Method for automatically establishing a wireless link between a wireless modem and a communication device

• US 6,195,564 B1
• Filed: 09/19/1997
• Issued: 02/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Original Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Rydbeck, Nils, Croft, Thomas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hunter, Daniel S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gantt, Alan T.
• Application Number:
  US08/933,982
• Time in Patent Office: 1,257 Days
• Field of Search: 455/557, 455/466, 455/313, 455/575, 370/335, 375/222, 709/206
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A first wireless link between a communication device and a wireless modem is automatically established, so that electronic messages can be easily and automatically transferred between the communication device and a data network via the first wireless link and a second link between the wireless modem and the data network. Each of the communication device and the wireless modem can automatically determine whether an electronic message is to be transferred. When one of the communication device and the wireless modem determines that an electronic message is to be transferred, the determining one of the communication device and the wireless modem sends a page signal to the other one of the communication device and the wireless modem. When the other one of the communication device and the wireless modem receives the page signal and responds, the first wireless link is established. The electronic message is then transferred between the communication device and the data network via the first wireless link and the second link. The communication device can be a portable computer such as a laptop computer, and the wireless modem can reside in a cellular or personal communication system (PCS) phone or the like.

Claims

1. A method for transferring electronic messages, comprising the steps of:

monitoring at each of first and second communication devices for a paging signal from the other of the first and second communication devices, the paging signal indicating that a first wireless link between the first and second communication devices is desired, wherein during monitoring the first and second communications devices are each in a standby state that is symmetrical with respect to both the first and second communications devices;

after receiving the paging signal, activating the first wireless link; and

performing the messaging transaction, wherein the step of performing the messaging transaction comprises transferring at least one electronic message between the first communication device and a data network via the activated first wireless link and a second link between the second communication device and the data network.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of determining within at least one of the first and second communication devices that a messaging transaction is to be performed;

and

sending the paging signal from the determining one of the first and second devices to the other one of the first and second communication devices.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of repeatedly sending the paging signal to the other one of the first and second communication devices until the other one of the first and second communication devices acknowledges the paging signal.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of determining is performed based on conditions specified by a user.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of determining is performed periodically.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of activating the first wireless link is performed in response to the other one of the first and second communication devices receiving the paging signal from the determining one of the first and second communication devices and sending a response.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of terminating the first wireless link after the step of performing the messaging transaction.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one electronic message is stored in the first communication device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second link comprises a public switched telephone network.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the second link comprises a third wireless link.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one electronic message comprises at least one of an e-mail message, a voice mail message, a video mail message and a facsimile transmission.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of performing the messaging transaction comprises determining whether at least one electronic message is to be transferred from a data network to the first communication device via the activated first wireless link and a second link between the second communication device and the data network.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the second communication device comprises a wireless modem.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the second communication device comprises a wireless phone.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the first communication device comprises a laptop computer.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of monitoring is performed periodically.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of monitoring is performed based on conditions specified by a user.

18. A system for transferring messages, comprising:

first and second communication devices; and

monitoring means in each of the first and second communication devices for determining the presence of a paging signal and establishing a first wireless link between the first and second communication devices in response thereto, a messaging transaction being performed using the first wireless link and a link between the second communication device and a data network wherein the monitoring means in each of the first and second communications devices perform symmetrically with respect to the first and second communications devices.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the first communication device comprises a portable computer.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the second communication device comprises a wireless modem.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the second communication device comprises a wireless phone.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the monitoring means establishes the first wireless link in accordance with conditions specified by a user.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein the messaging transaction comprises transferring messages between the first communication device and the data network via the first wireless link and the second link between the second communication device and the data network.

24. The system of claim 18, wherein the monitoring means establishes the first wireless link when the first communication device determines that the messaging transaction is to be performed.

25. The system of claim 18, wherein the monitoring means establishes the first wireless link when the second communication device determines that the messaging transaction is to be performed.

26. A method for transferring electronic messages, comprising the steps of:

monitoring at each of a computer and a mobile phone for a paging signal from the other of the computer and the mobile phone communication, the paging signal indicating that a first wireless link between the computer and the mobile phone communication is desired, wherein during monitoring the computer and the mobile phone are each in a standby state that is symmetrical with respect to both the computer and the mobile phone;

in response to a command from a user, the mobile phone calling an Internet service provider to check for email messages pending for the computer;

determining whether at least one email message is pending at the Internet service provider for the computer;

in the event at least one email message is pending at the Internet service provider for the computer, performing the additional steps of a) automatically sending a paging signal from the mobile phone to the computer to activate a wireless link between the mobile phone and the computer; and

b) transferring the at least one pending email messages from the Internet service provider to the computer via the mobile phone and the wireless link between the mobile phone and the computer.