ENHANCED WIRELESS HANDSET, INCLUDING DIRECT HANDSET-TO-HANDSET COMMUNICATION MODE

• US 20130115883A1
• Filed: 12/21/2012
• Published: 05/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blue Sky Networks, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Bertrum Technologies LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Mauney, Daniel Wayne, Sullivan, Marc A., Green, Charles A., Harbin, Steven A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,792,828 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A wireless handset is provided with enhanced features and capabilities. The wireless handset may be embodied as a full-featured handset that is capable of operating either within a wireless network (such as a cellular or PCS network) or in a direct handset-to-handset communication mode that is independent of the wireless network. Alternatively, the wireless handset may be embodied as a special purpose handset, that is capable of simply operating in a direct handset-to-handset communication mode. The wireless handset may additionally include features for supporting and enhancing direct communication between handsets. Such features may include a find feature that permits a user to determine which objects, including other wireless handset users, are located within a predetermined operating range of the wireless handset. A memorize feature may also be provided to permit handsets and other objects exchange information by wireless transmission.

Claims

1-16. -16. (canceled)

17. A method for short-range wireless communication by an apparatus, the method comprising:

detecting close proximity of a second apparatus;

receiving a user input configured to direct the apparatus to send or receive information to or from the second apparatus; and

sending or receiving information to or from the second apparatus.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein each of the apparatus and the second apparatus is selected from the group consisting of mobile telephones and computing devices.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said close proximity comprises direct contact.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said direct contact comprises contact between an antenna portion of the apparatus and an antenna portion of the second apparatus.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising providing a prompt to a user to provide the user input, wherein said providing is in response to said detecting.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the apparatus is configured for communication on a first wireless communication network, and wherein said sending or receiving information to or from the second apparatus is performed via wireless communications not involving the first wireless communication network.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the wireless communications not involving the first wireless communication network comprises wireless communications at a power level configured for short-range wireless communications.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein said close proximity is less than or equal to an arm'"'"'s length.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein the information comprises at least identification information or directory number information.

26. The method of claim 17, wherein said receiving user input is configured to be performed within a predetermined time window of said detecting, and wherein said sending or receiving information is performed only if said receiving user input is performed within the predetermined time window.

27. An apparatus for short-range wireless communication, the apparatus comprising:

at least one transmitter, receiver, or transceiver;

at least one antenna; and

a processor configured to control the apparatus to perform operations comprising;

detecting that the apparatus is in close proximity to a second apparatus;

obtaining a user input configured to direct the apparatus to send or receive information to or from the second apparatus; and

sending or receiving information to or from the second apparatus.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein each of the apparatus and the second apparatus is selected from the group consisting of mobile telephones and computing devices.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said close proximity comprises direct contact.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said direct contact comprises contact between the at least one antenna of the apparatus and an antenna portion of the second apparatus.

31. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the operations further comprise providing a prompt to a user to provide the user input, wherein said providing is in response to said detecting.

32. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the apparatus is configured for communication on a first wireless communication network, and wherein said sending or receiving information to or from the second apparatus is performed via wireless communications not involving the first wireless communication network.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the wireless communications not involving the first wireless communication network comprises wireless communications at a power level configured for short-range wireless communications.

34. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said close proximity is less than or equal to an arm'"'"'s length.

35. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the information comprises at least identification information or directory number information.

36. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the operations further comprise starting a timer to begin a predetermined time window following detecting that the apparatus is in close proximity to a second apparatus, wherein said receiving user input is configured to be performed within the predetermined time window, and wherein said sending or receiving information is performed only if said receiving user input is performed within the predetermined time window.