I 1111111111111111 11111 lllll lllll 111111111111111 11111 111111111111111 IIII IIII
`
`US006937158B2
`
`
`(10)Patent No.:
`US 6,937,158 B2
`(12)United States Patent
`(45)Date of Patent:
`* Aug. 30, 2005
`Lansford et al.
`
`(54)METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WIRELESS
`(56)
`
`COMMUNICATION BETWEEN
`
`ELECTRONIC DEVICES
`
`
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`
`Assignee: Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, CA
`
`
`
`
`(73)
`(US)
`
`4,850,036 A * 7/1989 Smith ......................... 455/502
`
`
`
`(75) Inventors: James L. Lansford, Stillwater, OK
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4,872,205 A * 10/1989 Smith ......................... 455/527
`
`
`(US); Jon W. T. Inouye, Chandler, AZ
`
`5,123,029 A * 6/1992 Bantz et al. ................ 375/133
`
`
`(US); Debashis Chowdhury, Chandler,
`
`
`
`
`
`5,134,710 A 7/1992 Akerberg ................... 455/54.1
`
`
`
`
`5,241,542 A * 8/1993 Natarajan et al. ........... 370/311
`AZ (US)
`
`
`
`5,414,731 A * 5/1995 Antunes et al. ............. 375/134
`
`
`
`5,581,548 A 12/1996 Ugland et al. .............. 370/330
`
`
`
`5,818,828 A * 10/1998 Packer et al. ............... 370/346
`
`
`
`5,884,900 A * 3/1999 van der Tuijn et al. ..... 370/342
`
`
`5,887,022 A 3/1999 Lee et al. ................... 375/202
`Notice: This patent issued on a continued pros­
`
`
`
`( *)
`
`
`
`6,519,460 Bl * 2/2003 Haartsen .................. 455/452.1
`
`
`ecution application filed under 37 CFR
`
`
`6,600,726 Bl * 7/2003 Nevo et al. ................. 370/278
`
`
`
`1.53( d), and is subject to the twenty year
`
`
`
`
`6,683,886 Bl * 1/2004 Eftimakis et al. ........... 370/458
`
`patent term provisions of 35 U.S.C.
`*cited by examiner
`154(a)(2).
`
`Primary Examiner-Brian Zimmerman
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`
`Assistant Examiner-William Bangachon
`
`
`
`
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`
`
`
`
`(74)Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Blakely, Sokoloff, Taylor
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`and Zafman
`
`(21)Appl. No.: 09/474,660
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`
`
`(22)Filed:Dec. 29, 1999
`
`(65)
`
`
`
`US 2003/0178984 Al Sep. 25, 2003
`
`A first device operates at a first hopping frequency during a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`first period of time and operates at a second hopping
`Prior Publication Data
`
`
`
`
`frequency during a second period of time. A second device
`
`
`
`operates at the first hopping frequency and communicates
`
`
`
`
`with the first device during the first period of time. A third
`
`
`
`
`device operates at the second hopping frequency and com­
`
`(51)Int. Cl.7 ................................................ G0SB 19/02
`
`
`
`
`municates with the first device during the second period of
`
`
`(52)U.S. Cl. .................................................. 340/825.22
`
`time. The second period of time may be a contention-free
`
`
`
`(58)Field of Search ......................... 340/825.03, 825.5,
`
`
`period during which time the second device may not com­
`
`
`340/7.34, 7.43, 2.1, 825.52, 925.73; 375/133,
`
`municate with the first device.
`
`
`134; 370/311, 342, 351, 329, 337, 480,
`
`
`346, 347, 4.58, 278; 455/450, 426, 452.1,
`507, 502
`
`
`
`11 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`DEVICE A
`
`11 I 1111 I I
`
`
`
`11 I 11111 I 111 1
`
`DEVICE B
`
`DEVICE C
`
`
`!1111111111111111111111111 � ...
`11 11111111
`I I I I
`� \ t !
