Case 3: 18---cv 02839- M Document 2 Filed 07/31/18 Page 1 of 1 PagelD 22
`A0 120 (Rev 08/10)
`
`TO:
`
`Mail Stop 8
`Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`TRADEMARK
`
`REPORT ON THE
`FILING OR DETERMINATION OF AN
`ACTION REGARDING A PATENT OR
`
`In Compliance with 35 U.S.C. § 290 and/or 15 U.S.C. § 1116 you are hereby advised that a court action has been
`
`Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division
`
`filed in the U.S. District Court
`
`on the following
`
`D Trademarks or
`
`EPatents.
`
`( D the patent action involves 35 U.S.C. § 292.):
`
`DOCKET NO.
`3:18-cv-2839
`PLAINTIFF
`
`DATE FILED
`10/24/2018
`
`U.S. DISTRICT COURT
`Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division
`DEFENDANT
`
`UNILOC USA INC et al
`
`ZTE (USA) INC et al
`
`PATENT OR
`
`DATE OF PATENT
`
`1 6,993,049
`
`1/31/2006
`
`UniIOC 2017, LLC
`
`DATE INCLUDED
`
`In the above%ntitled case, the following patent(s)/ trademark(s) have been included:
`INCLUDED BY
`
`PATENT OR
`TRADEMARK N0
`
`D Amendment
`DATE OF PATENT
`OR TRADEMARK
`
`D Answer
`
`B Cross Bill
`
`D Other Pleading
`
`
`HOLDER OF PATENT OR TRADEMARK
` CLERK
`
`In the aboveientitled case, the following decision has been rendered or judgement issued:
`DECIS ION/JUDGEMENT
`
`Karen Mitchell
`
`(BY) DEPUTY CLERK
`
`s/A. Anthony
`
`DATE
`
`Copy l—Upon initiation of action, mail this copy to Director Copy 3—Up0n termination of action, mail this copy to Director
`Copy 2—Up0n filing document adding patent(s), mail this copy to Director Copy 4—Case file copy
`1
`
`LG 1002
`
`1
`
`LG 1002
`
`

`

`Case 2:18-cv—OOO7'4—JRG Document 2 Filed 03il4i18 Page 1 of 1 PagelD #: 19
`
`A0 120 (Rev. 03110)
`
`
`REPORT ON THE
`
`
`Mail Stop 8
`
`FILING OR DETERMINATION OF AN
`Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`
`
`P.0. Box 1450
`ACTION REGARDING A PATENT OR
`
`
`
`TRADEMARK
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`
`
`
`.
`In Compliance with 35 U.S.C. § 290 and/or 15 U.S.C. § 1116 you are hereby advised that a court action has been
`
`Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division on the following
`'filed in the U.S. District Coon
`'0‘
`
`MEADOW Trademarks or
`MPatents.
`( I] the patent action involves 35 U.S.C. § 292.):
`\
`
`
`U.S. DISTRICT COURT
`DOCKET NO.
`DATE FILED
`Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division
`2:18-CV-00074
`3/13/2018
`DEFENDANT
`PLAINTIFF
`
`HUAWEI DEVICE USA, INC. and HUAWEI DEVICE CO.
`LTD.
`
`PATENT OR
`
`DATE OF PATENT
`OR TRADEMARK
`
`HOLDER OF PATENT OR TRADEMARK
`
`1 6,993,049
`
`181/2006
`
`Uniloc Luxembourg, SA.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`UNILOC USA, INC. and UNILOC LUXEMBOURG, S.A.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`———
`—
`
`
`
`4 —
`_—
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DATE. INCLUDED
`
`In the above—entitled case, the following patent(s)/ trademark(s) have been included:
`INCLUDED BY
`
`[:1 Answer
`
`I] Cross Bill
`
`[:1 Other Pleading
`
`PATENT 0R
`TRADEMARK NO.
`
`U Amendment
`DATE OF PATENT
`OR TRADEMARK
`HOLDER 0F PATENT 0R TRADEMARK
`_—
`—-—
`———
`_—_
`
`
`
`
`
`
` —_—
`
`
` (BY) DEPUTY CLERK
`
`In the above—entitled case, the following decision has been rendered orjudgement issued:
`DECISIONIJUDGEMENT
`
`Copy l—Upon initiation of action, mail this copy to Director Copy 3—Upon termination ofaction, mail this copy to Director
`Copy Z—Upon filing document adding patcnt(s), mail this copy to Director Copy 4—Casc file copy
`
`2
`
`

