Umted States Patent [19]
`Mahany et al.
`
`[54] HIERARCHICAL COMMUNICATION
`SYSTEM USING PREMISES, PERIPHERAL
`AND VEHICULAR LOCAL AREA
`NETWORKING
`[75] Inventors: Ronald L. Mahany, Cedar Rapids;
`Guy J - West, Lisbon; Alan G- Bunte,
`Cedar Rapids, all of Iowa
`
`[73] Assignee‘ Nomd Corpom?m Cedar Rapids’
`Iowa
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 279,148
`_
`[22] Flledr
`
`Jul- 22, 1994
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`[63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 275,821, Jun. 10, 1994,
`abandoned, Ser. No. 205,639, Mar. 4, 1994, Pat. No. 5,555,
`276, and a continuation-in-part of PCT/US94/05037, May 6,
`1994, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 198,404,
`Feb. 22, 1994, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of
`Ser. No. 198,452, Feb. 18, 1994, abandoned, which is a
`continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 168,478, Dec. 16, 1993,
`abandoned, which is a continuation-impart of Ser. No.
`147,377, Nov. 3, 1993, abandoned, which is a con?nuation
`in-part of Ser. No. 101,254, Aug. 3, 1993, abandoned, which
`is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 85,662, Jun. 29, 1993,
`abandoned, which is a continuation-impart of Ser. No.
`76,340, Jun. 11, 1993, abandoned, which is a continuation
`in-part of Ser. No. 62,457, May 11, 1993, abandoned, said
`Ser. No. 198,452, Feb. 18, 1994, abandoned, is a continua
`tion-in-part of PCT/US93/12628, Dec. 23, 1993, and a
`continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 27,140, Mar. 5, 1993, which
`is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 997,693, Dec. 23, 1992,
`abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No.
`982,292, Nov. 27, 1992, abandoned, which is a continuation
`in-part of Ser. No. 700,704, May 14, 1991, abandoned,
`which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 699,818, May 13,
`1991, abandoned, said Ser. No. 205,639, Mar. 4, 1994, is a
`continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 735,128, Jul. 22, 1991, Pat.
`No. 5,365,546, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No.
`467,096, Jan. 18, 1990, Pat No. 5,052,020.
`
`[51] Int. Cl.6 ................ .. H04B 7/26; H04B 7/216
`[52] US. Cl. ..................... .. 370/338; 375/200; 340/825.5;
`-
`455/383; 455/433
`
`USO05657317A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,657,317
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`[58] Field of Search ................................ .. 370/77, 91, 92,
`370/93, 94.1, 95.1, 95.2, 95.3, 84.18, 85.13,
`85.6; 379/58, 63; 455/111. 34.2, 38.3,
`49.1, 53.1, 54.1, 56.1, 57.1, 89, 343; 364/403,
`424.04; 375/200; 340/825.5, 825.51
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`9/1985 Mears et a1. ......................... .. 455/111
`8/1986 Kudo ................... .. 370/84
`7/1991 Tymes ................... .. 375/200
`8/1993 Natarajan et al. .
`364/953
`2/1994 M11161 et al. ..... ..
`. 364/424.04
`8/1994 Diepstraten ........................ .. 370/8513
`
`4,539,706
`4,606,044
`5,029,183
`5,241,542
`5,289,378
`5,339,316
`
`Primary Examiner—-—Hassan Kizou
`Attorney, Agent, or Finn-Stanford & Bennett L.L.P.
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`
`A hierarchical communication system is described in which
`wireless local area networks (LAN s) exhibiting substantially
`ditferent characteristics are employed in an overall scheme
`to link portable or mobile computing devices. In a premises
`LAN, a series of radio base stations and a backbone LAN
`make up an infrastructure network. The infrastructure net
`work and at least one mobile computing device make up a
`higher-power LAN . utilizing a frequency hopping protocol.
`A lower-power LAN allows for radio communication
`between a mobile computing device and peripheral devices,
`utilizing a single-frequency spread spectrum protocol. A
`vehicular LAN provides for short-range communication
`between a vehicle terminal and a portable terminal. When
`out of direct RF range of the premises LAN, the vehicle
`terminal maintains indirect communication when necessary
`with the premises LAN via one of several alternate RF
`channels. Amicroprocessor. located inside radio units which
`participate in multiple LAN ’s, selects the appropriate
`protocol, frequency band and power level for communicat
`ing through the network.
`
`50 Claims, 54 Drawing Sheets
`
`First Local Area
`Network
`
`33
`HOST
`’/T
`\ COMPUTER
`STATION
`
`34
`
`/
`37M BASE
`\'\,\’_
`
`\
`
`Second Local
`Area Network
`
`wi?grgzk
`
`/ V \ e 41 )
`
`Second Local
`
`Area Network
`(Microlink
`Network
`
`(
`
`M C D = MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICE
`
`P = PERIPHERAL DEVICE
`
`/
`
`45
`
`000001
`
`VIASAT 1003
`IPR of U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,074
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 1 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`a
`
`3 Miami
`
`m
`
`000002
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 2 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`em
`
`
`
`_moo._ucooom
`
`fozsmzmw.<
`
`._:_.2o_s_.
`
`mw
`
`‘I:
`
`\b\/
`
`m_m<mhm\xséwz
`
`
`
`ao.<_moo._5...“.
`
`co:\83/nos._\\.\I:\.\/\A./8\zo_.:2m
`
`(Mx%\\g%,...__a.
`IILIII
`
`000003
`
`as2:»:
`
`
`
`mo_>mo4<mm:mEmn_un_
`
`
`
`
`
`mo.>mawz.S._s.oom:.mos_uD0S.
`
`000003
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 3 0f 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`mm
`
`;
`
`Q02
`
`mm
`V
`
`.PwOI
`
`Embark-200
`
`V mm
`
`in
`
`DOE
`
`
`
`“527$ @Loo:
`
`3 PEwE
`
`
`
`wO_>wQ .EmwTEEwm u m
`
`
`
`wO_>wQ GZCbmEOO M3502 n D O E
`i
`00-2 1 m;
`002
`
`000004
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 4 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`
`
`
`
`22w <25 32¢
`
`DON /
`
`N uEwE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`6:250 mcoimmw cozmiwwmm OZ>w
`
`EN m8 m8 5N
`
`000005
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 5 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`
`
`
`
`2:2 2: ow 9:2 2: or 2:2 2:2 9:0’ 2:0?
`
`F .691 mu .amE ............. .. m .69... v .aoE m .021 w .62“. P .amE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`~12 mwvm ~12 moww ~12 vvwm ~12 mnvw ~12 :vw ~12 :vw ~12 23%
`
`an own-mi
`
`
`5m Em 5m Sm 5m 5m Sm
`
`2: ow 2.: ow 2: ow 2: om 2: ow 2: om 9: ow 9: om
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`F .vmi ~12 wwvm ~12 movw ~12 vvvw ~12 anew ~12 :vw ~12 :vm ~12 wwvm P .021 2 60¢ ............. .. m .691 v .62“. m .02“. m 60E
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Q 25%
`
`
`
`
`
`mom new mom mom mum mom mam
`
`
`
`
`
`000006
`
`

`
`S.U
`
`6t
`
`M
`
`H
`
`W9
`
`whS
`
`(U
`
`317
`
`
`
`Dm~15.EVEumamt~Is_Cvwumcal~I_2Cumumamt.~I_2movmS3;
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`E:cm9:owmEonma.em9:cumN._<_._<m._<.m._<.._<
`
`
`
`21.um~15.ZvmHmGui~12oovwup62“.
`
`weommEcm9:cmmEow«Ecm9:cmMv._<m._<m._<.._<v._<m._<_._<
`
`W3uuswfi
`
`HaHow
`
`1,av2&3
`
`0...§.
`
`OOOOO7
`
`000007
`
`
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 7 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`
`
`22w <53;
`
`
`
`22m <83; mo 6u<
`
`am 2:?
`
`um PEwE
`
`mom
`
`Em
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`3:250 26.3mm F 85 :om .25 o 2 > m
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`6:250 wcswmmm nEI =om .wmm o z > m
`
`000008
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 8 0f 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`
`
`22w (EDP : N P
`
`3 35mm
`
`=3 SQ so
`
`
`
`22m (in; c .62‘ N EB‘
`
`.G 3&5
`new A N:
`
`~25. E
`
`v V moo ms
`—: 0-.
`
`
`.3250 223mm 86 E Em “Em =2. .3”. o z > w
`
`
`
`3:250 mcommmww 23w .... .. ~05 ~05 :om .wwm O 2 > m
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`000009
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 9 0f 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`
`
`22w <22 .22
`
`E S“ 8“
`
`H m o h h _ 9.5, ucooow 12E 6?.
`
`
`mom
`
`
`820 mm 6?. =3 8 .22 =2. mm .22 mm
`
`
`98m =82 98w =82 96w =8
`
`
`“9.0mm 810mm Egon“. mm
`
`
`
`an. ouswmm
`
`@K was m? :K
`
`
`
`
`
`
`5:250 @283 “Em __¢n_ .wwm o z > w
`mm
`
`
`
`000010
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`UA
`
`1n,g
`
`7
`
`S
`
`5
`
`5
`
`317
`
`79anuuswmm
`
`6:an
`
`mymum
`
`Mnow
`
`..mmw.
`
`.1...mo._%<nomo
`
`
`cm..G0_OExommExomn.
`05202:ocooomSam.2:ucmw
`
`OOOO11
`
`.UU<
`
`we
`
`
`
`mu:=om.mmm
`
`000011
`
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 11 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`Sessions
`
`Slot n
`
`Slot 2
`
`Slot 1
`
`Res Poll
`Hello
`
`SYN C
`
`80
`
`80
`
`3
`
`Figure 8
`
`000012
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 12 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`izigmfg ‘E23
`
`000013
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 13 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`ilives'iazppivg
`
`000014
`
`

`
`000015
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 15 0f 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`2 EzwE
`
`
`
`mwmm mmmm
`
`
`
`25 .m. 95.5 A
`guw
`
`
`
`v.5. $22.; V
`
`3mm
`
`
`
`mmmm mmmm ‘
`
`Bins.
