(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0033413 A1
`Willson, JR. et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Feb. 13, 2003
`
`US 20030033413A1
`
`(54) MOBILE WIRELESS LOCAL AREA
`NETWORK
`
`(76) Inventors: Alan N. Willson J R., Pasadena, CA
`(Us); Arthur Torosyam La Crescenteh
`CA (Us)
`d
`Add _
`C
`DoAr‘rgslgoAn ZIEGEE
`P 0 BOX‘ 3 4 0 5 57N
`'
`'
`COLUMBUS’ OH 43234-0557 (Us)
`_
`(21) Appl' NO"
`(22) Filed
`'
`
`10/176’164
`Jun 19 2002
`l
`’
`-
`-
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/299,312, ?led on Jun.
`19, 2001_
`
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`(51) Int. Cl.7 ................................................... .. G06F 15/16
`
`(52) US. Cl. .......................................... .. 709/227; 709/213
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`57
`(
`)
`A mobile Wireless local area communications network
`includes a pair of relatively movable nodes, such as a vehicle
`and a house, Which are movable into and out of a de?ned and
`limited area of communications relative to the ?xed node.
`Each node has a computer and human interface capabilities
`to enable transfer of data between the nodes. Each has the
`ability to automatically connect/disconnect the nodes When
`the movable node moves into/out of the area of communi
`cations. The system causes performance of a function extrin
`sic to the communication itself as a result of the initiation or
`the cessation of the communication, even after the nodes
`have been disconnected. A music la in s stem enables
`p y g y
`identi?cation of a listener to the system, Who can then
`instruct the System to Compile a Personal “don’t Play” list of
`identi?ed music pieces and types of music pieces. This
`prevents the identi?ed music pieces and types of music
`pieces from being played When the listener is identi?ed to
`the system. Multiple listeners and “don’t play” lists can be
`accommodated simultaneously.
`
`PC
`Computer
`Hardware
`Human Interface _|
`Means
`
`NetBlaster
`
`Equipment Interface
`(optional)
`
`Fixed Node
`
`wireless LAN connection
`
`\ antenna
`
`Wireless
`NIC
`
`Laptop
`Computer
`Hardware
`
`Human Interface
`Means
`
`Equipment Interface
`(optional)
`
`Mobile Node
`
`Page 1 of 10
`
`Unified Patents Exhibit 1014
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Feb. 13, 2003 Sheet 1 0f 4
`
`US 2003/0033413 A1
`
`PC
`Computer
`Hardware
`Human Interface _|
`Means
`
`Equipment Interface
`(optional)
`
`Fixed Node
`
`Fig 1
`
`l[wireless LAN connection
`
`\ antenna
`
`Wireless
`NIC
`
`Laptop
`Computer
`Hardware
`l
`Human Interface
`Means
`
`Equipment Interface
`(optional)
`
`Mobile Node
`
`Page 2 of 10
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Feb. 13, 2003 Sheet 2 0f 4
`
`US 2003/0033413 A1
`
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`Page 3 of 10
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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 13, 2003 Sheet 3 0f 4
`
`US 2003/0033413 A1
`
`User
`
`File Inclusions
`and Exclusion
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`Page 4 of 10
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`

`
`Patent Application Publication Feb. 13, 2003 Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 2003/0033413 A1
`
`Start
`
`VP“
`
`pick next music selection from
`playlist, album list, or other
`music identi?cation ?le
`
`Is it on a current
`listner’s “don’t play”
`list?
`
`Yes
`
`initiate play of music
`selection
`
`¢<_____.
`
`continue play of current
`music selection and,
`while playing, poll for
`“don’t play” input from
`any listener
`
`Update listener’s
`“don’t play”
`list
`
`“Don’t play” input
`received?
`
`Yes
`
`End of selection reached?
`
`Yes
`
`No
`
`Page 5 of 10
`
`

`
`US 2003/0033413 A1
`
`Feb. 13, 2003
`
`MOBILE WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORK
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0002] This invention generally relates to mobile commu
`nications and, more speci?cally, to a mobile communica
`tions network for communicating information betWeen
`nodes in a limited-range communications area to effect
`extrinsic actions.
`
`[0003] 2. Description of related art
`[0004] In today’s fast-paced age, electronic conveniences
`are rapidly being developed and implemented to simplify
`and automate everyday chores. Examples are the use of cell
`phones, Which eliminates the necessity of locating and using
`a ?xed land-line phone. Also, the internet has simpli?ed the
`acquisition of information, Which is noW available World
`Wide, anyWhere 24/7. Local area netWorks (LANs) are
`commonly used in of?ces to interconnect computers and
`peripherals for use by many people. In homes, LANs are
`used for similar communication and for transferring data,
`including music, doWnloaded from the internet or read from
`compact disks, DVDs, or other storage media, betWeen
`computers and a music system.
`[0005] Recently, Wireless LANS have been developed for
`use in airports, hotels and other limited areas to enable
`patrons to log on to the internet. Also, it is knoWn from US.
`Pat. No. 6,246,883 to provide a mobile base station that
`periodically travels throughout a geographical area, broad
`casting information to multiple users in different broadcast
`areas via a Wireless LAN.
`
`[0006] There is currently no system Which fully exploits
`the versatility and commercial possibilities of Wireless
`LAN s to provide even more convenience, simpli?cation and
`ef?ciency to life by automating everyday chores.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0007] It is therefore and object of this invention to
`provide a system using a Wireless mobile LAN to provide
`even more convenience, simpli?cation and ef?ciency to life
`by automating everyday chores.
`[0008] In one aspect, this invention features a Wireless
`netWork that contains one or more mobile nodes, each of
`Which is capable of moving to various distinct (i.e. de?ned
`and limited) geographical locations Where, until moving
`again, it automatically becomes a part of a ?xed Wireless
`local area netWork for communication With ?xed nodes.
`Each mobile node has, in addition to its Wireless commu
`nications capability, computer and human interface capa
`bilities, and various equipment interface capabilities, Which
`enable the automatic performance of useful functions extrin
`sic to the communication itself, even after the mobile node
`is disconnected from a ?xed node. In one form, the mobile
`node transmits an identi?cation code and an instruction code
`Which effect performance of some action by the ?xed node
`extrinsic to the communication itself.
`
`[0009] In another aspect, this invention features a music
`playing system that enables identi?cation of a listener to the
`system, Who can then instruct the system to compile a
`personal “don’t play” list of identi?ed music pieces and
`types of music pieces. This prevents the identi?ed music
`
`pieces and types of music pieces from being played When the
`listener is identi?ed to the system. Multiple listeners and
`“don’t play” lists can be accommodated simultaneously.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of the com
`ponents of a system according to this invention;
`
`[0011] FIG. 2 is a depiction of a computer screen shoWing
`File-N-Sync Plus settings for a system according to this
`invention;
`[0012] FIG. 3 is a How diagram of a File-N-Sync softWare
`program for the system of this invention; and
`
`[0013] FIG. 4 is a How diagram of the automatic trans
`mission of music ?les betWeen nodes.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`[0014] This invention relates to a Wireless netWork that
`contains both mobile and ?xed, or stationary, nodes. The
`netWork contains one or more movable or mobile nodes that
`are capable of moving to various distinct geographical
`locations Where, until moving again, they temporarily
`become part of a ?xed Wireless local area netWork. As
`shoWn in FIG. 1, the mobile nodes have, in addition to their
`Wireless communications capability, computer and human
`interface capabilities, and various equipment interface capa
`bilities, that permit them to perform useful functions, extrin
`sic to the communication itself, even While the mobile node
`is disconnected from the other nodes. Speci?c actions are
`automatically initiated by the connection and disconnection
`of a mobile node from the ?xed nodes.
