Automatic network and device configuration for handheld devices based on bluetooth device proximity

• US 20060199536A1
• Filed: 03/07/2005
• Published: 09/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Eisenbach, Andre
• Granted Patent: US 7,925,212 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and system for automatically configuring Bluetooth devices for communication to an outside network is described. A Bluetooth device is paired with a “trusted” Bluetooth device. When paired devices are found, the Bluetooth device automatically configures itself to use the lowest cost connection option from the available set of paired devices that are in proximity with the Bluetooth handheld device. If no device is found, the Bluetooth device may revert to a built-in access method. The network accessed can be the internet or an office network such as an 802.11 network.

Claims

1. A method of connecting a Bluetooth device to a network comprising:

a. pairing a first Bluetooth device and a second Bluetooth device;

b. designating communication configuration parameters for use by said first Bluetooth device in connecting to a wide area network through said second Bluetooth device;

c. determining when said first Bluetooth device is in proximity with said second Bluetooth device, and;

d. automatically configuring said first and second Bluetooth devices to set up a network connection for said first Bluetooth device.

2. The method of claim 1 comprising pairing said first Bluetooth device with a plurality of second Bluetooth devices.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said first Bluetooth device chooses from said plurality of second Bluetooth devices based on which device has the lowest virtual cost link.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said network connection is an Internet connection.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said network connection is a connection to an 802.11 network.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein said network connection is an Internet connection.

7. The method of claim 3 wherein said network connection is a connection to an 802.11 network.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein if no paired device is in proximity, said first Bluetooth device selects a mode based on the built in capabilities of said first Bluetooth device.

9. A system for automatically connecting a Bluetooth device to a network, comprising two paired Bluetooth devices, wherein a first one of said devices is configured with the capabilities of said second device for connecting said first device to a network, and wherein said first device is automatically configured to use the access mode of said second device when said first and second devices are in proximity to each other.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the system includes a plurality of second devices.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first device connects to the network through the second device that has the lowest virtual cost.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the network is the internet.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the network is an 802.11 network.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the network is the internet.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the network is an 802.11 network.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein the first device connects to said network using a built-in access mode if no said second device is found.

17. An integrated circuit, said integrated circuit including an application layer that performs the method comprising:

a. pairing a first Bluetooth device and a second Bluetooth device;

b. designating communication configuration parameters for use by said first Bluetooth device in connecting to a wide area network through the second Bluetooth device;

c. determining when said first Bluetooth device is in proximity with said second Bluetooth device, and;

d. automatically configuring said first and second Bluetooth devices to set up a network connection for said first Bluetooth device.

18. The integrated circuit of claim 17, wherein the integrated circuit is paired with a plurality of second Bluetooth devices.

19. The integrated circuit of claim 18, wherein said integrated circuit chooses the lowest cost connection from among said plurality of second Bluetooth devices.

20. The integrated circuit of claim 17, wherein said integrated circuit selects a built in communication mode in the event that none of said plurality of second Bluetooth devices are found.

21. The integrated circuit of claim 17, wherein the network is the internet.

22. The integrated circuit of claim 17, wherein the network is an 802.11 network.