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 by an apparatus, the method comprising:
receiving, by a transceiver in the apparatus, a request over a time slotted channel by an object of a plurality of objects with the object operating in a find state, wherein the object is in close proximity of the apparatus in a short-range wireless network and the request is received subsequent to a detected button press on the object;
prompting, on a display at the apparatus, a user with a message to automatically add the object to an authorized found list in response to the request; and
receiving user acceptance to the request and automatically adding the object to the authorized found list of the apparatus.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus and object are mobile telephones.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
displaying the authorized found list identifying the object using a graphical user interface.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving user acceptance comprises choosing a selected channel for further communication with the object.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising communicating by the apparatus with the object subsequent to a security procedure requiring user input.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising downloading data from the object to the apparatus.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the time slotted channel comprises two or more frequencies.
8. An apparatus for short-range wireless communication, the apparatus comprising:
a transceiver configured to receive a request over a time slotted channel by an object of a plurality of objects, with the object configured to operate in a find state, wherein the object is in close proximity of the apparatus in a short-range wireless network and the request is received subsequent to a detected button press on the object;
circuitry configured to prompt a user with a message to automatically add the object to an authorized found list in response to the request; and
circuitry configured to receive user acceptance to the request and to automatically add the object to the authorized found list of the apparatus.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the apparatus and object are mobile telephones.
10. The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising:
a display configured to display the authorized found list identifying the object using a graphical user interface.
11. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the circuitry configured to receive user acceptance comprises circuitry configured to choose a selected channel for further communication with the object.
12. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the transceiver is further configured to communicate with the object subsequent to a security procedure requiring user input.
13. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the transceiver is further configured to download data from the object to the apparatus.
14. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the time slotted channel comprises two or more frequencies.
15. The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising at least one antenna coupled to the transceiver.