Hierarchical data collection network supporting packetized voice communications among wireless terminals and telephones
First Claim
1. A portable terminal device supporting voice communication via a wireless packet network, the portable terminal 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 digital voice packets;
a transmitter for transmitting, via the wireless packet network, the digital voice packets from the at least one converter;
a receiver for receiving digital voice packets from a base station serving a plurality of portable terminal devices in the wireless packet network;
the at least one converter for converting received digital voice packets to a second analog voice stream;
a transducer for transducing the second analog voice stream into sound;
wherein the transmitter is arranged to send, to a first remote system, a request for information identifying a second remote system accessible to the portable terminal device via the wireless packet network and operable to, at least, convert between digital voice packets of the portable terminal device and voice signals compatible with a public telephone network;
wherein the receiver is arranged to receive the requested information;
wherein the transmitter is arranged to send a message identifying a subscriber on the public telephone network, to the second remote system, to initiate a call connection through the second remote system to the subscriber on the public telephone network, using the requested information;
wherein the receiver is arranged to receive a message indicating establishment of the call connection with the subscriber; and
wherein the transmitter is arranged to communicate digital voice packets to the second remote system upon receipt, by the receiver, of the message indicating establishment of the call connection with the subscriber.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
208 Citations
54 Claims
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1. A portable terminal device supporting voice communication via a wireless packet network, the portable terminal device comprising:
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a microphone for transducing sound into a first analog voice stream; at least one converter for converting the first analog voice stream to produce digital voice packets; a transmitter for transmitting, via the wireless packet network, the digital voice packets from the at least one converter; a receiver for receiving digital voice packets from a base station serving a plurality of portable terminal devices in the wireless packet network; the at least one converter for converting received digital voice packets to a second analog voice stream; a transducer for transducing the second analog voice stream into sound; wherein the transmitter is arranged to send, to a first remote system, a request for information identifying a second remote system accessible to the portable terminal device via the wireless packet network and operable to, at least, convert between digital voice packets of the portable terminal device and voice signals compatible with a public telephone network; wherein the receiver is arranged to receive the requested information; wherein the transmitter is arranged to send a message identifying a subscriber on the public telephone network, to the second remote system, to initiate a call connection through the second remote system to the subscriber on the public telephone network, using the requested information; wherein the receiver is arranged to receive a message indicating establishment of the call connection with the subscriber; and wherein the transmitter is arranged to communicate digital voice packets to the second remote system upon receipt, by the receiver, of the message indicating establishment of the call connection with the subscriber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. One or more circuits for a portable terminal device supporting voice communication via a wireless packet network, the one or more circuits comprising:
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at least one converter for converting a first analog voice stream to produce digital voice packets; a transmitter for transmitting, via the wireless packet network, the digital voice packets from the at least one converter; a receiver for receiving digital voice packets from a base station serving a plurality of portable terminal devices in the wireless packet network; the at least one converter for converting received digital voice packets to a second analog voice stream; wherein the transmitter is arranged to send, to a first remote system, a request for information identifying a second remote system accessible to the portable terminal device via the wireless packet network and operable to, at least, convert between digital voice packets of the portable terminal device and voice signals compatible with a public telephone network; wherein the receiver is arranged to receive the requested information; wherein the transmitter is arranged to send a message identifying a subscriber on the public telephone network, to the second remote system, to initiate a call connection through the second remote system to the subscriber on the public telephone network, using the requested information; wherein the receiver is arranged to receive a message indicating establishment of the call connection with the subscriber; and wherein the transmitter is arranged to communicate digital voice packets to the second remote system upon receipt, by the receiver, of the message indicating establishment of the call connection with the subscriber. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of operating a portable terminal device for supporting voice communication via a wireless packet network, the method comprising:
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transmitting, to a first remote system from the portable terminal device via the wireless packet network, a request for information identifying a second remote system accessible to the portable terminal device via the wireless packet network and operable to, at least, convert between digital voice packets of the portable terminal device and voice signals compatible with a public telephone network; upon receiving the requested information, sending a message identifying a subscriber on the public telephone network, to the second remote system, to initiate a call connection through the second remote system to the subscriber on the public telephone network, using the requested information; evaluating a message wirelessly received from the wireless packet network; sending an indication of a data rate based upon the evaluation; receiving digital voice packets via the wireless packet network at a data rate; initiating conversion of the received digital voice packets to produce sound; enabling conversion of sound to digitized voice information; creating digital voice packets from the digitized voice information; and upon receiving a message indicating establishment of a call connection with the subscriber, begin sending the created digital voice packets to the second remote system via the wireless packet network. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A system for use in a portable terminal device supporting voice communication via a wireless packet network the system comprising:
at least one processor arranged to communicate over the wireless packet network, the at least one processor operable to, at least; transmit, to a first remote system via the wireless packet network, a request for information identifying a second remote system accessible to the at least one processor via the wireless packet network and operable to, at least, convert between digital voice packets of the portable terminal device and voice signals compatible with a public telephone network; upon receiving the requested information, send a message identifying a subscriber on the public telephone network, to the second remote system, to initiate a call connection through the second remote system to the subscriber on the public telephone network, using the requested information; evaluate a message wirelessly received from the wireless packet network; send an indication of a data rate based upon the evaluation; receive digital voice packets via the wireless packet network at a data rate; initiate conversion of the received digital voice packets to produce sound; enable conversion of sound to digitized voice information; create digital voice packets from the digitized voice information; and upon receiving a message indicating establishment of a call connection with the subscriber, begin sending the created digital voice packets to the second remote system, via the wireless packet network. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
Specification