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`
`
`
`USOU?039033
`
`B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Haller et a].
`
`[10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,039,033 32
`May 2, 2006
`
`( 54) SYSTEM, DEVICE AND COMPUTER
`READABLE MEDIUM FOR PROVIDING A
`MANAGED WIRELESS .VE'I'W'ORK USING
`SHORT-RANGE RADIO SIGNALS
`
`(75}
`
`Inventors: Amit Haller. Belmont, CA (US): Peter
`Forneil. Lake Oswego. OR (US):
`Avraham Itzchak. Ra’anana (IL);
`Amir Glick. Tel Aviv (IL); Ziv
`lIaparnas. Tel Aviv (IL)
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`[XI Mobile (israel) Ltd.. Ra‘Anana
`(IL)
`
`( "‘ ) Notice:
`
`Subject to arty disclaimer. the term ot'thjs
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`use. 154(b) by 171 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 091850.399
`
`5.293.763 A
`5.805J66 A
`5.838.252 A
`
`851998 Mayes ci'al.
`951998 Hail elal.
`1151998 Kikinis
`
`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`JP
`
`3153213
`
`4-2otu
`
`(Continued)
`[)TllliR PUBLICKI‘IONS
`
`liandwick ct al. Project 1’946-(il Smart Devices “When
`Things Start to Think”. pp. 1-30. Jan. 2000*
`
`(Continued)
`
`Prinnnjr Examiner Frank lJuong
`(74) Attorney; Agent, or [-‘t‘rm -V"'ierra Magen Marcus
`Harmon & DeNiro LLP
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`May 7, 2001
`
`{57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 20030163895 Al
`
`Nov. 7. 2002
`
`(51)
`
`lot. (.‘I.
`GOIR 31/08
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`
`(2006.01)
`370t3381370t401: NOE-1166;
`370t’469
`
`370t259.
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`3701260. 320, 321. 328—339, 342. 347. 400—401.
`370f395.5. 395.54. 465 649: 455;“403. 422.
`455550. 556. 557; 709;“203, 208
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
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`A system. a wireless hand—held device. and sofiware cont-
`ponent for accessing information responsive to short—range
`radio signals is provided. The system includes a wireless
`gateway device coupled to a network. such as a cellular
`network. The wireless gateway device includes a network
`manager software component
`for accessing information
`from the network responsive to a first short-range radio
`signal. The network may be a corporate. private or public
`network, such as the Internet. A first wireless device is
`coupled to the wireless gateway device. The first wireless
`device provides the first short-range radio signal.
`In an
`embodiment of the present
`invention.
`the first wireless
`device is a cellular telephone. personal digital assistant or
`thin lemtinal having a Bluetooth'1M processor and transmit-
`ter. In an embodiment of the present invention. the network
`manager software component
`includes a piug and play
`software component for loading and executing software for
`the first wireless device. In an embodiment of the present
`invention. a second wireless device accesses information on
`the first wireless device using the wireless gateway device.
`
`56 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`System
`100
`
`/
`
`'
`
`.......
`
`'
`
`a
`
`‘
`
`Terminals
`
`10?
`
`O
`Cellular
`3m“.
`
`Network 3:: J, -
`Radio 5:33.].
`105
`111
`'/.............in...“ ._
`............
`.
`Carrier
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`104
`
`Internet
`.
`103
`"-._
`@_
`
`Server
`101 TH
`
`.,
`
`Server
`102
`
`Gateway
`
`"u...-
`Device a
`
`106
`
`APPLE 1001
`
`APPLE 1001
`
`1
`
`

`

`US 7,039,033 BZ
`
`Page 2
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`

`US ?,039,033 B2
`
`1
`SYSTEM. DEVICE AND COMPUTER
`READABLE MEDIUM FOR PROVIDING A
`MANAGED WIRELESS NETWORK USING
`SHORT-RANGE RADIO SIGNALS
`
`FIELD 01-“ 'I‘I'Ili INVILN'I‘ION
`
`This invention relates generally to wireless devices in a
`wireless network using short-range radio signals.
