Abstract: A personal information system comprises a personal kiosk system (132) and a personal presence identifier (122) carried by a user and coupled to the personal kiosk system by a short-range two-way wireless link. The personal kiosk system and the personal presence identifier are arranged and programmed to establish a two-way personal area network with one another when the personal presence identifier is within wireless transmission range of the personal kiosk system. The personal presence identifier and the personal kiosk system are also arranged and programmed to exchange needs specifications and capability specifications with one another after establishing the two-way personal area network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for communicating signaling messages associated with a communication system whereby a network within the communications system is responsible for setting up a signaling path between users of the communication system. However, once that signaling path is established by the network, the users may communicate with each other whereby the network is not needed to pass data between the users thereby substantially decreasing demand on the network and freeing it for other system functions.

Abstract: An entryway system includes a door entry system (130) located near an entry door (320), and a personal presence identifier (122) carried by a guest and coupled to the door entry system by a short-range wireless link (26). The door entry system and the personal presence identifier are arranged and programmed to establish a personal area network with one another when the personal presence identifier is within wireless transmission range of the door entry system. The door entry system is also programmed to determine (80) whether further communications with the personal presence identifier are authorized. The personal presence identifier and the door entry system are also arranged and programmed to exchange (82) needs specifications and capability specifications with one another after the door entry system has determined that further communications with the personal presence identifier are authorized.

Abstract: A peer device (132) is arranged and programmed for handling a transaction at a point of sale provided by a merchant, and a personal presence identifier (122) is carried by a user and coupled to the peer device by a short-range two-way wireless link. The peer device and the personal presence identifier are arranged and programmed to establish a two-way personal area network (22) with one another when the personal presence identifier is within wireless transmission range of the peer device. The personal presence identifier and the peer device are also arranged and programmed to exchange needs specifications (70) and capability specifications (72) with one another after establishing the two-way personal area network.

Abstract: A peer device (132) is arranged and programmed for maintaining a virtual queue for an event, and a personal presence identifier (122) is carried by a user and coupled to the peer device by a short-range two-way wireless link. The peer device and the personal presence identifier are arranged and programmed to establish (58) a two-way personal area network with one another when the personal presence identifier is within wireless transmission range of the peer device. The personal presence identifier and the peer device are also arranged and programmed to exchange (82) needs specifications and capability specifications with one another after establishing the two-way personal area network.

Abstract: A system for encapsulating data into data packets to be transmitted through a broadband communications system includes a first B channel buffer (112), a second B channel buffer (114), a D channel buffer (116), a controller (118), and a packet buffer (110). The controller (118) receives 2B+D data on an ISDN line and reformats the data through the use of the buffers so that the resulting packet (50) includes a repeating pattern of 4 bytes of B1 data, 4 bytes of B2 data, and 1 byte of D data. Each packet preferably includes 11 sets of the repeating pattern for a total of 99 bytes of ISDN data in a packet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for communicating signaling messages associated with a communication system whereby a network within the communications system is responsible for setting up a signaling path between users of the communication system. However, once that signaling path is established by the network, the users may communicate with each other whereby the network is not needed to pass data between the users thereby substantially decreasing demand on the network and freeing it for other system functions.

Abstract: A circuit and method for personalizing an electronic device (20) through a personal area network (22). Electron devices (20) have transceivers (38) for transmitting a self-initiated message that includes an identification code of the electronic device. Transceivers (38) are also capable of receiving a self-initiated message sent from other electronic devices. The received message causes a response message to be transmitted in response to the identification code in the self-initiated message. Communication between two electron devices (20′ and 20″) is established when the devices are determined to be compatible. The application of the electronic device is configured based on the response message and data is displayed by the electronic device based on the application.

Abstract: A method for bonding (905) to a device (901, 902). The method includes a step of transmitting a beacon message (2500). The method also includes steps of (i) selecting a beacon opcode (2501), (ii) selecting an identifier (2512), (iii) selecting an identifier type (2514), (iii) selecting an identifier address (2516), composing the beacon opcode (2501), the identifier (2512), the identifier type (2514) and the identifier address (2516) into the beacon message (2500). The method also includes a step of receiving, in response to the transmitting step, a make bond message (2530).

Abstract: A cell relay network (38, FIG. 2) transmits cells having different priorities through a single virtual connection using several methods (100, FIG. 4; 200, FIG. 5; 300, FIG. 3). Congestion control is accomplished by a negotiation process between a network user's communication equipment at a source node (900, FIG. 9) and a network control element (1000, FIG. 10) associated with the network fabric 18 at the time of connection set-up. A source node (900) initially transmits a request for a connection to the network control element (1000). Along with a connection request, the source node also transmits a requisition for permission to transfer through the network during a predetermined time interval cells having multiple priorities. The network control element responds to the requisition by sending to the source node a connection admissions attributes message (44, FIG. 2) containing allowable connection attributes.

Abstract: A system for encapsulating ATM cells into larger data packets to be transmitted through a broadband communications system includes an ATM cell receiver (410), a data packet formatter (430), a buffer (434), and a data packet formatter controller (438). The ATM cell receiver (410) receives ATM cells and sends them to the buffer (434) which is included within the data packet formatter (430). Data packet formatter controller (438) controls the insertion of ATM cells into the buffer (434), and also optionally compresses the ATM cells to increase the apparent bandwidth of the system.

Abstract: A wireless, peer-to-peer, capability addressable network (22) is disclosed. The network (22) accommodates any number of peers (20). Network connections are formed based upon proximity between peers (20) and upon a needs and capabilities evaluation (82). Networks (22) support three classifications of service capabilities: service requesting, service providing, and service relaying. Wireless communications occur at a sufficiently low power to form a detection zone (28) of less than five meters for many peers (20).

Abstract: In a personal area network, a method for programming an appliance by a controller. The method includes steps of a) determining (358), by the controller (300), that the appliance (324) is included in the personal area network; b) determining (328), by the controller (300), that the appliance (324) is in data communication with the controller (300); and c) when the appliance (324) is in data communication with the controller (300), performing substeps of: i) requesting downloading (330) of a command set for controlling the appliance (324); ii) receiving (332) the command set for controlling the appliance (324); and iii) programming (401) the command set into a memory of the controller.

Abstract: In a personal area network, a method for including an appliance (121). The method includes steps of a) determining, by the personal area network (120), that the appliance (121) should be included in the personal area network (120); b) determining (253) that all individual members (121) of the personal area network (120) are in data communication with the personal area network (120); and c) when all individual members (121) of the personal area network (120) are in data communication with the personal area network (120), performing substeps of: i) selecting (259) a selected member (121) of the personal area network (120); ii) programming (261) security criteria relevant to the selected member (121) into the appliance (121); and iii) programming (263) security criteria relevant to the appliance (121) into the selected member (121).