`
`I
`I
`
`I
`I
`
`104
`101 103
`
`111
`
`113
`
`121
`114
`
`Page 1 of 9
`
`EXHIBIT 1012
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 30, 2005
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 6,937,158 B2
`
`• • •
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`
`Page 2 of 9
`
`EXHIBIT 1012
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 30, 2005
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 6,937,158 B2
`
`•
`
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`LL
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`Page 3 of 9
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`EXHIBIT 1012
`
`

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`N
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`COMMUNICATE WITH THE SECOND
`
`I DEVICE AT THE SECOND HOPPING
`
`FREQUENCY
`
`425
`
`I
`
`--
`
`420
`
`DEVICE AT THE FIRST HOPPING
`COMMUNICATE WITH THE FIRST
`
`CONTENTION-FREE PERIOD.
`FREQUENCY DURING THE
`
`SECOND DEVICE OPERATING AT A I
`
`SEND THAT INFORMATION TO A
`A CONTENTION-FREE PERIOD AND
`DETERMINE THE TIME FRAME FOR 1
`
`SECOND HOPPING FREQUENCY.
`
`ill
`
`C END _)-
`
`FIG. 4
`
`NO
`
`I
`
`I
`
`HOPPING FREQUENCY.
`OPERATING AT A FIRST
`FROM A FIRST DEVICE
`RECEIVE A FIRST SIGNAL
`
`405
`
`)
`
`BEGIN
`
`Page 4 of 9
`
`EXHIBIT 1012
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 30, 2005
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 6,937,158 B2
`
`502
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`COMPUTER(cid:173)
`READABLE
`MEDIUM
`
`FIGURE 5
`
`Page 5 of 9
`
`EXHIBIT 1012
`
`

`

`US 6,937,158 B2
`
`1
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WIRELESS
`COMMUNICATION BETWEEN
`ELECTRONIC DEVICES
`
`The present invention relates to communication systems 5
`and more particularly to wireless communication between
`two devices that may operate on different frequency hopping
`protocols.
`
`2
`FIG. 4 is a method of the present invention.
`FIG. 5 shows a high-level block diagram of a HomeRF
`connection point (CP) unit, in accordance with one embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Electronic devices typically include one or more semi(cid:173)
`conductor chips that manipulate and control the flow of data
`by executing instructions that are either entered by a user or
`read from a temporary, semi-permanent, or permanent stor(cid:173)
`age area. These semiconductor chips are called processors.
`As the integration density of these processors increases, and
`the associated costs decrease, electronic devices will
`become increasingly pervasive in our society. Electronic
`devices include cellular and cordless phones, audio and
`video devices such as CD, DVD, and VCR units, cable
`boxes, automobile accessories such as global positioning
`systems, and other types of computer systems from small
`handheld personal data assistants (PDAs), to notebook
`systems, to large workstations and servers.
`Currently these electronic devices tend to operate on
`different communication protocols, making it difficult for
`one electronic device to communicate with another. One
`reason why it might be found to be beneficial to have two
`different electronic devices communicate with one another is 30
`to quickly exchange data. For example, suppose a user has
`an address book electronically stored in a computer system,
`and the user wants to download the address book to their
`cellular phone so that names and numbers can be quickly
`called up and dialed from the phone. If the computer system
`cannot communicate with the cellular phone, the user may
`need to resort to entering each name and number from their
`address book into their cellular phone by hand.
`The present invention addresses this and other problems
`associated with the prior art.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In accordance with one embodiment of the present
`invention, a first device operates at a first hopping frequency
`during a first period of time and operates at a second hopping
`frequency during a second period of time. A second device
`operates at the first hopping frequency and communicates
`with the first device during the first period of time. A third
`device operates at the second hopping frequency and com(cid:173)
`municates with the first device during the second period of
`time.
