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

• US 7,697,467 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2004
• Issued: 04/13/2010
• 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): Moore; Ian N
• Application Number:
  US10/759,969
• Publication Number:
  US 20040146037A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,279 Days
• Field of Search: 370/229, 370241-252, 370328-329, 370310-3101, 370/310.2, 370/331, 370/338, 370/389, 370351-353, 370400-406, 370/463, 370/516, 370237-238, 455/561, 455/556, 455/67.1, 455/67.3, 455422-4262, 455/556.1, 455/67.11, 455/67.13
• US Class Current: 370/328
• 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 portable terminal device for supporting voice and data communication via a wireless packet network, the device comprising:

a microphone for transducing sound into a first analog voice stream;

at least one converter for converting the first analog voice stream to produce outgoing digital voice packets, wherein the outgoing digital voice packets comprise destination information used for routing the outgoing digital voice packets through the wireless packet network;

at least one processor for assembling digital data into outgoing data packets;

a transmitter for transmitting via the wireless packet network the outgoing digital voice packets and the outgoing data packets;

a receiver for receiving from the wireless packet network digital voice packets and data packets;

the at least one converter for converting the received digital voice packets to a second analog voice stream;

the at least one processor for reproducing digital data from the received data packets;

a transducer for transducing the second analog voice stream into sound;

wherein the outgoing digital voice packets, the outgoing data packets, the received digital voice packets, and the received data packets are units of information transmitted as a whole from one device to another over the wireless racket network;

wherein the portable terminal device evaluates a message wirelessly received from at least one access device and sends to the at least one access device an indication of a data rate based on the evaluation; and

wherein the at least one access device selects a data rate used for transmitting the outgoing digital voice packets and the outgoing digital data packets to the portable terminal device, based upon the indication of a data rate.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the wireless packet network uses an Internet protocol (IP).

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the Internet protocol is the transmission control protocol (TCP)/Internet protocol (IP) protocol.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the wireless packet network communicates at a frequency of approximately 2.4 gigahertz.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the wireless packet network communicates using a frequency hopping spread spectrum technique.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the wireless packet network communicates using a direct sequence spread spectrum technique.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one converter comprises:

an analog to digital converter for converting the first analog voice stream to digital voice data; and

a packetizer for assembling the digital voice data to produce outgoing digital voice packets.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one converter comprises:

a depacketizer for extracting digital voice data from received digital voice packets; and

a digital to analog converter for converting the extracted digital voice data to produce the second analog voice stream.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the data packets are not used for the management of voice calls.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein a packet is transmitted via the wireless packet network without regard to whether the packet is a data packet or a digital voice packet.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the indication of a data rate is a data rate.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the evaluated message is received periodically from the at least one access device.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the message received periodically is a polling message.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein evaluating a message evaluates reception of a message preamble.

15. A portable circuit for supporting voice and data communication via a wireless packet network, the circuit comprising:

at least one converter for converting a first analog voice stream to produce outgoing digital voice packets, wherein the outgoing digital voice packets comprise destination information used for routing the outgoing digital voice packets through the wireless packet network;

at least one processor for assembling digital data into outgoing data packets;

a transmitter for transmitting via the wireless packet network the outgoing digital voice packets and the outgoing data packets;

a receiver for receiving from the wireless packet network digital voice packets and data packets;

the at least one converter for converting received digital voice packets to a second analog voice stream;

the at least one processor for reproducing digital data from received data packets;

wherein the outgoing digital voice packets, the outgoing data packets, the received digital voice packets, and the received data packets are units of information transmitted as a whole from one device to another over the wireless racket network;

wherein the circuit evaluates a message wirelessly received from at least one access device and sends to the at least one access device an indication of a data rate based on the evaluation; and

wherein the at least one access device selects a data rate used for transmitting the outgoing digital voice packets and the outgoing data packets to the circuit, based upon the indication of a data rate.

16. The circuit of claim 15 wherein the wireless packet network communicates at a frequency of approximately 2.4 gigahertz.

17. The circuit of claim 15 wherein the wireless packet network communicates using an Internet protocol.

18. The circuit of claim 15 wherein the Internet protocol is the transmission control protocol (TCP)/Internet protocol (IP).

19. The circuit of claim 15 further comprising:

a microphone for transducing sound into the first analog voice stream.

20. The circuit of claim 15 further comprising:

a transducer for converting the second analog voice stream into sound.

21. The circuit of claim 15 further comprising:

at least one input device for producing digital data from user input.

22. The circuit of claim 21 wherein the at least one input device comprises a keypad.

23. The circuit of claim 15 further comprising:

at least one output device for outputting received digital data.

