Power-conserving intuitive device discovery technique in a bluetooth environment

• US 6,950,645 B1
• Filed: 09/28/2000
• Issued: 09/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Access Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Palmsource Incorporated (Access Company Limited)
• Inventors: Kammer, David, Lunsford, E. Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, LANA N
• Application Number:
  US09/675,047
• Time in Patent Office: 1,825 Days
• Field of Search: 4553431-3433, 455/41.2, 455/41.3, 455/574, 370/338, 370/311
• US Class Current: 455/343.1
• 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:

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 and responds to broadcast wireless signals that are broadcast by initiator devices;

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 and does not respond to broadcast wireless signals that are broadcast by initiator devices, and wherein said standby mode is a power-conserving mode relative to said awake mode; and

automatically setting said responder device to connectable mode with said responder device in either said awake mode or said standby mode, wherein said responder device in said connectable mode receives and responds to directed wireless signals from initiator devices, wherein directed wireless signals specifically identify said responder device.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

receiving at said responder device a first wireless signal broadcast by an initiator device;

sending a second wireless signal in response to said first wireless signal when said responder device is in said discoverable mode, wherein said second wireless signal is to be received by said initiator device; and

disregarding said first wireless signal when said responder device is in said non-discoverable mode.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 further comprising:

receiving a third wireless signal from said initiator device, wherein said third wireless signal is a directed signal sent to said responder device in response to said second wireless signal.

4. The method as recited in claim 3 wherein said responder device is in a connectable mode at all times said responder device is powered on.

5. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein said initiator device and said responder device are Bluetooth-enabled devices.

6. The method as recited in claim 5 wherein said first wireless signal is an inquiry message requesting an address for said responder device.

7. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein said second wireless signal comprises said address for said responder device.

8. The method as recited in claim 7 wherein said third wireless signal is a page message directed to said address and comprising a request for a name of said responder device.

9. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said responder device is a portable computer system.

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

receiving at said responder device a first wireless signal broadcast by an initiator device, wherein said first wireless signal is a broadcast signal also received by multiple responder devices within range of said initiator device;

automatically entering a discoverable mode when said responder device enters awake mode, wherein said responder device in said discoverable mode sends a second wireless signal in response to said first wireless signal, wherein said second wireless signal is to be received by said initiator device;

automatically entering a non-discoverable mode when said responder device enters standby mode, wherein said responder device in said non-discoverable mode receives but does not send a response to said first wireless signal, and wherein said standby mode is a power-conserving mode relative to said awake mode; and

automatically entering a connectable mode with said responder device in either said awake mode or said standby mode, wherein said responder device in said connectable mode receives and responds to a directed wireless signal from initiator device, wherein said directed wireless signal specifically identifies said responder device so that only said responder device and not any other of said multiple responder devices within said range of said initiator device receives said directed wireless signal.

11. The method as recited in claim 10 further comprising:

receiving a third wireless signal from said initiator device, wherein said third wireless signal is a directed signal sent to said responder device in response to said second wireless signal.

12. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein said responder device is in a connectable mode at all times said responder device is powered on.

13. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein said initiator device and said responder device are Bluetooth-enabled devices.

14. The method as recited in claim 13 wherein said first wireless signal is an inquiry message requesting an address for said responder device.

15. The method as recited in claim 13 wherein said second wireless signal comprises said address for said responder device.

16. The method as recited in claim 15 wherein said third wireless signal is a page message directed to said address and comprising a request for a name of said responder device.

17. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein said responder device is a portable computer system.

18. A responder device comprising:

a bus;

a wireless transceiver unit coupled to said bus and for communicating with initiator devices; and

a processor coupled to said bus, said processor for performing a method for managing responses to signals received from said initiator devices, said method comprising;

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 and responds to broadcast wireless signals that are broadcast by initiator devices;

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 and does not respond to broadcast wireless signals that are broadcast by initiator devices, and wherein said standby mode is a power-conserving mode relative to said awake mode; and

automatically setting said responder device to connectable mode with said responder device in either said awake mode or said standby mode, wherein said responder device in said connectable mode receives and responds to directed wireless signals from initiator devices, wherein directed wireless signals specifically identify said responder device.

19. The responder device of claim 18 wherein said method further comprises:

receiving at said responder device a first wireless signal broadcast by an initiator device;

sending a second wireless signal in response to said first wireless signal when said responder device is in said discoverable mode, wherein said second wireless signal is to be received by said initiator device; and

disregarding said first wireless signal when said responder device is in said non-discoverable mode.

20. The responder device of claim 19 wherein said method further comprises:

receiving a third wireless signal from said initiator device, wherein said third wireless signal is a directed signal sent to said responder device in response to said second wireless signal.

21. The responder device of claim 20 wherein said responder device is in a connectable mode at all times said responder device is powered on.

22. The responder device of claim 20 wherein said initiator device and said responder device are Bluetooth-enabled devices.

23. The responder device of claim 22 wherein said first wireless signal is an inquiry message requesting an address for said responder device.

24. The responder device of claim 23 wherein said second wireless signal comprises said address for said responder device.

25. The responder device of claim 24 wherein said third wireless signal is a page message directed to said address and comprising a request for a name of said responder device.

26. The responder device of claim 18 wherein said responder device is a portable computer system.