Method for operating a wireless network
First Claim
1. A method for operating a wireless piconet in which devices are operable to communicate by exchanging messages according to a first and a second radio protocol, said first radio protocol being different from said second radio protocol, the method comprising:
- monitoring a payload portion of the messages according to said first protocol,monitoring a request to join the piconet in the payload portion transmitted from a further device,selecting a device for between the first and second protocols in dependence on said monitored payload portion, andswitching, by the selected device, from said first protocol to said second protocol while maintaining communication via the first protocol with one or more devices other than the selected device to accommodate the request of said further device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A radio system employing at least one dual protocol equipped radio device is described. The system and devices form a piconet in which message transaction parameters such as amount of data or requests to join the piconet, are monitored (60). A dual protocol device is then selected (62) (or selects itself) according to the monitored parameters, and the selected device then switches (64) the protocol it is using from a first protocol (such as Bluetooth), to a second protocol (such as ZigBee). Hence a flexible piconet is achieved in which various requirements concerning data connection and data-rates are accommodated.
32 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for operating a wireless piconet in which devices are operable to communicate by exchanging messages according to a first and a second radio protocol, said first radio protocol being different from said second radio protocol, the method comprising:
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monitoring a payload portion of the messages according to said first protocol, monitoring a request to join the piconet in the payload portion transmitted from a further device, selecting a device for between the first and second protocols in dependence on said monitored payload portion, and switching, by the selected device, from said first protocol to said second protocol while maintaining communication via the first protocol with one or more devices other than the selected device to accommodate the request of said further device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 14)
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7. A radio system in which devices are operable to communicate in a piconet by exchanging messages according to a first and a second radio protocol, said first radio protocol being different from said second radio protocol, the system comprising:
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means for monitoring a payload portion of messages according to said first protocol, means for monitoring a request to join the piconet in the payload portion transmitted from a further device, means for selecting a device for switching between the first and second protocols in dependence on said monitored payload portion, and means for switching, by the selected device, from said first protocol to said second protocol while maintaining communication via the first protocol with one or more devices other than the selected device to accommodate the first request of said further device.
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8. A device for use in a radio system in which devices are operable to communicate in a piconet by exchanging messages according to a first and a second radio protocol, said first radio protocol being different from said second radio protocol, the device comprising:
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processing means for executing communication instructions according to said first and second radio protocol, a first and second baseband circuit and at least one radio for encoding and modulating the transmission and reception of messages in accordance with either of said first or second protocols, the device further comprising processing means operable to; monitor a load portion of the messages according to said first protocol, monitor a request to join the piconet in the payload portion transmitted from a further device, select a device for switching between the first and second protocols in dependence on said monitored payload portion, and switch the protocol used for communication by said selected device from said first protocol to said second protocol while maintaining communication via the first protocol with one or more devices other than the selected device to accommodate the request of said further device. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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Specification