Enhanced wireless handset, including direct handset-to-handset communication mode

• US 20100178869A1
• Filed: 03/17/2010
• Published: 07/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blue Sky Networks, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Bertrum Technologies LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Sullivan, Marc A., Harbin, Steven A., Green, Charles A., Mauney, Daniel W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,885,684 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.200
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A wireless handset is provided with enhanced features and capabilities. The wireless handset may be embodied as a full-featured handset that is capable of operating either within a wireless network (such as a cellular or PCS network) or in a direct handset-to-handset communication mode that is independent of the wireless network. Alternatively, the wireless handset may be embodied as a special purpose handset, that is capable of simply operating in a direct handset-to-handset communication mode. The wireless handset may additionally include features for supporting and enhancing direct communication between handsets. Such features may include a find feature that permits a user to determine which objects, including other wireless handset users, are located within a predetermined operating range of the wireless handset. A memorize feature may also be provided to permit handsets and other objects exchange information by wireless transmission.

Claims

1-16. -16. (canceled)

17. A method for short-range wireless communication between an object and an apparatus, the method comprising:

transmitting an inquiry message to the object to determine whether the object is within a short-range wireless communication area of the apparatus, wherein the inquiry message is transmitted over a first network within the short-range wireless communication area during a call over a second network different from the first network while maintaining the call;

detecting a response from the object to the inquiry message via a channel of the first network, wherein the response is received via the channel based on an availability setting at the object;

generating a list that includes the object based on detecting the response therefrom; and

displaying the list identifying the object detected within the short-range wireless communication area of the apparatus.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the apparatus or object includes a wireless telephone and the second network is a cellular network.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising displaying the list using a graphical user interface.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising receiving a different inquiry message from a different object and responding to the different inquiry message based on an availability setting of the apparatus.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising receiving the response from the object via the channel based on user authorization at the object.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein said detecting comprises choosing a selected channel based on a received signal strength indicator for further communication with the object.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the selected channel is chosen using a predetermined algorithm.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the selected channel provides full duplex voice communication between the apparatus and the object.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein the channel is a control channel that is accessed for a predetermined period of time.

26. The method of claim 17, further comprising the apparatus communicating with the object subsequent to a security procedure requiring user input.

27. The method of claim 17, further comprising downloading data from the object to the apparatus.

28. The method of claim 17, further comprising downloading contact information from the object to the apparatus.

29. An apparatus for short-range wireless communication between an object and the apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a transceiver configured to transmit an inquiry message to the object to determine whether the object is within a short-range wireless communication area of the apparatus, wherein the inquiry message is transmitted over a first network within the short-range wireless communication area during a call over a second network different from the first network while maintaining the call;

the transceiver configured to detect a response from the object to the inquiry message via a channel of the first network based on an availability setting at the object;

a processor configured to generate a list that includes the object based on the transceiver detecting the response therefrom; and

a display configured to display the list identifying the object that has been detected within the short-range wireless communication area of the apparatus.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the apparatus or object includes a wireless telephone and the second network is a cellular network.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the list is displayed using a graphical user interface.

32. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the transceiver receives a different inquiry message from a different object and responds to the different inquiry message based on an availability setting of the apparatus.

33. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the transceiver receives the response from the object via the channel based on user authorization at the object.

34. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the transceiver is adapted to choose a selected channel based on a received signal strength indicator for further communication with the object.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the selected channel is chosen using a predetermined algorithm.

36. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the selected channel provides full duplex voice communication between the apparatus and the object.

37. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the channel is a control channel that is accessed for a predetermined period of time.

38. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the apparatus communicates with the object subsequent to a security procedure that requires user input.

39. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein data is downloaded from the object to the apparatus.

40. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein contact information is downloaded from the object to the apparatus.