`Other features and advantages of the present invention
`will be apparent from the accompanying figures and the
`detailed description that follows.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The present invention is illustrated by way of example
`and not limitation in the accompanying figures in which like
`references indicate similar elements and in which:
`FIG. 1 shows how three devices may communicate with
`each other using two different communication protocols in
`accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 shows one implementation of the present invention
`in the home;
`FIG. 3 shows another implementation of the present
`invention in the home; and
`
`55
`
`In accordance with an embodiment of the present
`invention, an electronic device is capable of operating at two
`10 different hopping frequencies. This electronic device is
`referred to herein as a "controller." Operation at the first
`hopping frequency allows wireless communication between
`the controller and a first class of electronic devices in
`accordance with a first wireless communication protocol.
`15 Operation at the second hopping frequency allows wireless
`communication between the controller and a second class of
`electronic devices in accordance with a second wireless
`communication protocol. The first wireless communication
`protocol includes provisions to define a contention-free
`20 period during which time the first class of electronic devices
`do not communicate with the controller.
`Initially, the controller operates at the first hopping fre(cid:173)
`quency in accordance with the first wireless communication
`protocol, and communicates with a first electronic device
`25 belonging to the first class of electronic devices. The con(cid:173)
`troller detects the presence of a second electronic device
`belonging to the second class of electronic devices. The
`controller then determines a time frame for a contention-free
`period and indicates this time frame to the first device.
`During the contention-free period, the first device ceases
`communication with the controller, and the controller oper(cid:173)
`ates at the second hopping frequency in accordance with the
`second wireless communication protocol. Communication
`between the controller and the second electronic device
`35 takes place. During this communication, data may be
`exchanged between the controller and the second electronic
`device, including an indication of the time frame for the next
`contention-free period.
`After the contention-free period has ended, the controller
`40 again operates at the first hopping frequency in accordance
`with the first wireless communication protocol, and com(cid:173)
`municates with a first electronic device. This communica(cid:173)
`tion may continue until the next contention-free period.
`In accordance with one embodiment of the present
`45 invention, the first wireless communication protocol may be
`the HomeRF* protocol described in the Shared Wireless
`Access Protocol (SWAP) Specification 1.0, released Jan. 5,
`1999. The second wireless communication protocol may be
`the Blue tooth* protocol described in the Blue tooth
`50 Specification, Version 1.0A, released Jul. 24, 1999. Other
`communication protocols may be used, however.
`(*Trademarks and brands are the property of their respective
`owners.)
`A more detailed description of embodiments of the
`present invention, including various configurations and
`implementations, is provided below.
`FIG. 1 shows how three devices may communicate with
`each other using two different communication protocols in
`60 accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
`Time progresses from left to right in FIG. 1. Solid vertical
`lines represent frequency hops and dashed vertical lines are
`used to mark points in time to clarify the discussion below.
`As used herein, a "block" is the period of time between
`65 frequency hops in accordance with a communication proto(cid:173)
`col. For example, Device B, of FIG. 1, operates in accor(cid:173)
`dance with a first protocol in which a single block lasts from
`
`Page 6 of 9
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`EXHIBIT 1012
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`

`

`US 6,937,158 B2
`
`3
`time 101 to 111, and another block lasts from 111 to 121.
`Device C, of FIG. 1, operates in accordance with a second
`protocol in which a block lasts for a much shorter period of
`time. Three blocks in accordance with the second protocol
`are labeled 100 in FIG. 1. Various frequency hopping 5
`communication protocols may use alternate terms to refer to
`a block, such as frame, superframe, slot, or segment.
`As used herein, a "hopping frequency" is the rate at which
`a device hops from one frequency to another in accordance
`with a communication protocol. As used herein, a "block 10
`frequency" is the operating frequency at which a device
`communicates within a block in accordance with a commu(cid:173)
`nication protocol. For example, HomeRF devices (i.e.
`devices able to communicate in accordance with the Hom(cid:173)
`eRF communication protocol) operate at a hopping fre- 15
`quency of 50 hops per second, meaning each block lasts 20
`ms. Bluetooth devices (i.e. devices able to communicate in
`accordance with the Bluetooth communication protocol)
`operate at a hopping frequency of 1600 hops per second,
`meaning each block lasts 0.625 ms. In accordance with both 20
`the HomeRF and Bluetooth protocols, each block frequency
`is in the vicinity of 2.4 GHz.
