Background Art Communication and network systems based on optical signals have tremendous advantages over systems based on electrical signals, including faster speed, greater bandwidth, lower power consumption, lower heat generation and better channel-to-channel isolation. Optical communication and network systems route information carried by the optical signals from their source to a destination via fiber optic cables. However, the high cost of fiber optic cable has substantially limited its use to high-traffic, long-distance transmission links that are common to many users.

Local transmission networks have continued to use slower, lower- bandwidth electrical signal systems to link users to the faster, higher- bandwidth fiber optic cables. Although fiber optic cable signals may be sent directly to residential customers, most communication network users are restricted by their local networks and do not enjoy the benefits of optical communication technologies."The Last Mile"is the term used to refer to these local communication links. Lack of economies of scale in the last "mile"separating the fiber optic cable from individual users has made high tech solutions too costly for residential customers and small to medium sized businesses. The last mile-typically varying from a few hundred feet to several miles-is the primary constraint barring the economical provision of a variety of new services and limiting the utilization of certain existing ones, such as access to the World Wide Web.

Last mile networks are linked to high-speed, high-bandwidth communication networks with switches and multiplexers. Existing switches or multiplexers typically convert optical signals to low-speed, low-bandwidth electrical signals that travel the last mile to end-users. Thus, there is a need for a switch or multiplexer that converts optical signals into signals that can economically travel the last mile without significantly sacrificing speed or bandwidth. A switch that converts optical signals to wireless signals could provide such a solution if the last mile comprised an economical wireless network. But to be viable such a switch would need to be more advanced, not degrading the bandwidth of the optical fiber, yet more cost effective and reliable than existing state-of-the-art switches.

Turning to existing switches, in last mile systems based on electrical signals, switches can include multiple inputs and outputs connected to a multiplexer for switching signals from an input to a particular output.

Switches further include control systems comprising electrical equipment for maintaining and configuring the switch. For example, the control system can include a computer system at the switch site connected to the switch using electrical wiring.

Connecting a computer terminal to the switch using electrical wiring adds to the cost of the switch and increases the chance the switch will breakdown thus requiring maintenance. Additionally, due to limitations associated with electrical signals, the computer terminal must be located at or very near the switch site. This presents the additional disadvantage of requiring maintenance personnel to travel to the switch site to perform maintenance and configuration of the switch. Furthermore, wiring reduces the modularity and mobility of switching assemblies and subassemblies.

Switch sites are often relatively inaccessible and space at a switch site comes at a significant premium. As a result, routine maintenance and configuration of the switch is often difficult limiting the ability to easily diagnose problems or change how the switch operates.

Optical communication and network systems require optical switches to route information carried by the optical signals from their source to a destination. Conventional switches typically convert the optical signals in

one fiber into electrical signals, switch the electrical signals, and reconvert the switched electrical signals back into optical signals for transmission in a second fiber to their destinations. However, converting the optical signal to an electrical signal and back slows down the switching process and requires additional equipment as well as decreases the advantages related to power consumption and heat reduction. Such conventional switches also include control and conversion systems as described above, creating further disadvantages. For all these reasons such switches are not adapted to provide an economical"last mile"solution.

Recently, switches have been developed that are capable of switching optical signals without converting them to electrical signals and back. These switches typically include a series of microscopic mirrors that reroute an optical signal be reflecting them from one fiber to another in the switch. However, electrical wiring is still used to connect a computer terminal to the switch at the switch site. Thus, while these optical switches provide some improvement over prior switches, they are not a suitable"last mile"solution because the problems associated with conventional switch control systems limit the flexibility of the switch and make it difficult and expensive to maintain.

Thus, there is a need for an optical switch that can also switch optical signals to a local medium that economically bridges"the last mile"without significantly sacrificing speed or bandwidth. There is also a need for a switch that is more cost effective and reliable than current state-of-the-art switches. There is a further need for a switch that can be dynamically configured. There is a still further need for a switch that can be configured and diagnosed from a remote location.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A wireless switch and multiplexer according to the present invention satisfies these needs and others. The present invention comprises at least one input, a plurality of outputs; switching means for switching a signal between the input and one of the plurality of outputs, and a control system for controlling the operation of the switch.