`
`10
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`A user has numerous wireless devices for accessing and
`processing information. For example. a user may have a
`cellular telephone for communicating with others. a personal
`digital assistant (“PDA”) for storing contact information, a
`laptop computer for storing and processing files. a digital
`camera for obtaining images and a pager for being con-
`tacted. Each one of these devices also may access remote
`information on a private or public network. such as the
`Internet.
`l-lowever, this system suffers fmm several disad-
`vantages.
`
`First. typically only a single device originates and can
`access the Internet at a time.
`
`Second. Internet protocol (“IP”) addresses are held while
`connected to the Internet. This can be expensive and use
`scarce IP address resources.
`
`Third. each device requires its own security management.
`such as a Virtual Private Network (“VPN”) and firewall
`software component.
`Fourth. there is no ability to share. add to or manage the
`services of the numerous wireless devices.
`In particular.
`there is no communication between wireless devices. If a
`user obtains a wireless device having an additional service.
`such as extra persistence storage. other wireless devices
`typically are not capable of using the extra persistence
`storage.
`BluetoothTM technology (wwwbluetoothcom) provides
`wireless communications between devices. Yet, BluetoothTM
`technology also suffers from litany disadvantages. Blue—
`toothTM technology does not allow for a “plug and play"
`capability at a wireless device application level.
`In other
`words. a wireless device carniot merely be turned on and
`Bluetoothm technology recognizes it and establishes a
`communication protocol. If a user desires a wireless device
`to communicate with a BluetoothTM technology device. the
`added wireless device must have software drivers and appli—
`cations loaded to operate. Otherwise, the lziluetootl‘r'r-"1 tech-
`nology device is not able to communicate with the newly
`added wireless device. This makes it diflicult to add new
`
`functionality or types ofwireless devices. BluetootliT-V‘ tech-
`nology does not provide an open environment for software
`programmers to provide application software components
`for wireless devices. Further. BluetoothTM technology does
`not allow devices to share information and resources at an
`application level.
`‘l‘hertefore. it is desirable to provide a system of wireless
`devices which can effectively communicate with each other
`and access information on the Internet. The system of
`wireless devices should efficiently use II’ resources and
`security management. The wireless devices should effec—
`tively share and manage services and allow for seamless
`plug and play capability. The system should allow for new
`functionality and types of wireless devices.
`
`3o
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`A system. coupled to a cellular network. provides access
`to the Internet according to an embodiment of the present
`invention. The system comprises a wireless gateway device.
`coupled to the cellular network. having a network manager
`software component for accessing information from the
`Internet responsive to a first short-range radio signal. A first
`wireless device is coupled to the wireless gateway device.
`The first wireless device provides the first short-range radio
`signal.
`According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
`first wireleSS device is selected from a group consisting of a
`desktop computer. a laptop computer, a personal digital
`assistant. a headset, a printer. a pager, a watch. digital
`camera and an equivalent thereof.
`According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
`wireless gateway device is a cellular telephone using a
`Global System for Mobile communications [“GSM") pro-
`toeol.
`
`According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
`wireless gateway device is a cellular telephone using a Code
`Division Multiple Access (“CDM ") protocol.
`According to an embodiment of the present invention. the
`wireless gateway device is a cellular telephone using a Time
`Division Multiple Access {“TDMA") protocol.
`According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
`first wireless device is a thin terminal.
`
`According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
`first wireless device includes a Bluetooth"M processor hav-
`ing a 2.4 Cil-IZ transmitter.
`According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
`wireless gateway device includes a Bluetootli'm processor
`having a 2.4 GHZ transmitter.
`According to an embodiment of the present invention. the
`network manager software component includes a plug and
`play software component for loading and executing software
`for the first wireless device.
`
`According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
`network manager software component includes a PIN num-
`ber management software component
`fer obtaining and
`supplying PIN numbers.
`According to embodiment of the present invention. the
`network manager software component
`includes a service
`repository software component for obtaining and providing
`an availability of a service front the first wireless device.
