3com Corporation

Hewlett-packard Company

3com Cororation

David Moore

David Kammer

Steve Parker

Brent Delbert Madsen

Sy Prestwich

Jeffrey L Jones

Shayne Messerly

E Michael Lunsford

Eric Michael Lunsford

Kurt Stewart

Harrison Killian

John Wheeler

Steven Lo Forte

Gerald A Wilson

Nicholas A Thomas

David M Arnesen

Michael Collins

Kenneth S Morley

Michael Lunsford

Garn H Morrell

Brady V Brown

Graeme A Hickman

Jeff Allen Harrell

John M Wheeler

Nick Thomas

Dean Anthony Gratton

Thomas Scribner

Steven LoForte

A wireless network access point that is compatible with multiple wireless network access profiles. The wireless network access point of the present invention allows devices with heterogeneous wireless network access profiles to access the network over the same network access point (NAP). This enables existing networks to upgrade NAPs without being forced to upgrade all the wireless devices within the network. In addition, the NAP of the present invention enables wireless devices to utilize network access profile features available in network access profiles other than the one loaded on the wireless device itself.

Methods for providing universal network access within a wireless communication system

A method for wirelessly connecting a computer network to a destination device located at an unknown location in response to a request from a requesting device. The method of the present invention creates a more versatile wireless computer network by enabling devices within the computer network to efficiently wirelessly connect to mobile devices that are not connected to the computer network but are in range of at least one wireless access point. Therefore, the network can efficiently dynamically adjust to the movement of particular wireless devices throughout the network. Likewise, the method effectively increases the capabilities of the network by enabling devices within the network to efficiently connect with devices that are not actively communicating with the network. The method includes a series of searching routines which are performed at each access point to locate the destination device.

Method of dynamically locating and connecting to a wireless device

A wireless communication method for selective transmission of data among a group of mobile computing devices. A user's device is used to broadcast a query to determine a group of mobile computing devices within communications range. A list of resulting mobile computing devices is then presented to the user through the device's interface. The user selects at least one of the mobile computing devices from the list for a data transfer. The data transfer is then performed to the selected at least one mobile computing device. Upon completion of the transfer, a confirmation is presented to the user. In this manner, wireless data transfers can be performed with a number of different mobile computing devices within communications range. The user can select a number of mobile computing devices from the list and perform the data transfer to each of the selected number in a single step. The data transfer is performed using a wireless RF communications link. The wireless RF communications link can be compatible with a version of the Bluetooth specification.

Method and system for implementing wireless data transfers between a selected group of mobile computing devices

An automated telephone dialing system. The system enables a handheld PID to automatically dial a telephone number stored its memory by interacting with a telephone. The telephone is equipped with a wireless port for short-range wireless data transfer. Similarly, the PID is equipped with a wireless port for short-range wireless data transfer. The PID establishes a wireless communication with the telephone. The PID is configured to control the telephone via the wireless communications such that the telephone dials a telephone number stored on the PID. The telephone number can be dialed in response to the user interacting with application executing on the PID. The application can be a contact management or address management program. The user can interact with the program, select a contact, address, phone number, or the like, through a GUI of the PID, and have this number automatically dialed by the telephone. In this manner, the user's PID seamlessly interacts with the user's telephone to dial numbers and establish phone calls without requiring the user to access controls of the telephone. The wireless communication between the PID and the telephone can be compatible with a version of the Bluetooth specification. The wireless communication between the PID and the telephone can also be compatible with a version of the IrDA specification.

Method and system for wirelessly autodialing a telephone number from a record stored on a personal information device

A system and method for selecting a network access provider using a portable information device (PID) includes considering the user's pre-stated preferences. The pre-stated preferences may include, but are not limited to, reliability, security, signal strength, cost or appropriateness of service provider. The network access providers may be chosen from, but not limited to, a network access server at a corporate office or a cellular telephone. A score is calculated for each available network access provider and a connection is made based on the optimum provider that fits with the preferences of the user.

System and method for selecting a network access provider using a portable information device

A master-slave switch method for reversing roles between nodes in a network environment when the traditional role reversal functionality as defined by the network specification is not implemented within the node is presented. A data terminal which does not support the traditional master-slave switch functionality, progresses as far as establishing an asynchronous connectionless (ACL) connection. The LAN access point then request a role switch, when the reversal of roles fails, the connection is aborted with device addresses of the participating entities being stored. The LAN access point then initiates the reestablishment of the connection in a master role with the data terminal assuming a slave role after verification of the device address of the LAN access point.

Wireless callback access control for a LAN network access point

A method and system for effecting a security web upon multiple devices. In one embodiment of the invention, multiple devices are enabled to respond as authorized members of a security web such that each device acts as a co-monitoring device within the web. Further, each device transmits an identifiable RF signal at regular time intervals and is enabled to search for the transmitted RF signal from every other device within the security web. Next the invention determines a non-authorized loss of proximity from the web of any of the devices of the web. Upon determining a non-authorized loss of proximity of any device, the invention provides for at least one of the devices of the web to initiate an event.

