RU2392766C1 - Method and device for communication with wireless network using single address for multiple processors - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: physics, communications.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to wireless data transmission networks. A mobile system has a wireless communication system with a first processing device (such as a cellular telephone or network card) and a second processing device (such as a portable computer or personal digital assistant). A single IP address is assigned to a second processor and all incoming external messages are stored in he second processor. In certain embodiments, the first processing device includes a filter; in other embodiments, the second processing device includes a proxy for each processor. Extra processors can be connected to the mobile system by adding an extra filter or extra proxy.

EFFECT: possibility of working with multiple data applications at the same time using a single IP address assigned to a mobile system.

20 cl, 3 dwg

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cross reference to related application

Priority is hereby claimed on provisional application for the grant of US patent No. 60 / 779,721, filed March 6, 2006, entitled "Method and apparatus to allow multiple data applications to work simultaneously in a distributed execution environment using a wireless network" ("Method and device for providing multiple information applications with the ability to work simultaneously in a distributed execution environment using a wireless network ”), a provisional application for the grant of US patent No. 60 / 827,650, filed September 29, 2006, entitled“ Method and apparatus for simultaneously operating multiple data applica tions that require access to a wireless network "(" A method and apparatus for simultaneously operating multiple information applications that require access to a wireless network "), and a provisional application for the grant of US patent No. 60 / 862,209, filed October 19, 2006, entitled" Method and apparatus for communication with a wireless network using a single address for multiple processors ", which are included in the materials of this application by reference in its entirety OTE.

1. The technical field to which the invention relates.

The present invention generally relates to wireless networks, and more specifically to mobile systems that contain multiple microprocessors that operate with multiple information applications that may require wireless network access using a single wireless link and a single address.

2. Description of the Related Art

The exchange of information between one or more devices is the main purpose of computer networks. In order to properly route information from one device to another, each device is assigned an address, and the devices communicate using the assigned addresses. For example, in a typical network, a source device sends packet data (a sequence of packets) to a destination using the address assigned to that destination. Upon receiving packetized data, the destination sends a confirmation to the sender's address.

One of the commonly used communication protocols is TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). An IP address is used to route a sequence of packets from one device to another over the network. In a typical wireless information system, a single endpoint is assigned a single IP address. The assigned IP address is then used by one or more networks to route packets over the Internet to a specific TCP / IP endpoint endowed with an address.

A cell phone is one example of a mobile station that wirelessly communicates with one or more remote networks for purposes such as uploading or downloading information and arranging access services. The technology of cell phones is constantly being improved, adding functionality (for example, adding location functions), while simultaneously making cell phones smaller and more energy-efficient. For these purposes, it may be useful to “upload” part of the processed data to external computers and external networks. In addition, it may be useful to store information, preferably externally, than on a cell phone.

It may also be useful to connect the cell phone to another electronic device, such as a portable travel computer, and to provide a network connection through a modem in the cell phone. For the purposes described herein, a “mobile station” or “mobile system” encompasses a cellular telephone and the electronic device (eg, a travel computer) to which it is attached.

As more and more functionality is added to cell phones (for example, as features such as GPS (global positioning system) are realized), and more devices can connect to a cell phone (such as laptop computers ), additional “endpoints” of communication are created to exchange data with the network. Unfortunately, since these endpoints connect to a cell phone, these “endpoints” share a common IP address with the device on which they are located (or the device to which they are connected). Thus, whenever data is received, the shared IP address creates uncertainty as to which of the two (or more) endpoints is designed to receive data.

For example, if more than one information application is running in a mobile system (for example, if one information application is in a modem and another information application is in the main / application device on a portable computer), then there is more than one endpoint to which a single address. A single address creates uncertainty as to which of the two endpoints is the destination. For example, in a typical system where only one IP address is assigned to the client side (MS), data packets could be routed arbitrarily either to the final application, or to the modem processor or main processor. To avoid this problem, some wireless systems implement some kind of conflict resolution, which allows only one information application or modem application to work at a given time. Unfortunately, in such a system, the non-working (s) application (s) passively waits (s) until other operations are completed, wasting time and inefficiently using system resources.