The switch of the present invention may be adapted to switch optical signals between various optical inputs and outputs, to convert optical input signals to wireless radio frequency output signals, or to convert wireless radio frequency input signals to optical output signals.

Specifically, an optical detector and a wireless-to-optical converter can be included in the switch. The optical detector and its associated components are capable of converting an optical signal into a wireless signal. The wireless-to-optical converter is reciprocally able to convert a wireless signal into an optical signal. The optical detector is connected to the input and the transceiver. The optical detector receives an optical signal from the input, converts the optical signal into a wireless signal and forwards the wireless signal to the transceiver for broadcast over the airwaves. The wireless-to-optical converter is connected to the transceiver and switch. The transceiver receives wireless signals and forwards them to the wireless-to- optical converter for conversion to optical signals and forwarding to the switch.

Thus the switch of the present invention can be adapted to provide a "last mile"solution by transferring high-speed, high-bandwidth optical signals from a fiber optic cable to an economical high-speed, high-bandwidth wireless medium. The switch can be adapted to convert optical signals to or from such wireless mediums as RF (including spread spectrum radio frequency), point-to-point and point-to-multipoint microwave, cellular mobile radio, Personal Communications Systems (PCS) or, Personal Communications Networks (PCN), wireless (in-building) PBX, laser and satellite systems, among others.

As part of providing a"last mile"solution, the switches and multiplexers of the present invention can be adapted to route information into an optical network. Specifically, the Wireless Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer (WOADM) of the present invention can be adapted to provide access to the virtual tributaries of an optical network, extracting and inserting data on a lambda. For instance, a WOADM can be used where a local area network meets a high-speed wider area optical network. In that embodiment, the

WOADM merges local traffic with data that's already being transmitted over optical fiber.

The WOADM preferably consists of a 1 X N (N being 2,4,...) optical add/drop multiplexer that connects a wireless channel, preferably a 1.24 Gigabit channel, with an optical backbone. The WOADM is preferably capable of processing optical data rates up to OC-192, and is preferably capable of transmitting and receiving across a distance of five miles on the wireless port. The WOADM can support the transmission and reception of data onto the optical backbone from legacy IP networks, from such wireless mediums as RF (including spread spectrum radio frequency), from point-to- point and point-to-multipoint microwave, cellular mobile radio, Personal Communications Systems (PCS) or, Personal Communications Networks (PCN), wireless (in-building) PBX, laser and satellite systems, among others.

Such signal conversion or other optical switching can be managed via a wireless control system. The control system includes a transceiver for sending information and receiving wireless control signals, and a microprocessor for processing the control signals and controlling operation of the switching means. The transceiver receives wireless control signals from a control center remote from the switch.

The microprocessor is further configured for collecting information about the switch and forwarding the collected information to the transceiver for transmission back to the control center. The invention also includes a system for collecting switching information at a plurality of remotely separated locations. A network interconnects the remotely separated locations. The system comprises a first swztch-node cluster, a second switch-node cluster and a network.

The first switch-node cluster includes a plurality of first switches and at least one first node. The plurality of first switches are adapted for communications with the first node. The second switch-node cluster includes a plurality of second switches, distinct from the first switches, and at least one second node, the second node being distinct from the first nodes.

The plurality of second switches are adapted for communications with the second nodes of the second switch-node cluster. The network is coupled to

the first switch-node cluster and the second switch-node cluster for communication there between.

A third node can also be included. The third node is distinct from the first and second nodes. The third node is coupled to at least some of the first switches and some of the second switches. In this embodiment, the network is coupled to the first switch-node cluster and the second switch- node culster for communication there between. Preferably the third node is connected to some, but not all, of the first and second switches.

The invention also includes a method for collecting switch information at multiple remote locations. Each remote location includes at least one switch and all switches have associated nodes. The wireless network enables the collection of information at all of the remote locations, storing the information at each of the remote locations, and generating statistical data from the collected information. The collected information corresponds to switch information for the switch located at each remote location. The method can also include checking for instructions from a node, and responding to the instruction in the event the switch has received one, or in the alternative, waiting for another command. The statistical data is typically sent to the node at a predetermined time.

