Power-conserving intuitive device discovery technique in a Bluetooth environment

• US 20060189359A1
• Filed: 09/27/2005
• Published: 08/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Palmsource Incorporated (Access Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Palmsource Incorporated (Access Company Limited)
• Inventors: Kammer, David, Lunsford, E. Michael
• Application Number:
  US11/237,644
• Publication Number:
  US 20060189359A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/574
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/246 Connectivity information discovery
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0229 where the received signal is a wanted signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A method and system for managing when a responder device (a device having a transceiver for wireless communication) is operating in a discoverable mode in a wireless network of devices, such as a Bluetooth network. In the discoverable mode, the responder device is set to scan for and respond to general inquiry messages broadcast from another device (e.g., an initiator device). When in the non-discoverable mode, the responder device will not respond to and/or scan for general inquiry messages broadcast from an initiator device. The responder device automatically enters the discoverable mode when the responder device enters into its awake mode. The responder device automatically enters the non-discoverable mode when the device enters into its sleep mode. Therefore, the responder device will be in discoverable mode for a reduced period of time, and as such will respond to fewer general inquiry messages. Accordingly, fewer messages will be exchanged between devices in the wireless network, simplifying the device discovery process for users and conserving the battery resources of the initiator and responder devices.

Claims

1. In a responder device having a transceiver for wireless communication, a method for managing responses to signals received from initiator devices, said method comprising the steps of:

a) automatically setting said responder device to discoverable mode when said responder device enters awake mode, wherein said responder device in said discoverable mode scans for wireless signals broadcast by initiator devices; and

b) automatically setting said responder device to non-discoverable mode when said responder device enters standby mode, wherein said responder device in said non-discoverable mode does not scan for wireless signals broadcast by initiator devices.