Adaptive omni-modal radio apparatus and methods
DC CAFC
First Claim
1. A multi-modal device for facilitating wireless communication over any one of a plurality of wireless communication networks at least some of which may be available and operating at a given time and location using differing radio frequency modulation protocols and over differing radio frequencies, comprising:
- a frequency agile radio transceiver operating at any one frequency of a plurality of radio frequencies appropriate for each of the plurality of wireless communication networks, said one frequency selected in response to a frequency control signal,a digital interface circuit for interconnecting said frequency agile radio transceiver with external digital signal processing devices to allow digital signal information to be sent and received over said frequency agile radio transceiver,protocol agile operating circuit means for operating said frequency agile radio transceiver and said digital interface circuit in accordance with any one modulation protocol of a plurality of modulation protocols, said one modulation protocol selected in response to a protocol control signal,adaptive control means for determining which wireless communications networks are available at a given location and time, for accessing a selected wireless communication network, for communicating with said selected wireless communication network to determine on a real time basis the operating characteristics of the wireless communication network, and for generating the frequency control signal and the protocol control signal in response to a user defined criteria to cause the device to communicate with the selected wireless communication network using a frequency and modulation protocol suitable for transmission of said digital signal information over said selected wireless communications network, andinput means for receiving said user defined criteria, said user defined criteria comprising at least one of the cost of using the wireless communication network, the quality of the wireless communication network, the potential for being dropped by the wireless communication network, and the security of the wireless communication network;
wherein said adaptive control means operates to generate said frequency control signal and said modulation protocol control signal by comparing said operating characteristics with said user defined criteria.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A frequency and protocol agile wireless communication product, and chipset for forming the same, including a frequency agile transceiver, a digital interface circuit for interconnecting the radio transceiver with external devices, protocol agile operating circuit for operating the radio transceiver in accordance with one of the transmission protocols as determined by a protocol signal and an adaptive control circuit for accessing a selected wireless communication network and for generating the frequency control signal and the protocol control signal in response to a user defined criteria. Among the possible user defined criteria would be (1) the cost of sending a data message, (2) the quality of transmission link (signal strength, interference actual or potential), (3) the potential for being bumped off of the system (is service provider at near full capacity), (4) the security of transmission, (5) any special criteria which the user could variably program into his omni-modal wireless product based on the user'"'"'s desires or (6) any one or more combinations of the above features that are preprogrammed, changed or overridden by the user. The disclosed invention allows wireless service providers to broadcast electronically as part of any "handshaking"0 procedure with a omni-modal wireless product information such as (1) rate information and (2) information regarding system operating characteristics such as percent of system capacity in use and/or likelihood of being dropped. The disclosed invention creates a user oriented source enrollment and billing service in the wireless data market by establishing uniform standard for "handshakes" to occur between cell service providers and omni-modal wireless products.
199 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A multi-modal device for facilitating wireless communication over any one of a plurality of wireless communication networks at least some of which may be available and operating at a given time and location using differing radio frequency modulation protocols and over differing radio frequencies, comprising:
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a frequency agile radio transceiver operating at any one frequency of a plurality of radio frequencies appropriate for each of the plurality of wireless communication networks, said one frequency selected in response to a frequency control signal, a digital interface circuit for interconnecting said frequency agile radio transceiver with external digital signal processing devices to allow digital signal information to be sent and received over said frequency agile radio transceiver, protocol agile operating circuit means for operating said frequency agile radio transceiver and said digital interface circuit in accordance with any one modulation protocol of a plurality of modulation protocols, said one modulation protocol selected in response to a protocol control signal, adaptive control means for determining which wireless communications networks are available at a given location and time, for accessing a selected wireless communication network, for communicating with said selected wireless communication network to determine on a real time basis the operating characteristics of the wireless communication network, and for generating the frequency control signal and the protocol control signal in response to a user defined criteria to cause the device to communicate with the selected wireless communication network using a frequency and modulation protocol suitable for transmission of said digital signal information over said selected wireless communications network, and input means for receiving said user defined criteria, said user defined criteria comprising at least one of the cost of using the wireless communication network, the quality of the wireless communication network, the potential for being dropped by the wireless communication network, and the security of the wireless communication network; wherein said adaptive control means operates to generate said frequency control signal and said modulation protocol control signal by comparing said operating characteristics with said user defined criteria. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeAnton Innovations Inc. (Quarterhill Inc. (f/k/a Wi-LAN Inc.)), Spectrum, Information Technologies
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Original AssigneeSpectrum Information Technologies Inc.
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InventorsRobinson, Eric J., Leedom, Jr., Charles M., Sainton, Joseph B.
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Primary Examiner(s)Urban, Edward F.
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Application NumberUS08/707,262Time in Patent Office846 DaysField of Search455/33.1, 455/33.2, 455/33.4, 455/54.1, 455/54.2, 455/56.1, 455/74, 455/84, 455/89, 455/432, 455/434, 455/435, 455/552, 455/524, 455/553, 455/426, 455/557, 379/59, 379/60US Class Current455/553.1CPC Class CodesH04W 16/06 Hybrid resource partitionin...H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangemen...H04W 28/22 Negotiating communication rateH04W 4/24 Accounting or billingH04W 48/08 Access restriction or acces...H04W 48/10 using broadcasted informationH04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a co...H04W 72/0453 Resources in frequency doma...H04W 74/00 Wireless channel accessH04W 80/00 Wireless network protocols ...H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in mu...
