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

A method of multi-mode data communication employing a communication terminal capable of operating on either a first wireless communication link or a second wireless communication link to communicate with an access device capable of wireless communication with the communication terminal over the first wireless communication link and the second communication link, the access device communicatively coupled to a destination on a wired network, the method comprising:

• establishing wireless communication between the communication terminal and the access device via the first wireless communication link operating according to a first wireless communication link protocol and having a first coverage area, if at least one predefined operating condition exists;
• communicating data between the communication terminal and the destination on the wired network via the access device using the first wireless communication link, if the at least one predefined operating condition exists;
• establishing wireless communication between the communication terminal and the destination on the wired network via the second wireless communication link operating according to a second wireless communication link protocol different from the first wireless communication link protocol and having a second coverage area that contains the first coverage area, if the at least one predefined operating condition does not exist;
• and
• automatically arranging communication of data between the communication terminal and the destination on the wired network via one of the first and the second wireless communication links depending at least upon whether or not the at least one predefined operating condition exists.

A multi-mode data communication system comprising:

• a communication terminal capable of wirelessly communicating data to a wired network using a first wireless communication network;
• at least one processor capable of communicating data via the wired network;
• at least two transceivers, a first of the at least two transceivers operably coupled to the communication terminal and a second of the at least two transceivers operably coupled to the at least one processor, each of the first and second transceivers capable of direct wireless communication of data with the other, the first and second transceiver forming a second wireless communication network;
• and
• one or both of the first and second transceivers functioning to detect communication signals of the other of the first and second transceivers, the system automatically establishing communication of data between the communication terminal and the wired network via one of the first and second wireless communication networks based upon at least one predetermined parameter.

At least one circuit for use in a communication device for use in a multi-mode data communication system, the multi-mode data communication system having at least a first transceiver adapted to selectively communicate data in a first wireless communication network, a second transceiver adapted to selectively communicate data wirelessly with the first transceiver of the first wireless communication network, and at least one processor operably coupled to the second transceiver and capable of communicating data between the second transceiver and a wired network, the at least one circuit operational to, at least:

• store identifying information;
• selectively communicate data wirelessly to the wired network over a second wireless communication network;
• operatively couple to the first transceiver of the multi-mode data communication system;
• and
• communicate at least one signal with the multi-mode data communication system, the at least one signal comprising characteristics to cause the multi-mode data communication system to select wireless communication of data between the communication device and the wired network using one of the first and the second wireless communication networks, based upon at least one operating condition of one or both of the first and second wireless communication networks.

In at least one circuit for use in a communication device capable of operating on either a first wireless communication link or a second wireless communication link with an access device over the first wireless communication link or the second communication link, a method of multi-mode data communication, the method comprising:

• establishing wireless communication with the access device via the first wireless communication link operating according to a first wireless communication link protocol and having a first coverage area, if at least one predefined operating condition exists, where the access device is communicatively coupled to a wired network;
• communicating data with a destination on the wired network via the access device using the first wireless communication link, if the at least one predefined operating condition exists;
• establishing wireless communication with the destination on the wired network via the second wireless communication link operating according to a second wireless communication link protocol different from the first wireless communication link protocol and having a second coverage area that contains the first coverage area, if the at least one predefined operating condition does not exist;
• and
• automatically arranging communication of data with the destination on the wired network via one of the first and second wireless communication links depending at least upon whether or not the at least one predefined operating condition exists.

At least one circuit for use in a communication device for use in a multi-mode data communication system, the multi-mode data communication system having at least one processor capable of communicating data with a wired network, and having at least two transceivers comprising a first transceiver and a second transceiver, where the second transceiver is operatively coupled to the at least one processor and is capable of direct wireless communication of data with the first transceiver over a first wireless communication network, and where one or both of the first and second transceivers functions to detect communication signals of the other of the first and second transceivers, the at least one circuit operational to, at least:

• selectively communicate data wirelessly to the wired network over a second wireless communication network;
• operatively couple to the first transceiver;
• and
• communicate at least one signal with the multi-mode data communication system, the at least one signal comprising characteristics to cause the communication system to automatically establish communication of data between the communication device and the wired network via one of the first and second wireless communication networks, based upon at least one predetermined parameter.