MXPA00010121A - Wireless modem and method therefor for routing data to an application or to storage - Google Patents

Abstract

An application registry (226) is programmed (504) into a wireless modem (124) and includes routing information for routing data, based upon data type, to an application (244) or to storage (238, 236). Thereafter, the wireless modem receives (602) the data and determines (604) the data type. The wireless modem then routes (614, 628, 624, 618) the data in accordance with the routing information for the data type and, when the routing information indicates the application is located in an external device, further in accordance with an accessibility status of the external device.

Description

WIRELESS MODEM AND M ETO OF THE SAME TO RATE DATA FOR A U APPLICATION OR STORAGE Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to wireless communication systems, and more specifically to a wireless modem and method thereof, for routing data for an application or storage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Receptive call receivers of the prior art have understood applications for the user, who has provided message services directly to the user. These applications have received transmitted data, using explicit message vectors, such as numeric vectors, alphanumeric and binary vectors. Each of the user's applications has used the information in the vector of received messages to format the data to be presented to the user. The selective call receivers used as wireless modems for external devices have also used vector-based routing techniques. Since the industry moves to new applications that are not directly linked to the vector-based schemes of the prior art, there is a need to manage and provide new data formats. Particularly for wireless modems, it is inappropriate to add new types of vectors of each of the desired data types. The proliferation of vectors that can rapidly consume the available vectors makes it difficult to expand the basic delivery method. In addition, since new applications are available, the new vectors would have to be available in the coding portions of the infrastructure, requiring massive efforts to be compatible.

Therefore, what is needed is a method and apparatus in a wireless modem, to route data to an appropriate application for data processing without requiring an explicit message sending vector. Preferably, the apparatus method will support applications that reside both inside and outside the wireless modem.

Summary of the Invention One aspect of the present invention is a method in a wireless modem for routing data to an application or storage. The method comprises the steps of programming an application record in the wireless modem, including the application record in information routing to route the data, based on the type of data, for the application or storage, and therefore receive the data. data and determine the type of data. The method additionally comprises the routing step of data according to the routed information for the data type and, when the routed information indicates it, the application is located in an external device, in accordance with an access capacity status of the external device. Another aspect of the present invention is a wireless modem for routing data to an application. The wireless modem comprises a receiver for receiving the data, in a processing system coupled to the receiver for data processing. The processing system comprises a memory for storing an application record, including routing information for routing the data, based on the type of data, for an application or storage in the memory. The wireless modem also includes an interface of the external device coupled to the processing system to perform the interface with an external device. The processing system is adapted to program the application record with the routing information, and subsequently, receive the data and determine the type of data. The processing system is also adapted to route the data in accordance with the routing information for the type of data and, for the routing information that indicates it, the application is located in the external device, in addition with a status of accessibility of the external device.