`Referring again to FIG. 1, a first electronic device, Device
`A, is capable of operating at a first hopping frequency in
`accordance with a first communication protocol during a 25
`first period of time, and at a second hopping frequency in
`accordance with a second communication protocol during a
`second period of time. During a first block bounded by times
`101 and 111, Devices A and B operate at the same block
`frequency and may communicate with each other according 30
`to the first communication protocol. At time 111, both
`Devices A and B hop to the next block frequency in
`accordance with the first communication protocol. Then,
`during a second block bounded by times 111 and 121,
`Devices A and B operate at the same block frequency and 35
`may communicate with each other according to the first
`communication protocol.
`Within the first block of the first communication protocol,
`bounded by times 101 and 111 of FIG. 1, Device A switches
`to a second hopping frequency in accordance with the 40
`second communication protocol. During the period of time
`bounded by times 103 and 104, Devices A and C operate at
`the same hopping and block frequencies, and these devices
`may communicate with each other according to the second
`communication protocol. Within the next block of the first 45
`communication protocol, bounded by times 111 and 121 of
`FIG. 1, Device A again switches to the second hopping
`frequency in accordance with the second communication
`protocol. During the period of time bounded by times 113
`and 114, Devices A and C again operate at the same hopping 50
`and block frequencies, and these devices may communicate
`with each other according to the second communication
`protocol.
`Note that in accordance with one embodiment of the
`present invention, Device A may be capable of switching to
`any number of hopping frequencies and block frequencies to
`communicate with electronic devices in accordance with any
`number of communication protocols. In addition, for one
`embodiment, Device A may communicate with another
`electronic device that is also capable of switching to differ- 60
`ent hopping and block frequencies in accordance with
`different communication protocols. For this embodiment,
`the electronic devices may determine the proper protocol
`with which to communicate based on the particular electro(cid:173)
`magnetic environment in which the communication occurs, 65
`the type of data to be communicated between the devices, or
`based on user input.
`
`4
`In accordance with an embodiment of the present
`invention, coordination of communication between the elec(cid:173)
`tronic devices of FIG. 1 may be controlled by Device A For
`this reason, Device A may be referred to as a controller. For
`an embodiment of the present invention in which Device B
`is a HomeRF device and Device C is a Bluetooth device,
`Device A may be referred to as a connection point or master.
`Devices A, B, and C may each include a receiver, a
`processor, and a transmitter. In accordance with one embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the present invention, the same antenna may be used
`for both reception by a receiver and transmission by a
`transmitter. The processor may be used to process the signals
`received and sent. Examples of electronic devices that may
`be used to implement embodiments of the present invention
`are provided below in conjunction with FIGS. 2 and 3.
`Device A, as the controller, listens for and receives a
`signal from Device C of FIG. 1. This signal requests
`communication between Devices A and C and may be
`spontaneously sent from Device C (e.g. in regular, prede(cid:173)
`termined intervals) or it may be sent in response to an
`initiating signal from Device A This initiating signal may be
`occasionally sent from Device A to detect the presence of
`electronic devices with which to communicate. Note that for
`an embodiment in which Device C is a Bluetooth device, the
`signal from Device C requesting communication with
`Device A may be referred to as an inquiry.
`After Device Aof FIG. 1 receives the signal from Device
`C requesting communication, Device A, as the controller,
`determines a time frame for a contention-free period. This
`determination may be made based on information contained
`in the signal received from Device C, the available
`bandwidth, and the communication protocols. For example,
`if Device C indicates that it requires lengthy communication
`as soon as possible with Device A, Device A may allocate
`more time for the contention-free period sooner after receiv(cid:173)
`ing the signal from Device C. If, however, Devices A and B
`are already engaged in communication of a large amount of
`data, then Device A may postpone or shorten the contention(cid:173)
`free period.
`Once determined, Device A of FIG. 1 sends a signal to
`Device B indicating the time frame for the contention-free
`period. This signal may be sent during the period of time
`bounded by time 101 and 103, during which time Device A
`is operating according to the same communication protocol
`as Device B. In accordance with an embodiment in which
`this communication protocol is HomeRF, the signal sent
`from Device A to Device B indicating the time frame for the
`contention-free period may be referred to as a beacon.