In order to solve the problem of multiple endpoints, it was proposed to assign multiple IP addresses to the mobile system. In an example where the mobile system includes a modem and a laptop computer, this would entail assigning one IP address to the modem and another IP address to the laptop computer. However, multiple IP addresses would require device support for routing IP packets (a router that is very complex and would require significant resources and improvements), and multiple IP addresses would also require support for PDSN (packet data service node), all of which do this approach is undesirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A communication system is disclosed that provides multiple information applications with the opportunity to work simultaneously in a distributed execution environment in which only one IP address is assigned to a mobile system. The mobile system includes a wireless communication system with a first processing device (such as a cell phone with a modem processor or network card) and a second processing device that contains another processor (such as a laptop computer with a data processor or personal digital assistant). The only IP address is assigned to the second processor, and therefore all incoming external messages are stored in the TCP / IP stack of the second processor, even if the first processor is in direct communication with the central network. One or more processors may be added to the mobile system.

In one of the embodiments described herein, a mobile system is disclosed comprising multiple processors that wirelessly communicate with an external network via a wireless link. The system comprises a first processing device including a first processor, a first memory and a first PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) communication system, and a second processing device attached to the first processing device, including a second memory, a second PPP communication system attached to the first a PPP communication system, and a second processor coupled to the first processor. The wireless receiver and antenna are connected to the first processing device so that the first processor communicates with the external network via a wireless communication line using an IP address. The second processing device is assigned an IP address, and the second memory is configured to directly receive and store wireless messages from an external network.

In some embodiments, the first processor comprises a filter that filters incoming messages and selects a destination in one of the first processor and the second processor. In such embodiments, the mobile system may have a first memory that is configured to store messages with an external network, and a filter that is configured to control incoming messages.

In other embodiments, the second processor is configured to determine an intermediary for the first processor, so that all external messages destined for the first processor are transmitted from the second processing device to the first processing device.

In some embodiments, the first processing device includes a GPS receiver and antenna, and the second processing device includes a location-based application that requests location determination using a GPS receiver and antenna.

Additional processors can join the mobile system either by providing additional filters in the first processor, or by setting up additional intermediaries and using a single IP address.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference will now be made to the following detailed description of the embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a mobile system in which an IP address is assigned to a second processor including a first processing device that includes a filter that monitors incoming messages, filters messages, and routes incoming messages;

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a mobile system of an alternative embodiment in which a second processing device is configured by an intermediary to send incoming messages to an appropriate destination; and

FIG. 3 is a hardware block diagram of a mobile system including a first processing device, such as a cell phone, and a second processing device, such as a laptop computer, in which a single address can be used for communication.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention is described in the following description with reference to the drawings, in which like numbers represent identical or similar elements.

Dictionary of special terms and acronyms

The following terms and acronyms are used throughout the detailed description:

CDMA Code Division Multiple Access. High bandwidth digital wireless technology, which was commercially initiated and developed by QUALCOMM INCORPORATED. GPS Global Positioning System. A system in which measurements of distances to GPS satellites are used to determine a three-dimensional location (including altitude). Although the term GPS is widely used to refer to the US global positioning system, for the purposes of this description of the invention, the meaning of this term includes other global positioning systems, such as the Russian GLONASS system and the designed European Galileo system. In some systems, the term satellite positioning system (SPS) may be used in place of GPS terminology. For illustrative purposes, the invention cited herein is described in terms of current US GPS. However, it should be apparent to a person skilled in the art that this invention can be applied to a variety of SPS systems that use similar signal transmission formats, as well as future versions of the US GPS system.

IP Internet Protocol IPC Interprocess communication. Rpc Remote procedure call. Lbs Location-based services. Ms Mobile station or mobile system. Msm Mobile station modem. OEM Primary equipment manufacturer. PDE Location module. A system resource (usually on a remote server) that works in conjunction with one or more GPS reference receivers, capable of exchanging GPS-related information with an MS. In an A-GPS (automatic GPS) session performed by the MS, the PDE can send GPS assistance data to the MS to improve the signal detection process. The MS may return information, such as pseudorange measurements, back to the PDE, which is then capable of computing the location of the MS. In an MS-based A-GPS session, the MS can send the result of the calculated location to the PDE.

PDM Location Manager (usually on the network side). PDSN Packet data service node. PPP Point-to-Point Protocol. Typically, a full-duplex link layer protocol used for direct connections. PPP provides a standard way for computers and other processors connected via a communication line to establish, monitor, and end a session and exchange data in between. TCP Transmission Control Protocol. Wap Wireless access protocol.

