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

• US 7,848,316 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2009
• Issued: 12/07/2010
• 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): Chou; Albert T
• Application Number:
  US12/638,386
• Publication Number:
  US 20100142503A1
• Time in Patent Office: 357 Days
• Field of Search: 370/353
• US Class Current: 370/353
• 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 provisions 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 packet voice processing circuit comprising:

an interface for receiving voice data packets via a packet network, each of the voice data packets comprising digital voice data and non-voice data associated with the digital voice data;

a queue for storing the digital voice data;

a processor for detecting a change in speech activity at the sender of the voice data packets; and

wherein the processor stops the processing of queued digital voice data for a predetermined amount of time upon detecting, using the non-voice data associated with the queued digital voice data, that the next queued digital voice data for processing begins active speech following a period of time lacking speech activity at the sender of the voice data packets,

the processor continuing processing of queued digital voice data, otherwise.

2. The circuit of claim 1 wherein the packet network is a wired network.

3. The circuit of claim 2 wherein the wired network comprises an Ethernet compatible network.

4. The circuit of claim 1 wherein the packet network is a wireless network.

5. The circuit of claim 4 wherein the wireless network communicates at approximately 2.4 GHz.

6. The circuit of claim 4 wherein the wireless network communicates using a frequency hopping spread spectrum technique.

7. The circuit of claim 4 wherein the wireless network communicates using a direct sequence spread spectrum technique.

8. The circuit of claim 1 wherein the packet network uses an Internet protocol (IP).

9. The circuit of claim 8 wherein the Internet protocol is the transmission control protocol (TCP)/Internet protocol (IP).

10. The circuit of claim 1 wherein stopping the processing of digital voice data comprises delaying the conversion of queued digital voice data by an adjustable queuing time.

11. The circuit of claim 10 wherein the adjustable queuing time is a function of a propagation delay of the packet network.

12. The circuit of claim 10 wherein the adjustable queuing time is initialized to a predefined value.

13. The circuit of claim 12 wherein the predefined value is approximately 200 milliseconds.

14. The circuit of claim 10 wherein the adjustable queuing time is determined using a test packet sent over the packet network.

15. The circuit of claim 14 wherein the test packet is sent prior to establishment of voice communication.

16. The circuit of claim 14 wherein the test packet is interspersed with digital voice data packets.

17. The circuit of claim 1 wherein the non-voice data associated with the digital voice data comprises a group identifier.

18. The circuit of claim 17 wherein the group identifier is a pseudo random number.

19. The circuit of claim 1 further comprising a converter for converting digital voice data to an analog voice stream.

20. A packet voice processing circuit comprising:

a processor for processing voice to detect a lack of voice activity for at least a predefined period of time;

an interface for transmitting voice data packets via a packet network, each of the voice data packets comprising digital voice data and non-voice data associated with the digital voice data; and

the processor setting the associated non-voice data of a voice data packet having digital voice data that begins active speech following a period of time lacking voice activity for at least the predefined period of time, the setting arranged to signal the start of voice activity to a receiver of the voice data packet, to enable the receiver of the voice data packet to inhibit processing of the digital voice data for a predetermined amount of time.

21. The circuit of claim 20 wherein the packet network is a wired network.

22. The circuit of claim 21 wherein the wired network comprises an Ethernet compatible network.

23. The circuit of claim 20 wherein the packet network is a wireless network.

24. The circuit of claim 23 wherein the wireless network communicates at approximately 2.4 GHz.

25. The circuit of claim 23 wherein the wireless network communicates using a frequency hopping spread spectrum technique.

26. The circuit of claim 23 wherein the wireless network communicates using a direct sequence spread spectrum technique.

27. The circuit of claim 20 wherein the packet network uses an Internet protocol (IP).

28. The circuit of claim 27 wherein the Internet protocol is the transmission control protocol (TCP)/Internet protocol (IP).

29. The circuit of claim 20 wherein the predefined period of time is approximately 1 (one) second.

30. The circuit of claim 20 wherein the non-voice data associated with the digital voice data comprises a group identifier.

31. The circuit of claim 30 wherein the group identifier is a pseudo-random number.

32. The circuit of claim 20 further comprising a converter for converting an analog voice stream to digital voice data.

33. A method of processing voice packets received over a packet network, the method comprising:

receiving, at a communication device, digital voice data packets communicated via the packet network, each of the digital voice data packets comprising digital voice data and non-voice data associated with the digital voice data;

queuing the digital voice data from the received digital voice data packets;

monitoring the non-voice data associated with the queued digital voice data to detect whether the next queued digital voice data for processing begins active speech following a period of time lacking speech activity at the sender of the voice data packets;

stopping the processing of queued digital voice data in the communication device for a predetermined amount of time, when the monitoring detects that the next queued digital voice data for processing begins active speech following a period of time lacking speech activity at the sender of the voice data packets; and

continuing processing of queued digital voice data, otherwise.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein the packet network is a wireless network.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein the wireless network communicates at approximately 2.4 GHz.

