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

• US 8,238,264 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2004
• Issued: 08/07/2012
• 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: Kubler, Joseph J., Morris, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harper, Kevin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Baron, Henry
• Application Number:
  US10/783,587
• Publication Number:
  US 20040160912A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,091 Days
• Field of Search: 370/328, 370/329, 370/330, 370/331, 370/338, 370/349, 370/400, 370/401, 370/402, 370/403, 370/404, 370/405, 370/406, 370/284, 455/16, 455/17, 455/21, 455/23, 455/446, 455/562.1, 455/459, 455/465
• US Class Current: 370/254
• 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 method of operating a communication system, the method comprising:

sending, by a first terminal via a communication link, a message requesting routing of a call from the first terminal to a second terminal;

receiving, by the first terminal via the communication link, a message comprising call routing information identifying call routes though a network;

selecting, at the first terminal, a call route based upon the call routing information, the selecting comprising providing a user of the first terminal with call routing options using the call routing information, and receiving from the user of the first terminal an indication of a selected call route; and

transmitting, by the first terminal via the communication link, a message requesting setup of the call from the first terminal to the second terminal using the selected call route.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the call is a voice call.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication link is a wireless link.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the wireless link communicates using a frequency of approximately 2.4 gigahertz.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the wireless link communicates using a frequency hopping spread spectrum technique.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication link uses a packet protocol.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the packet protocol is an Internet protocol.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the message requesting routing of a call comprises at least a destination identifier.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the destination identifier comprises a telephone number.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the call routing information comprises a cost of use of a communication link.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the message requesting setup of the call comprises at least a destination identifier.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the destination identifier comprises a telephone number.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, at the first terminal via the communication link, a message indicating call status.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the call status represents one of a destination busy condition, a destination ringing condition, and a connection established condition.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

communicating information, by the first terminal to the second terminal via the communication link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is received by the first terminal; and

refraining from communicating information, by the first terminal to the second terminal via the communication link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is not received by the first terminal.

16. A method for operating a communication system, the method comprising:

receiving, from a first terminal via a first communication link, a message requesting routing of a call to a second terminal;

selecting a second communication link based upon at least the message requesting routing of the call;

receiving via the second communication link a message comprising call routing information;

sending, to the first terminal via the first communication link, call routing information identifying one or more call routes through a network;

accepting, from the first terminal via the first communication link, a message requesting setup of the call and a selected call route;

transmitting, to the first terminal via the first communication link, a message based upon the call routing information; and

establishing call communication between the first terminal and the second terminal via the first communication link and the second communication link based upon the message requesting setup of the call and the selected call route.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the call is a voice call.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first communication link is a wireless link.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the wireless link communicates using a frequency of approximately 2.4 gigahertz.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the wireless link communicates using a frequency hopping spread spectrum technique.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the first communication link uses a packet protocol.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the packet protocol is an Internet protocol.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein the second communication link is a wired communication link.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the wired communication link comprises a link to a conventional telephone switching network.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the wired communication link is an analog communication link.

26. The method of claim 16, wherein the message requesting routing of a call comprises at least a destination identifier.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the destination identifier comprises a telephone number.

28. The method of claim 16, wherein the call routing information comprises at least a cost of use of a communication link.

29. The method of claim 16, wherein the message requesting setup of the call comprises at least a destination identifier.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the destination identifier comprises a telephone number.

31. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

receiving via the second communication link a message indicating call status.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the call status is one of busy, ringing, and connect.