Method and system for effecting a security system upon multiple portable information devices

A system and method for providing a shortened DSP reset pulse to cause a modem to reset and enter a sleep mode as soon as possible after receipt of an external reset pulse issued by a host. A reset controller detects the external reset pulse, issues a separate reset pulse to the modem, monitors the modem's clock and then terminates the separate reset pulse after a prescribed duration. The prescribed duration is determined by the minimum time required by the DSP to reset. The invention is embodied in a modem connected to an external controller. The modem includes a DSP having a reset terminal and a clock. The DSP begins performing a reset upon a first signal applied to its reset terminal and causes the modem to enter a sleep-mode after a second signal is applied to its reset terminal. The external controller is capable of transmitting an external signal. The reset controller in the modem has a counter and an output node. The counter is connected to the clock and provides a counter output signal upon receipt of a predetermined number of cycles of the clock. The counter initiating generally concurrent with receipt of the external signal. The output node is connected to the reset terminal of the DSP and to the output counter. The output node provides a first signal to the DSP generally concurrent with receipt of the external signal and a second signal generally concurrent with receipt of the counter output signal.

System and method in a modem for providing a shortened reset pulse upon receipt of an external reset pulse

A case for a handheld computer system is described. In an embodiment, the handheld computer system comprises a personal digital assistant. The case has multi-functional capability. The case provides a protective housing for the personal digital assistant and includes a communication module which is integrated into the case for protection against damage, whereas the communication module transmits and receives data for the personal digital assistant. In an embodiment, the communication module comprises a radio frequency (RF) wireless communication device. In an embodiment, the case includes a connector which couples to a communication port located on the back of the personal digital assistant, whereas the connector couples to the personal digital assistant inserted inside the case. In an embodiment, the connector comprises a latching connector which electrically couples to the communication port and which couples to the personal digital assistant. In an embodiment, the latching connector couples to the back cover of the case such that the latching connector can be rotated about a pivot axis to a latched position and to an unlatched position. When the latching connector is rotated to the latched position, the latching connector latches to the back cover and couples (electrically and physically) to the personal digital assistant inserted inside the case. When the latching connector is rotated to the unlatched position, the latching connector unlatches from the back cover, uncouples (electrically and physically) from the personal digital assistant, and rotates through an opening in the back cover to a position outside the case.

Case with communication module having a latching connector for a handheld computer system

A case for a handheld computer system is described. In an embodiment, the handheld computer system comprises a personal digital assistant. The case has multi-functional capability. The case provides a protective housing for the personal digital assistant and includes a communication module which is integrated into the case for protection against damage, whereas the communication module transmits and receives data for the personal digital assistant. In an embodiment, the communication module comprises a radio frequency (RF) wireless communication device. In an embodiment, the case includes a front cover and a back cover coupled to the front cover via a double pin hinge. The personal digital assistant is inserted between the front and back covers, whereas the front cover protects the front of the personal digital assistant while the back cover protects the back of the personal digital assistant. The double pin hinge allows the front and back covers to rotate to a generally back-to-back position and to rotate to a generally front-to-front position, facilitating approximately 360 degree rotation about the double pin hinge by the combination of the rotations of each of the front and back covers. Additionally, the communication module is integrated into the front cover. The back cover includes a connector which couples to a communication port located on the back of the personal digital assistant, whereas the connector couples to the personal digital assistant inserted inside the protective housing formed by the front and back covers.

Case with communication module having a double pin hinge for a handheld computer system

Parallel data is serialized and transmitted and asynchronous data is received and placed into parallel bytes using a hardware assisted interface. The interface can be driven with very little overhead to the DSP. Additional timing registers and enhanced data buffers decrease the necessary DSP resource commitment. Furthermore the hardware settings in the interface can be adjusted by the DSP to optimize the interface's performance in transmitting various asynchronous protocols.

Parallel to serial asynchronous hardware assisted DSP interface

In a system having an DSP, an ASIC and a memory, in which the ASIC generates a number of different competing interrupts for the DSP to service, the ASIC has an interrupt request control module which automatically provides the DSP with a vector pointing to the memory location of the interrupt service routine for the currently pending interrupt request having the highest priority of all pending requests. The DSP reads this vector and uses it to access the interrupt service routine in the memory. Reading of this vector causes the interrupt request to be de-asserted, which causes the next highest priority pending interrupt request to become the highest priority pending interrupt request. As a result, a new vector is presented for the next read by the DSP.

Interrupt request control module with a DSP interrupt vector generator

An apparatus and method of mounting an antenna in a portable information device (PID) are provided. The PID includes a housing having an elongated slot formed therein. A circuit board is disposed with the housing. An elongated antenna housing including a first end and a second end is received in the elongated slot. A conductive contact member is positioned within the elongated antenna housing, and an antenna member is positioned within the elongated antenna housing. The antenna member is electrically connected with the conductive contact member. A conductive connection clip is attached to the housing for providing an electrical connection between the conductive contact member and the circuit board. The conductive connection clip includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The second end portion of the conductive connection clip is operatively connected to the circuit board and the first end portion of the conductive connection clip contacts the conductive contact member positioned within the elongated antenna housing to allow signals to be transmitted from the antenna member to the circuit board and vice versa.

Antenna for a portable information device

An apparatus for facilitating the various placement of an antenna within a wireless transceiver device such as a wireless personal data assistant is presented. Such an apparatus enables the relocation of an antenna device in accordance with a user preferred configuration. The relocation of the antenna device does not effect the overall performance and does not require further termination of unused antenna configurations. Such an apparatus facilitates the preferred placement of an antenna in accordance with a user's hand preference (e.g., right handedness verses left handedness).

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Riverton, UT, United States of America

David Moore