Method and apparatus for selective service access
First Claim
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1. A method for selecting a device for a service connection with en initiating device comprising the steps of:
- transmitting an inquiry message requesting a response from devices which receive said inquiry message that are within a desired class;
identifying proximate devices within said desired class based on responses to said inquiry message;
querying said identified devices to obtain at least one attribute value associated with a particular service;
comparing, for each said identified device, said at least one attribute value with a profile associated with said particular service;
selecting one of said identified devices based on said comparing step;
transmitting at least one subsequent inquiry message to the identified devices; and
determining that an identifled device is no longer proximate to the initiating device when the identified device fails to respond to a predetermined number of subsequent inquiry messages.
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Abstract
Methods and techniques for selective service access are described. A short range, wireless device establishes lists of available devices within its transmitting proximity that are able to provide a desired service. The lists can be ranked based upon a service profile, e.g., established by the device user. The lists can also be periodically updated to accommodate device mobility.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for selecting a device for a service connection with en initiating device comprising the steps of:
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transmitting an inquiry message requesting a response from devices which receive said inquiry message that are within a desired class; identifying proximate devices within said desired class based on responses to said inquiry message; querying said identified devices to obtain at least one attribute value associated with a particular service; comparing, for each said identified device, said at least one attribute value with a profile associated with said particular service; selecting one of said identified devices based on said comparing step; transmitting at least one subsequent inquiry message to the identified devices; and determining that an identifled device is no longer proximate to the initiating device when the identified device fails to respond to a predetermined number of subsequent inquiry messages. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for selectively accessing a network device to provide a service comprising the step of:
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transmitting one or more inquiry messages to identify network devices that are proximate to an initiating device; maintaining a ranked candidate list of network devices identified as being proximate to the initiating device, which each have a matching value associated therewith based on a correspondence between a service profile of the initiating device and at least one corresponding attribute of said network device; selecting a highest ranked one of said network devices in said candidate list to provide said service; and periodically updating said candidate list to add a new network device when the new device responds to one of the inquiry messages and includes at least one attribute in correspondence with the service profile; and
to remove an old network device when the old device fails to respond to a predetermined number of inquiry messages.
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11. A device comprising:
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a transmitter for transmitting an inquiry message requesting a response from devices which receive said inquiry message that are within a desired class; and a processor for identifying proximate devices within said desired class based on responses to said inquiry message; wherein said transmitter sends another message querying said identified devices to obtain at least one attribute value associated with a particular service; wherein said processor compares, for each said identified device, said at least one attribute value with a profile associated with said particular service; and
selects one of said identified devices based on said comparison for connecting said device thereto;wherein the transmitter sends at least one subsequent inquiry message to the identified devices; and wherein the processor determines that an identified device is no longer proximate to the initiating device when the identified device fails to respond to a predetermined number of subsequent inquiry messages. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for selecting a device for a service connection with an initiating device comprising the steps of:
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transmitting an inquiry message requesting a response from devices which receive said inquiry message that are within a desired class; identifying proximate devices within said desired class based on responses to said inquiry message; querying said identified devices to obtain at least one attribute value associated with a particular service; comparing, for each said identified device, said at least one attribute value with a profile associated with said particular service; selecting one of said identified devices based on said comparing step; storing, in a device list, a device which responds to said inquiry message; initializing a counter for said device; decrementing said counter it said device fails to respond to a subsequent inquiry message; and removing said device from said device list if said counter reaches a predetermined value.
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21. A device comprising:
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a transmitter for transmitting an inquiry message requesting a response from devices which receive said inquiry message that are within a desired class; a processor for identifying proximate devices within said desired class based on responses to said inquiry message; and a counter for an associated device in said device list; wherein said transmitter sends another message querying said identified devices to obtain at least one attribute value associated with a particular service; wherein said processor compares, for each said identified device, said at least one attribute value with a profile associated with said particular service; and
selects one of said identified devices based on said comparison for connecting said device thereto;wherein said processor decrements said counter if said associated device fails to respond to a subsequent inquiry message; and wherein said processor removes said device from said device list if said counter reaches a predetermined value.
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Specification