`
`mcmn
`
`
`
`25 ..<. wig-5 A
`
`haw ~
`
`000016
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 16 0f 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`
`
`3.5 $29.3
`
`
`
`S2 /1L
`
`6.32
`
`mQmH
`
`2 Enwi
`
`25 8.5,
`
`vi: 8293,
`
`V ommm
`
`wwmm
`
`mwmm
`
`000017
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 17 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`$22.?
`
`36m
`
`V m3;
`
`no: 4
`A 25
`
`3 2=wE
`
`we: . ma:
`
`2083.; V
`
`23°:
`
`83mm
`
`IIIIQIIIIIII.‘
`
`5:
`
`
`
`02.5 3mm
`
`3mm
`
`000018
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 18 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`.m:o=aO
`
`22m<25
`
` __on_damoz>m
`
`82mo..:.8.:
`
`
`
`
`
`=9"..mom0z>m025cozsmommm.§_>>
`
`:m_.IIwvA0
`
`
`
`Hz>m.m_.....ms.x:_.o._o_s_
`
`/\
`
`OOOO19
`
`mu9...»:
`
`Sm.
`
`000019
`
`
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 19 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`/\
`
`initial Ac uisition Algorithm
`Base tation Seiected
`
`3!
`Mobile Computing Device (MCD)
`Registers with Appropriate
`Base Station
`
`y
`
`MCD Monitors Communication
`Link Qualit , And Stores
`Information eceived From
`HELLO Messages Such As Costs
`of Connection And Frequency
`Hop Sequences
`
`Communication
`Link Qual'
`Acceptable .
`
`Figure 16a
`
`000020
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 20 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`N0
`
`Synchronization Attempted with
`Another Base Station, Selection
`Based on Lowest Cost of
`Connection
`
`Any Untried Base
`Stations Left?
`
`
`
`
` Synchronization
`
`Achieved?
`
`
`
`New Communication Link Quality
`Monitored
`
`Communication
`Link Qua!’
`Acceptable .
`
`
`
`
`MCD Continues Monitori
`Communication Link Until
`HELLO Massage is Received From
`the Base Station
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Cost of
`
`Communication
`
`
`
`Link Acceptable?
`
`
`Yes
`Figure 16b
`
`OOOO21
`
`000021
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 21 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`
`
`Initial Synchronization,
`Coordinate with Priority
`SYNC
`
` Go To Sleep
`
`Wake Up And Wait To
`Receive Next Priority
`
`
`SYNC
`
`SYNC Recieved?
`
`
`
`2
`of Last 3 SYNC's
`Have Poor
`Signals?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Stay Awake To Test
`Communication Link
`
`
`
`Link
`Acceptable?
`
`Execute Roamin
`Algorithm
`
`Figure 17
`
`000022
`
`000022
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 22 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`Initial Synchronization,
`Coordinate with Priority
`SYNC
`
`Sleep A Long Time (e.g.,
`Seconds)
`
`
`
`
`Wake Up Short Time
`(e.g., 500 ps) Before
`
`Expected Beginning Of
`Access Interval
`
`Wait To Receive Next
`Priority SYNC
`
`SYNC Received?
`
`No
`
`
`
`
`Link Acceptable?
`
`
`
`Stay Awake To Test
`Communication Link
`
` Link
`Acceptable?
`
`
`
`No
`
`Exegifte I;-igaming
`gor m
`
`.
`Flgure 18
`
`000023
`
`000023
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 23 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`Transmit SYNC
`
`Transmit HELLO
`(Optional)
`
`Determine Extent Of
`Channel Traffic
`
`Yes
`
`n=1
`
`p<1
`
`o :
`
`Place Addresses of
`Identified Devices in
`Polling Queue, Transmit
`Poll To First Unit In
`Polling Queue. Polling
`Queue Order Is:
`(1) Outbound Messages
`For Active Units
`(2) Units Requesting a
`Poll ln Previous
`Access Intervals
`(3) Units Requesting A
`Poll In Current
`Access interval
`
`Figure 19a
`
`OOOO24
`
` Medium Traffic?
` Regen./ation Resolution
`Slots
`
`Heavy Traffic:
`n > 1, p < 1
`
`Transmit Reservation
`Poll, Including: n,p,
`Addresses With Pending
`Messages, Reserved
`IDMA
`
`Receive Requests For
`Po|l's (RFP's) From
`Devices In Reservation
`
`000024
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 24 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`
`
`Wait For Response
`To Poll (Data
`Fragment)
`
`
`
`
`Polling Queue
`
`Addresses
`Remain In
`
`
`
` Response
`Received Within
`Timeout?
`
` esponse
`
`Indicate EOD
`End-Of?-Data)
`
`
`
`Yes
`
`Figure 19b-1
`
`OOOO25
`
`000025
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 25 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`Yes
`
`
` Polling
`Queue7Empty
`
`
`
`
`Yes
`
`
`
`Near
`End Of Access
`lntegval
`
`No
`
`Transmit
`
`
`
`
`
`Control
`Point Device To
`Immediately Initiate
`Commugication
`
`
`
`
`NC
`
`Clear Message
`Transmitted, p : o.
