Extending personal area networks

• US 20020146981A1
• Filed: 04/04/2001
• Published: 10/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Saint-Hilaire, Ylian, Edwards, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,577,451 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

A pair of shorter range radio frequency networks may be linked together using a longer range communication protocol that is not based on the same radio frequency protocol utilized by the shorter range radio frequency networks. Enumeration data from one of the shorter range networks may be exchanged over a longer range network to combine the two shorter range networks using proxy devices such as cellular telephones. This may allow devices in a shorter range network to communicate over a longer range.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

enumerating a plurality of devices in a first radio frequency network; and

communicating information about said first radio frequency network over a non-radio frequency network.

2. The method of claim 1 including automatically enumerating a plurality of devices in a Bluetooth radio frequency network.

3. The method of claim 1 including developing enumeration data for a plurality of devices in a radio frequency network and communicating said enumeration data over a non-radio frequency network.

4. The method of claim 3 including communicating information about said first radio frequency network over a telephone network.

5. The method of claim 1 including enumerating a plurality of devices in a second radio frequency network.

6. The method of claim 5 including combining said first and second radio frequency networks into a combined radio frequency network.

7. The method of claim 6 including enabling any device in said first radio frequency network to communicate over said non-radio frequency network with any device in said second radio frequency network.

8. The method of claim 7 including transmitting data between said first and second radio frequency networks over said non-radio frequency network at the same time that a voice communication is ongoing between a device in said first radio frequency network and a device in said second radio frequency network.

9. The method of claim 8 including enumerating a cellular telephone in each of said first and second radio frequency networks.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein one of said cellular telephones acts as a proxy for the devices in said first radio frequency network and the other of said cellular telephones acts as a proxy for the devices in said second radio frequency network.

11. An article comprising a medium storing instructions that enable a processor-based system to:

enumerate a plurality of devices in a first radio frequency network; and

communicate information about said first radio frequency network over a non-radio frequency network.

12. The article of claim 11 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to automatically enumerate a plurality of devices in a Bluetooth radio frequency network.

13. The article of claim 11 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to develop enumeration data for a plurality devices in a first radio frequency network and communicate that enumeration data over a non-radio frequency network.

14. The article of claim 13 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to develop communications about said first radio frequency network over a telephone network.

15. The article of claim 11 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to receive enumeration data from a plurality of devices in a second radio frequency network coupled to said first radio frequency network by said non-radio frequency network.

16. The article of claim 15 further storing instructions that enable said processor-based system to combine said first and second radio frequency network enumeration data to develop a combined radio frequency network.

17. The article of claim 16 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to enable any device in said first radio frequency network to communicate over said non-radio frequency network with any device in said second radio frequency network.

18. The article of claim 17 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to transmit data from said first to said second radio frequency network over said non-radio frequency network at the same time that a voice communication is ongoing between a device in said first radio frequency network and a device in said second frequency network.

19. The article of claim 18 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to implement cellular radio frequency communications.

20. The article of claim 19 further storing instructions that enable a cellular telephone in said first radio frequency network to act as a proxy for other devices in said first radio frequency network.

21. A device comprising:

a radio frequency receiver;

a radio frequency transmitter; and

a processor to enumerate devices in a first radio frequency network and to enable information about said first radio frequency network to be transferred over a non-radio frequency network.

22. The device of claim 21 wherein said radio frequency transmitter includes a cellular radio frequency transmitter.

23. The device of claim 22 wherein said transmitter includes a Bluetooth transmitter.

24. The system of claim 21 including a transmitter to transmit information over at least two different radio frequency networks as well as a telephone network.

25. The device of claim 24 including a transmitter to transmit over a cellular telephone network and a Bluetooth network.

26. The device of claim 21 wherein said processor is programmed to receive enumeration data over a non-radio frequency network so as to combine the first radio frequency network with a second radio frequency network over said non-radio frequency network.

27. The device of claim 21 including a receiver and a transmitter to implement a telephone link while simultaneously exchanging data received over a separate radio frequency link.

28. The device of claim 21 wherein said transmitter packetizes voice data.

29. The device of claim 28 wherein said transmitter packetizes enumeration data and transmits it with packetized voice data.

30. The device of claim 29 wherein said device is a Bluetooth and cellular transceiver.