Abstract:
A communication system comprises a plurality of wireless transceivers and a control system. The wireless transceivers periodically monitor transmit signals from the wireless transceivers to determine transmit signal strengths and transmit signal frequencies. The wireless transceivers transfer messages associating the wireless transceivers with the transmit signal strengths and transmit signal frequencies. The control system receives the messages. The control system generates an alarm if one of the transmit signal strengths at one of the transmit signal frequencies for one of the wireless transceivers exceeds a threshold.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
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     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
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     MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
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     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention is related to the field of communication systems, and in particular, to a wireless communication system that manages interference between wireless transceivers. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Enterprise communication systems are prevalent in most parts of the world. An enterprise communication system provides voice and data transfer within the enterprise and typically includes an intranet that allows for web-like interaction among enterprise personnel. The enterprise communication system also provides public telephone, Internet, and private data connectivity to the enterprise. 
     Wireless communications between wireless phones and wireless communication systems is also prevalent in most parts of the world. The wireless communications include voice conversations, e-mail, and web sessions. Some wireless communication systems use push technology to select and provide information to the wireless phones. 
     Wireless transceivers that interface with wireless phones and with public wireless base stations are being developed for private use. Unfortunately, these wireless transceivers have not been effectively used to provide an interface between wireless phones and enterprise communication systems. Systems are needed that allow wireless phones to more effectively inter-operate with enterprise communication systems. This inadequate interface between wireless phones and enterprise communication systems becomes an acute problem when the wireless phone is used by a visitor to the enterprise who may need more or different information than enterprise personnel. 
     These wireless transceivers face additional problems. Manual engineering is required to initially configure the transceivers to use the appropriate frequencies and signal strengths. Signal strength is especially critical with dense concentrations of spread spectrum systems because the signal represents noise to neighboring transceivers. Many enterprises or residence do not have the available engineering prowess to properly configure their transceivers. 
     Technology has been developed to configure a computer for external communications when it is booted. The computer&#39;s CPU scans a range of memory addresses that are assigned to peripheral device interfaces. The CPU then installs the appropriate drivers for each interface that was detected to configure the computer for external communications. Such technology has not been applied effectively to wireless transceiver configuration. 
     Since, many residences or enterprises cannot properly configure their transceivers, it is likely that the unauthorized use of frequencies and signal strengths will be a problem. Untrained users are likely to adjust or move their transceiver without regard to neighboring systems. Systems are needed to counter this problem. 
     Transactions, such as purchases, are the key activity in many enterprises. Two important aspects of a transaction are user authentication and account code validation. Typically, user authentication is handled by a credit card with a user name and a transaction receipt with a user signature. Photographic identification, personal identification numbers, and voice recognition systems are also used to authenticate users. Account code validation is typically handled by point-of-sale terminals that request account code validation from a bank network. Unfortunately, credit cards are stolen and signatures are forged to defeat user authentication. Systems are needed that integrate effective user authentication into the enterprise systems described above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention solves the above problems with a communication system that manages interference among wireless transceivers. Advantageously, the communication system detects unauthorized frequency use and improper signal strength, so untrained persons may properly operate their wireless transceivers without unduly affecting their neighbors. 
     The communication system comprises a plurality of wireless transceivers and a control system. The wireless transceivers periodically monitor transmit signals from the wireless transceivers to determine transmit signal strengths and transmit signal frequencies. The wireless transceivers transfer messages associating the wireless transceivers with the transmit signal strengths and transmit signal frequencies. The control system receives the messages. The control system generates an alarm if one of the transmit signal strengths at one of the transmit signal frequencies for one of the wireless transceivers exceeds a threshold. In some examples of the invention, the control system determines the position of the offending wireless transceiver and displays its position on a geographic display. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The same reference number represents the same element on all drawings. 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates a communication system for wireless enterprise communications in an example of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a flow diagram that illustrates wireless enterprise communications in an example of the invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a table diagram that illustrates a data structure for wireless enterprise communications in an example of the invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram that illustrates a communication system with wireless transceiver configuration and management in an example of the invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a block diagram that illustrates a wireless transceiver and control system with wireless transceiver configuration and management in an example of the invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a flow diagram that illustrates wireless transceiver configuration in an example of the invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a table diagram that illustrates a data structure for wireless transceiver management in an example of the invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a flow diagram that illustrates wireless transceiver management in an example of the invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a block diagram that illustrates a system for wireless voice authentication and transaction validation in an example of the invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a block diagram that illustrates wireless telephone in an example of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Wireless Enterprise Communications—FIGS.  1 - 3   
     FIGS. 1-3 depict a specific example of a communication system in accord with the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous variations from this example that do not depart from the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that various features described below could be combined to form multiple variations of the invention. 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates a communication system  100  for wireless enterprise communications in an example of the invention. The communication system  100  comprises communication device  102 , public network cell  110 , enterprise  120 , and networks  130 . Public network cell  110  includes public network base station  111  and control system  112 . Enterprise  120  includes transceivers  121 - 123 , respective enterprise cells  125 - 127 , and server  124 . 
