Dual Mode Wireless Data Communications
AssigneeSymbol Technologies, Inc.
InventorRaj BRIDGELALL
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A dual mode mobile unit is arranged to communicate in either a first or second data communications standard, such as combined Bluetooth and 802.11 operation. An interface unit converts received Bluetooth or 802.11 format signals into 802.11 frame format data signals to be provided to a digital signal processor which is programmed to process signals in either standard. The dual mode mobile unit can operate in the 802.11 standard to reserve a time interval for Bluetooth activity during which other 802.11 units will avoid transmissions to avoid interference.
Claims23
1-12. (canceled)
A method for operating a dual mode mobile unit, comprising:
- providing a first transmitter for operation using a first wireless protocol and responsive to first protocol baseband signals;
- providing a first receiver for operation using the first wireless protocol and providing output first protocol baseband signals;
- providing a second transmitter for operation using a second wireless protocol and responsive to second protocol baseband signals;
- providing a second receiver for operation using the second wireless protocol and providing output second protocol baseband signals;
- providing a digital processor programmed to process signals for the first and second protocols, responsive to received digital signals in a first protocol frame format and providing output digital transmission signals in the first protocol frame format;
- converting the output first and second protocol baseband signals to the received digital signals in the first protocol frame format;
- and
- converting the output digital transmission signals from the first protocol frame format to one of the first and second protocol baseband signals.
A dual mode mobile unit for operating according to first and second wireless protocols, comprising:
- first and second RF modules, respectively transmitting and receiving signals according to first and second wireless protocols, and each responsive to baseband signals for transmission and providing output baseband signals on reception;
- a digital processor responsive to received digital signals processing the digital signals according to one of the first and second protocols;
- and
- an interface unit receiving baseband signals from the first and second RF modules and supplying corresponding digital signals to the processor, the interface unit receiving digital signals from the processor and supplying first and second corresponding baseband signals to the first and second RF modules respectively.
A dual mode mobile unit for operating according to first and second wireless protocols, comprising:
- first and second RF modules, respectively transmitting and receiving signals according to first and second wireless protocols, and each responsive to baseband signals for transmission and providing output baseband signals on reception;
- a digital processor responsive to received digital signals for processing the digital signals according to one of the first and second protocols;
- and
- an interface unit for receiving baseband signals from the first and second RF modules and supplying corresponding digital signals to the processor, the interface unit receiving digital signals from the processor and supplying first and second corresponding baseband signals to the first and second RF modules respectively, wherein the interface unit receives output baseband signals from the second RF module and supplies the corresponding digital signals to the digital processor in a first protocol frame format, and receives digital signals from the digital processor in the first protocol frame format and supplies corresponding baseband signals to the second RF module according to the second wireless protocol.
A dual-mode mobile unit arranged to transmit and receive signals using first and second wireless protocols, comprising:
- means for enabling a communication under the first wireless protocol;
- means for enabling a communication under the second wireless protocol;
- means for reserving a transmission time interval in a frame of the first wireless protocol;
- and
- means for communicating under the second wireless protocol during the reserved time interval, wherein the reserving a transmission time is repeated at a selected duty cycle.
A method for operating a dual-mode mobile unit arranged to transmit and receive signals using first and second wireless protocols, comprising:
- operating the mobile unit under the first wireless protocol;
- reserving a transmission time interval in a frame of the first wireless protocol;
- and
- operating the mobile unit under the second wireless protocol during the reserved time interval, wherein the mobile unit, when operating under the second wireless protocol, acts as a master unit for at least one slave unit operating under the second wireless protocol and controls the slave unit using the second wireless protocol to transmit using the second wireless protocol during the reserved time interval.
A system for operating a dual-mode mobile unit arranged to transmit and receive signals using first and second wireless protocols, comprising:
- means for operating the mobile unit under the first wireless protocol;
- reserving a transmission time interval in a frame of the first wireless protocol;
- and
- means for operating the mobile unit under the second wireless protocol during the reserved time interval, wherein the mobile unit, when operating under the second wireless protocol, acts as a master unit for at least one slave unit operating under the second wireless protocol and controls the slave unit using the second wireless protocol to transmit using the second wireless protocol during the reserved time interval.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.