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless switch according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a wireless switch according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a wireless switch according to the present invention; FIG. 4 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a wireless switch according to the present invention; FIG. 5 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a wireless switch according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of one architecture for interconnecting a switch of the type shown in FIG. 1 with a wireless last mile network; FIG. 7 is a block diagram of one architecture for interconnecting a plurality of switches of the type shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 8 is a block diagram of another architecture for interconnecting a plurality of switches of the type shown in FIG. 1; and FIG. 9 is a block diagram of yet another architecture for interconnecting a plurality of switches of the type shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a wireless switch or multiplexer is described that provides distinct advantages when compared to those of the prior art. The invention can best be understood with reference to the accompanying drawing figures.

Referring now to the drawings, a wireless switch according to the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1. The wireless switch 10 includes at least one input 12, a plurality of outputs 14, switching means 16, and a control system 18. The control system 18 comprises a transceiver 20 and a microprocessor 22. The transceiver 20 is configured for receiving control signals from a control center 24 remote from the switch site and for sending information about the switch 10, such as handshaking signals, status information, etc., to the control center 24. In one embodiment, the input 12, outputs 14, switching means 16 and transceiver 20 can be fabricated together on a single microchip (not shown). Control signals could include discrete on-off signals, timed duty cycle signals, crossbar switching configuration and command signals, simple and compound switch matrix access signals, or specific signal destination routing signals. Control signals could be used to reconfigure a switch to respond to cyclic or discrete load changes, new user terminals, and local or system interruption (fail-safe remote re-routing). This also allows simultaneous control of multiple switches, all of which can be configured to receive the same transmissions from the control center 24.

This is not possible in a wired system without an expensive multidrop configuration.

For illustration purposes, the wireless switch 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a simple 1 x 2 switch configured for switching optical signals from one input to one of two optical outputs. In the illustrated switch, the input 12 and outputs 14 comprise optical fibers, and the switching means 16 comprises a microscopic mirror for switching the optical signals from the input 12 to a designated one of the outputs 14 without converting the optical signal to an electrical signal and back. While this particular type of switch 10 is shown in FIG. 1, it can be appreciated that the switch 10 can also be configured for switching multiple inputs in the form of optical signals and outputs, switching optical signals by converting them to wireless or conduction electrical signals and back, or switching electrical, wireless or photonic signals of any form without departing from the spirit and scope of invention.

The transceiver 20 is configured for communication with the control center 24 via wireless signals. The wireless signals can be any wireless signal medium, such as RF, AMPS, CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, probabilistic TDMA, point-to-point and point-to-multipoint microwave, cellular mobile radio, Personal Communications Systems (PCS) or, Personal Communications Networks (PCN), wireless (in-building) PBX, laser and satellite systems, among others. In this manner, information can be sent to switch 10 from the control center 24 and to the control center 24 from the switch 10 via the wireless signals. For example, handshaking information can be sent back and forth to establish a communication channel between the switch 10 and the control center 24. After a communication channel is established, the control center 24 can send configuration information to the transceiver 20, which is demodulated and passed onto the microprocessor 22. The microprocessor 22 can then reconfigure the switch 10 without the need for sending maintenance personnel to the switch site as is presently required. The microprocessor 22 can also be configured to collect statistics and information about the switch and pass the information to the transceiver 20 for transmission to the control center 24. For example, a wireless link can be used to send statistical information about switch or optical fiber network

traffic to a portable monitor/user. This would facilitate portable network management and make the switch 10 directly scalable, especially if battery powered, allowing simple"on the fly"construction of optical networks anywhere.

In some situations it is not convenient or cost effective to run optical fiber between structures, such as buildings. In these situations, a laser or similar device can be used for transmitting the optical signal wirelessly through the air between the structures. However, a direct and clear line of sight between the structures is required in order for these types of systems to work properly. A switch or multiplexer according to the present invention can be modified for converting optical signals to wireless and then transmitting the wireless signals between the structures.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the switch 10 further comprises an optical detector 26 connected to the input 12 for converting the optical signal into a wireless signal and a wireless-to-optical signal converter 28 for converting wireless signals to optical signals. FIG. 2 also shows a second switch 110 having an input 112, two outputs 114, switching means 116, an optical detector 126, a wireless to optical signal converter 128 and a control system 118 comprising a transceiver 120 and a microprocessor 122. The optical detector 26 of the first switch 10 forwards the converted wireless signal to the transceiver 20 for broadcast to the second switch 110. The transceiver 120 of the second switch 110 receives the broadcast wireless signal and forwards it to the wireless-to-optical converter 128. The wireless- to-optical converter 128 converts the received wireless signal back to an optical signal and forwards the optical signal to the switching means 116 where it is routed to the appropriate output 114.

