Abstract: A system for wireless communication comprises a first communication device having a first interface for interfacing with a host device and a second interface; and a second communication device configured to be coupled to the second interface of the first communication device. The first communication device and the second communication device, when coupled, form a substantially integrated device.

Abstract: A system and method by which a user undertakes a single action in order for location-based services to be enabled and implemented on a device such as a personal computer. According to various embodiments, a “Where am I” or “Locate Me” button or actuator is included on a keyboard or other interface mechanism. When this item is actuated, a position application is invoked, the application sends a request for the device's position to a module, and the module communicates with a network in order to acquire the device's position. Once the positioning information is retrieved, the application exhibits the user's position to the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods and apparatus for fragmenting a single message and sending the message fragments over multiple independent networks to a single receiving unit. The receiving unit then reassembles the message fragments to generate the original message. The preferred apparatus embodiment is a wireless radio frequency modem that can both receive and transmit fragmented messages over multiple independent networks.

Abstract: A multi-mode modem comprises a first device configured to communicate with a first communication system, a second device configured to communicate with a second communication system, a processor communicatively coupled the first and second devices, and a control function configured to place the device in one of the following communication modes: 1) communication with the first communication system; 2) communication with the second communication system; 3) simultaneous communication with both the first and second communication systems; or 4) gateway communication between the first and second communication systems.

Abstract: A multi-mode modem comprises a first device configured to communicate with a first communication system, a second device configured to communicate with a second communication system, a processor communicatively coupled the first and second devices, and a control function configured to place the device in one of the following communication modes: 1) communication with the first communication system; 2) communication with the second communication system; 3) simultaneous communication with both the first and second communication systems; or 4) gateway communication between the first and second communication systems.

Abstract: A network having at least one communication device having at least one sensor to process and manage sensor added information to adjust the state of the communication device or to adjust capacity limitations of the network. The sensor added information can be shared with other communication devices in the network to improve network capacity and add master devices to the network if needed to maximize the quality and efficiency of communications within the network.

Abstract: A new radio frequency transceiver architecture comprises a combination of direct digital synthesis and digital control functions to control dual switched capacitor filters in order to perform radio frequency conversion directly to and from baseband.

Abstract: A system and method for managing voice communication between devices located within a local network and other devices. The present invention permits the managing and selective routing of voice communications over VoIP systems, circuit-based cellular systems and public switched telephone network systems based upon predefined criteria such as Quality of Service (QoS) considerations, geographic considerations, cost considerations and other factors.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a wireless radio frequency (“RF”) modem that plugs into a host computer and shares a central processing unit and memory with the host computer, wherein principal modem functions are distributed between the modem and the host computer. In one embodiment, the modem performs RF conversion, and the host computer performs baseband processing and protocol stack control. In another embodiment, the modem performs RF conversion and baseband processing, and the host computer performs protocol stack control.

Abstract: Spread spectrum packet-switching radio devices (22) are operated in two or more ad-hoc networks or pico-networks (19, 20, 21) that share frequency-hopping channel and time slots that may collide. The frequency hopping sequences (54) of two or more masters (25) are exchanged using identity codes, permitting the devices to anticipate collision time slots (52). Priorities are assigned to the simultaneously operating piconets (19, 20, 21) during collision slots (52), e.g., as a function of their message queue size or latency, or other factors. Lower priority devices may abstain from transmitting during predicted collision slots (52), and/or a higher priority device may employ enhanced transmission resources during those slots, such as higher error correction levels, or various combinations of abstinence and error correction may be applied. Collisions are avoided or the higher priority piconet (19, 20, 21) is made likely to prevail in a collision.

Abstract: A system and method for complete message delivery to a multi-mode communication device is presented. The communication device is adaptable to communicate with one or more carrier networks and one or more data networks. When a new message is received for the communication device, a message notification is sent to the device via a first network. The communication device parses the message notification and retrieves the complete message via a second network. Alternatively, the message notification may be delivered and the complete message may be retrieved via the same network.

