Abstract: A method of rejecting a Bluetooth communications request is disclosed. A portable device receives a Bluetooth communications request from a computing device. The communications request includes a device identification of the computing device. A list of trusted device identifications stored in a memory resource of the portable device is automatically accessed. The Bluetooth communications request is rejected in response to determining that the device identification is not in the list of trusted device identifications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collaborative chatting on a plurality of hand held computer systems are disclosed. A Bluetooth communication may be established among several hand held computer systems. A participants list may be cached from previous sessions, eliminating a typical step of discovery. Collaborative chatting software may be automatically initiated on the hand held systems in the group. Information entered by any member of the group may be displayed in substantially real time on all hand held computer systems. Information may be color coded to identify its source. In this novel manner, collaborative chatting on a plurality of hand held computer systems may occur, resulting in richer, more efficient and more secure communication between group members.

Abstract: A method of communicating between a handheld computer and other local area computing devices having wireless communication capability includes providing a handheld computer and identifying a plurality of other local area computing devices having wireless communication capability. The method further includes creating an identifier for one or more of the plurality of other local area computing devices and listing each identifier on a display. The list is sorted in order of at least one of distance and direction from the handheld computer.

Abstract: A messaging server is configured to receive an instant message comprising a message address and to store a mobile device ID associated with the message address. The messaging server is configured to redirect the instant message to a mobile device associated with the mobile device ID and to send the instant message to the mobile device.

Abstract: A method and system thereof for establishing a wireless connection to a device while bypassing passkey exchange and authentication procedures. Passkeys are authenticated and exchanged with another device. At the user's discretion, the passkey for the other device can be stored in memory. In the case in which the passkey is stored, the other device is considered a “trusted device.” Subsequently, when a trusted device is discovered and selected, and a wireless connection to the trusted device is made, the passkey for the trusted device is automatically retrieved from memory. As such, it is not necessary for the user to manually input a passkey or for the devices to perform a passkey exchange and authentication procedure.

Abstract: A method of rejecting a Bluetooth communications request is disclosed. A portable device receives a Bluetooth communications request from a computing device. The communications request includes a device identification of the computing device. A list of trusted device identifications stored in a memory resource of the portable device is automatically accessed. The Bluetooth communications request is rejected in response to determining that the device identification is not in the list of trusted device identifications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bypassing Bluetooth discovery for devices in a special list. A first Bluetooth device identification (ID) may be stored on a second device. A friendly name may be associated with the stored device ID. The first Bluetooth device ID may be accessed on the second device. An associated friendly name may be displayed as a representation of the first Bluetooth device id. A user of the second device may select to initiate Bluetooth communications with the first device. If so chosen, a Bluetooth communication session may be established between the two devices in a manner that bypasses the Bluetooth discovery process for these devices. In this novel manner, Bluetooth communication sessions may be established with trusted devices. Further, the time and power required for a Bluetooth discovery process may be conserved. In addition, the user interface may be improved over a user interface requiring Bluetooth discovery.

Abstract: A method and system for using a wireless enabled portable computer system as a wireless modem. The portable computer system may be a personal digital assistant (PDA) having an internal wireless modem. The internal wireless modem, e.g., GSM radio, contains a communication port (port2) that communicates with a processor of the portable computer system. The portable computer system also contains another communication port (port1) that is externally available for connection to a second computer system. A software bridge is provided that copies commands and/or data from the port1 over to the port2 and vice-versa. The software bridge allows the second computer system to directly use the internal wireless modem of the portable computer system when the portable computer system is connected to the second computer. The connection to the second computer system can be made by a wired connection (e.g., serial interface, RS232) or by a wireless connection, e.g., Bluetooth or infra-red communication.

Abstract: A method and a system for data transmission between a first electronic device and a second electronic device, wherein the second electronic device is in a sleep mode. Transmission of data between the first electronic device and the second electronic device occurs while a microprocessor in the second device is in sleep mode and the wireless transceiver is in a wake mode. The first electronic device transmits data signals and the second electronic device detects the transmitted signal. A base band processor in the second electronic device optionally determines if the signal is from a known source. If the first electronic device is a known electronic device, an interrupt signal is generated to wake up the microprocessor in the second electronic device. The wakened microprocessor opens a communication port and disables the wake-up interrupt. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the data receive line is directly coupled to a line that triggers an interrupt when a signal is detected.

Abstract: A messaging system is disclosed. The system includes a communications network including a wireless access point, a messaging server coupled to the communications network, and a mobile device in communication with the communications network via an access point. The mobile device has a mobile ID associated with the device, and a program running on the mobile device from which a temporary address may be created corresponding to the mobile ID. The temporary address is useable for messaging over the communications network. The temporary address is registered with the messaging server.

