Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for automated processing and routing of data messages or packets, via a cellular network, from analog or digital data devices where said routing is accomplished without a need for call origination on the cellular network. The present invention includes a fixed cellular communication device and may also include a fixed wireless RF communication device and/or a mobile wireless RF transceiver. The fixed cellular communication device provides a means for formatting and transmission of data packets received from data devices directly connected to the fixed cellular communication device, or the fixed cellular communication device may receive signals from the fixed wireless RF communication device and/or from the mobile wireless RF transceiver.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/726,046 filed on Oct. 12, 2005, which is hereby fully incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a fixed cellular communication device for transmitting data over a cellular communications network. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Traditionally, analog data devices such as security panels, alarm panels, satellite set top boxes (STB), point of sale terminals (POS), credit card machines, remote data devices, telemetry devices, etc., use Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) lines for communication. However, with the widespread proliferation of cellular service, many POTS lines are being displaced by cellular service. In other cases, POTS line availability is non-existent. A signaling method used by these analog data devices is typically accomplished using an analog modem, which utilizes frequency shift-keyed (FSK) or dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) tones at a low baud rate. In addition, a modem of an originating analog data device requires an answering modem at the end, or called, communication point, which provides FSK tones for at least: handshaking, message termination, cyclic redundancy checks, etc. Analog data devices, by nature, send messages that are typically short in length and require a return message from the answering or destination point. Furthermore, a dial-tone and loop current must be provided by another device to simulate a POTS line interface, which is typically required by the analog data device. Due to the interface requirements of the modem in the analog data device, direct connection to a cellular device is impossible due to requirements of a dial-tone and a loop current, which cannot be provided by the cellular device. In addition, a cellular device in the form of a fixed wireless terminal (FWT) or fixed wireless cellular terminal (FCT) requires set-up command strings to set it in a correct cellular transmission mode. While interfaces have been devised to overcome these interface issues, the cellular device must still originate a call on a cellular network, thereby invoking traditional voice rates from a serving cellular carrier. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for automated processing and routing of data messages or packets, via the cellular network, from analog or digital data devices. The present invention comprises a fixed cellular communication device, a fixed wireless RF communication device; and a mobile wireless RF transceiver. 
     The fixed cellular communication device (dongle) comprises elements such as, but not limited to: a cellular transceiver; a power supply, an analog modem; a wireless RF bi-directional communication transceiver; a subscriber line interface; an Ethernet port; a tone generator; a loop power supply; a GPS receiver (optional); and a microcontroller with memory. 
     The fixed communication device may have multiple configurations and may utilize any cellular communication network including, but not limited to, Advanced Mobile Phone Service/Code Division Access (AMPS/CDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and WiMAX. Integral to the cellular communication device is a wireless RF transceiver that can provide a secure, point to point or point to multi-point, short range communications link. If needed, the integral RF communication link may utilize at least the following wireless access methods: Bluetooth ZigBee, WiFi, WiMAX, FHSS, DSSS, FM, FSK, AM, UWB or other wireless access methods. The RF communication link may be used for, but is not limited to, transmitting and receiving signals from another fixed remote wireless RF communication device connected to a data device, which may include at least the following: a satellite set top box; a security panel; an alarm panel; a telemetry device; a SCADA device; a Point of Sale (POS) terminal; a credit card machine; or a vending machine. The RF communication link may also be used to send and receive data from a mobile, or nomadic, wireless RF transceiver. 
     A fixed cellular communication device connected to an RJ-11 modem communication jack of a data device recognizes when the data device attempts to communicate with another device or location. In addition, the fixed cellular communication device may utilize, as a secondary means of communication, a serial data port for communication with the data device. Upon the initiation of communication by the data device, the fixed cellular communication device processes the data and forwards it as a series of formatted circuit switched or packet switched data packet(s) via a cellular network, to a central processing system without a need for a voice call origination on the cellular network. The central processing system re-formats the message into the original form sent by the data device. This information or message can then be disseminated by the central processing system to other points or systems. In addition, the fixed cellular communication device can receive messages from the central processing system via the cellular network. The received message is re-formatted by the fixed cellular communication device into the original message form and the message is sent to the data device that originated the message to the central processing system. The fixed cellular communication device may also utilize a bi-directional, wireless RF link to communicate with other wireless RF communication devices that are within range, which are connected to a remote data device. In addition, the fixed cellular communication device can provide a high speed, bi-directional TCP/IP data link via the cellular network, as yet a third means of communication with a data device. 
     Furthermore, the wireless RF link capability of the device can be used to communicate with a mobilize wireless RF device for the purpose of sending and receiving unique data or information to and from the mobile device. Data from the mobile device can be sent over the cellular network to the central processing point via either the fixed cellular communication device or a fixed wireless RF communication device acting as a repeater to the device. 
     In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a fixed cellular communication device in a physical form of an AC wall adapter according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective rear view of the AC wall adapter according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a block diagram of the components of the fixed cellular communication device according, to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a block diagram of the components of a wireless RF communication device according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows a block diagram of a wireless RF transceiver. 
         FIG. 6  is a system diagram of a fixed cellular device and corresponding cell tower according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a fixed cellular communication device  20  (see  FIG. 3 ) according to the present invention. As visible from the view of  FIG. 1 , the fixed cellular communication device  20  is adapted in a physical form of an AC wall adapter  10  which includes a phone jack  12  and an Ethernet jack  14 . 
