Dynamic networking modes method and apparatus
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A portable electronic device, comprising:
- a wireless transceiver;
a processor coupled to the wireless transceiver;
a memory coupled to the processor; and
a program stored in the memory and running on the processor, the program providing automatic transitioning between a wireless infrastructure communication mode to an ad-hoc communication mode, the infrastructure mode being used when a request from a mobile device is received to access a communications network, and the program being configured to automatically transition from the wireless infrastructure communication mode to the ad hoc communication mode when a request from the mobile device is received to access resources on the portable electronic device;
wherein the portable electronic device is configured as a repeater when in the infrastructure mode.
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Abstract
A portable electronic device is disclosed. The portable electronic device includes a wireless transceiver, a processor coupled to the wireless transceiver, a memory coupled to the processor and a program stored in the memory and running on the processor. The program provides automatic transitioning between a wireless infrastructure communication mode to an ad-hoc communication mode. The infrastructure mode is used when a request from a mobile device is received to access a communications network. The ad-hoc mode is used when a request from the mobile device is received to access resources on the portable electronic device.
131 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A portable electronic device, comprising:
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a wireless transceiver; a processor coupled to the wireless transceiver; a memory coupled to the processor; and a program stored in the memory and running on the processor, the program providing automatic transitioning between a wireless infrastructure communication mode to an ad-hoc communication mode, the infrastructure mode being used when a request from a mobile device is received to access a communications network, and the program being configured to automatically transition from the wireless infrastructure communication mode to the ad hoc communication mode when a request from the mobile device is received to access resources on the portable electronic device; wherein the portable electronic device is configured as a repeater when in the infrastructure mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of using a handheld computer for ad-hoc networking, comprising:
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receiving an ad-hoc communications request from a mobile device; and automatically transitioning the handheld computer from an infrastructure communications mode to an ad-hoc communications mode upon receipt of the request; wherein the handheld computer is configured to forward a data signal from the mobile device to a communications network when in the infrastructure communications mode. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A portable device configured as a repeater, comprising:
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means for providing communications between the portable device and a wired network; means for automatically putting the portable device in a fixed network communications mode; means for receiving a data signal wirelessly; means for forwarding the data signal wirelessly to a network user node; and means for automatically transitioning the portable device from the fixed network mode to an ad hoc network mode based on receiving a request for access to resources on the portable device. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. An access point, comprising:
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a handheld computer; a transceiver associated with the handheld computer for receiving a wireless transmission; and a program running on the handheld computer that automatically transitions the handheld computer into an infrastructure mode when the handheld computer is in communication with a communications network and a mobile device requests access to the communications network; wherein the handheld computer is configured to wirelessly forward a data signal received from the mobile device to the communications network when the handheld computer is in the infrastructure mode; and wherein the program automatically transitions the handheld computer to an ad-hoc networking mode when the mobile device requests access to the handheld computer. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method of using a handheld computer as a wireless access point, comprising:
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providing a direct communications link between a handheld computer and a communications network; transitioning the handheld computer from an ad-hoc network mode to an infrastructure mode when access to the communications network is requested by a mobile device; and forwarding, over a wireless communications channel, data from the mobile device to the communications network. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of using a handheld computer as a wireless access point, comprising:
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providing a direct communications link between a handheld computer and a communications network; transitioning the handheld computer from an ad-hoc network mode to a repeater mode when access to the communications network is provided by a synchronization cradle; and communicating, over a wireless communications channel, data from the mobile device to the handheld computer and to the communications network.
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Specification