(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0065805 A1
`(43) Pub. Date: Apr. 3, 2003
`
`Barnes, JR.
`
`US 20030065805A1
`
`(54) SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER
`PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR PROVIDING
`LOCATION BASED SERVICES AND MOBILE
`E-COMMERCE
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Melvin L. Barnes JR., Bethesda, MD
`(US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Mel Barnes
`5323 Pooks Hill Rd.
`Bethesda, MD 20814 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No:
`
`10/154,016
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`May 23, 2002
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/606,350,
`filed on Jun. 29, 2000.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Int. Cl.7 ......................... G06F 15/16; G06F 15/173
`(51)
`(52) US. Cl.
`............................................ 709/231; 709/244
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Asystem, method, apparatus and computer program product
`for providing location based functions and mobile e-coni-
`merce comprising a central processing unit
`including a
`processor, a storage device, and programming stored in the
`storage device, a display device, an audio input device, an
`audio output device, a communications module, a commerce
`module, an image module, and a location module. The
`programming controls the operation of the present invention
`to provide functions based on location data,
`to facilitate
`commercial exchanges by Wirelessly exchanging payment
`and product information with venders, to identify services
`such as venders meeting selection criteria,
`to Wirelessly
`exchange select information With other users and systems, to
`restrict and/or monitor the use of the device based on
`authorized user parameters, selecting one of a plurality
`networks through which to communicate, detecting a trigger
`for performing an action based on a change in location and
`sensed data, storing a voice annotation With a computer data
`file, determining service providers and associated commu-
`nication parameters, contemporaneously maintaining a
`Wireless voice and data link, providing a system for selecting
`and delivering mobile advertisements, and many other func-
`tions and services that are described herein.
`
`— 301
`Determine /
`TargetPI
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` Communicate
` Inform User
`
`With PI
`
`
`Determine /
`Available PI
`
`Detennine
`Closest PI
`
`Receive User
`Input
`
`305
`
`310
`
`320
`
`Bose Exhibit 1047
`
`Bose V. Koss
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Apr. 3, 2003 Sheet 1 of 7
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`US 2003/0065805 A1
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`160
`
`150
`
`105
`
`110
`
`115
`
`.
`
`120
`
`125
`
`130
`
`135
`
`140
`
`- Display
`
`CPU
`
`1/0
`
`Comm. Module
`
`.
`Locatlon Module
`
`165
`
`d 1
`Recorder Mo u e
`
`Data Man. Module
`
`.
`Authentlc. Module
`
`Image Module
`
`170
`
`Commerce Module
`
`_
`_
`Appllcatron Modules
`
`Fig. 1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Apr. 3, 2003 Sheet 2 0f 7
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`US 2003/0065805 A1
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Apr. 3, 2003 Sheet 3 0f 7
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`US 2003/0065805 A1
`
`220
`
`240a 2306
`
`230d
`
`221
`
`2356
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Apr. 3, 2003 Sheet 4 of 7
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`US 2003/0065805 A1
`
`301
`
`Determine
`
`Target P1
`
`Determine
`
`Available P1
`
`Determine
`
`Closest P1
`
`305
`
`310
`
`315
`
`320
`
`325
`
`
`
`Receive User
`
`Input
`
`Communicate
`
`With P1
`
`Fig. 4
`
`Inform User
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Apr. 3, 2003 Sheet 5 of 7
`
`US 2003/0065805 A1
`
`
`
`Determine
`PI Criteria
`
`350
`
`355
`
`Determine
`
`
`
`Available Pl
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Determine
`Available PI
`
`
`
`
`360
`
`365
`
`370
`
`Satisfying
`Criteria
`
`Process Data
`
`Of Each P1
`
`
`
`Receive User
`
`
`
`Input
`
`Fig. 5
`
`Communicate
`
`
`
`
`
`With PI
`
`
`
`Inform User
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Apr. 3, 2003 Sheet 6 of 7
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`US 2003/0065805 A1
`
`_
`Determme
`
`401
`
`Communication
`
`Parameters
`
`Format
`
`Data for
`
`Transmission
`
`Transmit
`
`According to
`Protocol
`
`405
`
`410
`
`415
`
`420
`
`425
`
`Fig. 6
`
`Receive
`
`Response
`
`Decode
`
`According to
`Parameters
`
`Process
`
`Response
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Apr. 3, 2003 Sheet 7 of 7
`
`US 2003/0065805 A1
`
`Determine
`
`501
`
`Identifying
`Information
`
`505
`
`510
`
`515
`
`Based on VSUI
`
`Retrieve
`
`VSUI
`
`520
`
`Take Action
`
`Fig; 8
`
`

`

`US 2003/0065805 A]
`
`Apr. 3, 2003
`
`SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM
`PRODUCT FOR PROVIDING LOCATION BASED
`SERVICES AND MOBILE E-COMMERCE
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`[0001] This non—provisional application claims the benefit
`of the earlier filing date of, and contains subject matter
`related to that disclosed in, US. application Ser. No. 9/606,
`350 filed Jun. 29, 2000 having common inventorship, the
`entire contents of which being incorporated herein by ref-
`erence.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002]
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0003] The present invention relates, generally, to the field
`of mobile communications and computer processing and
`more particularly,
`to a system, method, apparatus, and
`computer program product for providing location based
`services, mobile e-commerce, and other functions.