24. The circuit of claim 23 wherein the at least one output device comprises a display.

25. The circuit of claim 15 wherein the indication of a data rate is a data rate.

26. The circuit of claim 15 wherein the evaluated message is received periodically from the at least one access device.

27. The circuit of claim 26 wherein the message received periodically is a polling message.

28. The circuit of claim 15 wherein evaluating a message evaluates reception of a message preamble.

29. An access device for supporting voice and data communication via a wireless packet network, the device comprising:

a receiver for receiving digital voice packets and data packets from the wireless packet network, wherein at least the digital voice packets comprise destination information used for routing the digital voice packets through the wireless packet network;

a transmitter for transmitting digital voice packets and data packets to the wireless packet network;

at least one network interface for communicating via a wired network;

a processor for individually routing digital voice packets received from one of the at least one network interface for transmission via the wireless packet network, and for individually routing digital voice packets received from the wireless packet network for transmission via the one of the at least one network interface, the one of the at least one network interface being based upon destination information in the digital voice packets;

wherein the digital voice packets, the data packets, the received digital voice packets, and the received data packets are units of information transmitted as a whole from one device to another over the wireless racket network;

wherein the access device receives, from a terminal device via the wireless packet network, an indication of a data rate based on an evaluation of a message sent by the access device; and

wherein the access device selects a data rate for transmitting the digital voice packets and the data packets to the terminal device via the wireless packet network, based upon the indication of a data rate.

30. The device of claim 29 wherein the wireless packet network communicates at a frequency of approximately 2.4 gigahertz.

31. The device of claim 29 wherein the wireless packet network communicates using a frequency hopping spread spectrum technique.

32. The device of claim 29 wherein the wireless packet network communicates using a direct sequence spread spectrum technique.

33. The device of claim 29 wherein the wireless packet network communicates using an Internet protocol (IP).

34. The device of claim 33 wherein the Internet protocol is the transmission control protocol (TCP)/Internet protocol (IP).

35. The device of claim 29 wherein the at least one network interface is compatible with a conventional switched telephone network.

36. The device of claim 29 wherein the at least one network interface is compatible with an Ethernet network.

37. The device of claim 29 wherein the routing is based upon information received via the wireless packet network.

38. The device of claim 29 wherein the routing is based upon a cost of use of a communication path.

39. The device of claim 29 wherein the indication of a data rate is a data rate.

40. The device of claim 29 wherein the evaluated message is sent periodically by the at least one access device.

41. The device of claim 40 wherein the message sent periodically is a polling message.

42. The device of claim 29 wherein evaluating a message evaluates reception of a message preamble.

43. A method of operating a portable terminal device for supporting voice and data communication via a wireless packet network, the method comprising:

transducing sound to a first analog voice stream;

converting the first analog voice stream to outgoing digital voice packets, wherein the outgoing digital voice packets comprise destination information used for routing the outgoing digital voice packets through the wireless packet network;

assembling digital data into outgoing data packets;

transmitting via the wireless packet network the outgoing digital voice packets and the outgoing data packets;

receiving digital voice packets and data packets via the wireless packet network;

converting the received digital voice packets to a second analog voice stream;

reproducing digital data from the received data packets;

transducing the second analog voice stream to produce sound;

evaluating a message wirelessly received from at least one access device in the wireless network;

sending to the at least one access device an indication of a data rate based upon the evaluation; and

wherein the outgoing digital voice packets, the outgoing data packets, the received digital voice packets, and the received data packets are units of information transmitted as a whole from one device to another over the wireless racket network;

wherein the at least one access device selects a data rate for transmission of the outgoing digital voice packets and the outgoing data packets, based upon the indication of a data rate.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein the wireless packet network communicates at a frequency of approximately 2.4 gigahertz.

45. The method of claim 43 wherein the wireless packet network communicates using a frequency hopping spread spectrum technique.

46. The method of claim 43 wherein the wireless packet network communicates using a direct sequence spread spectrum technique.

47. The method of claim 43 wherein the wireless packet network communicates using an Internet protocol.

48. The method of claim 47 wherein the Internet protocol is the transmission control protocol (TCP)/Internet protocol (IP).

49. The method of claim 47 wherein the data packets are not used for the management of voice calls.

50. The device of claim 49 wherein a packet is transmitted via the wireless packet network without regard to whether the packet is a data packet or a digital voice packet.