This embodiment is particularly advantageous for structure-to- structure transmissions of optical signals where the structures are not connected by fiber optic cables. Laser or microwave wireless mediums are preferred in this embodiment when there is a clear line of sight between the structures, but any of the previously stated wireless mediums can be effectively utilized. Fiber optic cables carry 160 current bands down each fiber. These current bands can be converted to wireless and transmitted

over the airwaves. High-speed, high-bandwidth wireless signals are preferably transmitted on carriers with bandwidths greater than 900 MHz RF, or more preferably, greater than 2.4 GHz RF. Additionally, it is understood that wireless signals can be transmitted using any number of spread- spectrum RF band-spreading techniques. In the embodiment shown in FIG.

3, the switch 10 further comprises a transceiver 130 for receiving wireless signals from a Digital Control Unit (DCU) 132, and a converter for converting the wireless signals into optical signals. The DCU transmits wireless signals to the transceiver 130 (or, in another embodiment, to the transceiver 20), which forwards the wireless signals to the converter 134. The converter 134 de-multiplexes the wireless signals, senses the discrete wireless signals, generates electronic output corresponding to the discrete wireless signals, forwards the electronic output to an optical modulator to generate optical signals, and forwards the optical signals to the switch 16. The switch 16 switches the optical signals between the at least two outputs 14. The DCU may be part of a wireless or wired network and comprises a transceiver adapted to transmit wireless signals across"the last mile"to the transceiver 130.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the switch 10 comprises a converter 138 for converting optical signals to wireless signals, and a transceiver 136 for transmitting wireiess signals to a Digital Control Unit (DCU) 132. Switched optical signals are routed to the converter 138. The converter 138 de-multiplexes the optical signals, senses the discrete optical signals, generates electronic output corresponding to the discrete optical signals, forwards the electronic output to a wireless modulator to generate wireless signals, and routes the wireless signals to the transceiver 136 (or, in another embodiment, to the transceiver 20). The transceiver 136 transmits the wireless signals across"the last mile"to the DCU 132. The DCU 132 may be part of a wireless or wired network and comprises a transceiver adapted to receive the wireless signals transmitted by the transceiver 136.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the switch 10 comprises a transceiver 130 for receiving wireless signals from a Digital Control Unit (DCU) 132, a converter for converting the wireless signals into optical signals, a converter

138 for converting optical signals to wireless signals, and a transceiver 136 for transmitting wireless signals to a Digital Control Unit (DCU) 132. The DCU 132 comprises a transceiver adapted to both receive wireless signals transmitted by the transceiver 136, and to transmit wireless signals to the transceiver 130.

When an optical signal is received though an input 12, it can either be forwarded to the switch 16 and then to an output 14, or it can be forwarded to the switch 16 and then to an optical-to-wireless converter 138, which forwards a wireless signal to the transceiver 136 where the wireless signal is broadcast over the airwaves. When a wireless signal is received by the transceiver 130, it is forwarded through an input 12 to a wireless-to-optical converter 134, to the switch 16, and then to either an output 14, or to an optical-to-wireless converter 138, which forwards the wireless signal to the transceiver 136 where the wireless signal is broadcast over the airwaves.

The wireless signals received by the transceiver 130 can originate from a DCU 132, and the wireless signals broadcast by the transceiver 136 can be received by a DCU 132.

