Modular school computer system and method

• US 20030197607A1
• Filed: 04/18/2002
• Published: 10/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Striemer, Bryan Lester
• Granted Patent: US 6,992,566 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/10 together with the recording, indicating or registering of other data, e.g. of signs of identity
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence

Abstract

A local wireless device serves as a unique identifier for students and teachers in a school system. The school is equipped with multiple stationary hubs for tracking the location of students and teachers. The school may also be equipped with multiple mobile hubs, such as hand-held hubs and hubs on school buses, which allow easily and quickly determining if a student or teacher is where he or she should be. The local wireless device may be used in conjunction with a pager, mobile phone, a voicemail device, and devices for storing, reviewing and sending audio and video files. The preferred embodiments also includes a single device that provides all of the above-mentioned functions. In addition, a wireless display may be coupled to the local wireless device as needed. The function of these devices may be controlled according to the needs of the system. For example, some of the functions may be disabled during class periods, but enabled between classes. The preferred embodiments thus disclose many different wireless devices that are all integrated into the school'"'"'s computer system to customize their function according to the needs of the school.

Claims

1. A computer system comprising:

a first computer system coupled to a network;

at least one hub coupled to the network for receiving and transmitting wireless information to and from a plurality of hand-held electronic modules and for transferring the information to and from the first computer system;

a plurality of wireless identification modules that each comprise;

a wireless transmitter that transmits information to the at least one hub;

a wireless receiver that receives information from the at least one hub;

an identification mechanism that uniquely identifies each wireless identification module to the first computer system; and

a memory coupled to the wireless receiver that stores information received by the wireless receiver.

2. The computer system of claim 1 wherein the at least one hub includes at least one stationary hub at a fixed location and at least one mobile hub coupled via wireless interface to the first computer system.

3. The computer system of claim 1 wherein the wireless transmitter, wireless receiver, identification mechanism, and memory each comprise portions of a Bluetooth-compatible wireless interface.

4. A computer system comprising:

(A) a first computer system coupled to a network;

(B) at least one hub coupled to the network for receiving and transmitting wireless information to and from a plurality of hand-held electronic modules and for transferring the information to and from the first computer system;

(C) a wireless pager module comprising;

(C1) a wireless identification module that comprises;

a wireless transmitter that transmits information to the at least one hub;

a wireless receiver that receives information from the at least one hub; and

an identification mechanism that uniquely identifies each wireless identification module to the first computer system;

(C2) a processor;

(C3) a memory coupled to the processor;

(C4) a display coupled to the processor;

(C5) a user input mechanism coupled to the processor that controls the function of the wireless pager module by a user;

(C6) a user alert mechanism that alerts the user when a message is received via the wireless receiver;

(C7) the processor receiving the message from the wireless receiver, writing the message to the memory, alerting the user via the user alert mechanism, and displaying the message on the display.

5. The computer system of claim 4 wherein the at least one hub includes at least one stationary hub at a fixed location and at least one mobile hub coupled via wireless interface to the first computer system.

6. The computer system of claim 4 wherein the wireless transmitter, wireless receiver, identification mechanism, and memory each comprise portions of a Bluetooth-compatible wireless interface.

7. A computer system comprising:

(A) a first computer system coupled to a network;

(B) at least one hub coupled to the network for receiving and transmitting wireless information to and from a plurality of hand-held electronic modules and for transferring the information to and from the first computer system;

(C) a wireless voicemail module comprising;

(C1) a wireless identification module that comprises;

a wireless transmitter that transmits information to the at least one hub;

a wireless receiver that receives information from the at least one hub; and

an identification mechanism that uniquely identifies each wireless identification module to the first computer system;

(C2) a processor;

(C3) a memory coupled to the processor;

(C4) a display coupled to the processor;

(C5) a user input mechanism coupled to the processor that controls the function of the wireless voicemail module by a user;

(C6) a microphone coupled to the processor for transmitting the voice of the user via the wireless transmitter;

(C7) a speaker coupled to the processor for transmitting the audio signal of a voicemail message to the user;

(C8) a user alert mechanism that alerts the user when a voicemail message is received via the wireless receiver;

(C9) the processor receiving the voicemail message from the wireless receiver, writing the voicemail message to the memory, alerting the user to the stored voicemail message by activating the user alert mechanism, and playing the

stored voicemail message to the user via the speaker when the user requests to listen to the stored voicemail message;

8. The computer system of claim 7 wherein the at least one hub includes at least one stationary hub at a fixed location and at least one mobile hub coupled via wireless interface to the first computer system.