Brief Description of the Figures Figure 1 is an electrical block diagram of a wireless message system, according to the present invention. Figure 2 is an electrical block diagram of an exemplary wireless modem according to the present invention, coupled to an external device and an external storage element. Figure 3 is a detailed example view of an application record according to the present invention. Figure 4 is a protocol diagram in an example according to the present invention. Figures 5 to 8 are flow diagrams illustrating the operation of the wireless modem according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention Figure 1 is an electrical block diagram of an exemplary wireless message system, in accordance with the present invention, comprising a fixed part 102 including a controller 1 12 and a plurality of base stations 1 16 , the message system also includes a plurality of portable subscriber units 122. The base stations 1 16, preferably communicate with the subscriber units 122, using conventional radio frequency (RF) techniques, are coupled by communication links 1 14 to the controller 1 12, which controls base stations 1 16. In addition to portable subscriber units 122, base stations 1 16 communicate with wireless modems 124, in accordance with the present invention. The wireless modems 124 are preferably coupled to at least one external device 126, such as a conventional personal computer (PC), or a digital personal digital assistant (PDA ™). The controller hardware 1 12, is preferably a combination of the Wireless Messaging Gateway (WMG ™) Location Manager terminal! , and the RF-Driver! ™ message distributor, manufactured by Motorola, Inc., and includes modified software in accordance with the present invention. The hardware of the base stations 1 16 is preferably the RF-Orchestra transmitter! And may include, a two-way message system, the RF-Hearing ™ receiver manufactured by Motorola Inc. The subscribing units 122, are conventional selective call receivers. Preferably, the wireless modems 124 are similar to the CreataLink ™ wireless modem, manufactured by Motorola, Inc. and have modified software in accordance with the present invention. It will be appreciated that other similar hardware can also be used for the controller 1 12, base stations 1 16, wireless modem 124 and portable subscriber units 122. Each of the base stations 1 16, transmits RF signals to the portable subscriber units 122 and the wireless modems 124, through an antenna 1 18. The RF signals transmitted by the base stations 1 16 (forward messages), preferably comprise selective call directions, identifying the portable subscriber units 122 and the wireless modems 124, and the data messages originated by the callers and computer systems, as well as commands originated by the controller 1 12 to adjust the operating parameters of the radio communication system. Preferably, the controller 1 12 is coupled by telephone links 101 to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 1 10 to receive the origins of selective call messages thereof. The origins of selective calls comprising voice messages and data from the PSTN 1 10, can be generated for example, from a conventional telephone 1 1 1 or a conventional computer 1 13 coupled to the PSTN 1 10. Alternatively, You will appreciate that other types of communication networks, for example packet switched networks, Internet, and local area networks, can also be used to transport the messages originated to the controller. 12. The over-the-air protocol used for outgoing and outbound messages. he came back, is preferably selected from Motorola's family of FLEX ™ digital selective calling signaling protocols. These protocols use well known error correction and stopping techniques, and are therefore tolerant of the bit errors that occur during transmission, provided that the bit errors are not very numerous. It will be appreciated that other suitable protocols may also be used. Additionally it will be appreciated that while the embodiment illustrated for carrying out the present invention is a one-way message system, the present invention is also applicable to a two-way message system. Figure 2 is an electrical block diagram of an example wireless modem 124 according to the present invention, coupled to at least one external device 126 and an external storage element 236. The wireless modem 124 comprises an antenna 204 to intercept a forward message (optionally), to transmit a message back to a base receiver (not shown). The antenna 204 is coupled to a conventional receiver 208 to receive the forward message, optionally, is coupled to a conventional transmitter 209 to transmit the message back. The receiver 208 and the transmitter 209 (optional) are coupled to a processing system 206 for processing outgoing messages and for controlling the wireless modem according to the present invention. Preferably, a user interface 214 is also coupled to the processing of system 206 for interfacing with a user. The user interface 214 is preferably comprised of a conventional display 216 for displaying the messages, a conventional alerting element 218 for alerting the user when a message arrives, and a conventional keyboard 220 for controlling the wireless modem 124. an interface of the external device conventional 207 is also coupled to the processing system 206 to communicate with at least one external device 126 by well-known techniques. The interface of the external device 207 is preferably also coupled to the external storage element 236 to increase the storage capacity of the processing system 206. The external storage element 236 is preferably a conventional removable memory card, such as a card of memory of the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMC IA) alternatively, it will be appreciated that other types of memory devices, for example magnetic disk memory, can also be used for the external storage element 236. The processing system 206 , comprises a conventional processor 210, and a conventional memory 212. The memory 212 stores the software elements and other variables to program the processing system 206 according to the present invention. The memory 212 preferably includes a selective call address 222 for which the wireless modem 124. is responsible. In addition, the memory 212 includes a message processing element 224 for programming the processing system 206, for processing messages by means of techniques well known. The memory 212. It additionally comprises an application register 226 which includes routing information for routing data received, based on the type of data, to an application or storage, for example in memory 212 or in external storage element 236, according to with the present invention. The memory also includes a registration scheduler 228, for programming the processing system for programming the application registration 226. The application registration schedule 226, preferably occurs as part of the installation process, using well known techniques, for the loaded applications in the wireless modem 124. The applications in the external device 126 that require data routing from the wireless modem 124, preferably would register themselves during a negotiation between the wireless modem 124 and the external device 126, using well-known initialization techniques. It will be appreciated that alternatively, the programming of the application register 226 may take place during the manufacture of the wireless modem 124, or as a down load from the controller 1 12 through conventional air programming methods. In addition, the memory 1 12 includes a data computer 230 for programming the processing system 206 to determine the type of data, preferably from a data type identifier 404 (Figure 4), transmitted with the data and supplied with the data infrastructure. system of messages, for example the controller 212. It will be appreciated that alternatively, the data organizer 230 can determine the type of data by analyzing some of the first bits of data and searching to type the code values and delimiters, the memory 212, also includes a data router 232 for programming the processing system 206, for routing the data according to the routing information (in the application record) for the data type and, when the routing information indicates , the application is located on the external device 126, additionally according to an access capability status 242 of the external device 126 The memory 212 further comprises the data storage 238 for storing the received data when it can not be immediately routed to an application. The memory also includes a pointer 240, during the programming of the processing system 206 to generate notes and notifications to the user through the user interface, when these are required. In addition, the memory 212 includes at least one access capability status 242 corresponding to the external device 126, to indicate whether the external device 126 has been determined to be coupled to the interface of the external device 207, and whether it is accessible to the wireless modem 124. , for example on and operable. The processing system 206 preferably periodically updates the access capability status 242 for each external device, for example by "ringing" the external device 126, through well-known techniques, to see if the external device 126 responds appropriately. Also the memory 212 preferably includes at least one application 244 for processing the received data.

