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

• US 7,768,951 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2009
• Issued: 08/03/2010
• 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): Afshar; Kamran
• Application Number:
  US12/555,680
• Publication Number:
  US 20090323680A1
• Time in Patent Office: 329 Days
• Field of Search: 370310-356, 370/389, 370400-406, 4554221-428, 455/445, 455405-406, 455/502, 455/517, 4555501-4531, 455418-420, 455/403
• US Class Current: 370/310
• 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 computer-readable storage having stored therein instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a series of steps of a method for operating a communication device, the method comprising:

receiving from a communication system via a wireless packet communication link a message requesting setup of a voice call, the voice call corresponding to an indication received by the communication system via one of one or more communication links, each communication link having an associated type; and

sending to the communication system via the wireless packet communication link a message indicating call status, where the message indicating call status comprises information to cause the communication system to establish voice communication between the wireless packet communication link and the one communication link based upon the associated type of the one communication link.

2. The computer-readable storage of claim 1, where the message indicating call status comprises information to cause the communication system to refrain from establishing voice communication between the wireless packet communication link and the one communication link.

3. The computer-readable storage of claim 1, where the wireless packet communication link uses an Internet protocol (IP).

4. The computer-readable storage of claim 1, where the one or more communication links comprises an Ethernet compatible network.

5. The computer-readable storage of claim 1, where the one or more communication links comprises a conventional telephone switching network.

6. The computer-readable storage of claim 5, where the one communication link is an analog communication link.

7. The computer-readable storage of claim 1, where the message indicating call status comprises information to cause the communication system to establish voice communication between the wireless packet communication link and the one communication link by, at least in part:

converting information received from the wireless packet communication link for transmission via the one communication link; and

converting information received from the one communication link for transmission via the wireless packet communication link.

8. The computer-readable storage of claim 1, where the message indicating call status comprises information to cause the communication system to establish voice communication between the wireless packet communication link and the one communication link by, at least in part, establishing communication of data.

9. The computer-readable storage of claim 8, where the data comprises image data.

10. A computer-readable storage having stored therein instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a series of steps of a method for operating a communication device, the method comprising:

receiving via a wireless packet communication link a message requesting setup of a voice call, the message comprising a destination address;

identifying one of at least one communication link based upon at least one of the destination address and predetermined routing information;

sending via the identified one of the at least one communication link signals requesting setup of the voice call;

receiving via the identified one of the at least one communication link signals representing call status; and

establishing voice communication between the wireless packet communication link and the identified one of the at least one communication link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is received.

11. The computer-readable storage of claim 10 the method further comprising:

refraining from establishing voice communication between the wireless packet communication link and the identified one of the at least one communication link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is not received.

12. The computer-readable storage of claim 10 wherein the wireless packet communication link communicates using a frequency of approximately 2.4 gigahertz.

13. The computer-readable storage of claim 10 wherein the wireless packet communication link communicates using a frequency hopping spread spectrum technique.

14. The computer-readable storage of claim 10 wherein the wireless packet communication link uses an Internet protocol (IP).

15. The computer-readable storage of claim 14 wherein the wireless packet communication link uses the transmission control protocol (TCP)/Internet protocol (IP).

16. The computer-readable storage of claim 10 wherein the at least one communication link comprises an Ethernet compatible network.

17. The computer-readable storage of claim 16 wherein the destination address comprises an Internet protocol (IP) address.

18. The method of claim 10 wherein the at least one communication link comprises a conventional telephone switching network.

19. The computer-readable storage of claim 18 wherein the at least one communication link is an analog communication link.

20. The computer-readable storage of claim 18 wherein the destination identifier comprises a telephone number.

21. The computer-readable storage of claim 10 wherein the predetermined routing information comprises at least one association of a destination address and one of the at least one communication link.

22. The computer-readable storage of claim 10 wherein the identifying is based upon a type of a destination address.

23. The computer-readable storage of claim 22 wherein the type of a destination address is one of an Internet protocol (IP) address and a telephone number.

24. The computer-readable storage of claim 10 wherein the identifying is based upon a value of a destination address.

25. The computer-readable storage of claim 10 wherein the identifying is based upon a cost of use of a communication link.

26. The computer-readable storage of claim 10 wherein the call status represents one of a busy condition, a ringing condition, and connection established condition.

27. The computer-readable storage of claim 10 the method further comprising:

sending via the wireless packet communication link a message indicating call connection.