Abstract: A transceiver device (52 or 10) operates as a source of a data transmission in a communication system (50) capable of dynamically allocating spectrum for transmission of the data transmission between the transceiver device (52) and a second transceiver device (51). The transceiver device (10) includes a transmitter, a receiver coupled to the transmitter and a processor or controller (12) coupled to the transmitter and receiver. The transceiver device is programmed to monitor the spectrum (channels 1-13 of FIG. 3) to determine if a portion (channels 4-8 for example in time slot 8) of the spectrum is available. The transceiver determines what portion of the spectrum is desired for data transmission and then transmits (see time slots 11 and 13) the data transmission within a dynamically selected portion of the available spectrum.

Abstract: A first transceiver (122) detects (402) a need for desired information available from a network server (108). In response to detecting the need and before contacting the network server, the first transceiver attempts (412) to obtain the desired information from another transceiver of a plurality of wireless transceivers near the first transceiver, thereby potentially eliminating a necessity for the first transceiver to contact the network server to obtain the desired information.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of and device for selecting a path for communications between a source device and a target device in an ad-hoc communications system. Operations performed include; determining a first layer of neighbor devices, each neighbor device within the first layer capable of communicating with the source device; successively determining additional layers of neighbor devices, each neighbor device within a particular layer capable of communicating with one or more neighbor device within a preceding layer, until the target device is identified as one of the neighbor devices; and selecting the path including intervening neighbor devices capable of communicating with each other to form the path for communications from the source device to the target device.

Abstract: A wireless communication system measures (602) a traffic load of ones of a plurality of fixed communication stations (102, 202) and transmits (606) from at least one of the stations information describing a location of the at least one of the stations and locations of nearby other stations, along with traffic loads corresponding to the stations. A portable communication unit (104) within communication range of the station conveys (608) the information, thereby assisting the user of the portable communication unit to find a fixed communication station having sufficient capacity available for handling a desired communication.

Abstract: A controller (112) defines (402) a channel pattern specifying a network destination for inbound channel traffic, a subscriber unit address group to which the channel pattern applies, and a predetermined time interval during which the channel pattern is to be active. The controller transmits (406) the channel pattern to a processor (310) which processes received inbound traffic. The processor then manages (412) the inbound traffic in accordance with the channel pattern.

Abstract: A communication network including a plurality of intennediaries in which a request for information is generated by a first intermediary and a response to the request is generated by a second intermediary of the plurality of intermediaries. A location token requesting location information corresponding to the first intermediary is included in one or both of the request and the response, and the request and the response are transmitted between the intermediaries, with location information being inserted within the location token in response to receipt of the location token by certain ones of the plurality of intermediaries.

Abstract: Data communication apparatus and method wherein a communication channel is accessible to transmitting stations and to a controller with access to the channel according to a contention protocol. A number of test slots in a frame of recurring time slots are used to assess the extent of network loading and to arrive at a probability of access factor (“PAF”). The PAF is used to adjust the probability of access for the transmitting stations, especially during periods of high traffic, so as to reduce the incidence of collisions.

Abstract: Spread spectrum packet-switching radio devices are operated in two or more ad-hoc networks or pico-networks that share frequency-hopping channels and time slots that may collide. The piconets can be short range wireless associations of communicating devices, for example according to the Bluetooth, Home RF or similar industry protocols. One device in each piconet is a synchronizing master and others are slaves that follow the master's frequency hopping sequence. The sequences of two or more operating piconets (masters) occasionally coincide, which could cause simultaneous transmissions that interfere or collide. The frequency hopping sequences of two or more masters are exchanged using identity codes, permitting the devices to anticipate collision time slots. Priorities are assigned to the simultaneously operating piconets during collision slots, e.g., as a function of their message queue size or latency, or other factors.

Abstract: A wireless communication system receives (402) a communication specifying a portable subscriber unit (122) for which the communication is intended, and further indicating an originator location at which an originator of the communication is positioned. The system determines (404) a recipient location at which the portable subscriber unit is positioned. The system then calculates (406) a distance between the originator location and the recipient location, and routes (412) the communication to the portable subscriber unit when the distance meets a distance criterion.