`

`Case 2:18-cv—00040—JRG Document 4 Filed 02/2618 Page 1 of 1 PagelD #: 24
`A0 120 Rev, 08/10
`
`
`
`Riail Stop 8
`REPORT ON THE
`Director of the US. Patent and Trademark Office
`FILING 0R DETERMINATION OF AN
`
`
`
`P.0. Box 1450
`ACTION REGARDING A PATENT 0R
`
`
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`TRADEMARK
`
`
`
`
`“MI [I 5 NIH T
`In Compliance with 35 U.S.C. § 290 and/or 15 U.S.C. § 1116 you are hereby advised that a court action has been
`
`filed in the us. District Court
`on the following
`Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division
`
`I Trademarks or
`MPatents‘
`
`DOCKET NO.
`U.S. DISTRICT COURT
`
`
`2:18-cv-00041
`Eastern District of Texas, Marshal] Division
`
`
`
`PLAINTIFF
`DEFENDANT
`
`
`
`
`UNILOC USA, INC. and UNILOC LUXEMBOURG, S.A.
`SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS AMERICA, INC. and
`SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS, CO. LTD.
`
`
`PATENT OR
`%AE 0F PATENT
`mm W
`
`CECIL.
`
`
`
`( I] the patent action involves 35 U.S.C. § 2792,):
`
`DATE FILED
`2126/2017
`
`1 6, 993 049
`
`“31/2006
`
`Uniloc Luxembourg, 8.A.
`
`
`
`
`DATE INCLUDED
`
`In the aboveuentitled case, the foilowing patent(s)/ trademark(s) have been included:
`INCLUDED BY
`
`'
`
`El Amendment
`
`[I Answer
`
`I] Cross Bill
`
`I] Other Pleading
`
`PATENT OR
`TRADEMARK N0
`
`DOATE OF PATENT
`RTRADEIMARK
`
`HOLDER OF PATENT OR TRADEMARK
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In theabovegentitled case, the following decision has been rendered or judgement issued:
`
`DECISION/JUDGEMENT
`
`CLERK
`
`(BY) DEPUTY CLERK
`
`Copy l—Upon initiation of action, mail this copy to Director Copy 3—Upon termination of action, mail this copy to Director
`Copy 2—Upon filing document adding patent(s_), mail this copy to Director Copy 4—Case file copy
`
`3
`
`

`

`A0120 Revy 08f|0
`
` Mail Stop 8
`
`T0:
`
`Director ofthe U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`P.0. Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`REPORT ON THE
`FILING 0R DETERMINATION OF AN
`ACTION REGARDING A PATENT 0R
`TRADEMARK
`
`In Compliance with 35 U.S.C. § 290 andfor 15 U.S.C. § 1116 you are hereby advised that a court action has been
`filed in the U.S. District Court
`Western District of Texas, Austin Division
`on the following
`
`E] Trademarks or
`
`I] Patents.
`
`( [:I the patent action involves 35 U.S.C. § 292.):
`
`DOCKET NO.
`1:18-CV-164-RP
`PLAINTIFF
`
`Uniloc USA. lnc. et 3]
`
`DATE FILED
`2f22/2018
`
`U.S. DISTRICT COURT
`Western District of Texas, Austin Division
`DEFENDANT
`
`Apple Inc.
`
`PATENT OR
`
`DATE OF PATENT
`
`TRADEMARKN0. O_RTRADEMARK
`
`HOLDER0FPATENTORTRADEMARK
`
`1W
`HOLDER OF PATENT OR TRADEMARK
`Jeannette J. Clack
`
`DATE INCLUDED
`
`In the above—entitled case, the following patent(s)/ trademark(s) have been included:
`INCLUDED BY
`
`PATENT 0R
`TRADEMARK NO.
`
`I] Amendment
`DATE OF PATENT
`OR TRADEMARK
`
`E] Answer
`
`[I Cross Bill
`
`D Other Pleading
`
`In the above—entitled case, the following decision has been rendered orjudgement issued:
`DECISION/JUDGEMENT
`
`CLERK
`
`3—Upon ter
`Copy I—Upon initiation of action, mail this copy to Direct
`Copy 2—Upon filing document adding patent(s), mail this copy to Director Copy ‘
`
`.
`
`ion ofnction, mail this copy to Director
`- asc file copy
`
`4
`
`

