Abstract: Method for obtaining range and/or positional information of electronic devices typically rely on a device (A) re-questing that another device (B) supplies a reply message (22), which contains some timing information (T2, T3) on the signals received and sent. Problems that arise in such networks comprise: firstly, some devices (C) may be out of range of the device (A) that initiates the ranging measurements, and secondly, some devices (B, C) may not be allowed to communicate with each other and thus, the distance between these devices cannot be found. This invention discloses that in these cases, eavesdropping on messages (21, 22, 24) passing between other devices (A, B, C) in the system can result in that distances between additional devices are found. Furthermore, by using eavesdropping the number of transmissions, and therefore the potential for collisions, is reduced. Thus, the power consumption of the nodes in the network can be lowered.

Abstract: A communications system includes first and second beacon devices capable of wireless message transmission and at least one portable device capable of receiving such message transmissions. The first beacon is arrange to broadcast a series of inquiry messages according to a first communications protocol, such as Bluetooth. The portable device detects such inquiry messages and replies with an identifier for the portable device. The first beacon then transmits the received identifier to the second beacon, with the second beacon and portable device configured to perform a service interaction when triggered by the second beacon receiving the portable device identifier.

Abstract: A queue monitoring system is disclosed. A detection system (10) provides at least one coverage zone (15) covering at least a part of a queuing area (30). A handset (12) is issued to a user, the detection system (10) being arranged to detect the handset (12) when it is within the coverage zone (15) and to record the user of the handset as being in the queue. Queue load is subsequently used to provide recommended itineraries to visitors via the handsets (12).

Abstract: A data transmission system comprises a first (12) and two or more second (13, 14, 15) beacon devices interconnected (11) as a cluster capable of wireless message transmission, and at least one mobile device (10) capable of receiving such message transmissions. The first beacon (12) is arranged to broadcast a series of inquiry messages (INQ) according to a first communications protocol, such as Bluetooth. The mobile device (10) detects such inquiry messages and replies with an identifier for itself. The link (A) from the first beacon device is then re-established between a selected one (14) of the second beacon devices. When a handover trigger event occurs, paging and page response messages are used to select a further second beacon device (13) and transfer the communications link (C) thereto.

Abstract: A data transmission system comprises a large number of networked data beacons interconnected and grouped together in respective clusters. In the system, a first (12) and two or more second (13, 14, 15) beacon devices are interconnected (11) as a cluster capable of wireless message transmission, and at least one mobile device (10) capable of receiving such message transmissions. The first beacon (12) is arranged to broadcast a series of inquiry messages (INQ) according to a first communications protocol, such as Bluetooth, but with the addition of an identifier for the cluster (CL). The mobile device (10) detects such inquiry messages and replies with an identifier for itself, together with message reason data. The link (A) from the first beacon device is then re-established between a selected one (14) of the second beacon devices, with interaction between the mobile device (10) and selected second beacon device (14) being controlled at least partly by the message reason data.

Abstract: A queue monitoring system is disclosed. A detection system (10) provides at least one coverage zone (15) covering at least a part of a queuing area (30). A handset (12) is issued to a user, the detection system (10) being arranged to detect the handset (12) when it is within the coverage zone (15) and to record the user of the handset as being in the queue. Queue load is subsequently used to provide recommended itineraries to visitors via the handsets (12).

Abstract: A communications system uses a transmitter beacon (70) for transmitting alert signals to mobile receivers. Each alert signal prompts an alert message of the transmitter beacon. Interpretation data is loaded into the mobile receiver and is used when an associated alert signal is received, thereby to generate the associated alert message at the mobile wireless device.

Abstract: A data transmission system comprises a large number of networked data beacons interconnected and grouped together in respective clusters. In the system, a first (12) and two or more second (13, 14, 15) beacon devices are interconnected (11) as a cluster capable of wireless message transmission, and at least one mobile device (10) capable of receiving such message transmissions. The first beacon (12) is arranged to broadcast a series of inquiry messages (INQ) according to a first communications protocol, such as Bluetooth, but with the addition of an identifier for the cluster (CL). The mobile device (10) detects such inquiry messages and replies with an identifier for itself, together with message reason data. The link (A) from the first beacon device is then re-established between a selected one (14) of the second beacon devices, with interaction between the mobile device (10) and selected second beacon device (14) being controlled at least partly by the message reason data.

Abstract: A data transmission system comprises a first (12) and two or more second (13, 14, 15) beacon devices interconnected (11) as a cluster capable of wireless message transmission, and at least one mobile device (10) capable of receiving such message transmissions. The first beacon (12) is arranged to broadcast a series of inquiry messages (INQ) according to a first communications protocol, such as Bluetooth. The mobile device (10) detects such inquiry messages and replies with an identifier for itself. The link (A) from the first beacon device is then re-established between a selected one (14) of the second beacon devices. When a handover trigger event occurs, paging and page response messages are used to select a further second beacon device (13) and transfer the communications link (C) thereto.