Abstract:
A multi-mode combination broadband wireless card and router system includes a broadband wireless card for broadband wireless data communication with a WAN over a broadband wireless link; a router for routing network communications between the WAN and a LAN, the router including a USB port for making a USB connection with a user computer, a wired LAN port for making a wired LAN connection with a user computer, and a wireless LAN port for making a wireless LAN connection with a user computer; at least one of the broadband wireless card and router including a processor; and a module executed by the processor, the module configured to: identify use of at least one of the USB port, the wired LAN port, and the wireless LAN port, and modify network access mode for one or more of the user computers based on the identification.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of wireless communication devices. More specifically, the invention relates to broadband wireless data cards and wireless router devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     With the advent of the global information network, known as the “Internet,” the capability of connecting to and accessing the resources available on the Internet has increased in recent years. For example, Internet service providers (“ISPs”) provide moderate access speed to the Internet over analog telephone lines, and increased “broadband” speed is available over digital subscriber lines (“DSL”) and cable modem connections. Other high-speed data lines are also known. 
     In general, wired high-speed connections, such as those available via DSL and cable services, can be configured to be shared by a group of computers without dramatically affecting the perceptible performance of any one computer in the group. For example, routers are capable of sharing a single Internet connection among a network of computers, thereby allowing each computer in the network to access resources on the Internet. Unfortunately, current Internet access sharing devices, such as routers, have a number of drawbacks. Most significantly, known routers are generally limited to fixed connection points. Thus, a router capable of sharing DSL or cable connections requires a connection to the DSL or cable line, typically via a DSL or cable modem. Since, DSL and cable lines are established at fixed locations, the usefulness of such an Internet access sharing arrangement is limited to a geographic region proximate the fixed location. 
     More recently, the capabilities of connecting to and accessing the Internet has been implemented in certain wireless communication devices, such as mobile phones. However, mobile phones are generally regarded as standalone devices, where access to Internet resources is typically carried out directly via the mobile phone interface, i.e., via applications executed on the mobile phone. Currently, however, the use of mobile phones for accessing resources from Internet has been limited for a variety of reasons. One reason is that the data rate (or bandwidth) provided to most wireless communications devices is typically limited. Secondly, mobile phones have small displays, thereby limiting the viewing of large documents. Third, the limited controls available on mobile phones make navigation and data entry cumbersome. These and other factors negatively impact the user&#39;s experience in accessing Internet resources on the mobile phone. 
     Furthermore, although some mobile phones can be connected to a computer via a special cable or interface (e.g., a PCMCIA mobile phone), use of the mobile phone for connecting to the Internet in this fashion is generally limited to and intended for a single computer user. This is because of the enduring understanding in the field of wireless communication devices that mobile phones and their adapter variants, such as PCMCIA mobile phones, are single-user standalone devices. 
     Kyocera Wireless Corp. has proposed an evolution data only (EVDO) card for a wireless router. The combination of the EVDO card with a wireless router allows a single high-speed wireless Internet connection to be shared by a network of computers, allowing each computer in the network to access resources on the Internet, without being limited to a fixed connection point. 
     A problem recognized by the present inventors is an issue of customer support when combining an EVDO card with a wireless router. For example, if one purchases an EVDO card from a wireless carrier for one&#39;s personal computer, the wireless carrier provides the user with a manual and unified instructions on how to install and configure EVDO card and how to get support from the wireless carrier on the EVDO card installed in the personal computer. The wireless carrier also trains its customer service representatives on the same configuration information so that customer support can be provided to the user of the EVDO card. Similarly, if one purchases a wireless router for one&#39;s home, for example, from a router provider, the router provide supplies the user with a manual and unified instructions on how to install and configure the wireless router and how to get support from the router provider on the wireless router. The router provider also trains its customer service representatives on the same configuration information to so that customer support can be provided to the user of the wireless router. 
     The problem recognized by the inventors is that a determination has to be made as to which configuration model is used when the EVDO card is plugged into the wireless router. If the EVDO user is following the router provider configuration instructions and calls the EVDO wireless carrier (even if the router provider added support for the EVDO card), customer support for the EVDO wireless carrier can not help the user since the wireless carrier only knows EVDO wireless configuration instructions. Similarly, if the user is following the EVDO wireless carrier configuration instructions and calling the router provider, the router provider can not help the user. 