It is understood that the functions of any of transceivers 20,130, or 136 can be combined into one or more transceivers. It is further understood that the wireless signals received by the transceiver 130 can originate from sources other than a DCU 132, such as from the transceiver 136 of another switch 10. Likewise, the wireless signals broadcast by the transceiver 136 can be received by a DCU 132, or by the transceiver 130 of another switch 10, or by yet another transceiver. All such wireiess transmissions are ideally suited for communication of high-speed, h : gh-bandwidth signals across"the last mile"of a communications newtork @ the transmission bandwidth exceeds that of 900 MHz RF, or better yet exceeds 2.4GHz RF. One embodiment of a"last mile"communications network is shown in FIG. 6, where a switch 10 comprises transceivers 130,136 that communicate with at least one DCU 132, wherein each at least one DCU 132 communicates with at least one repeater 140, and wherein each repeater 140 receives wireless signals from a network 144 of transceivers 142 remote from the repeater 140. In this embodiment high-speed, hi, gh-kandwidth optical signals can be

switched and converted to wireless signals by a wirelessly controlled optical switch 10, transmitted wirelessly over"the last mile"to a DCU 132, and then transmitted by the DCU 132 (with or without processing) either to at least one final destination 142, or to at least one repeater 140 that forwards the wireless signals to their final destination (s) 142.

It is understood that the switch 10 can be adapted to transmit wireless signals directly to either the repeater 140 or the final destination 142. It is further understood that wireless signals can be transmitted in the other direction, from a network 144 of final destinations 142 to the switch 10, either through a repeater 140 and a DCU 132, or directly through a DCU 132, or directly from the final destination 142 to the switch 10.

Another application of a switch according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 7. In this application, multiple switches 10 according to the present invention are arranged or embedded in a wireless or optical network 30. The microprocessor 22 in each switch 10 can be configured for collecting, analyzing and acting upon information collected at each switch 10. In one aspect of the invention, the switches 10 provide for a self- organizing switch network. Self-organization occurs when various switches 10 effectively communicate with each other via the network 30 for determining communication requirements or otherwise serving to provide networking or collaborative action between the various switches 10. The switches 10 themselves serve to organize at least a portion of the overall network 30.

The switches 10 inciude a coupling for connecting the switches 10 to the network 30, which can be, for example, cabled, telephone line, any variety of wireless transmission, or the Internet. The microprocessor 24 receives information from the coupling as the information is passed through the network 30. Additionally, wireless optical add/drop multiplexers can be used as a bridge between optical and wireless mediums. For instance, wireless add/drop multiplexers can be used for connecting a network of switches 10 to another network (for example between a corporate network and a network of optical switches 10). In one embodiment, wireless optical add/drop multiplexers could communicate spread-spectrum wireless signals

to an optical network, by either converting the spread-spectrum wireless signals into conventional discrete-frequency optical signals, or by converting the spread-spectrum wireless signals into spread-spectrum optical signals.

It is understood that data can also be transferred from optical to wireless mediums using such multiplexers.

Wireless data transfer techniques can be used to transfer data across the"last mile"between the connection point of the network of switches 10 and the corporate network. Preferably, MicroElectroMechanical (MEMs)- based elements are utilized, such as MEMs-based wireless add/drop multiplexers. In this embodiment, the microprocessor 24 may be particularly adapted for use with a network, especially the Internet, and may comprise, for example, a NETsilicon Inc. NET+ARM processor, a TiniJ processor, or a similar network-enabled microprocessor; may be programmed using a high- level programming language such as Java; and may incorporate network- related software technologies, such as Jini.

Such distributed intelligence aids in the effective utilization of large numbers (substantially 100 or more, or more preferably, 1,000 or more) of switches 10, though the invention may be practiced with one or more switches. To further enhance the processing of data, especially in systems with a large number of switches 10, neural networks and/or fuzzy logic software or systems may be employed. This capability would typically reside in data management capability, though it may be done in a distributed manner.

In systems having a large number of remote switches 10, nodes or node processors are utilized in conjunction with groups of one or more switches 10 for the effective utilization of the switches 10 (clustering). Such a node may comprise a processor, such as a NET+ARM processor utilizing Jini or Java, plus associated support peripheral components (memory, RAM, ROM, mass storage, flash, etc.), and a network connection. In one architecture, the wireless network is configured for collecting and transmitting switch information at a plurality of remotely spaced locations, those locations being interconnected by a network, preferably the Internet (but also LAN or WAN networks, such as Ethernet or ATM), having multiple

switch-node clusters. The switch-node clusters include a plurality of switches 10, and at least one node; and the plurality of switches 10 are adapted for communication with the node. By associating multiple switches 10 with the node, one option would be that processing of data may be performed remotely, without the need for communication with the control center 24. Such an arrangement reduces the amount of data to be transmitted as compared to systems having only communication from a switch to the control center 24. Further, such an architecture minimizes the amount of processing required at the control center 24 location.