`(Explicit Idle Sense)
`
`Clear
`Message
`Transmitted.
`
`P = 0
`
`Figure 19b-2
`
`OOOO26
`
`000026
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 26 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`Transmit SYNC
`
`Transmit HELLO
`(Optional)
`
`Determine Extent Of
`Channel Traffic
`
`133 A" .4.‘
`
`Medium Traffic?
`
`
`
`Heavy Traffic:
`n > 1. D < 1
`
`A Slots
`
`Resaerfiration Resolution
`
`o :
`
`Place Addresses of
`Identified Devices In
`Polling Queue, Transmit
`Poli To First Unit ln
`Polling Queue. Polling
`Queue Order Is:
`(1) Outbound Messages
`For Active Units
`(2) Units Requesting a
`Poll In Previous
`Access Intervals
`(3) Units Requesting A
`Poll In Current
`Access interval
`
`Transmit Reservation
`Poll, Including: n,p,
`Addresseswith Pending
`Messages, Reserved
`IDMA
`
`Receive Requests For
`Poll's (R_FP's) From
`Devices In Reservation
`
`Figure 20a
`
`OOOO27
`
`000027
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 27 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`No Address Remains In
`Polling Queue
`
`
`
`Wait To Receive Poll
`
`From Device
`
`Send Data
`
`Fragment
`
` Yes
`
`End-Of-Data
`
`Fragment?
`
`Yes
`
`Wait For Clear
`
`Device
`
`Message From
`
`Figure 20b-1
`
`OOOO28
`
`000028
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 23 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`Device
`
`
`
`Clear
`
`Address
`
`
`
`
`
`Removed Yes
`From
`
`
`
`
`Device Address
`Remains In Polling ‘
`Queue
`
`
`
`Message
`Received
`
`Within
`
`Polling
`Timeout
`Queue
`
`?
`
`
`
`
`Near End
`Of Access
`
`
`
`Interval
`?
`
`Yes
`
`Transmit Clear
`
`No
`Message, p = o
`
`Yes
`
`Transmit Request For
`Poll (RFP) To Next
`Device in Polling
`Queue
`
`'
`
`Continue Inbound
`Ngomhm:
`1 Transmit Poll
`2 Wait For Response
`To Poll
`
`Yes
`
`Transmit Clear
`
`C
`
`Message, p :0.
`
`Figure 20b-2
`
`OOOO29
`
`000029
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 29 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`anouswmm
`
`
`
`mmm8<macaw22._o__aES_o__em_
`
`=9".
`
`632.0
`
`mamcoamam
`
`
`
`.o_mcc...«E30930
`
`m_-
`
`83
`
`Sam
`
`000030
`
`000030
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 30 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`
`
`
`
`m$8<8:822._o__aE_\._o__em_=3.dam
`
`
`
`95:0:9”.
`
`oz>m
`
`an2&3
`
`8%
`
`#8%8%
`
`8%T
`
`SNN
`
`OOOO31
`
`000031
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 31 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`muuuswmm
`
`OOOO32
`
`000032
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 32 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`0:95ommmmmfiu:_..on:___on_
`
`3
`
`
`
`mmmoo<mmcom£2:o_EE_:_o_Exm_
`
`
`
`ommmmofi=on.
`
`28:0
`
`wuuuswmm
`
`......J
`
`mea
`
`83
`
`SE
`
`OOOO33
`
`000033
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 33 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`
`
`
`
`mamamomusfi//I._om~
`
`comm
`
`o_aEa9.n_
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`__on.damoz>m.......oSS55S_o.oS—o.o—o.o_oS_oSS5SSS—o.o—o.o_o—o5_oF.......
`
`mu8:»:
`
`
`
`
`
`:o_:om:_:8O._0NOAQI._Omwas...anECOEUUGm.so__w++
`
`++w:o:++3.ow;Tcom:com. 3:5N.3393:o=_m_:co<
`
`
`
`newm:_:_m:.9__..2_;m.32“.
`
`OOOO34
`
`000034
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 34 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`
`
`.0.055>Eo_.n..Oz>mnoa>.eommmmoima?.:_on_.0550wm8.E.<858H53>OZ>m>._.o:n_ Q25.m___.:ou_Emam !wmUcm.mmm.Uc<.c_om.o::o0u.u.$§.<SsomHmwm:UU<
`
`
`
`
`2%II0mUcm.mmw._U_o<
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`m.c_m..wE:.m_nm._m><3._onE:z
`
`
`
`mmimuwaéocm>=m:o_EO.ONouswfi
`
`
`
`§_E__mo::..¢%! E%!
`
`
`
`
`
`ocwUm>o..E..0...2om._mcOUmuooewm g
`
`usauozomNgfimiaeeoo 25mI22m2::<29..§8o__<3.3532am.mImmeamm
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`umamwmmmamm
`
`OOOO35
`
`
`
`
`
`cozmczwmaN$2€<..8o!A.“Emu.u.wmovm9muOZ>m.mmm:vv<cozmczmmopmm22.<..8o
`
`
`
`.w._E_.wOmEm._n_G<.E
`
`o_._c__mm..
