Tiered wireless, multi-modal access system and method

#This invention relates to the field of wireless communication and more particularly to methods and apparatus relating to wireless access to telecommunication infrastructure and services.

#For a number of years, telecommunication systems have been evolving from a vast array of disparate independent networks into a single interconnected telecommunication grid including one way and two way systems such as public telephone systems, private PBS systems, cable networks, internet trunklines, local area networks, broad area networks and many types of wireless systems including specialized microwave, satellite, cellular, PCS, Specialized Radio, television, radio, etc. The isolation of these systems one from another is disappearing as the broadcast television signals are now offered over cable and satellite links, telephone connections are made over the internet, most local and broad area networks are connected via modems to public telephone networks and to the internet, cable systems are providing telephone and internet connections, the internet is supplying radio, telephone and other supplemental telecommunication services. The type of information flowing over this grid includes various types of voice/music (in both analog and digital form) data including numeric, textual and graphic (again in both analog and digital form). Traditional distinctions between these systems and the distinction in type of information conveyed is also disappearing. For example, two way interactive terminal boxes are converting conventional cable TV systems into gateways to the internet and alternatives to telephone and other two way communication systems.

#Integrative technologies have become available that will allow users, of certain types of wireless networks, automated access to any one of the available wireless services without requiring conscious effort by the user. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,854,985 describes an omni-modal wireless access device that allows automated access to any one wireless network based on a user programmed criteria for selecting the service that best meets the user's needs. The concepts disclosed in the '621 patent are being broadly adopted in modern cellular handsets commonly referred to as multi-mode, multi-band phones because they are able to access anyone of a plurality of available wireless networks using different frequencies (multi-band) and different communication protocols (multi-mode-AMPS, TDMA, CDMA, GSM, etc.). Most of these types of phones can be set to operate in an automated mode in which it will automatically search among the available wireless network for the one that best meets a pre-programmed criteria entered by the user into the handset, such as a priority list instructing the handset, when service is requested by the user, to search among the available wireless networks for the network that appears highest on a prioritized list of networks created by the user and to access that network.

#FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a tiered wireless, multi-modal access system designed in accordance with the subject invention.

#FIG. 2A is a digitally controllable multi-modal transceiver designed in accordance with the subject invention for use in the system of FIG. 1.

#FIG. 2B is an input and control circuit for the transceiver of FIG. 2A.

#The subject invention is designed to build on the concepts disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. '985 and '621 (the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference) by making the entire range of telecommunications systems and services available with a minimum of effort and to provide systems and methods for automated techniques for assuring that all communications (whether voice or data or whether landline or wireless) are provided in a manner that best meets the functional desires of the user such as highest speed, highest clarity, least cost, least likelihood of interruption, highest security, or other qualities or a combination of such qualities. The subject invention satisfies the urgent need for technology that will facilitate ease of communication, over the world wide telecommunication grid, that best meets the needs of the user for the fastest, least expensive and most reliable service. FIG. 1 illustrates a highly schematic illustration of a world wide telecommunications system 2 designed and organized in accordance with the subject invention. Because the subject invention is an integrative technology, much of the grid can include existing communications networks (both landland and wireless). For example, system 2 includes a large number of personally activatable multi-modal, portable access devices 4 (which can be denoted a Universal Multi-Modal Access Device; UMMAD's) which have the ability to provide omni-modal access to a broad range of wireless service networks such as those disclosed in the '985 patent.

#As will be described in more detail hereinbelow, each UMMAD 4 will include a frequency agile and protocol agile transceiver operating under digital command signals of a digital controller and memory (which stores communication protocol program sets or has the capability of receiving downloaded program sets) to allow the UMMAD 4 to access any one of a plurality of wireless networks that may be available in the geographic area which the UMMAD 4 may be located. Because the transceiver operates under digital signal command to adjust its operating frequency and communication protocol to permit access to any available wireless network desired, the UMMAD 4 empowers its user to either manually or automatically switch from one network to another in order to obtain a desired communication service. Moreover, the UMMAD 4 may be equipped with multiple transceivers adapted specifically to wirelessly communicate in accordance with particular corresponding protocols such as the BLUETOOTH protocol described at www.bluetooth.com and adapted for low power, short distances or alternatively adapted for much greater power and distances as required for certain communication links such as satellite based communication networks. Each UMMAD would further include the capability of receiving wirelessly transmitted control signals for switching the UMMAD from one communications network to another communications network, even while a communication session, such as a telephone call or data download, is on going so that a session commenced on one network could be continued on another network as required to achieve the most economical and efficient use of available communication resources.

#By providing universal access to all communication networks that may be available at a given location or area within which a UMMAD is normally moved, it will become possible to provide communication systems to allow the most economically desirable allocation of infrastructure resources and to allow automation of the log-on procedures and of procedures for transferring the communication link/service/network to achieve the most efficient allocation of scarce radio spectrum. More particularly, it is an object of the subject invention to provide a system and method, including a business method, that is designed to harness market driven competition to promote innovation in telecommunication technology by granting ready access to the world wide telecommunications grid through efficient reallocation of scarce radio spectrum, automated unique identification of individuals, and improved security of data transmission.