Enhanced wireless handset, including direct handset-to-handset communication mode

• US 8,346,169 B2
• Filed: 01/10/2012
• Issued: 01/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Tuan A
• Application Number:
  US13/347,462
• Publication Number:
  US 20120120943A1
• Time in Patent Office: 357 Days
• Field of Search: 455 411- 412, 455/550.1, 455/552.1, 455/553.1, 455/572, 455/574, 455/522, 455517-519, 455101-103, 455458-466, 455/502, 455/507, 455514-515, 455/566, 455 901- 902, 455/445, 455410-411, 707100-102, 707/1, 707/2, 707/6, 370400-410, 370310-311, 370254-255
• 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. A method for short-range wireless communication by an apparatus, the method comprising:

receiving, by a transceiver in the apparatus, a request over a time slotted channel by an object of a plurality of objects with the object operating in a find state, wherein the object is in close proximity of the apparatus in a short-range wireless network and the request is received subsequent to a detected button press on the object;

prompting, on a display at the apparatus, a user with a message to automatically add the object to an authorized found list in response to the request; and

receiving user acceptance to the request and automatically adding the object to the authorized found list of the apparatus.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the apparatus and object are mobile telephones.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying the authorized found list identifying the object using a graphical user interface.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving user acceptance comprises choosing a selected channel for further communication with the object.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating by the apparatus with the object subsequent to a security procedure requiring user input.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising downloading data from the object to the apparatus.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the time slotted channel comprises two or more frequencies.

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

a transceiver configured to receive a request over a time slotted channel by an object of a plurality of objects, with the object configured to operate in a find state, wherein the object is in close proximity of the apparatus in a short-range wireless network and the request is received subsequent to a detected button press on the object;

circuitry configured to prompt a user with a message to automatically add the object to an authorized found list in response to the request; and

circuitry configured to receive user acceptance to the request and to automatically add the object to the authorized found list of the apparatus.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the apparatus and object are mobile telephones.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

a display configured to display the authorized found list identifying the object using a graphical user interface.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the circuitry configured to receive user acceptance comprises circuitry configured to choose a selected channel for further communication with the object.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the transceiver is further configured to communicate with the object subsequent to a security procedure requiring user input.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the transceiver is further configured to download data from the object to the apparatus.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the time slotted channel comprises two or more frequencies.

15. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising at least one antenna coupled to the transceiver.