51. The method of claim 43 wherein the indication of a data rate is a data rate.

52. The method of claim 43 wherein the evaluated message is received periodically from the at least one access device.

53. The method of claim 52 wherein the message received periodically is a polling message.

54. The method of claim 43 wherein evaluating a message evaluates reception of a message preamble.

55. A method of operating an access device for supporting voice and data communication via a wireless packet network, the method comprising:

receiving a first digital voice packet via the wireless packet network;

adapting the first digital voice packet to produce first voice information for transmission via at least one wired network;

transmitting the first voice information via the at least one wired network;

receiving a first data packet via the wireless packet network;

receiving, via the wireless packet network, an indication of a data rate based upon an evaluation by a receiver of a message sent wirelessly by the access device;

selecting a data rate, based upon the indication of a data rate;

adapting the first data packet to produce first data information for transmission via the at least one wired network;

transmitting the first data information via the at least one wired network;

receiving second voice information from the at least one wired network;

transforming the second voice information to produce a second digital voice packet;

sending the second digital voice packet via the wireless packet network;

receiving second data information from the at least one wired network;

transforming the second data information to produce a second data packet;

sending the second data packet via the wireless packet network;

wherein the first digital voice packet, the first data packet, the second digital voice racket, and the second data racket are units of information transmitted as a whole from one device to another over the wireless racket network;

wherein the first digital voice packet comprises destination information used for routing the first digital voice packet through the wireless packet network; and

wherein the second digital voice packet and the second data packet are sent wirelessly, using the selected data rate.

56. The method of claim 55 wherein the wireless packet network communicates at a frequency of approximately 2.4 gigahertz.

57. The method of claim 55 wherein the wireless packet network communicates using a frequency hopping spread spectrum technique.

58. The method of claim 55 wherein the wireless packet network communicates using a direct sequence spread spectrum technique.

59. The method of claim 55 wherein the wireless packet network communicates using an Internet protocol.

60. The method of claim 59 wherein the Internet protocol is transmission control protocol (TCP)/Internet protocol (IP).

61. The method of claim 55 wherein the at least one wired network is a conventional switched telephone network.

62. The method of claim 55 wherein the at least one wired network is an Ethernet compatible network.

63. The method of claim 55 wherein the adapting comprises routing packets based upon information received via the wireless packet network.

64. The method of claim 55 wherein the adapting comprises routing packets based upon a cost of use of a communication path.

65. The method of claim 55 wherein the indication of a data rate is a data rate.

66. The method of claim 55 wherein the evaluated message is sent periodically by the access device.

67. The method of claim 66 wherein the message sent periodically is a polling message.

68. The method of claim 55 wherein evaluating a message evaluates reception of a message preamble.

69. A system for use in a portable terminal device that supports voice and data communication via a wireless packet network, the system comprising:

at least one processor operably coupled to circuitry that performs wireless communication of digital voice packets and data packets via the wireless packet network, the at least one processor operating to, at least;

packetize data representative of sound to outgoing digital voice packets;

assemble digital data into outgoing data packets;

send the outgoing digital voice packets and the outgoing data packets to at least one access device via the wireless packet network;

receive incoming digital voice packets and incoming data packets from the at least one access device via the wireless packet network at a selected data rate;

evaluate a message wirelessly received from the at least one access device;

transmit to the at least one access device an indication of a data rate based upon the evaluation;

depacketize the incoming digital voice packets for conversion to sound;

wherein the outgoing digital voice packets, the outgoing data packets, the incoming digital voice packets, and the incoming data packets are units of information transmitted as a whole from one device to another over the wireless racket network; and

wherein the at least one access device selects the selected data rate, based upon the indication of a data rate.

70. The system of claim 69 wherein the wireless packet network communicates at a frequency of approximately 2.4 gigahertz.

71. The system of claim 69 wherein the wireless packet network communicates using a frequency hopping spread spectrum technique.

72. The system of claim 69 wherein the wireless packet network communicates using a direct sequence spread spectrum technique.

73. The system of claim 69 wherein the wireless packet network communicates using an Internet protocol.

74. The system of claim 73 wherein the Internet protocol comprises transmission control protocol (TOP) over Internet protocol (IP).

75. The system of claim 73 wherein the data packets are not used for the management of voice calls.

76. The system of claim 75 wherein a packet is transmitted via the wireless packet network without regard to whether the packet is a data packet or a digital voice packet.

77. The system of claim 69 wherein the indication of a data rate is a data rate.

78. The system of claim 69 wherein the evaluated message is received periodically from the at least one access device.

79. The system of claim 78 wherein the message received periodically is a polling message.

80. The system of claim 69 wherein evaluating a message evaluates reception of a message preamble.