`According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
`firm wireless device includes an application software com-
`ponent for providing a service. The network manager soft-
`ware component includes a management software compo-
`nent for accessing the service.
`According to an embodiment of the present invention. the
`system further comprises a second wireless device coupled
`to the wireless gateway device. The second wireless device
`provides a short—range signal. The first wireless device
`communicates with the Second wireless device through the
`wireless gateway device.
`According to an embodiment of the present invention. the
`system further comprises a second wireless device coupled
`to the wireless gateway device. The wireless gateway device
`provides access to the Internet for the first and second
`wireless devices.
`
`According to an embodiment of the present invention. the
`network manager software component operates with an
`operating system software component.
`
`12
`
`12
`
`

`

`3
`
`4
`
`US ?,039,033 B2
`
`According to an embodiment of the present invention. the
`operating system component is a Linux, EPOC or a Pock-
`etPC operating system.
`According to an embodiment of the present invention. the
`wireless gateway device includes 1) an application software
`component for providing a service. and 2) an application
`server software component coupled to the network manage-
`ment software component.
`According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
`wireless gateway device further includes a firewall software
`component.
`According to an embodiment of the present invention. the
`wireless gateway device includes a VPN software compo-
`nent.
`
`According to an embodiment of the present invention. a
`hand-held device for providing a personal area network is
`provided. The hand-held device comprises a storage device
`coupled to a processor. The storage device stores a software
`component
`for controlling the processor. The processor
`operates with the component to provide a short-range radio
`Internet protocol communication between the first hand—held
`wireless device and a second hand—held wireless device.
`According to an embodiment of the present invention, a
`Bluetooth‘m transmitter is coupled to the processor.
`According to an embodiment of the present invention. a
`GSM transmitter is coupled to the processor.
`According to an embodiment of the present invention. a
`wireless hand—held device accesses a router in a personal
`network. The wireless hand—held device comprises a storage
`device coupled to a processor. The storage device stores a
`soflware component for controlling the processor. The pro-
`cessor operates with the component to provide a first short-
`range radio signal to the router for accessing the Internet and
`a second short-range radio signal to the router for accessing
`another wireless hand—held device.
`
`According to an embodiment of the present invention. an
`article of manufacture.
`including a computer
`readable
`medium is provided. The article of manufacture comprises
`an application sofiware component for providing a service.
`An application server software component provides the
`application software component. The article of manufacture
`also includes an Internet protocol network manager software
`component and an operating system software component.
`Also. a short-range radio software component for providing
`a short-range radio signal and a cellular software component
`for providing a communications signal to a cellular network
`is included with the article of manufacture.
`
`10
`
`3t]
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`4t]
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`45
`
`Other aspects and advantages ofthe present invention can
`be seen upon review of the figures. the detailed description.
`and the claims that follow.
`
`50
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TIME FIGURES
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates a system according to an embodiment of
`the present invention.
`FIG. 2 illustrates thin terminals and a wireless gateway
`device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
`FIGS. 3n-- 5) are hardware block diagrams of a wireless
`gateway device and wireless hand held device according to
`an embodiment of the present invention.
`FIGS. 4 and Sci—b are software block diagrams for a
`wireless gateway device according to an embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 6 illustrates network management software inter—
`faces according to an embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 7 illustrates network management software compo-
`nents according to an embodiment of the present invention.
`
`55
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`60
`
`65
`
`FIGS. Sa—b illustrate multiple wireless devices coupled to
`a wireless gateway device according to an embodiment of
`the present invention.
`
`DE’I‘AIIJED DESCRIPTION
`
`1. System Overview
`The following description and claims relate to a system
`that accesses
`information from a wide area network
`
`(“WAN”). such as the Internet. and local wireless devices in
`response to short-range radio signals. The network may also
`be an 11’ based public or private network. such as a corporate
`secured network using VPN.