`

`Case8:18ucvfllz7guDDCuJDE Documenté Rheum/24118 Paar-21:31“: Page-3SD#:?3
`A0 120 (Rev. 08/10)
`
`TO:
`
`Mail Stop 8
`Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`TRADEMARK
`
`REPORT ON THE
`FILING OR DETERMINATION OF AN
`ACTION REGARDING A PATENT OR
`
`In Compliance with 35 U.SIC. § 290 and/or 15 U.S.C. § 1116 you are hereby advised that a court action has been
`
`filed in the U.S. District Court
`Central District Of California
`on the following
`
`D Trademarks or
`
`EPatents.
`
`( D the patent action involves 35 U.S.C. § 292.):
`
`DOCKET NO.
`8:18-cv-01279
`PLAINTIFF
`
`DATE FILED
`7/24/2018
`
`U.S. DISTRICT COURT
`Central District of California
`
`DEFENDANT
`
`Uniloc 2017 LLC, Uniloc Licensing USA LLC and Uniloc
`USA, Inc.
`
`Microsoft Corporation
`
`DATE INCLUDED
`
`In the abovegentitled case, the following patent(s)/ trademark(s) have been included:
`INCLUDED BY
`
`PATENT 0R
`
`D Amendment
`DATE OF PATENT
`
`TRADEMARK N0
`
`0R TRADEMARK
`
`D Answer
`
`B Cross Bill
`
`D Other Pleading
`
`
`HOLDER 0E PATENT OR TRADEMARK
` CLERK
`
`In the aboveientitled case, the following decision has been rendered or judgement issued:
`DECIS ION/JUDGEMENT
`
`(BY) DEPUTY CLERK
`
`DATE
`
`Copy l—Upon initiation of action, mail this copy to Director Copy 3—Upon termination of action, mail this copy to Director
`Copy 2—Upon filing document adding patent(s), mail this copy to Director Copy 4—Case file copy
`
`5
`
`

`

`Case 2:18-cv-00307-JRG-RSP Document 2 Filed 07/31/18 Page 1 of 1 PagelD #: 22
`A0 120 (Rev. 08/10)
`
`TO:
`
`Mail Stop 8
`Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`TRADEMARK
`
`REPORT ON THE
`FILING OR DETERMINATION OF AN
`ACTION REGARDING A PATENT OR
`
`In Compliance with 35 U.S.C. § 290 and/or 15 U.S.C. § 1116 you are hereby advised that a court action has been
`
`filed in the U.S. District Court
`Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division
`on the following
`
`D Trademarks or
`
`EPatents.
`
`( D the patent action involves 35 U.S.C. § 292.):
`
`DOCKET NO.
`2:18-Cv-307
`PLAINTIFF
`
`DATE FILED
`7/23/2018
`
`U.S. DISTRICT COURT
`Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division
`DEFENDANT
`
`UNILOC USA, INC. and UNILOC 2017, LLC
`
`ZTE (USA), INC. and ZTE (TX), INC.
`
`PATENT OR
`
`DATE OF PATENT
`
`1 6, 993, 049
`
`1/31/2006
`
`UniIOC 2017, LLC
`
`DATE INCLUDED
`
`In the abovegentitled case, the following patent(s)/ trademark(s) have been included:
`INCLUDED BY
`
`PATENT 0R
`
`D Amendment
`DATE OF PATENT
`
`TRADEMARK N0
`
`0R TRADEMARK
`
`D Answer
`
`B Cross Bill
`
`D Other Pleading
`
`
`HOLDER 0E PATENT OR TRADEMARK
` CLERK
`
`In the aboveientitled case, the following decision has been rendered or judgement issued:
`DECIS ION/JUDGEMENT
`
`(BY) DEPUTY CLERK
`
`DATE
`
`Copy l—Upon initiation of action, mail this copy to Director Copy 3—Upon termination of action, mail this copy to Director
`Copy 2—Upon filing document adding patent(s), mail this copy to Director Copy 4—Case file copy
`
`6
`
`