Overview

A communication system is disclosed that provides multiple information applications with the opportunity to work simultaneously in a distributed execution environment in which only one IP address is assigned to a mobile system. A mobile system includes a wireless communication system with a first processor (such as a cell phone with a modem processor) and a device with another processor (second, third, etc. processor) to which it is attached (such as a laptop computer with a data processor). The only IP address is assigned to the second processor (and not the first), and therefore all incoming external messages are stored in the TCP / IP stack of the second processor, even if the first processor is in direct communication with the central network. Regardless, in some embodiments, the first processor can monitor external messages using its own TCP / IP stack.

In one embodiment of the method, all data received over a wireless communication line is monitored and filtered in the first processor, and then sent from memory (memory associated with the second processor) to the appropriate processor or application. Advantageously, the filter is determined by programming the first processor, and therefore, the filter can be easily configured and reconfigured by software from within the processor or in response to the second processor.

In yet another embodiment, the second processor stores data from the network. The broker is configured in the second processor for each endpoint outside the second processor. As for outgoing messages, data in the modem processor is transmitted by the intermediary through the main / application processor, and data in the application processor is sent directly through the data channel. In this embodiment, when the information application in the first processor requires network access, the connection request is transmitted by the intermediary to the second processor, which, in turn, opens the connection. If an information application in such a second processor needs an information connection, the connection is opened directly from such a processor. As a result, there is only one information endpoint, and from here, only one IP address is sufficient to support numerous information applications located in multiple processors.

Description

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a mobile system 10 that includes a first processing device 11 connected to a second processing device 12, both of which are connected (directly or indirectly) to an external network 13 via a wireless communication line 14. For the purposes described in the materials of this application, even if the first and second processing devices can be physically separate devices, and only the first processing device can contain a receiver that communicates directly with the wireless network, the first and second processing devices are considered a single "mobile system" for the purposes of this disclosure. For example, the first processing device may form part of a cell phone or network card, and the second processing device may form part of a laptop computer or PDA (personal digital assistant).

The first and second processing devices are connected by any suitable connection, such as interprocessor communication line (IPC) 15 and PPP local communication line 16. Such communication lines are typically “wired”, although some embodiments may include wireless lines, such as short-range Bluetooth communications. The first processing device also includes TCP, IP and PPP stacks connected to communicate with the external network, and the second processing device includes TCP, IP and PPP stacks connected to communicate with the first processing device.

In general, the mobile system 10 is connected wirelessly to the external network 13 to provide two-way communication between the mobile system and the external network, such as through a receiver (shown in FIG. 3) in the first processing device 11. An external network typically contains remote servers (for example, PDE server 17 and / or WAP server 18, such as servers that provide location-based services) that communicate using TCP / IP and / or PPP, and therefore one of the layers The communication on the wireless link may be a TCP / IP layer, which includes TCP, IP, and PPP stacks 19a and 19b. Additional communication layers may include CDMA or GSM. Since wireless communication requires the mobile system to have an IP address to which packetized information should be sent, the IP address will be assigned to the mobile system 10. The IP address is the only address and can be assigned to the mobile system by an external network or any other suitable system, or the address may be given in advance.

The IP address assigned to the mobile system 10 is physically assigned to the second processing device 12, and therefore, all incoming messages are forwarded to the TCP / IP stack of the second processing device. However, since the receiver is physically located within the first processing device 11, the first processing device actually receives packets and then sends them through the local PPP link to the second processing device.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first processing device includes a filter 20 that monitors and filters incoming messages and controls to direct incoming messages according to their desired destination.

1, the first processing device 11 includes processing capabilities 21 (e.g., a GPS mechanism) that are connected to and initialized by the first application 22 (e.g., a GPS mechanism) in a second processing device. The second processing device 12 also drives a second application 23 (for example, a WAP browser (operating on an application protocol for wireless communications)), both of which can request communication with an external network and work simultaneously with the first application. It may be noted that each of the first and second processors defines a separate communication endpoint.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, external messages on a wireless link are monitored by a first processor. A filter 20 is defined in the first processor to filter these monitored external messages with respect to the second processor. The filter 20 can be determined by software from any processor, for example, the programmer can set a specific filter for a specific application, which will ensure that messages are received at the intended destination. Alternatively, or in addition to this, outgoing messages can be monitored with respect to the source and destination of the messages, and the filter can be configured to be sensitive to this. For example, filter 20 may be configured such that all messages received from a particular address are sent to the source (within the mobile system) of the outgoing message. Advantageously, since the filter is determined by programming the first processor, the filter can be easily and quickly configured and reconfigured by software or by commands from another processor. This advantage provides an embodiment of the system with the opportunity to be implemented with little or no additional hardware overhead.