`FIG. 1 illustrates system 100 according to an embodiment
`of the present invention. System 100 includes terminals 10’1‘r
`coupled to wireless gateway device 106. In an embodiment
`of the present invention. gateway device 106 and one or
`more terminals 107 communicate to form a personal area
`network (“PAN"). In an embodiment of the present inven-
`tion. terminals 107 are coupled to gateway device 106 by
`short-range radio signals 110.
`In an embodiment of the
`present invention. terminals 107 are a desktop computer. a
`laptop computer. a personal digital assistant. a headset. a
`pager. a printer. a watch, thin tennina]. digital camera or an
`equivalent thereof. In an embodiment of the present invert-
`tion, temtirtals 107 include a BluetoothTM 2.4 GHZ transw
`mitterr‘receiver. Likewise. gateway device 106 includes a
`Bluetooth'r'“ 2.4 GIIZ transmiltcrt'rcceiver. In an alternate
`embodiment of the present
`invention. a lSlttetoothT-‘A 5.7
`GHZ transmitterfreceiver is used. Gateway device 106 and
`tenninals 107 hardware are illustrated in FIGS. 30—h.
`1n alternate embodiments of the present invention. other
`local wireless technologies such as 802.11 or HonieRF
`signals are used to communicate between gateway device
`106 and terminals 107.
`invention. gateway
`in an embodiment of the present
`device 106 is coupled to cellular network 105 by cellular
`signals 111 using a protocol. such as a Global and System for
`Mobile conn‘nunications [“GSM”) protocol.
`In alternate
`embodiments, a Code Division Multiple Access (“CDMA”).
`CDMA 2000 or Time Division Multiple Access (“TDMA”),
`or General Packet Radio Service (“GPRS”) protocol is used.
`111 an alternate embodiment of the present
`invention.
`gateway device 106 is coupled to a landline network by an
`Ethentet. Digital Subscriber Line (“DSL”). or cable modem
`connection. singly or in combination.
`In an embodiment of the present
`device 106 is a cellular telephone.
`Cellular network 105 is coupled to a wireless carrier
`internal network or carrier backbone 104. In an embodiment
`of the present invention. server 102 is coupled to carrier
`backbone 104. In an alternate embodiment of the present
`invention. carrier backbone 104 is coupled to Internet 103.
`Server 101 is coupled to Internet 103. In an embodiment of
`the present invention, servers 101 and 102 provide infor-
`mation. such as web pages or application software compo-
`nents to terminals 107 by way of gateway device 106. In an
`embodiment of the present invention. terminals 10? share
`services and communicate by way of gateway device 106.
`
`invention. gateway
`
`II. Gatewanyandheld Device Hardware
`FIG. 2 illustrates terminals 107. In an embodiment of the
`present invention. there are two types of tenninals: 1) Stuart
`tenninals and 2) Thin terminals. Stuart temiinals have a
`relatively powerful central processor. operating system and
`applications. Their main needs from a PAN are acceSs to a
`WAN through TCPIIP and other network services such as
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`US ?.039,033 B2
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`5
`
`storage and execution. For example. a computer notebook
`and FDA are smart terminals. Thin terminals have a rela-
`
`tively low power central processor and operating system.
`They are mainly used as peripherals to an Application server
`in a PAN and their main task is user interaction. rendering
`output for a user and providing an Application server with a
`user‘s input. For example. a watch or a tnessaging terminal
`are thin terminals.
`FIG. 2 illustrates thin terminals. Voice terminal 204
`
`includes a display 204!) and a retractable keypad 2040.
`Messaging Terminal 203 is illustrated in a closed position
`with a hinge 203a used to open and close terminal 203.
`'l‘erminal 203 also includes a miniature QWER’I’Y keyboard
`and display when opened. Gateway device 201 includes clip
`202 for a belt.
`In an embodiment. PMG device 201 is also illustrated in
`FIG. 2.
`
`FIG. 3a illustrates a hardware block diagram of gateway
`device 106 in an embodiment of the present
`invention.