     Because customer support is a critical element in the success of the EVDO card and wireless router combination, the present invention addresses a solution for resolving this configuration support paradox within the device itself. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, an aspect of the invention involves an EVDO/router system (“system”) that makes either the EVDO wireless carrier configuration interface or the wireless router configuration interface available to the user, depending on how the user connects their computer to the system. The system detects which type of port the computer is connected to (this is the administrative computer, not any computer on the local network), and provides the appropriate configuration interface based on the port detected. Wireless routers typically have three methods of connection to the local area network (LAN) and typically one method of connection to the wide area network (WAN) (e.g., Internet). In the system, the WAN connection is through an EVDO wireless link, and the LAN connections are a) 802.11 wireless, b) 100 base T (wired internet), and/or c) USB. The system controls which configuration interface is seen (i.e., EVDO wireless carrier configuration interface or the wireless router configuration interface) depending on the connection used. The system uses the wireless router configuration interface if the user is connected through the 802.11 wireless LAN connection or the 100 base T LAN connection. If the user connects through the USB connection, the user will see an interface equivalent to the one used if the EVDO card was plugged directly into the computer. As a result, if the user calls customer support for the wireless router, they are provided support for configuring the product if their computer is connected either by either the 802.11 wireless LAN connection or the 100 base T LAN connection. If the user calls customer support for the EVDO wireless carrier, they are provided support for configuring the product if their computer is connected by the USB connection. 
     In the above aspect of the invention the multimode system provides alternate interfaces to the user depending on how the user&#39;s computer is connected to the wireless router. In another, broader aspect of the invention, the multimode system provides alternate modes to the user depending on how the user&#39;s computer is connected to the wireless router. This aspect of the invention involves a multi-mode combination broadband wireless card and router system. The system includes a broadband wireless card for broadband wireless data communication with a WAN over a broadband wireless link; a wireless router for routing network communications between the WAN and a LAN, the router including a USB port for making a USB connection with a user computer, a wired LAN port for making a wired LAN connection with a user computer, and a wireless LAN port for making a wireless LAN connection with a user computer; at least one of the broadband wireless card and wireless router including a processor; and a module executed by the processor, the module configured to: identify use of at least one of the USB port, the wired LAN port, and the wireless LAN port, and modify network access mode for one or more of the user computers based on the identification. 
     Another aspect of the invention involves a multi-mode system for broadband wireless data communication with a wide area network over a wireless link and for use with a router for routing network communications between the wide area network and a local area network, the router including a USB port for making a USB connection with a user computer, a wired LAN port for making a wired LAN connection with a user computer, and a wireless LAN port for making a wireless LAN connection with a user computer. The system includes a processor; and a module executed by the processor, the module configured to: identify use of at least one of the USB port, the Ethernet LAN port, and the wireless LAN port, and modify network access mode for one or more of the user computers based on the identification. 
     A further aspect of the invention involves a method of determining an operating mode in a multi-mode system for broadband wireless data communication with a wide area network over a wireless link and for use with a router for routing network communications between the wide area network and a LAN, the router including a USB port for making a USB connection with a user computer, a wired LAN port for making a wired LAN connection with a user computer, and a wireless LAN port for making a wireless LAN connection with a user computer. The method includes receiving a connection for one or more of the user computers, the connection being at least one of the USB connection, the wired LAN connection, and the wireless LAN connection; identifying use of at least one of the USB port, the wired LAN port, and the wireless LAN port based on the connection received; and modifying network access mode for the one or more user computers based on the identification. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an embodiment of the system shown in conjunction with a user PC connected to the system through a 802.11 wireless LAN connection, a user PC connected to the system through a 100 base T LAN connection, and/or a user PC connected to the system through a USB connection. The system is shown wirelessly connected to a WAN (e.g., Internet) through an EVDO card. 
         FIG. 2  is a flow diagram of an exemplary method of using the system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the system in a first mode, where a user PC is connected to the system through a USB connection. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of the system in a first mode, where a user PC is connected to the system through a 802.11 wireless connection. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of the system in a first mode, where a user PC is connected to the system through a 100 base T LAN connection. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer system as may be used in connection with various embodiments described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a multimode EVDO/router system (“system”)  100  that determines how a user PC  110 ,  120 ,  130  is accessing a router  140  to connect to Wide Area Network (WAN)  150  and then operates in a mode corresponding to how the user PC  110 ,  120 ,  130  connects to the router  140  will now be described. 
