CA2281009C - Apparatus and method for bridging a wired network and wireless devices - Google Patents
Apparatus and method for bridging a wired network and wireless devices Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2281009C CA2281009C CA 2281009 CA2281009A CA2281009C CA 2281009 C CA2281009 C CA 2281009C CA 2281009 CA2281009 CA 2281009 CA 2281009 A CA2281009 A CA 2281009A CA 2281009 C CA2281009 C CA 2281009C
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- radio
- data
- communication
- type
- wireless devices
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- Expired - Lifetime
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
- H04W88/08—Access point devices
- H04W88/10—Access point devices adapted for operation in multiple networks, e.g. multi-mode access points
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
- Small-Scale Networks (AREA)
Abstract
A bridge apparatus is provided for interfacing or bridging between a wired network having wired communication devices and wireless devices. The bridge apparatus of the present invention is typically used in a warehouse inventory control system or the like. In one embodiment, the bridge apparatus includes two more radios having different modalities in order to provide different modality and/or types of coverage to different wireless devices. In another embodiment, a single bridge apparatus offers different coverage areas. The bridge apparatus has a filter device for filtering data received from the wired network, and forwards the filtered data to a wireless device. Thus, data can he forwarded to the wireless devices from the wired network without a need for protocol conversion. In another embodiment, a bridge apparatus functions both as an access point to filter data received from the wired network, and as a base station to convert protocol information included in data received from the wired network.
Claims (27)
1. A bridge apparatus for bridging between a wired network having wired communication devices, and wireless devices including first type wireless devices and second type wireless devices, the bridge apparatus comprising:
a wired network interface for interfacing data communication between the bridge apparatus and the wired communication devices of the wired network;
a first type radio for interfacing data communication between the bridge apparatus and the first type wireless devices;
a second type radio for interfacing data communication between the bridge apparatus and the second type wireless devices; and a bridge controller for controlling data traffic between the wired network and the first and second type wireless devices, the bridge controller functioning in a first mode using the first type radio when data is transmitted from or destined for the first type wireless devices, and functioning in a second mode using the second type radio when data is transmitted from or destined for the second type wireless devices.
a wired network interface for interfacing data communication between the bridge apparatus and the wired communication devices of the wired network;
a first type radio for interfacing data communication between the bridge apparatus and the first type wireless devices;
a second type radio for interfacing data communication between the bridge apparatus and the second type wireless devices; and a bridge controller for controlling data traffic between the wired network and the first and second type wireless devices, the bridge controller functioning in a first mode using the first type radio when data is transmitted from or destined for the first type wireless devices, and functioning in a second mode using the second type radio when data is transmitted from or destined for the second type wireless devices.
2. The bridge apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
each of the first type wireless devices is assigned with an address, and data sent from and destined for one of the first type wireless devices includes the address of the one of the first type wireless devices; and the bridge controller functions in the first and second modes in accordance with the address included in the data.
each of the first type wireless devices is assigned with an address, and data sent from and destined for one of the first type wireless devices includes the address of the one of the first type wireless devices; and the bridge controller functions in the first and second modes in accordance with the address included in the data.
3. The bridge apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein:
the first type wireless devices use a capacity which is lower than a capacity of the wired network; and the bridge controller has a filter device for filtering data for transmission by the first type radio when the data is received from the wired network for the first type wireless devices.
the first type wireless devices use a capacity which is lower than a capacity of the wired network; and the bridge controller has a filter device for filtering data for transmission by the first type radio when the data is received from the wired network for the first type wireless devices.
4. The bridge apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein data sent from the second type wireless devices includes wireless protocol information which indicates a wireless protocol used for communicating the data, and data sent from the wired network includes wired protocol information which indicates a wired protocol used for communicating data over the wired network; and the bridge controller has a protocol convertor for converting the wired protocol information included in data with the wireless protocol information for transmission by the second type radio when the data is received from the wired network for the second type wireless devices.
5. The bridge apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first type radio comprises a first radio having a first radio coverage area, and a second radio which has similar characteristics to the first radio and has a second radio coverage which is different from the first radio coverage area.
6. The bridge apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first type radio in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 specification.
7. The bridge apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said first type-radio is a frequency-hopper radio.
8. The bridge apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second type radio is in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 specification.
9. The bridge apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first type radio and said second type radio are in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 specification.