The filter 20 is configured with the first and second processing devices, so that external messages are routed to appropriate locations. For example, a filter can control the first processor to deliver controlled messages to the first application (for example, the GPS engine), and to ignore the same messages in the second processor. Alternatively, the filter may control the second processor to direct messages stored in the TCP / IP stack of the second processor to the appropriate application and to ignore controlled messages in the TCP / IP stack of the second processor. To summarize the above, the filter in the first processor monitors and filters external messages in the first processor, selects the destination as one of the first and second processors, and delivers the received data to the selected destination. Advantageously, additional processors can be added (for example, third, fourth and additional processors can be added) by adding additional PPP communication lines and interprocess communication lines to the additional processor and the first processor.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a mobile system of an alternative embodiment in which the second processing device is configured to be an intermediary for sending incoming messages to an appropriate destination. This intermediary system can be used alternatively or in conjunction with a filter in the first processor. The block diagram of FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, including an external network 13 containing servers such as a PDE 17 and a WAP server 18, however, in FIG. 2, the first processing device 24 and the second processing device 25 are somewhat different configurations than the first and second processing devices of FIG. The fundamental difference is that the second processor 25 in FIG. 2 includes one or more intermediaries 26 configured in the second processor 25 for receiving and issuing messages and TCP control actions, and the first processor 24 in FIG. 2 does not include the filter shown by the first processor 12 in FIG. Like the arrangement described in FIG. 1, an IP address is assigned to the second processor 25, and all messages from the external network 13 are forwarded to the TCP / IP stack in the second processor.

In FIG. 2, the first proxy is configured in the second processor and is one of the destinations to which messages in the TCP / IP stack can be routed. A mediator can be configured in software and is required for each application running on an external processor, or for each application larger than one in the second processor. In order to configure an intermediary for an application in the first processor, the first and second processors will communicate to establish an intermediary for messages destined for the application running on the second processor. The mediator can be implied as manifesting as another TCP stack 27 in the second processor 25, but is attached so that external messages are forwarded through it to the proper application in the first processor.

Advantageously, since the intermediary 26 is determined by programming the second processor, the intermediary can be easily and quickly created by software or by commands from any processor. This advantage provides an embodiment of the system with the opportunity to be implemented with little or no additional hardware overhead.

Moreover, additional intermediaries can be created, if necessary, for additional applications, even for applications running on other processors. This advantage provides additional processors (for example, the third and fourth processors) the ability to be added along with the previous provision of external network access for everyone.

In some embodiments, one of the first and second applications may include a GPS application or another location-based application that requests location information from a location module on an external network. The location-based application may also wish to communicate with a server on an external network that provides location-based services.

FIG. 3 is a hardware block diagram of a mobile system including a first processing device, such as a cell phone, and a second processing device, such as a laptop computer, in which a single address can be used for communication. Figure 3 - one of the embodiments; it should be clear that other implementations are possible.

The hardware block diagram of FIG. 3 shows an implementation that includes both functional block diagrams of FIG. 1 and / or FIG. 2. In other words, the first processing device 31 includes the functions of the first processing devices 11 and 24, and the second processing device 32 includes the functions of the second processing devices 12 and 25.

3, a first processing device 31 is shown including a first processor, a first memory 34, a system 35, and a wireless cellular antenna 36, proper software 37, a user interface 38 (e.g., a keyboard, a display screen), and a GPS receiver connected to antenna 40. The wireless cellular communication system and antenna is configured within the first processing device so that the first processor communicates with the external network via a wireless communication line. A cellular communication system includes suitable devices, such as a modem, hardware, and software for communicating with and / or detecting signals from base stations and processing transmitted or received information.

The second processing device 32 is connected to the first processing device 31. The second processing device includes a second processor 41 connected to the second memory 42, proper software 43, and a user interface 44, such as a keyboard, display device, mouse, and / or trackpad. Local communication line 45 includes communication systems in the first and second processors that are configured to provide local communication (e.g., PPP). An appropriate interprocess communication line 46 connects the first processor 33 and the second processor 41 to provide high-speed communication between the two processors.