Figure 3 is a detailed view of an example application record 226 according to the present invention. The application register 226 includes a row 302 of information for each entry corresponding to a data type. The columns of record 226, list the type of data, the name of the application, the location of the application, who to notify when the data is present and the routing for the entry. It should be noted that some data types, for example, the "rc" data type, have more than one input when a data type has more than one input, the input prefers the upper input, but a level entry can be used. lowest when the top entry can not be used for routing. For example, the "irc" data type is preferably sent to the "mI RC" application on the external device 126, when the external device can be accessed. However, when the external device 126 is not accessible, when the data type "irc" is sent to the "pageChat" applications in the wireless modem 124. In addition, certain data types, for example data type "tex / * ", they have a" controlled user "processing. That is, the data is stored in the data store 238, for example, in a folder called "/ msg", and the user is notified that the data has arrived, but the data is not sent to the application until the user accesses the data through either the wireless modem 124 or the external device. Figure 4 is a simplified example protocol diagram 400, for communication between the base stations 1 16 and the wireless modems 124, according to with the present invention. The diagram 400 includes a sync portion 402, for synchronizing the receiver 208 with the transmissions of the base stations 1 16, by means of well-known techniques. The diagram 400 also includes the data type identifier 400, to identify the type of data. In addition, diagram 400 includes the data that will be processed. Figures 5 to 8 are flow charts illustrating the operation of the wireless modem 124 in accordance with the present invention. Referring to flow chart 500 of Figure 5, the processing system 502 periodically reviews whether an application has been added to the wireless modem 124. If so, the registration scheduler 228 contributes to the application during the installation to schedule the application record 226 with the data type, and the data routing information is illustrated in the example application register 226 of Figure 3. Referring to the flow chart 600 of Figure 6, the operation of the wireless modem 124 in response to data reception. The flow begins with the processing system 206 waiting to receive the data. When the data is received, the processing system 206 accesses the data organizer 230, to determine 604 the type of data through well-known techniques. The processing system 206, subsequently accesses 606 the application register at 226, to obtain the routing information for the data type. The processing system 206 subsequently checks 608 if the routing information indicates that an external application is available on the external device 126, for example a PC. If so, the processing system 206 checks 610 the access capability status 242 corresponding to the device 126, to determine whether the external device 126 is accessible, for example, coupled and operable. If so, the processing system 206 checks 612 if the processing of the data type is controlled user, for example normally sent to the store before processing, in response to a user command, the processing system 206 stores 624 the data preferably in the data warehouse 238 of processing system 206, or alternatively, in the external store element 236. The processing system 206, subsequently notifies the user 626 for example, with a warning from the alert element 218, that the data is in the store, so that the user can subsequently controlling the wireless modem 124 or the external device 126, to access the data through a compatible application. Subsequently, the flow returns to step 602 to wait for new data. If, on the other hand, step 612 processing system 206 determines that the processing of the data type is not controlled user, for example, the data will be routed automatically to the application, then processing system 206 routes 614 the data to the external application, and the flow returns to step 202 to wait for new data. Also, if in step 610 the processing system 206 determines that the external device is not available, then the flow moves to step 616, where the processing system 206 again accesses the application register 226, to determine if it is available an internal application compatible with the type of data. If so, processing system 206 checks 622 if the processing of the data type is, controlled user. If so, the processing system 206 stores 624 the data, preferably in the data store 238 of the processing system 206, or, alternatively, in the external storage element 226. The processing system 206, subsequently notifies 626 the user, for example, with a warning from the alert element 218, that the data is stored, so that the user can subsequently control the wireless modem 124 or the external device 126, to access the data through a compatible application. The flow then returns to step 602 to wait for new data. If, on the other hand, in step 622 the processing system 206 determines that the processing of data types is not user controlled, then the processing system 206 enroute 228 to the internal application, and the flow returns to step 602 to await new data. Also, if in step 616 the processing system 206 determines that the internal application is not available, then the processing system 206 stores the data 618, and notifies 620 the user of the wireless modem 124 to couple the wireless modem124 with the external device. 126, so that the data can be processed. It will be appreciated that some data have little or no meaning, unless they are immediately processed for example the "http" data type to display an object in an existing view of a web page. For such data, instead of storing the data when the application is not available, the processing system 206 may alternatively ignore the data and take a non-additional action. If, on the other hand, in step 608 the processing system 206 determines that it is not available for external application, then the flow is moved to step 616, where the processing system 206 checks whether an internal application such as described above. As long as the data has been stored either in step 624 or step 618, the routines described in Figures 7 or 8 can be used for further processing of the data. Referring to the flow diagram 700 of Figure 7, the processing system 206 periodically reviews 702 the access capability status 242 of each external device 126, to determine whether an external device not previously accessible 126, has become accessible for the wireless modem 124. If so, the processing system 206 also checks the data store 708, and "if available", the external storage element 236 determines any data stored for an application in the external device. If so, the processing system 206 transmits 706 the stored data for the appropriate application to the external device, as determined by the routing information of the application register 226, and the process terminates. Otherwise, the process ends. Referring to flow chart 800 of Figure 8, the operation of the wireless modem 124 is illustrated in response to a request from the user. In step 802, the user requests access to the stored data. For example, the user may request the deployment of a previously received and stored message. In response, the processing system 216 accesses the requested data through a compatible internal or external application, as determined by the routing information of the application register 226. Therefore, it should be understood that from the description above, that the present invention provides a method and apparatus in a wireless modem for routing data to an appropriate application during data processing, if it requires an explicit message vector, thereby beneficially avoiding annoying and expensive proliferation of data. vectors, such as the emergence of new data types. Also, conveniently, the method and apparatus supports applications that receive both inside and outside the wireless modem. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible, in light of the above teachings. Therefore, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced differently in a manner described above.