10. A bridge system for bridge between a wired network having wired communication devices, and wireless communication devices including first type wireless devices and second type wireless devices, the bridge system comprising:
a plurality of bridge apparatuses, each of which has a radio coverage, each of the bridge apparatuses having:
a wired network interface for interfacing data communication between the bridge apparatus and the wired network;
a first type radio for interfacing data communication between the bridge apparatus and the first type wireless devices;
a second type radio for interfacing data communication between the bridge apparatus and the second type wireless devices; and a bridge controller for controlling data traffic between the wired network and the first and second type wireless devices, the bridge controller functioning in a first mode using the first type radio when data is transmitted from or destined for the first type wireless devices, and functioning in a second mode using the second type radio when data is transmitted from or destined for the second type wireless devices.
a plurality of bridge apparatuses, each of which has a radio coverage, each of the bridge apparatuses having:
a wired network interface for interfacing data communication between the bridge apparatus and the wired network;
a first type radio for interfacing data communication between the bridge apparatus and the first type wireless devices;
a second type radio for interfacing data communication between the bridge apparatus and the second type wireless devices; and a bridge controller for controlling data traffic between the wired network and the first and second type wireless devices, the bridge controller functioning in a first mode using the first type radio when data is transmitted from or destined for the first type wireless devices, and functioning in a second mode using the second type radio when data is transmitted from or destined for the second type wireless devices.
11. The bridge system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the bridge apparatuses are distributed to cover a predetermined area with radio coverages of the bridge apparatuses.
12. The bridge system as claimed in claim 10, wherein at least one of the first and second type wireless devices is a mobile device movable from a first radio coverage of a first bridge apparatus to a second radio coverage of a second bridge apparatus; and the first bridge apparatus hands over the data communication with the mobile device to the second bridge apparatus when the mobile device moves out of the first radio coverage into the second radio coverage.
13. A method for bridging between a wired network having wired communication devices, and wireless devices including first type wireless devices and second type wireless devices, the method comprising the step of:
receiving data from the wired communication devices of the wired network;
controlling data traffic between the wired network and the first and second type wireless devices:
using a first type radio for transmitting data to the first type wireless devices; and using a second type radio for transmitting data to the second type wireless devices.
receiving data from the wired communication devices of the wired network;
controlling data traffic between the wired network and the first and second type wireless devices:
using a first type radio for transmitting data to the first type wireless devices; and using a second type radio for transmitting data to the second type wireless devices.
14. The method as claimed in claim 13 wherein each of the first type wireless devices is assigned with an address, and data sent from and destined for one of the first type wireless devices includes the address of the one of the first type wireless devices; and the step of controlling uses the first or second type radio in accordance with the address included in the data.
15. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the first type wireless devices use a capacity which is lower than a capacity of the wired network: and the step of controlling comprises the step of filtering data for transmission by the first type radio when the data is received from the wired network for the first type wireless devices.
16. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein data sent from the second type wireless devices includes wireless protocol information which indicates a wireless protocol used for communicating the data, and data sent from the wired network includes wired protocol information which indicates a wired protocol used for communicating data over the wired network; and the step of controlling further comprises the step of converting the wired protocol information included in data with the wireless protocol information for transmission by the second type radio when the data is received from the wired network for the second type wireless devices.
17. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the step of using the first type radio comprises the steps of:
using a first radio having a first radio coverage area; and using a second radio which has similar characteristics to the first radio and has a second radio coverage which is different from the first radio coverage area.
using a first radio having a first radio coverage area; and using a second radio which has similar characteristics to the first radio and has a second radio coverage which is different from the first radio coverage area.
18. A bridge apparatus for bridging between a wired network having wired communication devices and at least one wireless device, comprising:
a wired network interface for interfacing data communication between the bridge apparatus and the wired communication devices of the wired network;
a first radio attached to a first antenna for interfacing data communication between the bridge apparatus and the at least one wireless device located within a first coverage area;
a second radio attached to a second antenna for interfacing data communication between the bridge apparatus and the at least one wireless device located within a second coverage area;
each of said first and second radios operable to transfer respective communication therebetween when one of said at least one wireless devices moves between respective coverage areas.
a wired network interface for interfacing data communication between the bridge apparatus and the wired communication devices of the wired network;
a first radio attached to a first antenna for interfacing data communication between the bridge apparatus and the at least one wireless device located within a first coverage area;
a second radio attached to a second antenna for interfacing data communication between the bridge apparatus and the at least one wireless device located within a second coverage area;
each of said first and second radios operable to transfer respective communication therebetween when one of said at least one wireless devices moves between respective coverage areas.
19. The bridge apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said communication transfer occurs when said moving at least one wireless device so instructs each of said first and said second radios of said transfer.
20. The bridge apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein said first radio and said second radio are in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 specification.
