Abstract:
The invention is a method and apparatus in which data can be transferred between a mobile node and a fixed based node in a wireless local area network through a data passing scheme in which data can be bounced between a base node and an out-of-range mobile node through other mobile nodes.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The invention pertains to communication systems, such as wireless local area networks and land mobile radio (LMR) systems, for wireless communication between a plurality of mobile nodes as well as between one or more geographically fixed nodes and the mobile nodes. More particularly, the invention pertains to a method and apparatus for distributing data to a plurality of mobile nodes utilizing a combination of communication with fixed access points and a peer-to-peer data passing scheme.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Civilian public safety organizations, such as municipal police squads, municipal fire departments, private security organizations, and other public service organizations, commonly utilize two-way radio communication systems that allow mobile nodes, such as police squad cars, fire trucks, individual patrollers with two-way radios, etc., to communicate with each other as well as with one or more geographically fixed nodes, such as a headquarters or precinct building. Such systems are, in essence, wireless local area networks (WLANs). Such systems are commonly used to carry voice communications, often using encrypted digital channels, as well as other data. For instance, squad cars often have PCs, laptop computers or other computing devices that can connect to the WLAN to download various forms of data, such as motor vehicle records for a particular driver or license plate, arrest records for particular individuals, bulletins from headquarters, photographs (such as mug shots), etc, from one or more central servers coupled to the WLAN (typically through a wired LAN). Often, the mobile nodes, such as squad cars maintain local copies of certain types of data, such as mug shots and bulletins.  
           [0003]    In addition, the mobile nodes may, not only receive data from a central server, but send data to the central server. For instance, police officers may prepare and transmit arrest reports and other reports to the central server using the WLAN so that coworkers working in a precinct building can have more immediate access to such reports, rather than waiting for officers to physically return to the precinct before such reports can be entered (in a database maintained on the central server). This may also make record keeping more efficient since an officer can directly create an electronic version of the record, rather than preparing a hard copy of the report, which would then need to be entered into the database in a separate manual step when the officer returned to the precinct.  
           [0004]    These types of WLANs typically cover a specific geographic area, such as a municipality or county. The area that such a network must cover often is larger than can be covered by a single fixed antenna because the power with which two way radios and related fixed antennas can transmit data is limited, not only by practical weight and power considerations (especially for the mobile nodes), but also by local state or national regulation. Accordingly, a plurality of antenna nodes positioned at geographically separate locations in the municipality might commonly be coupled to a wired LAN, each antenna having full-time haul back capabilities to the central server(s) via the wired LAN. Of course, the wired LAN (which may also be considered the wired portion of an overall LAN that also includes the wireless LAN) also typically would include other fixed nodes in addition to the antenna nodes, such as dispatchers and desktop computers I that also communicate with the central server(s) and/or the mobile nodes. When a mobile node is within range of a fixed access point it communicates directly with the host (or central server) via the fixed access point. However, when a mobile node moves beyond transmission range of a fixed access point, it essentially cannot communicate with the WLAN until it returns within range of one of the fixed access points. Thus, if a central server has data to be transmitted to a particular mobile node or vice versa and that mobile node is out of radio transmission range of any fixed access point, that mobile node simply was unable to receive the data until the mobile node came back into radio range.  
           [0005]    These types of WLANs commonly also incorporate a protocol by which two mobile nodes can directly communicate with each other on a peer-to-peer basis if they are within range of each other.  
           [0006]    The cost of installing the infrastructure to support multiple remote fixed access points (e.g., antennas) for such WLANs can be substantial and includes costs such as leases on the lines necessary to connect the remote fixed access points to the wired portion of the LAN.  
           [0007]    It often is economically infeasible to provide enough fixed access points (i.e., antennas) to fully cover an municipality. Accordingly, mobile nodes, e.g., squad cars, may be out of communication with headquarters and/or other mobile nodes for lengthy periods of time and, hence, be unable to receive potentially important data and updates.  
