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

• US 8,228,879 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2008
• Issued: 07/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kubler, Joseph J., Morris, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phillips, Hassan
• Assistant Examiner(s): JONES, PRENELL P
• Application Number:
  US12/141,505
• Publication Number:
  US 20090022304A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,497 Days
• Field of Search: 370351-353, 370/338, 370/400, 370/401, 379/229
• US Class Current: 370/338
• 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 signal transmission system, comprising:

at least one processor operably coupled to memory internal or external to the at least one processor, the memory having stored therein instructions executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to, at least;

accept an incoming call from a first communication link;

identify a call type of the incoming call, the call type comprising one of at least a data call, a facsimile call, and a voice call;

process the incoming call according to a data protocol, if the incoming call is identified as a data call;

process the incoming call according to a facsimile protocol, if the incoming call is identified as a facsimile call;

establish voice communication between the first communication link and a second communication link, if the incoming call is identified as a voice call; and

wherein establishing voice communication comprises determining a destination of the incoming voice call, converting analog representations of voice signals to digital representations of the voice signals, and ascertaining whether exchanging voice information with the destination of the incoming call involves packetization and depacketization of voice information, and

wherein converting analog representations of the voice signals to digital representations of the voice signals comprises determining voice activity based upon the voice signals from the second communication link and reducing the quantity of information transmitted via the first communication link, if voice activity is determined to be below a predetermined level.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first communication link is a conventional telephone switching network link.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the first communication link is an analog link.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the identifying comprises:

assigning the incoming call a call type of facsimile call, if signals received via the first communication link are compliant with a facsimile modem standard;

assigning the incoming call a call type of data call, if the signals received via the first communication link are compliant with a data modem standard; and

assigning the incoming call a call type of voice call, if the signals received via the first communication link are not compliant with a data modem standard and the signals received via the first communication link are not compliant with a facsimile modem standard.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the establishing voice communication between the first communication link and the second communication link further comprises:

converting digital representations of the voice signals to analog representations of the voice signals.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the second communication link is compatible with a conventional telephone.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein the converting digital representations of the voice signals to analog representations of the 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.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein converting analog representations of the voice signals to digital representations of the voice signals further comprises:

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

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the processing the incoming call according to a data protocol comprises:

determining whether the incoming call is a packet voice call;

establishing voice communication between the first communication link and the second communication link, if the incoming call is a packet voice call and a destination of the incoming call is the second communication link;

establishing voice communication between the first communication link and a packet network, if the incoming call is a packet voice call and the destination of the incoming call is not the second communication link; and

exchanging data, via the first communication link, if the incoming call is not a packet voice call.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the voice packets are packetized according to an Internet protocol (IP).

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the Internet protocol (IP) is the transmission control protocol (TCP)/Internet protocol (IP).

12. The system of claim 9 wherein the establishing voice communication between the first communication link and the second communication link comprises:

delivering a ring signal via the second communication link;

detecting whether an off-hook condition exists on the second communication link;

sending, via the first communication link, an indication of call connection, if an off-hook condition is detected on the second communication link; and

refraining from sending, via the first communication link, an indication of call connection, if an off-hook condition is not detected on the second communication link.

13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, having stored thereon a computer program having a plurality of code sections for implementing a signal transmission system, the code sections executable by a processor for causing the processor to perform the operations comprising:

accepting an incoming call from a first communication link;

identifying a call type of the incoming call, the call type comprising one of at least a data call, a facsimile call, and a voice call;

processing the incoming call according to a data protocol, if the incoming call is identified as a data call;

processing the incoming call according to a facsimile protocol, if the incoming call is identified as a facsimile call;

establishing voice communication between the first communication link and a second communication link, if the incoming call is identified as a voice call; and

wherein establishing voice communication comprises determining a destination of the incoming voice call, converting analog representations of voice signals to digital representations of the voice signals, and ascertaining whether exchanging voice information with the destination of the incoming call involves packetization and depacketization of voice information, and

wherein converting analog representations of the voice signals to digital representations of the voice signals comprises determining voice activity based upon the voice signals from the second communication link and reducing the quantity of information transmitted via the first communication link, if voice activity is determined to be below a predetermined level.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13 wherein the first communication link is a conventional telephone switching network link.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14 wherein the first communication link is an analog link.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13 wherein the identifying comprises:

assigning the incoming call a call type of facsimile call, if signals received via the first communication link are compliant with a facsimile modem standard;

assigning the incoming call a call type of data call, if the signals received via the first communication link are compliant with a data modem standard; and

assigning the incoming call a call type of voice call, if the signals received via the first communication link are not compliant with a data modem standard and the signals received via the first communication link are not compliant with a facsimile modem standard.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13 wherein the establishing voice communication between the first communication link and the second communication link further comprises:

converting digital representations of the voice signals to analog representations of the voice signals.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 wherein the second communication link is compatible with a conventional telephone.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 wherein the converting digital representations of the voice signals to analog representations of the 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 non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 wherein converting analog representations of the voice signals to digital representations of the voice signals further comprises:

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

21. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13 wherein the processing the incoming call according to a data protocol comprises:

determining whether the incoming call is a packet voice call;

establishing voice communication between the first communication link and the second communication link, if the incoming call is a packet voice call and a destination of the incoming call is the second communication link;

establishing voice communication between the first communication link and a packet network, if the incoming call is a packet voice call and the destination of the incoming call is not the second communication link; and

exchanging data, via the first communication link, if the incoming call is not a packet voice call.

22. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 21 wherein the voice packets are packetized according to an Internet protocol (IP).

23. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 22 wherein the Internet protocol (IP) is the transmission control protocol (TCP)/Internet protocol (IP).

24. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein the establishing voice communication between the first communication link and the second communication link comprises:

delivering a ring signal via the second communication link;

detecting whether an off-hook condition exists on the second communication link;

sending, via the first communication link, an indication of call connection, if an off-hook condition is detected on the second communication link; and

refraining from sending, via the first communication link, an indication of call connection, if an off-hook condition is not detected on the second communication link.