Patent ID: 6134453
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
A multi-modal device for facilitating wireless communication over any one of a plurality of wireless communication networks at least some of which may be available and operating at a given time and location using differing radio frequency modulation protocols and over differing radio frequencies, comprising:a frequency agile radio transceiver operating at any frequency of a plurality of radio frequencies appropriate for each of the plurality of wireless communication networks, said frequency selected in response to a frequency control signal;an interface circuit for interconnecting said frequency agile radio transceiver with an external signal circuit to allow signal information to be sent and received over said frequency agile radio transceiver;a protocol agile operating circuit for operating said frequency agile radio transceiver and said interface circuit in accordance with any one modulation protocol of a plurality of modulation protocols, said one modulation protocol selected in response to a protocol control signal;adaptive control circuit for determining which wireless communications networks are available at a given location and time, for accessing a selected wireless communication network, for communicating with said selected wireless communication network to determine on a real time basis the operating characteristics of the wireless communication network, and for generating the frequency control signal and the protocol control signal in response to a user defined criteria to cause the device to communicate with the selected wireless communication network using the frequencies and modulation protocol suitable for transmission of said signal information over said selected wireless communications network; andinput means for receiving said user defined criteria, said user defined criteria comprising at least one of the cost of using the wireless communication network, the quality of the wireless communication network, the potential for being dropped by the wireless communication network, and the security of the wireless communication network;wherein said adaptive control means operates to generate said frequency control signal and said modulation protocol control signal by comparing said operating characteristics with said user defined criteria.