`

`Case 2:18-cv-00074-JRG-RSP Document 2 Filed 03/14/18 Page 1 of 1 PagelD #: 19
`A0 120 (Rev. 08/10)
`
`TO:
`
`Mail Stop 8
`Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`TRADEMARK
`
`REPORT ON THE
`FILING OR DETERMINATION OF AN
`ACTION REGARDING A PATENT OR
`
`In Compliance with 35 U.S.C. § 290 and/or 15 U.S.C. § 1116 you are hereby advised that a court action has been
`
`filed in the U.S. District Court
`Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division
`on the following
`
`D Trademarks or
`
`EPatents.
`
`( D the patent action involves 35 U.S.C. § 292.):
`
`DOCKET NO.
`2:18-cv-00074
`PLAINTIFF
`
`DATE FILED
`3/13/2018
`
`U.S. DISTRICT COURT
`Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division
`DEFENDANT
`
`UNILOC USA, INC. and UNILOC LUXEMBOURG, S.A.
`
`HUAWEI DEVICE USA, INC. and HUAWEI DEVICE CO.
`LTD.
`
`PATENT 0R
`TRADEMARK N0
`
`DATE OF PATENT
`OR TRADEMARK
`
`HOLDER OF PATENT OR TRADEMARK
`
`1 6 993 049
`
`1/31/2006
`
`Uniloc Luxembourg S. A.
`
`DATE INCLUDED
`
`In the abovegentitled case, the following patent(s)/ trademark(s) have been included:
`INCLUDED BY
`
`PATENT 0R
`
`D Amendment
`DATE OF PATENT
`
`TRADEMARK N0
`
`0R TRADEMARK
`
`D Answer
`
`B Cross Bill
`
`D Other Pleading
`
`
`HOLDER 0E PATENT OR TRADEMARK
` CLERK
`
`In the aboveientitled case, the following decision has been rendered or judgement issued:
`DECIS ION/JUDGEMENT
`
`(BY) DEPUTY CLERK
`
`DATE
`
`Copy l—Upon initiation of action, mail this copy to Director Copy 3—Upon termination of action, mail this copy to Director
`Copy 2—Upon filing document adding patent(s), mail this copy to Director Copy 4—Case file copy
`
`7
`
`

`

`A0 120 (Rev. 08/10)
`
`TO:
`
`Mail Stop 8
`Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`TRADEMARK
`
`REPORT ON THE
`FILING OR DETERMINATION OF AN
`ACTION REGARDING A PATENT OR
`
`In Compliance with 35 U.STC. § 290 and/or 15 U.S.C. § 1116 you are hereby advised that a court action has been
`
`filed in the U.S. District Court
`Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division
`on the following
`
`M Trademarks or
`
`D Patents.
`
`( D the patent action involves 35 U.S.C. § 292.):
`
`DOCKET NO.
`3:18-cv-559-S
`PLAINTIFF
`
`Uniloc USA Inc et al
`
`DATE FILED
`3/9/2018
`
`U.S. DISTRICT COURT
`Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division
`DEFENDANT
`
`LG Electronics USA Inc et al
`
`PATENT OR
`TRADEMARK N0
`
`DATE OF PATENT
`OR TRADEMARK
`
`HOLDER OF PATENT OR TRADEMARK
`
`1 6 993 049
`
`1/31/2006
`
`Uniloc Luxembourg S. A.
`
`DATE INCLUDED
`
`In the abovegentitled case, the following patent(s)/ trademark(s) have been included:
`INCLUDED BY
`
`PATENT 0R
`
`D Amendment
`DATE OF PATENT
`
`TRADEMARK N0
`
`0R TRADEMARK
`
`D Answer
`
`B Cross Bill
`
`D Other Pleading
`
`
`HOLDER 0E PATENT OR TRADEMARK
`3/9/2018
`
`In the aboveientitled case, the following decision has been rendered or judgement issued:
`DECIS ION/JUDGEMENT
`
`CLERK
`
`Karen Mitchell
`
`(BY) DEPUTY CLERK
`
`s/K. Cheng
`
`Copy l—Upon initiation of action, mail this copy to Director Copy 3—Upon termination of action, mail this copy to Director
`Copy 2—Upon filing document adding patent(s), mail this copy to Director Copy 4—Case file copy
`
`
`
`8
`
`

`

`Case 3:18-cv-00559-S Document 1 Filed 03/09/18 Page 9 of 9 PageID 9
`
`Date: March 9, 2018
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`/s/ Edward R. Nelson 111
`James J. Foster
`Massachusetts State Bar No. 553285
`Kevin Gannon
`Massachusetts State Bar No. 640931
`Aaron Jacobs
`Massachusetts State Bar No. 677545
`PRINCE LOBEL TYE LLP
`One International Place, Suite 3700
`Boston, MA 02110
`Tel: (617) 456-8000
`Email: jfoster@princelobelcom
`Email: kgannon@ princclobcl.com
`Email: aj acobs @ princelo bel.com
`
`Edward R. Nelson 111
`ed@nbafirm.com
`Texas State Bar No. 00797142
`
`Anthony M. Vecchione
`anthony@nbafirm.com
`Texas State Bar No. 24061270
`NELSON BUMGARDNER ALBRITTON RC.
`3131 West 7th Street, Suite 300
`Fort Worth, TX 76107
`Tel: (817) 377-9111
`Fax: (817) 377-3485
`
`ATTORNEYS FOR THE PLAINTIFFS
`
`9
`
`

