Hierarchical data collection network supporting packetized voice communications among wireless terminals and telephones

• US 7,646,743 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2004
• Issued: 01/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Morris, Michael D., Kubler, Joseph J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sheikh; Ayaz R
• Assistant Examiner(s): Moutaouakil; Mounir
• Application Number:
  US10/783,477
• Publication Number:
  US 20040174842A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,153 Days
• Field of Search: 370/217, 370/218, 370/219, 370/238, 370/238.1, 370/310.1, 370/351, 370/352, 370/353, 370/354, 370/355, 370/356, 370/357, 370/389, 370/395.1, 370/395.72, 370/408, 370/419, 370/473, 370/474
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0225 User interface arrangements, e.g. keyboard, display; Interfaces to other computer systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10702 Particularities of propagating elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors G06K7/10831 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10841 Particularities of the light-sensitive elements semiconductor devices H01L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10851 Circuits for pulse shaping, amplifying, eliminating noise signals, checking the function of the sensing device basic electronic circuitry H03
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1098 the scanning arrangement having a modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/12 using a selected wavelength, e.g. to sense red marks and ignore blue marks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/343 Cards including a counter
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/02 by keys or other credit registering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0045 with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader
• CPC Class Codes: H03C 3/0908 using a phase locked loop
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/04 Circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/1615 Switching on; Switching off, e.g. remotely battery saving circuits associated with selective call operation H04W52/00; details of power consumption reduction in a PLL, H03L7/0802, H03L7/14, H03L2207/08, H03L2207/18; muting amplifiers by gain control see H03G3/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0802 using antenna selection H04B7/0868 takes precedence; antenna beam directivity switching H01Q3/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/10 Polarisation diversity; Directional diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0002 : by adapting the transmission rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0003 : by switching between different modulation schemes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0025 : Transmission of mode-switching indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0032 : Without explicit signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1671 : the supervisory signal being transmitted together with control information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1685 : the supervisory signal being transmitted in response to a specific request, e.g. to a polling signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/12 : Modulator circuits; Transmitter circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/14 : Demodulator circuits; Receiver circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/156 : with demodulation using temporal properties of the received signal, e.g. detecting pulse width
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/00 : Routing or path finding of packets in data switching networks routing or path finding in wireless networks H04W40/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/48 : Routing tree calculation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 : Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/103 : in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/104 : in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 : Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1083 : In-session procedures
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1095 : Inter-network session transfer or sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 : Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 : Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/32 : Architecture of open systems interconnection [OSI] 7-layer type protocol stacks, e.g. the interfaces between the data link level and the physical level
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 : Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 : adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/14 : including a card reading device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 : Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/14 : using intermediate storage
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 : Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/00 : Communication routing or communication path finding
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 : Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 : Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0261 : managing power supply demand, e.g. depending on battery level
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/04 : TPC
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/38 : TPC being performed in particular situations
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/46 : in multi hop networks, e.g. wireless relay networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/12 : Wireless traffic scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 : Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 : Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/22 : Manipulation of transport tunnels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 : Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/10 : Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 : Gateway arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 : Inter-networking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A packet-based, hierarchical communication system, arranged in a spanning tree configuration, is described in which wired and wireless communication networks exhibiting substantially different characteristics are employed in an overall scheme to link portable or mobile computing devices. The network accommodates real time voice transmission both through dedicated, scheduled bandwidth and through a packet-based routing within the confines and constraints of a data network. Conversion and call processing circuitry is also disclosed which enables access devices and personal computers to adapt voice information between analog voice stream and digital voice packet formats as proves necessary. Routing pathways include wireless spanning tree networks, wide area networks, telephone switching networks, internet, etc., in a manner virtually transparent to the user. A voice session and associate call setup simulates that of conventional telephone switching network, providing well-understood functionality common to any mobile, remote or stationary terminal, phone, computer, etc.

Claims

1. A system supporting voice communication via a packet network, the system comprising:

at least one processor operable to receive, via the packet network, a message requesting setup of a voice call, the message comprising a destination address;

the at least one processor operable to send, via a conventional telephone switching network link, signals based upon the destination address requesting setup of the voice call;

the at least one processor operable to receive, via the conventional telephone switching network link, signals representing call status;

the at least one processor operable to establish communication of signals representative of voice between the packet network and the conventional telephone switching network link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is received; and

