Wireless network with enhanced data rate

Abstract

Apparatus for customer service includes at least one wireless communication terminal, adapted to be deployed at a first location in a facility that is visited by customers, so as to receive digital data over a wireless link from a portable device carried by at least one of the customers in a vicinity of the terminal. A service center, at a second location, which is not in the vicinity of the at least one wireless communication terminal, is in communication with the terminal so as to receive the digital data therefrom and to generate a permanent record of the data for delivery to the at least one of the customers.

1 . Apparatus for customer service, comprising: 
 at least one wireless communication terminal, adapted to be deployed at a first location in a facility that is visited by customers, so as to receive digital data over a wireless link from a portable device carried by at least one of the customers in a vicinity of the terminal; and    a service center, at a second location, which is not in the vicinity of the at least one wireless communication terminal, and in communication with the terminal so as to receive the digital data therefrom and to generate a permanent record of the data for delivery to the at least one of the customers.    
   
   
       2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the digital data comprise one or more digital images.  
   
   
       3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the portable device comprises a digital camera.  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the permanent record comprises a hard copy of one or more of the images.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the facility comprises a commercial establishment, and wherein the first location is in a shopping area of the establishment, while the second location is near an exit from the establishment.  
   
   
       6 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the wireless link belongs to a wireless local area network deployed in the facility.  
   
   
       7 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication terminal is adapted to receive the data at a rate substantially in excess of 11 Mbps.  
   
   
       8 . Apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the wireless communication terminal is further adapted to transmit and receive at a rate of 11 Mbps or less substantially in accordance with IEEE standard 802.11, and to receive the data at the rate substantially in excess of 11 Mbps when requested to do so by the portable device.  
   
   
       9 . Apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the wireless communication terminal is adapted to receive the data at a symbol rate substantially equal to 11 million symbols per second.  
   
   
       10 . Apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the communication between the wireless communication terminal and the service center takes place at a rate of 11 Mbps or less.  
   
   
       11 . A method for customer service, comprising: 
 receiving digital data at a first location in a facility over a wireless link from a portable device carried by a customer in a vicinity of the first location;    transferring the digital data to a second location in the facility, which is not in the vicinity of the first location;    generating a permanent record of the data at the second location; and delivering the permanent record to the customer.    
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the digital data comprise one or more digital images.  
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the portable device comprises a digital camera.  
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the permanent record comprises a hard copy of one or more of the images.  
   
   
       15 . Apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the facility comprises a commercial establishment, and wherein receiving the digital data comprises receiving the data while the customer is shopping in the establishment, and delivering the permanent record comprises delivering the record as the customer is about to exit from the establishment.  
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein receiving the digital data comprises receiving the data on a wireless local area network deployed in the facility.  
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein receiving the digital data comprises receiving the data at a rate substantially in excess of 11 Mbps.  
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein transferring the data comprises transmitting the data at a rate of 11 Mbps or less substantially in accordance with IEEE standard 802.11.  
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein receiving the data comprises receiving the data at the rate substantially in excess of 11 Mbps responsive to a request issued by the portable device to receive the data at the rate substantially in excess of 11 Mbps.  
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein receiving the digital data comprises receiving the data at a symbol rate substantially equal to 11 million symbols per second.