`
`[0015] One example of a mobile node incorporated in our
`invention, Which We term a Mobile Wireless Local Area
`NetWork (MWLAN), is a computer-controlled entertain
`ment/information transfer system that is mounted in an
`automobile, or other vehicle, and has an antenna that permits
`it to automatically establish Wireless communication With a
`?xed node, located in a house, or other stationary location,
`Whenever the vehicle is in suf?ciently close physical prox
`imity to the house. When, for example, the vehicle is parked
`in the driveWay or garage of a house, both the mobile and
`?xed nodes establish a Wireless LAN connection. Once the
`LAN connection is established, the contents of the data
`storage unit of the vehicle’s node can be interrogated and
`modi?ed by transmissions betWeen the nodes.
`[0016] Examples of applications supported by the inter
`rogation capabilities are the automatic transmission of
`vehicle diagnostic information to a house Where, among
`other actions, the house node can convey vehicle-status
`information to the oWner—e.g., “loW on gas-alloW time to
`buy gas on next trip,”“recent gas mileage is loW; perhaps
`time for a tune-up,”“time for an oil change,”“left-front tire
`pressure is loW—alloW time on next trip to ?ll With air,” etc.
`[0017] Examples of applications supported by transmis
`sions from the house are the automatic transmission of
`music ?les and/or play lists and other music play-control and
`information ?les from the house computer’s data storage
`unit to the data storage unit in the vehicle. Such transmis
`sions can be performed automatically by softWare that
`interrogates the house computer’s music ?les and the music
`
`Page 6 of 10
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`

`
`US 2003/0033413 A1
`
`Feb. 13, 2003
`
`?les on the vehicle computer. After comparing the tWo sets
`of ?les, any ?les not contained at one node can be auto
`matically transferred to the other. This compare and transfer
`operation can be initiated automatically upon the establish
`ment of a Wireless connection betWeen the vehicle and the
`house. It can also occur automatically upon the creation or
`modi?cation of relevant ?les at any node in the MWLAN,
`or at speci?c pre-selected times.
`[0018] Following is an example for accomplishing the
`automatic ?le transfer betWeen the house computer’s data
`storage unit and the data storage unit in the vehicle. The
`computer at home can run a softWare program similar to one
`called File-N-Synch Plus Written by Peer SoftWare Inc. This
`program alloWs the user to specify source and target direc
`tories and performs a synchroniZation operation betWeen
`these speci?ed directories every n seconds, Where n is also
`speci?ed by the user. The program also alloWs the user to
`specify What types of ?les to include and exclude from the
`synchroniZation and the type of synchroniZation (e.g. Bi
`directional sync, Replicate Source to Target) to be per
`formed. Assume that music ?les on the house computer are
`located at C:\Music and the vehicle stores the music ?les in
`Car:\Music. Furthermore, assume We Want to perform a
`bi-directional synchroniZation betWeen the MP3 ?les in
`C:\Music and Car:\Music While excluding the WAV ?les.
`Finally, We Want to perform the synchroniZation every 5
`seconds. The user can set the softWare as shoWn in FIG. 2.
`The program Will attempt to locate the vehicle on the
`MWLAN every 5 seconds. If the vehicle is not in the vicinity
`of the house, the program Will fail making a connection With
`the vehicle and attempt again in 5 seconds. When the vehicle
`approaches the house the program Will succeed locating the
`vehicle and Will access the ?les in the vehicle through the
`Wireless LAN connection. Once the connection is accom
`plished the program Will automatically perform the synchro
`niZation as indicated in the program. A diagram describing
`the operation of the softWare can be found in FIG. 3.
`
`[0019] A consequence of this type of system is that,
`Whenever neW music ?les are added to the house system,
`they automatically become available on the vehicle’s music
`system for instantaneous use. Play lists and other music
`play-control and information ?les, can be created at a ?xed
`netWork node, speci?cally for transfer to, and use in, the
`music system of a vehicle. Similarly, any such ?les in the
`vehicle can then be transferred to and made available for use
`at a ?xed node, such as a house.
`
`[0020] Yet another application is the transmission and
`storage of an alternate audio ?le that Would accompany a
`music ?le. In a vehicle environment, When a neW musical
`piece, or selection, begins, the simple push of a button or a
`verbal command could pause the selection and provide
`verbal identifying information or other appropriate informa
`tion that is keyed to the music ?le. The current state of the
`art in voice control for computer-related devices is Well
`advanced and We can choose from many possible solutions
`for the simple type of voice control that our invention
`employs. Both softWare and hardWare solutions are com
`monly available and are Well knoWn to those skilled in the
`art. Hence, they Will not be described in detail. As an
`illustration, hoWever, Home Automated Living, of Laurel,
`Md., provides extensive softWare for enabling voice activa
`tion through any microphone connected to a personal com
`puter. They provide hardWare and softWare products that
`
`enable users to control their home lights, devices, appli
`ances, thermostat, home theater, security, etc., With normal
`conversational speech. They even provide the HAL Digital
`Music Center Which can record CDs to a computer hard
`drive and categoriZe them by artist, song, album, genre, year,
`etc. One can then activate the system by a simple spoken
`command such as “Play the Beatles.”
`
`[0021] Such a system in a vehicle player, as illustrated by
`the How chart of FIG. 4, Would enable a particular listener
`to identify himself to the system by entering a pre-desig
`nated code number sequence on the preset buttons or by a
`verbal command, to instruct play criteria (i.e. a “don’t play”
`or exclusion list), Which enables the system to screen out any
`non-conforming selections, performers, or types of selec
`tions (e.g. “don’t play Blue Suede Shoes”, or “don’t play
`Johnny Cash pieces”, or “don’t play classical music
`pieces”). The system can also recogniZe the simultaneous
`presence of identi?ed multiple listeners to enable the player
`to omit any selection that any one, or more, of the listeners
`have included on their exclusion lists. Such exclusion lists
`can be compiled by having a listener so identify any selec
`tion While it is being played. Doing so Will cause the
`selection to stop and the identifying information to be added
`to the listener’s exclusion list. A similar capability can be
`provided for a house’s music playing system and both the
`vehicle’s and the house’s don’t play lists for all knoWn
`listeners can be updated automatically each time the vehicle
`establishes a connection With the house’s MWLAN.
`
`[0022] An important feature of this invention is the sys
`tem’s high-bandWidth Wireless communications capability.
`While numerous choices are available and Well knoWn to
`those skilled in the art, our preferred embodiment Would
`employ an IEEE 802.11b communications system. A Wire
`less communications system available from NDC Commu
`nications, Inc. of Sunnyvale, Calif., exhibits the properties
`We employ. In their SOHOWare Series, they provide a
`Cablefree NetBlaster Which connects to a PC through a
`standard netWork cable (Cat. 5 UTP Cable) and Cablefree
`Wireless netWork interface cards Which connect directly to
`desktop or laptop computers either in a motherboard slot or
`via a PCMCIA slot, respectively. A stationary node in our
`system could employ a PC component using the NetBlaster
`and a mobile node in our system could employ a computer
`system comprising components commonly found in a laptop
`computer, including a Cablefree Wireless netWork interface
`card. The range of such a system has been determined to be
`at least 50 feet in a house-to-car environment.
`
`[0023] Another feature of this invention is the system’s
`con?guration in a manner such that it operates autono
`mously in the performance of its tasks, Without the need for
`speci?c commands from a human operator. For example,
`Whenever neW music ?les are stored on the house computer,
`they can be automatically transferred to the vehicle com
`puter at the ?rst available opportunity.
`
`[0024] Similarly, each time the vehicle computer is moved
`and subsequently Wirelessly reconnects to the house com
`puter, vehicle diagnostic data, including voluminous
`amounts of raW data on the vehicle’s mechanical operation,
`can be automatically transferred to the house computer.
