Tiered wireless, multi-modal access system and method
A wireless, multi-modal access device and system adapted to integrate a number of communications networks operating in differing communication modes to facilitate transfer of communication links during a communication session to promote efficient use of the communication networks. The system includes a plurality of Universal Multi-Modal Access Devices UMMAD that are capable of operating at different frequencies and different protocols (TDMA, AMPS, CDMA, GSM, PCS etc) to communicate with any one of a number of Wide Bandwidth Gateways (WBG), which are each capable of communication using one or more of the protocols. The communication links may be switched from one WBG to another or from one protocol to another during a communication session to continue the session under the control of a Universal System Traffic Controller. Numerous other applications of the UMMADs for unique identification and e-commerce are disclosed.
1. 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.
2. The multi-modal portable wireless access device of claim 1 , wherein said access device controller is operable, while said transceiver is communicating with a first tier wireless gateway using the first protocol, to receive a command from a system traffic controller instructing the access device controller to cause said transceiver to begin communicating with a second tier wireless gateway using the second protocol program set.
3. The multi-modal portable wireless access device of claim 1 , wherein the first protocol program set allows said transceiver to access a gateway within a micro-cell of the first tier.
4. The multi-modal portable wireless access device of claim 1 , wherein the first protocol program set allows said transceiver to access a gateway within the first tier using unlicensed radio spectrum at low power.
5. The multi-modal portable wireless access device of claim 1 , wherein the first protocol program set causes said transceiver to operate in accordance with BLUETOOTH communication protocol.
6. The multi-modal portable wireless access device of claim 1 , wherein the second protocol program set allows said transceiver to access a gateway using a standard cellular communication protocol.
7. The multi-modal portable wireless access device of claim 1 , wherein said first and second protocol program sets can be wirelessly modified.
8. The multi-modal portable wireless access device of claim 1 , wherein the first protocol program set causes said transceiver to send real time voice data in data packets for transmission over the internet.