       FIG. 2  provides a rear view of the AC wall adapter  10  which essentially shows an AC plug, or AC input,  16 . A user may connect the AC wall adapter  10  into any AC outlet available. Once the fixed cellular communication device  20  is connected and supplied with power, the user may use the various functions that are associated with the fixed cellular communication device  20  such as transmission of data over a cellular network including modem transmissions and GPS data transmissions. The fixed cellular communication device  20  enables the user to use a mobile wireless RF transceiver  50  (see  FIG. 5 ) or a fixed wireless RF communication device  30  (see  FIG. 5 ) for transmission of data via the cellular network. One advantageous feature of the fixed cellular communication device  20  includes its ability to transmit data in formatted packets via the cellular network without the need for call origination. 
       FIG. 3  shows an overview block diagram of the fixed cellular communication device  20  according to the present invention. The components within the cellular communication device  20  include Ethernet transceiver  29 , subscriber line interface circuitry  28  connected to an internal modem  27 , and a serial data port  26 . Ethernet jack  14 , phone jack  12 , and serial port  26  provide hardware connections for various communication devices which may transmit and receive voice/data through the cellular communication device  20 . The subscriber line interface circuitry  28  provides a dial tone and loop voltage in order to simulate a POTS line. Accordingly, the subscriber line interface circuitry  28  may be used to transmit voice signals and data signals through the internal modem  27 . The Ethernet transceiver  29  includes provisions for 10 Base T, CAT-5 bi-directional data, which supports data services via a cellular network. 
     Other components shown in the block diagram of  FIG. 3  include: cellular transceiver  25  and antenna  25   a ; GPS receiver  24  and antenna  24   a ; and secondary RF transceiver  23  and antenna  23   a . The secondary RF transceiver  23  provides a non-cellular communication link for point to point or point to multi-point communications with either fixed or mobile devices. The secondary RF transceiver  23  also utilizes received signal strength (RSSI) to determine the distance from a mobile device. Furthermore, the secondary RF transceiver provides a non-cellular communication link for the purpose of sending and receiving data initiated from another fixed or mobile device. The GPS receiver  24  assists in the transmission of position or location data over the cellular network. The cellular transceiver  25  advantageously allows for the sending and receiving of data in the form of short data packets over a cellular network. The transmission of these packets of either voice or data information may be sent without the need for call origination on the cellular network. 
     The fixed cellular communication device  20  also includes a switch mode power supply  21  which receives power through an AC input  16 , 120 VAC 60 Hz, and distributes voltage in three different modes as shown, 5 VDC, 3.3 VDC and 48 VDC. A microcontroller  22  controls the various components shown in the block diagram of the fixed cellular communication device  20 . In one embodiment, the microcontroller  22  is a model PIC18F6620 microcontroller manufactured by Microchip Technology, Inc., of Chandler, Ariz. Input and output functions are shown for the Ethernet transceiver  29 , the modem  27 , the cellular transceiver  25 , the GPS receiver  24  and the secondary RF transceiver  23 . Control functions are also shown for those devices and the power supply  21 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a block diagram of a wireless RF communication device  30 . As noted, the wireless RF communication device  30  includes essentially all the components as depicted in the fixed cellular communication device  20  excluding a cellular transceiver. Accordingly, the wireless RF communication device  30  includes a microcontroller  32 ; a secondary RF transceiver  33  and antenna  33   a ; a GPS receiver  34  and antenna  34   a ; a serial port  36 ; a RJ 11 phone jack  38  connected to an internal modem  37 ; an Ethernet transceiver  39 ; and a switch mode power supply  31 . The wireless RF communication device  30  may transmit data via the secondary RF transceiver  33  to the fixed cellular communication device  20  via the secondary RF transceiver  23 . The Ethernet jack  39 , phone jack  38 , and serial data port  36  provide a means for hardware to be connected to the wireless RF communication device  30 . Wireless communications may be transmitted via the secondary RF transceiver  33  and GPS receiver  34 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a block diagram of a mobile wireless RF transceiver  50  which includes a microcontroller  52 , a RF transceiver module  51 , a battery  54  and an antenna  51   a . The mobile wireless RF transceiver  50  may easily access a cellular network via the fixed cellular communication device  20  by transmitting non-cellular RF signals to the secondary RF transceiver  23  of the fixed cellular communication device. With the mobile wireless RF transceiver  50 , a user may access the cellular network via the fixed cellular communication device  20  as opposed to transmitting voice or data directly to a cellular base station (not shown). Also, the mobile wireless RF transceiver  50  may advantageously transmit through the fixed wireless RF communication device  30  where data is relayed to the fixed cellular communication device  20 . The mobile wireless RF transceiver  50  includes a received signal strength measurement capability for the purpose of measuring distance between it and the fixed wireless RF communication device  30  or the fixed cellular communication device  20 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a system overview according to the present invention. As shown in the system overview, the fixed cellular communication device  20  transmits signals to a cell tower  60  in order to access a cellular network. Shown and connected to the fixed cellular communication device  20  are a data device  43  and an analog data device  45  where the analog data device  45  is connected to the phone jack  28  and the data device  43  is connected the Ethernet jack  29 . Communications between the fixed wireless RF communication device  30  and the fixed cellular communication device  20  are achieved through antenna  33   a  and antenna  23   a . The fixed cellular communication device  20  accesses the cellular network through the cell tower  60 . Signals are transmitted from the fixed cellular communication device  20  through antenna  25   a  to cell tower  60 . Signals from the fixed wireless RF communication device  30  or the mobile wireless RF device  50  may be formatted and reformatted for subsequent transmission in the form of short data packets via the cellular network. The system enables the fixed cellular communication device  20  to translate data messages from one format to another. Furthermore, the fixed cellular communication device  20  may be polled or queried via the cellular network. The fixed cellular communication device  20  may include a link mobile identification number (MIN) and an electronic serial number (ESN) or an international mobile equipment identifier (IMEI). These identifying identifiers may be transmitted via the cellular network. Furthermore, the fixed cellular communication device  20  may be accessed and programmed via the cellular network. 
     The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the ant.