Broadcom Corporation

Free Alliance Sdn Bhd

Widcomm, Inc.

Martin Morris

Lyn Phuong Nguyen

Hiep Pham

Rajiv Kumar

Andrew E Senyei

Krishnasamy Anandakumar

Hock Thye Law

Jeff Calcagno

Suresh Kumar Singamsetty

Dennis Ching Chung Kwan

An interface which effects communication between first and second systems and includes a first arrangement for communicating with the first system using a first protocol and a second arrangement for communicating with the second system using a second protocol. At least one of the arrangements includes a mechanism for effecting wireless communication. In accordance with the invention, a third arrangement is included for translating data received from the first system in accordance with the first protocol into data adapted for the second system in accordance with the second protocol. In the illustrative embodiment, the inventive interface further includes an arrangement for translating data received from the second system in accordance with the second protocol into data adapted for the first system in accordance with the first protocol. In the illustrative embodiment, the second system is a Personal Computer, the first system is a peripheral adapted to be connected to the computer, the first protocol is a Bluetooth protocol and the second protocol is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol. In the illustrative embodiment, the inventive interface leverages Universal Serial Bus technology, particularly 'plug and play' capability, to simplify the installation and use of Bluetooth-enabled peripherals.

System and method for connecting bluetooth-enabled devices to a personal computer

A method and system for improving a level of service between wireless devices. Handheld devices implementing the Bluetooth specification typically have relatively limited transmission ranges. As a result, and since they are typically portable, such devices easily experience abrupt communication interruptions, either between themselves and other handheld devices, or between themselves and fixed devices. The effective range of the devices can be extended by providing additional error-correcting coding. Although this modification also results in an extended transmission time, users are provided with an increased transmission range, and are given warning that service may soon be interrupted. Users may then, if they wish, take such steps as finishing their communication or moving into their devices' normal transmission range. Additionally, the handheld devices may use the extra transmission time and range to search for a forwarding path to a recipient device, thus minimizing or preventing any service interruption.

Method and apparatus for range extension of low-power wireless communication links

A data communication system capable of forwarding IP-addressed data to devices as such devices move among networks having different IP addresses is disclosed herein. The system includes first and second networks containing first and second pluralities of nodes. At least one of the first plurality of nodes is adapted to receive data transmissions from an external IP-based network. Upon joining the first network, this device is assigned an IP address which remains with it irrespective of whether it moves beyond the range of the first network. When this device roams into the vicinity of the second network, data addressed to the device which is received at the first network is forwarded via at least one node of the second network to the roaming device.

Utilization of the internet protocol to facilitate communication involving mobile devices

A wireless interface device is used to RF communicate between a computer system and input devices comprising a keyboard and a mouse. The interface device comprises a radio transmitter and receiver, wherein a modem encodes data to be sent by the radio transmitter and decodes data received by the radio receiver. A baseband circuit encrypts data to be transmitted and decrypts received data. The wireless interface device has power saving functions to extend the battery life of the input device and has the capability to automatically select between several communication frequencies or channels as well as automatically select between RF data rates.

Wireless transceiver system for computer input devices

A method for operating in a network that includes one or more of the following: assigning a respective active member address to each of a plurality of first slave nodes participating in a piconet; receiving a request to join the piconet; determining that no more different active member address are available in the piconet; determining that a second slave node supports extended addressing; and performing calculations as a function of the bandwidth requirements of the second slave node to determine whether to share an assigned active member address with the second slave node.

Efficient time-division multiplexed addressing protocol

Methods and systems to determine the position of objects indoors or in confined areas are disclosed. A multitude of broadcast stations are transmitting an omni-directional reference signal and directional signals having each a phase-shift depending upon their specific direction. The objects whose positions are to be identified have a transponder and a means to measure the phase-shift between the omni-directional reference signal and a directional signal received. The measured time-difference indicating the relative direction to the broadcast station, which has sent the directional signal, is sent back to the broadcast station. The absolute position of the object can be determined by the results of an angular measurement of a second broadcast station. The broadcast stations can communicate amongst each other. A post-processing unit can initiate actions according to the position of an object identified.