28. The computer-readable storage of claim 10 wherein the establishing comprises converting information received from the wireless packet communication link for transmission via the identified one of the at least one communication link, and converting information received from the identified one of the at least one communication link for transmission via the wireless packet communication link.

29. The computer-readable storage of claim 28 wherein the establishing comprises converting analog representations of voice signals to digital representations of voice signals, and converting digital representations of voice signals to analog representations of voice signals.

30. The computer-readable storage of claim 29 wherein the converting digital representations of voice signals to analog representations of 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.

31. The computer-readable storage of claim 10 wherein establishing voice communication comprises establishing communication of data.

32. The computer-readable storage of claim 31 wherein the data comprises image data.

33. A computer-readable storage having stored therein instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a series of steps of a method for operating a communication system, the method comprising:

receiving via one of at least one communication link an indication of an incoming voice call, each of the at least one communication link having an associated type;

sending via a wireless packet communication link a message requesting setup of the voice call;

receiving via the wireless packet communication link a message indicating call status; and

establishing voice communication between the wireless packet communication link and the one of the at least one communication link based upon the associated type of the one of the at least one communication link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is received.

34. The computer-readable storage of claim 33 the method further comprising:

refraining from establishing voice communication between the wireless packet communication link and the one of the at least one communication link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is not received.

35. The computer-readable storage of claim 33 wherein the wireless packet communication link communicates using a frequency of approximately 2.4 gigahertz.

36. The computer-readable storage of claim 33 wherein the wireless packet communication link communicates using a frequency hopping spread spectrum technique.

37. The computer-readable storage of claim 33 wherein the wireless packet communication link uses an Internet protocol (IP).

38. The computer-readable storage of claim 37 wherein the wireless packet communication link uses the transmission control protocol (TCP)/Internet protocol (IP).

39. The computer-readable storage of claim 33 wherein the at least one communication link comprises an Ethernet compatible network.

40. The computer-readable storage of claim 33 wherein the at least one communication link comprises a conventional telephone switching network.

41. The computer-readable storage of claim 40 wherein the at least one communication link is an analog communication link.

42. The computer-readable storage of claim 33 wherein the establishing is based upon the associated type of the one of the at least one communication link.

43. The computer-readable storage of claim 33 wherein the call status represents one of a busy condition, a ringing condition, and connection established condition.

44. The computer-readable storage of claim 33 wherein establishing comprises converting information received from the wireless packet communication link for transmission via the one of the at least one communication link, and converting information received from the one of the at least one communication link for transmission via the wireless packet communication link.

45. The computer-readable storage of claim 44 wherein establishing comprises converting analog representations of voice signals to digital representations of voice signals, and converting digital representations of voice signals to analog representations of voice signals.

46. The computer-readable storage of claim 45 wherein the converting digital representations of voice signals to analog representations of 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.

47. The computer-readable storage of claim 33 wherein establishing voice communication comprises establishing communication of data.

48. The computer-readable storage of claim 47 wherein the data comprises image data.

49. A computer-readable storage having stored therein instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a series of steps of a method for operating a communication system, the method comprising:

receiving via a wireless packet communication link at least one message requesting setup of a voice call, the at least one message comprising a destination address;

identifying a type of the destination address;

establishing voice communication between the wireless packet communication link and at least one wired communication link based upon at least one of a value of the destination address, the identified type of the destination address, and a cost of use of the at least one wired communication link; and

sending via the wireless packet communication link an indication of a call connected condition.

50. The computer-readable storage of claim 49 wherein the wireless packet communication link communicates using a frequency of approximately 2.4 gigahertz.

51. The computer-readable storage of claim 49 wherein the wireless packet communication link communicates using a frequency hopping spread spectrum technique.

52. The computer-readable storage of claim 49 wherein the wireless packet communication link uses an Internet protocol (IP).

53. The computer-readable storage of claim 52 wherein the wireless packet communication link uses the transmission control protocol (TCP)/Internet protocol (IP).

54. The computer-readable storage of claim 49 wherein the at least one wired communication link comprises an Ethernet compatible network.

55. The computer-readable storage of claim 49 wherein the at least one wired communication link comprises a conventional telephone switching network.

56. The computer-readable storage of claim 49 wherein the type of destination address is one of an Internet protocol (IP) address and a telephone number.

57. The computer-readable storage of claim 49 wherein the establishing comprises converting information received from the wireless packet communication link for transmission via the at least one wired communication link, and converting information received from the at least one wired communication link for transmission via the wireless packet communication link.