`

`Case 3:18-cv-00559-S Document 1-1 Filed 03/09/18 Page 1 of 9 PageID 10
`
`EXHIBIT A
`
`10
`
`10
`
`

`

`Case 31860005563 Document 1-1l lllllllllllllltlllllalllltlllll llllllllllllllllltllllllllllllltllldlll
`USOO6993049B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`US 6,993,049 B2
`(10) Patent N0.:
`
`
` Davies (45) Date of Patent: *J an. 31, 2006
`
`(54) COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
`
`(52) US. Cl.
`
`...................... 370/528, 370/346; 370/449,
`370/465
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Robert J- Davies, Horley (GB)
`
`(73) Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.,
`Eindhoven (NL)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................ 370/311,
`370/312, 328—330, 336, 337, 346, 347, 350,
`370/390, 465, 470, 473, 476, 491, 528, 449
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`This patent issued on a continued pros—
`ecution application filed under 37 CFR
`1.53(d), and is subject to the twenty year
`patent term provisions of 35 U.S.C. 154
`(a)(2)~
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 635 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis—
`clairner.
`
`(5 6)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`............... 340/755
`8/1988 Matai et al.
`4,766,434 A *
`6/2003 Haartsen ........
`375/133
`6,574,266 B1 *
`
`............... 340/505
`6,664,891 B2 * 12/2003 Davies ct al.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary ExamineriChi Pham
`Assistant Examiner—Ronald Abelson
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(21) Appl. N0.: 09/876,514
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jun. 7, 2001
`
`(65)
`
`(30)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2002/0028657 A1
`Mar. 7, 2002
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Jun. 26, 2000
`Aug. 15, 2000
`
`(GB)
`(GB)
`
`.................................... 0015454
`.................................... 0020076
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04] 3/12
`H04] 3/16
`H04L 12/403
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`A communications system comprises a primary station (100)
`and at least one secondary station (101). The primary station
`(100) is arranged to broadcast a series of inquiry messages,
`each in the form of a plurality of predetermined data fields
`arranged according to a first communications protocol such
`as Bluetooth. In addition the primary station (100) adds to
`some or all of the inquiry messages an additional data field
`for polling one or more secondary stations, which can
`respond to the poll if they have data for transmission. This
`system provides secondary stations (101) with a rapid
`response time without the need [or a permanently active
`communication link.
`
`12 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`

`Case 3:18-cv-00559-S Document 1-1 Filed 03/09/18 Page 3 of 9 PagelD 12
`
`US. Patent
`
`Jan. 31, 2006
`
`Sheet 1 Of?)
`
`US 6,993,049 B2
`
`
`
`12
`
`12
`
`

`

`Case 3:18-cv-00559-S Document 1-1 Filed 03/09/18 Page 4 of 9 PagelD 13
`
`US. Patent
`
`Jan. 31, 2006
`
`Sheet 2 Of?)
`
`US 6,993,049 B2
`
`slot
`
`
`0
`
`1
`
`2
`
`3
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`4
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`7
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`M ----------------
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`M ----------------
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`f{k+1 --------I I-------
`
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`
`f{k+3 ----------l I-----
`
`f{k+4 ------------ ----
`
`f{k+5 ------------I I---
`
`f{k+6 -------------- .-
`
`
`
`
`
`f{k+7 --------------I I-
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 3
`
`-_ ‘-
`
`10.245
`
`FIG. 4
`
`502
`
`504
`
`502
`
`508 HSB
`
`FIG. 5
`
`13
`
`13
`
`

`

`Case 3:18-cv-00559-S Document 1-1 Filed 03/09/18 Page 5 of 9 PagelD 14
`
`US. Patent
`
`Jan. 31, 2006
`
`Sheet 3 Of?)
`
`US 6,993,049 B2
`
`RX DATA
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 6
`
`14
`
`14
`
`

