Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating an optical communications system having at least two communicating entities (10,12). In accordance with a method of the invention a first step transmits communication link control information from a first entity to a second entity over a first optical channel having a first data bit rate. Responsive to the transmitted communication link control information, a second step of the method transmits data information from the second entity to the first entity over a second optical channel having a second data bit rate that is greater than the first data bit rate. The first optical channel is preferably a relatively low-bandwidth diffuse transmission infrared radiation channel. The second optical channel is preferably a relatively high-bandwidth infrared channel. One of the entities is a network adapter coupled to a wired network. The network adapter is preferably ceiling mounted. The other entity may be a mobile data processor.

Abstract: A method for communicating information bidirectionally between a wired network (1) and a wireless network. The wireless network is of the type that includes header stations (12) each having a communication cell (2) associated therewith and one or more mobile communication units (10) disposed within the communication cell. The method includes a first step of, during a first portion of a wireless communication cycle, transmitting information over an uplink wireless communication channel from one or more of the mobile communication units to the header station. A second step of the method, accomplished during a second portion of the wireless communication cycle, transmits information over a downlink wireless communication channel from the header station to one or more of the mobile communication units. The information transmitted downlink includes frames of data received by the header station from the wired network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating an optical communications system having at least two communicating entities (10,12). In accordance with a method of the invention a first step transmits communication link control information from a first entity to a second entity over a first optical channel having a first data bit rate. Responsive to the transmitted communication link control information, a second step of the method transmits data information from the second entity to the first entity over a second optical channel having a second data bit rate that is greater than the first data bit rate. The first optical channel is preferably a relatively low-bandwidth diffuse transmission infrared radiation channel. The second optical channel is preferably a relatively high-bandwidth infrared channel. One of the entities is a network adapter coupled to a wired network. The network adapter is preferably ceiling mounted. The other entity may be a mobile data processor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for coordinating a usage of a wireless transmission medium among a plurality of transmission units (12). The transmission medium is of a type that is utilized in accordance with a protocol having a transmission period that is comprised of a plurality of consecutively occurring transmission sub-periods. A method includes the following steps. A data structure (28a) is periodically circulated among the transmission units, the data structure being expressive of an identification of each of the transmission units and also expressive of an identification of an assigned transmission sub-period or sub-periods, if any, during which each of the transmission units is permitted to transmit on the wireless medium.