           [0008]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved wireless communication system.  
           [0009]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a WLAN that enables data to be indirectly transmitted between a mobile node and a server even when the mobile node is out of range of any fixed access point.  
           [0010]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wireless communication system in which data can be transferred between a mobile node and a fixed access point through other mobile nodes.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    The invention is a wireless communication method and apparatus by which, when a first mobile wireless node of a communication network is out of radio transmission range of any fixed antenna node, data that is to be transferred between that mobile node and the fixed antenna node is first transferred from the transmitting node (either the first mobile node or the fixed antenna node depending on the direction of data flow) to one or more second mobile nodes that are within radio range of the transmitting node and subsequently transferred from one of the second mobile nodes to the first mobile node if and when the first and second mobile nodes come within radio transmission range of each other.  
           [0012]    While the protocol for assuring that appropriate data is passed at appropriate times to the mobile nodes and vice versa can take countless forms, one preferred scheme utilizes a software agent in each mobile node that maintains a list of files, directories or other forms of data that need to be synchronized with a central server periodically. The agent periodically checks to determine if those files, directories, etc. are up-to-date by querying the central server through a fixed access point for newer versions of those files, etc. If the mobile node establishes a link with the central server through a fixed access point (i.e., an antenna node), the mobile node compares its versions of the selected files, directories, etc. with the corresponding data maintained in the central server and downloads data corresponding to any updates from the central server in order to update its records. If the agent cannot establish communication with the central server through a fixed access point, it then searches for other peer mobile nodes within radio range. If a peer mobile node (or fixed access point) is discovered, the first mobile node compares its versions of the selected files, directories, etc. with those maintained in the peer with which it is communicating. If its version of any of those files, directories, etc. is older than the corresponding versions in the other peer (or the fixed access point), it downloads from the peer the necessary data for updating its own records and updates its corresponding outdated files, etc. accordingly. Preferably, the synchronization comprises full bidirectional synchronization. Specifically, it is possible that the mobile node that requested an update from another mobile node actually has more recent data than the responding mobile node. In such a case, the updating data should be sent from the requesting node to the responding node even though the responding node did not initiate the synchronization sequence.  
           [0013]    The data passing also can occur in the opposite direction from mobile nodes to fixed access points. For example, a fixed access point can be provided in a remote area of a coverage zone in a locale that mobile nodes are expected to frequently visit. The access point can be set up inexpensively without providing direct, wired back haul to the central server, which can be extremely expensive. Rather, the fixed access point updates its files, etc. by running the same software agent as the mobile nodes thereby querying mobile nodes that come within radio range of it for updated data. The remote fixed access point can then turn around and provide that data to other mobile nodes that issue requests for updates within radio transmission range of the remote fixed access point. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary municipality in which a WLAN in accordance with the present invention is operating.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating operation of a radio unit in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is an overhead view of an exemplary geographic zone that is to be covered by a WLAN in accordance with the present invention. For sake of example, the discussion and descriptions below of specific embodiments of the invention will be set forth in connection with an exemplary police force using the WLAN for radio communication between multiple fixed nodes, such as a police headquarters, precincts and fueling depots, and a plurality of mobile nodes, e.g., squad cars. The wireless communication between the mobile nodes and the fixed nodes typically would be carried over encrypted digital channels in accordance with any reasonable LMR system. One standard for LMR is 802.11b DSSS WLAN established by the IEEE. However, the present invention can be employed in connection with any type of wireless LAN regardless of whether the communication channels are encrypted or not, whether the communication channels are digital or not or any particular communication protocol or standard.  
