The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 13, 2001
Filed:
Oct. 24, 1997
Emil A. Sturniolo, Medina, OH (US);
Frank D. Ciotti, Jr., Solon, OH (US);
Krishna P. Seshadri, Medina, OH (US);
Telxon Corporation, The Woodlands, TX (US);
Abstract
The present invention relates to wireless communication systems involving multiple local area networks. A communication system according to the present invention includes a plurality of local area networks (LANs). Each of the LANs includes: a network backbone; and at least one access point coupled to the network backbone which, when a mobile terminal is registered to the access point, enables the mobile terminal to communicate wirelessly with a device on the network backbone via the at least one access point. When the mobile terminal is registered to at least one access point in one of the plurality of LANs the mobile terminal is assigned a first network address, and when the mobile terminal is registered to at least one access point in another of the plurality of LANs the mobile terminal is assigned a second network address in place of the first network address, the second network address being different from the first network address. The mobile communication system also includes a system backbone interconnecting the plurality of LANs for permitting communications between the plurality of LANs. Furthermore, the system includes a gateway controller, operatively coupled to one of the plurality of LANs, for serving as an intermediary for communications between the mobile terminal and a device on one of the system backbones in order that in the event the mobile terminal is assigned a different network address by virtue of registering with an access point in another of the LANs, the device is able to maintain communications with the mobile terminal without requiring knowledge of a change in the network address of the mobile terminal. In addition, the gateway controller permits sessions to be suspended temporarily and resumed using a different mobile terminal.