Multi-function interface for connectivity between a communication device and a host

• US 6,886,049 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2001
• Issued: 04/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rolling Wireless SA RL
• Original Assignee: Sierra Wireless Incorporated
• Inventors: Wong, Carl
• Primary Examiner(s): ELAMIN, ABDELMONIEM I
• Application Number:
  US09/764,164
• Publication Number:
  US 20020095530A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,561 Days
• Field of Search: 710/2, 710/8, 710/300, 710/315, 710/62, 709/219, 455/557
• US Class Current: 710/8
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0811 by checking connectivity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning

Abstract

A multi-function interface which allows connectivity between a communication device and a host is provided. The multi-function interface includes a plurality of logical devices which provide connectivity between the communication device and the host. The communication device transmits data and updates the host simultaneously using the plurality of logical devices which are associated with the peripheral device. The plurality of logical devices includes a communication port and status port. The communication port allows for the transmission of data between the host and the communication device. The status port updates the host with real-time status information as the communication device is transmitting data to the host.

Claims

1. A multi-function interface for interfacing a wireless modem with a host, the multi-function interface including a plurality of logical devices associated with the wireless modem such that the plurality of logical devices provide connectivity between the wireless modem and the host, wherein the plurality of logical devices includes a first logical device for providing both Internet Protocol (IP)-based and non-IP-based communication capabilities between the wireless modem and the host, and the plurality of logical devices includes a second logical device for providing real-time status information of the wireless modem to the host during operation.

2. A multi-function interface as recited in claim 1, wherein the first logical device is a communication port.

3. A multi-function interface as recited in claim 2, wherein the second logical device is a status port.

4. A multi-function interface as recited in claim 3, wherein the status port provides the real-time status information as the wireless modem is on-line.

5. A multi-function interface as recited in claim 1, wherein the wireless modem is a personal communication memory card international association (PCMCIA) card.

6. A multi-function interface as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of logical devices are configured using a field programmable gate array (FPGA) such that two communication port capabilities are provided.

7. A wireless modem which communicates with a host, the wireless modem including a plurality of logical devices associated with the wireless modem, where the plurality of logical devices provide connectivity to the host, and where at least one of the logical device accommodate both Internet Protocol (IP)-based and non-IP-based communications between the wireless modem and the host.

8. A wireless modem as recited in claim 7, wherein the plurality of logical devices includes a first logical device associated with the wireless modem.

9. A wireless modem as recited in claim 8, wherein the first logical device provides a status port between the wireless modem and the host.

10. A wireless modem as recited in claim 9, wherein the status port allows the wireless modem to provide real-time status information of the wireless modem to the host.

11. A wireless modem as recited in claim 10, wherein the real-time status information of the wireless modem includes the signal strength of radio frequency signals being received by the wireless modem.

12. A wireless modem as recited in claim 10, wherein the real-time status information of the wireless modem includes the temperature of the wireless modem as the wireless modem communicates with other communication devices.

13. A wireless modem as recited in claim 8, wherein the plurality of logical devices includes a second logical device associated with the wireless modem.

14. A wireless modem as recited in claim 13, wherein the second logical device provides a communication port between the wireless modem and the host.

15. A wireless modem as recited in claim 14, wherein the communication port allows the wireless modem to transmit data from the host to another communication device.

16. A wireless modem as recited in claim 13, wherein the first logical device and the second logical device communicate simultaneously with the host.

17. A wireless modem as recited in claim 13, wherein the second logical device transmits IP based and non-IP based applications.

18. A multi-function interface which provides connectivity between a wireless communication device and a computing device, where connectivity is established using a plurality of logical devices associated with the wireless communication device, the multi-function interface comprising:

a communication port, the communication port being one of the plurality of logical devices, the communication port transmitting both Internet Protocol (IP)-based and non-IP-based data between the wireless communication device and the computing device; and

a status port, the status port being one of the plurality of logical devices, the status port providing real-time status information of the wireless communication devise when the communication port transmits data.

19. A multi-function interface as recited in claim 18, wherein the communication port is configured using a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

20. A multi-function interface as recited in claim 18, wherein the status port is configured using a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

21. A multi-function interface as recited in claim 18, wherein the communication port and the status port communicate with the host simultaneously.

22. A multi-function interface as recited in claim 18, wherein the wireless communication device is a wireless modem.

23. A multi-function interface as interface as recited in claim 22, wherein the real-time status information includes a signal strength of radio frequency signals being received by the wireless modem as the data is transmitted between the wireless modem and the host.

24. A multi-function interface as recited in claim 22, wherein the real-time status information includes informing the host if the wireless modem is maintaining a signal with a network during data transmission.

25. A wireless communication device in communication with a computing device, where connectivity between the wireless communication device and the computing device is established with a plurality of logical devices, the wireless communication device comprising:

a communication port, the communication port being a logical device of the plurality of logical devices, where the communication port is capable of transmitting both Internet Protocol (IP)-based and non-IP-based data between the wireless communication device and the computing device; and

a status port, the status port being another logical device of the plurality of logical devices, where the status port provides real-time status information to the computing device as the communication port transmits data between the wireless communication device and the computing device.

26. A wireless communication device as recited in claim 25, wherein the wireless communication device is a personal computer memory card international association (PCMCIA) card.

27. A wireless communication device as recited in claim 25, wherein the wireless communication device is a wireless modem.

28. A wireless communication device as recited in claim 25, wherein the real-time status information includes a temperature of the wireless modem.

29. A wireless communication device as recited in claim 25, wherein the real-time status information includes a signal strength of radio frequency signals being received by the wireless modem as the wireless modem transmits the data.

30. A wireless communication device as recited in claim 25, wherein the communication port and the status port simultaneously communicate with the host.

31. A wireless communication device as recited in claim 25, wherein a field programmable gate array (FPGA) is used to configure the communication port.

32. A wireless communication device as recited in claim 25, wherein a field programmable gate array (FPGA) is used to configure the status port.

33. A multi-function interface for providing connectivity between a wireless network interface card (NIC) and a host computer, comprising:

a communication port configured to transmit either Internet Protocol (IP)-based or non-IP-based data between the wireless NIC and the host computer; and

a status port configured to provide status information to the host computer while the wireless NIC is transmitting data to a remote device.

34. The multi-function interface of claim 33 wherein the status port is further configured to provide status information to the host computer while the host computer communicates with the wireless NIC.

35. The multi-function interface of claim 33 wherein the status port is further configured to provide status information to the host computer while the wireless NIC is receiving data from the remote device.

36. The multi-function interface of claim 33 wherein the status port is further configured to provide status information to the host during a time when there is no wireless network connection between the wireless NIC and the remote device.

37. The multi-function interface of claim 36 wherein the status information comprises a connection status of the wireless network connection.

38. The multi-function interface of claim 36 wherein the status information comprises an operational condition of the wireless NIC.

39. The multi-function interface of claim 33 wherein the status information comprises a connection status of the wireless network connection between the remote device and the wireless NIC.

40. The multi-function interface of claim 39 wherein said status of the wireless network connection includes an indication of signal strength.

41. The multi-function interface of claim 33 wherein the status information comprises an operational condition of the wireless NIC.