Enhanced wireless handset, including direct handset-to-handset communication mode

US 8,019,381 B2
Filed: 01/26/2011
Issued: 09/13/2011
Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1998
Status: Expired due to Fees

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1. A method for short-range wireless communication between an object and an apparatus, the method comprising:

transmitting an inquiry message to the object from the apparatus to determine whether the object is within a short-range wireless communication area of the apparatus, wherein the inquiry message is a first communication transmitted over a first network within the short-range wireless communication area during a second communication being conducted by the apparatus over a second network different from the first network while maintaining the second communication being conducted;

detecting a response, by the apparatus, from the object to the inquiry message via a channel of the first network, wherein the response is received via the channel based on an availability setting at the object;

generating a list that includes the object based on detecting the response therefrom; and

displaying the list identifying the object detected within the short-range wireless communication area of the apparatus.

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Abstract

A wireless handset is provided with enhanced features and capabilities. The wireless handset may be embodied as a full-featured handset that is capable of operating either within a wireless network (such as a cellular or PCS network) or in a direct handset-to-handset communication mode that is independent of the wireless network. Alternatively, the wireless handset may be embodied as a special purpose handset, that is capable of simply operating in a direct handset-to-handset communication mode. The wireless handset may additionally include features for supporting and enhancing direct communication between handsets. Such features may include a find feature that permits a user to determine which objects, including other wireless handset users, are located within a predetermined operating range of the wireless handset. A memorize feature may also be provided to permit handsets and other objects exchange information by wireless transmission.

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40 Claims

1. A method for short-range wireless communication between an object and an apparatus, the method comprising:
- transmitting an inquiry message to the object from the apparatus to determine whether the object is within a short-range wireless communication area of the apparatus, wherein the inquiry message is a first communication transmitted over a first network within the short-range wireless communication area during a second communication being conducted by the apparatus over a second network different from the first network while maintaining the second communication being conducted;
  
  detecting a response, by the apparatus, from the object to the inquiry message via a channel of the first network, wherein the response is received via the channel based on an availability setting at the object;
  
  generating a list that includes the object based on detecting the response therefrom; and
  
  displaying the list identifying the object detected within the short-range wireless communication area of the apparatus.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
- - 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the apparatus or object includes a wireless telephone and the second network is a wireless communication network.
  - 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the wireless communication network is a wide-area network.
  - 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the wireless communication network is a cellular network.
  - 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the second communication is a voice communication.
  - 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying the list using a graphical user interface.
  - 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a different inquiry message from a different object and responding to the different inquiry message based on an availability setting of the apparatus.
  - 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the response from the object via the channel based on user authorization at the object.
  - 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said detecting comprises choosing a selected channel based on a received signal strength indicator for further communication with the object.
  - 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the selected channel is chosen using a predetermined algorithm.
  - 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the selected channel provides full duplex voice communication between the apparatus and the object.
  - 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the channel is a control channel that is accessed for a predetermined period of time.
  - 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising the apparatus communicating with the object subsequent to a security procedure requiring user input.
  - 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising downloading data from the object to the apparatus.
  - 15. The method of claim 1, further comprising downloading contact information from the object to the apparatus.
  - 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the apparatus or object includes a computing device.
  - 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the second network is a cellular network.
  - 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the second network is a wide-area network.
  - 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the second network is configured to convey digital data.
  - 20. The method of claim 1, wherein the apparatus or object comprises a computing device coupled to a wireless transceiver.

21. An apparatus for short-range wireless communication between an object and the apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- a transceiver configured to transmit an inquiry message to the object to determine whether the object is within a short-range wireless communication area of the apparatus, wherein the inquiry message is a first communication transmitted over a first network within the short-range wireless communication area during a second communication being conducted by the apparatus over a second network different from the first network while maintaining the second communication being conducted;
  
  the transceiver configured to detect a response from the object to the inquiry message via a channel of the first network based on an availability setting at the object;
  
  a processor configured to generate a list that includes the object based on the transceiver detecting the response therefrom; and
  
  a display configured to display the list identifying the object that has been detected within the short-range wireless communication area of the apparatus.
- View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
- - 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the apparatus or object includes a wireless telephone and the second network is a wireless communication network.
  - 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the wireless communication network is a wide-area network.
  - 24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the wireless communication network is a cellular network.
  - 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the second communication is a voice communication.
  - 26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the list is displayed using a graphical user interface.
  - 27. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the transceiver receives a different inquiry message from a different object and responds to the different inquiry message based on an availability setting of the apparatus.
  - 28. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the transceiver receives the response from the object via the channel based on user authorization at the object.
  - 29. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the transceiver is adapted to choose a selected channel based on a received signal strength indicator for further communication with the object.
  - 30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the selected channel is chosen using a predetermined algorithm.
  - 31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the selected channel provides full duplex voice communication between the apparatus and the object.
  - 32. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the channel is a control channel that is accessed for a predetermined period of time.
  - 33. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the apparatus communicates with the object subsequent to a security procedure that requires user input.
  - 34. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein data is downloaded from the object to the apparatus.
  - 35. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein contact information is downloaded from the object to the apparatus.
  - 36. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the apparatus or object includes a computing device.
  - 37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the second network is a cellular network.
  - 38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the second network is a wide-area network.
  - 39. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the second network is configured to convey digital data.
  - 40. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the apparatus or object comprises a computing device coupled to a wireless transceiver.

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Current Assignee
Blue Sky Networks, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
Original Assignee
Bertrum Technologies LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
Inventors
Mauney, Daniel Wayne, Sullivan, Marc A., Green, Charles A., Harbin, Steven A.
Primary Examiner(s)
Tran, Tuan A

Application Number

US13/014,065
Publication Number

US 20110124316A1
Time in Patent Office

230 Days
Field of Search

455 411- 412, 455/502, 455/507, 455514-515, 455517-519, 455/566, 455 901- 902, 455/445, 455/550.1, 455/552.1, 455/553.1, 455/572, 455/574, 455/522, 455101-103, 455458-466, 370400-410, 370310-311, 370254-255, 375211-212, 707/1, 707/2, 707/6, 707100-102
US Class Current

455/552.1
CPC Class Codes

H04M 1/724   User interfaces specially a...

H04M 1/7243   with interactive means for ...

H04W 4/80   Services using short range ...

H04W 88/02   Terminal devices

Enhanced wireless handset, including direct handset-to-handset communication mode

First Claim

7 Assignments

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Abstract

97 Citations

40 Claims

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Enhanced wireless handset, including direct handset-to-handset communication mode

First Claim

7 Assignments

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Abstract

97 Citations

40 Claims

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