Abstract: A mobile telephone (10), an advertiser, broadcasts an advertisement over a wireless short range piconet link to another mobile telephone (12), a consumer. The advertisement is broadcast with a predetermined set of classification tags and the consumer phone (12) has a filter set to accept only certain adverts. When an advertisement of interest is received by the consumer phone (12) it requests further details automatically via the piconet link and the advertiser phone (10) provides then automatically via the piconet link. When the consumer wishes to reply to the advertisement they contact the advertiser phone (10), or an advertiser device, via a long range cellular link (16).

Abstract: A mobile telephone (10), an advertiser, broadcasts an advertisement over a wireless short range piconet link to another mobile telephone (12), a consumer. The advertisement is broadcast with a predetermined set of classification tags and the consumer phone (12) has a filter set to accept only certain advertisements. When an advertisement of interest is received by the consumer phone (12) it assesses whether to obtain further details via the piconet link and the advertiser phone (10) provides then automatically via the piconet link. When the consumer wishes to reply to the advertisement they contact the advertiser phone (10), or an advertiser device, via a long range cellular link (16).

Abstract: A method of transferring high rate data between a first communications device (32) and a second communications device (1) is disclosed. The second communications device (1) has a first transceiver (4) for communication with the first communications device (32) at a first, low data rate over a long range, and a second transceiver (2) for communicating at a second, high data rate over a short range. The method comprises the steps of forming a coordinated short-range network (piconet) using the second communications device (1) and a plurality of other similar communications devices (11, 21), transferring a portion of said data to or from the first communications device (32) from or to each of said second communications device and said other communications devices using their first transceivers (2, 12, 22), and transferring said data portions between said other communications devices and the second communications device using their second transceivers (4, 14, 24).

Abstract: A memory tag comprising a resonant circuit part, a memory, a detector module and an output generator module, the resonant circuit part being operable to generate an output signal in response to a signal from a reader, the amplitude of the output signal dependent on the magnitude of the signal from the reader, the detector module being responsive to the magnitude of the output signal such that, when the magnitude of the output signal is relatively low, the detector module causes the output generator module to transmit an identifier signal, and when the magnitude of the output signal is relatively high, the detector module connects the memory to the resonant circuit part.

Abstract: Businesses may offer their services not only through internet websites but also by short-range wireless portals (51A,B,C) intended to catch passers-by; indeed, this latter means of business promotion may be used instead of an internet site. A method is provided of gathering information from such portals (51A,B,C) for use in a database service system 40. More particularly, a mobile device (20) provided with a short-range wireless receiver (21) is moved within range of such a portal and collects information about the services available from the local entity operating the portal. The device (20) then uses a cellular radio network (10) to send this information, together with location data about the portal, to a remote database service system (40) holding similar information from other portals. The user of the mobile device can be credited with a reward by the database service system for collecting such information.

Abstract: A published document comprises a printed document and at least one memory attached to the printed document, wherein said at least one memory comprises an electrical circuit without an integral power source but may be powered wirelessly so that it may transmit information wirelessly, wherein at least a portion of the information stored in the published document for display to the user is provided in said at least one memory. A method of viewing information in such a published document comprises viewing information printed in the printed document, powering the memory circuit with a reader device to transmit information stored in the memory circuit to the reader device wirelessly, and displaying the information stored in the memory circuit by means of the reader device for viewing by the user. An appropriate reader device and method for publishing the document are described.

Abstract: A method and device is provided for obscuring the location of a mobile entity to a specified accuracy level. Available location data that has a known accuracy greater than the specified accuracy has its accuracy decreased (85) by combining with the components of the available location data, additional components randomized over a range set by the difference between the known accuracy of the available location data and the specified accuracy level.

Abstract: Devices of a Bluetooth wireless communication system are adapted to include an L2CAP extension layer that calculates error control data for each packet of payload data. An error control data packet is transmitted immediately following each packet of payload data. The L2CAP extension layer checks incoming payload data packets using the associated error control data, to determine transmission errors such as caused by radio-frequency interference. A preferred example uses 32-bit Ethernet to generate an error control checksum, providing robust error checking for a high integrity transmission link such as between a computing device and a printer.

Abstract: Flow control is achieved in a Bluetooth wireless communication system by providing a buffer memory shared between an application layer and an L2CAP layer. The buffer memory is managed from the L2CAP layer to provide robust and stable flow control, particularly in a multi-channel environment. Optionally, the L2CAP layer schedules payload data transmission according to channel priorities, and offers a high integrity mode with error checking by adding error control data to the payload data.

