Abstract: A 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. Copies of data, program code and processing resources are migrated from their source toward requesting destinations based on request frequency, communication link costs and available local storage and/or processing resources. Each appropriately configured network device acts as an active participant in network migration. In addition, portable two-dimensional (2-D) code reading terminals are configured to wirelessly communicate compressed 2-D images toward stationary access servers that identify the code image through decoding and through comparison with a database of images that have previously been decoded and stored.

Abstract: A Mobile Ethernet Protocol that is used to logically extend a “home VLAN”, through an Ethernet/IP “campus network”, to mobile nodes on “foreign subnets”. The network architecture used for Mobile Ethernet is hierarchical and includes a Subnet Context Manager per subnet and a central Campus Context Manager. The protocol is generally based on the standard Mobile IPv4 protocol, but includes significant extensions to standard Mobile IP including using an 802 address as the permanent MN identifier, rather than an IP address, encapsulating and sending Ethernet frames through IP tunnels, and configuring a single Mobile Ethernet HA to provide access to multiple home VLANs wherein Home VLAN bindings for MNs are dynamically established. A MN does not need to be configured with a permanent IP address.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for a radio communication system having a multiplicity of mobile transceiver units selectively in communication with a plurality of base transceiver units which, in turn, communicate with one or more host computers for storage and manipulation of data collected by bar code scanners or other collection means associated with the mobile transceiver units. A network controller and an adapter which has a simulcast and sequential mode provide selective interface between host computers and base transceivers. A scheme for routing data through the communication system is also disclosed wherein the intermediate base stations are organized into an optimal spanning-tree network to control the routing of data to and from the RF terminals and the host computer efficiently and dynamically.

Abstract: A 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. Copies of data, program code and processing resources are migrated from their source toward requesting destinations based on request frequency, communication link costs and available local storage and/or processing resources. Each appropriately configured network device acts as an active participant in network migration. In addition, portable two-dimensional (2-D) code reading terminals are configured to wirelessly communicate compressed 2-D images toward stationary access servers that identify the code image through decoding and through comparison with a database of images that have previously been decoded and stored.

Abstract: A communication system in which multiple protocols and proxy services are executed by an access point. In one embodiment of the invention, GVRP and GMRP registrations are combined in a single packet when a wireless device roams to a different VLAN. In addition, outbound GVRP and GMRP multicast messages are handled by an access point (also referred to as a GVRP and GMRP “gateway”) such that the wireless device is not burdened with the associated computational overhead. In a further embodiment, a wireless device may dynamically switch between a VLAN-aware state and a VLAN-unaware state depending on the nature of a detected access point. For example, if a relevant access point supports GVRP, the wireless device may operate as a VLAN terminal. If a wireless device is not attached to an access point with a matching VLAN ID, the wireless device sends and receives VLAN tagged frames.

Abstract: A mobile customer service station operating within a wireless multi-hop communication network includes a console on a wheeled chassis. The console carries and houses a number of components which are used in merchandising operations to conclude customer purchase transactions. The items supported externally on the console are a printer for printing purchase receipts, customer credit charge agreements and records of transactions, and a magnetic card reader for reading information from a magnetic stripe of a customer's credit card. In one embodiment, the operation of the printer, credit card reader and the cash drawer is controlled by a multi-function control unit located within an enclosure of the console. The control unit is electrically powered by a self-contained power source which is preferably a deep cycle rechargeable battery. The console also houses a transceiver unit which under the control of the control unit is capable of interactive communication with a premises network.

Abstract: A communication system in which multiple protocols and proxy services are executed by an access point. In one embodiment of the invention, GVRP and GMRP registrations are combined in a single packet when a wireless device roams to a different VLAN. In addition, outbound GVRP and GMRP multicast messages are handled by an access point (also referred to as a GVRP and GMRP “gateway”) such that the wireless device is not burdened with the associated computational overhead. In a further embodiment, a wireless device may dynamically switch between a VLAN-aware state and a VLAN-unaware state depending on the nature of a detected access point. For example, if a relevant access point supports GVRP, the wireless device may operate as a VLAN terminal. If a wireless device is not attached to an access point with a matching VLAN ID, the wireless device sends and receives VLAN tagged frames.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a system for providing a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) by use of encryption states or encryption keys for identifying a VLAN. A table of data including a VLAN and an associated encryption state or key is provided for assignment of encryption states or keys, for devices in a wireless local area network.

Abstract: A mobile customer service station operating within a wireless multi-hop communication network includes a console on a wheeled chassis. The console carries and houses a number of components which are used in merchandising operations to conclude customer purchase transactions. The items supported externally on the console are a printer for printing purchase receipts, customer credit charge agreements and records of transactions, and a magnetic card reader for reading information from a magnetic stripe of a customer's credit card. In one embodiment, the operation of the printer, credit card reader and the cash drawer is controlled by a multi-function control unit located within an enclosure of the console. The control unit is electrically powered by a self-contained power source which is preferably a deep cycle rechargeable battery. The console also houses a transceiver unit which under the control of the control unit is capable of interactive communication with a premises network.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for routing data in a radio data communication system having one or more host computers, one or more intermediate base stations, and one or more RF terminals organizes the intermediate base stations into an optimal spanning-tree network to control the routing of data to and from the RF terminals and the host computer efficiently and dynamically. Communication between the host computer and the RF terminals is achieved by using the network of intermediate base stations to transmit the data.