     Communication device  102  includes a public wireless communication interface and could comprise a telephone, portable computer, personal digital assistant, automobile system, or other similar device. The arrows on FIG. 1 indicate movement of communication device  102 . Public network cell  110 , base station  111 , and control system  112  could comprise a conventional wireless system that is modified in accord with the invention. Control system  112  typically includes a Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO). Networks  130  could comprise conventional systems such as the PSTN, Internet, and private data networks. 
     Enterprise  120  is an entity that is separate from the PSTN or Internet. Some examples of enterprise  120  include retail establishments, medical facilities, airports or train terminals, educational campuses, business campuses, government facilities, and recreational areas. For wireless communication and hand-offs, transceiver  121  operates similar to a conventional public network base station. Enterprise cell  125  is at least partially located in public network cell  110 . Transceiver  121  receives a hand-off from public network base station  111  for wireless communication device  102  in response to wireless communication device  102  entering enterprise cell  125 . Transceivers  121 - 123  communicate over the air interface with wireless communication device  102  when wireless communication device is in their respective enterprise cells  125 - 126 . For example, transceiver  121  hands-off wireless communication device  102  to transceiver  123  in response to wireless communication device  102  moving from enterprise cell  125  to enterprise cell  127 . Transceivers  122 - 123  interface with communication device  102  and server  124  similar to transceiver  121 . Hand-offs occur between transceivers  121 - 123  as communication device  102  moves among the respective enterprise cells  125 - 127 . 
     Server  124  exchanges information between enterprise  120  and wireless communication device  102  through the wireless transceiver  121  in response to the hand-off between base station  111  and transceiver  121 . Server  124  identifies and authorizes communication device  102  and the user of communication device  102 . Server  124  selects the information for the user based on the identity, position, and user of communication device  102 , in addition to, user responses and requests. 
     The information exchange could be an enterprise  120  intranet session. The information may represent interactive enterprise menus, enterprise maps, product or person locators, product information, order and payment information, promotions, and media clips. Product information may indicate features and options, availability, and price. For example, the information might allow a user to select a product type, identify available products, compare available product features and prices, order and pay for a selected product, and locate where the purchased product can be picked-up. 
     The position of communication device  102  could be obtained through triangulation across transceivers or other techniques, such as satellite positioning. If server  124  selects the information based on the position of communication device  102 , then the information may be related to promotions or products of proximate shops and restaurants. 
     Server  124  provides communication device  102  with access to networks  130  through transceivers  121 - 123  and control system  112 . The access includes Internet access, PSTN access, private data network access. The access could be continuous during any hand-offs. 
     FIG. 2 is a flow diagram that illustrates wireless enterprise communications in an example of the invention. Wireless communication device  102  is registered with public network base station  111  in public network cell  110 . Wireless communication device  102  enters enterprise cell  125  and attempts to register with transceiver  121 . Server  124  informs control system  112  of the attempt. Control system  112  determines whether to hand-off communications device  102  to enterprise  120 . The determination could be based on system capacity, device ID, user ID, user prompt and response, signal strength, services in use, error rates, or other such criteria. If the determination is negative, then wireless communication device  102  continues to use public network base station  111  in public network cell  110 . If the determination is positive, then control system  112  instructs public network base station  111  to hand-off wireless communication device  102  to enterprise transceiver  121 . Control system  112  switches access between wireless communication device  102  and networks  130  from base station  111  to server  124 , so sessions are continuous through the hand-off. 