`There, such data, including comparisons to vehicle system
`performance data previously stored at the house computer
`node, can be automatically processed to derive insights into
`
`Page 7 of 10
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`

`
`US 2003/0033413 Al
`
`Feb. 13, 2003
`
`the status of the vehicle’s physical systems. This can result
`in the automatic preparation of a status report on the vehicle
`that can be displayed at the house and/or copied back to the
`vehicle. In this manner, the vehicle oWner can be noti?ed the
`next time the house computer is used, or can be automati
`cally noti?ed of any abnormality by the vehicle, should the
`user attempt to drive the vehicle. While simple data gath
`ering and diagnostic capabilities can be, and have been,
`performed Within the con?nes of a vehicle computer system,
`the system of this invention permits the convenient storage
`of more extensive measured data and more complex analy
`ses of the data by algorithms that could avail themselves of
`vehicle manufacturer’s information via an internet connec
`tion from the house. It also provides for the establishment of
`an automatic noti?cation mechanism for a subsequent driver
`of the vehicle or user of the house computer, an action that
`takes place automatically and subsequent to the data com
`munication action.
`
`[0025] When the vehicle moves to another location, such
`as an of?ce, it can become a part of another local area
`netWork Where a ?xed node in the office Wirelessly interacts
`With the vehicle’s system in a similar manner. Here again,
`?les from the vehicle’s system can be mirrored in the office
`node’s system. Any ?les created or modi?ed at the of?ce,
`such as Word processing ?les, spreadsheets, graphics, etc.,
`can be automatically transmitted to the vehicle and, subse
`quently, When the vehicle is driven home, automatically
`transmitted to the house computer, and become immediately
`available for Work at home. Although this data transfer from
`of?ce to home is one that can be provided by modem
`communications, an advantage provided by this neW form of
`“telecommuting” is that only simple short-range communi
`cations are required, thus eliminating on-going fee-based
`long-distance (i.e., internet) communications that are other
`Wise required. Asigni?cant advantage of this arrangement is
`the improved security When compared to using the internet,
`and the elimination of the necessity of using encryption,
`although it can still be used. An additional advantage is that
`the data are available, Without speci?c advance planning,
`Wherever the user travels in a vehicle equipped With this
`system. This provides unprecedented data availability even
`in remote locations Where internet communications might be
`impractical. Also, a user can drive the vehicle to locations
`Where no computer is available and use the vehicle’s com
`puter there.
`
`[0026] In another embodiment of this invention, a laptop
`computer could also serve the function of a mobile node
`(i.e., as the “vehicle”), to automatically provide a means to
`keep the ?les of a house and an of?ce computer in synchro
`niZation. HoWever, since a laptop computer employs a much
`smaller battery than does a vehicle, it Would seem to require
`the conscious action of (at least) turning the laptop computer
`on upon each arrival at the house and the of?ce. Our system
`can provide an automatic ?le synchroniZation capability in
`this case, too, if the laptop computer is put into a loW-poWer
`consumption “sleep mode” rather than turned off during
`travel. Then, a very infrequent “node searching” action can
`be performed during sleep mode and it can automatically
`bring the computer out of sleep mode When another node is
`found. That is, it is as “automatic” as a vehicle-based mobile
`node.
`
`[0027] An additional application for the MWLAN of this
`invention is the purchase of items required for vehicle
`
`operation. If a gas station is con?gured as a node in the
`netWork, then the purchase of fuel could entail merely
`conventionally parking the vehicle adjacent to the pump and
`pumping the fuel into the vehicle’s tank. The interaction of
`the nodes Would automatically charge the fuel purchase to a
`designated credit card or account. With the introduction of
`automatic pumping systems, the vehicle operator Would not
`need to leave the vehicle. This Would eliminate locating a
`credit card, inserting it into a slot, Waiting for authoriZation,
`or communicating With the station attendants. In the many
`instances, When the automatic card reader at the pump is
`inoperative, this system eliminates the necessity of leaving
`the vehicle and entering the station to Wait in line until the
`purchase can be consummated by either credit/debit card or
`cash.
`
`[0028] Another use of this system is the purchase of oil
`and other necessary consumables that could similarly be
`ordered automatically. These purchases could be automati
`cally initiated by the vehicle’s diagnostic systems. Identi?
`cation of parts siZes or service speci?cations (optimum tire
`pressure, for example) could be automatically transmitted to
`the station attendant. Mistakes made by station attendants,
`such as installation of incorrect parts, could automatically be
`brought to the vehicle operator’s attention, provided that
`suitable diagnostic transducers are incorporated into the
`vehicle and appropriately interfaced to the vehicle’s com
`puter system.