`

`Case 3:18-cv-00559-S Document 1-1 Filed 03/09/18 Page 6 of 9 PagelD 15
`
`US 6,993,049 B2
`
`LA
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`COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
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`The present invention relates to a communication system
`and further relates to primary and secondary stations for use
`in such a system and to a method of operating such a system.
`Although the present invention is described with particular
`reference to a Bluetooth system, it is applicable to a range
`of other communication systems.
`in
`In recent years there has been increasing interest
`enabling devices to interact via wireless communication
`links, thereby avoiding the need for extensive cabling. An
`example of a communication system which may be used for
`such wireless links is a Bluetooth network, operating
`according to the specification defined by the Bluetooth
`Special Interest Group. Such a network is intended to
`provide low-cost, short range radio links between mobile
`PCs, mobile phones and other devices, whether portable or
`not.
`
`Communication in a Bluetooth network takes place in the
`unlicensed ISM band at around 2.45 GHZ. Stations form
`ad-hoc networks which are known as piconets, each corn-
`arising a master station and up to seven slave stations. All
`stations are identical and capable of acting as master or slave
`as required. A station can take part in more than one piconet,
`
`an extended range.
`One application for which use of Bluetooth is proposed is
`he connection of controller devices to host systems. A
`controller device, also known as a Human/machine Interface
`Device (HID), is an input device such as a keyboard, mouse,
`games controller, graphics pad or the like. Such 1-1le do not
`ypically require a link having high data throughput, but do
`require a very responsive link.
`A Bluetooth system is more than capable of supporting
`he throughput requirements of HIDs. However, the degree
`of responsiveness required can be more difficult to achieve.
`An active Bluetooth link can offer a reasonably responsive
`service, but this requires both setting up of the link and its
`maintenance even during periods of inactivity.
`Two types of communication link supported in a Blue-
`tooth network are Asynchronous ConnectionIcss (ACI)
`links and Synchronous Connection Oriented (SCO) links.
`ACL links allow slaves to enter a ‘park’ mode and cease
`active communications, which also allows a number of other
`HIDs to maintain links with the master station without
`violating the Bluetooth rule that no more than seven slaves
`can be active at any one time. Aslave has to be polled before
`it can submit a request to leave park mode and become
`active. SCO links require continuous operation by a slave,
`but
`there are only a limited number of SCO channels
`available.
`Setting up a link requires a HID to join, as a slave, the
`piconet including the host system (which will typically act
`as piconet master, i.e, a base station). Joining the piconet
`requires two sets of procedures, namely ‘inquiry’ and ‘page ’.
`Inquiry allows a would—be slave to find a base station and
`issue a request to join the piconet. Page allows a base station
`to invite slaves of its choice to join the net. Analysis of these
`procedures indicates that the time taken to join a piconet and
`then to be in a position to transfer user input to the master
`could be several tens of seconds.
`It is possible for this procedure to be carried out once and
`for all when the host system is turned on, However, HIDs
`will normally be battery operated and it is therefore not
`acceptable for them to have to remain permanently switched
`on. In particular, for a HID to sign on to the piconet
`automatically when the host system is turned on it will either
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`have to be regularly waking up to look for Bluetooth inquiry
`bursts,
`thereby consuming power, or it will need to be
`manually woken up by the user.
`It is therefore more likely that a HID will remain inactive
`until it is woken up, either by being explicitly switched on
`or by a user attempting some form of input. Hence, the host
`system’s Bluetooth master will need to run inquiry cycles
`periodically, which has two implications. The first is that
`because the inquiry phase is periodic rather than continuous,
`initial access time could be several tens of seconds. This
`could mean that it could take half a minute or more from the
`time a user moves a mouse to a cursor moving on a screen.
`Secondly, the fact that an inquiry cycle takes place at all
`means that ACL links will be suspended during this cycle,
`for up to 10.24 seconds at a time. Although SCO links could
`be used, a HID using such a link could not cease transmis-
`sions during inactive periods.
`It is therefore an object of the invention to address the
`problem of providing a responsive link between a HID and
`' a host system which allows the HID to go to sleep during
`periods of inactivity.
`According to a first aspect of the present invention there
`is provided a communications system comprising a primary
`station and at
`least one secondary station, wherein the
`primary station has means for broadcasting a series of
`inquiry messages, each in the form of a plurality of prede-
`termined data fields arranged according to a first communi-
`cations protocol, and means for adding to an inquiry mes—
`sage prior to transmission an additional data field for polling
`at least one secondary station, and wherein the or each
`polled secondary station has means for determining when an