Claims (17)

1. CLAIMSHIP Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following CLAIMS is claimed as property: 1 . A method in a wireless modem for routing data to an application or storage, the method comprising the steps of: programming an application record in the wireless modem, including the application registration routing information to route the data, based on the type of data, to the application or storage; subsequently, receive the data and determine the type of data; and routing the data according to the routing information for the type of data and, when the routing information for the data type and, when the routing information indicates that the application is located on an external device, in addition to an access capability status of the external device.
2. 2. The method as described in Claim 1, further characterized in that the routing step comprises the step of routing data to the application in the external device, when the routing information indicates that the application is located in the external device, and The access capability status indicates that the external device is accessible to the wireless modem.
3. 3. The method as described in Claim 1, further characterized in that the routing step comprises the data routing step for a compatible application available in the wireless modem, when the routing information indicates that the application is located in the external device , and the access capability status indicates that the external device is not accessible to the wireless modem.
4. 4. The method as described in Claim 1, further characterized in that it further comprises the step of: storing data in the wireless modem, when the routing information indicates that the application is located in the external device and that compatible application is not available internal to the wireless modem, and the access capability indicates that the external device is not accessible to the wireless modem.
5. 5. The method as described in Claim 1, further characterized by further comprising the step of: storing data in an external storage element coupled to the wireless modem, when the routing information indicates that the application is located in the external device and that an internal compatible application for the wireless modem is not available, and the access capability status indicates that the external device is not accessible to the wireless modem.
6. 6. The method as described in Claim 1, further characterized by additionally comprising the step of: notifying a user of the wireless modem to attach the wireless modem to the external device, when the routing information indicates that the application is located on the device external, and that is not available in the internal compatible application for the wireless modem, and the access capability status indicates that the external device is not accessible to the wireless modem.
7. 7. The method as described in claim 1, further characterized in that it further comprises the step of: transmitting the data to the external device, in response to the access capability status which indicates that an external device previously inaccessible for which the data has been stored data, it has become accessible to the wireless modem.
8. 8. The method as described in Claim 1, further characterized by further comprising the step of: storing data in one of the wireless modems and in an external storage element, when the routing information indicates that user control is required for access the data through the application.
9. 9. The method as described in Claim 1, further characterized by additionally comprising the step of: notifying a user of the wireless modem when the data has been routed to storage, so that the user can subsequently control at least one wireless modem and the external device, to access the data through a compatible application.
10. 10. A wireless modem for routing data to an application, said wireless modem comprising: a receiver for receiving the data; a processing system coupled to the receiver for processing the data, the processing system comprising: a memory for storing an application record that includes routing information to route the data, based on the type of data, to the application or storage in the memory; an external device interface coupled to the processing system for interfacing with an external device; wherein the processing system is adapted to: program the application record with the routing information; subsequently, receive data and determine the type of data; and routing the data in accordance with the routing for the data type and, when the routing information indicates which application is located on the external device, in addition with an access capability status of the external device. eleven .
11. The wireless modem as described in Claim 10, further characterized in that the processing system is further adapted to route the data to the application in the external device, when the routing information indicates that the application is located in the external device, and the access capability status indicates that the external device is accessible to the wireless modem.
12. 12. The wireless modem as described in Claim 10, further characterized in that the processing system is further adapted to route the data to a compatible available application in a wireless modem, when the routing information indicates that the application is located on the device external, and the access capability status indicates that the external device is not accessible to the wireless modem.
13. The wireless modem as described in Claim 10, further characterized in that the processing system is further adapted to: store the data in the memory, when the routing information indicates that the application is located in an external device and that the internal compatible application for the wireless modem is not available, and the access capability status indicates that the external device is not accessible to the wireless modem.
14. 14. The wireless modem as described in Claim 10, further characterized in that the processing system is additionally coupled to an external storage element, and wherein the processing system is further adapted to: store the data in the external storage element , when the routing information indicates that the application is located on the external device and that internal compatible application for the wireless modem is not available, and the access capability status indicates that the external device is accessible to the wireless modem.
15. 15. The wireless modem as described in Claim 10, further characterized in that the processing system is further adapted to: warn a user of the wireless modem to attach the wireless modem to the external device, when the routing information indicates that the application is it locates on an external device and that compatible application is not available internal to the wireless modem, and the access capability status indicates that the external device is not accessible to the wireless modem.
16. 16. The wireless modem as described in Claim 10, further characterized in that the processing system is further adapted to: transmit the data to the external device in response to the access capability status which indicates that an external device previously inaccessible, to which been stored the data has become accessible to the wireless modem.
17. 17. The wireless modem as described in Claim 10, further characterized in that the processing system is further adapted to: store the data in a memory and in an external storage element, when the routing information indicates that control of the data is required. user to access the data through the application. The wireless modem as described in Claim 10, further characterized by additionally comprising: a user interface coupled to the processing system for interfacing with a user of the wireless modem, and wherein the processing system is additionally adapted to: notify the user through the user interface, when the data has been routed to the storage, so that the user can subsequently control at least the wireless modem and the external device, to access the data through a compatible application. '* SUM IN EN An application register (226) is programmed (504) in a wireless modem (124), and includes information for data routing, based on the data type, for an application (224) or storage 5 (238) , 236). Subsequently, the wireless modem receives (602) the data, and determines (604) the type of data. Subsequently, the wireless modem routes (614,628,624,618), the data according to the routing information for the data type, and when the routing information indicates that the application is located at an external device, in accordance with an additional capacity status access of an external device.