     In the embodiment shown, the system  100  includes an EVDO card  160  combined with a wireless router  140 . The EVDO card  160  is a broadband wireless data card including a transceiver  170  coupled to an antenna  180  for communicating with base station  190  over RF link (e.g., EVDO wireless link)  200 . The EVDO card  160  includes a processor and one or more modules executable by the processor to perform the functions and processes described herein. The EVDO card  160  may be part of the router  140 , insertable into and/or removable from the router  140 , and/or the EVDO card  160  may be a separate component connected to the router  140  (e.g., through a WAN port of the router  140  and Ethernet cable). Although the router  140  is described as having a WAN connection through an EVDO wireless link using the EVDO card  160 , other wireless communication devices such as, but not limited to, a mobile phone, may be used for broadband wireless data communication between the router  140  and the base station  190 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, instead of the system  100  including the EVDO  160  combined with the router  140 , the system  100  may include the EVDO card  160 , which may be used with the router  140 . 
     The User PC  110 ,  120 ,  130  is a personal computer such as, but not by way of limitation, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA) device, a phone, and a desktop computer. The User PC  110  may be connected to a USB port  210  of the router  140  through a USB connection (e.g., USB cable)  220 . The User PC  120  may be wirelessly connected to an antenna  230  and wireless LAN port  235  of the router  140  through a 802.11 wireless LAN connection  240  or similar wireless LAN connection (e.g., Bluetooth). The User PC  130  may be connected to a Ethernet LAN port  250  of the router  140  through a wired LAN connection (e.g., Ethernet cable)  260 . 
     Although the router  140  is described as including a USB port  210 , a wireless LAN port  235 , and an Ethernet LAN port  250 , in alternative embodiments or the router, the router  140  may have fewer ports, additional ports, and/or different ports. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2-5 , a method  300  of using the system  100  will now be described. At step  310 , the system  100  receives a connection for the User PC  110 ,  120 ,  130  from the user. For example, where the User PC  110  is connected to the router  140  through a USB connection  220 , the USB port  210  receives the plug of the USB cable  220 . Where the User PC  120  is wirelessly connected to the router  140  through the 802.11 wireless LAN connection  240 , the system  100  recognizes when the wireless connection occurs between the User PC  120  and wireless LAN port  235 . Where the User PC  130  is connected to the router  140  through a wired LAN connection  260 , the Ethernet LAN port (wired LAN port)  250  receives the plug of the Ethernet cable  260 . 
     At step  320 , the port  210 ,  220 ,  235  of the router  140  where the connection occurred is identified. The system  100  may include one or more port monitor modules that identify when the port is accessed or in use. The one or more port monitor modules may be comprised of hardware (e.g., IC) and/or software (e.g., ASIC). For example, the one or more port monitor modules may be one or more software modules executed by the processor for determining which port is accessed or in use. 
     Although the multimode system  100  and method  300  are described as identifying the port in use to determine the mode, in alternative embodiments, the system  100  may identify connection with a User PC  110 ,  120 ,  130  in a different manner for determining what mode to put the system  100  in. For example, but not by way of limitation, each User PC  110 ,  120 ,  130  may include some form an electronic indicia (e.g., a unique signal) that the system  100  recognizes for identifying connection of a User PC  110 ,  120 ,  130  for determining what mode to put the system  100  in. 
     At step  330 , the network access mode (“mode”) of the system  100  is modified in accordance with the port  210 ,  220 ,  235  identified as being in use. With reference to  FIG. 3 , if the access is through the USB port  220  via a USB connection  220  (e.g., a USB cable that doesn&#39;t go through a network card), then the system  100  operates in a first mode. In this mode, the system  100  acts as an internal/external direct connect network interface card (NIC) and functions effectively as a PC card plugged into the user PC  110 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , if the access is through the wireless LAN port  235  via a 802.11 wireless LAN connection  240 , then the system  100  operates in a second mode, like a wireless router. In this mode, the system  100  functions as a network port/network pipe/WAN wireless network access point. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , if the access is through the wired LAN port  250  via a wired LAN connection (e.g., Ethernet cable)  260 , then the system  100  operates in a third mode, like a wired router. In this mode, the system  100  functions as a network port/network pipe/WAN wired network access point. 