`According to FIG. 1, the time frame for the first
`contention-free period begins at time 103 and ends at time
`104. During this contention-free period, communication
`between Device A and Device B is suspended. For one
`embodiment of the present invention, Device B, after receiv(cid:173)
`ing the signal from Device A indicating the time frame for
`55 the contention-free period, does not attempt to contend for
`communication with Device A during that period.
`In accordance with various communication protocols, a
`contention-free period may alternatively be referred to as a
`time reservation or bandwidth reservation period. Provisions
`for establishing a contention-free period have been designed
`into wireless communication protocols, such as HomeRF, to
`provide guaranteed bandwidth to electronic devices that
`require time-critical communication, such as cordless
`phones. In accordance with an embodiment of the present
`invention, these provisions may be used to reserve a time
`period during which electronic devices may communicate
`using alternate communication protocols.
`
`Page 7 of 9
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`EXHIBIT 1012
`
`

`

`US 6,937,158 B2
`
`5
`At time 103 of FIG. 1, both Device A and Device Chop
`to the same block frequency and begin the process of
`establishing a communication link between the devices. For
`an embodiment in which Device C is a Bluetooth device that
`communicates with Device A during the contention-free
`period in accordance with the Bluetooth communication
`protocol, this process of establishing a communication link
`may be referred to as paging. In addition, for this
`embodiment, Device A establishes itself as the master device
`and Device C operates as the slave.
`As shown in FIG. 1, during the contention-free period
`from time 103 to 104, Devices A and C communicate with
`each other over the course of eight frames in accordance
`with the same frequency hopping communication protocol.
`During this time, Device A may send a signal to Device C
`indicating the time frame and initial block frequency for the
`start of the next contention-free period at time 113. Device
`C may then wait until time 113 before re-establishing
`communication with Device A.
`At time 104 of FIG. 1, Device A hops back to the block
`frequency at which Device B is operating, again allowing
`Devices A and B to communicate with each other according
`to their mutual communication protocol. Both Devices A
`and B hop to the next block frequency at time 111, and the
`process continues in the manner described above. For
`example, Devices A and B may communication according to
`a first communication protocol within the block during the
`period of time outside the contention-free period. That is
`from time 111 to 113 and from time 114 to 121. The time
`period from 113 to 114 is reserved as the contention free
`period during which time Device B halts communication
`with Device A, and Devices A and C communicate accord(cid:173)
`ing to a second communication protocol over the course of
`twelve blocks.
`For one embodiment of the present invention, Devices A,
`B, and C of FIG. 1 may be any type of electronic device
`including, for example, a cell phone, cordless phone, set top
`box, desktop or mobile computer, automobile, etc. For
`example, FIG. 2 shows one implementation of the present
`invention in the home. Set top box 201 is coupled to a cable
`210 that provides high bandwidth communication with a
`local cable provider. Set top box 201 may wirelessly com(cid:173)
`municate with cordless phone 203 according to a first
`communication protocol operating at a first hopping fre(cid:173)
`quency. Set top box 201 may simultaneously wirelessly
`communicate with cell phone 202 according to a second
`communication protocol operating at a second hopping
`frequency according to the method described above.
`For the example of FIG. 2, set top box 201 acts as the 50
`controller (e.g., DeviceAofFIG. l). In accordance with this
`example, a user may be able to talk on cordless phone 203
`while downloading data from set top box 201 to cell phone
`202. This data may include, for example, an electronic
`address book or email.
`As another example, FIG. 3 shows another implementa(cid:173)
`tion of the present invention in the home. Set top box 301 is
`coupled to a cable 310 that provides high bandwidth com(cid:173)
`munication with a local cable provider. Set top box 301 may
`wirelessly communicate with computer 303 according to a 60
`first communication protocol operating at a first hopping
`frequency. Computer 303 may simultaneously wirelessly
`communicate with cell phone 302 according to a second
`communication protocol operating at a second hopping
`frequency according to the method described above.
