Apparatus and process for detection of a bluetooth device

1. Electronic apparatus comprising bluetooth type communication means allowing data wireless data communication, including audio communication, to a satellite, said device including a main baseband host and a bluetooth type controller; said main baseband host comprising a PROFILE layer allowing the generation of AT type command arranged for the activation of an alarm circuit on said satellite; and

an RSSI detection means for determining the strength of the signal received from said satellite, and means for accessing a look-up table for the purpose of deriving information representative of the distance between the apparatus and said satellite;

wherein said RSSI detection means is activated to determine the strength of the signal received from said satellite when a Power Control Request (PCR) function is deactivated.

2. Electronic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said information representative of the distance is displayed on said apparatus.

3. Electronic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is a mobile phone or a mobile fitted with bluetooth capabilities.

4. Electronic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is a PDA type personal assistant fitted with bluetooth capabilities.

5. Detection process for a first electronic apparatus fitted with bluetooth type capabilities for detecting a second electronic apparatus also fitted with bluetooth type capabilities, said process involving the following steps:

a first initialization phase for activating said bluetooth type communication;

the transmission of a connection request forwarded to said second apparatus;

a test to determine whether said connection request can succeed; and

upon success of said test:

evaluation of the distance presumed between said first and second apparatus by means of a RSSI information and the reading of a look-up table giving correspondence between said RSSI information and said distance;

displaying said distance to the user; and

generation and transmission of one specific AT+BLOC command associated with a ON parameter so as to activate a presence warning circuit on said second apparatus;

upon failure of said test,

setting in a permanent search mode with additional successive connection requests with said second apparatus and the subsequent test of the establishment of those additional connections and, when said subsequent test succeeds:

signalling to said user the successful of said connection;

generation and transmission of a specific AT+BLOC command associated with one ON parameter so as to activate said presence warning circuit on said second apparatus.

6. Detection process according to claim 5 wherein the user is advised by a visual message of the detection of said second apparatus.

7. Detection process according to claim 5 wherein the user is advised by an auditive/vibration message of the detection of said second apparatus.

8. Detection process according to claim 5 , further involving the transmission of a AT+BLOC (OFF) message so as to deactivate said alarm circuit on said second apparatus.

9. Detection process according to claim 5 further comprising the step of, in case of success of said subsequent test, to allow the user to control the alarm signal, visual, auditive or with vibrations, on the satellite apparatus by means of the generation of a AT+BLOC command, associated with a ON parameter, transmitted to the profile layer of said apparatus.