`Gateway device 106 includes both internal and removable
`tttemory. In particular, gateway device 106 includes internal
`FLASH (or Electrically Erasable Progrartunable Read—Only
`Memory (“EEPROM”) and static Random Access Memory
`(“SRAM”) memory 302 and 303. respectively. Removable
`FLASH memory 304 is also used in an embodiment of the
`present invention. Memories 302. 303 and 304 are coupled
`to bus 305. In an embodiment of the present invention. has
`305 is an address and data bus. Application processor 301 is
`likewise coupled to bus 305.
`In an embodiment of the
`present invention. processor 301 is a 32 bit processor.
`BluetoothTM processor 307 is also coupled to bus 305.
`Bluetooth'TM RF circuit 309 is coupled to BluetoothTM pro-
`cessor 30'?r and antemia 313. Processor 307. RF circuit 309
`and antenna 313 transmit and receive short-range radio
`signals to and from terminals 107 illustrated in FIG. 1. or
`device 350 illustrated in FIG. 3b.
`
`Cellular. such as GSM. signals are transmitted and
`received using digital circuit 306. analog circuit 308. trans-
`mitter 310. receiver 311 and antenna 312. Digital circuit 306
`is coupled to bus 305. In alternate embodiments. gateway
`device 106 includes a display, a speaker. a microphone. a
`keypad and a touchscreen. singly or in combination thereof.
`FIG. 3b illustrates device 350 that is a hand—held device
`
`in art embodiment of the present invention. Device 350. in
`an embodiment of the present
`invention.
`is one of tlte
`terminals 10? illustrated in FIG. 1. Similar to gateway
`device 106. device 350 includes SRAM and FLASH
`memory 351 and 352. respectively. Memories 35] and 352
`are coupled to bus 357. In an embodiment of the present
`invention. bus 35'? is an address and data bus. Keypad 353
`is also coupled to bus 357. Short—range radio signals are
`transmitted and received using BluetoothTM processor 354
`and Bluetooth'TM RF circuit 355. Antenna 356 is coupled to
`BluetoothT“ RF circuit 355. In an embodiment of the present
`invention. antenna 356 transmits and receives short-range
`radio signals from gateway device 300. In alternate embodi-
`tnents. device 350 includes a display. a speaker. a tnicro—
`phone. a keypad and a touchscreen. singly or in combination
`thereof.
`
`III. Gateway Software
`FIG. 4 illustrates a software architecture 400 for gateway
`device 106 illustrated in FIG. 30 according to an embodi—
`tnent of the present invention. Gateway software 400 is
`stored in FLASH 302. In an embodiment of the present
`invention. software components referenced in FIGS. 4 -'i'
`represent a software program. a software object. a software
`
`10
`
`3o
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`6
`function, a software subroutine= a software method. a soft-
`ware instance. a code fragment. singly or in combination. In
`an alternate embodiment. functions performed by software
`components illustrated in FIGS. 4—7 are carried out com-
`pletely or partially by hardware.
`invention. gateway
`In an embodiment of the present
`software 400. or components of gateway software 400. is
`stored in an article of manufacture. such as a computer
`readable medium. For example. gateway software 400 is
`stored in a magnetic hard disk. an optical disk. a floppy disk.
`(TD-ROM (Compact Disk ReadOnly Memory). RAM (Ratt-
`dom Access Memory). ROM {Read-Only Memory). or other
`readable or writeablc data storage technologies. singly or in
`combination. In yet another embodiment. gateway software
`400. or components thereof. is downloaded from server 101
`illustrated in FIG. 1.
`
`Gateway software 400 includes telecommunication soft-
`ware or physical layer protocol stacks. in particular cellular
`communications software 401 and short-range radio com-
`munications software 402. In an embodiment. communica-
`tion software 401 is a GPRS baseband software component
`used with processor 306 to transmit and receive cellular
`signals. In an embodiment. communication software 402 is
`a Bluetooth"M baseband software component used with
`processor 30‘? to transmit and receive short-range radio
`signals.