9. The computer system of claim 7 wherein the wireless transmitter, wireless receiver, identification mechanism, and memory each comprise portions of a Bluetooth-compatible wireless interface.

10. A computer system comprising:

(A) a first computer system coupled to a network;

(B) at least one hub coupled to the network for receiving and transmitting wireless information to and from a plurality of hand-held electronic modules and for transferring the information to and from the first computer system;

(C) a wireless audio module comprising;

(C1) a wireless identification module that comprises;

a wireless transmitter that transmits information to the at least one hub;

a wireless receiver that receives information from the at least one hub; and

an identification mechanism that uniquely identifies each wireless identification module to the first computer system;

(C2) a processor;

(C3) a memory coupled to the processor;

(C4) a display coupled to the processor;

(C5) a user input mechanism coupled to the processor that controls the function of the wireless audio module by a user;

(C6) a speaker coupled to the processor for transmitting the audio signal of an audio file stored in the memory to the user;

(C7) the processor receiving the audio file from the wireless receiver, writing the audio file to the memory, and playing the audio file to the user via the speaker.

11. The computer system of claim 10 wherein the at least one hub includes at least one stationary hub at a fixed location and at least one mobile hub coupled via wireless interface to the first computer system.

12. The computer system of claim 10 wherein the wireless transmitter, wireless receiver, identification mechanism, and memory each comprise portions of a Bluetooth-compatible wireless interface.

13. A computer system comprising:

(A) a first computer system coupled to a network;

(B) at least one hub coupled to the network for receiving and transmitting wireless information to and from a plurality of hand-held electronic modules and for transferring the information to and from the first computer system;

(C) a wireless audio module comprising;

(C1) a wireless identification module that comprises;

a wireless transmitter that transmits information to the at least one hub;

a wireless receiver that receives information from the at least one hub; and

an identification mechanism that uniquely identifies each wireless identification module to the first computer system;

(C2) a processor;

(C3) a memory coupled to the processor;

(C4) a display coupled to the processor;

(C5) a user input mechanism coupled to the processor that controls the function of the wireless video module by a user;

(C6) a speaker coupled to the processor;

(C7) the processor receiving a video file from the wireless receiver, writing the video file to the memory, playing an audio portion of the video file to the user via the speaker, and displaying a graphic portion of the video file to the user via the display.

14. The computer system of claim 13 wherein the at least one hub includes at least one stationary hub at a fixed location and at least one mobile hub coupled via wireless interface to the first computer system.

15. The computer system of claim 13 wherein the wireless transmitter, wireless receiver, identification mechanism, and memory each comprise portions of a Bluetooth-compatible wireless interface.

16. A computer system comprising:

(A) a first computer system coupled to a network;

(B) at least one hub coupled to the network for receiving and transmitting wireless information to and from a plurality of hand-held electronic modules and for transferring the information to and from the first computer system;

(C) a plurality of wireless identification modules that each comprise;

a first wireless transmitter that transmits information to the at least one hub;

a first wireless receiver that receives information from the at least one hub;

a first identification mechanism that uniquely identifies each wireless identification module to the first computer system; and

a memory coupled to the first wireless receiver that stores information received by the first wireless receiver;

(D) at least one wireless pager module that comprises;

a second wireless transmitter that transmits information to the at least one hub;

a second wireless receiver that receives information from the at least one hub;

a second identification mechanism that uniquely identifies each wireless pager module to the first computer system;

a second processor;

a second memory coupled to the second processor;

a second display coupled to the second processor;

a second user input mechanism coupled to the second processor that controls the function of the wireless pager module by a user;

a second user alert mechanism that alerts the user when a message is received via the second wireless receiver;

the second processor receiving the message from the second wireless receiver, writing the message to the second memory, alerting the user via the second user alert mechanism, and displaying the message on the second display;

(E) at least one wireless telephone module that comprises;

a third wireless transmitter that transmits information to the at least one hub;

a third wireless receiver that receives information from the at least one hub;

a third identification mechanism that uniquely identifies each wireless telephone module to the first computer system;

a third processor;

a third memory coupled to the third processor;

a third display coupled to the third processor;

a third user input mechanism coupled to the third processor that controls the function of the wireless telephone module by a user;

a third microphone coupled to the third processor for transmitting the voice of the user via the third wireless transmitter;

a third speaker coupled to the third processor for transmitting the audio signal of a telephone call to the user;

the third processor receiving an incoming telephone call via the third wireless receiver, alerting the user that a call is incoming, and in response to the user activating the third user input mechanism to take the call, routing the incoming audio portion of the telephone call that arrives on the third wireless receiver to the third speaker, and routing the outgoing audio portion of the telephone call from the third microphone to the third wireless transmitter;

(F) at least one wireless voicemail module that comprises;

a fourth wireless transmitter that transmits information to the at least one hub;

a fourth wireless receiver that receives information from the at least one hub;

a fourth identification mechanism that uniquely identifies each wireless voicemail module to the first computer system;

a fourth processor;

a fourth memory coupled to the fourth processor;

a fourth display coupled to the fourth processor;

a fourth user input mechanism coupled to the fourth processor that controls the function of the wireless voicemail module by a user;

a fourth microphone coupled to the fourth processor for transmitting the voice of the user via the fourth wireless transmitter;

a fourth speaker coupled to the fourth processor for transmitting the audio signal of a voicemail message to the user;

a fourth user alert mechanism that alerts the user when a voicemail message is received via the fourth wireless receiver;

the fourth processor receiving the voicemail message from the fourth wireless receiver, writing the voicemail message to the fourth memory, alerting the user to the stored voicemail message by activating the fourth user alert mechanism, and playing the stored voicemail message to the user via the fourth speaker when the user requests to listen to the stored voicemail message;

(G) at least one wireless audio module that comprises;

a fifth wireless transmitter that transmits information to the at least one hub;

a fifth wireless receiver that receives information from the at least one hub;

a fifth identification mechanism that uniquely identifies each wireless audio module to the first computer system;

a fifth processor;

a fifth memory coupled to the fifth processor;

a fifth display coupled to the fifth processor;

a fifth user input mechanism coupled to the fifth processor that controls the function of the wireless audio module by a user;

a fifth speaker coupled to the fifth processor for transmitting the audio signal of an audio file stored in the fifth memory to the user;

the fifth processor receiving the audio file from the fifth wireless receiver, writing the audio file to the fifth memory, and playing the audio file to the user via the fifth speaker;

(H) at least one wireless video module that comprises;

a sixth wireless transmitter that transmits information to the at least one hub;

a sixth wireless receiver that receives information from the at least one hub;

a sixth identification mechanism that uniquely identifies each wireless video module to the first computer system;

a sixth processor;

a sixth memory coupled to the sixth processor;

a sixth display coupled to the sixth processor;

a sixth user input mechanism coupled to the sixth processor that controls the function of the wireless video module by a user;

a sixth speaker coupled to the sixth processor;

the sixth processor receiving a video file from the sixth wireless receiver, writing the video file to the sixth memory, playing an audio portion of the video file to the user via the speaker, and displaying a graphic portion of the video file to the user via the sixth display.

17. The computer system of claim 16 wherein the first computer system comprises a seventh memory that contains:

a wireless identification profile that specifies how to exchange data with the plurality of wireless identification modules;

a wireless pager profile that specifies how to exchange data with the at least one wireless pager module;

a wireless telephone profile that specifies how to exchange data with the at least one wireless telephone module;

a wireless voicemail profile that specifies how to exchange data with the at least one wireless voicemail module;

a wireless audio profile that specifies how to exchange data with the at least one wireless audio module; and

a wireless video profile that specifies how to exchange data with the at least one wireless video module.

18. A computer system comprising:

(A) a first computer system coupled to a network;

(B) at least one hub coupled to the network for receiving and transmitting wireless information to and from a plurality of hand-held electronic modules and for transferring the information to and from the first computer system;

(C) a plurality of wireless identification modules that each comprise;

a wireless transmitter that transmits information to the at least one hub;

a wireless receiver that receives information from the at least one hub; and

an identification mechanism that uniquely identifies each wireless identification module to the first computer system;

a first memory coupled to the first wireless receiver that stores information received by the first wireless receiver;

a first connector;

(D) at least one wireless pager module that comprises;

a second connector that couples to the first connector of a wireless identification module;

a processor;

a second memory coupled to the processor;

a display coupled to the processor;

a user input mechanism coupled to the processor that controls the function of the wireless pager module by a user;

a user alert mechanism that alerts the user when a message is received;

the processor receiving the message via the wireless receiver in the wireless identification module, writing the message to the second memory, alerting the user via the user alert mechanism, and displaying the message on the display when requested by the user.

