US 6,889,273 B2 · Communication adapter and network system using the communication adapter

Abstract

A communication adapter includes a cable communication signal processing circuit which enables a PDA to have access to a communication network via a cable and a radio communication signal processing circuit which enables a PDA to have access to a communication network via radio waves. The cable communication signal processing circuit and the radio communication signal processing circuit are provided in a single case or on a single board. The cable communication signal processing circuit and the radio communication signal processing circuit operate simultaneously. By attaching the communication adapter to a PDA, the PDA can have access to the communication network via the cable and to make an access to the communication network via the radio waves. Further, the PDA is capable of communicating with the network via the cable and via the radio waves simultaneously.

Claims31

Dependent claims

A communication adapter for use with a personal digital assistant to enable the personal digital assistant to have access to a communication network, said communication adapter comprising:

a cable communication signal processing circuit for permitting the personal digital assistant to have access to the communication network via a cable;
and
a radio communication signal processing circuit for permitting the personal digital assistant to have access to the communication network via radio waves;
wherein
the cable communication signal processing circuit and the radio communication signal processing circuit are independent of each other and are provided in a single case or on a single board;
and
the cable communication signal processing circuit and the radio communication signal processing circuit operate simultaneously.

4 more elements

A network system comprising:

a network;
a plurality of personal digital assistants connected to each other via the network;
a communication adapter attached to at least one of the plurality of personal digital assistants and including:
a cable communication signal processing circuit for permitting the personal digital assistants to have access to the network via a cable;
and
a radio communication signal processing circuit for permitting the personal digital assistants to have access to the network via radio waves, wherein the cable communication signal processing circuit and the radio communication signal processing circuit are independent of each other and are provided in a single case or on a single board, and the cable communication signal processing circuit and the radio communication signal processing circuit operate simultaneously;
wherein
at least one of the plurality of personal digital assistants to which the communication adapter is attached functions as an access point which makes signal conversions between a cable communication form and a radio communication form, the access point personal digital assistant including:
a program storing section including an access point processing program which exchanges signals between a cable communication network and a radio communication network;
and
a control section which, following the access point processing program, sends a signal which has been input by the cable through the communication adapter from a personal digital assistant which is connected to the network by the cable to the personal digital assistants which are connected to the network via radio waves through the communication adapter and which sends a signal which has been input by radio waves through the communication adapter from a personal digital assistant which is connected to the network by the radio waves to the personal digital assistants which are connected to the network via the cable through the communication adapter.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Communication adapter and network system using the communication adapter

Life of this patent

Communication adapter and network system using the communication adapter

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims31