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`U.S. UTILITY Patent Application
`PATENT DATE
`O.1.P.E.
`SEP 16 2003
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`SCANNED _/ti~~-__ Q.A. -M-
`
`PATENT NUMBER
`
`8822018
`
`\ \11111 \\\\\ \\\\\ \\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\Ill ·
`6622018
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`APPLICATION NO.
`09/558413
`
`CONT/PRIOR CLASS
`. 455
`
`SUBCLASS
`
`ART UNIT
`27,4..g..
`
`EXAMINER
`
`Portable device control console with wireless connection
`
`ORIGINAL
`
`I
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`CLASS
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`INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION
`
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`c,Lj--9-.,0
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`PT0-2040
`12/99
`
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`·-
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`ISSUING CLASSIFICATION
`CROSS REFERENCE(S) ·
`
`CLASS
`L\-65
`
`SUBCLASS (ONE SUBCLASS PER BLOCK)
`4f~
`
`'
`··-----
`'
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`D Continued on Issue Slip Inside File Jacket
`
`DRAWINGS
`
`CLAIMS ALLOWED
`
`DTERMINAL
`DISCLAIMER
`
`The term of this patent
`subsequent to
`has been disclaimed.
`
`(date)
`
`The term of this patent shall
`not extend beyond the expiration date
`of U.S Patent. No.
`
`Sheets Drwg.
`
`Figs. Drwg.
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`Total Claims
`
`Print Claim for O.G.
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`(
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`NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE MAILED
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`Date Paid
`
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`
`ISSUE BATCH NUMBER
`
`(Primary Examiner)
`
`(Date)
`
`months of
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`- -
`this patent have been disclaimed.
`
`(Legal Instruments Examiner)
`
`(Date)
`
`f Zo·O)
`
`WARNING:
`The information disclosed herein may be restricted. Unauthorized disclosure may be prohibited by the United States Code Title 35, Sections 122, 181 and 368.
`Possession outside the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office is restricted to authorized employees and contractors only.
`
`Form PT0-436A
`(Rev. 6/99)
`
`FILED WITH: D DISK (CRF) D FICHE D CD-ROM
`
`(Attached in pocket on right inside flap)
`
`(FACE)
`
`APPL-1002 / Page 1 of 173
`Apple v. Uniloc
`
`

`

`PATENT APPLICATION
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`INITIALS-~~
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`
`CONTENTS
`Date Received
`(Incl. C. of M.)
`or
`Date Mailed
`
`Date Received
`(Incl. C. of M.)
`or
`Date Mailed
`
`1. Application (M. papers.
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`
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`
`41. ___ ____ __ - - - -
`
`82. _________ - - - -
`
`(LEFT OUTSIDE)
`
`APPL-1002 / Page 2 of 173
`
`

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`APPL-1002 / Page 3 of 173
`
`

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`ISSUE SLIP STAPLE AREA (for additional cross references)
`
`POSITION
`
`IN I.TIA LS
`
`IDNO.
`
`DATE
`
`FEE DETERMINATION
`O.1.P.E. CLASSIFIER
`FORMALITY REVIEW
`RESPONSE FORMALITY REVIEW
`
`INDEX OF CLAIMS
`v ................................. Rejected
`N ................................. Non-elected
`................................. Allowed
`I ................................. Interference
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`APPL-1002 / Page 4 of 173
`
`

`

`PATENT APPLICATION SERIAL NO. ------------------
`
`U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`' PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`FEE RECORD SHEET
`
`01 FC1101
`oe FC:t03
`
`li90.00~
`180.00(1)
`
`PT0-1556
`(5/87)
`
`·uS GPO: 1999-459-082/19144
`
`APPL-1002 / Page 5 of 173
`
`

