Method and apparatus for forming associations and communicating between devices
First Claim
1. An arrangement for managing communication between a first, second and third devices the arrangement including;
- a first device having a proximity sensor for detecting the proximity of another device, one or more communication mechanisms, one of which is a proximity communication mechanism;
a second device having a proximity sensor for detecting the proximity of another device, one or more communication mechanisms, one of which is a proximity communication mechanism; and
a third device having a proximity sensor for detecting the proximity of another device, one or more communication mechanisms, one of which is a proximity communication mechanism, wherein the third and the first devices are brought together such that at least one of the respective proximity sensors confirms the proximity of the other device after which the respective devices communicate to exchange data and the third and the second devices are brought together such that at least one of the respective proximity sensors confirms the proximity of the other device after which the respective devices communicate to exchange data;
wherein the data transferred between the proximity communication mechanisms of the first device, second device and third device enables communications to be established between the first and second devices using one or more communication mechanisms.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to the field of proximity communications and especially methods for establishing associations, transferring power and communicating data between devices. Devices are proposed to interact with each other, initially by being brought into close proximity to initiate transfer of data that enables the device to communicate with other devices similarly brought together. The devices can be used as a controller or an appliance or both. There is also provided a power transfer mechanism for controller and appliance devices which do not have locally available power at the time the initial proximity action is taking place, so that the processes associated with the data transfer can take place regardless. There is also described a two part device, one part of which provides the proximity communications capability the other part does not have.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. An arrangement for managing communication between a first, second and third devices the arrangement including;
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a first device having a proximity sensor for detecting the proximity of another device, one or more communication mechanisms, one of which is a proximity communication mechanism; a second device having a proximity sensor for detecting the proximity of another device, one or more communication mechanisms, one of which is a proximity communication mechanism; and a third device having a proximity sensor for detecting the proximity of another device, one or more communication mechanisms, one of which is a proximity communication mechanism, wherein the third and the first devices are brought together such that at least one of the respective proximity sensors confirms the proximity of the other device after which the respective devices communicate to exchange data and the third and the second devices are brought together such that at least one of the respective proximity sensors confirms the proximity of the other device after which the respective devices communicate to exchange data;
wherein the data transferred between the proximity communication mechanisms of the first device, second device and third device enables communications to be established between the first and second devices using one or more communication mechanisms. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An arrangement for managing communication between a first, second and third devices the arrangement including;
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a first device having a proximity sensor for detecting the proximity of another device, one or more communication mechanisms, one of which is a proximity communication mechanism; one or more further devices having one or more communication mechanisms; a second device having a proximity sensor for detecting the proximity of another device, one or more communication mechanisms, one of which is a proximity communication mechanism, and has communication with one or more further devices; a third device having a proximity sensor for detecting the proximity of another device, one or more communication mechanisms, one of which is a proximity communication mechanism, wherein the third and the second devices are brought together such that at least one of the respective proximity sensors confirms the proximity of the other device after which the respective devices communicate to exchange data to permit the establishment of communication between said further devices and the first device as well communication between the first device and the second device using one or more communication mechanisms; and
the third and the first devices are brought together such that at least one of the respective proximity sensors confirms the proximity of the other device after which the respective devices communicate to exchange data that enables communications to be established between the first and further devices and/or the first and second devices using one or more communication mechanisms. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for effecting communications between a first device and a second device, using a third device, the method including the following steps:
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positioning the third device at a close proximity to a first device, wherein the close proximity is suitable for data transfer using a the near field communication mechanism; positioning the third device at a close proximity to a second device, wherein the close proximity is suitable for data transfer using the near field communication mechanism;
wherein the data transferred between the near field communication mechanisms of the first device, second device and third device enables communications to be established between the first and second devices. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification