Enhanced wireless handset, including direct handset-to-handset communication mode
View Patent ↗A wireless handset is provided with enhanced features and capabilities. The wireless handset may be embodied as a full-featured handset that is capable of operating either within a wireless network (such as a cellular or PCS network) or in a direct handset-to-handset communication mode that is independent of the wireless network. Alternatively, the wireless handset may be embodied as a special purpose handset, that is capable of simply operating in a direct handset-to-handset communication mode. The wireless handset may additionally include features for supporting and enhancing direct communication between handsets. Such features may include a find feature that permits a user to determine which objects, including other wireless handset users, are located within a predetermined operating range of the wireless handset. A memorize feature may also be provided to permit handsets and other objects exchange information by wireless transmission.
1. A method for short-range wireless communication between an object and an apparatus, the method comprising:
transmitting an inquiry message to the object from the apparatus to determine whether the object is within a short-range wireless communication area of the apparatus, wherein the inquiry message is a first communication transmitted over a first network within the short-range wireless communication area during a second communication being conducted by the apparatus over a second network different from the first network while maintaining the second communication being conducted;
detecting a response, by the apparatus, from the object to the inquiry message via a channel of the first network, wherein the response is received via the channel based on an availability setting at the object;
generating a list that includes the object based on detecting the response therefrom; and
displaying the list identifying the object detected within the short-range wireless communication area of the apparatus.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus or object includes a wireless telephone and the second network is a wireless communication network.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the wireless communication network is a wide-area network.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the wireless communication network is a cellular network.
5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the second communication is a voice communication.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying the list using a graphical user interface.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving a different inquiry message from a different object and responding to the different inquiry message based on an availability setting of the apparatus.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving the response from the object via the channel based on user authorization at the object.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said detecting comprises choosing a selected channel based on a received signal strength indicator for further communication with the object.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the selected channel is chosen using a predetermined algorithm.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the selected channel provides full duplex voice communication between the apparatus and the object.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the channel is a control channel that is accessed for a predetermined period of time.
13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the apparatus communicating with the object subsequent to a security procedure requiring user input.
14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising downloading data from the object to the apparatus.
15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising downloading contact information from the object to the apparatus.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus or object includes a computing device.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the second network is a cellular network.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the second network is a wide-area network.
19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the second network is configured to convey digital data.
20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus or object comprises a computing device coupled to a wireless transceiver.
21. An apparatus for short-range wireless communication between an object and the apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
a transceiver configured to transmit an inquiry message to the object to determine whether the object is within a short-range wireless communication area of the apparatus, wherein the inquiry message is a first communication transmitted over a first network within the short-range wireless communication area during a second communication being conducted by the apparatus over a second network different from the first network while maintaining the second communication being conducted;
the transceiver configured to detect a response from the object to the inquiry message via a channel of the first network based on an availability setting at the object;
a processor configured to generate a list that includes the object based on the transceiver detecting the response therefrom; and
a display configured to display the list identifying the object that has been detected within the short-range wireless communication area of the apparatus.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the apparatus or object includes a wireless telephone and the second network is a wireless communication network.
23. The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the wireless communication network is a wide-area network.
24. The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the wireless communication network is a cellular network.
25. The apparatus of claim 24 , wherein the second communication is a voice communication.
26. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the list is displayed using a graphical user interface.
27. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the transceiver receives a different inquiry message from a different object and responds to the different inquiry message based on an availability setting of the apparatus.
28. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the transceiver receives the response from the object via the channel based on user authorization at the object.
29. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the transceiver is adapted to choose a selected channel based on a received signal strength indicator for further communication with the object.
30. The apparatus of claim 29 , wherein the selected channel is chosen using a predetermined algorithm.
31. The apparatus of claim 29 , wherein the selected channel provides full duplex voice communication between the apparatus and the object.
32. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the channel is a control channel that is accessed for a predetermined period of time.
33. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the apparatus communicates with the object subsequent to a security procedure that requires user input.
34. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein data is downloaded from the object to the apparatus.
35. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein contact information is downloaded from the object to the apparatus.
36. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the apparatus or object includes a computing device.
37. The apparatus of claim 36 , wherein the second network is a cellular network.
38. The apparatus of claim 36 , wherein the second network is a wide-area network.
39. The apparatus of claim 36 , wherein the second network is configured to convey digital data.
40. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the apparatus or object comprises a computing device coupled to a wireless transceiver.