`

`file:// /c:/ APPS/preexam/correspondence/ I. htm
`
`IIIRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDIIIII
`
`Bib Data Sheet
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Patent and Trademark Office
`Address· COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS
`Washington, D.C. 20231
`
`CLASS
`455
`
`SERIAL NUMBER
`09/558,413
`
`FILING DATE
`04/24/2000
`'
`RULE
`-
`
`~PPLICANTS
`Rir.Jrekson, Ogden, UT;
`
`~· CONTINU~ DATA*************************
`~· FOR~~PLICATIONS ********************
`
`GROUP ART UNIT
`
`r
`
`~~-r
`
`ATTORNEY
`DOCKET NO.
`3COM-2589
`
`IF REQUIRED, FOREIGN FILING LICENSE GRANTED
`-
`;..//"'\
`:** 07/10/2000
`0 yes UVn"o
`35 USC 119 (a-d) conditions D yes if,;o ~~after
`
`STATE OR
`COUNTRY
`N ~ UT
`Initials
`
`SHEETS
`DRAWING
`12
`
`TOTAL
`CLAIMS
`30
`
`INDEPENDENT
`CLAIMS
`3
`
`Foreign Priority claimed
`
`met
`Verified and
`Acknowledged
`ADDRESS
`
`Al~jtc
`~ V
`A
`Examiners Signature{
`~
`
`Wagner Murabito & Hao LLP
`Two North Market Street
`Third Floor
`San Jose ,CA 95113
`
`TITLE
`
`-
`
`Portable device control console with wireless connection
`
`~
`
`FILING FEE FEES: Authority has been given in Paper
`RECEIVED No.
`to charge/credit DEPOSIT ACCOUNT
`No.
`for following:
`870
`
`-
`
`-
`
`v
`
`'
`
`~
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`I of I
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`7110/00 5:05PM
`
`APPL-1002 / Page 6 of 173
`
`

`

`04/24/00
`
`lnventor(s):
`
`Rich Erekson
`
`Title:
`
`PORTABLE DEVICE CONTROL CONSOLE WITH WIRELESS CONNECTION
`
`The Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks
`Washington, D.C. 20231
`Sir:
`
`Transmittal of a Patent Application
`(Under 37 CFR §1.53)
`
`Transmitted herewith is the above identified patent application, including:
`x Specification, claims and abstract, totaling
`3 8
`pages .
`........... Formal drawings, totaling
`................... pages ................... .
`Informal drawings, totaling ..... J~ ....... pages.
`x
`x Declaration and Power of Attorney.
`Information Disclosure statement.
`Form 1449
`x Assignment(s)
`x Assignment Recordation Form (duplicate)
`Preliminary Amendment
`
`FEES DUE
`
`The fees due for filing the specification pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 1.16 and for recording of the
`Assignment, if any, are determined as follows:
`
`NO. OF
`CLAIMS
`Basic Application Fee
`
`'
`
`'I
`"
`;
`
`CLAIMS
`
`EXTRA
`CLAIMS
`
`RATE
`
`Total Claims
`
`30
`
`Minus 20=
`
`10
`
`Independent
`Claims
`If multiple dependent claims are presented, add $260.00
`
`3
`
`Minus 3=
`
`0
`
`X $18 =
`
`X $78=
`
`,,
`FEES
`
`$690.00
`
`$180.00
`
`$0.00
`
`$0.00
`
`$40.00
`
`$910.00
`
`Add Assignment Recording Fee of $40.00 If Assignment document is
`enclosed
`TOTAL APPLICATION FEE DUE
`
`1 of 2
`
`rev. 11/98 wmh
`
`APPL-1002 / Page 7 of 173
`
`

`

`PAYMENT OF FEES
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`The full fee due in connection with this communication is provided as follows:
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`inventor where inventor refused to sign or cannot be reached
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`[
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`For processing an application with specification in a non-English language
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`Charge any fees required or credit any overpayments associated with this filing to
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`[ X 1 This transmittal ends with this page.
`
`Respectfully submitted,
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`Date:_4+--~--~1te--o_O __
`
`l
`
`~ By:--,J+~.,.-h-n-c:P-. _W_a_g_n_e-r,-J-r-. - - - -
`
`Reg. No. 35,398
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`2 of 2
`
`rev. 11/98 wmh
`
`APPL-1002 / Page 8 of 173
`
`

`

`Patent
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT APPLICATION
`
`for
`
`PORTABLE DEVICE CONTROL CONSOLE WITH WIRELESS CONNECTION
`
`Inventor:
`RICH EREKSON
`
`Prepared by:
`
`WAGNER, MURABITO & HAO LLP
`
`Two North Market Street
`
`Third Floor
`
`San Jose, CA 95113
`
`( 408) 938-9060
`
`3COM-2589/JPW/WAZ
`
`APPL-1002 / Page 9 of 173
`
`

