Method and system for implementing wireless data transfers between a selected group of mobile computing devices

• US 7,512,685 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2000
• Issued: 03/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company), Valtrus Innovations Limited (f/k/a Dolya Holdco 9 Limited) (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: 3Com Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Moore, David, Lunsford, E. Michael, Kammer, David, Parker, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): Najjar, Saleh
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAZARO, DAVID R
• Application Number:
  US09/727,982
• Publication Number:
  US 20020065868A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,043 Days
• Field of Search: 709/200, 709201-207, 709213-217, 709/218, 709/219, 709/222, 709/227, 709/228, 455 412- 413
• US Class Current: 709/227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5692 Selection among different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2757 by data transmission, e.g. downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/246 Connectivity information discovery
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A wireless communication method for selective transmission of data among a group of mobile computing devices. A user'"'"'s device is used to broadcast a query to determine a group of mobile computing devices within communications range. A list of resulting mobile computing devices is then presented to the user through the device'"'"'s interface. The user selects at least one of the mobile computing devices from the list for a data transfer. The data transfer is then performed to the selected at least one mobile computing device. Upon completion of the transfer, a confirmation is presented to the user. In this manner, wireless data transfers can be performed with a number of different mobile computing devices within communications range. The user can select a number of mobile computing devices from the list and perform the data transfer to each of the selected number in a single step. The data transfer is performed using a wireless RF communications link. The wireless RF communications link can be compatible with a version of the Bluetooth specification.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method for selective transmission of data among a group of mobile computing devices, comprising:

broadcasting, from a particular mobile computing device, an inquiry message to determine a group of mobile computing devices within direct wireless communications range of the particular mobile computing device;

presenting, on a graphical user interface of the particular mobile computing device, a list of one or more mobile computing devices within direct communications range that respond to the inquiry message;

receiving a selection of at least one of the mobile computing devices from the list for receiving a transfer of data stored on the particular mobile computing device, the selecting performed at the graphical user interface by a user;

prompting, using the graphical user interface and only in response to a received selection comprising a single mobile computing device, the user to select a wireless communication type selected from the group consisting of an infrared link and a radio frequency (RF) link, otherwise automatically selecting the radio frequency link; and

performing the transfer of data stored on the particular mobile computing device to the at least one mobile computing devices using the wireless communication type selected at the particular mobile computing device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the mobile computing devices is a PID (personal information device).

3. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the mobile computing devices is a cellular telephone.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the inquiry message is broadcast using the RF link.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the RF link is compatible with a version of the Bluetooth specification.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising presenting a confirmation of the transfer of the data stored on the particular mobile computing device.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising storing information indicating the wireless communication type selected when the user selects the wireless communication type.

8. A wireless communication system for selective transmission of data among a group of mobile computing devices, comprising:

a first mobile computing device operable to broadcast an inquiry message to determine a group of mobile computing devices within direct wireless communications range of the first mobile computing device; and

a display built into the first mobile computing device and operable to present a GUI (graphical user interface), the GUI operable to present a list of mobile computing devices within direct wireless communications range of the first mobile communications device that respond to the inquiry message and to receive a selection of at least one of the mobile computing devices from the list to receive a transfer of data stored on the first mobile computing device, wherein the GUI prompts a user to select, using the GUI and only in response to a received selection comprising a single mobile computing device, a wireless communication type selected from the group consisting of an infrared link and a radio frequency (RF) link, otherwise automatically selecting the RF link, and wherein the first mobile computing device is further operable to perform the transfer of data to the one or more mobile computing devices using the wireless communication type selected.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein at least one of mobile computing device is a PID (personal information device).

10. The system of claim 8 wherein at least one of the mobile computing devices is a cellular telephone.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the inquiry message is broadcast using the RF link.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein the RF link is compatible with a version of the Bluetooth specification.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein the first mobile computing device is operable to present a confirmation of the transfer of the data.

14. The system of claim 8 wherein the first mobile computing device is further operable to store information indicating the wireless communication type selected when the user selects the wireless communication type.