Position determination by directional broadcast

A system and method for secure biometric identification. The inventive system includes a mobile unit and a server. The mobile unit is adapted to receive biometric input and provide a first signal in response thereto. In the illustrative implementation, the mobile unit is a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and the biometric input is provided by a fingerprint sensor mounted thereon. A first transceiver is mounted on the PDA for transmitting the first signal and receiving a second signal in response thereto. The PDA is adapted to encrypt the first signal and decrypt the second signal. A secure device is mounted at the PDA. The secure device has two modes of operation: a first locked mode by which access thereto is prohibited and a second unlocked mode by which access thereto is enabled on receipt of the second signal. In the illustrative implementation, the secure device is an encrypted database for which the second signal is a decryption key. The server unit includes a second transceiver for receiving the first signal transmitted via the wireless link. The first and second transceivers are adapted to operate in accordance with the Bluetooth specification. The server is equipped with a system for authenticating the biometric data and providing the second signal in response thereto. The second signal is then communicated to the mobile unit where it is utilized to access the secure device, e.g., encrypted database.

System and method for secure biometric identification

A phase synchronizer may operate, for example, to establish synchronization with a phase of a received codeword. The phase synchronizer may include, for example, an input shift register, a first syndrome computing module, a first error detection module, a second syndrome computing module, a second error detection module and a comparator arrangement. The first syndrome computing module may compute syndromes relating to a first potential phase of the codeword. The first error detection module may determine, based upon the first syndromes, a first number of errors associated with the first potential phase of the codeword. The second syndrome computing module may compute syndromes relating to a second potential phase of the codeword. The second error detection module may determine, based upon the second syndromes, a second number of errors associated with the second potential phase of the codeword.

System and method for establishing word synchronization

A method and apparatus for communicating within a system including a master unit and one or more slave units is disclosed herein. A member address, corresponding to a selected time slot of a plurality of time slots defined by a system clock configured to repeat in cycles, is assigned to a first slave unit. The first slave unit is also assigned a first extended address associated with an occurrence of the designated time slot within at least a selected one of the cycles. After being polled by the master unit during an immediately preceding time slot, the first slave unit transmits information thereto during the designated selected time slot within the selected cycle. A second slave unit may also be assigned the member address and a second extended address associated with a different occurrence of the selected time slot within one or more of the cycles. The second slave unit is disposed to transmit information during such different occurrence of the selected time slot.

A data communication system capable of forwarding IP-addressed data to devices as such devices move among networks having different IP addresses is disclosed herein. The system includes first and second networks containing first and second pluralities of nodes. At least one of the first plurality of nodes is adapted to receive data transmissions from an external IP-based network. Upon joining the first network, this device is assigned an IP address which remains with it irrespective of whether it moves beyond the range of the first network. When this device roams into the vicinity of the second network, data addressed to the device which is received at the first network is forwarded via at least one node of the second network to the device.

A method and apparatus for internetworked communication between first and second wireless networks containing first and second pluralities of wireless nodes, respectively, is disclosed herein. In a preferred implementation an internetworking node participates in both the first and second wireless networks, and receives a first set of network information identifying each of the first plurality of wireless nodes and the services offered thereby. The internetworking node is configured to transmit the first set of network information to a master node of the second wireless network. The internetworking node also receives, from the second wireless network, a second set of network information identifying each of the second plurality of wireless nodes and the services offered thereby. In addition, the internetworking node may also transmit the second set of network information to a master node of the first wireless network. The first master node may be configured to broadcast information relating to the services offered by each of the first plurality of wireless nodes and the second wireless network. Likewise, the second master node may be configured to broadcast information relating to the services offered by each of the second plurality of wireless nodes and the second wireless network. In a preferred embodiment each of the first plurality of wireless nodes transmits an advertisement to the first master node specifying its address and services offered thereby. Similarly, each of the second plurality of wireless nodes transmits an advertisement to the second master node specifying its address and services offered thereby.

Distributed management of an extended network containing short-range wireless links

A method and apparatus for internetworked communication between first and second wireless networks containing first and second pluralities of wireless nodes, respectively, is disclosed herein. In a preferred implementation a first dual-power node participates in both a first wireless network and an overlay network. The dual-power node is configured to transmit and receive in both a high-power mode and a low-power mode. The dual-power node operates in an overlay network and facilitates data transmission between low-power nodes and high-power nodes by toggling between these two power modes. In a preferred implementation, a third wireless network containing a third plurality of wireless nodes is utilized. The overlay network can accommodate a plurality of high-power or dual-power nodes.

Growing community of inventors

Vista, CA, United States of America

Martin Morris