the at least one processor operable to refrain from establishing communication of signals representative of voice between the packet network and the conventional telephone switching network link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is not received.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the destination address comprises one of an Internet protocol (IP) address and a telephone number.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the conventional telephone switching network link is an analog communication link.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the signals representative of voice comprise modem signals.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the call status represents one of a busy condition, a ringing condition, and connection established condition.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the establishing comprises converting information received from the packet network for transmission via the conventional telephone switching network link, and converting information received from the conventional telephone switching network link for transmission via the packet network.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein converting information received from the conventional telephone switching network link comprises:

determining voice activity based upon the information received from the conventional telephone switching network link;

reducing the quantity of information transmitted via the packet network, if voice activity is determined to be below a predetermined level; and

refraining from reducing the quantity of information transmitted via the packet network, if voice activity is determined not to be below the predetermined level.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein the establishing comprises converting analog representations of voice signals to digital representations of voice signals, and converting digital representations of voice signals to analog representations of voice signals.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the converting digital representations of voice signals to analog representations of voice signals comprises buffering the digital representations for a period of time in order to minimize gaps in the resulting analog representation caused by changes in a propagation delay.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein establishing voice communication comprises establishing communication of data.

11. A method of operating a communication system supporting voice communication via a packet network, the method comprising:

receiving, via the packet network, a message requesting setup of a voice call, the message comprising a destination address;

sending, via a conventional telephone switching network link, signals based upon the destination address requesting setup of the voice call;

receiving, via the conventional telephone switching network link, signals representing call status;

establishing communication of signals representative of voice between the packet network and the conventional telephone switching network link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is received; and

refraining from establishing communication of signals representative of voice between the packet network and the conventional telephone switching network link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is not received.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the destination address comprises one of an Internet protocol (IP) address and a telephone number.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the conventional telephone switching network link is an analog communication link.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the signals representative of voice comprise modem signals.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the call status represents one of a busy condition, a ringing condition, and connection established condition.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the establishing comprises converting information received from the packet network for transmission via the conventional telephone switching network link, and converting information received from the conventional telephone switching network link for transmission via the packet network.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein converting information received from the conventional telephone switching network link comprises:

determining voice activity based upon the information received from the conventional telephone switching network link;

reducing the quantity of information transmitted via the packet network, if voice activity is determined to be below a predetermined level; and

refraining from reducing the quantity of information transmitted via the packet network, if voice activity is determined not to be below the predetermined level.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the establishing comprises converting analog representations of voice signals to digital representations of voice signals, and converting digital representations of voice signals to analog representations of voice signals.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the converting digital representations of voice signals to analog representations of voice signals comprises buffering the digital representations for a period of time in order to minimize gaps in the resulting analog representation caused by changes in a propagation delay.

20. The method of claim 11 wherein establishing voice communication comprises establishing communication of data.

21. A system supporting voice communication via a packet network, the system comprising:

at least one processor operable to receive, via a conventional telephone switching network link, an indication of an incoming voice call;

the at least one processor operable to accept, via the conventional telephone switching network link, a destination address;

the at least one processor operable to identify a packet network address based upon the destination address;

the at least one processor operable to send, via the packet network using the identified packet network address, a message requesting setup of the voice call;

the at least one processor operable to receive, via the packet network, a message indicating call status;

the at least one processor operable to establish voice communication between the packet network and the conventional telephone switching network link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is received; and

the at least one processor operable to refrain from establishing voice communication between the packet network and the conventional telephone switching network link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is not received.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the conventional telephone switching network link is an analog communication link.

23. The system of claim 21 wherein the call status represents one of a busy condition, a ringing condition, and connection established condition.

24. The system of claim 21 wherein establishing comprises converting information received from the packet network for transmission via the conventional telephone switching network link, and converting information received from the conventional telephone switching network link for transmission via the packet network.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein converting information received from the conventional telephone switching network link comprises:

determining voice activity based upon the information received from the conventional switched circuit network link;

reducing the quantity of information transmitted via the packet network, if voice activity is determined to be below a predetermined level; and

refraining from reducing the quantity of information transmitted via the packet network, if voice activity is determined not to be below the predetermined level.

26. The system of claim 21 wherein establishing comprises converting analog representations of voice signals to digital representations of voice signals, and converting digital representations of voice signals to analog representations of voice signals.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the converting digital representations of voice signals to analog representations of voice signals comprises buffering the digital representations for a period of time in order to minimize gaps in the resulting analog representation caused by changes in a propagation delay.