`additional data field has been added to the plurality of data
`fields, for determining whether it has been polled from the
`additional data field and for responding to a poll when it has
`data for transmission to the primary station.
`According to a second aspect of the present invention
`there is provided a primary station for use in a communi-
`cations system comprising at least one secondary station,
`wherein means are provided for broadcasting a series of
`inquiry messages, each in the form of a plurality of prede-
`termined data fields arranged according to a first communi-
`cations protocol, and for adding to each inquiry message
`prior to transmission an additional data field for polling at
`least one secondary station.
`According to a third aspect of the present invention there
`is provided a secondary station for use in a communications
`system comprising a primary station, wherein means are
`provided for receiving an inquiry message broadcast by the
`primary station, the message being in the form of a plurality
`of predetermined data fields arranged according to a first
`communications protocol and having added to it an addi—
`tional data field for polling at least one secondary station,
`and wherein means are provided for determining when an
`additional data field has been added to the plurality of data
`fields, for determining whether it has been polled from the
`additional data field and for responding to a poll when it has
`data for transmission to the primary station.
`According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there
`is provided a method of operating a communication system
`comprising a primary station and at least one secondary
`station, the method comprising the primary station broad-
`casting a series of inquiry messages, each in the form of a
`plurality of predetermined data fields arranged according to
`a first communications protocol, and adding to an inquiry
`message prior to transmission an additional data field for
`polling at least one secondary station, and further compris-
`ing the or each polled secondary station determining when
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`Case 3:18-cv-00559-S Document 1-1 Filed 03/09/18 Page 7 of 9 PagelD 16
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`US 6,993,049 B2
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`an additional data field has been added to the plurality of
`data fields, determining whether it has been polled from the
`additional data field and responding to a poll when it has
`data for transmission to the primary station.
`Embodiments of the present
`invention will now be
`described, by way of example, with reference to the accom—
`panying drawings, wherein:
`FIG. 1 is a diagram of an ad-hoc wireless network
`comprising two linked piconets;
`FIG. 2 is a block schematic diagram of a typical Bluetooth
`station;
`FIG. 3 is a chart illustrating the transmission of a train of
`inquiry access codes centred on a given frequency;
`FIG. 4 illustrates alternation between trains of inquiry
`messages over the duration of an inquiry broadcast;
`FIG. 5 illustrates the insertion of a packet of broadcast
`data within an existing transmission slot; and
`FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method of polling a
`HID in accordance with the present invention.
`In the drawings the same reference numerals have been
`used to indicate corresponding features.
`In the following description we consider particularly a
`system which utilises Bluetooth protocols for communica-
`tion of messages between stations. As will be recognised, the
`general invention concept of polling HIDs via a broadcast
`channel used as part of the inquiry procedure is not restricted
`to Bluetooth devices and is applicable to other communica-
`tions arrangements,
`in particular frequency hopping sys—
`tems.
`
`A basic Bluetooth network configuration is illustrated in
`FIG. 1, Such a configuration would typically begin with two
`connected host devices, for example a portable PC and a
`cellular phone, and grow to include additional connected
`devices. A wide range of additional host devices may be
`included, for example wireless headsets, personal organisers
`and home entertainment equipment. The network comprises
`a plurality of stations 100, 101 each included in such a host
`device, formed into two piconets 102a, 1021). In general the
`networking components (i.e. the Bluetooth chip for a Blue-
`tooth network) of all stations 100, 101 will be implemented
`identically. However,
`it is only necessary that all stations
`100, 101 comprising the network are able to operate accord—
`ing to a compatible protocol.
`The first piconet 10211 is a point-to-multipoint network
`comprising four stations 100, a master 100(A) and three
`slaves 101(A1,A2,A3), with bidirectional communication
`channels 104 between the master 100 and each of the slaves
`101. The second piconet 1021) is a point-to-point network
`comprising a master 100(B) and a slave 101(Bl). Commu-
`nication between the piconets 102a, 102}; is enabled by the
`masterAin the first piconet 102a also acting as a slave in the
`second piconet 10219 and vice versa. It is not necessary for
`the link between the piconets 102a, 1021) to be between
`masters:
`it would be equally possible for the link to be
`between stations A3 and B1 or between A and B1, for
`example.
`An example of a station 100 for use in a Bluetooth system
`is illustrated in more detail in FIG. 2, and comprises two
`main sections. The first section is an analogue unit compris-
`ing a radio (RF) 202 having an antenna 204 for transmitting