As discussed with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the second processing device is endowed with an IP address, which can be stored in the second memory 42, and configured to directly receive and store wireless messages from an external network.

In some embodiments of the mobile system shown in FIG. 3, the first processor 33 comprises one or more filters 20 (see FIG. 1) that filter incoming messages and select a destination in one of the first processor and the second processor. In this embodiment, the first memory is configured to store messages with an external network, and the filter is configured to control incoming messages.

In other embodiments of the mobile system of FIG. 3, the second processor is configured to determine one or more intermediaries 26 (see FIG. 2) for the first processor, so that all external messages destined for the first processor are transmitted from the second processing device into the first processing device.

The first and second processing devices and their internal communication can be implemented in a number of different possible ways. For example, the first processing device may be a cellular telephone or network card, and the second processing device may be a laptop computer or personal digital assistant. The first processing device may use any combination of wireless communication systems, such as TCP / IP, CDMA, and GSM, suitable for communication with an external network. In addition, in this embodiment, the first processing device includes a GPS receiver and antenna, and the second processing device includes a location-based application (in software) that requests location determination using a GPS receiver and antenna; other implementations may not include these systems or may contain other relevant configurations.

FIG. 3 also shows a plurality of GPS satellites 50 that emit GPS positioning signals 51, and a plurality of ground base stations 52. GPS satellites 50 comprise any group of satellites broadcasting signals that are used to determine the location of a GPS receiver, such as a global positioning system USA, Russian GLONASS system and European Galileo system. More precisely, the satellites are synchronized to send wireless positioning signals phased by the GPS clock. These positioning signals are generated at a predetermined frequency and in a predetermined format.

Base stations 52 are connected to a cellular infrastructure network 53 in an external network 13, which enables it to communicate with other communication networks and systems connected to a network in an external network, such as a telephone network, computer networks (eg, the Internet) and other networks communication. Thus, base stations 52 may comprise a part of a communication network, which may include a number of additional communication systems in communication with base stations. Base stations 52 communicate with one or more of the first processing devices 31 using wireless signals 54.

More specifically, base stations comprise any set of base stations used as part of a communication network that communicates with a mobile system using wireless signals. The base stations are connected to a cellular infrastructure network that provides communication services to many other communication networks, such as a public telephone network, computer networks such as the Internet, a location module (PDE), and a variety of other communication systems. The PDE may be coupled to (or include) a GPS reference receiver (not shown) that communicates with the PDE to provide location-useful information, such as (ephemeris) satellite position information. In addition, the external network may have the ability to include a server or other modules that provide location-based services, such as geographic or business information, based on the location of the mobile system.

A terrestrial cellular infrastructure network typically provides communication services that provide a cellular telephone user with the ability to connect to another telephone through a telephone network; however, base stations could also be used to communicate with other devices and / or for other communication purposes, such as connecting the Internet to a hand-held personal digital assistant (PDA). In one embodiment, the base stations are part of a GSM communication network, however, in other embodiments, other types of synchronous (eg, GDMA 2000) or asynchronous communication networks may be used.

As discussed above, the GPS receiver 39 in the first processing device is connected to the antenna 40 for receiving positioning signals transmitted from the GPS satellites 50. The GPS system in the first processing device contains any suitable hardware and software for receiving and processing GPS signals and for performing calculations. In some GPS-based implementations, final positioning calculations (e.g., latitude and longitude) are performed on a remote server, such as a PDE, based on time code shifts and other information sent from the GPS receiver to the remote server. These implementations are called runable by MS.

3, a separate GPS antenna 40 is used to receive GPS positioning signals. However, in some embodiments, a single antenna can be used to support multiple bands, such as cellular, GPS, and PCS. Some examples of GPS systems are disclosed in US patent No. 5,841,396, No. 6,002,363 and No. 6,421,002 Norman F. Krasner.