In yet another advantageous architecture, various switch-node clusters are provided with an additional node connection. (Such a system for collecting information at the plurality of remotely separate locations may include at least a first switch-node cluster, where the rows above switch- node cluster includes the plurality of switches 10, and at least one node, with the plurality of switches 10 adapted for communication with the node, and, a third node.) The third node typically is distinct from the nodes in the collection of switch-node clusters. In this architecture, the third node is coupled to at least some of the switches 10 in the first switch-node cluster and some of the switches 10 in the second switch-node cluster. The various switch-node clusters and the third node are interconnected by a communication system, such as a network, i. e. an Internet, a LAN, local loop system, or a WAN. In the preferred implementation, the third node is connected to some, but not all, of the switches 10 in the first switch-node cluster and the second switch-node cluster.

Various methods are advantageously utifized with the systems and architectures of these inventions. For example, a method for collecting information from a plurality of switches 10 at a iarge number (e. g., substantially 100 or more) remote locations where each remote location includes one switch 10, and further the switches 10 as having nodes associated therewith, the method may comprise the steps of collecting information at the remote locations, storing the data at each of the remote locations, generating statistical data from tha collected information, checking for instructions from a node, and in the event that an instruction is received,

responding to the instruction, and at a predetermined time, sending the statistical data to the node. In this way, large amounts of data may be obtained, processed and utilized in a wireless system having a large number of remotely located switches 10.

The inventions described and claimed herein include a computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for controlling, processing and use of information collected at the various switches 10 in the network 30. More particularly, it comprises a switch source code segment comprising code for the receipt, and storage of signals corresponding to collected information, a network communication source code segment for communication of information from the switches to a network and from a network to the switches, and a processor source code segment associated with a processor remote from each switch, and operatively coupled to the network. Similarly, a computer data signal imbedded in or modulated on a carrier wave is provided for the same purposes and functionalities.

In one implementation, the invention consists of a data management service or business method. The method consists of at least the steps of receiving information, preferably information having been derived from various nodes or switches. Next, the information is processed. Thirdly, the processed information is responded to, either by responding back to the switches 10, or providing information, such as notification or other reports, to a customer or client. Optionally, the system may utilize data extraction and/or data mining techniques. Various forms of communication from the system to the customer or client may be utilized, such as Internet access of the information contained within the data management system, communication from the system to the customer, such as by report generation, wireless or electronic communication, e. g., email, telephone communication, facsimile, pagers or beepers, or any other mode of communication to the customers or client. One application for the data management service methodology includes data traffic monitoring services.

The provision of this service would be in exchange for compensation, such as where the third party requesting or receiving the information would pay a subscription fee to the entity managing the information.

In another implementation, the invention consists of a method for facilitating mobile wireless communication of high-speed, high-bandwidth signals using a cellular network. The method consists of at least the steps of a mobile user receiving information wirelessly, preferably information having been derived from various nodes or switches in a cellular network. Next, the mobile user transmits wireless information back to the nodes or switches, preferably at least some of the information relating to the mobile user's geographical location in the cellular network. Thirdly, the nodes or switches receive the wireless geographical information from the mobile user, and either process the information or forward it, preferably wirelessly, to another node or DCU for processing. Fourthly, either a switch or a node or a DCU or any combination thereof processes the geographical information to determine the user's location, and to determine when the user is moving from one area of cellular coverage (cell) to another. Fifthly, when the user has been determined to be moving to a different cell, a signal, preferably wireless, is sent from the processing location (s) to one or more switches or nodes to switch the user's high-speed, high-bandwidth communication signals to be broadcast from the cellular coverage area the user has moved into. Sixthly, a switch, preferably a wireless optical switch 10, or a node, or any combination thereof receives the preferably wireless signal indicating a cell change and switches the user's primary communication channel to the new cell.

