Patent ID: 7343173

Claim:
A multi-modal portable wireless access device for accessing a multi-tiered wireless communication system having a first tier formed with a plurality of first wireless gateways each of which operates within a first broadcast range and a second tier formed with a plurality of second wireless gateways each of which operates within a second broadcast range which is significantly greater than the first broadcast range, the first and second tiers being at least partially overlapped geographically, comprising: an access device controller for providing command signals; a memory unit, coupled to said access device controller, storing a first protocol program set and a second protocol program set, wherein the first protocol program set defines a first communication protocol and the second protocol program set defines a second communication protocol; and a frequency and protocol agile transceiver configured in response to command signals from said access device controller, wherein said access device controller operates to provide a first command signal to the frequency and protocol agile transceiver to enable communication with a first tier wireless gateway operating in accordance with the first communication protocol whenever the multi-modal wireless access device is within the broadcast range of a first tier gateway and to provide a second command signal to the frequency and protocol agile transceiver to enable communication with a second tier wireless gateway of the multi-tiered communication network operating in accordance with the second communication protocol whenever the multi-modal wireless access device is outside the broadcast range of a first wireless gateway but is within the broadcast range of a second wireless gateway.