Token-controlled formation of wireless work groups

• US 20050220046A1
• Filed: 06/10/2003
• Published: 10/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Maab, Henning, Falck, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US10/517,456
• Publication Number:
  US 20050220046A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/315
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of operating a network of a plurality of communication apparatuses (1, 2, 5 to 8) and particularly to a method of operating an ad hoc network between Bluetooth apparatuses. A token (3, 9 to 12, 15), in which the apparatus address of the associated apparatus is stored, is assigned to a plurality of communication apparatuses (1, 2, 5 to 8). At least one communication apparatus is used as a token read apparatus (4, 13 and 14) so as to read the apparatus address of a first communication apparatus (1), stored in the token (3, 9 to 12, 15). The token read apparatus (4, 13 and 14) builds up a connection with the first communication apparatus (1) by means of the apparatus address, and/or the apparatus address is transmitted by the token read apparatus (4, 13 and 14) to at least a second communication apparatus (2). The second communication apparatus (2) can then build up a connection with the first communication apparatus (1).

Claims

1. A method of operating a network between a plurality of communication apparatuses (1, 2, 5 to 8) each having a token (3, 9 to 12, 15) identifying a communication apparatus (1, 2, 5 to 8) via an apparatus address, and at least one communication apparatus used as a token read apparatus (4, 13 and 14), in which the apparatus address of a first communication apparatus (1), stored in the token (3, 9 to 12, 15) is read by the token read apparatus (4, 13 and 14), and the token read apparatus (4, 13 and 14) builds up a connection with the first communication apparatus (1) by means of the apparatus address, and/or the apparatus address is transmitted by the token read apparatus (4, 13 and 14) to at least a second communication apparatus (2), and the second communication apparatus (2) builds up a connection with the first communication apparatus (1).

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the network is a network operating in accordance with the Bluetooth standard.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that at least the token read apparatus (4, 13 and 14) and the first communication apparatus (1) are provided for forming a piconetwork.

4. A method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the token read apparatus (13 and 14) fulfills the function of a master and further communication apparatuses (1, 2, 5 to 8) fulfill the function of slaves in the network.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a password stored in the token (3, 9 to 12, 15) is read by the token read apparatus (4, 13 and 14).

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the token read apparatus (4, 13 and 14) is provided for accommodating a given number of tokens (3, 9 to 12, 15).

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the token (3, 9 to 12, 15) comprises information about network resources.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the token (3, 9 to 12, 15) comprises information about a release of documents.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of tokens (9, 15) is assigned to a communication apparatus (1, 2, 5 to 8) and a token identification number (token-ID) is assigned to each token (9, 15).

10. A method as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that an assignment of the token identification number and a name (list-ID) identifying a list of documents is stored in a communication apparatus (1, 2, 5 to 8) operating as a slave.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the list of documents consists of a document identification unit (file-ID) and a path assigned to the document identification unit.

12. A method as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that a communication apparatus (13 and 14) operating as a master stores an assignment consisting of apparatus addresses and token-IDs.

13. A method as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the communication apparatus (1, 2, 5 to 8) operating as a slave stores an assignment of token identification numbers and apparatus addresses of the communication apparatuses operating as masters (13 and 14).

14. A communication system comprising a plurality of communication apparatuses (1, 2, 5 to 8) and each with a token (3, 9 to 12, 15) identifying a communication apparatus (1, 2, 5 to 8) via an apparatus address, as well as at least one communication apparatus used as a token read apparatus (4, 13 and 14), wherein:

the token read apparatus (4, 13 and 14) is provided for reading the apparatus address of a first communication apparatus (1), stored in the token (3, 9 to 12, 15); and

the token read apparatus (4, 13 and 14) is provided for building up a connection with the first communication apparatus (1) by means of the apparatus address; and

/or

the token read apparatus (4, 13 and 14) is provided for transmitting the apparatus address to at least a second communication apparatus (2), and the second communication apparatus (2) is provided to build up a connection with the first communication apparatus (1).