     If more than one User PC  110 ,  120 ,  130  is connected to the system  100  at the same time, the system  100  may operate in more than one mode. 
     In an exemplary implementation of the system  100 , to overcome the aforementioned problem of customer support when combining an EVDO card with a wireless router, the system  100  makes either an EVDO wireless carrier configuration interface or a wireless router configuration interface available to the user, depending on the system mode. The system  100  detects which port  210 ,  220 ,  235  the User PC  110 ,  120 ,  130  (this is the administrative User PC, not any User PC on the local network) is in, and provides the appropriate configuration interface (i.e. EVDO wireless carrier configuration interface or the wireless router configuration interface) based on the port  210 ,  220 ,  235  detected. The system  100  uses the wireless router configuration interface if the User PC is connected through the 802.11 wireless LAN connection  240  or the 100 base T LAN connection  260 . If the user connects through the USB connection  220 , the user will see an interface equivalent to the one used if the EVDO card was plugged directly into the User PC  110 . As a result, if the user calls customer support for the wireless router  140 , they are provided support for configuring the product if their computer is connected either by the 802.11 wireless LAN connection  240  or the 100 base T LAN connection  260 . If the user calls customer support for the EVDO wireless carrier, they are provided support for configuring the product if their computer is connected by the USB connection  220 . Having these two distinct modes of operation (1. EVDO wireless carrier configuration interface, 2. a wireless router configuration interface) allows users and support personnel the convenience of having a consistent user experience when the EVDO card is plugged into their PC or into their router when using the USB connection to the PC. This allows for a more positive user experience and a consistent usage model for support, utilities, and diagnostics. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer system  450  that may be used in connection with the various embodiments described herein. For example, the computer system  450  may be applicable to the User PC  110 ,  120 ,  130 , the router  140 , and/or the EVDO card  160 . However, other computer systems and/or architectures may be used, as will be clear to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     The computer system  450  preferably includes one or more processors, such as processor  452 . Additional processors may be provided, such as an auxiliary processor to manage input/output, an auxiliary processor to perform floating point mathematical operations, a special-purpose microprocessor having an architecture suitable for fast execution of signal processing algorithms (e.g., digital signal processor), a slave processor subordinate to the main processing system (e.g., back-end processor), an additional microprocessor or controller for dual or multiple processor systems, or a coprocessor. Such auxiliary processors may be discrete processors or may be integrated with the processor  452 . 
     The processor  452  is preferably connected to a communication bus  454 . The communication bus  454  may include a data channel for facilitating information transfer between storage and other peripheral components of the computer system  450 . The communication bus  454  further may provide a set of signals used for communication with the processor  452 , including a data bus, address bus, and control bus (not shown). The communication bus  454  may comprise any standard or non-standard bus architecture such as, for example, bus architectures compliant with industry standard architecture (“ISA”), extended industry standard architecture (“EISA”), Micro Channel Architecture (“MCA”), peripheral component interconnect (“PCI”) local bus, or standards promulgated by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (“IEEE”) including IEEE 488 general-purpose interface bus (“GPIB”), IEEE 696/S-100, and the like. 
     Computer system  450  preferably includes a main memory  456  and may also include a secondary memory  458 . The main memory  456  provides storage of instructions and data for programs executing on the processor  452 . The main memory  456  is typically semiconductor-based memory such as dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”) and/or static random access memory (“SRAM”). Other semiconductor-based memory types include, for example, synchronous dynamic random access memory (“SDRAM”), Rambus dynamic random access memory (“RDRAM”), ferroelectric random access memory (“FRAM”), and the like, including read only memory (“ROM”). 
     The secondary memory  458  may optionally include a hard disk drive  460  and/or a removable storage drive  462 , for example a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, a compact disc (“CD”) drive, a digital versatile disc (“DVD”) drive, etc. The removable storage drive  462  reads from and/or writes to a removable storage medium  464 . Removable storage medium  464  may be, for example, a floppy disk, magnetic tape, CD, DVD, etc. 
