초록 ▼

An apparatus and method is provided for transparent communication between a remote or mobile device and a fixed communication host network. The apparatus and method may include a remote network controller that logically resides between the host network and the existing infrastructure(s) that are use

An apparatus and method is provided for transparent communication between a remote or mobile device and a fixed communication host network. The apparatus and method may include a remote network controller that logically resides between the host network and the existing infrastructure(s) that are used to provide communications network contact with one or more remote devices. The remote network controller is connected to the host communication network as a protocol-appropriate communications controller so that remote devices are indistinguishable to the host network from the locally-attached devices. Each remote device may be provided with an asynchronous serial data interface to communicate with a mobile data controller. The mobile data controller, in combination with the remote network controller, provides end-to-end data communication such that incompatible protocols are transparent to the remote device and host communication network. A router may be provided which selects a communications network in accordance with user configured parameters. The router communicates over a plurality of incompatible networks and is capable of using a variety of different protocols. Switching between the plurality of incompatible networks is transparent to the remote device and host communication network.

대표청구항 ▼

[What is claimed is:] [1.]a first interface for connecting to the plurality of parallel dissimilar networks;a second interface for connecting to the selected remote device;a monitoring system that monitors the status of the plurality of parallel dissimilar networks connected to the selected remote d

[What is claimed is:] [1.]a first interface for connecting to the plurality of parallel dissimilar networks;a second interface for connecting to the selected remote device;a monitoring system that monitors the status of the plurality of parallel dissimilar networks connected to the selected remote device, the plurality of parallel dissimilar networks being available for data transmission; anda selector that selects at least one available network from the plurality of parallel dissimilar networks for transporting data between the first device and the selected remote device when a single transmission is initiated,wherein the transmission can occur over the plurality of parallel dissimilar networks when the single transmission is initiated; andwherein the transmission occurs while the router switches from a first one of the plurality of parallel dissimilar networks to a second one of the plurality of parallel dissimilar networks.