`

`PORTABLE DEVICE CONTROL CONSOLE WITH WIRELESS CONNECTION
`
`CONFIDENTIAL
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present invention relates to systems and devices connected using
`
`I
`
`5 wireless links, such as systems and devices that use the Bluetooth technology.
`
`In particular, the present invention pertains to a method and system for
`
`controlling remote devices over a wireless connection.
`
`""" ~ 10
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`BACKGROUND ART
`
`Consider, for example, the number of devices and appliances in the
`
`typical living room or family room of a residential dwelling: lamps, light
`
`switches, a thermostat, and consumer electronic devices such as televisions,
`
`video cassette recorders, and stereos, some of these devices themselves
`
`comprising multiple devices such as compact disk players, tape players, etc.
`
`~~
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`Each of these devices requires manual interaction by a user in order to turn
`
`them off or on, to raise or lower levels, and so on. Other rooms of the house, as
`
`well as factories and places of business, also have countless devices and
`
`appliances that require manual interaction in order to use and control them.
`
`20
`
`Of course, many of these devices are or can be remotely controlled. In
`
`the home, for example, remote control devices for televisions, stereos and the
`
`like are very common. Devices for controlling lights, etc., are also available
`
`although generally not as commonly used.
`
`3COM-2589/JPW/WAZ
`
`APPL-1002 / Page 10 of 173
`
`

`

`CONFIDENTIAL
`
`Remote control devices in each of their present forms have a number of
`
`associated shortcomings. For example, a separate remote control device may
`
`be required for each device to be controlled. In some instances the separate
`
`5
`
`remotes can be replaced with a universal remote control; however, universal
`
`remotes still have their shortcomings. Generally, current universal remotes
`
`often do not have the resources (e.g., memory and computational logic) to allow
`
`them to be used with all devices, or they may not be capable of controlling a
`
`new device. In addition, in order to accommodate the variety of devices to be
`
`10
`
`controlled, universal remotes usually have a multiplicity of buttons and thus can
`
`~~n
`~:j
`
`be difficult to use.
`
`Another shortcoming associated with current remote control devices is
`
`their limited range. Commonly, remote control devices use infrared beams to
`
`15
`
`communicate commands to the device that is to be controlled, and so the
`
`C
`
`remotes can only be used for line-of-sight applications. Devices behind an
`
`object, around a corner, or in another room cannot be controlled if they are not
`
`in the line of sight of an infrared remote.
`
`20
`
`A more modern solution is to wire devices together into a network of
`
`some sort, so that they can be controlled from a central location such as a
`
`personal computer. However, this approach also has a number of
`
`shortcomings. For example, the connections and cabling needed may be quite
`
`3COM-2589/JPW/WAZ
`
`', 2
`l I "\
`
`APPL-1002 / Page 11 of 173
`
`