33. The method of claim 16, 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.

34. The method of claim 33, 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.

35. A method of operating a communication system, the method comprising:

under the control of a first device,

sending via a wireless packet communication link a message requesting routing of a call through a network to a third device;

receiving via the wireless packet communication link call routing information identifying one or more call routes to the third device;

providing a user with call routing options using the call routing information;

receiving from the user an indication of a selected call route;

sending via the wireless packet communication link a message requesting setup of a call to the third device using the route selected from the identified call routes;

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

communicating digitized voice information to the third device via the wireless packet communication link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is received; and

refraining from communicating digitized voice information via the wireless packet communication link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is not received, and

under the control of a second device,

receiving, from the first device via the wireless packet communication link, a message requesting setup of the call;

sending via a wired communication link signals requesting setup of the call;

receiving via the wired communication link signals representing call status;

sending, to the first device via the wireless packet communication link, a message indicating call status;

establishing call communication between the wireless packet communication link and the wired communication link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is received; and

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

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the call communication 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.

37. The method of claim 36, 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.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein the wireless communication link operates at a frequency of approximately 2.4 gigahertz.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein the wired communication link comprises a link to a conventional telephone switching network.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein the wireless packet communication link uses an Internet protocol (IP).

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the Internet protocol is the transmission control protocol (TCP)/Internet protocol (IP).

42. At least one circuit for use in a communication device, the at least one circuit operational to, at least:

send, by the communication device via a communication link, a message requesting routing of a call from the communication device to a second communication device;

receive, by the communication device via the communication link, a message comprising call routing information identifying one or more call routes through a network;

select, at the communication device, a call route based upon the call routing information by providing a user with call routing options using the call routing information and receiving from the user an indication of a selected call route; and

transmit, by the communication device via the communication link, a message requesting setup of the call from the communication device to the second communication device using the selected call route.

43. The at least one circuit of claim 42, wherein the call is a voice call.

44. The at least one circuit of claim 42, wherein the communication link is a wireless link.

45. The at least one circuit of claim 44, wherein the wireless link communicates using a frequency of approximately 2.4 gigahertz.

46. The at least one circuit of claim 44, wherein the wireless link communicates using a frequency hopping spread spectrum technique.

47. The at least one circuit of claim 42, wherein the communication link uses a packet protocol.

48. The at least one circuit of claim 47, wherein the packet protocol is an Internet protocol.

49. The at least one circuit of claim 42, wherein the message requesting routing of a call comprises at least a destination identifier.

50. The at least one circuit of claim 49, wherein the destination identifier comprises a telephone number.

51. The at least one circuit of claim 42, wherein the call routing information comprises a cost of use of a communication link.

52. The at least one circuit of claim 42, wherein the message requesting setup of a call comprises at least a destination identifier.

53. The at least one circuit of claim 52, wherein the destination identifier comprises a telephone number.

54. The at least one circuit of claim 42, wherein the at least one circuit is further operational to, at least, receive via the communication link a message indicating call status.

55. The at least one circuit of claim 54, wherein the call status represents one of a destination busy condition, a destination ringing condition, and a connection established condition.

56. The at least one circuit of claim 42, wherein the at least one circuit is further operational to, at least:

communicate information, by the communication device to the second communication device via the communication link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is received by the communication device; and

refrain from communicating information, by the communication device to the second communication device via the communication link, if call status indicating establishment of a connection is not received by the communication device.

57. The at least one circuit of claim 42, wherein the communication device is a portable communication device.

58. A method for operating at least one circuit for use in a communication device, the method comprising:

sending, from the communication device to a communication system via a first communication link, a first message requesting call routing information identifying call routes for routing of a call from the communication device to a second communication device through a network, where the first message comprises information to cause the communication system to send to the communication device the call routes used to select a second communication link;

receiving, by the communication device from the communication system via the first communication link, a message based upon call routing information received by the communication system over the second communication link; and

sending, from the communication device to the communication system via the first communication link, a second message requesting setup of the call according to a selected one of the identified call routes, where the second message comprises information to cause the communication system to establish call communication between the communication device and the second communication device using the first communication link and the second communication link.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the call is a voice call.

60. The method of claim 58, wherein the first communication link is a wireless link.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the wireless link communicates using a frequency of approximately 2.4 gigahertz.