`and receiving radio signals on the communication channel
`104. The second section is a digital controller unit 206,
`further comprising a link baseband controller (LC) 208, a
`microprocessor (,uP) 210 and an interface unit (INT) 212.
`The link controller 208 comprises means for performing
`baseband processing and execution of basic protocols close
`to the physical layer, for example implementing error cor-
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`rection coding, generating Automatic Repeat
`(ARQ) and performing audio coding. The microprocessor
`210 manages the station 100, controlling data transfer
`between the interface unit 212 and the link controller 208.
`The interface unit 212 comprises hardware and software for
`interfacing the station 100 to a host device such as a portable
`PC or a cellular phone. The interfacing is performed via a
`link 214, which might include interfaces to a USB (Univer-
`sal Serial Bus), external memory and other items as appro-
`priate for the particular application.
`The Bluetooth inquiry procedure allows a would—be slave
`101 to find a base station and issue a request to join its
`piconet.
`It has been proposed specifically to overcome
`problems caused by the frequency-hopping nature of Blue-
`tooth and similar systems. The applicants have recognised
`that it is possible to piggy-back a broadcast channel on the
`inquiry messages issued by the master 100. The broadcast
`channel can be used to poll IIIDs at regular intervals.
`However, at the air interface,
`the mechanism is entirely
`' compatible with conventional Bluetooth systems.
`To illustrate how this is implemented, we first consider
`how the Inquiry procedures themselves operate, with refer-
`ence to FIGS. 3 and 4. When a Bluetooth unit wants to
`discover other Bluetooth devices,
`it enters a so—called
`inquiry substate. In this mode, it issues an inquiry message
`containing a General Inquiry Access Code (GIAC) or a
`number of optional Dedicated Inquiry Access Codes
`(DIAC). This message is repeated at several levels; first, it
`is repeated in a train A of 16 frequencies from a total of 32
`making up the inquiry hopping sequence. The message is
`sent twice on two frequencies in even timeslots with the
`following, odd timeslots used to listen for replies on the two
`corresponding inquiry response hopping frequencies. Six—
`teen frequencies and their response counterparts can there-
`fore be covered in 16 timeslots, or 10 ms. The chart of FIG.
`3 illustrates the transmission of a single train on sixteen
`frequencies centred around f{k1 , where f{k} represents the
`inquiry hopping sequence.
`The next step is the repetition of the train a plurality of
`times. At the very least, as presently specified, this means
`256 repetitions of the entire train. Finally, the train A is
`swapped for the train B consisting of the remaining 16
`frequencies and the cycle repeated. As shown by FIG. 4, the
`specification states that this switch must occur at least three
`times to ensure the collection of all responses in an error-free
`environment. This means that an inquiry broadcast could
`take at least 10.24 seconds.
`A portable device that wants to be discovered by a
`Bluetooth master 100 enters the inquiry scan substate. Here,
`it listens for a message containing the GIAC or DIACs of
`interest. It, too, operates in a cyclic way. It listens on a single
`hop frequency for an inquiry scan period which is long
`enough to cover the 16 inquiry frequencies used by the
`inquiry. On hearing an inquiry containing an appropriate
`IAC, the portable device enters a so-called inquiry response
`substate and issues a number of inquiry response messages
`to the master 100. The master 100 will then page the portable
`device, inviting it to join the piconet.
`As mentioned above and shown in FIG. 5, the applicants
`propose that the inquiry messages issued by the base station
`have an extra field 504 appended to them, capable of
`carrying a HID poll message. The extended field 504 may
`carry a header that signifies a IIID poll to distinguish it from
`other applications of extended field information, such as
`context—aware services or broadcast audio (as disclosed in
`our
`co-pending United Kingdom patent
`applications
`00154542 (applicant’s
`reference PHGB 000084)
`and
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`00154534 (applicant’s reference PHGB 000085) respec—
`tively). It will also carry the address of the HID being polled,
`and may also carry a small amount of information to the HID
`which might be used to provide supplementary information
`to a user (such as text on an LCD screen) or feedback (for
`example, motional feedback in games controllers). By add—
`ing the field to the end of the inquiry message, it will be
`appreciated that non-HID receivers can ignore it without
`modification. In addition, by using a special DIAC to signify
`a HID poll, HID devices can be alerted to the presence of the
`forthcoming poll.
`The presence of the extra data field 504 means that the
`guard space conventionally allowed at the end of a Blue-
`tooth inquiry packet
`is reduced. However,
`this space is
`provided to give a frequency synthesiser time to change to
`a new hop frequency and will be generally unused other-
`wise, as current frequency synthesiscrs are capable of
`switching at speeds which do not need extension into the
`extra guard space. The standard inquiry packet is an ID
`packet (ID PKT) 502 of length 68 bits. Since it is sent in a
`half-slot, starting either on a slot boundary (SB) 506 or a
`half-slot boundary (HSB) 508, the guard space allocated is
`(625/2—68)=744.5 #8 (625 ,us slot period, 1 Mbit/s