Integrating wireless local loop networks with cellular networks

• US 6,909,705 B1
• Filed: 11/02/2000
• Issued: 06/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cellco Partnership, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cellco Partnership, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Lee, Jau Young, Lee, William C. Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jung, Min
• Application Number:
  US09/705,556
• Time in Patent Office: 1,692 Days
• Field of Search: 370/328, 370/329, 370/331, 370/338, 370/465, 455/552.1, 455/553.1, 455/554.2, 455/556.1, 455/556.2
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/1446 wherein at least one of the networks is unlicensed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• 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

Bluetooth networks, also known as wireless local loop, are integrated with cellular networks, so that the two networks can inter-operate with devices enabled for both types of networks.

Claims

1. A system for wireless communications, comprising:

(a) a cellular network;

(b) a wireless local loop network connected to the cellular network; and

(b) a dual-enabled device enabled to operate on both the wireless local network and the cellular network, wherein the device uses the wireless local loop network for communications, if available, and otherwise uses the cellular network for communications, and wherein the dual-enabled device can ricochet data within the wireless local loop network to relay data for at least one device that is not cellular-enabled.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein a gateway connects the wireless local loop network to the cellular network.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless local loop network includes at least one master device that can communicate wirelessly with at least one slave device.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the master and slave devices of the wireless local loop network form a logical connection, virtual local area network (LAN).

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the master device is cellular-enabled, so that it can communicate with the cellular network.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the slave device is cellular-enabled, so that it can communicate with the cellular network.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein master or slave devices that are cellular-enabled can relay data for another master device or for slave devices that are not cellular-enabled.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless local loop network comprises a preferred network in areas where both the wireless local loop and the cellular network are available or where just the wireless local loop is available.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for performing handoffs of the dual-enabled device between the wireless local loop network and the cellular network.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the dual-enabled device further comprises means for performing a discovery and/or registration process to identify whether to use either the wireless local loop network or the cellular network.

11. A device for wireless communications, comprising a dual-enabled device enabled to operate on both a wireless local network and a cellular network, wherein the device uses the wireless local loop network for communications, if available, and otherwise uses the cellular network for communications, and wherein the dual-enabled device can ricochet data within the wireless local loop network to relay data for at least one device that is not cellular-enabled.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein a gateway connects the wireless local loop network to the cellular network.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the wireless local loop network includes at least one master device that can communicate wirelessly with at least one slave device.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the master and slave devices of the wireless local loop network form a logical connection, virtual local area network (LAN).

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the master device is cellular-enabled, so that it can communicate with the cellular network.

16. The device of claim 13, wherein the slave device is cellular-enabled, so that it can communicate with the cellular network.

17. The device of claim 13, wherein master or slave devices that are cellular-enabled can relay data for another master device or for slave devices that are not cellular-enabled.

18. The device of claim 11, wherein the wireless local loop network comprises a preferred network in areas where both the wireless local loop and the cellular network are available or where just the wireless local loop is available.

19. The device of claim 11, further comprising means for performing handoffs of the dual-enabled device between the wireless local loop network and the cellular network.

20. The device of claim 11, further comprising means for performing a discovery and/or registration process to identify whether to use either the wireless local loop network or the cellular network.