`For the example of FIG. 3, computer 303 acts as the
`controller (e.g., DeviceAofFIG. l). In accordance with this
`
`6
`example, a user may be able to surf the internet from
`computer 303 using set top box 301 as a cable modem while
`downloading data from computer 303 to cell phone 302.
`This data may include, for example, an electronic address
`5 book or email.
`FIG. 4 is a method of the present invention as imple(cid:173)
`mented from the perspective of the controller communicat(cid:173)
`ing with a second device at a second hopping frequency
`when a first device operating at a first hopping frequency is
`10 detected in the wireless network. FIG. 4 describes the steps
`that may be taken at each block of the slower hopping
`frequency (which is the second hopping frequency in the
`example of FIG. 4). Note that the method of FIG. 4 may be
`implemented by a computer system programmed to execute
`15 the steps of the method. Such a program may reside on any
`computer readable medium such as a magnetic disk (e.g. a
`hard drive or floppy), an optical disk (e.g. a CD or DVD), or
`a semiconductor device (e.g. Flash, EPROM, or RAM). An
`example of a computer system defining a HomeRF connec-
`20 tion point (CP) unit, in accordance with one embodiment of
`the invention is shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings. Refering
`to FIG. 5 it will be seen that the HomeRF connection point
`(CP) unit includes a processor 500 and a computer readable
`medium 502 which is coupled to the processor 500. The
`25 computer readable medium 502 stores the program to enable
`the HomeRF connection point (CP) unit to perform the
`method described with reference to FIG. 4.
`At step 405 of FIG. 4 a first signal is received from a first
`electronic device operating at a first hopping frequency. At
`30 step 410 it is determined whether or not the first signal
`indicates that the first device desires communication with
`the controller. If communication is not desired, or commu(cid:173)
`nication is not possible or convenient, then the second
`device communicates with the controller at the second
`35 hopping frequency at step 425 If, however, the first signal
`indicates that communication between the first electronic
`device and the controller is desired, then the method pro(cid:173)
`ceeds to step 415.
`At step 415 of FIG. 4, a time frame for a contention-free
`40 period is determined. The information containing this time
`frame is sent to a second electronic device operating at a
`second hopping frequency to indicate the contention-free
`period to the second device. During the contention-free
`period at step 420, the first device communicates with the
`45 controller at the first hopping frequency, and outside the
`contention-free period at step 425, the second device com(cid:173)
`municates with the controller at the second hopping fre(cid:173)
`quency.
`This invention has been described with reference to
`specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however,
`be evident to persons having the benefit of this disclosure
`that various modifications and changes may be made to
`these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit
`55 and scope of the invention. The specification and drawings
`are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than
`a restrictive sense.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A method comprising:
`a HomeRF connection paint (CP) unit establishing a
`connection with a HomeRF unit;
`the HomeRF CP unit establishing a connection with a
`Bluetooth unit as a slave to the HomeRF CP unit as a
`master;
`the HomeRF CP unit determining a contention free
`period, during which the HomeRF CP unit and the
`HomeRF do not transfer data;
`
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`US 6,937,158 B2
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`7
`the HomeRF CP unit communicating the contention free
`period to the Bluetooth unit, the Bluetooth unit to wake
`from a suspended state at the time of the contention free
`period;
`transmitting data between the HomeRF CP unit and the 5
`HomeRF unit;
`during the contention free period, the HomeRF CP unit
`ceasing transmission of data to the HomeRF unit and
`transitioning from a first hopping frequency to a higher
`second frequency hopping and transmitting data
`between the HomeRF CP unit and the Bluetooth unit;
`at an end of the contention free period, the HomeRF CP
`unit transmitting a next contention free period to the
`Bluetooth unit, ceasing transmission of data to the
`Bluetooth unit and transitioning from the second hop(cid:173)
`ping frequency to the first frequency hopping and
`transmitting data between the Home RF CP unit and the
`HomeRF unit until the next contention free period.
