Importance

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Abstract

Methods and apparatus for operating an optical communications system having at least two communicating entities (10,12). In accordance with a method of the invention a first step transmits communication link control information from a first entity to a second entity over a first optical channel having a first data bit rate. Responsive to the transmitted communication link control information, a second step of the method transmits data information from the second entity to the first entity over a second optical channel having a second data bit rate that is greater than the first data bit rate. The first optical channel is preferably a relatively low-bandwidth diffuse transmission infrared radiation channel. The second optical channel is preferably a relatively high-bandwidth infrared channel. One of the entities is a network adapter coupled to a wired network. The network adapter is preferably ceiling mounted. The other entity may be a mobile data processor. A plurality of mobile data processors may be served by one network adapter.

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First Claim