Local file transfer

• US 20020187776A1
• Filed: 06/07/2001
• Published: 12/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Brassil, John, Pradhan, Salil, McDonnell, James Thomas Edward, Macer, Peter J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,212,785 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/417
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1421 Indication of expected costs
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor

Abstract

A method is disclosed of transferring data to a first communications device having a first transceiver for communication at a first data rate over a long range, and a second transceiver for communication at a second, higher data rate over a short range. The method includes forming a co-ordinated short-range wireless network using the first communications device and at least one second communications device of a similar type. Communication is then initiated between the first communications device and said at least one second communications device to establish whether that second communications device has data required by the first communications device. The first communications device then communicates, upon the first communications device receiving confirmation that a second communications device has the required data, with a service provider using its first transceiver to request permission for the transfer of the required data from said communications device to the first communications device. Finally, the required data is transferred from said second communications device to the first communications device, following transmission by the service provider to the first communications device of authorisation.

Claims

1. A method of transferring data to a first communications device having a first transceiver for communication at a first data rate over a long range, and a second transceiver for communication at a second, higher data rate over a short range, the method comprising the steps of:

a) forming a coordinated short-range wireless network using the first communications device and at least one second communications device of a similar type;

b) initiating communication between the first communications device and said at least one second communications device to establish whether or not said at least one second communications device has data required by the first communications device;

c) the first communications device communicating, upon the first communications device receiving confirmation that a second communications device has the required data, with a service provider using its first transceiver to request permission for the transfer of the required data from said second communications device to the first communications device; and

d) transferring the required data from said second communications device to the first communications device following transmission by the service provider to the first communications device of authorisation.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, prior to step d), the service provider transmits provisional permission, together with a costing, to the first transceiver of the first communications device.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising the step of the first communications device transmitting a message accepting the costing to the service provider using its first transceiver.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising the step of the service provider issuing an authorisation once acceptance of the costing has been received from the first communications device.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising the step of the service provider communicating said costing to a network service provider of the first communications device.

6. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second transceiver of the first communications device communicates, once the authorisation has been received, with said second communications device to inform that device that authorisation has been received and to request downloading of the required data.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein an mp3 file constitutes the required data.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an initial step of inputting a list of required data files into a memory provided in the first communications device.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein, during step b), the list of required data files is communicated by the second transceiver of the first communications device to said at least one second communications device within the short-range wireless network.

10. A method of purchasing goods using a first communications device having a first transceiver for communication at a first data rate over a long range, and a second transceiver for communication at a second, higher data rate over a short range, the method comprising the steps of:

a) inputting details of an intended purchase into a memory provided in the first communications device;

b) transmitting details of said intended purchase, using the second transceiver of the first communications device, to any similar, in-range transceiver which communicates at the second, higher data rate over a short range, any such similar transceiver being associated with a respective supplier;

c) receiving, at the second transceiver of the first communications device, a communication from any such similar transceiver indicating that said intended purchase is available and indicating its cost;

d) the first communications device communicating, upon receiving said communication from said supplier, with a payment facility using its first transceiver; and

e) the first communications device placing an order for said intended purchase with said supplier using its second transceiver when payment authorisation is received from the payment facility.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising the step of the payment facility communicating the cost of said intended purchase to a banking facility associated with the user of the first communications device upon the first communications device communicating to the payment facility that said order has been made.

13. A communications device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the processor is programmed to control the second transceiver to request downloading of a given mp3file from a similar communications device within the range of the second transceiver.

14. A communication device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the processor is programmed to control the first transceiver to request permission from a service provider to download said given mp3 file from a similar communication device holding said mp3 file in its memory.

15. A communications device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the processor is programmed to control the second transceiver to request downloading of said mp3 file once authorisation is received from the service provider.

12. A communications device having a first transceiver for communication at a first data rate over a long range, a second transceiver for communication at a second, higher data rate over a short range, and mp3 player, a memory, and a processor for controlling downloading of mp3 files to the memory, and for the transferring mp3 files from the memory to the mp3 player.