`2. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting data
`between the HomeRF CP unit and the Bluetooth unit
`includes transmitting data for a number of a Bluetooth slots
`corresponding with the contention free period.
`3. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting data
`between the HomeRF CP unit and the Bluetooth unit 25
`includes transmitting data in an Asynchronous Connection(cid:173)
`Less packet format.
`4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the HomeRF
`CP unit and the Bluetooth unit operating independently
`during a time outside of contention free period.
`5. A computer readable medium having stored thereon a
`set of instructions that, when executed, perform a method
`comprising of:
`a HomeRF connection point (CP) unit establishing a
`connection with a HomeRF unit;
`the HomeRF CP unit establishing a connection with a
`Bluetooth unit as a slave to the HomeRF CP unit as a
`master;
`the Home RF CP unit determining a contention free period
`during the period the HomeRF CP unit and the Hom- 40
`eRF unit do not transfer data;
`the HomeRF CP unit communicating the contention free
`period to the Bluetooth unit, the Bluetooth unit to wake
`from a suspended state at the time of the contention free
`period;
`transmitting data between the HomeRF CP unit and the
`HomeRF unit;
`during the contention free period, the HomeRF CP unit
`ceasing transmission of data to the HomeRF unit and 50
`transitioning from a first hopping frequency to a higher
`second frequency hopping and transmitting data
`between the HomeRF CP unit and the Bluetooth unit;
`and
`at an end of the IOP, the HomeRF CP unit transmitting a 55
`next IOP to the Bluetooth unit, ceasing transmission of
`
`8
`data to the Bluetooth unit and transitioning from the
`second hopping frequency to the first frequency hop(cid:173)
`ping and transmitting data between the HomeRF CP
`unit and the HomeRF unit until the next IOP.
`6. The computer readable medium of claim 5, wherein the
`transmitting data between the HomeRF CP unit and the
`Bluetooth unit includes transmitting data for a number of a
`Bluetooth slots corresponding with the IOP.
`7. The computer readable medium of claim 5, wherein the
`10 transmitting data between the HomeRF CP unit and the
`Bluetooth unit includes transmitting data in an Asynchro(cid:173)
`nous Connection-Less packet format.
`8. The computer readable medium of claim 5, further
`comprising the HomeRF CP unit and the Bluetooth unit
`15 operating independently during a time outside of an IOP.
`9. A HomeRF connection point (CP) unit comprising:
`a processor; and
`a computer readable medium coupled to the processor to
`store a program which when executed by the processor
`causes the HomeRF connection point (CP) unit to
`perform a method comprising:
`establishing a connection with a HomeRF unit, and estab(cid:173)
`lishing a connection with a Bluetooth unit as a slave to
`the HomeRF CP unit as a master;
`determining a contention free period, during the period
`the HomeRF CP unit and the HomeRF unit do not
`transfer data;
`communicating the contention free period to the Blue(cid:173)
`tooth unit, the Bluetooth unit to wake from a suspended
`state at the time of the contention free period;
`transmitting data between the HomeRF CP unit and the
`HomeRF unit;
`at a time of the contention free period, ceasing transmis(cid:173)
`sion of data to the HomeRF unit and transitioning from
`a first hopping frequency to a higher second frequency
`hopping and beginning to transmit data between the
`HomeRF CP unit and the Bluetooth unit; and
`at an end of the contention free period, to transmitting a
`next contention free period to the Bluetooth unit, ceas(cid:173)
`ing transmission of data to the Bluetooth unit and
`transitioning from the second hopping frequency to the
`first frequency hopping and beginning to transmit data
`between the HomeRF CP unit and the HomeRF unit
`until the next contention free period.
`10. The unit of claim 9, wherein the transmitting data
`between the HomeRF CP unit and the Bluetooth unit
`includes transmitting data for a number of a Bluetooth slots
`corresponding with the contention free period.
`11. The unit of claim 9, wherein the transmitting data
`between the HomeRF CP unit and the Bluetooth unit
`includes transmitting data in an Asynchronous Connection(cid:173)
`Less packet format.
`
`45
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