         [0017]    Referring now to FIG. 1, the geographic zone  100  to be covered by the WLAN comprises a municipality in which the police department has a headquarters  102 , a secondary precinct  104  at a geographically remote location from the headquarters  102  and a fueling depot  106  where squad cars can refuel. In this example, a data server  108  physically located at the headquarters  102  is coupled to a wired local area network  109 . The headquarters also has a transceiver  111  including an antenna  112  for communicating with mobile nodes, such as squad cars  120  via a wireless LAN. The police department also maintains at least two other transceivers  113 ,  114  that form nodes of the wired LAN and associated antennas  115 ,  116  that can transmit data to and receive data from mobile nodes (and, accordingly, also are nodes of the wireless LAN). Each antenna  112 ,  115 ,  116  has a transmission coverage area  112   a ,  115   a ,  116   a , respectively, that can cover only a portion of the total geographic zone  100 . In this example, none of the transmission coverage areas of the three antennas overlap. In other embodiments, they could overlap somewhat. In this particular example, antenna  115  is positioned at the remote precinct house  104  and antenna  116  is located at the fuel depot  106 .  
         [0018]    Finally, there is a fourth transceiver  117  and antenna  118  preferentially located in a location that the squad cars are expected to pass near on a regular basis. Antenna node  118  has a remote server  119  associated therewith that is intended to store data redundant of the data on central server  108 . However, antenna  118 , transceiver  117 , and server  119  are not coupled to the wired LAN  109 . The manner in which the data in server  118  is kept current is discussed in detail below and forms a significant aspect of one embodiment of the present invention. Blocks  120 - 1 ,  120 - 2 ,  120 - 3 ,  120 - 4 ,  120 - 5 , and  120 - 6  represent squad cars in various locations throughout zone  100 .  
         [0019]    In addition to supporting real time, two-way voice communication between police officers in the field (e.g., in squad cars  120 ) and police personnel at headquarters  102  and the secondary precinct  104 , the WLAN also provides digital data communication between various mobile and fixed computing devices such as computers, servers and portable laptop computers in the squad cars, precint, and elsewhere. These various computing devices might store particular data files such as mug shots, lists of stolen vehicles, and other records. Such records may be centrally stored on the server  108  and updated therein on a regular basis. The mobile nodes (e.g., the computers in the squad cars) often also maintain local copies of such data. It is desirable to maintain the copies of those records in the mobile nodes as consistently as possible with the latest data in the central server  108 . Updates may include both modifications to previously existing files or other forms of data as well as the addition of new data, such as the addition of new files (e.g., mug shots) to a particular directory.  
         [0020]    One common scheme for maintaining synchronization of the data files in the mobile nodes with the main server  108  is for the mobile nodes to maintain a list of files and/or directories that need to be synchronized to the files in the main server  108 . The mobile nodes periodically issue a request over the WLAN to synchronize to the files and/or directories in the central server. If the mobile node  120  is within transmission range of one of the fixed antennas  112 ,  115 , and  116 , the transceiver coupled to that antenna acknowledges the request, retrieves the pertinent data from the control server  108  though the wired LAN  109 , and transmits the desired data to the requesting mobile node. For instance, squad car  120 - 2  is within radio transmission range  112   a  of antenna  112  and therefore can synchronize directly to server  108  through antenna  112 , as illustrated at  131 . Likewise, squad car  120 - 5  is within radio transmission range  116   a  of antenna  116  and therefore can synchronize directly to server  108  through antenna  116 , as illustrated at  134 . Finally, squad car  120 - 3  is within radio transmission range  115   a  of antenna  115  and therefore can synchronize directly to server  108  through antenna  115  as illustrated at  133 . However squad cars  120 - 1 ,  120 - 4  and  120 - 6  are not within the transmission ranges of any of the fixed antennas that are coupled to the wired LAN and, therefore, cannot communicate directly with the central server  108 . Squad car  120 - 1  is within transmission range of fixed antenna  118 , but that antenna is not directly coupled to the wired LAN. Antenna  118  and squad car  120 - 1  will be discussed later in this specification in connection with another feature of the present invention.  
         [0021]    The specific protocol by which synchronization is performed can take any number of well known forms and is not a limitation of the present invention. In one exemplary embodiment, each mobile node  120  can maintain a time stamp indicating the last time its relevant files and/or directories were updated, which time stamp is sent to the central server along with the request for synchronization. The central server reads the time stamp and sends to the mobile node copies of any files and/or directories that have been modified since the time indicated in the time stamp. The mobile node then replaces the old file with the corresponding new file or adds any new files.  
         [0022]    As can be seen in FIG. 1, there are large portions of zone  100  that are not within the coverage range of any of the fixed antennas  112 ,  115 , and  116 . Accordingly, if a squad car  120  is not within one of the coverage range  112   a ,  115   a ,  116   a  at the time its computer requests synchronization with the central server, the synchronization cannot be carried out as described above.  
         [0023]    In order to alleviate this problem and provide more consistent and up-to-date data to all mobile nodes, a data passing scheme is provided in accordance with the present invention. In accordance therewith, if a mobile node is not within the coverage range  112   a ,  115   a ,  116   a  of one of the fixed antennas that is directly coupled to the central server through the wired LAN, it still can synchronize with the central server  108  indirectly.  
         [0024]    Particularly, in accordance with the invention, a mobile node  120  can synchronize with other mobile nodes within transmission range of it. More particularly, if a first squad car that has not been within a coverage range of one of the fixed antennas for a long period of time comes within transmission range of another squad car that has been within the coverage range of one of the antennas and synchronized with the central server more recently, the first squad car will be able to obtain a current version (or, at least, a more current version then it previously had) of the pertinent files and directories. For instance, consider squad car  120 - 4  whose assignment is a stake out in a portion of zone  100  that is not covered by the coverage area of any of the wired fixed access points (i.e., antennas)  112 ,  115 ,  116 . However, squad car  120 - 2  has a different task that occasionally takes it in close proximity to squad car  120 - 4  and also frequently passes through the coverage area  112   a  of at least one of the fixed antennas  112 . Accordingly, squad car  120 - 2  has a current or almost current version of the pertinent files and directories. Thus, for instance, let us assume that, at the designated time for synchronization of squad car  120 - 4 , squad car  120 - 4  cannot contact one of the fixed antennas and therefore cannot directly update its records, but that, at that time, squad car  120 - 2  is within transmission range of squad car  120 - 4 .  
         [0025]    In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, at the designated time, the computer in squad car  120 - 4  first issues a request to the central server for synchronization. However, because squad car  120 - 4  is out of the coverage area of any antenna, it is unable to communicate with the central server. Squad car  120 - 4  then switches over to a secondary scheme in which it issues a request for synchronization to any other mobile node within its transmission range. Mobile node  120 - 2  receives the request and responds to mobile node  120 - 4 . Mobile nodes  120 - 2  and  120 - 4  thereafter synchronize to each other, as illustrated at  136  in the Figure. Of course, it is possible that the requesting mobile node, e.g.,  120 - 4 , may actually have more current information than the responding mobile node, e.g.,  120 - 2 . Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, the protocol allows two nodes that have contacted each other as described above to each synchronize to the most recent version of the files and/or directories regardless of the direction of data flow. This can be accomplished using a time stamp scheme as discussed above in connection with directly synchronizing with the central server.  
         [0026]    In most practical embodiments, it is likely that, to the extent that any two mobile nodes are not already synchronized, all of the pertinent files and directories in one of the mobile nodes will be more current than the other. Accordingly, the data for synchronizing will flow in only one direction. However, in other embodiments, it may be possible for some of the pertinent files and directories in one of the mobile nodes to be more up to date than in the other mobile node, while other files and directories in the other node may be more up-to-date than in the first node. In such embodiments, synchronization data can flow in both directions.  