`
`
`
`ulnkliii,..,1-,:E2coo
`-
`
`I:
`
`! i i
`
`,1
`
`000035
`
`
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 35 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`
`
`
`
`AIn—n_l&H.mmoumo.mummmv.o.mo.uu<:o_.m:_.moo
`
`:o_=:=mn_
`
`
`
`.m._E__mDmEm....._
`
`
`
`=On.cozmammmm
`
`
`
`._..on_mumume.»ommmmm:
`
`
`
`oimUcw.wm2uu<cozmczmoo
`
`
`
`
`
`O.oocmaamwmcaaoz
`
`._o.omu_.___n_BoE25m2%_o.3832£5a
`
`uozmmommgm08:3..«.225NmamQ01«.5o
`Emzcoo|||||||%|||||l
`
`m.2m<n.._.O._m
`
`wumEuu<.62”.
`—$o§.<$8
`Ell!!!
`
`
`
`
`
`xmU:_mucwzcmwm:_n.QoI
`
`mu2%....
`
`<._u_
`
`uni
`
`oocmaaom
`
`
`
`m:m<._._.mZ
`
`inNOED—DID
`
`OOOO36
`
`000036
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 36 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`OOOO37
`
`000037
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 37 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`OOOO38
`
`000038
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 33 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`3031
`
`
`
`Figure28C
`
`OOOO39
`
`000039
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 39 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`o_°m
`
`m—om
`
`mm.9".
`
`000040
`
`000040
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 40 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`SE35.
`
`mommBoEoS_z
`
`OOOO41
`
`000041
`
`

`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 41 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`OOOO42
`
`000042
`
`

`
`Sheet 42 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`
`
`3195
`
`
`
` N0
`
`ATTEMPT
`
`TRANSMIT
`
`N0
`
`TRANSMIT
`
`MESSAGE
`
`OOOO43
`
`000043
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 43 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`3205
`
`3201
`L.
`
`3205
`
`3207
`
`3227
`3207
`3205
`3207
`-
`,
`£j;£jEIW%I§:
`
`3205
`
`3203
`x.
`
`3209 (3211
`
`3213
`
`3215
`/
`
`3219
`
`3217
`
`3221
`
`3
`
`223
`
`3225
`
`Fig. 33a
`
`3211
`
`3215 Fig_ 33¢
`
`OOOO44
`
`000044
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12,1997
`
`Sheet 44 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`em.m_u_
`
`OOOO45
`
`000045
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 45 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`UPON RECEIVING
`
`
`
`A TRANSMISION
`
`FROM
`
`
`
`
`
`MICROLAN DEVICE
`
`
`
`
` IDENTIFY A
`
`RANGE VALUE
` SUBSEOUENTLY,
`
`
`3313
`
`3311+
`
`
`
`TRANSMIT RANGE VALUE
`
`UPON RECEIVING
`
`A RANGE VALUE
`
`
`
`
`3321
`
`USING BATTERY
`
`PARAMETERS, IDENTIFY
`SUBSEOUENT DATA RATE
`
`(AND POWER LEVELI
`
`SUBSEOUENTLY,
`TRANSMIT INDICATION OF
`
`IDENTIFIED DATA RATE
`(EXPLICIT/IMPLICITI
`
`TO THE
`
`
`
`MICROLAN DEVICE
`
`
`
`
`
`Fig. 35
`
`000046
`
`000046
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 46 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`Fig. 36
`
`
`
`UPON BINDING
`(AND PERIODICALLY)
`
`
`
`
`
`3358
`
`
`UPON RECEIVING A
`TRANSMISSION FROM
`
`
`MICROLAN DEVICE
`
`
`
`
`TRANSMIT INDICATION
`OF BATTERY
`
`PARAMETERS
`
`BAsED ON RANGE AND
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SUBSEDUENTLY, TRANSMIT
`INDICATION OF
`
`IDENTIFIED DATA RATE
`(8. POWER LEVELI
`TO MICROLAN DEVICE
`
`3361
`
`
`
`
`USING STORED BATTERY
`PARAMETERS, IDENTIFY
`
`SUBSEQUENT DATA RATE
`(AND POWER LEVEL)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`3355
`
`
`upon REEEMNG
`BATTERY PARAMETERS
`FROM A MICROLAN
`
`
`
`
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`
`
`STORING THE
`
`BATTERY
`
`3357
`
`
`
`PARAMETERS
`
`
`
`000047
`
`000047
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 47 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`mama
`
`Eiom
`
`mofiom
`
`_c=:oQ
`
`momm
`
`Smm\
`
`_o=:oO
`
`.ommmuo.n_
`
`>.oEo_2
`
`«Sm
`
`mcmm
`
`:o=m_:Uo§
`
`Smm
`
`.m=_Em:m.:.
`
`_u____._E<
`
`.o§o:o0
`
`mam
`
`Smm
`
`mcfimmooi
`
`.o>_ooom.