     The removable storage medium  464  is preferably a computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable code (i.e., software) and/or data. The computer software or data stored on the removable storage medium  464  is read into the computer system  450  as electrical communication signals  478 . 
     In alternative embodiments, secondary memory  458  may include other similar means for allowing computer programs or other data or instructions to be loaded into the computer system  450 . Such means may include, for example, an external storage medium  472  and an interface  470 . Examples of external storage medium  472  may include an external hard disk drive or an external optical drive, or and external magneto-optical drive. 
     Other examples of secondary memory  458  may include semiconductor-based memory such as programmable read-only memory (“PROM”), erasable programmable read-only memory (“EPROM”), electrically erasable read-only memory (“EEPROM”), or flash memory (block oriented memory similar to EEPROM). Also included are any other removable storage units  472  and interfaces  470 , which allow software and data to be transferred from the removable storage unit  472  to the computer system  450 . 
     Computer system  450  may also include a communication interface  474 . The communication interface  474  allows software and data to be transferred between computer system  450  and external devices (e.g. printers), networks, or information sources. For example, computer software or executable code may be transferred to computer system  450  from a network server via communication interface  474 . Examples of communication interface  474  include a modem, a network interface card (“NIC”), a communications port, a PCMCIA slot and card, an infrared interface, and an IEEE 1394 fire-wire, just to name a few. 
     Communication interface  474  preferably implements industry promulgated protocol standards, such as Ethernet IEEE 802 standards, Fiber Channel, digital subscriber line (“DSL”), asynchronous digital subscriber line (“ADSL”), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (“ATM”), integrated digital services network (“ISDN”), personal communications services (“PCS”), transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (“TCP/IP”), serial line Internet protocol/point to point protocol (“SLIP/PPP”), and so on, but may also implement customized or non-standard interface protocols as well. 
     Software and data transferred via communication interface  474  are generally in the form of electrical communication signals  478 . These signals  478  are preferably provided to communication interface  474  via a communication channel  476 . Communication channel  476  carries signals  478  and can be implemented using a variety of communication means including wire or cable, fiber optics, conventional phone line, cellular phone link, radio frequency (RF) link, or infrared link, just to name a few. 
     Computer executable code (i.e., computer programs or software) is stored in the main memory  456  and/or the secondary memory  458 . Computer programs can also be received via communication interface  474  and stored in the main memory  456  and/or the secondary memory  458 . Such computer programs, when executed, enable the computer system  450  to perform the various functions of the present invention as previously described. 
     In this description, the term “computer readable medium” is used to refer to any media used to provide computer executable code (e.g., software and computer programs) to the computer system  450 . Examples of these media include main memory  456 , secondary memory  458  (including hard disk drive  460 , removable storage medium  464 , and external storage medium  472 ), and any peripheral device communicatively coupled with communication interface  474  (including a network information server or other network device). These computer readable mediums are means for providing executable code, programming instructions, and software to the computer system  450 . 
     In an embodiment that is implemented using software, the software may be stored on a computer readable medium and loaded into computer system  450  by way of removable storage drive  462 , interface  470 , or communication interface  474 . In such an embodiment, the software is loaded into the computer system  450  in the form of electrical communication signals  478 . The software, when executed by the processor  452 , preferably causes the processor  452  to perform the inventive features and functions previously described herein. 
     Various embodiments may also be implemented primarily in hardware using, for example, components such as application specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”), or field programmable gate arrays (“FPGAs”). Implementation of a hardware state machine capable of performing the functions described herein will also be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art. Various embodiments may also be implemented using a combination of both hardware and software. 
     Those of skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and method steps described in connection with the above described figures and the embodiments disclosed herein can often be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled persons can implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the invention. In addition, the grouping of functions within a module, block, circuit or step is for ease of description. Specific functions or steps can be moved from one module, block or circuit to another without departing from the invention. 
     Moreover, the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and methods described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (“DSP”), an ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor can be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. 
     Additionally, the steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module can reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium including a network storage medium. An exemplary storage medium can be coupled to the processor such the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium can be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium can also reside in an ASIC. 
     The above description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented herein represent a presently preferred embodiment of the invention and are therefore representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly limited by nothing other than the appended claims.