Tiered wireless, multi-modal access system and method

• US 8,401,559 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2011
• Issued: 03/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mobile Data Off-Loading Inc. (Wi-LAN Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MLR, LLC
• Inventors: Leedom, Charles M. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, NHAN T
• Application Number:
  US13/323,119
• Publication Number:
  US 20120149364A1
• Time in Patent Office: 463 Days
• Field of Search: 455/432.1, 455/433, 455/436, 455/438, 455446-449, 455/524, 455/525, 455/552.1, 455/553.1
• US Class Current: 455/438
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/66 with means for preventing unauthorised or fraudulent calling verifying user identity or authority in secret or secure digital communications H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0268 using specific QoS parameters for wireless networks, e.g. QoS class identifier [QCI] or guaranteed bit rate [GBR] negotiating SLA or negotiating QoS H04W28/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0289 Congestion control load shedding arrangements in network planning H04W16/08; performing reselection for handling the traffic H04W36/22; wireless traffic scheduling H04W72/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/10 Flow control between communication endpoints
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0005 Control or signalling for completing the hand-off
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/18 for allowing seamless reselection, e.g. soft reselection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• 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 88/10 adapted for operation in multiple networks, e.g. multi-mode access points
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements

Abstract

A wireless, multi-modal access device and system adapted to integrate a number of communications networks operating in differing communication modes. to facilitate transfer of communication links during a communication session to promote efficient use of the communication networks. The system includes a plurality of Universal Multi-Modal Access. Devices UMMAD that are capable of operating at different frequencies and different protocols (TDMA, AMPS, .CDMA, GSM, PCS etc.) to communicate with any one of a number. of Wide Bandwidth Gateways (WBG), which are each capable of communication using one or more of the protocols. The communication links may be switched from one WBG to another or from one protocol to another during a communication session to continue the session under the control of a Universal System Traffic Controller. Numerous other applications of the UMMADs for unique identification and e-commerce are disclosed.

Claims

1. In a multi-tiered wireless communication system including a first wireless gateway having a first operating power within a first tier of the multi-tiered wireless communication system, a second wireless gateway having a second operating power within a second tier of the multi-tiered wireless communication system, the first and second tiers being at least partially overlapped geographically, the second wireless gateway having significantly greater operating power than the first wireless gateway, a multi-modal access device operable to communicate with both the first and second wireless gateways, wherein the multi-modal access device communicates with the first wireless gateway using a first protocol and communicates with the second wireless gateway using a second protocol that is different than the first protocol, and a system traffic controller, a method comprising the steps of:

(a) detecting that a user of the multi-modal access device seeks access to the wireless communication system; and

(b) in response to step (a) issuing control commands to either the first wireless gateway or the second wireless gateway to set up a communication link between the multi-modal access device and one of the wireless gateways selected by the system traffic controller depending on a cost or quality of service desired by the user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) occurs when a previously established communication link has been lost that requires re-establishment.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) occurs when the multi-mode access device is about to move outside of the operating range of the wireless gateway to which a communication link has been previously established.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) includes setting up a communication link with a wireless gateway selected by the system traffic controller to provide a more nearly optimal utilization of the communication system for the greatest number of users.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second wireless gateway is a fixed base station of a cellular system and further including a third wireless gateway having a third operating power within a third tier of the multi-tiered wireless communication system;

the third tier being at least partially overlapped geographically with the first and second tiers;

the third operating power being significantly greater than the second operating power, wherein the method includes the step of establishing a communication link to a gateway in one of the first, second or third tiers to achieve more nearly optimal utilization of the communication system.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first tier includes a plurality of first wireless gateways and the second tier includes a plurality of second wireless gateways having operating power greater than the operating power of the first wireless gateways and wherein the communication system includes a third tier formed of a plurality of third wireless gateways having operating power greater than the operating power of the second wireless gateways to form a hierarchy of tiers from the lowest tier including gateways with the lowest operating power up to the highest tier including gateways with the greatest operating power;

the third tier being at least partially overlapped geographically with the first and second tiers;

wherein the step (b) includes the step of establishing a communication link with a selected wireless gateway within the lowest possible tier that is able to provide the communication service desired by the user and establishing the communication link to a wireless gateway in a higher tier only when a wireless gateway within a lower tier, capable of providing the service desired, is not available.

7. A multi-tiered wireless communication system comprising:

a first wireless gateway within a first tier of the multi-tiered wireless communication system;

a second wireless gateway within a second tier of the multi-tiered wireless communication system, the first and second tiers being at least partially overlapped geographically, the second wireless gateway having significantly greater operating power than the first wireless gateway;

a multi-modal access device operable to communicate with both the first and second wireless gateways, wherein the multi-modal access device is operable to communicate with the first wireless gateway using a first protocol and with the second wireless gateway using a second protocol that is different than the first protocol; and

a system traffic controller for establishing a communication link between the multi-modal access device and one of the wireless gateways selected by the system traffic controller depending on a cost or quality of service desired by the user.

8. The multi-tiered wireless communication system of claim 7, wherein the system traffic controller is configured to detect when the multi-modal access device requires transition from one wireless gateway to another wireless gateway and coordinates the transfer by issuing system control commands to the wireless gateways.

9. The multi-tiered wireless communication system of claim 7, wherein the first wireless gateway is a micro-cell.

10. The multi-tiered wireless communication system of claim 7, wherein the first wireless gateway is configured to use unlicensed radio spectrum at low power.

11. The multi-tiered wireless communication system of claim 8, wherein the system traffic controller is configured to detect when a previously established communication link has been lost that requires re-establishment.

12. The multi-tiered wireless communication system of claim of claim 8, wherein the system controller is configured to determine when the multi-mode access device is about to move outside of the operating range of the wireless gateway to which a communication link has been previously established.

13. The multi-tiered wireless communication system of claim of claim 8, wherein the system controller is configured to determine when transfer of a communication link is required to provide a more nearly optimal utilization of the communication system for the greatest number of users.

14. The multi-tiered wireless communication system of claim of claim 8, wherein the second wireless gateway is a fixed base station of a cellular system and wherein the communication system further includes a third wireless gateway having a third operating power within a third tier of the multi-tiered wireless communication system;

the third operating power being significantly greater than the second operating power;

the third tier being at least partially overlapped geographically with the first and second tiers; and

wherein the system controller is configured to establish a communication link to a gateway in one of the first, second or third tiers to achieve more nearly optimal utilization of the communication system.

15. The multi-tiered wireless communication system of claim 8, wherein the first tier includes a plurality of first wireless gateways and the second tier includes a plurality of second wireless gateways having operating power greater than the operating power of the first wireless gateways and wherein the communication system includes a third tier formed of a plurality of third wireless gateways having operating power greater than the operating power of the second wireless gateways to form a hierarchy of tiers from the lowest tier including gateways with the lowest operating power up to the highest tier including gateways with the greatest operating power;

the third tier being at least partially overlapped geographically with the first and second tiers;

wherein the system controller is configured to establish a communication link with a selected wireless gateway within the lowest possible tier that is able to provide the communication service desired by the user and to establish the communication link to a wireless gateway in a higher tier only when a wireless gateway within a lower tier, capable of providing the service desired, is not available.