This implementation would be especially advantageous for mobile communicators of high-bandwidth wireless signals. For instance, traveling laptop computer users accessing the internet wirelessly through a cellular network could use the wireless switches and nodes of the present invention to seamlessly transition the user's wireless communication signals from one cell to another.

FIG. 7 also shows an architecture for implementation of the system and methods described herein. This architecture is particularly advantageous for large numbers of switches, such as those systems having 100 or more switches in them. In this embodiment a plurality of switches 10 are connected to a node 40. The interconnection between switches 10 and

node 40 may by accomplished by a network, such as the Internet or other communication path. The path may be either wired or wireless. The node 40 is yet further connected to the control center 24 or an end user of the information collected by the network 30. The interconnection between the node 40 and the control center 24 may be by either wired or wireless communications in whole or in part.

FIG. 8 shows a conceptual arrangement in block diagram format of a higher level hierarchy of switches 10 and nodes 40. The switches 10 are coupled to the node 40. This collection may be referred to as a switch-node cluster. There are multiple switches 10 connected to at least one node 40.

This first switch-node cluster 42 is then coupled to the control center 24.

The second switch-node cluster 44, and third switch-node cluster 46 are also coupled to the control center 24.

FIG. 9 shows an architecture having a first switch-node cluster 42, which includes a plurality of switches 10 and a node 40. A second switch- node cluster 44 includes a plurality of switches 10 and a node 40. A third node 60 is coupled to one of the switches 10 of the switch-node cluster 44 and one of the switches 10 of the second switch-node cluster 44. The third node 60 may be coupled to different number of switches 10 in the first switch-node cluster 42 then to a number of switches 10 in the second switch- node cluster 44. The third node 60 may be connected to all switches 10.

However, in the preferred mode, the third node 60 will be coupled to some, but not all, of the switches 10 in the first switch-node cluster 42, and likewise, some, but not all, switches 10 in the second switch-node cluster 44. The nodes 40 and 60 are coupled io the controi center 24.

The operation of the architecture of FiG. 9 may be understood more clearly by way of the following example. This example is provided for purposes of illustration, and not for limitation. For example, the first switch- node cluster 42 and second switch-node cluster 44 serve to provide information regarding all switches at a given location via the nodes 40. The third node 60, as drawn, is coupled to less than all of the switches 10 in the first and second switch-node clusters 42 and 44. In this way, processing of specific information may be facilitated.

The methods of communication between the various devices may be initiated by any device or done on a polling basis. For example, polling of locations may be performed on a periodic basis, or based upon some other criteria, such as the expected time or date for occurrence of an event. In yet another example, a node may accumulate data through communication with various switches 10, and then provide periodic data to the control center 24.

The data may comprise the raw data or, processed data, statistically analyzed data, or merely results based upon the underlying data.

Optionally, neural netorks may be utilized in conjunction with the systems and methods described herein. Such neural networks for fuzzy logic systems typically receive multiple signal inputs and processes or analyzes those signals so as to generate an output useful as an indicator of a pattern or substance recognition. For example, collecting data traffic, a switch 10 may provide information to a neural network/fuzzy logic system regarding the amount of data traffic on the switch 10. The supplied information to the neural network is cooperatively analyzed to aid in determining an output.

As yet another aspect of the invention, the neural network or fuzzy logic may be arranged in a distributed manner. For example, a neural network may have components which are located at multiple switches, yet backed in a cooperative manner, or are distributed between various nodes 40, or are distributed between comhinations of switches 10 and nodes 40.

In such a distributed manner, components of the neural network would communicate or cooperate over the network 30, such as the Internet.

In one aspect of this invention, the system includes a fault tolerant distributed memory. This fault tolerant distributed memory is applied to self- organizing networks of the distributed switches described below. Since there is a risk of loss of one or more switches in the system, whether due to device failure or other node of destruction or damage to the switch, it is desirable to include a system which has redundancy of the data paths for routing of data from a source to a destination location. In this system, information collected by each of the switches 10 would include information regarding the status and availability of a switch 10. If a switch 10 is

unavailable for data traffic, the network can route the information along an alternative data path around the unavailable switch.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited except as may be necessary in view of the appended claims.