`

`CONFIDENTIAL
`
`cumbersome and complex. In addition, this approach is difficult and expensive
`
`to backfit into existing homes and businesses. Furthermore, such an approach
`
`is not necessarily convenient. For instance, the central computer system is not
`
`a practical or convenient replacement for a television remote, nor is it portable
`
`5
`
`enough to allow it to be easily moved from one room to another whenever it is
`
`necessary to do so.
`
`Accordingly, a need exists for a device and/or method that can be used to
`
`remotely control a variety of different devices and appliances, including new
`
`10
`
`devices. A need also exists for a device and/or method that can satisfy the
`
`above need, that is relatively simple to introduce into existing homes and
`
`businesses, and that is user-friendly. In addition, a need exists for a device
`
`and/or method that satisfies the above needs, is portable, and is not limited to
`
`line-of-sight applications.
`
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`APPL-1002 / Page 12 of 173
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`CONFIDENTIAL
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`DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
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`The present invention provides a system and method that can be used to
`
`remotely control a variety of different devices, including new devices. The
`
`present invention also p~ovides a system and method that is relatively easy to
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`5
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`introduce into existing homes and businesses and that is user-friendly. In
`
`addition, the present invention provides a system and method that is portable
`
`and that is not limited to line-of-sight applications.
`
`In the present embodiment, the present invention pertains to a system
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`•f.O
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`10
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`and method for controlling remote devices over a wireless connection (e.g.,
`
`using a radio signal). In one embodiment, a portable computer system (e.g., a
`
`palmtop or hand-held computer) having a transceiver is used to control
`
`compliant devices. In a preferred embodiment, the transceiver and the remote
`
`devices are Bluetooth-enabled devices.
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`15
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`In the present embodiment of the present invention, a wireless
`
`connection between the portable computer system and one or more remote
`
`devices is established. Each of the remote devices Is manifested on a display
`
`device of the portable computer system, and one of the devices is selected
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`20
`
`using, for example, a stylus element.
`
`In one embodiment, the stylus element can also be used to specify
`
`commands for controlling the remote device. A position where the stylus
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`CONFIDENTIAL
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`element makes contact with a surface of the display device of the portable
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`computer system is registered. The particular position where the stylus element
`
`makes contact with the display device is translated into a particular command
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`for controlling the remote device. The command is then transmitted to the
`'
`remote device over the wireless connection.
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`5
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`In one embodiment, a rendering of the remote device or of a mechanism
`
`that can be used to control the remote device is displayed on the display device.
`
`The contact of the stylus element with a position in the rendering is translated
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`10
`
`into a particular command for controlling the remote device. In another
`
`~f!
`
`embodiment, a menu of commands for controlling the remote device is
`
`displayed on the display device. The contact of the stylus element with a
`
`position in the menu is translated into a particular command for controlling the
`
`remote device.
`
`15
`
`In yet another embodiment, the movement of the stylus element over the
`
`surface of an input device is recognized and translated into a particular
`
`command for controlling the remote device. In another embodiment, by moving
`
`the stylus element over the surface of the input device, motion is imparted to the
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`20
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`rendering on the display device of the remote device or the mechanism for
`
`controlling the remote device.
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`3COM-2589/JPW/W AZ
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`APPL-1002 / Page 14 of 173
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`CONFIDENTIAL
`
`The present invention thus provides a system (e.g., a Bluetooth-enabled
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`device, specifically a portable computer system) that can be used to remotely
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`control compliant devices (e.g., other Bluetooth-enabled devices) over a
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`wireless (radio) connection. With a radio connection, the system of the present
`'
`invention is not limited to line-of-sight applications. Remote devices can be
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`5
`
`adapted to receive commands over the wireless connection, obviating the need
`
`for hardwire connections and making the system relatively easy to implement in
`
`homes and businesses. The processing power and other features of the
`
`portable computer system enable user-friendly interfaces, and also allow a
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`10
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`variety of remote devices to be controlled, including new devices introduced
`
`into the home or business.
`
`These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will
`
`become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after having read the
`
`15
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`following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which are
`
`illustrated in the various drawing figures.
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`CONFIDENTIAL
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part
`
`of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with
`
`the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention:
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`5
`
`FIGURE 1 illustrates one embodiment of a network of devices coupled
`
`using wireless connections in accordance with the present invention.
`
`FIGURE 2 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a portable computer
`
`10
`
`system in accordance with the present invention.