Abstract: A data communication network for providing dynamic routing through both wireless and wired subnetworks to support wireless communication devices and wired remote stations is disclosed. In the wireless network, the wireless communication devices can be mobile RF terminals, while the wired remote stations might be personal computers attached to a wired subnet, such as an ethernet coaxial cable. The wireless network architecture utilizes a spanning tree configuration which provides for transparent bridging between wired subnets and the wireless subnets. The spanning tree configuration provides dynamic routing to and from wireless communication devices and remote stations attached to standard IEEE 802 LANs.

Abstract: A power management method that transmits multicast frames independent of DTIM beacons. An access point associates power save stations with a multicast group. Each member of the group is signaled of a predetermined time period to operate in an active mode. During the predetermined time period the access point sends multicast frames for the group. The frames may be sent along with a poll.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a topology based channel assignment method for mitigating contention between overlapping radio coverage areas in a wireless “mesh” network topology. A central controller compiles radio overlap information and executes a Tiered Graph Coloring Algorithm, which is used to mitigate contention between overlapping radio coverage areas. In general, the radio channel for each Channel Assignment Cluster (Basic Service Set) is selected so that the aggregate radio coverage area of the Channel Assignment Cluster does not overlap with the radio coverage areas of neighboring Channel Assignment Clusters and fixed interference sources. In the tiered algorithm, a Channel Assignment Cluster is represented as a single vertex, interference sources are represented as “fixed” vertices with fixed color assignments, and “overlapping” vertices are interconnected by “edges.” Vertices are “tiered” so that overlap mitigation is prioritized for higher-traffic radios.

Abstract: A hierarchical communication system is described in which two wireless local area networks exhibiting substantially different characteristics are employed to link inherently portable or mobile computer devices. A series of radio base stations make up a infrastructure network. The infrastructure network and at least one portable computer device make up the first local area network. The communication on the first local area network is accomplished by spread spectrum frequency hopping communication A second local area network allows for radio communication between a portable computer device and peripheral devices with built-in transceivers utilized by the portable computer device. The communication in each local area network is controlled by a reservation access communication protocol. The communication protocol facilitates frequency hopping synchronization and supports adaptive data rate selection based upon the quality of communication on the communication channel.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for a radio communication system having a multiplicity of mobile transceiver units selectively in communication with a plurality of base transceiver units which, in turn, communicate with one or more host computers for storage and manipulation of data collected by bar code scanners or other collection means associated with the mobile transceiver units. A network controller and an adapter which has a simulcast and sequential mode provide selective interface between host computers and base transceivers. A scheme for routing data through the communication system is also disclosed wherein the intermediate base stations are organized into an optimal spanning-tree network to control the routing of data to and from the RF terminals and the host computer efficiently and dynamically.

Abstract: The present invention is contemplates an automatic, secure AP configuration protocol. Public/private keys and public key (PK) methods are used to automatically establish a mutual trust relationship and a secure channel between an AP and at least one configuration server. An AP automatically forwards a location identifier to the configuration server, and the configuration server delivers common, AP specific, and location specific configuration parameters to the AP.

Abstract: A data collection network supporting roaming terminals which may enter and exit a sleep mode to conserve power. A plurality of base stations each periodically transmit pending message indications to those roaming data collection terminals within range. Instead of requiring the transceiver within each terminal to always be active, the receiver is activated in synchrony with the transmissions of pending message indications from at least one of the base stations. Otherwise, the terminal may deactivate the transceiver (i.e., place it in a sleep state). The terminal may also sleep through pluralities of transmissions of pending message indications, and, thereafter, awake in synchrony to receive subsequent pending message indications. To minimize noise, the terminal may operate using a lower frequency system clock when not collecting data. When collecting data, especially where processing time proves critical, the system clock frequency is increased.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for routing data in a radio data communication system having one or more host computers, one or more intermediate base stations, and one or more RF terminals organizes the intermediate base stations into an optimal spanning-tree network to control the routing of data to and from the RF terminals and the host computer efficiently and dynamically. Communication between the host computer and the RF terminals is achieved by using the network of intermediate base stations to transmit the data.

Abstract: A power-save QSTA notifies an Access Point (AP) that its operating in a automatic power-save delivery (APSD) mode and negotiates a periodic wakeup schedule and a scheduled startup time with the AP. Wakeup times are synchronized with the 802.11 Timer Synchronization Function (TSF). The AP automatically sends frames to the QSTA when it determines the QSTA is in an awake state, otherwise downlink frames are buffered. The AP uses a combination poll+EDCF access method wherein at the start of each wakeup period the AP sends a poll to the QSTA, the poll having a flag that indicates to the QSTA if the AP has a downlink fame buffered for the QSTA. In addition, a Proxy ARP Server in an AP maintains IP/MAC bindings for associated clients so that when the AP receives a proxy ARP request for a client, the AP may respond for the client.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for routing data in a radio data communication system having one or more host computers, one or more intermediate base stations, and one or more RF terminals organizes the intermediate base stations into an optimal spanning-tree network to control the routing of data to and from the RF terminals and the host computer efficiently and dynamically. Communication between the host computer and the RF terminals is achieved by using the network of intermediate base stations to transmit the data.