Abstract: A short-range RF access point contains two Bluetooth devices. The first device is programmed to remain a master device. The second device is programmed to remain a scanning slave device. The two devices are connected to exchange clock, address, and synchronization information. The access point master device transmits inquiry and paging packets and establishes connections with potential slave devices that respond to inquiries from the master device. The master device's clock is the piconet clock for the resulting connections. The access point slave device primarily remains in an inquiry scanning mode, searching for inquiry packets from mobile devices that are potential master devices. When the access point slave device receives the inquiry packets and paging packets from a mobile device, it then passes control to the access point master device. Several embodiments are disclosed for passing control from the access point slave to the access point master.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for a remote-page devices. Communications are made more efficient with a connectivity tool. Remote-page enabled clients allow a short-range RF device to communicate beyond its coverage area or that of a nearby access point. Such a remote-page enabled client may issue remote-page messages and send them to remote-page enabled access points, which will ultimately route the message to a desired target client beyond the coverage area of the original client. The disclosure further teaches a remote-page enabled access point that may accept remote-page messages from clients and pass them on to remote access points that are communicating with the desired target device. The disclosure also teaches a remote-page server that tracks specified remote-page enabled access points and all clients disposed in communication with the access points.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for facilitating the preparation of customized messaging between a wireless access point and a variety of service platforms. The wireless access point includes a registry of trigger words, each word specifying the particular events that must be detected by the access point upon receiving a packet from a mobile wireless device, in order to invoke the process of sending a corresponding server message to a selected server. When the wireless packet is received by the access point, the access point uses the various types of information in the received packet as stimuli to be matched with the trigger words stored in the trigger word registry. If there is a match, then a customized message corresponding to the matched trigger word is accessed from a customized message registry and sent to the server specified in the message. The server uses this information for an appropriate query of its database to access the content.

Abstract: The user of a mobile terminal capable of receiving low-power, short-range transmissions enters keywords indicative of messages the user wishes to peruse. When the mobile terminal receives a short-range transmission having a message, keywords associated with the message are compared with the user-entered keywords; if any match, a banner portion of the message is displayed on the mobile terminal and the mobile terminal issues a sensible alert. The user may request to view the message body associated with the banner portion. The user may request to take actions regarding the message body, such as storing the message body in the mobile terminal or calling a telephone number contained in the message body.

Abstract: The user of a mobile terminal capable of receiving broadcast transmissions, such as Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) transmissions, enters keywords indicative of messages the user wishes to peruse. When the mobile terminal receives a broadcast transmission having a message, keywords associated with the message are compared with the user-entered keywords; if any match, at least a portion of the message is displayed on the mobile terminal. The displayed portion may be a “crawl” which appears at the bottom of the display screen. The user may request to view the remaining portions, if any, of the message, or to download data linked to the message, where the downloaded data may be for viewing or for another purpose.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for dynamically allocating bandwidth among devices connected to a short-range radio communication link, wherein the link possesses a maximum allowable bandwidth (Max) for all connection. As devices request connection to the link, each device transmits a CoD device class, and a bandwidth requirement for each device, wherein a weighted value is derived therefrom. The invention proceeds according to protocol by comparing the bandwidth of a requesting device to the Max value of the link. If the bandwidth requirement<Max, then the connection is allowed. As additional devices request connection, the bandwidth requirement values are added together and are compared to the Max value. If the sum<Max, then each device is allocated it's a specific value of bandwidth, along with additional bandwidth that is derived from et weighted value. If the sum>Max, the requesting connection is denied.