`
`FIGURE 3 is a top-side perspective view of a portable computer system in
`
`accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
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`15
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`FIGURES 4A and 48 are block diagrams showing one embodiment of a
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`wireless transceiver coupled to, respectively, a portable computer system and
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`an external device in accordance with the present invention.
`
`FIGURE 5 illustrates the different operating modes of a wireless
`
`20
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`transceiver in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
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`CONFIDENTIAL
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`FIGURE 6 illustrates the flow of messages between a controlling device
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`and remote devices in accordance with one embodiment of the present
`
`invention.
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`5
`
`FIGURE 7 illustrates one embodiment of a display used on a controlling
`
`device in accordance with the present invention.
`
`FIGURE 8 illustrates another embodiment of a display used on a
`
`controlling device in accordance with the present invention.
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`FIGURE 9 illustrates another embodiment of a display used on a
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`controlling device in accordance with the present invention.
`
`FIGURE 10 illustrates a display on a controlling device responding to
`
`movement on an input device in accordance with one embodiment of the
`
`present invention.
`
`FIGURE 11 is a flowchart of the steps in a process for controlling a
`
`remote device over a wireless connection in accordance with one embodiment
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`20
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`of the present invention.
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`3COM-2589/JPW /W AZ
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`( 8.
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`APPL-1002 / Page 17 of 173
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`CONFIDENTIAL
`
`BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
`
`Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the
`
`invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
`
`While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred
`'
`embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the
`
`5
`
`invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to
`
`cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within
`
`the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
`
`Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention,
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`numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough
`
`understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to one of
`
`ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these
`
`specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures,
`
`components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to
`
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`15
`
`unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention.
`
`Some portions of the detailed descriptions which follow are presented in
`
`terms of procedures, logic blocks, processing, and other symbolic
`
`representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These
`
`20
`
`descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the
`
`data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to
`
`others skilled in the art. A procedure, logic block, process, etc., is here, and
`
`generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps or instructions
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`CONFIDENTIAL
`
`leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical
`
`manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these
`
`quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being
`
`stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated in a
`'
`computer system. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of
`
`5
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`common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, bytes, values, elements,
`
`symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.
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`It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms
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`are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely
`
`convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated
`
`otherwise as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that
`
`throughout the present invention, discussions utilizing terms such as
`
`"establishing," "registering," "recognizing," "broadcasting," "receiving,"
`
`15
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`"manifesting," "transmitting," "displaying," or the like, refer to the action and
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`
`processes (e.g., process 1100 Figure 11) of a computer system or similar
`
`intelligent electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data
`
`represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's
`
`registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical
`
`20
`
`quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such
`
`information storage, transmission or display devices.
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`3COM-2589/JPW/WAZ
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`10.
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`APPL-1002 / Page 19 of 173
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`CONFIDENTIAL
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`The present invention is discussed primarily in a context in which devices
`
`and systems are coupled using wireless links, and specifically with regard to
`
`devices and systems compliant with the Bluetooth technology. Bluetooth is the
`
`code name for a technology specification for small form factor, low-cost, short-
`
`5
`
`range radio links between personal computers (PCs), mobile phones and other
`
`devices and appliances. However, it is appreciated that the present invention
`
`may be utilized with devices and systems compliant with standards different
`
`from Bluetooth, such as the IEEE (Institute of Electronic and Electrical
`
`Engineering) 802.11 standard.
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`The Bluetooth technology allows cables that connect one device to
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`another to be replaced with short-range radio links. Bluetooth is targeted at
`
`mobile and business users who need to establish a link, or small network,
`
`between their computer, cellular phone and other peripherals. The required
`
`and nominal range of Bluetooth is thus set to approximately ten (1 0) meters. To
`