The processing devices described herein may include one or more microprocessors, memory, other hardware, hardware-based software, and software to provide appropriate control functions for the systems to which they are attached. It should be obvious that the processing steps described in the materials of this application can be implemented in any suitable way using hardware, software and / or hardware implemented software subject to microprocessor control.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate, in view of these doctrines, that alternative embodiments may be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. This invention should be limited only by the following claims, which takes into account all such embodiments and modifications, when considered in conjunction with the foregoing description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

Claims (20)

1. A method of using a single IP address for wireless communication between an external network and a mobile system, which includes at least a first processor running the first application and a second processor running the second application, both of which may request communication with an external network and operate simultaneously, each processor defines a separate endpoint for communication, and the method consists in the fact that:
establish a wireless line between the external network and the mobile system, including obtaining an IP address from the external network;
establish a local communication line and an interprocess communication line between the first processor and the second processor in the mobile system;
associating the IP address with the second processor and the second endpoint, so that external messages to the IP address are routed to the second endpoint;
configure the first processor to filter external messages regarding the second endpoint, including configuring a filter in the first processor to filter external messages received through the wireless communication line;
communicating with the external network using said IP address assigned to said second endpoint; and
monitor and filter the mentioned external messages in the first processor, including choosing the destination as one of the first and second processors and delivering the received data to the selected destination. 2. The method according to claim 1, in which the mobile system comprises one of a cell phone and a network card connected to an external network, and one of a laptop computer and a PDA connected to the cell phone via a local communication line. 3. The method according to claim 2, in which the cell phone contains a first processor, and the laptop computer contains a second processor. 4. The method according to claim 1, in which the wireless communication line comprises at least one of the TCP / IP, CDMA, and GSM communications. 5. The method according to claim 1, in which one of the first and second applications contains a GPS application that determines the location and includes a stage in which the GPS application requests communication with the location module, which is located in the external network. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein one of the first and second applications comprises a location-based services application, and includes communicating with a location-based module for delivering location-based information to the application location based services. 7. A method of using a single IP address for wireless communication between an external network and a mobile system that includes at least a first processor executing a first application and a second processor executing a second application, both of which may request communication with external network and work simultaneously, each processor defines a separate endpoint for communication; the method is that:
establish a wireless line between the external network and the mobile system, including obtaining an IP address from the external network;
establish a local communication line and an interprocess communication line between the first processor and the second processor in the mobile system;
associating the IP address with the second processor and the second endpoint, so that external messages to the IP address are routed to the second endpoint;
run the first application on the first processor, which may require external network access;
configure a first broker in the second processor to select external messages whose destination is the first application; and
in response to external messages selected by the first intermediary, said selected messages are forwarded to the first processor. 8. The method according to claim 7, in which the mobile system comprises one of a cell phone and a network card connected to an external network, and one of a laptop computer and a PDA connected to the cell phone via a local communication line. 9. The method of claim 8, in which the cell phone contains a first processor, and the laptop computer contains a second processor. 10. The method according to claim 7, in which the wireless communication line comprises at least one of the TCP / IP, CDMA, and GSM communications. 11. The method according to claim 7, in which one of the first and second applications contains a GPS application that determines the location, and includes a stage in which the GPS application requests communication with the location module, which is located in the external network. 12. The method according to claim 7, in which one of the first and second applications comprises a location-based services application, and includes communicating with a location-based module for delivering location-based information to the application location based services. 13. A mobile system comprising multiple processors, which wirelessly communicates with an external network via a wireless communication line, comprising:
a first processing device including a first processor, a first memory, and a first PPP communication system;
a second processing device coupled to the first processing device including a second memory, a second PPP communication system coupled to the first PPP communication system, and a second processor coupled to the first processor; and
wireless receiver and antenna connected to the first processing device, so that the first processor communicates with the external network via a wireless communication line using an IP address;
wherein said second memory is assigned an IP address, and said second memory is configured to directly receive and store wireless messages from an external network. 14. The mobile system of claim 13, wherein the first processor comprises a filter that filters incoming messages and selects a destination in one of the first processor and the second processor. 15. The mobile system of claim 14, wherein the first memory is configured to store messages with an external network, and said filter is configured to control incoming messages. 16. The mobile system of claim 13, wherein the second processor is configured to determine an intermediary for the first processor, so that all external messages destined for the first processor are transmitted from the second processing device to the first processing device. 17. The mobile system of claim 13, wherein the first processing device includes a GPS receiver and antenna, and the second processing device includes a location-based application that requests location determination using a GPS receiver and antenna. 18. The mobile system of claim 13, wherein the first processing device is one of a cell phone and a network card. 19. The mobile system according to item 13, in which the first processing device is connected to the second processing device through at least one of the lines of local communication and interprocess communication. 20. The mobile system of claim 13, wherein the second processing device is one of a laptop computer and a personal digital assistant.

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