62. The method of claim 60, wherein the wireless link communicates using a frequency hopping spread spectrum technique.

63. The method of claim 58, wherein the first communication link uses a packet protocol.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein the packet protocol is an Internet protocol.

65. The method of claim 58, wherein the second communication link is a wired communication link.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the wired communication link comprises a link to a conventional telephone switching network.

67. The method of claim 65, wherein the wired communication link is an analog communication link.

68. The method of claim 58, wherein the first message requesting routing of a call comprises at least a destination identifier.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein the destination identifier comprises a telephone number.

70. The method of claim 58, wherein the call routing information comprises at least a cost of use of a communication link.

71. The method of claim 58, wherein the second message requesting setup of a call comprises at least a destination identifier.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein the destination identifier comprises a telephone number.

73. The method of claim 58, further comprising receiving a message at the communication device from the communication system via the first communication link, wherein the message is indicative of a call status message received by the communication system via the second communication link.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein the call status is one of busy, ringing, and connect.

75. The method of claim 58, wherein the second message comprises information to cause the communication system to establish call communication between the first communication link and the second communication link by, at least in part, 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.

76. The method of claim 75, wherein converting digital representations of voice signals to analog representations of voice signals comprises buffering the digital representations for a period of time to minimize gaps in the resulting analog representation caused by changes in propagation delay.

77. At least one circuit for use in a communication device, the at least one circuit operational to, at least:

send, from the communication device to a communication system via a first communication link, a first message requesting call routing information identifying call routes for routing of a call from the communication device to a second communication device through a network, where the first message comprises information to cause the communication system to send to the communication device the call routes used to select a second communication link;

receive, by the communication device from the communication system via the first communication link, a message based upon call routing information received by the communication system over the second communication link; and

send, from the communication device to the communication system via the first communication link, a second message requesting setup of the call according to a selected one of the identified call routes, where the second message comprises information to cause the communication system to establish call communication between the communication device and the second communication device using the first communication link and the second communication link.

78. The at least one circuit of claim 77, wherein the call is a voice call.

79. The at least one circuit of claim 77, wherein the first communication link is a wireless link.

80. The at least one circuit of claim 79, wherein the wireless link communicates using a frequency of approximately 2.4 gigahertz.

81. The at least one circuit of claim 79, wherein the wireless link communicates using a frequency hopping spread spectrum technique.

82. The at least one circuit of claim 77, wherein the first communication link uses a packet protocol.

83. The at least one circuit of claim 82, wherein the packet protocol is an Internet protocol.

84. The at least one circuit of claim 77, wherein the second communication link is a wired communication link.

85. The at least one circuit of claim 84, wherein the wired communication link comprises a link to a conventional telephone switching network.

86. The at least one circuit of claim 84, wherein the wired communication link is an analog communication link.

87. The at least one circuit of claim 77, wherein the first message requesting routing of a call comprises at least a destination identifier.

88. The at least one circuit of claim 87, wherein the destination identifier comprises a telephone number.

89. The at least one circuit of claim 77, wherein the call routing information comprises at least a cost of use of a communication link.

90. The at least one circuit of claim 77, wherein the second message requesting setup of the call comprises at least a destination identifier.

91. The at least one circuit of claim 90, wherein the destination identifier comprises a telephone number.

92. The at least one circuit of claim 77, wherein the at least one circuit is further operational to, at least, receive a message at the communication device from the communication system via the first communication link, where the message is indicative of a call status message received by the communication system via the second communication link.

93. The at least one circuit of claim 92, wherein the call status is one of busy, ringing, and connect.

94. The at least one circuit of claim 77, wherein the second message comprises information to cause the communication system to establish call communication between the first communication link and the second communication link by, at least in part 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.

95. The at least one circuit of claim 94, wherein converting digital representations of voice signals to analog representations of voice signals comprises buffering the digital representations for a period of time to minimize gaps in the resulting analog representation caused by changes in propagation delay.