     In response to the hand-off, control system  112  generates an accounting event for the access switch noting communication device  102 , services invoked, and the time, so billing for wireless communication device  102  is properly tracked between communication system  100  and enterprise  120 . Numerous billing schemes could be implemented in this fashion. Communication system  100  may bill enterprise  120 , and not the user, for access after the switch. Communication system  100  may bill the user at a reduced rate for access after the switch. Enterprise  120  may bill the user for access after the switch. Enterprise  120  could offer promotions to discount or forgive this bill based on user activity within the enterprise, such as money spent, time spent, or services used. Enterprise  120  may bill communications system  100  for access after the switch. Reciprocal billing schemes could be implemented on a hand-off from enterprise  120  to public network cell  110 . 
     Server  124  identifies and authorizes communication device  102  and its user. Server  124  gets the position of wireless communication device  102  within enterprise  120  and selects and transfers information to wireless communication device  102 . If the user logs-off, then server  124  instructs control system  112  of the log-off and instructs transceiver  121  to hand-off wireless communication device  102  to public network base station  111 . Control system  112  switches access between wireless communication device  102  and networks  130  from transceiver  121  back to public network base station  111 . 
     If the user does not log-off, but requests more information, then server  124  transfers the additional information to wireless communication device  102 . If the user does not log-off or request more information, but requests a service, then server  124  authorizes and provides the service. Server  124  repeatedly gets the position of wireless communication device  102  within enterprise  120  and selects and transfers information to wireless communication device  102  based on the position. In some examples, server  124  reports the position of wireless communication device to control system  112 . Log-off may also occur automatically if communication device  102  is not detected within enterprise  120  for a specified time period. 
     FIG. 3 is a table diagram that illustrates a data structure  324  for wireless enterprise communications in an example of the invention. Server  124  houses and maintains data structure  324 . Data structure  324  is populated with data related to device position, device ID, user ID, information code, information time-out, user responses, and services invoked. Data structure  324  could also include other information, such as device type, error rate, jitter, media security, encryption, and static presence. Asterisks indicate wildcards. At position X 1 Y 1 , any device or user is provided with information for code  100  for two minutes. Code  100  could be a main menu for enterprise  120 . If the user responds with selection “A”, an enterprise map service is provided. Device  7020  receives different information based on whether the user is Bill or Ann. Bill obtains a movie list while Ann obtains sales promotions. At position X 2 Y 2 , any device or user is provided with information for code  203  for two minutes. Position X 2 Y 2  could be proximate to a food court and code  203  could be a selection of restaurants. If the user responds with selection “A”, then a menu for the selected restaurant is provided. Regardless of device or position, Jim gets a continuous security service. Regardless of position or user, device  8432  gets continuous web access, and device  8458  gets continuous PSTN access. 
     Wireless Transceiver Configuration and Management—FIGS.  4 - 8   
     FIGS. 4-8 depict a specific example of a communication system in accord with the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous variations from this example that do not depart from the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that various features described above and below could be combined to form multiple variations of the invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram that illustrates communication system  400  with wireless transceiver configuration and management in an example of the invention. Communication system  400  comprises control system  412 , wireless transceivers  421 - 424 , and respective cells  425 - 428 . Receivers W, X, Y, and Z are shown along with an unknown transmitter indicated by the question mark. Wireless transceivers  421 - 424  could comprise an enterprise or could each comprise an individual enterprise or residence. 
     FIG. 5 is a block diagram that illustrates wireless transceiver  424  and control system  412  in an example of the invention. Wireless transceiver  424  comprises central processing unit  550  coupled to boot logic  551 , memory  552 , transceiver circuits  553 , communication interface  554 , and management logic  555 . Control system  412  comprises central processing unit  560  coupled to control logic  561 , memory  562 , communication interface  563 , and display  564 . Communication interface  554  is coupled to communication interface  563 , although transceiver  424  and control system  412  could communicate over a wireless link. Memory  552  includes memory addresses and associated frequencies. 