`_m_a_m.9.5
`
`
`Ema
`
`“EEzooom
`
`m:_mm3o.n_
`
`mmEuwmm
`
`accmE<
`
`m:_._2_;m
`
`OOOO48
`
`000048
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 48 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`Figure38
`
`3611
`
`3605
`
`3603
`
`
`Reference
`Oscillator
`
`fREF
`
`OOOO49
`
`000049
`
`

`
`5,657,317
`Sheet 49 of 54
`Aug. 12, 1997
`U.S. Patent
`I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I
`
`'1
`
`Preselector K 3651
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Figure 40
`
`000050
`
`000050
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 50 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I L
`
`_m._a_o
`
`.m...m_m
`
`aomm
`
`.m:w>coo
`
`_emm
`
`
`
`mmmm_mum
`
`—————Q—¢c¢———————
`
`OOOO51
`
`000051
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 51 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`MAC Select/Service
`
`Routines
`
`3823
`
`3819
`
`3811
`
`Premises LAN MAC
`
`Routines
`
`/ 3522
`
`3813
`
`3815
`
`3817
`
`3821
`
`Peripheral LAN MAC
`Routines
`
`Vehicular LAN
`
`MAC Routines
`
`WAN MAC
`
`Routines
`
`PHY Layer
`Control
`
`Figure 42
`
`000052
`
`000052
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`1MgM
`
`25m&
`
`5
`
`,657,317
`
`emEmmmoum:__
`
`
`co_.8_o_.=aM5._u__em_m>.=oa:m__nSmo2mw>Esme>=_o_as.
`
`
`
`
`
`mm.2:?
`
`mafia
`
`moonmoanmoanmcmm
`
`
`
`._o_§__u_§mz<._mmmwm=o_§._o_En_
`
`
`
`._ou_:mom=.on_
`
`.ue_=_§__
`
`
`
`
`W1”m<23_o_u€.>..mmmoum:._<mmo.
`Qmm_m=m_.aSmw.5509__o_aom._o_.3_o_.§.mama.“25
`
`
`
`..$..$8o..__=2558:82958fi__nsm8.55_o_:mn_
`ouos_mou_:o>o25mesa
`
`OOOO53
`
`000053
`
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 53 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`3957
`
`
`
`Continue Master LAN
`Participation Until Need
`For Slave Participation
`Overrides
`
`
`
`
`
`’
`
`3951
`
`Poll/Scan For The
`Master LAN
`
`
`
`Has
`
`aster LAN
`
`
`Been
`
`
`Located
`
`
`
`
`Slave LAN
`Participatio
`
`
`3961
`
`Establish Slave
`
`Participation
`
`
`
`Master Overrides
`
` 3969
`
`
`
`Continue Slave
`Participation As Needed
`Or Until Need To Service
`
`
`E t bl. h
`_ _5 3_ '5
`,
`Pa”'°'fi:t£;W“h
`
`
`
`
`
`Participation
`Complete
`
`
`if necessary,
`Register Sleep
`
`Mode with Slave
`
`
`
`
`
`
`LAN
`
`Detach From Slave
`LAN
`
`Figure 44
`
`000054
`
`Slave LAN
`
`000054
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 54 of 54
`
`5,657,317
`
`4521
`
`4519
`
`4517
`
`4523
`
`\
`
`Fig.45
`
`425*/x: 4513/ 4515
`
`4501
`
`
`
`45034505[:1|:lHE‘J[lgIIIIIIIIIIIIII
`
`
`
`45074509'
`
`000055
`
`000055
`
`

`
`5,657,317
`
`1
`HIERARCHICAL COMMUNICATION
`SYSTEM USING PREMISES, PERIPHERAL
`AND VEHICULAR LOCAL AREA
`NETWORKING
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELALFED
`APPLICATIONS (CLAJMING BENEFIT UNDER
`35 U.S.C. 120)
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part of PCI‘ Appli-
`cation Serial No. PCI‘/US94/05037 filed May 6, 1994 by
`Mahany et al. which is based on U.S. application Ser. No.
`08/198,404. filed Feb. 22, 1994 by Mahany et al., now
`abandoned, which is itself a continuation of U.S. application
`Ser. No. 08/198,452, filed Feb. 18, 1994 by Mahany et al.,
`now abandoned, which is in turn a continuation-in-part of
`U.S. application Ser. No. 08/168,478, filed Dec. 16, 1993 by
`R. Mahany, now abandoned, which is itself a continuation-
`in-pait of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/147,377 filed Nov. 3,
`1993 by R. Mahany, now abandoned, which is in turn a
`continuation-in—part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/101,254
`filed Aug. 3, 1993 by R. Mahany, now abandoned, which is
`in turn a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.
`08/085,662 filed Jun. 29, 1993 by R. Mahany, now
`abandoned, which is in turn a continuation-in-part of U.S.
`application Ser. No. 08/076,340 filed Jun. 11, 1993 by R.
`Mahany, now abandoned, which is in turn a continuation-
`in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/062,457 filed May 11,
`1993 by R. Mahany, now abandoned.
