by the over-the-air network.

14. A method as recited in claim 11 comprising conducting a scan by at least one of the wireless communication device or Internet access facility for the other to establish communication therebetween when both are within the pre-established vicinity range.

15. A method as recited in claim 11 comprising configuring either the wireless communication device or the Internet access facility to selectively regulate time and/or content of messaging data to the wireless communication device.

16. A hybrid communication system for wireless data communication said system comprising:

a) a wireless communication device including a unique identifier and capable of conducting data communication through an over-the-air network,

b) a computer configured for computerized network access,

c) a transceiver assembly operative on a short range communication standard and structured to interconnect said wireless communication device and a computer facility to establish data communication therewith,

d) said transceiver assembly including a first transceiver connected to said computer and at least a second transceiver connected to said wireless communication device and an auto-switching capability responsive to pre-determined parameters,

e) said auto-switching capability being determinative of data communication with said wireless communication device either over the computerized network through said computer facility or by the over-the-air network dependent on the establishment of said predetermined parameters,

f) at least one of said predetermined parameters comprising a pre-established vicinity range, and

g) said wireless communication device comprising a pager assembly including multi-line communication capabilities operable on at least two independent frequency ranges.

17. A system as recited in claim 16 wherein said first and second transceivers are operative to at least establish data communication between said computer facility and said pager assembly within said pre-established vicinity range.

18. A system as recited in claim 17, wherein said pager assembly is operative to establish data communication by said over-the-air network outside of said pre-established vicinity range.

19. A system as recited in claim 18 wherein said auto-switching capability is responsive to said pre-established vicinity range to automatically establish at least two way messaging between said pager assembly and said computer facility when said pager assembly is within pre-established said vicinity range.

20. A system as recited in claim 18 wherein said auto-switching capability is responsive to said pre-established vicinity range to automatically establish at least one-way messaging with said over-the-air network when said pager assembly is outside said vicinity range.

21. A system as recited in claim 20 wherein said auto-switching switching capability is responsive to said pre-established vicinity range to automatically establish at least two-way messaging between said pager assembly and said computer when said pager assembly is within said vicinity range.

22. A system as recited in claim 21, wherein said auto switching capability is structured to automatically switch said pager assembly from data communication through said over-the-air network, when said pager assembly is outside said vicinity range to data communication with said computer facility, when said pager assembly is within said vicinity range.

23. A system as recited in claim 22 wherein said pager assembly comprises an alphanumeric pager.

24. A hybrid communication system for wireless data communication said system comprising:

a) a wireless communication device including a unique identifier and capable of conducting data communication through an over-the-air network,

b) a computer configured for computerized network access,

c) a transceiver assembly operative on a short range communication standard and structured to interconnect said wireless communication device a computer facility to establish data communication therewith,

d) said transceiver assembly including a first transceiver connected to said computer and at least a second transceiver connected to said wireless communication device and an auto-switching capability responsive to pre-determined parameters,

e) said auto-switching capability being determinative of data communication with said wireless communication device either over the computerized network through said computer facility or by the over-the-air network dependent on the establishment of said predetermined parameters,

f) at least one of said predetermined parameters comprising a pre-established vicinity range, and

g) said transceiver assembly including a scanning capability, said scanning capability structured to provide continuous searching by at least one of said first or second transceivers for the other of said transceivers and establish communication there between when said wireless communication device is within said pre-established vicinity range.

25. A system as recited in claim 24 wherein said pre-established vicinity range defines at least one of said predetermined parameters.

26. A system as recited in claim 25 wherein said pre-established vicinity range comprises at least 100 meters.

27. A hybrid communication system for wireless data communication said system comprising:

a) a wireless communication device including a unique identifier and capable of conducting data communication through an over-the-air network,

b) a computer configured for computerized network access,

c) a transceiver assembly operative on a short range communication standard structured to interconnect said wireless communication device a computer facility to establish data communication therewith,

d) said transceiver assembly including a first transceiver connected to said computer and at least a second transceiver connected to said wireless communication device and an auto-switching capability responsive to pre-determined parameters,

e) said auto-switching capability being determinative of data communication with said wireless communication device either over the computerized network through said computer facility or by the over-the-air network dependent on the establishment of said predetermined parameters,

f) at least one of said predetermined parameters comprising a preestablished vicinity range, and

g) said transceiver assembly including selective configuration capability responsive to said first and second transceivers being located within said pre-established vicinity range;

said system structured to instruct said over the air network to regulate transmission of data to said wireless communication device.

28. A system as recited in claim 27 wherein said over-the-air network is responsive to selective storage of all data to said wireless communication device and/or transmit data to said wireless communication device within a selectable time window.

29. A system as recited in claim 28 wherein modification of said selective configuration capability is performed through said wireless communication device.

30. A system as recited in claim 29 wherein modification of said selective configuration capability is performed through said computer.