`[0029] Yet another application of the MWLAN of this
`invention is the facilitation of various personal services,
`such as picking up dry cleaning. If the dry cleaner has an
`appropriate node installed on its premises, the vehicle opera
`tor’s intention to pick up a completed dry cleaning order
`could be signaled to the dry cleaner When the vehicle’s node
`enters the range of the dry cleaner’s node. Then the order
`could be made available for drive-through or counter pickup
`by the time the customer reaches the pickup counter, and the
`cost automatically charged, by the time the customer reaches
`the dry cleaner’s store. Actual physical credit/debit card use
`is eliminated since the identi?cation and authoriZation func
`tions are initiated automatically by the initial MWLAN
`interconnection handshake. This system is also useful When
`a vehicle operator drops off clothing for cleaning, since the
`usual clothing-identi?cation information could be entered
`into the vehicle’s node for later transmission into the store’s
`record-keeping system When the operator enters the store
`node’s range. Thus, the order could be quickly dropped off
`in a drive-through Without the need for Waiting in line or
`interfacing With store personnel. Con?rmation of receipt
`Would automatically be transmitted to the vehicle before its
`departure, thus eliminating the usual paper receipt. A Warn
`ing that no such con?rming transmission has occurred could
`be given if the driver enters drop-off information into the
`vehicle’s system and begins to leave prematurely. Alterna
`tively, order and clothing receipt information could subse
`quently be transmitted from the dry cleaner to the house
`node via e-mail, telephone, etc., transmission, and subse
`quently automatically be transferred to the vehicle by the
`house computer. As a result of this information transmission,
`pickup date reminders could automatically be given to the
`driver in the vehicle.
`
`[0030] If a record store is equipped as a node in the
`MWLAN system of this invention, music may be purchased
`by simply driving up to a doWnloading station and making
`
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`US 2003/0033413 Al
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`Feb. 13, 2003
`
`the appropriate selections. The selections may be made
`Without leaving the vehicle by establishing a network con
`nection With the store’s database of available music. Any
`customer, Who does not Wish to pay the price necessary to
`purchase a copy of the music ?le for an unlimited amount of
`time, can be provided With the option of leasing the ?les for
`use for a limited time period (e.g., a number of days) for a
`lesser amount. A self-destructing license ?le Would accom
`pany the music ?le to ensure erasure of the music ?le upon
`license expiration. The payment Would automatically be
`processed through the identi?cation and authoriZation of a
`credit/debit card transaction initiated by the initial MWLAN
`interconnection handshake. The store bene?ts in many Ways,
`such as never running out of inventory, limiting the inven
`torying to only one copy of the ?le for copying, and
`reduction in store space and personnel required to operate.
`
`[0031] In an application of the MWLAN system of this
`invention for a video rental/purchase store, modules capable
`of operating at high bit rates Would be required. This results
`in shorter range, since, in this application, the transmitter
`and the receiver must be positioned very close to one
`another. Here, a customer need only drive to a doWnloading
`station to rent or purchase movies, eliminating the usual
`process of locating the desired movie in the store. More
`importantly, the necessity of returning rental items to the
`store is eliminated When a self-destructing license ?le is
`included With the rental transmission, as is the risk of being
`charged a late return fee. As With the music store, the movie
`rental store bene?ts from needing less space and feWer
`employees. It can never run out of its inventory, Which never
`becomes Worn out or damaged as is rental inventory.
`Another advantage is that the store oWners could provide
`movie previeWs for the bene?t of customers having vehicles
`equipped With a television. Also, passengers in such vehicles
`can vieW the movies When the vehicle is parked in the
`vicinity of an equipped house by establishing a Wireless
`connection betWeen the transceiver connected to the house
`VCR and the transceiver in the vehicle.
`
`[0032] A similar system can be provided for purchase of
`softWare from a computer/softWare store.
`
`[0033] Yet another application of this invention is its use
`as a vehicle-theft alarm. While a vehicle is parked in the
`vicinity of a house or of?ce or some other location at Which
`its mobile node can interact With a ?xed node, the mobile
`node can sense When the vehicle is subjected to unautho
`riZed movement and send a “Help! I’m moving!” alarm
`message to the ?xed node. This can trigger an action, such
`as notifying the police and/or sounding of an alarm in the
`vicinity of the ?xed node. In a similar manner, the unex
`pected, unauthoriZed interruption of the communication link
`betWeen the mobile node and ?xed nodes can initiate the
`alarm or police noti?cation.
`
`[0034] Similarly, the ?xed node can sense an intrusion or
`emergency in the house and notify the mobile node, Which
`then initiates the alarm message via a vehicle-based cell
`phone or other Wireless means, or sounds a vehicle alarm.
`
`similar equipment. Moreover, the disconnection of the lap
`top from the hotel’s Wireless LAN could automatically
`initiate a “checkout” routine by the hotel’s accounting
`system, thereby causing the hotel guest’s bill to be ready
`upon his/her arrival at the checkout counter. Such use of the
`MWLAN of this invention Would be more efficient than
`using a modem and phone line and should offer higher
`performance at loWer price.
`
`[0036] In situations Where the content of a data ?le (e.g.,
`proprietary music selections) may only be used in one
`location (i.e., there is a single-site license), it Would be
`convenient if the oWner could have the music available
`Wherever he/she is. This could be accomplished easily by
`having the vehicle and house systems organiZed such that
`each one requires the presence of a “license ?le” in order to
`play the licensed music ?les. The actual music ?les could be
`automatically copied and maintained on both systems as
`described previously. One of the systems could be desig
`nated as the “default license holder.” If the vehicle is
`designated, the user could play the licensed music in the
`vehicle. When arriving at the house, the license could be
`automatically transferred to the house for a ?xed time
`period, or until such time that the Wireless house-to-vehicle
`LAN connection is broken. Thus, the vehicle automatically
`again becomes the license holder When the vehicle leaves
`and breaks the LAN connection, and the vehicle operator
`regains access to all the music ?les. Several variations on
`this arrangement are possible. For example, if there is reason
`to keep the license at the house, even Without the vehicle’s
`proximity, then a simple command to the system could
`override this automatic disconnect resulting in a more per
`manent vehicle-to-house license transfer. Later, When the
`vehicle has departed, any desired transfer of the license
`betWeen house and vehicle could be performed over a
`cell-phone, pager or other public Wireless communications
`netWork. Music ?les could also be organiZed into various
`categories, e.g., Mom’s Music, Dad’s Music, Kids’ Music,
`etc., each With its oWn license default/activation/transfer
`priorities. This could be organiZed to the level of individual
`selections, Wherein, via cell phone connection, if necessary,
`all ?les Would alWays be available for play at any location,
`except the speci?ed selections that are currently playing at
`another location.
`
`[0037] Another feature of this invention involves a vehicle
`clock. It is presently possible to have all computer clocks in
`a house’s LAN synchroniZed via an internet connection on
`one of the house’s computers. Typically, this guarantees
`accuracy of their time readout to Within about 1/2 second.
`Therefore, each time the vehicle is connected to the house,
`via MWLAN, the vehicle’s clock could be automatically set
`to the correct time, and it Would end the semi-annual chore
`of resetting to accommodate Daylight Savings Time
`changes. It could also assure that, upon movement of the
`vehicle to a neW time Zone, connection to a ?xed node there
`Would automatically adjust the vehicle clock.
`
`[0035] If a laptop computer is the mobile node, the pres
`ence of the laptop in a hotel room, or other area having ?xed
`node (e.g., 802.11) capabilities, could initiate the automatic
`interconnection of the laptop to the hotel’s Wireless LAN, so
`that the laptop oWner Would have instant access to the
`internet, to strategically placed hotel printers, and other
`
`[0038] While it is knoWn to use a mobile LAN to transfer
`information betWeen a mobile and a ?xed node, this inven
`tion goes a step further and provides a system Which causes
`performance of useful functions, as exempli?ed above,
`Which are extrinsic to the communication itself, even While
`the mobile node is disconnected from the other