Abstract: A mobile entity (20) provides accuracy limit data (Q) that indicates a desired accuracy of location data (L) about the mobile entity. This data (Q) is passed, either directly or indirectly from the mobile entity (20), to a location handling system (80) which provides location data (L) about the corresponding mobile entity limited to the desired accuracy. In one embodiment, the location handling system is a location server. In another embodiment the location handling system is a decryption entity (80) for decrypting encrypted location data.

Abstract: A method for searching for a lost asset equipped with a short-range wireless transceiver includes a finder service sending out a search request including a lost-asset identifier, this request being sent over a mobile radio infrastructure to a plurality of mobile devices. These devices transmit on the request in their immediate vicinity using short-range wireless transceivers. Upon a mobile device receiving back a response from the lost asset, it returns a found message over the mobile radio infrastructure to the finder service. This message includes location data concerning the whereabouts of the lost asset or the message enables such data to be obtained by the finder service.

Abstract: Apparatus for printing and memory tag application onto a base medium is described. The apparatus includes a print head for printing onto the base medium, and a memory tag dispenser movable relative to the base medium for applying memory tags to the base medium. The print head may also be moveable relative to the base medium.

Abstract: A security document, comprises a printed document and one or more memory circuits adapted to be read wirelessly attached to or incorporated within the printed document, wherein data in the memory circuit is protected from access by an unauthorised reader, and wherein the memory circuit is physically isolated so as to inhibit physical tampering or to indicate when physical tampering has occurred. Methods of publishing and of reading such security documents are described.

Abstract: A method is provided of adapting a user interface to the user's current situation. The method involves a user specifying a home-area interface (83), for example, a web browser home page, and an “away” interface (84). When the user connects to a network (10) using a device (20) and calls up his/her browser home page, a determination is made of the location of the device in order to decide which version of the home page is to be served back to the user device by the home-page server of the user. In a preferred embodiment, the “away” home page (84) includes specific types of local data of interest to the user (such as best local restaurants). When asked to provide the “away” home page, the homepage server uses this information to find the URLs of local special interest web sites (122) carrying the relevant type of data, the server inserting these URLs in the “away” home page (84) before providing it to the user device (20) concerned.

Abstract: A wireless data network, which covers a first physical area and has a wireless node is increased by generating access control information for the wireless data network. The access control information is communicated to a second wireless network associated with a mains power supply, e.g. a lighting circuit, operative in at least one part of the first physical area located within a secure environment. The access control information is transmitted to the wireless node using the second wireless network. The access control information is changed from time to time (preferably at predetermined intervals). The preceding steps are repeated for each change.

Abstract: A detector for detecting the presence of a memory tag, the detector comprising a radio frequency source operable to generate a radio frequency signal and a detector resonant circuit part connected to the radio frequency source, the detector resonant circuit part comprising an antenna,

Abstract: A memory tag comprising a resonant circuit part, a memory, a detector module and an output generator module, the resonant circuit part being operable to generate an output signal in response to a signal from a reader, the amplitude of the output signal dependent on the magnitude of the signal from the reader, the detector module being responsive to the magnitude of the output signal such that, when the magnitude of the output signal is relatively low, the detector module causes the output generator module to transmit an identifier signal, and when the magnitude of the output signal is relatively high, the detector module connects the memory to the resonant circuit part.

Abstract: A memory tag responsive to a signal generated by a reader, the tag comprising a resonant circuit part having a resonant frequency, the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit part being variable in accordance with data to be transmitted being variable to transmit data to the reader.

Abstract: Apparatus for data printing and data writing to a memory tag on or in a base medium is described. The apparatus includes a print head for printing onto the base medium, and a memory tag write device for data writing to the memory tags on or in the base medium. The base medium is moved along a first axis through or past the apparatus. At least a part of the memory tag write device required for communication with the memory tags is moveable relative to the base medium back and forth along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The print head may be moveable relative to the base medium such that it moves back and forth along a third axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, depending on the printing technology concerned.

Abstract: A memory tag has a non-volatile memory in which in use data is stored, an antenna coil and power supply circuit such that in use the memory tag is powered by inductive coupling. The memory tag also has a sensor for receipt of transmitted light carrying input signals and a processor for processing of the received input signals, and a modulation circuit for overlay of output signals onto the power supply circuit.