3com Corporation

Randy C Smith

Scott Allen Caddes

William Raines

Ned Plasson

Vinay Shashikumar Badami

Kenin Page

Elwin Hunt

Jennifer Baker

Ronald D Smith

Stuart Louis Timm

Randy S Tate

A method and apparatus for opening a communications port for communication over a wireless communication network. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention discloses a method for opening a virtual communications (VCOM) port that is configured with a particular profile over a Bluetooth network. After an attempt to open the VCOM port is received from a first application at a first electronic device, the process is suspended until a communication path is established over the Bluetooth communication network between the first electronic device and a remote electronic device within a Bluetooth network. The remote electronic device may be selected by a user from a list of available devices. In another embodiment, a user may pre-configure the VCOM port for a specific functional profile and pre-configure a remote electronic device to the VCOM port.

Method and apparatus for opening a virtual serial communications port for establishing a wireless connection in a Bluetooth communications network

Within one embodiment of the present invention, arbitration software operating on a computer is able to determine whether communication software utilizes the same serial communication (COM) port of the computer as a HotSync Manager. If they do use the same serial COM port, the present embodiment arbitration software shuts down the HotSync Manager, if its running, thereby enabling the serial COM port to be utilized for other purposes (e.g., wireless modem communication). However, if the present embodiment arbitration software detects a HotSync Request received via the serial COM port, it runs the HotSync Manager enabling a HotSync process to occur between (for example) a personal digital assistant (PDA) and the computer. Once the present embodiment arbitration software detects the completion of the HotSync process, it shuts down the HotSync Manager until it detects the next HotSync Request.

Serial communication port arbitration between a hotsync manager and a wireless connection manager

A mobile configuration manager application is provided for managing network configuration parameters essential for the configuration of a computer for operable interaction in a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) environment. The network configuration parameters are partitioned into intuitive profiles that may be re-used in additional network configurations including LAN and WAN environments. The population of the profile parameters is facilitated by the application through the use of intuitive menus and windows with competed configurations being stored and selectively activated by a user without requiring subsequent parametric input by the user when selecting a different network environment. The transfer and exchange of network configuration parameters between different computers is also presented.

Network configuration method and system for a window-based operating system environment

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Kaysville, UT, United States of America

Randy C Smith