Power-conserving intuitive device discovery technique in a bluetooth environment
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. In a responder device having a transceiver for wireless communication, a method for managing responses to signals received from initiator devices, said method comprising:
- automatically setting said responder device to discoverable mode when said responder device enters awake mode, wherein said responder device in said discoverable mode scans for and responds to broadcast wireless signals that are broadcast by initiator devices;
automatically setting said responder device to non-discoverable mode when said responder device enters standby mode, wherein said responder device in said non-discoverable mode does not scan for and does not respond to broadcast wireless signals that are broadcast by initiator devices, and wherein said standby mode is a power-conserving mode relative to said awake mode; and
automatically setting said responder device to connectable mode with said responder device in either said awake mode or said standby mode, wherein said responder device in said connectable mode receives and responds to directed wireless signals from initiator devices, wherein directed wireless signals specifically identify said responder device.
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Abstract
A method and system for managing when a responder device (a device having a transceiver for wireless communication) is operating in a discoverable mode in a wireless network of devices, such as a Bluetooth network. In the discoverable mode, the responder device is set to scan for and respond to general inquiry messages broadcast from another device (e.g., an initiator device). When in the non-discoverable mode, the responder device will not respond to and/or scan for general inquiry messages broadcast from an initiator device. The responder device automatically enters the discoverable mode when the responder device enters into its awake mode. The responder device automatically enters the non-discoverable mode when the device enters into its sleep mode. Therefore, the responder device will be in discoverable mode for a reduced period of time, and as such will respond to fewer general inquiry messages. Accordingly, fewer messages will be exchanged between devices in the wireless network, simplifying the device discovery process for users and conserving the battery resources of the initiator and responder devices.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. In a responder device having a transceiver for wireless communication, a method for managing responses to signals received from initiator devices, said method comprising:
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automatically setting said responder device to discoverable mode when said responder device enters awake mode, wherein said responder device in said discoverable mode scans for and responds to broadcast wireless signals that are broadcast by initiator devices; automatically setting said responder device to non-discoverable mode when said responder device enters standby mode, wherein said responder device in said non-discoverable mode does not scan for and does not respond to broadcast wireless signals that are broadcast by initiator devices, and wherein said standby mode is a power-conserving mode relative to said awake mode; and automatically setting said responder device to connectable mode with said responder device in either said awake mode or said standby mode, wherein said responder device in said connectable mode receives and responds to directed wireless signals from initiator devices, wherein directed wireless signals specifically identify said responder device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. In a responder device having a transceiver for wireless communication, a method for managing responses to signals received from initiator devices, said method comprising:
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receiving at said responder device a first wireless signal broadcast by an initiator device, wherein said first wireless signal is a broadcast signal also received by multiple responder devices within range of said initiator device; automatically entering a discoverable mode when said responder device enters awake mode, wherein said responder device in said discoverable mode sends a second wireless signal in response to said first wireless signal, wherein said second wireless signal is to be received by said initiator device; automatically entering a non-discoverable mode when said responder device enters standby mode, wherein said responder device in said non-discoverable mode receives but does not send a response to said first wireless signal, and wherein said standby mode is a power-conserving mode relative to said awake mode; and automatically entering a connectable mode with said responder device in either said awake mode or said standby mode, wherein said responder device in said connectable mode receives and responds to a directed wireless signal from initiator device, wherein said directed wireless signal specifically identifies said responder device so that only said responder device and not any other of said multiple responder devices within said range of said initiator device receives said directed wireless signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A responder device comprising:
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a bus; a wireless transceiver unit coupled to said bus and for communicating with initiator devices; and a processor coupled to said bus, said processor for performing a method for managing responses to signals received from said initiator devices, said method comprising; automatically setting said responder device to discoverable mode when said responder device enters awake mode, wherein said responder device in said discoverable mode scans for and responds to broadcast wireless signals that are broadcast by initiator devices; automatically setting said responder device to non-discoverable mode when said responder device enters standby mode, wherein said responder device in said non-discoverable mode does not scan for and does not respond to broadcast wireless signals that are broadcast by initiator devices, and wherein said standby mode is a power-conserving mode relative to said awake mode; and automatically setting said responder device to connectable mode with said responder device in either said awake mode or said standby mode, wherein said responder device in said connectable mode receives and responds to directed wireless signals from initiator devices, wherein directed wireless signals specifically identify said responder device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification