Wireless personal local area network

• US 5,682,379 A
• Filed: 04/04/1996
• Issued: 10/28/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Norand Corporation (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Mahany, Ronald L., Bunte, Alan G., West, Guy J., Gollnick, Charles D., Luse, Ronald E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kizou, Hassan
• Application Number:
  US08/500,977
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 370/310, 370/311, 370/313, 370/315, 370/328, 370/337, 370/338, 370/347, 370/349, 370/401, 370/465, 370/466, 455/11.1, 455/33.1, 455/38.3, 455/54.1, 455/56.1, 455/95, 455/343, 379/58, 379/59, 379/61, 375/200
• US Class Current: 370/311
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0025 Transmission of mode-switching indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0032 Without explicit signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/287 when the channel is in stand-by
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/10 Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area 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 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

A transceiver apparatus for creating a wireless personal local area network between a computer terminal and one or more peripheral devices. A separate transceiver is connected to the computer terminal and to each peripheral device. The transceivers can be connected to the terminal or peripheral device either internally or externally. A low power radio is used to communicate information between the computer terminal and peripheral devices. Different transceivers can be used for modifying the carrier frequency and power of the local area network. The microprocessor is located inside each transceiver and controls the information flow of the transceiver including the communication protocol which allows each device to know if other devices are communicating, which devices are being communicated to, and selectively address the peripheral devices. An Idle Sense communication protocol is used for information transfer between the computer terminal and the peripheral devices, increasing efficiency in power management and compensating for transmission collisions.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising:

a first radio network operating using a first communication protocol;

a second radio network operating using a second communication protocol;

a mobile network device having a single radio unit capable of participating in both the first and second radio networks;

the mobile network device participating as a slave device to the first radio network pursuant to the first communication protocol while participating as a master device to the second radio network pursuant to the second communication protocol; and

the mobile network device resolving conflicts between the first and second communication protocols.

2. A communication system comprising:

a main radio network;

a radio subnetwork;

a mobile network device having a first radio transceiver for communicating with the main radio network and a second radio transceiver for communicating with the radio subnetwork;

the mobile network device participating as a slave device to the main radio network while participating as a master device to the radio subnetwork.

3. A communication system comprising:

a first ratio network operating using a first communication protocol;

a second radio network operating using a second communication protocol;

a mobile network device having a single radio unit capable of participating in both the first and second radio networks;

the mobile network device participating as a slave device to the first radio network pursuant to the first communication protocol while participating as a master device to the second radio network pursuant to the second communication protocol; and

the mobile network device entering a state of low power consumption when not communicating with either the first or the second radio network.

4. A communication system comprising:

a first radio network comprising a first plurality of network devices;

a second radio network comprising a second plurality of network devices;

a mobile network device configured to participate as a member of both the first and second pluralities of network devices;

when within range of one of the second plurality of network devices, the mobile network device participates as a master device in the second radio network; and

when within range of one of the first plurality of network devices, the mobile network device participates as a slave device in the first radio network;

p1 the second plurality of network devices entering a state of low power consumption when communication with the mobile network device is not available.

5. A communication system comprising:

a first radio network comprising a first plurality of network devices;

a second radio network comprising a second plurality of network devices;

a mobile network device configured to participate as a member of both the first and second pluralities of network devices;

when within range of one of the second plurality of network devices, the mobile network device participates as a master device in the second radio network; and

when within range of one of the first plurality of network devices, the mobile network device participates as a slave device in the first radio network.

6. An RF local area network comprising:

a first network device, the first network device transmitting using battery power;

a second network device;

means within the second network device for identifying a range value indicative of the distance between the first and second network devices;

the second network device responsive to the identifying means by transmitting the range value to the first network device; and

the first network device, upon receipt of the range value, identifying an appropriate data rate for subsequent transmission to the second network device.

7. An RF local area network comprising:

a first network device, the first network device transmitting using battery power;

a second network device;

means within the second network device for identifying a range value indicative of the distance between the first and second network devices;

the second network device responsive to the identifying means by indicating to the first network device an appropriate rate for subsequent data transmission to the second network device.

8. An RF local area network comprising:

a first network device;

a battery power supply disposed for powering the first network device, the battery power supply having battery parameter information;

a second network device;

means within the second network device for identifying a range value indicative of the distance between the first and second network devices;

the second network device responsive to the identifying means by sending the range value to the first network device;

means within the first network device for identifying the battery parameter information; and

the first network device, based on the received range value and battery parameter information, identifying an appropriate data rate and power level for subsequent transmission to the second network device.

9. An RF local area network comprising:

a first network device;

a battery power supply disposed for powering the first network device, the battery power supply having battery parameter information;

a second network device

means within the second network device for identifying a range value indicative of the distance between the first and second network devices;

the first network device transmitting battery parameter information to the second network device; and

the second network device, based on the range value and received battery parameter information, indicating to the first network device an appropriate rate and power level for subsequent data transmission.