28. The system of claim 21 wherein establishing voice communication comprises establishing communication of data.

29. A method of operating a communication system supporting voice communication via a packet network, the method comprising:

receiving, via a conventional telephone switching network link, an indication of an incoming voice call;

accepting, via the conventional telephone switching network link, a destination address;

identifying a packet network address based upon the destination address;

sending, via the packet network using the identified packet network address, a message requesting setup of the voice call;

receiving, via the packet network, a message indicating call status;

establishing voice communication between the packet network and the conventional telephone switching network link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is received; and

refraining from establishing voice communication between the packet network and the conventional telephone switching network link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is not received.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the conventional telephone switching network link is an analog communication link.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein the call status represents one of a busy condition, a ringing condition, and connection established condition.

32. The method of claim 29 wherein establishing comprises converting information received from the packet network for transmission via the conventional telephone switching network link, and converting information received from the conventional telephone switching network link for transmission via the packet network.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein converting information received from the conventional telephone switching network link comprises:

determining voice activity based upon the information received from the conventional switched circuit network link;

reducing the quantity of information transmitted via the packet network, if voice activity is determined to be below a predetermined level; and

refraining from reducing the quantity of information transmitted via the packet network, if voice activity is determined not to be below the predetermined level.

34. The method of claim 29 wherein establishing comprises converting analog representations of voice signals to digital representations of voice signals, and converting digital representations of voice signals to analog representations of voice signals.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein the converting digital representations of voice signals to analog representations of voice signals comprises buffering the digital representations for a period of time in order to minimize gaps in the resulting analog representation caused by changes in a propagation delay.

36. The method of claim 29 wherein establishing voice communication comprises establishing communication of data.

37. At least one circuit for use in a telephony device, the at least one circuit operational to, at least:

send a message requesting setup of a voice call to a communication system via a packet network, the message comprising a destination address and information to cause the communication system to, at least;

send, via a conventional telephone switching network link, at least one signal based upon the destination address requesting setup of the voice call;

receive, via the conventional telephone switching network link, at least one signal representing call status;

establish communication of signals representative of voice between the packet network and the conventional telephone switching network link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is received; and

refrain from establishing communication of signals representative of voice between the packet network and the conventional telephone switching network link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is not received.

38. The at least one circuit of claim 37, where the destination address comprises at least one of an Internet protocol (IP) address and a telephone number.

39. The at least one circuit of claim 37, where the conventional telephone switching network link is an analog communication link.

40. The at least one circuit of claim 37, where the signals representative of voice comprise modem signals.

41. The at least one circuit of claim 37, where the call status represents one of:

a busy condition, a ringing condition, and connection established condition.

42. The at least one circuit of claim 37, where establishing communication of signals representative of voice comprises converting information received from the packet network for transmission via the conventional telephone switching network link, and converting information received from the conventional telephone switching network link for transmission via the packet network.

43. The at least one circuit of claim 42, where converting information received from the conventional telephone switching network link comprises:

determining voice activity based upon the information received from the conventional telephone switching network link;

reducing the quantity of information transmitted via the packet network, if voice activity is determined to be below a predetermined level; and

refraining from reducing the quantity of information transmitted via the packet network, if voice activity is determined not to be below the predetermined level.

44. The at least one circuit of claim 42, where establishing communication of signals representative of voice comprises converting analog representations of voice signals to digital representations of voice signals, and converting digital representations of voice signals to analog representations of voice signals.

45. The at least one circuit of claim 44, where converting digital representations of voice signals to analog representations of voice signals comprises buffering the digital representations for a period of time to minimize gaps in the resulting analog representation caused by changes in a propagation delay.

46. The at least one circuit of claim 37, where establishing communication of signals representative of voice comprises establishing communication of data.

47. A method for operating at least one circuit for use in a telephony device, the method comprising:

sending a message requesting setup of a voice call to a communication system via a packet network, the message comprising a destination address and information to cause the communication system to, at least;

send, via a conventional telephone switching network link, at least one signal based upon the destination address requesting setup of the voice call;

receive, via the conventional telephone switching network link, at least one signal representing call status;

establish communication of signals representative of voice between the packet network and the conventional telephone switching network link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is received; and

refrain from establishing communication of signals representative of voice between the packet network and the conventional telephone switching network link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is not received.

48. The method of claim 47, where the destination address comprises at least one of an Internet protocol (IP) address and a telephone number.

49. The method of claim 47, where the conventional telephone switching network link is an analog communication link.

50. The method of claim 47, where the signals representative of voice comprise modem signals.

51. The method of claim 47, where the call status represents one of:

a busy condition, a ringing condition, and connection established condition.

52. The method of claim 47, where establishing communication of signals representative of voice comprises converting information received from the packet network for transmission via the conventional telephone switching network link, and converting information received from the conventional telephone switching network link for transmission via the packet network.

