Real-time communication system, device, and method

• US 9,351,240 B2
• Filed: 06/11/2013
• Issued: 05/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nationz Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nationz Technologies Inc.
• Inventors: Zhang, Jianguo, Zhu, Shan
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, John J
• Application Number:
  US13/915,459
• Publication Number:
  US 20130273960A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,078 Days
• Field of Search: 455/517, 455/515, 455/434, 455/67.11, 455/456.1, 455/456.3
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/222 using geographical location information, e.g. messages transmitted or received in proximity of a certain spot or area
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0492 by using a location-limited connection, e.g. near-field communication or limited proximity of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 Selecting an access point

Abstract

Systems, devices, and methods allow real-time communication between an access device and at least one communication device. The access device is configured to: determine whether a distance between a communication device and the access device reaches a predetermined access distance for accessing a network; if so, allow the communication device to gain access to the network via the access device to achieve real-time communication between the communication device and the network.

Claims

1. A real-time communication system comprising:

an access device;

wherein the access device is configured to;

determine whether a distance between a communication device and the access device reaches a predetermined access distance for accessing a network;

if so, allow the communication device to gain access to the network via the access device to achieve real-time communication between the communication device and the network.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the access device comprises:

a distance control module;

a first wireless communication module; and

a first control module configured to coordinate and control the distance control module and the first wireless communication module;

wherein the communication device comprises;

a distance response module;

a second wireless communication module; and

a second control module configured to coordinate and control the distance response module and the second wireless communication module;

wherein the distance control module and the distance response module are coupled through a distance characteristic signal configured to control the predetermined access distance between the communication device and the access device when the communication device access the network;

wherein the first wireless communication module and the second wireless communication module are connected via a network signal configured to enable the communications device to access the network via said access device;

wherein if the access device determines that the distance between the communication device and the access device reaches the predetermined access distance for accessing the network, the first wireless communication module and the second wireless communication module establish a connection, which enables the communications device to access the network through the access device, thereby realizing real-time communication between the communication device and other communication devices in the network.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the distance characteristic signal comprises at least one of an acoustic signal, an optical signal, or an electromagnetic signal.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the access device comprises:

a distance control module; and

a control module;

wherein the distance control module is configured to;

send a distance characteristic signal within the predetermined access distance; and

receive a response message sent back by the communication device;

wherein the control module is configured to;

determine whether the distance between the communication device and said access device reaches the predetermined access distance;

determine that the predetermined access distance is reached if the distance control module receives the response message, and allow the communication device to access the network and save the response message in the control module;

issue network access parameters to the distance response module through the distance control module.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the distance characteristic signal comprises at least one of an acoustic signal, an optical signal, or an electromagnetic signal.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one communication device, wherein the communication device comprises:

a distance response module; and

a wireless communication module;

wherein the distance response module is configured to;

receive a characteristic signal issued by the access device within the predetermined access distance;

return a response message; and

receive network access parameter issued by the access device after the access device determines that the response message is legitimate; and

wherein the wireless communication module is configured to access the network according to the network parameters through the access device.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the distance characteristic signal comprises at least one of an acoustic signal, an optical signal, or an electromagnetic signal.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the access device is configured to allow the communication device to gain access to the network based on substantially precise range control without password authentication.

9. A communication method between a real-time communication system and a plurality of communication devices, wherein the real-time communication system comprises an access device, the method comprising:

determining whether a distance between a communication device and the access device reaches a predetermined access distance for accessing a network;

if so, allowing the communication device to gain access to the network via the access device to achieve real-time communication between the communication device and the network.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the access device comprises:

a distance control module;

a first wireless communication module; and

a first control module;

wherein the communication device comprises;

a distance response module;

a second wireless communication module; and

a second control module;

wherein the method further comprises;

issuing, from the distance control module, characteristics signals in the form of broadcasting within the predetermined access distance;

receiving, at the distance response module, the distance characteristic signals; and

sending, from the distance response module, a first response message to the distance control module;

receiving, at the distance control module, the first response message;

determining, at the access device, that the distance between the communication device and the access device has reached the predetermined access distance;

saving the first response message in the first control module;

issuing, from the first control module, network access parameters to the distance response module through the distance control module;

sending, from the response module, the network access parameters to the first wireless communication module through the second control module and the second wireless communication module in turn;

establishing, at the first wireless communication module, network signal connection between the first wireless communication module and the second wireless communication module according to the network access parameters received.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

during the process in which the distance response module receives the distance characteristic signal and returns the first response message to said distance control module, before the response message is returned,

determining whether the distance response module receives the distance characteristic signal;

if yes, returning the response message;

if no, continuing to wait.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

prior to issuing the network access parameters, determining, at the first control module, whether the first response message is legitimate;

if yes, issuing the network access parameters to the distance response module;

if no, going back to the step in which the distance control module issues the distance characteristic signals in the form of broadcasting within the predetermined access distance.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said issuing characteristics signals comprises at least one of:

active querying;

or

sending the characteristics signals after the distance control module being triggered.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said issuing characteristics signals comprises:

sending, from the distance response module, the distance characteristic signals after the distance response module sending an access request signal to the distance control module thereby triggering the distance control module.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

after the distance control module receiving the access request signal, sending the distance characteristic signals in the form of broadcasting.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

during the process of conducting real-time communication, detecting, at the distance control module, the distance between the communication device and the access device;

issuing, from the distance control module, command message periodically to request the communication device to return a second response message;

receiving, at the first control module, the second response message through the distance control module;

comparing the second response message with the first response message stored in the first control module;

if the first and second response messages are consistent, then maintaining network connection with the communication device; and

if the first and second response messages are not consistent, then disconnecting the communication device from the network.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the distance characteristic signals comprise at least one of an acoustic signal, an optical signal, or an electromagnetic signal.

18. The method of claim 9, wherein said determining comprises precisely determining the distance such that the communication device is allowed to access the network based on the precisely determined distance without the need for password authentication.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

automatically connecting the communication device to the network without password authentication once the communication device is within the predetermined distance based on the precisely determined distance.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

automatically disconnecting the communication device from the network once the communication device is beyond the predetermined distance based on the precisely determined distance.