Apparatus and method for communicating information to portable computing devices

• US 20020184385A1
• Filed: 04/24/2001
• Published: 12/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qwikker, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qwikker, Inc.
• Inventors: Kato, Saul
• Granted Patent: US 7,072,975 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/237
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0229 where the received signal is a wanted signal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

An information distributor comprises a processor, a network receiver connected to the processor, a transceiver system connected to the processor, and a memory connected to the processor. The memory includes network receiver communication stacks configured to direct the network receiver to wirelessly receive information from a system communication network and transceiver protocol stacks configured to direct the transceiver system to wirelessly transmit the information on demand to a portable computing device located within transmission range of the transceiver system. The transceiver protocol stacks include a first module configured to direct the transceiver system to generate a beacon, a second module configured to direct the transceiver system to detect an acknowledgement signal generated, in response to the beacon, by the portable computing device, and a third module configured to direct the transceiver system to generate, in response to the acknowledgement signal, a broadcast incorporating the information.

Claims

1. An information distributor, comprising:

a processor;

a network receiver connected to said processor;

a transceiver system connected to said processor; and

a memory connected to said processor, wherein said memory includes;

network receiver communication stacks configured to direct said network receiver to wirelessly receive information from a system communication network; and

transceiver protocol stacks configured to direct said transceiver system to wirelessly transmit said information on demand to a portable computing device located within transmission range of said transceiver system, wherein said transceiver protocol stacks include;

a first module configured to direct said transceiver system to generate a beacon;

a second module configured to direct said transceiver system to detect an acknowledgement signal generated, in response to said beacon, by said portable computing device; and

a third module configured to direct said transceiver system to generate, in response to said acknowledgement signal, a broadcast incorporating said information.

2. The information distributor of claim 1, further comprising:

a battery connected to said processor.

3. The information distributor of claim 1, wherein said system communication network is a paging network, and wherein said network receiver includes a radio frequency communication device configured to receive paging transmissions.

4. The information distributor of claim 1, wherein said first module has:

a fourth module configured to direct said transceiver system to generate said beacon by boosting a base signal power level to increase transmission range of said beacon.

5. The information distributor of claim 1, wherein said second module has:

a fifth module configured to direct said transceiver system to detect an amplitude-shift-keying modulated acknowledgement signal.

6. The information distributor of claim 1, wherein said third module has:

a sixth module configured to direct said transceiver system to generate said broadcast by boosting a base signal power level to increase transmission range of said broadcast.

7. The information distributor of claim 1, wherein said beacon, said acknowledgement signal, and said broadcast are infrared signals, and wherein said transceiver system includes an infrared communication device.

8. The information distributor of claim 7, wherein said transceiver system includes:

an infrared transceiver configured to generate said beacon and said broadcast; and

an infrared receiver configured to detect said acknowledgement signal.

9. An information distributor, comprising:

a processor;

a battery connected to said processor;

a network receiver connected to said processor, wherein said network receiver is switchable between a sleep mode with reduced battery power consumption and an active mode with increased battery power consumption;

a transceiver system connected to said processor; and

a memory connected to said processor, wherein said memory includes;

a first module configured to switch said network receiver from said sleep mode to said active mode to receive a first scheduled transmission from a system communication network, wherein said first scheduled transmission incorporates information;

a second module configured to switch said network receiver from said active mode to said sleep mode after receiving said first scheduled transmission; and

a third module configured to direct said transceiver system to transmit said information on demand to a portable computing device located within transmission range of said transceiver system.

10. The information distributor of claim 9, wherein said memory further includes:

an initial schedule, wherein said initial schedule indicates a start of transmission time of said first scheduled transmission,

and wherein said first module is configured to switch said network receiver from said sleep mode to said active mode in accordance with said initial schedule.

11. The information distributor of claim 10, wherein said first scheduled transmission further incorporates an updated schedule indicating a start of transmission time of a second scheduled transmission from said system communication network,

and wherein said first module is configured to switch, in accordance with said updated schedule, said network receiver from said sleep mode to said active mode to receive said second scheduled transmission.

12. The information distributor of claim 9, wherein said third module has:

a fourth module configured to direct said transceiver system to generate a beacon;

a fifth module configured to direct said transceiver system to detect an acknowledgement signal generated, in response to said beacon, by said portable computing device; and

a sixth module configured to direct said transceiver system to generate, in response to said acknowledgement signal, a broadcast incorporating said information.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein receiving said information includes receiving a scheduled transmission from a system communication network, wherein said scheduled transmission incorporates said information.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein generating said beacon includes boosting a base signal power level to increase transmission range of said beacon.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said acknowledgement signal is an amplitude-shift-keying modulated signal.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein generating said broadcast includes boosting a base signal power level to increase transmission range of said broadcast.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein said beacon, said acknowledgement signal, and said broadcast include infrared signals.

13. A method of operating an information distributor, the method comprising:

receiving information from a wireless source; and

wirelessly transmitting said information on demand to a portable computing device located within transmission range of said information distributor, wherein wirelessly transmitting said information includes;

generating a beacon;

detecting an acknowledgement signal generated, in response to said beacon, by said portable computing device; and

generating, in response to said acknowledgement signal, a broadcast incorporating said information.