Interactive communications system coupled to portable computing devices using short range communications
First Claim
1. The method of transferring programs and data to a portable programmable data processing device from a host computer comprising, in combination, the steps of:
- placing said host computer at location accessible to a user transporting said portable computing device, accepting an installation command from said user at said host computer when said user and said portable data processing device are near said host computer executing a program at said host computer in response to said installation command to establish a short range bi-directional communications link between said host computer and said portable data processing device and to download a communications program from said remote computer to said portable data processing device via said short range communications link, executing said communications program on said remote data processing device to transfer one or more specified files from said host computer to said portable data processing device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An “access point” data terminal device is positioned at or incorporated into a display or acting as a standalone device accessible to a user transporting a portable computing device. A short-range communication link is provided by an IrDA infrared transceiver, or a Bluetooth radio transceiver, or both, to permit data and programs to be exchanged between the access point and nearby portable computing devices. The access point is provided with a program installation mechanism that is manually operable by the user when the portable computing device is positioned near the access point to download and install application software which programs the portable computing device to utilize the services made available at the access point. A longer-range communications mechanism, preferably implemented as a PCMCIA communications card selected to connect to an available network or communications facility, enables the access terminal to act as a bridge coupling nearby portable computing devices to remote computers. The longer range communications system may further provide an Internet connection to the portable device, permitting the portable device to exchange E-mail, exchange information with a selected Web server, synchronize data file content, and to access and use other available resources. A surface mounted fractal antenna may be used to advantage to facilitate wireless communications.
107 Citations
39 Claims
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1. The method of transferring programs and data to a portable programmable data processing device from a host computer comprising, in combination, the steps of:
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placing said host computer at location accessible to a user transporting said portable computing device, accepting an installation command from said user at said host computer when said user and said portable data processing device are near said host computer executing a program at said host computer in response to said installation command to establish a short range bi-directional communications link between said host computer and said portable data processing device and to download a communications program from said remote computer to said portable data processing device via said short range communications link, executing said communications program on said remote data processing device to transfer one or more specified files from said host computer to said portable data processing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. to user request for executing said application program on said portable computing device to prov Apparatus for providing information and data processing services to a mobile user which comprises, in combination,
a portable programmable computing device carried by said user, a host computer positioned at a location accessible to said user, a short range communication link coupling said portable computing device to said host computer, means operable by said user when said portable computing device is near said host computer for causing said host computer to download a communications program via said short range communication link to said portable communications device, means for initiating the execution of said communications program on said remote computing device after said download to transfer an applications program from said host computer to said portable computing device, and means for initiating the execution fo said applications program to provide said information and data processing services to said mobile user.
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23. A communications bridge for establishing a bi-directional communications link between a portable computing device carried by a user and a remote computer, said bridge being positioned at a location accessible to said user and comprising, in combination,
a first transceiver for establishing a short range bi-directional communications link to said portable computing device when said portable computing device is carried near to said bridge by said user, a second transceiver for establishing a longer range bi-directional communications link to said remote computer, an actuator manually operable by said user, a processor connected to said first transceiver and responsive to the operation of said actuator by said user when said user and said portable computing device are near to said bridge for downloading a communications program executable by said portable computing device and for thereafter controlling said first and said second transceivers to establish said communications link.
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30. An interactive publicly viewable display for attracting the attention of and providing data services to a user transporting a portable computing device into the vicinity of said interactive display, said interactive display comprising, in combination,
means for visually exhibiting displayed information to said user, a transceiver for providing a short range communication link between said interactive display and said portable computing device, and a processor coupled to said portable computing device via said transceiver for providing said data services.
Specification