19. The computer system of claim 18 wherein the first computer system comprises a third memory that contains:

a wireless identification profile that specifies how to exchange data with the plurality of wireless identification modules; and

a wireless pager profile that specifies how to exchange data with the at least one wireless pager module.

20. A computer system comprising:

(A) a first computer system coupled to a network;

(B) at least one hub coupled to the network for receiving and transmitting wireless information to and from a plurality of hand-held electronic modules and for transferring the information to and from the first computer system;

(C) a plurality of wireless identification modules that each comprise;

a wireless transmitter that transmits information to the at least one hub;

a wireless receiver that receives information from the at least one hub; and

an identification mechanism that uniquely identifies each wireless identification module to the first computer system;

a first memory coupled to the first wireless receiver that stores information received by the first wireless receiver;

a first connector;

(D) at least one wireless telephone module that comprises;

a second connector that couples to the first connector of a wireless identification module;

a processor;

a second memory coupled to the processor;

a display coupled to the processor;

a user input mechanism coupled to the processor that controls the function of the wireless telephone module by a user;

a microphone coupled to the processor for transmitting the voice of the user via the wireless transmitter in the wireless identification module;

a speaker coupled to the processor for transmitting the audio signal of a telephone call to the user;

the processor receiving an incoming telephone call via the wireless receiver of the wireless identification module, alerting the user that a call is incoming, and in response to the user activating the user input mechanism to take the call, routing the incoming audio portion of the telephone call that arrives on the wireless receiver of the wireless identification module to the speaker, and routing the outgoing audio portion of the telephone call from the microphone to the wireless transmitter of the wireless identification module.

21. The computer system of claim 20 wherein the first computer system comprises a third memory that contains:

a wireless identification profile that specifies how to exchange data with the plurality of wireless identification modules; and

a wireless telephone profile that specifies how to exchange data with the at least one wireless telephone module.

22. A computer system comprising:

(A) a first computer system coupled to a network;

(B) at least one hub coupled to the network for receiving and transmitting wireless information to and from a plurality of hand-held electronic modules and for transferring the information to and from the first computer system;

(C) a plurality of wireless identification modules that each comprise;

a wireless transmitter that transmits information to the at least one hub;

a wireless receiver that receives information from the at least one hub; and

an identification mechanism that uniquely identifies each wireless identification module to the first computer system;

a first memory coupled to the first wireless receiver that stores information received by the first wireless receiver;

a first connector;

(D) at least one wireless voicemail module that comprises;

a second connector that couples to the first connector of a wireless identification module;

a processor;

a second memory coupled to the processor;

a display coupled to the processor;

a user input mechanism coupled to the processor that controls the function of the wireless voicemail module by a user;

a microphone coupled to the processor for transmitting the voice of the user via the wireless transmitter of the wireless identification module;

a speaker coupled to the processor for transmitting the audio signal of a voicemail message to the user;

a user alert mechanism that alerts the user when a voicemail message is received via the wireless receiver of the wireless identification module;

the processor receiving the voicemail message from the wireless receiver of the wireless identification module, writing the voicemail message to the second memory, alerting the user to the stored voicemail message by activating the user alert mechanism, and playing the stored voicemail message to the user via the speaker when the user requests to listen to the stored voicemail message.

23. The computer system of claim 22 wherein the first computer system comprises a third memory that contains:

a wireless identification profile that specifies how to exchange data with the plurality of wireless identification modules; and

a wireless voicemail profile that specifies how to exchange data with the at least one wireless voicemail module.

24. A computer system comprising:

(A) a first computer system coupled to a network;

(B) at least one hub coupled to the network for receiving and transmitting wireless information to and from a plurality of hand-held electronic modules and for transferring the information to and from the first computer system;

(C) a plurality of wireless identification modules that each comprise;

a wireless transmitter that transmits information to the at least one hub;

a wireless receiver that receives information from the at least one hub; and

an identification mechanism that uniquely identifies each wireless identification module to the first computer system;

a first memory coupled to the first wireless receiver that stores information received by the first wireless receiver;

a first connector;

(D) at least one wireless audio module that comprises;

a second connector that couples to the first connector of a wireless identification module;

a processor;

a second memory coupled to the processor;

a display coupled to the processor;

a user input mechanism coupled to the processor that controls the function of the wireless audio module by a user;

a speaker coupled to the processor for transmitting the audio signal of an audio file stored in the memory to the user;

the processor receiving the audio file from the wireless receiver of the wireless identification module, writing the audio file to the second memory, and playing the audio file to the user via the speaker at the user'"'"'s request.

