VolP encryption bridging by home wireless router

#This invention relates generally to Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs); and more particularly to the servicing of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications by WLANs.

#Communication technologies that link electronic devices in a networked fashion are well known. Examples of communication networks include wired packet data networks, wireless packet data networks, wired telephone networks, wireless telephone networks, and satellite communication networks, among other networks. These communication networks typically include a network infrastructure that services a plurality of client devices. The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is probably the best-known communication network that has been in existence for many years. The Internet is another well-known example of a communication network that has also been in existence for a number of years. These communication networks enable client devices to communicate with one another other on a global basis. Wired Local Area Networks (wired LANs), e.g., Ethernets, are also quite common and support communications between networked computers and other devices within a serviced area. Wired LANs also often link serviced devices to Wide Area Networks and the Internet. Each of these networks is generally considered a “wired” network, even though some of these networks, e.g., the PSTN, may include some transmission paths that are serviced by wireless links.

#Wireless networks have been in existence for a relatively shorter period. Cellular telephone networks, wireless LANs (WLANs), and satellite communication networks, among others, are examples of wireless networks. Relatively common forms of WLANs are IEEE 802.11a networks, IEEE 802.11b networks, and IEEE 802.11g networks, referred to jointly as “IEEE 802.11 networks.” In a typical IEEE 802.11 network, a wired backbone couples to a plurality of Wireless Access Points (WAPs), each of which supports wireless communications with computers and other wireless terminals that include compatible wireless interfaces within a serviced area. The wired backbone couples the WAPs of the IEEE 802.11 network to other networks, both wired and/or wireless, and allows serviced wireless terminals to communicate with devices external to the IEEE 802.11 network.

#FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating a communication system constructed and operating according to the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a system diagram illustrating a plurality of home wireless routers and their connection to a broadband network;

#FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a home wireless router constructed and operating according to the present invention;

#FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating a communication system 100 constructed and operating according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 the system 100 supports Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) communications within at least one WLAN service area. Home wireless routers 102 and 104 each service wireless WLAN communications for respective WLAN service areas. Home wireless router 102 supports WLAN communications with wireless terminal 114A, wireless terminal 116A (laptop computer), and wireless terminal 118B (desktop computer). Likewise, home wireless router 104 supports WLAN communications within its respective WLAN service area. In supporting WLAN communications, home wireless router 104 supports wireless communications with wireless terminals 114B, 116B, and 118B. As the reader will appreciate, the numbers and types of wireless terminals that may be supported by the home wireless routers 102 and 104 vary from installation-to-installation.

#Home wireless routers 102 and 104 support WLAN communications according to a standardized communication protocol. The WLAN communication protocol may be one or more of IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n, and/or another WLAN communication standard. Further, home wireless router 102 may support Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) communications via the Bluetooth communication standard, the IEEE 802.15 standard, or another communication standard.

#Each of home wireless routers 102 and 104 couples to a broadband network via a broadband connection. In a first embodiment, a wired broadband network 106 services the broadband connections for the home wireless routers 102 and 104. The broadband network 106 may be a cable modem network or another wired network that provides the broadband connection, e.g., a DSL connection, a DSL2 connection, an ADSL connection, or an ADSL2 connection, for example. In another embodiment, a wireless broadband network 108 services the broadband connections for the home wireless routers 102 and 104. In such case, the wireless broadband network 108 may be a cellular wireless network that provides high speed data service, e.g., CDMA2000, UMTS, etc., a microwave network, a fixed wireless network, or another wireless connection. Still alternately, the broadband connection may be serviced via an optical network. In still another embodiment, the wired broadband network 106 services one broadband connection while the wireless broadband network 108 services another broadband connection. In any case, the WLAN VoIP service accumulator 120 will typically be an element of, or coupled to the wired broadband network 106 and/or the wireless broadband network 108.