36. The method of claim 34 wherein the wireless network communicates using a frequency hopping spread spectrum technique.

37. The method of claim 34 wherein the wireless network communicates using a direct sequence spread spectrum technique.

38. The method of claim 33 wherein the packet network uses an Internet protocol (IP).

39. The method of claim 38 wherein the Internet protocol is the transmission control protocol (TCP)/Internet protocol (IP).

40. The method of claim 33 wherein stopping the processing of the queued digital voice data comprises delaying for an adjustable queuing time the processing of queued digital voice data.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein the adjustable queuing time is a function of a propagation delay of the packet network.

42. The method of claim 40 wherein the adjustable queuing time is initialized to a predefined value.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein the predefined value is approximately 200 milliseconds.

44. The method of claim 40 wherein the adjustable queuing time is determined using a test packet sent over the packet network.

45. The method of claim 44 wherein the test packet is sent prior to establishment of voice communication.

46. The method of claim 44 wherein the test packet is interspersed with digital voice data packets.

47. The method of claim 33 wherein the non-voice data associated with the digital voice data comprises a group identifier.

48. The method of claim 47 wherein the group identifier is a pseudo random number.

49. A method of processing voice for communication over a packet network, the method comprising:

monitoring voice in a communication device to detect a lack of voice activity for at least a predefined period of time;

setting non-voice data of a voice data packet comprising digital voice data that begins active speech following a lack of voice activity for at least the predefined period of time, the setting arranged to signal a start of voice activity to a receiver of the voice data packet, to enable the receiver of the voice data packet to inhibit processing of the digital voice data for a predetermined amount of time;

refraining from setting the non-voice data of the voice data packet to signal the start of voice activity to a receiver of the voice data packet, if a lack of voice for at least the predefined period of time is not detected;

packetizing the digital voice data and the associated non-voice data, in the communication device, to produce a digital voice data packet; and

transmitting the digital voice data packet via the packet network.

50. The method of claim 49 further comprising:

receiving a voice stream; and

digitizing the voice stream to provide digital voice data.

51. The method of claim 49 wherein the packet network is a wireless network.

52. The method of claim 51 wherein the wireless network communicates at approximately 2.4 GHz.

53. The method of claim 51 wherein the wireless network communicates using a frequency hopping spread spectrum technique.

54. The method of claim 51 wherein the wireless network communicates using a direct sequence spread spectrum technique.

55. The method of claim 49 wherein the packet network uses an Internet protocol (IP).

56. The method of claim 55 wherein the Internet protocol is the transmission control protocol (TCP)/Internet protocol (IP).

57. The method of claim 49 wherein the predetermined period of time is approximately one (1) second.

58. The method of claim 49 wherein the non-voice data of the voice data packet comprises a group identified.

59. The method of claim 58 wherein the group identifier is a pseudo-random number.

60. The method of claim 49 further comprising compressing the digital voice data.

61. A method of processing voice for communication over a packet network, the method comprising:

monitoring voice, in a communication device, to detect a lack of speech for at least a predefined period of time;

processing digital voice data and associated non-voice data, in the communication device, to produce digital voice packets for transmission via the packet network;

changing the processing of the digital voice data and the associated non-voice data, if a lack of speech for at least the predefined period of time is detected; and

refraining from changing the processing of the digital voice data and the associated non-voice data, otherwise.

62. The method of claim 61 wherein monitoring comprises identifying at least one difference between speech and background noise.

63. The method of claim 61 wherein the predefined period of time is approximately one (1) second.

64. The method of claim 61 further comprising:

receiving an analog voice stream; and

digitizing the analog voice stream to produce digital voice data.

65. The method of claim 61 wherein the packet network is a wireless network.

66. The method of claim 65 wherein the wireless network communicates at a frequency of approximately 2.4 gigahertz.

67. The method of claim 65 wherein the wireless network communicates using a frequency hopping spread spectrum technique.

68. The method of claim 65 wherein the wireless network communicates using a direct sequence spread spectrum technique.

69. The method of claim 61 wherein the packet network comprises a wired network.

70. The method of claim 61 wherein the packet network comprises an Ethernet compatible network.

71. The method of claim 61 wherein the packet network uses an Internet protocol (IP).

72. The method of claim 71 wherein the Internet protocol is the transmission control protocol (TCP)/Internet protocol (IP).

73. The method of claim 61 wherein the associated non-voice data comprises a group identifier.

74. The method of claim 73 wherein the group identifier is a pseudo-random number.

75. The method of claim 61 wherein changing the processing of digital voice data and the associated non-voice data comprises setting the non-voice data to signal a start of voice activity to a receiver of the digital voice packet, to enable the receiver of the digital voice packet to inhibit processing of the digital voice data for a predetermined amount of time.