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

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.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A signal transmission device comprising:
 interface circuitry for communication of signals via at least one conventional telephone switching network link, the interface circuitry supporting a plurality of communication modes;   a host device communicatively coupled to the interface circuitry;   a packet network interface for communication via a packet network, the packet network interface communicatively coupled to the host device; and   the host device having stored thereon software capable of supporting communication between the host device and the at least one conventional telephone switching network link, and between the host device and the packet network.   
     
     
         23 . The signal transmission device of  claim 22 , wherein the software is arranged to:
 identify a communication mode of a call received via the at least one conventional telephone switching network link; and   establish communication, via the at least one conventional telephone switching network, in the identified mode.   
     
     
         24 . The signal transmission device of  claim 22 , wherein the signals are analog signals. 
     
     
         25 . The signal transmission device of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of communication modes comprises a facsimile mode. 
     
     
         26 . The signal transmission device of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of communications modes comprises a packet voice mode. 
     
     
         27 . The signal transmission device of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of communications modes comprises a data mode. 
     
     
         28 . The signal transmission device of  claim 22 , wherein the interface circuitry comprises a data modem. 
     
     
         29 . The signal transmission device of  claim 22 , wherein the host device is a personal computer. 
     
     
         30 . The signal transmission device of  claim 22 , wherein a protocol of the packet network comprises an Internet protocol. 
     
     
         31 . A system for use in a signal transmission device, the system comprising:
 at least one processor operably coupled to interface circuitry for communication of signals via at least one conventional telephone switching network link, the interface circuitry supporting a plurality of communication modes;   wherein the at least one processor is arranged to communicate with a host device communicatively coupled to a packet network interface for communication via a packet network; and   wherein the at least one processor and software on the host device interact to enable communication between the packet network and the at least one conventional telephone switching network link.   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the signals are analog signals. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the plurality of communication modes comprises a facsimile mode. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the plurality of communications modes comprises a packet voice mode. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the plurality of communications modes comprises a data mode. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the interface circuitry comprises a facsimile modem. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the host device is a personal computer. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein a protocol of the packet network comprises an Internet protocol. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the software is arranged to:
 originate a call via the at least one conventional telephone switching network link; and   establish communication, via the at least one conventional telephone switching network, in one of the plurality of communication modes.   
     
     
         40 . A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of code sections, each code section comprising a plurality of instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a method of operating a system for use in a signal transmission device, the method comprising:
 communicating with a host device communicatively coupled to a packet network interface for communication via a packet network; and   interact with software on the host device to enable communication between the packet network and the at least one conventional telephone switching network link, the communication over the at least one conventional switching network link transferring signals in any of a plurality of communication modes.   
     
     
         41 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 40 , wherein the plurality of instructions cause the processor to, at least:
 identify a communication mode of a call received via the at least one conventional telephone switching network link; and   establish communication, via the at least one conventional telephone switching network, in the identified mode.