         [0027]    Note that a mobile node that responds to the request of another mobile node may actually be within radio transmission range of a fixed antenna at the time it receives a request for synchronization. For instance, let us assume that squad car  120 - 6  requests synchronization with a mobile node when squad cars  120 - 6  and  120 - 3  are located as shown in FIG. 1, in which squad car  120 - 3  is within range  115   a  of antenna  115  and also is within range to communicate directly with squad car  120 - 6 , but squad car  120 - 6  is not within range of any of the antennas. Accordingly, in at least one preferred embodiment of the invention, when a mobile node, such as squad car  120 - 3 , receives a request for synchronization from another mobile node, such as squad car  120 - 6 , it first attempts to synchronize directly with the central server  108  through a fixed access point, e.g.,  115 , before proceeding with synchronization with the requesting mobile node  120 - 6 , regardless of whether it is the otherwise designated time for squad car  120 - 3  to do so. In this manner, both the requesting mobile node, e.g., squad car  120 - 6 , and the responding mobile node, e.g., squad car  120 - 3 , receive the most up-to-date data possible.  
         [0028]    All of the steps of the various embodiments described above can be performed by any reasonable circuit, such as a digital signal processor, a microcontroller, a finite state machine, a microprocessor, a programmed general purpose computer. Most likely, the steps of the present invention are performed by a software agent running on the general purpose computer that already is in the squad cars for storing and processing the very data that is synchronized in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 2 is a simple flowchart illustrating processing at a mobile node in accordance with one particular embodiment of the present invention. It should be apparent to persons of skill in the related arts that FIG. 2 represents merely one exemplary synchronization scheme and many others are possible while still practicing the present invention.  
         [0030]    The software agent is invoked in step  201 , for instance, by an interrupt scheduled to be asserted at a fixed interval after the last synchronization process in accordance with the present invention. Then, in step  205 , the mobile node attempts to contact the central server through one of the fixed access points. In decision step  207 , if the mobile node makes contact with the central server through a fixed access point, processing jumps to step  215 , where the mobile node synchronizes to the central server.  
         [0031]    If, on the other hand, contact cannot be established with a fixed access point, processing proceeds to step  209  in which the mobile node attempts to contact another mobile node with which to synchronize. In step  211 , if the mobile node makes contact with another mobile node, processing proceeds to step  215 , in which the two mobile nodes synchronize to each other. If, on the other hand, the mobile node cannot contact another mobile node. Processing proceeds to step  213  in which the node waits a predetermined amount of time and then returns to step  205  to attempt to synchronize again.  
         [0032]    In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a fixed node that is not directly coupled to the central server  108  through the wired LAN can be updated in exactly the same manner as described above for the mobile nodes. For instance, consider fixed antenna  118 . Let us assume that it is undesirable to provide direct back haul from antenna  118  to the central server  108  via wired LAN  121 . This could be for several reasons, such as the cost of providing the necessary infrastructure, including leased land lines, to provide back haul. In at least one embodiment of the invention, the fixed antenna node  118  is essentially identical in all operating aspects to the mobile nodes  120  described above, except that it is in a fixed location. This node includes an antenna  118 , a transceiver  117  and a data server  119 . As mobile nodes, such as squad car  120 - 1 , come within the coverage zone of antenna  118 , they can synchronize with the server  119 . In some cases, the squad car will have more recent data than the server  119  and, in other cases, the server  119  will have more recent data than the squad car (because it had previously synchronized with another squad car that synchronized with the central server  108  more recently than the present squad car). Accordingly, synchronization can occur in both directions.  
         [0033]    Hence, the present invention provides a wireless communication system that utilizes a peer-to-peer data processing scheme as well as a server-client protocol to provide excellent coverage over a large area with a substantially reduced requirement for infrastructure, such as antennas and land lines.  
         [0034]    Having thus described a few particular embodiments of the invention, various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications and improvements as are made obvious by this disclosure are intended to be part of this description though not expressly stated herein, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only, and not limiting. The invention is limited only as defined in the following claims and equivalents thereto.