     FIG. 6 is a flow diagram that illustrates wireless transceiver configuration in an example of the invention. At start-up, CPU  550  executes boot logic  551  which directs transceiver  424  to perform the following operations. CPU  550  scans addresses in memory  552  that are associated with frequencies. The frequencies may be represented by codes, and the term “frequency” includes a single frequency, a code that is associated with a frequency, or a frequency range. In response to the scan, CPU  550  uses transceiver circuit  553  to detect signals  565  and determine signal levels for the frequencies. CPU  550  transfers a first message indicating the signal levels for the frequencies through communication interface to control system  412 . 
     Communication interface  563  receives the first message and forwards it to CPU  560 . CPU  560  executes control logic  561  which directs control system  412  to perform the following operations. CPU  560  checks each frequency for an assignment to another transceiver. CPU  560  checks the signal levels at the unassigned frequencies. CPU  560  selects a set of unassigned frequencies without significant signal interference for assignment to transceiver  424 . CPU  560  also notes any unassigned frequencies with significant signal levels for possible unauthorized use. CPU transfers a second message to transceiver  424  through communication interface  563 . Communication interface  554  receives the second message and forwards it to CPU  550 . CPU  550  stores the selected set of frequencies for subsequent wireless communication. The selected set of frequencies may include only one frequency. 
     FIG. 7 is a table diagram that illustrates a data structure for wireless transceiver management in an example of the invention. CPU  560  maintains the data structure in memory  562 . The data structure contains transceiver data from transceivers  421 - 424  and lists the transceiver that reports the data. The data structure includes transmitter ID and position, receiver ID and position, signal frequency and strength, minimum and maximum signal strength thresholds, and alarms. Alarm signals are generated by comparing signal strength to the minimum and maximum thresholds. The data structure shows an alarm that transceiver  421  is exceeding a maximum signal strength threshold. The data structure shows an alarm that transceiver  422  is below a minimum signal strength threshold. The data structure also shows an alarm that an unknown transmitter at position X 9 Y 9  is using frequency E. 
     FIG. 8 is a flow diagram that illustrates wireless transceiver management in an example of the invention. CPU  550  executes management logic  555  and CPU  560  executes control logic  561  which respectively direct transceiver  424  and control system  412  to perform the following operations. Periodically, CPU  550  scans addresses in memory  552  that are associated with frequencies. In response to the scan, CPU  550  uses transceiver circuit  553  to detect signals  565  and determine transmitters, receivers, and signal levels for the frequencies. CPU  550  transfers a message to control system  412  through communication interface  554  indicating the transmitters, receivers, and signal levels for the frequencies. Transceivers  421 - 423  perform a similar operation. Communication interface  563  receives the messages and forwards them to CPU  560 . 
     CPU  560  loads the transceiver data into the data structure within memory  562 . CPU  560  also determines positions, possibly using a triangulation technique, and loads the position data into the data structure within memory  562 . CPU  560  checks for unknown transmitters or receivers to generate alarms. CPU  560  compares signal levels to maximum and minimum thresholds to generate maximum and minimum alarms. CPU  560  sends signals display  564  to display the alarms. Display  564  shows that transceiver  421  at position X 1 Y 1  has exceeded the maximum threshold. Display  564  shows that transceiver  422  at position X 2 Y 2  is below the minimum threshold. Display  564  shows that an unknown transmitter at position X 9 Y 9  is unauthorized. 
     Wireless Voice Authentication and Transaction Validation—FIGS.  9 - 10   
     FIGS. 9-10 depict a specific example of wireless voice authentication and transaction validation in accord with the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous variations from this example that do not depart from the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that various features described below could be combined to form multiple variations of the invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a block diagram that illustrates system  930  for wireless voice authentication and transaction validation in an example of the invention. The transaction could be the purchase of a product using an account number. The account number could be a credit account number or a bank account number. 
     System  930  comprises transaction system  901  that is within enterprise  900  and that is coupled to validation system  920 . Transaction system  901  comprises wireless interface  902  and transaction manager  903 . Validation system  920  comprises voice authentication system  921  and account validation system  922 . Wireless communication device  910  is operated by a user and communicates with wireless interface  902  over wireless communication link  904 . Communications over wireless link  904  and between systems  901  and  920  could be encrypted. 