53. The method of claim 52, where converting information received from the conventional telephone switching network link comprises:

determining voice activity based upon the information received from the conventional telephone switching circuit network link;

reducing the quantity of information transmitted via the packet network, if voice activity is determined to be below a predetermined level; and

refraining from reducing the quantity of information transmitted via the packet network, if voice activity is determined not to be below the predetermined level.

54. The method of claim 52, where establishing communication of signals representative of voice comprises converting analog representations of voice signals to digital representations of voice signals, and converting digital representations of voice signals to analog representations of voice signals.

55. The method of claim 54, where converting digital representations of voice signals to analog representations of voice signals comprises buffering the digital representations for a period of time to minimize gaps in the resulting analog representation caused by changes in a propagation delay.

56. The method of claim 47, where establishing communication of signals representative of voice comprises establishing communication of data.

57. At least one circuit for use in a telephony device, the at least one circuit operational to, at least:

receive at least one message requesting setup of a voice call from a communication system via a packet network, the received at least one message indicative of;

the communication system receiving an indication of an incoming voice call and a destination address via a conventional telephone switching network link, and the communication system identifying a packet network address for the telephony device based upon the destination address; and

send at least one message indicating at least call status to the communication system via the packet network, the sent message to cause the communication system to;

establish voice communication between the packet network and the conventional telephone switching network link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is received; and

refrain from establishing voice communication between the packet network and the conventional telephone switching network link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is not received.

58. The at least one circuit of claim 57, where the conventional telephone switching network link is an analog communication link.

59. The at least one circuit of claim 57. where the call status represents one of:

a busy condition, a ringing condition, and connection established condition.

60. The at least one circuit of claim 57, where establishing voice communication between the packet network and the conventional telephone switching network link comprises converting information received from the packet network for transmission via the conventional telephone switching network link, and converting information received from the conventional telephone switching network link for transmission via the packet network.

61. The at least one circuit of claim 60, where converting information received from the conventional telephone switching network link comprises:

determining voice activity based upon the information received from the conventional telephone switching network link;

reducing the quantity of information transmitted via the packet network, if voice activity is determined to be below a predetermined level; and

refraining from reducing the quantity of information transmitted via the packet network, if voice activity is determined not to be below the predetermined level.

62. The at least one circuit of claim 57, where establishing voice communication between the packet network and the conventional telephone switching network link comprises converting analog representations of voice signals to digital representations of voice signals, and converting digital representations of voice signals to analog representations of voice signals.

63. The at least one circuit of claim 62, where converting digital representations of voice signals to analog representations of voice signals comprises buffering the digital representations for a period of time to minimize gaps in the resulting analog representation caused by changes in a propagation delay.

64. The at least one circuit of claim 57, where establishing voice communication between the packet network and the conventional telephone switching network link comprises establishing communication of data.

65. A method for operating at least one circuit for use in a telephony device, the method comprising:

receiving a message requesting setup of a voice call from a communication system via a packet network, the received message indicative of;

the communication system receiving an indication of an incoming voice call and a destination address, and the communication system identifying a packet network address for the telephony device based upon the destination address; and

sending a message indicating call status to the communication system via the packet network, the sent message to cause the communication system to;

establish voice communication between the packet network and the conventional telephone switching network link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is received; and

refrain from establishing voice communication between the packet network and the conventional telephone switching network link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is not received.

66. The method of claim 65, where the conventional telephone switching network link is an analog communication link.

67. The method of claim 65, where the call status represents one of:

a busy condition, a ringing condition, and connection established condition.

68. The method of claim 65, where establishing voice communication between the packet network and the conventional telephone switching network link comprises converting information received from the packet network for transmission via the conventional telephone switching network link, and converting information received from the conventional telephone switching network link for transmission via the packet network.

69. The method of claim 68, where converting information received from the conventional telephone switching network link comprises:

determining voice activity based upon the information received from the conventional telephone switching network link;

reducing the quantity of information transmitted via the packet network, if voice activity is determined to be below a predetermined level; and

refraining from reducing the quantity of information transmitted via the packet network, if voice activity is determined not to be below the predetermined level.

70. The method of claim 65, where establishing voice communication between the packet network and the conventional telephone switching network link comprises converting analog representations of voice signals to digital representations of voice signals, and converting digital representations of voice signals to analog representations of voice signals.

71. The method of claim 70, where converting digital representations of voice signals to analog representations of voice signals comprises buffering the digital representations for a period of time to minimize gaps in the resulting analog representation caused by changes in a propagation delay.

72. The method of claim 65, where establishing voice communication between the packet network and the conventional telephone switching network link comprises establishing communication of data.