Abstract: One embodiment in accordance with the present invention includes using a portable computing device to remotely control devices and/or systems wirelessly. Specifically, a software timer application operating on the portable computing device enables its user to predefine the time, date, and the operation(s) that one or more properly enabled devices and/or systems perform in the future. That is, the timer software operating on the portable computing device is able at some predefined time to wirelessly trigger an action or a sequence of actions from devices and/or systems. For example, a user of the portable computing device is able to utilize the timer software to program a predefined date and time that the portable computing device will turn on a favorite radio program and turn up the thermostat. The wireless communication of the portable computing device may occur using a radio frequency (RF) technology like Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, or HomeRF.

Abstract: A method and system for selecting and connecting to an access point in a wireless network of devices, such as a Bluetooth network. Initially, an initiator device is preconfigured with a list of available access point addresses. The initiator device broadcasts an inquiry message that is received by available wireless devices which, in turn, respond with their respective addresses, occupancy level and device classification. The initiator device compares the respondent addresses with the preconfigured access point addresses and connects to a match, thus terminating the inquiry, provided certain fitness functions are satisfied. The fitness functions might include such considerations as occupancy rate, device classification, signal strength, or physical distance of separation. The list of addresses on the initiator device is updated automatically upon connecting with a network server whenever a new device is added or an old one removed from the network server's access point address list.

Abstract: A method of indexing information stored on a portable electronic device. The method includes receiving an association signal by the portable electronic device the association signal providing an indication of adjacent resources, accessing a database including a table storing relationships between data stored on the portable electronic device and the association signal, and indexing the data based on the relationships accessed in the database.

Abstract: A mobile computing device comprises a first microprocessor having a sleep mode and a wake mode and a second microprocessor configured for wireless communication. A communication port is configured to communicate data from the second processor to the first processor, wherein the second processor is configured to provide a wake signal to the first microprocessor and the first microprocessor is configured to open the communication port in response to the wake signal and to receive data from the second microprocessor through the communication port.

Abstract: A method and device for providing a service record for an application (e.g., a legacy application) running on a virtual serial port of a wireless transceiver device, such as a Bluetooth-enabled device. The virtual serial port emulates a serial connection (e.g., a serial cable) for the application. The virtual serial port for the application is opened by a virtual serial port driver. In accordance with the present embodiment of the present invention, the virtual serial port driver also provides the service name of the application. The virtual serial port driver can derive the service name from the name of the application, or the virtual serial port driver can use a default name. Thus, the virtual serial port driver performs the additional function of automatically providing a service name for a application, thereby introducing a standard, efficient and user-friendly approach for providing a readily-identifiable service name for a legacy application.

Abstract: A method and system for allowing a single resource (e.g., a serial port) to be shared by multiple applications in a cooperative manner. The first application to use the resource defines a yield callback that is invoked when a second application makes a request for the serial port. The callback allows the first application to decide whether or not it will yield the resource to the second application. If the first application grants the request, the second application is allowed to use the resource; otherwise, the first application continues to use the resource and the second application receives an error message. The first application can be notified when the second application is finished with the resource, so that the resource can be returned to the first application for use.

Abstract: A messaging server is configured to receive an instant message comprising a message address and to store a mobile device ID associated with the message address. The messaging server is configured to redirect the instant message to a mobile device associated with the mobile device ID and to send the instant message to the mobile device.

Abstract: A method or system for providing a level of data security dependent on the location of the user of a wireless device is disclosed. One exemplary embodiment relates to a method of adjusting security for a network user node in communication with a network based upon the location of the node. The method is performed by determining the location of a network user node, selecting a single level of security from a group of more than two security levels based on the determined location, and modifying the security protection for the network user node based upon the selected level of security.

Abstract: A method and system for selecting and connecting to an access point in a wireless network of devices, such as a Bluetooth network. Initially, an initiator device is preconfigured with a list of available access point addresses. The initiator device broadcasts an inquiry message that is received by available wireless devices which, in turn, respond with their respective addresses, occupancy level and device classification. The initiator device compares the respondent addresses with the preconfigured access point addresses and connects to a match, thus terminating the inquiry, provided certain fitness functions are satisfied. The fitness functions might include such considerations as occupancy rate, device classification, signal strength, or physical distance of separation. The list of addresses on the initiator device is updated automatically upon connecting with a network server whenever a new device is added or an old one removed from the network server's access point address list.

Abstract: A method and system thereof for establishing a wireless connection to a device while bypassing passkey exchange and authentication procedures. Passkeys are authenticated and exchanged with another device. At the user's discretion, the passkey for the other device can be stored in memory. In the case in which the passkey is stored, the other device is considered a “trusted device.” Subsequently, when a trusted device is discovered and selected, and a wireless connection to the trusted device is made, the passkey for the trusted device is automatically retrieved from memory. As such, it is not necessary for the user to manually input a passkey or for the devices to perform a passkey exchange and authentication procedure.