25. The computer system of claim 24 wherein the first computer system comprises a third memory that contains:

a wireless identification profile that specifies how to exchange data with the plurality of wireless identification modules; and

a wireless audio profile that specifies how to exchange data with the at least one wireless audio module.

26. A computer system comprising:

(A) a first computer system coupled to a network;

(B) at least one hub coupled to the network for receiving and transmitting wireless information to and from a plurality of hand-held electronic modules and for transferring the information to and from the first computer system;

(C) a plurality of wireless identification modules that each comprise;

a wireless transmitter that transmits information to the at least one hub;

a wireless receiver that receives information from the at least one hub; and

an identification mechanism that uniquely identifies each wireless identification module to the first computer system;

a first memory coupled to the first wireless receiver that stores information received by the first wireless receiver;

a first connector;

(D) at least one wireless video module that comprises;

a second connector that couples to the first connector of a wireless identification module;

a processor;

a second memory coupled to the processor;

a display coupled to the processor;

a user input mechanism coupled to the processor that controls the function of the wireless video module by a user;

a speaker coupled to the processor;

the processor receiving a video file from the wireless receiver of the wireless identification module, writing the video file to the second memory, and, at the user'"'"'s request, playing an audio portion of the video file to the user via the speaker and displaying a graphic portion of the video file to the user via the display.

27. The computer system of claim 26 wherein the first computer system comprises a third memory that contains:

a wireless identification profile that specifies how to exchange data with the plurality of wireless identification modules; and

a wireless video profile that specifies how to exchange data with the at least one wireless video module.

28. A method for accounting for students and teachers at a school, the method comprising the steps of:

(A) providing each student and teacher a wireless identification module that comprises;

a wireless transmitter;

a wireless receiver; and

an identification mechanism that uniquely identifies the wireless identification module;

(B) determining at the beginning of a class period which students and teachers should be present in a selected classroom;

(C) determining which of the students and teachers that should be present in the selected classroom are in fact present as indicated by the presence of their wireless identification module in the selected classroom; and

(D) reporting to a computer system the attendance records for the class as determined in step (C).

29. The method of claim 28 further comprising the step of automatically changing an “

absent”

in the attendance record to a “

tardy”

if a student that is not present at the beginning of the class period later enters the classroom, as determined by the presence of the student'"'"'s wireless identification module.

30. A method for accounting for students and teachers at a school, the method comprising the steps of:

(A) providing each student and teacher a wireless identification module that comprises;

a wireless transmitter;

a wireless receiver; and

an identification mechanism that uniquely identifies the wireless identification module;

(B) determining at the beginning of each class period which students and teachers should be present in a selected classroom;

(C) determining which of the students and teachers that should be present in the selected classroom are in fact present as indicated by the presence of their wireless identification module in the selected classroom;

(D) reporting to a computer system the attendance records for the selected classroom as determined in step (C);

(E) activating a mobile wireless hub when students and teachers in the selected classroom are evacuated and need to be accounted for;

(F) the mobile wireless hub retrieving from the computer system the attendance record for the selected classroom;

(G) after evacuating the students and teachers, the mobile wireless hub determines from the wireless identification module of each evacuated student and teacher which students and teachers are present and accounted for;

(H) comparing the students and teachers that are present and accounted for against the list of students and teachers in the attendance record for the selected classroom; and

(I) generating a list of missing persons for all students and teachers marked present in the attendance record for the selected classroom.

31. The method of claim 30 further comprising the steps of:

(J) activating a plurality of wireless hubs to determine whether any of the missing persons are within range of any of the wireless hubs;

(K) if any of the missing persons are located in step (J), indicating their location on the mobile wireless hub;

(L) for any missing persons not located in step (J), indicating on the mobile wireless hub the last recorded location of each missing person.

32. A method for tracking bus riders, the method comprising the steps of:

(A) providing a mobile data terminal in view of the driver of the bus, the mobile data terminal including a first local wireless interface that includes a receiver with adjustable sensitivity;

(B) providing a wireless identification module to each authorized rider of the bus, each wireless identification module comprising a second local wireless interface that may communicate with the first local wireless interface in the mobile data terminal;

(C) when the driver is ready to let riders board the bus, adjusting the sensitivity of the receiver in the mobile data terminal to a low setting that requires that a wireless identification module come within a first distance to communicate with the mobile data terminal;

(D) automatically establishing a link between the first local wireless interface in the mobile data terminal and the second local wireless interface in a wireless identification module when the wireless identification module comes within the first distance to the mobile data terminal, such as when a rider that is carrying the wireless identification module boards the bus, the link allowing the mobile data terminal and the wireless identification module to communicate via the first and second local wireless interfaces;

(E) the mobile data terminal determining from identification information received from the wireless identification module whether the wireless identification module belongs to an authorized rider of the bus;

(F) if any identification information received by the mobile data terminal indicates that the wireless identification module that sent the identification information is not authorized to ride the bus, alerting the driver via the mobile data terminal;

(G) after all riders have boarded the bus, adjusting the sensitivity of the receiver in the mobile data terminal to a higher setting that allows monitoring all riders on the bus.

33. The method of claim 32 further comprising the steps of:

(H) the mobile data terminal dynamically generating a bus route comprising a plurality of stops based on the authorized riders that boarded the bus;

(I) the mobile data terminal determining which riders should get off at each stop;

(J) the mobile data terminal monitoring which riders get off the bus at each stop, and notifying the driver if;

any rider that gets off at a particular stop should not get off at that stop; and

any rider that should get off at a particular stop does not get off.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein the driver indicates to the mobile data terminal when the bus stops at each stop.

35. The method of claim 33 wherein a global positioning system (GPS) receiver automatically detects when the bus stops at each stop.

36. A method for exchanging information between a student and a teacher, the method comprising the steps of:

(A) providing the student a wireless identification module that comprises;

a wireless transmitter;

a wireless receiver;

an identification mechanism that uniquely identifies the wireless identification module; and

a memory coupled to the wireless transmitter and to the wireless receiver;

(B) automatically transferring from the memory of the wireless identification module via the wireless transmitter at least one communication from the student, and storing the student communication in a location accessible by the teacher; and

(C) automatically transferring at least one communication from the teacher via the wireless receiver to the memory of the wireless identification module.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein the at least one communication from the student comprises at least one student message stored in the memory that the student has marked for submission to the teacher.

38. The method of claim 36 wherein the at least one communication from the teacher comprises at least one assignment that the student is assigned to complete.

39. The method of claim 36 wherein step (B) is performed at a first predetermined time during a class period and step (C) is performed at a second predetermined time during the class period.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the first predetermined time is the beginning of the class period and the second predetermined time is the end of the class period.

41. A program product comprising:

(A) a local wireless interface mechanism that communicates with wireless devices within a predetermined distance, the local wireless interface mechanism comprising;

a wireless identification profile that specifies how to exchange data with at least one wireless identification module;

a wireless pager profile that specifies how to exchange data with at least one wireless pager module; and

(B) computer-readable signal bearing media bearing the local wireless interface mechanism.

42. The program product of claim 41 wherein the computer-readable signal bearing media comprises recordable media.

43. The program product of claim 41 wherein the computer-readable signal bearing media comprises transmission media.

44. The program product of claim 41 wherein the local wireless interface mechanism is a portion of a Bluetooth-compatible wireless interface.

45. A program product comprising:

(A) a local wireless interface mechanism that communicates with wireless devices within a predetermined distance, the local wireless interface mechanism comprising;

a wireless identification profile that specifies how to exchange data with at least one wireless identification module;

a wireless voicemail profile that specifies how to exchange data with at least one wireless voicemail module; and

(B) computer-readable signal bearing media bearing the local wireless interface mechanism.

46. The program product of claim 45 wherein the computer-readable signal bearing media comprises recordable media.

47. The program product of claim 45 wherein the computer-readable signal bearing media comprises transmission media.

48. The program product of claim 45 wherein the local wireless interface mechanism is a portion of a Bluetooth-compatible wireless interface.

49. A program product comprising:

(A) a local wireless interface mechanism that communicates with wireless devices within a predetermined distance, the local wireless interface mechanism comprising;

a wireless identification profile that specifies how to exchange data with at least one wireless identification module;

a wireless video profile that specifies how to exchange data with at least one wireless video module; and

(B) computer-readable signal bearing media bearing the local wireless interface mechanism.

50. The program product of claim 49 wherein the computer-readable signal bearing media comprises recordable media.

51. The program product of claim 49 wherein the computer-readable signal bearing media comprises transmission media.

52. The program product of claim 49 wherein the local wireless interface mechanism is a portion of a Bluetooth-compatible wireless interface.