Method and apparatus for communicating with a wireless network using a single address for multiple processors

A method for using a single IP address to wirelessly communicate between an external network and a mobile system that includes at least a first processor operating a first application and a second processor operating a second application both of which are operable to request communication with the external network and operate simultaneously, the first and second processors defining separate first and second communication endpoints respectively, the method comprising:

• establishing a wireless communication link between the external network and the mobile system, including obtaining an IP address from the external network;
• establishing a local communication link and an inter-processor communication link between the first processor and the second processor in the mobile system;
• associating the IP address with the second processor and the second endpoint, so that external communications to the IP address are directed to the second endpoint;
• operating a first application in the first processor that may require external network access;
• configuring a first proxy in the second processor to select external communications whose destination is the first application;
• and
• responsive to external communications selected by the first proxy, forwarding said selected communications to the first processor.

A mobile system having multiple processors that wirelessly communicate with an external network over a wireless communication link, comprising:

• a first processing device including a first processor, a first memory, and a first point-to-point protocol (PPP) communication system;
• a second processing device connected to the first processing device, including a second memory, a second PPP communication system connected to the first PPP communication system, and a second processor connected to the first processor;
• an inter-processor communication link providing a high-speed communication link between the first processor and the second processor;
• and
• a wireless receiver and antenna connected to the first processing device, so that the first processor communicates with the external network over the wireless communication link using an Internet Protocol (IP) address;
• wherein the IP address is associated with the second processing device, and said second memory of the second processing device is configured to directly receive and store wireless communications from the external network.

A mobile system configured to use a single IP address to wirelessly communicate between an external network and the mobile system, the mobile system including at least a first processor operating a first application and a second processor operating a second application both of which are operable to request communication with the external network and operate simultaneously, the first and second processors defining separate first and second communication endpoints respectively, the mobile system comprising:

• means for establishing a wireless communication link between the external network and the mobile system, including obtaining an IP address from the external network;
• means for establishing a local communication link and an inter-processor communication link between the first processor and the second processor in the mobile system;
• means for associating the IP address with the second processor and the second endpoint, so that external communications to the IP address are directed to the second endpoint;
• means for configuring the first processor to filter external communications with the second endpoint, including configuring a filter in the first processor to filter external communications received over the wireless communication link;
• means for communicating with the external network using said IP address associated with said second endpoint;
• and
• means for monitoring and filtering said external communications in the first processor, including selecting a destination as one of the first and second processors, and supplying received data to the selected destination.

A mobile system configured to use a single IP address to wirelessly communicate between an external network and the mobile system, the mobile system including at least a first processor operating a first application and a second processor operating a second application both of which are operable to request communication with the external network and operate simultaneously, the first and second processors defining separate first and second communication endpoints respectively, the mobile system comprising:

• means for establishing a wireless communication link between the external network and the mobile system, including obtaining an IP address from the external network;
• means for establishing a local communication link and an inter-processor communication link between the first processor and the second processor in the mobile system;
• means for associating the IP address with the second processor and the second endpoint, so that external communications to the IP address are directed to the second endpoint;
• means for operating a first application in the first processor that may require external network access,
• means for configuring a first proxy in the second processor to select external communications whose destination is the first application;
• and
• means for responding to external communications selected by the first proxy by forwarding said selected communications to the first processor.