Multi-tier wireless communications architecture, applications and methods
Multi-tier system for digital radio communication. The multi-tier system has a first-tier base station with relatively long-range radio and has a second-tier base station with relatively short-range, low power and cheaper radios. The system can be more versatilely configured to meet demands of various applications. The application may include data capture using bar code readers, radio frequency readers and other automatic data capture devices. The system may also be used to control hotel door locks, individual room temperature control, remote video monitoring—all without having to wire and with much flexibility given the two types of radios employed.
1. A multi-tier system for digital radio communication, comprising:
a processor-based host adapted to control a remote unit;
a first-tier base station communicatively coupled to the host;
a first second-tier base station communicatively coupled to the first-tier base station; and
a second second-tier base station wirelessly coupled to the first second-tier base station, wherein the second second-tier base station is intermediate the first second-tier base station and the remote unit, and wherein the first second-tier base station is capable of communicating with the second second-tier base station without an intervening first-tier base station,
wherein the host is adapted to control the remote unit through the first-tier base station, the first second-tier base station, and the second second-tier base station, and
wherein the second second-tier base station is adapted to go into a sleep mode for a preselected interval, wherein before entering the sleep mode, the second second-tier base station transmits an indication representative of the duration of the preselected interval to the remote unit.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the duration of the preselected interval is defined by a start and end time of the preselected interval.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second second-tier base station is adapted to:
buffer data intended for the remote unit;
transmit an indication at predetermined intervals to inform the remote unit of the presence of buffered data;
receive a request from the remote unit; and
provide the buffered data to the remote unit in response to receiving the request from the remote unit.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the remote unit comprises a data collection device.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the remote unit comprises a bar code reader or an RFID reader.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the remote unit comprises at least one of a vending machine, a door locking mechanism, a computer peripheral, a thermostat, and a pager.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the remote unit comprises a computer peripheral selected from the group comprising a printer, modem, handheld terminal, point of sale station, and other serial or parallel devices.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first-tier base station is connected to the host through a local area network.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first second-tier base station is connected to the first-tier base station through a serial port.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second second-tier base station communicates with the first-tier base station through the first second-tier base station.
11. A multi-tier system for digital radio communication, comprising:
a processor-based host adapted to control a remote unit through a control signal;
a first-tier base station adapted to receive the control signal from the host, wherein the first-tier base station operates in accordance with a first communication protocol;
a first second-tier base adapted to receive the control signal from the first-tier base station, wherein the first second-tier base station and the first-tier base station communicate using the first communications protocol; and
a second second-tier base station wirelessly coupled to the first second-tier base station, wherein the second second-tier base station is intermediate the first second-tier base station and the remote unit, and wherein the second second-tier base station is adapted to receive the control signal from the first second-tier base station using a different communications protocol from the first communications protocol and to provide the control signal to the remote unit, and
wherein the second second-tier base station is adapted to go into a sleep mode for a preselected interval, wherein before entering the sleep mode, the second second-tier base station transmits an indication representative of the duration of the preselected interval to the remote unit.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the duration of the preselected interval is defined by a start and end time of the preselected interval.
13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the second second-tier base station is adapted to:
transmit an associate command to the remote unit;
receive a message from the remote unit in response to the associate command, wherein the message comprises an identifier associated with the remote unit; and
transmit a synchronization interval to the remote unit in response to receiving the message.
14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the second second-tier base station is adapted to:
transmit an associate command to the remote unit;
receive a message from the remote unit in response to the associate command, wherein the message comprises an identifier associated with the remote unit; and
transmit a synchronization interval to the remote unit in response to receiving the message.
15. A multi-tier system for digital radio communication, comprising:
a processor-based host adapted to control a remote unit;
a first-tier base station communicatively coupled to the host, wherein the first-tier base station operates in accordance with a first communication protocol;
a first second-tier base station communicatively coupled to the first-tier base station, wherein the first second-tier base station and the first-tier base station communicate using the first communications protocol; and
a second second-tier base station wirelessly coupled to the first second-tier base station, wherein the second second-tier base station is intermediate the first second-tier base station and the remote unit, and wherein the second-tier base stations have a shorter transmission range relative to that of the first-tier base station,
wherein the host is adapted to control the remote unit through the first-tier base station, the first second-tier base station, and the second second-tier base station, and
wherein the second second-tier base station is adapted to go into a sleep mode for a preselected interval, wherein before entering the sleep mode, the second second-tier base station transmits an indication representative of the duration of the preselected interval to the remote unit.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the duration of the preselected interval is defined by a start and end time of the preselected interval.
17. The system of claim 15 , wherein the second second-tier base station is adapted to:
transmit an associate command to the remote unit;
receive a message from the remote unit in response to the associate command, wherein the message comprises an identifier associated with the remote unit; and
transmit a synchronization interval to the remote unit in response to receiving the message.