`support other uses, for example the home environment, Bluetooth can be
`
`augmented to extend the range to up to 1 00 meters.
`
`The Bluetooth technology is based on a high-performance, yet low-cost,
`
`20
`
`integrated radio transceiver. For instance, Bluetooth transceivers built into both
`
`a cellular telephone and a laptop computer system would replace the cables
`
`used today to connect a laptop to a cellular telephone. Bluetooth radio
`
`technology can also provide: a universal bridge to existing data networks, a
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`3COM-2589/JPW/WAZ
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`APPL-1002 / Page 20 of 173
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`peripheral interface, and a mechanism to form small private ad hoc groupings of
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`connected devices away from fixed network infrastructures.
`
`CONFIDENTIAL
`
`Figure 1 illustrates the topology of a network of devices coupled using
`
`5 wireless connections in accordance with one embodiment of the present
`
`invention. In the parlance of Bluetooth, a collection of devices connected in a
`
`Bluetooth system are referred to as a "piconet" or a "subnet." In the present
`
`embodiment, a piconet starts with two connected devices, and may grow to
`
`eight connected devices. All Bluetooth devices are peer units; however, when
`
`10
`
`establishing a piconet, one unit will act as a master and the other(s) as slave(s)
`
`for the duration of the piconet connection.
`
`A Bluetooth system supports both point-to-point and point-to-multi-point
`
`connections. Several piconets can be established and linked together in a
`
`15
`
`"scatternet," where each piconet is identified by a different frequency hopping
`
`sequence. All devices participating on the same piconet are synchronized to
`
`their respective hopping sequence.
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`Accordingly, devices 10, 20, 30 and 40 are coupled in piconet 1 using
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`20 wireless connections BOa-c. Similarly, devices 50, 60 and 70 are coupled in
`
`piconet 2 using wireless connections 80e-f. Piconet 1 and piconet 2 are
`
`coupled using wireless connection 80d. Devices 10-70 can be printers,
`
`personal digital assistants (PDAs), desktop computer systems, laptop computer
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`3COM-2589/JPW/W AZ
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`APPL-1002 / Page 21 of 173
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`CONFIDENTIAL
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`systems, cell phones, fax machines, keyboards, and joysticks equipped with a
`
`Bluetooth radio transceiver or adapted to communicate with Bluetooth devices
`
`("Biuetooth-enabled"). In accordance with the present invention, devices 10-70
`
`can also be virtually any type of device, including mechanical devices and
`'
`appliances, equipped with a Bluetooth radio transceiver or Bluetooth-enabled.
`
`5
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`The Bluetooth radio transceiver may be integrated into the device, or it may be
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`coupled to the device.
`
`Figure 2 is a block diagram of a portable computer system 100 (e.g., a
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`PDA, a hand-held computer system, or palmtop computer system) upon which
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`embodiments of the present invention can be implemented. Computer system
`
`100 includes an address/data bus 110 tor communicating information, a central
`
`processor 101 coupled with the bus tor processing information and instructions,
`
`a volatile memory 102 (e.g., random access memory, RAM) coupled with the
`
`15
`
`bus 110 for storing information and instructions for the central processor 101
`
`and a non-volatile memory 103 (e.g., read only memory, ROM) coupled with the
`
`bus 110 for storing static information and instructions for the processor 1 01.
`
`Computer system 100 also includes an optional data storage device 104 (e.g.,
`
`memory stick) coupled with the bus 11 0 tor storing information and instructions.
`
`20 Data storage device 1 04 can be removable.
`
`Computer system 1 00 also contains a display device 1 05 coupled to the
`
`bus 110 for displaying information to the computer user. The display device
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`CONFIDENTIAL
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`1 05 utilized with computer system 1 00 may be a liquid crystal display device, a
`
`cathode ray tube (CRT), a field emission display device (also called a flat panel
`
`CRT} or other display device suitable for generating graphic images and
`
`alphanumeric characters recognizable to the user. In the preferred
`'
`embodiment, display device 1 05 is a flat panel display.
`
`5
`
`Computer system 1 00 also includes a cursor control or directing device
`
`(on-screen cursor control 1 07) coupled to bus 110 for communicating user input
`
`information and command selections to processor 101. In one implementation,
`
`10
`
`on-screen cursor control device 107 is a touch-screen device incorporated with
`
`display device 1 05. On-screen cursor control device 1 07 is capable of
`
`registering a position on display device 1 05 where a stylus makes contact.
`
`In accordance with the present invention, a stylus can be used to select a
`
`15
`
`command for controlling a remote device by touching the stylus to display
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`device 1 05. In one embodiment, a command can be selected from a menu of
`
`commands displayed on display device 1 05. In another embodiment, a
`
`rendering of the remote device or of a mechanism for controlling the remote
`
`.device may be manifested on display device 105, and a command can be
`
`20
`
`selected by touching the stylus to a prescribed location in the rendering. The
`
`position where the stylus contacts display device 1 05 is registered and fed to
`
`processor 101, which translates this information into a command for controlling
`
`the remote device. The command is then transmitted to the remote device over
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`APPL-1002 / Page 23 of 173
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`a wireless connection using signal transmitter/receiver device ("transceiver'')
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`108.
`
`CONFIDENTIAL
`
`Also included in computer system 100 of Figure 2 is an input device 1 06
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`f
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`5
`
`that in one implementation is a stroke or character recognition pad (e.g., a
`
`"digitizer''). Input device 106 can communicate information and command
`
`selections to processor 101. Input device 106 is capable of registering a
`
`position where a stylus (or an element having the functionality of a stylus)
`
`makes contact. Input device 106 also has the capability of registering
`
`movements of a stylus (or an element having the functionality of a sty