     Enterprise  900 , wireless interface  902 , and wireless communication device  910  could be respectively similar to the enterprises, wireless transceivers, and wireless communication devices of FIGS. 1-8. Transaction manager  903  could be integrated into the servers or control systems of FIGS. 1-8. Wireless interface  902  and transaction manager  903  could also be implemented within a point-of-sale terminal. Wireless communication device  910  could be a wireless telephone configured to communicate with a public wireless network. 
     In operation, wireless communication device  910  and wireless interface  902  establish wireless communication link  904 . Wireless interface  902  receives user information including a user speech sample and a user account code from wireless communication device  910  over wireless communication link  904 . Wireless interface  902  transfers the user information to transaction manager  903 . 
     Transaction manager  903  transfers the user speech sample to voice authentication system  921 . Voice authentication system  921  compares the user speech sample to a previous speech sample from the user. Voice authentication system  921  generates validation information to indicate if the user is authentic based on the comparison. Voice authentication system  921  may also retrieve a picture of the user and include the picture in the validation information. Voice authentication system  921  transfers the validation information to transaction manager  903 . 
     Transaction manager  903  receives the validation information from voice authentication system  921 , and if the validation information indicates that the user is authentic, then transaction manager  903  transfers the account code to account code validation system  922 . Although, the account code validation is conditional on user authentication in this example, authentication and validation could be flip-flopped in time, or they could occur in parallel. 
     Account code validation system  922  processes the user account code to generate validation information that indicates if the user account code is valid. Account code validation system  922  may also retrieve a picture of the user and include the picture in the validation information. Account code validation system  922  may also retrieve transaction requirements for a valid transaction, such as permitted transactions and purchase amounts, and include the transaction requirements in the validation information. Account code validation system  922  transfers the validation information to transaction manager  903 . Transaction manager  903  receives and displays the validation information. Transaction manager  903  may also validate the transaction based on the validation information. 
     FIG. 10 is a block diagram that illustrates wireless telephone  1000  in an example of the invention. Wireless telephone  1000  is an example of wireless communication device  910  in FIG.  9 . Wireless telephone  1000  comprises display  1001 , memory  1002 , microphone  1003 , keys  1004 , control circuitry  1005 , and wireless interface  1006 . FIG. 10 has been simplified for clarity, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that some conventional aspects of wireless telephone  1000  have been omitted or simplified. 
     Wireless telephone  1000  is configured to operate as follows. Memory  1002  stores a list of user account codes. Control circuitry  1005  directs display  1001  to display a user prompt for a voice-authenticated transaction. In response to a user selection from keys  1004  for a voice-authenticated transaction, control circuitry  1005  directs display  1001  to display a user prompt to select an account code from the list of user account codes. In response to a user selection from keys  1004  of the user account code, control circuitry  1005  directs display  1001  to display a user prompt for a user speech sample. 
     Microphone  1003  receives the user speech sample. Control circuitry directs the wireless interface  1006  to transfer the user speech sample and the account code to wireless interface  902  in transaction system  901  over wireless communication link  904 . Wireless interface  1006  encrypts and transfers the user speech sample and the account code as directed. 
     After the transaction, wireless interface  1006  receives a transaction code, product identification, and purchase price for the transaction. Control circuitry  1005  directs memory  1002  to store the transaction code, product identification, purchase price, and date for the transaction. Control system  1005  also directs memory  1002  to store an account balance for the account code. 
     The above-described control, logic, and data structures are comprised of instructions that are stored on storage media. The instructions can be retrieved and executed by a processor. Some examples of instructions are software, program code, and firmware. Some examples of storage media are memory devices, tape, disks, integrated circuits, and servers. The instructions are operational when executed by the processor to direct the processor to operate in accord with the invention. The term “processor” refers to a single processing device or a group of inter-operational processing devices. Some examples of processors are computers, integrated circuits, and logic circuitry. Those skilled in the art are familiar with instructions, processors, and storage media. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations of the above-described embodiments that fall within the scope of the invention. As a result, the invention is not limited to the specific examples and illustrations discussed above, but only by the following claims and their equivalents.