`invention. operating
`In an embodiment of the present
`system 403 is used to communicate with telecommunica—
`tions software 401 and 402. In an embodiment of the present
`invention. operating system 403 is a Linux operating system.
`EPOC operating system available from Symbian software of
`London. United Kingdom or a PocketPC or a Stinger
`operating system available from Microsoft of Redmond.
`Wash. Operating system 403 manages hardware and enables
`execution space for gateway device software components.
`Network Management software 404 is used to provide a
`number of functions according to embodiments of the
`present invention: 1) routing. 2) device plug and play. 3} PIN
`number management. 4) network device management. and
`5} service repository.
`In an embodiment of the present
`invention. network management software 404 is pro-
`grammed in C++ software language.
`Smart phone application software 405 communicates with
`operating system 403 attd is used in a cellular telephone
`embodiment of the present invention.
`1st and 2nd software application components 406 com-
`municate with management software 404 and provide addi-
`tional services to a user. For example. application compo-
`nents 406 may include: 1) a stock quote application for
`providing stock quotes, 2) a personal information manager
`application including calendars. to do lists. emails. or con~
`facts. 3) a synclutonimtion software application for synchro-
`nizing databases. 4) a telephony application for providing
`telephone services. or S) a location application for providing
`a current location of a gateway device.
`Furthermore. Graphics User Interface (“GUI") 401‘r
`provided to allow a user—friendly interface.
`FIG. 5a illustrates detailed gateway software architecture
`500. In an embodiment of the present invention. network
`management software 404 illustrated in FIG. 4 includes
`three software components as illustrated in FIG. 5o: 1) PAN
`router 4046: 2) PAN server 404b: and 3) Application server
`4040. GPRS baseband 503 and BluetocthTM baseband 502
`
`is
`
`are software components used to generate communication
`signals to a cellular network 105 and terminals 107 as
`illustrated in FIG. 1.
`In an alternate embodiment. other
`baseband software components 501 are used to generate
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`US ?,039,033 B2
`
`conununication signals. Media abstraction layer 504 allows
`operating system 403 to communicate with basebands 503.
`502, and 501. respectively. Media abstraction layer 504 and
`other abstraction layers. described herein. translate a par-
`ticular communication protocol. such as GPRS, into a stan-
`dard command set used by a gateway device auditor terminal.
`The purpose of an abstraction layer is to isolate the physical
`stacks from the rest of the gateway device software com-
`patients. This enables future usage of diflerent physical
`stacks without changing any of the upper layer software and
`allows the gateway device software to work with any
`comintuiication protocol.
`PAN router 404a establishes 8 PAN network. implement-
`ing communication primitives. 1P networking, IP services
`and similar tasks.
`
`PAN server 404!) is responsible for implementing PAN
`oriented services such as plug and play. terminal enumera-
`tion. application loading, storage space and other services.
`In an embodiment, PAN server 404!) communicates directly
`with applications 406 using application drivers.
`PAN application server 404::
`is responsible for imple-
`menting user and terminal oriented services and enables thin
`terminals. In an embodiment of the present invention. PAN
`application server 404:: implements such applications as a
`GUI 407. a remote tenninal driver application], a location
`application. a telephony application or an equivalent thereof.
`FIG. 50. like FIG. 4. illustrates 151 and 2nd software
`component applications 406 and GUI 407.
`
`A. PAN Router
`
`PAN router 404C enables a liilly meshed [P based net-
`work. In an embodiment of the present
`invention. each
`terminal can leverage the existing IP protocol, exchange data
`with other terlninals and gain access to a WAN through PAN
`router 4046.
`
`FIG. Sb illustrates software components of PAN router
`404C. ln an embodiment of the present invention. routing
`component 550. BluetoothTM LAN access Profile compo-
`nent 551. Dynamic Host Configuration ProtocollPoint—to-
`Point Protocol (“DHCPJ’PPP”) component 552 and Network
`Address Translator (“NAT”) component 553 are used in
`PAN router 404C.
`In an alternate embodiment. Domain
`Naming Service (“DNS") component 554. Tunneling