Abstract: A method is provided to minimize the protocol stacks needed for a short range wireless access point to rapidly communicate a message to a short range wireless mobile device and display it to the user. The short range wireless access point device stores an Access Point Service Indicator (APSI) message characterizing the service platform offerings. The APSI message has a unique message ID in its header. The user device's transport protocol layer is modified to detect the unique message ID and load it into an APSI message buffer. The transport protocol layer passes the APSI message directly to the application layer, bypassing the middleware protocol layers. The method can be applied to communications between various types of wireless devices to enable rapid communication, such as between two mobile devices, between fixed and mobile devices, between short range devices or between long range devices.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for a database of Bluetooth devices. The Bluetooth directory database accelerates, facilitates, and simplifies communications. Communications are made more efficient with a connectivity tool. Both the Bluetooth directory database and connectivity tool may be integrated into a Bluetooth device. The connectivity tool uses the Bluetooth directory database to correlate Bluetooth addresses of various devices together with other device identifiers, e.g., cleartextual representations. Thus, when other Bluetooth devices are encountered, information obtained from inquiry and/or page responses may be saved into the Bluetooth directory database for future reference. In one non-limiting example embodiment, communications are more efficient because the connectivity tool reduces the amount of subsequent Bluetooth inquiries and responses required to identify and/or engage in communications with Bluetooth devices.

Abstract: A powerline based network including a powerline, a Bluetooth access point connected to the powerline, and a remote Bluetooth module connected to the powerline capable of communicating with the access point via the powerline. The access point includes a plug for connection to an electrical outlet of the powerline, a Bluetooth communication module for transmitting and receiving wireless data signals, an external network interface for communicating with an external network, and a routing means for routing data signals via the powerline. The remote Bluetooth module includes a plug for connection to an electrical outlet of a powerline, a Bluetooth communication module for transmitting and receiving wireless data signals, and a routing means for routing data signals via the powerline.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system to extend the range of effective communication as between Bluetooth enabled devices. A Bluetooth repeater may receive Bluetooth communications from an originating Bluetooth enabled device within range and then forward the same data to an intended recipient that was outside the range of the originating Bluetooth enabled device. In one embodiment, the data is forwarded with minor modifications to the source address so that subsequent message replies will be sent to the Bluetooth repeater for forwarding to the proper message originator. Source, destination, and repeater transceiver addresses are stored in the translation database to insure proper forwarding of Bluetooth messages between out of range Bluetooth devices.

Abstract: The user of a mobile terminal capable of receiving broadcast transmissions, such as Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) transmissions, enters keywords indicative of messages the user wishes to peruse. When the mobile terminal receives a broadcast transmission having a message, keywords associated with the message are compared with the user-entered keywords; if any match, at least a portion of the message is displayed on the mobile terminal. The displayed portion may be a “crawl” which appears at the bottom of the display screen. The user may request to view the remaining portions, if any, of the message, or to download data linked to the message, where the downloaded data may be for viewing or for another purpose.

Abstract: A short-range RF access point contains two Bluetooth devices. The first device is programmed to remain a master device. The second device is programmed to remain a scanning slave device. The two devices are connected to exchange clock, address, and synchronization information. The access point master device transmits inquiry and paging packets and establishes connections with potential slave devices that respond to inquiries from the master device. The master device's clock is the piconet clock for the resulting connections. The access point slave device primarily remains in an inquiry scanning mode, searching for inquiry packets from mobile devices that are potential master devices. When the access point slave device receives the inquiry packets and paging packets from a mobile device, it then passes control to the access point master device. Several embodiments are disclosed for passing control from the access point slave to the access point master.

Abstract: The user of a mobile terminal capable of receiving low-power, short-range transmissions enters keywords indicative of messages the user wishes to peruse. When the mobile terminal receives a short-range transmission having a message, keywords associated with the message are compared with the user-entered keywords; if any match, a banner portion of the message is displayed on the mobile terminal and the mobile terminal issues a sensible alert. The user may request to view the message body associated with the banner portion. The user may request to take actions regarding the message body, such as storing the message body in the mobile terminal or calling a telephone number contained in the message body.