58. The computer-readable storage of claim 57 wherein the establishing comprises converting analog representations of voice signals to digital representations of voice signals, and converting digital representations of voice signals to analog representations of voice signals.

59. The computer-readable storage of claim 58 wherein the converting digital representations of voice signals to analog representations of 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.

60. The computer-readable storage of claim 49 wherein establishing voice communication comprises establishing communication of data.

61. The computer-readable storage of claim 60 wherein the data comprises image data.

62. A computer-readable storage having stored therein instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a series of steps of a method for operating at least one circuit of a communication device, the method comprising:

transmitting to a communication system via a wireless packet communication link a message requesting setup of a voice call, where the message requesting setup of a voice call comprises a destination address and information to cause the communication system to, at least;

identify one of at least one communication link based upon at least one of the destination address and predetermined routing information;

send via the identified one of the at least one communication link one or more signals requesting setup of the voice call;

receive via the identified one of the at least one communication link one or more signals representing call status; and

establish voice communication between the wireless packet communication link and the identified one of the at least one communication link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is received.

63. The computer-readable storage of claim 62, where the message requesting setup of a voice call comprises information to cause the communication system to, at least, refrain from establishing voice communication between the wireless packet communication link and the identified one of the at least one communication link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is not received.

64. The computer-readable storage of claim 62, where the wireless packet communication link uses an Internet protocol (IP).

65. The computer-readable storage of claim 62, where the at least one communication link comprises an Ethernet compatible network.

66. The computer-readable storage of claim 62, where the at least one communication link comprises a conventional telephone switching network.

67. The computer-readable storage of claim 62, where the predetermined routing information comprises at least one association of a destination address and one of the at least one communication link.

68. The computer-readable storage of claim 62, where the identifying is based, at least in part, upon a type of a destination address.

69. The computer-readable storage of claim 68, where the type of a destination address is one of an Internet protocol (IP) address and a telephone number.

70. The computer-readable storage of claim 62, where the identifying is based, at least in part, upon a cost of use of a communication link.

71. The computer-readable storage of claim 62, where the message requesting setup of a voice call comprises information to cause the communication system to, at least, send to the communication device via the wireless packet communication link a message indicating call connection, the method further comprising receiving the message indicating call connection.

72. The computer-readable storage of claim 62, where the message requesting setup of a voice call comprises information to cause the communication system to establish voice communication between the wireless packet communication link and the identified one of the at least one communication link by, at least:

converting information received from the wireless packet communication link for transmission via the identified one of the at least one communication link; and

converting information received from the identified one of the at least one communication link for transmission via the wireless packet communication link.

73. The computer-readable storage of claim 62, where the message requesting setup of a voice call comprises information to cause the communication system to establish voice communication between the wireless packet communication link and the identified one of the at least one communication link by, at least in part, establishing communication of data.

74. The computer-readable storage of claim 73, wherein the data comprises image data.

75. A computer-readable storage having stored therein instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a series of steps of a method for operating at least one circuit of a communication device, the method comprising:

sending to a communication system via a wireless packet communication link at least one message requesting setup of a voice call, where the at least one message requesting setup of a voice call comprises a destination address and information to cause the communication system to, at least;

identify a type of the destination address;

establish voice communication between the wireless packet communication link and at least one wired communication link based upon at least one of;

a value of the destination address, the identified type of the destination address, and a cost of use of the at least one wired communication link; and

send via the wireless packet communication link a message comprising an indication of a call connected condition; and

receiving the message comprising an indication of a call connected condition via the wireless packet communication link from the communication system.

76. The computer-readable storage of claim 75, where the wireless packet communication link uses an Internet protocol (IP).

77. The computer-readable storage of claim 75, where the at least one wired communication link comprises an Ethernet compatible network.

78. The computer-readable storage of claim 75, where the at least one wired communication link comprises a conventional telephone switching network.

79. The computer-readable storage of claim 75, where the type of the destination address is one of an Internet protocol (IP) address and a telephone number.

80. The computer-readable storage of claim 75, where the at least one message requesting setup of a voice call comprises information to cause the communication system to establish voice communication between the wireless packet communication link and at least one wired communication link by, at least in part, converting information received from the wireless packet communication link for transmission via the at least one wired communication link, and converting information received from the at least one wired communication link for transmission via the wireless packet communication link.

81. The computer-readable storage of claim 75, where the at least one message requesting setup of a voice call comprises information to cause the communication system to establish voice communication between the wireless packet communication link and at least one wired communication link by, at least in part, establishing communication of data.

82. The computer-readable storage of claim 81, where the data comprises image data.