21. A communication device for facilitating communication between a wired network and wireless devices, the wireless devices including a first mobile wireless device and a second mobile wireless device, the first mobile wireless device being configured for communication using a first communication protocol, the second mobile wireless device being configured for communication using a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol, the communication device comprising:
a wired network interface providing for communication with the wired network;
a first radio configured for communication with the first mobile wireless device via the first communication protocol;
a second radio configured for communication with the second mobile wireless device via the second communication protocol; and a data controller in communication with the network interface and the first and second radios, the data controller for controlling data traffic between the wired network and the wireless devices, the data controller for:
(i) receiving data from the wired network, the data being intended for reception by one mobile wireless device selected from the first and the second mobile wireless device, the data including wireless protocol information that indicates a wireless protocol used for communicating the data to the one mobile wireless device;
(ii) selecting one radio from the first and second radio, the one radio being selected in accordance with the communication protocol associated with the data, the communication device having received an initiation of communications from the one mobile wireless device when the one mobile wireless device entered a coverage area of the one radio; and (iii) transmitting all the data directly to the one mobile wireless device via the selected radio.
a wired network interface providing for communication with the wired network;
a first radio configured for communication with the first mobile wireless device via the first communication protocol;
a second radio configured for communication with the second mobile wireless device via the second communication protocol; and a data controller in communication with the network interface and the first and second radios, the data controller for controlling data traffic between the wired network and the wireless devices, the data controller for:
(i) receiving data from the wired network, the data being intended for reception by one mobile wireless device selected from the first and the second mobile wireless device, the data including wireless protocol information that indicates a wireless protocol used for communicating the data to the one mobile wireless device;
(ii) selecting one radio from the first and second radio, the one radio being selected in accordance with the communication protocol associated with the data, the communication device having received an initiation of communications from the one mobile wireless device when the one mobile wireless device entered a coverage area of the one radio; and (iii) transmitting all the data directly to the one mobile wireless device via the selected radio.
22. The communication device according to claim 21, wherein:
the wireless devices are each assigned a respective address, and the received data includes the address of the respective mobile wireless device; and the data controller is configured to route the received data to the respective radio in accordance with the address included in the received data.
the wireless devices are each assigned a respective address, and the received data includes the address of the respective mobile wireless device; and the data controller is configured to route the received data to the respective radio in accordance with the address included in the received data.
23. The communication device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the first radio has a first radio coverage area, and the second radio has a second radio coverage area, and a size of the second radio coverage area is different than a size of the first radio coverage area.
24. The communication device as claimed in claim 23, wherein one of the communications protocols is in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 specification.
25. A method for a communication device to facilitate communication between a wired network and wireless devices, the wireless devices including a first mobile wireless device and a second mobile wireless device, the first mobile wireless device being configured with a first communication protocol, the second mobile wireless device being configured with a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol, the communication device including a first radio configured for communication via the first communication protocol, and a second radio configured for communication via the second communication protocol, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving from the wired network the data intended for reception by one mobile wireless device selected from the first and second mobile wireless device, the data including wireless protocol information that indicates a wireless protocol used for communicating the data to the one mobile wireless device;
selecting one radio from the first and second radio, the one radio being selected in accordance with the communication protocol associated with the data, the communication device having received an initiation of communications from the one mobile wireless device when the one mobile wireless device entered a coverage area of the one radio; and transmitting all the data directly to the one mobile wireless device via the one radio.
receiving from the wired network the data intended for reception by one mobile wireless device selected from the first and second mobile wireless device, the data including wireless protocol information that indicates a wireless protocol used for communicating the data to the one mobile wireless device;
selecting one radio from the first and second radio, the one radio being selected in accordance with the communication protocol associated with the data, the communication device having received an initiation of communications from the one mobile wireless device when the one mobile wireless device entered a coverage area of the one radio; and transmitting all the data directly to the one mobile wireless device via the one radio.
26. The method as claimed in claim 25 wherein:
the wireless devices are assigned a respective address, and the received data includes the address of the respective mobile wireless device; and the step of controlling comprises routing the received data to the respective radio in accordance with the address included in the received data.
the wireless devices are assigned a respective address, and the received data includes the address of the respective mobile wireless device; and the step of controlling comprises routing the received data to the respective radio in accordance with the address included in the received data.
27. The method as claimed in claim 26 wherein the first radio has a first radio coverage area, and the second radio has a second radio coverage area, and a size of the second radio coverage area is different than a size of the first radio coverage area.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2281009 CA2281009C (en) | 1999-08-26 | 1999-08-26 | Apparatus and method for bridging a wired network and wireless devices |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2281009 CA2281009C (en) | 1999-08-26 | 1999-08-26 | Apparatus and method for bridging a wired network and wireless devices |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2281009A1 CA2281009A1 (en) | 2001-02-26 |
| CA2281009C true CA2281009C (en) | 2007-12-18 |
Family
ID=4164029
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2281009 Expired - Lifetime CA2281009C (en) | 1999-08-26 | 1999-08-26 | Apparatus and method for bridging a wired network and wireless devices |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2281009C (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20030041175A2 (en) * | 2001-05-03 | 2003-02-27 | Singhal Sandeep K | Method and System for Adapting Short-Range Wireless Access Points for Participation in a Coordinated Networked Environment |
-
1999
- 1999-08-26 CA CA 2281009 patent/CA2281009C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2281009A1 (en) | 2001-02-26 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20190826 |