Abstract: A short range wireless access point enables a mobile wireless device to resume an Internet service with the same network server upon being interrupted by moving the mobile device outside the coverage area of the access point. A request forwarded by the mobile device to the access point is forwarded to the network server, the request being for service to be obtained over the Internet from the same server. The forwarding occurs during a period when the mobile device is within coverage area of the access point. A response message is sent from the server to the mobile device, the response message including a global/local parameter notifying the mobile device whether the requested service is available outside the coverage area and specifying alternative channels for continuing the service from the same server. A bookmark of the server is stored in the mobile device if the parameter indicates the service is available.

Abstract: A short-range RF access point contains two Bluetooth devices. The first device is programmed to remain a master device. The second device is programmed to remain a scanning slave device. The two devices are connected to exchange clock, address, and synchronization information. The access point master device transmits inquiry and paging packets and establishes connections with potential slave devices that respond to inquiries from the master device. The master device's clock is the piconet clock for the resulting connections. The access point slave device primarily remains in an inquiry scanning mode, searching for inquiry packets from mobile devices that are potential master devices. When the access point slave device receives the inquiry packets and paging packets from a mobile device, it then passes control to the access point master device. Several embodiments are disclosed for passing control from the access point slave to the access point master.

Abstract: The user of a mobile terminal enters keywords indicative of categories of messages he wishes to peruse. When the mobile terminal receives a message, keywords associated with the message are compared with the user-entered keywords; if any match, a banner portion of the message is displayed on the mobile terminal and the mobile terminal issues a sensible alert. The user may request to view the message body associated with the banner portion. The user may request to take actions regarding the message body, such as storing the message body in the mobile terminal or calling a telephone number contained in the message body.

Abstract: When a mobile wireless device is within the coverage area of a short range wireless access point, it sends a request for service to be obtained over the Internet from a network server. The short range wireless access point receives a response message over the Internet from the server, including a global/local parameter to notify the mobile wireless device whether the requested service is available outside the coverage area of the short range wireless access point. The access point forwards the response message to the mobile wireless device, which uses the information in the message to contact the server over the Internet. If the mobile wireless device detects that it has left the coverage area of the short range wireless access point while in contact with the server, it will determine whether the global/local parameter indicates that the service is global. If the parameter is global, then the mobile wireless device accesses a stored handover address.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for a remote-page devices. Communications are made more efficient with a connectivity tool. Remote-page enabled clients allow a short-range RF device to communicate beyond its coverage area or that of a nearby access point. Such a remote-page enabled client may issue remote-page messages and send them to remote-page enabled access points, which will ultimately route the message to a desired target client beyond the coverage area of the original client. The disclosure further teaches a remote-page enabled access point that may accept remote-page messages from clients and pass them on to remote access points that are communicating with the desired target device. The disclosure also teaches a remote-page server that tracks specified remote-page enabled access points and all clients disposed in communication with the access points.

Abstract: A powerline based network including a powerline, a Bluetooth access point connected to the powerline, and a remote Bluetooth module connected to the powerline capable of communicating with the access point via the powerline. The access point includes a plug for connection to an electrical outlet of the powerline, a Bluetooth communication module for transmitting and receiving wireless data signals, an external network interface for communicating with an external network, and a routing means for routing data signals via the powerline. The remote Bluetooth module includes a plug for connection to an electrical outlet of a powerline, a Bluetooth communication module for transmitting and receiving wireless data signals, and a routing means for routing data signals via the powerline.

Abstract: During the period when a mobile wireless device is within the coverage area of a short range wireless access point, it sends a request for service to be obtained over the Internet from a network server. The short range wireless access point receives a response message over the Internet from the server, including a global/local parameter to notify the mobile wireless device whether the requested service is available outside the coverage area of the short range wireless access point. The access point forwards the response message to the mobile wireless device, which uses the information in the message to contact the server over the Internet to download web pages or to conduct other server operations. Regions outside the coverage area of the short range wireless access point are covered by regional cellular telephone access points, such as cellular telephone base stations.