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

• US 7,403,793 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2003
• Issued: 07/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Tuan A
• Application Number:
  US10/612,346
• Publication Number:
  US 20050032475A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,847 Days
• Field of Search: 455 411- 2, 455/550.1, 455/552.1, 455/553.1, 455/572, 455/574, 455/522, 455517-519, 455101-103, 455458-466, 707100-102, 707/1, 707/2, 707/6, 370400-401, 370310-311, 370254-255
• US Class Current: 455/552.1
• 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. A wireless communication device comprising:

first wireless communication circuitry configured to communicate via a wide area wireless communication network; and

second wireless communication circuitry configured to exchange information with a proximally located peer wireless device,

wherein the information includes a list of wireless device addresses, and

wherein the first wireless communication circuitry is configured to perform, automatically, without user intervention, at least one operation selected from the group consisting of;

transmitting a find message to determine if an object is within range, the find message including an address from the list of wireless device addresses; and

receiving a find message used to determine if an object is within range, the find message including an address from the list of wireless device addresses.

2. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the second communication circuitry is configured to communicate using a wireless signal having a signal strength less than that used by the first wireless communication circuitry.

3. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the first wireless communication circuitry is configured to transmit a response message including an address in the list of wireless device addresses.

4. The wireless communication device of claim 1, further comprising a memory and wherein the information is stored in the memory.

5. A method for establishing communication, the method comprising:

communicating with a wireless network by transmitting a first signal having a first signal strength;

communicating with a proximally located object by transmitting a second signal having a second signal strength, the second signal strength being less than the first signal strength;

receiving a list of wireless device addresses from the proximally located object; and

transmitting, automatically, without user intervention, using a signal of approximately the same strength as said first signal, a find message to determine if an object is within range, the find message including at least one wireless device address included in the list of wireless device addresses.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the find message is transmitted by transmitting a third signal, wherein a signal strength of the third signal is approximately the same as the first signal strength.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

appending the list of wireless device addresses to a previously stored list of wireless device addresses.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

receiving a response message associated with a wireless device associated with the at least one wireless device address included in the find message.

9. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

transmitting a page message including the at least one wireless device address.

10. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

establishing a voice transmission with a wireless device associated with the at least one wireless device address.

11. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

transmitting a text message to a wireless device associated with the at least one wireless device address.