`U.S. application Ser. No. 08/198,452 filed Feb. 18, 1994
`by Mahany et al., now abandoned, is also a continuation-
`in-part of PCI‘ Application Ser. No. PCI‘/US93/12628 filed
`Dec. 23, 1993 by Mahany et al., now entered into national
`phase, which is itself based on pending U.S. application Ser.
`No. 08/027,140 filed Mar. 5, 1993 by Mahany et al., which
`is itself a continuation—in-part of U.S. application Ser.
`07/997,693 filed Dec. 23, 1992 by Luse et al., now
`abandoned, which is itself a continuation-in-part of U.S.
`application Ser No. 07/982,292 filed Nov. 27, 1992 by Luse
`et al., now abandoned, which is itself a continuation-in—part
`of U.S. application Ser. No. 07/700,704 filed May 14, 1991
`by Mahany et al., now abandoned, which is itself a
`continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 07/699,818
`filed May 13, 1991 by Mahany et al., now abandoned.
`This application is also a continuation—in-part of U.S.
`application Ser. No. 08/205,639 filed Mar. 4, 1994 by
`Mahany et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,276, which is a
`continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 07/735,128
`filed Jul. 22, 1991 by Koenck et al., now U.S. Pat. No.
`5,365,546, which is itself a continuation-in-part of U.S.
`application Ser. No. 07/467,096 filed Jan. 18, 1990 by
`Koenck et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,020.
`This application is additionally a continuation-in-part of
`U.S. application Ser. No. 08/275,821 filed Jun. 10, 1994 by
`Mahany et al., now abandoned.
`lNCORPORA'I‘ION BY REFERENCE
`
`The above referenced applications, PCI‘ Application No.
`PCI‘/US92/08610 filed Oct. 1, 1992, as published under
`International Publication No. WO 93/07691 on Apr. 15,
`1993, together with U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,536, by Mahany et
`al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,426, by Sojka, and U.S. Pat. No.
`4,910,794, by Mahany, are incorporated herein by reference
`in their entirety, including drawings and appendices, and
`hereby are made a part of this application.
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`invention relates generally to local area
`The present
`networks used for transmitting and receiving information
`
`10
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`2
`
`and more particularly to a singular radio using multiple
`communication protocols for servicing corresponding mul-
`tiple radio local area networks.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Multiple radio base station networks have been developed
`to overcome a variety of problems with single radio base
`station networks such as spanning physical radio wave
`penetration barriers, wasted transmission power by portable
`computing devices, etc. However, multiple radio base sta-
`tion networks have their own inherent problems. For
`example, in a multiple base station network employing a
`single shared channel, each base station transmission is
`prone to collision with neighboring base station transmis-
`sions in the overlapping coverage areas between the base
`stations. Therefore, it often proves undesirable for each base
`station to use a single or common communication channel.
`In contradistinction, to facilitate the roaming of portable
`or mobile devices from one coverage area to another, use of
`a common communication channel for all of the base
`stations is convenient. A roaming device may easily move
`between coverage areas without loss of connectivity to the
`network.
`
`Such exemplary competing commonality factors have
`resulted in tradeoff decisions in network design. These
`factors become even more significant when implementing a
`frequency hopping spread spectrum network. Frequency
`hopping is a desirable transmission technique because of its
`ability to combat frequency selective fading, avoid narrow-
`band interference, and provide multiple communications
`channels.
`
`Again, however, changing operating parameters between
`coverage areas creates difliculties for the roaming devices
`which move therebetween. In particular, when different
`communication parameters are used, a portable or mobile
`device roaming into a new base station coverage area is not
`able to communicate with the new base station without
`obtaining and synchronizing to the new parameters. ‘This
`causes communication backlog in the network.
`Moreover, even when a radio frequency network is estab-
`lished to cover the premises of a building or group of
`buildings, certain types of communication flow between
`certain types of devices make for ineflicient use of such a
`network. In fact, an ordinarily eflicient network configura-
`tion may be deemed intolerable in certain communication
`scenarios.
`
`Computer terminals and peripheral devices are widely
`used. Many types of computer terminals exist which vary
`greatly in terms of function, power and speed. Many di1fer-
`ent types of peripheral devices also exist, such as printers,
`modems, graphics scanners, text scanners, code readers,
`magnetic card readers, external monitors, voice command
`interfaces, external storage devices, and so on.
`Computer terminals have become dramatically smaller
`and more portable, as, for example, lap top computers and
`notebook computers. Computer tenninals exist which are
`small enough to be mounted in a vehicle such as a delivery
`truck or on a fork lift. Hand held computer terminals exist
`which a user can carry in one hand and operate with the
`other.
`
`Typical computer terminals must physically interface
`with peripheral devices. Thus. there must either be a cable
`running from the computer terminal
`to each peripheral
`device, or the computer terminal must be docked with the
`device while information transfer takes place.
`In an office or work place setting, the physical connection
`is typically done with cables. These cables pose several
`
`OOOO56
`
`000056
`
`

`
`3
`
`4
`
`5,657,317
`
`problems. For example, many cables are required in order
`for a computer terminal to accommodate many peripheral
`devices. In addition, placement of peripheral devices is
`limited by cable lengths. While longer cables may be used,
`they are costly. Additionally, there may be a limited number
`of ports on a computer terminal, thus limiting the number of
`peripherals that may be attached.
`Another problem arises when several computer terminals
`must share the same peripheral device, such as a printer. All
`of the computers must be hardwired to the printer, which
`may create a protocol problem if the computer terminals are
`of different types.
`Peripheral cabling is an even greater problem in scenarios
`where hand—held and portable computer terminals are used.
`The cabling required for an operator to carry a hand-held
`computer terminal in one hand, have a small portable printer
`attached to his belt, and carry a code reader in the other hand
`is cumbersome and potentially even dangerous. For
`example, such an operator loses a great deal of mobility and
`flexibility while supporting a number of cabled devices. In
`addition, as cables wear out and break, exposed electric
`current could shock the operator, or create a spark and
`potentially cause a fire or explosion in some work areas.
`The requirement of physically connecting the computer
`terminals and peripherals severely reduces the efliciency
`gained by making the devices smaller. An operator must
`somehow account for all of the devices in a system and keep
`them all connected. This can be very inconvenient. For
`example. an operator having a notebook computer and a
`modem in a briefcase may wish to have the freedom to move
`around with the computer but without the modem. He may,
`for example, wish to work at various locations on a job sight
`and at various times transmit or receive information via his
`
`modern. If the modem and the computer are hard wired
`together, he must either carry the modern with him or keep
`connecting and disconnecting it.
`Furthermore, cabling can be expensive because cables
`frequently prove to be unreliable and must be replaced
`frequently. In portable environments, cables are subject to
`frequent handling,
`temperature extremes, dropping and
`other physical trauma. It is not uncommon for the cables or
`the connectors for the cables on the devices to need replac-
`ing every three months or so.
`Attempts to alleviate or eliminate these problems have
`been made but have not been entirely successful. One
`solution is to incorporate a computer terminal and all of the
`peripherals into one unit. However, this solution proves
`unsatisfactory for several reasons. For example, the incor-
`poration of many devices into one unit greatly increases the
`size and weight of the unit, thus jeopardizing its portability.
`Furthermore, incorporating all of the functions into one unit
`greatly reduces and, in most cases eliminates, the flexibility
`of the overall system. A user may only wish to use a
`hand-held computer tenninal at times, but at other times may
`also need to use a printer or occasionally a code reader. An
`all—incorporated unit
`thus becomes either overly large
`because it must include everything, or very limiting because
`it does not include everything.
`'
`Another solution has been to set up Local Area Networks
`(LAN’s) utilizing various forms of RF (Radio Frequency)
`communication. The LAN’s to date, however, have been
`designed for large scale wireless communications between
`several portable computer terminals and a host computer.
`Therein,
`the host computer, itself generally a stationary
`device, manages a series of stationary peripherals that. upon
`requests to the host. may be utilized by the portable termi-
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`nals. Other large scale wireless communications have also
`been developed which provide for RF communication
`between several computer terminals and peripheral devices,
`but have proven to be ineifective as an overall solution. For
`example, these systems require the peripheral devices to
`remain active at all times to listen for an occasional com-
`
`munication. Although this requirement may be acceptable
`for stationary peripheral devices receiving virtually unlim-
`ited power (i.e., when plugged into an AC outlet), it proves
`detrimental to portable peripherals by unnecessarily drain-
`ing battery power. Similarly, in such systems, the computer
`terminals are also required to remain active to receive an
`occasional communication not only from the other terminals
`or the host, but also from the peripherals. Again, often
`unnecessarfly, battery power is wasted.
`In addition, such large scale systems are designed for long
`range RF communication and often require either a licensed
`frequency or must be operated using spread spectrum tech-
`nology. Radios in such systems are typically cost
`prohibitive, prove too large for convenient use with personal
`computers and small peripheral devices, and require a great
`deal of transmission energy utilization.
`Furthermore, these systems do not provide for eflicient
`communication between portable computer devices and
`peripherals. For example, a portable computer device may
`be mounted in a delivery truck and a driver may desire to
`transmit data to, or receive data from, a host computer or
`peripheral device at a remote warehouse location. While
`permitting such transmission, such wide area networks
`(WANs) only provide point—to-point communications, use a
`narrow bandwidth, and often have heavy communication
`traflic. As a result, WANs are generally slow and expensive
`and simply do not provide an effective overall solution.
`Additionally, in order for a computer device to be effec-
`tively portable in these systems, it must be capable of
`participating on any number of LANs operating with dif-
`ferent communication parameters and protocols. Thus, each
`portable computer device requires a plurality of built-in
`radio transceivers, one to accommodate each of such LANs.
`As a result, portable computer devices can become costly,
`excessively large, heavy, and power hungry.
`Thus, there is a need for a radio frequency communication
`system and associated radio that supports the use of network
`peripherals and solves flre foregoing problems relating to
`power conservation and portability.
`Another object of the invention is to provide a method and
`apparatus wherein collisions are minimized in overlapping
`coverage areas in a multiple base station network while
`providing a seamless communication network to support
`roaming devices.
`Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method
`and apparatus wherein collisions are minimized in overlap-
`ping coverage areas by utilizing uncommon co