`
`[0004]
`
`2. Discussion of the Background
`
`[0005] Mobile phones and personal digital assistants
`(PDA) include functionality that
`is typically limited to
`providing a telephone communication link, which can be
`also sometimes used as a data communication link, and a set
`of software programs such as a calendar, email client,
`mini-browser, word processor, and other similar user appli-
`cations. Such devices therefore typically have limited func-
`tionality. Generally, very few of such devices include image
`input capabilities, voice recording capabilities, significant
`voice control capabilities, location determining or location
`based capabilities, or other capabilities described herein.
`
`In addition, portable devices are often carried With
`[0006]
`users who travel through cities, shopping complexes, and
`other facilities and geographical areas. However, currently
`portable devices do not provide users with many services
`and functions that are related to, or based on, the user’s
`location or changes in location. Similarly, while such
`devices often have capabilities for providing a telephone
`communication link, very few provide capabilities for pro-
`viding Wireless Local Area Network (LAN), Wireless Per-
`sonal Area Network (PAN), or any other Wireless network
`communications. Furthermore, such devices typically do not
`include Web services capabilities or access thereto. As a
`result of these deficiencies and others, such devices fail to
`provide substantial mobile e-commerce services, location
`based functions, and functions or services available through
`the use of a Wireless LAN.
`
`[0007] Furthermore, to date, venders have not been able to
`take advantage of location information associated With cus-
`tomers and potential customers or obtain information about
`prospective customers. Typically, a vender only identifies
`the customer, if at all, When the person makes a purchase.
`Consequently, venders are typically not aware of the nearby
`or approaching presence of a past customcr, potential cus-
`tomer, or person seeking a product that the vender offers. In
`addition, even if a vender had such information, venders
`have no mechanism in place for presenting advertisements
`to the person or otherwise enticing the user to Visit the
`vender store location or make a purchase. Furthermore, even
`if such a mechanism was in place, the vender typically has
`
`no information about the person that can be used as a basis
`for selecting of an advertisement to be presented to the
`person or customizing the advertisement and the person has
`little incentive for viewing such an advertisement.
`
`[0008] These and other deficiencies are overcome by the
`present invention which provides a system, method, appa-
`ratus, and computer program product for providing location
`based services, location based mobile e-commerce, auto-
`mated processing, Wireless network communications,
`mobile telephone communications, and many other func—
`tions and services described herein.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0009] The primary object of the present invention is to
`overcome the deficiencies of the prior art described above by
`providing a system, method, apparatus, and computer pro-
`gram product for providing location services and mobile
`e-commerce.
`
`[0010] Another key object of the present invention is to
`provide a system, method, apparatus, and computer program
`product for providing automated processing and mobile
`e-commerce.
`
`[0011] Yet another key object of the present invention is to
`provide a system, method, apparatus, and computer program
`product for providing mobile capabilities, and functions not
`available on existing mobile devices.
`
`[0012] Another key object of the present invention is to
`provide a system, method, apparatus, and computer program
`product for facilitating localized e-commerce such as in a
`localized auction, shopping complex, vender store location,
`or other facility or geographical area.
`
`[0013] Another object of the present invention is to pro-
`vide a system, method, apparatus, and computer program
`product that can facilitate commercial exchanges through
`the use of Wireless communications.
`
`[0014] One embodiment of the present invention achieves
`these objects and others by providing a system, method,
`apparatus and computer program product for providing
`location based functions and mobile e-commerce compris-
`ing a central processing unit including a processor, a storage
`device, and programming stored in the storage device, a
`display device, an audio input device, an audio output
`device, a communications module, and a location module.
`
`[0015] The programming controls the operation of the
`present invention to provide functions based on location
`data,
`to facilitate commercial exchanges by Wirelessly
`exchanging payment and product information With venders,
`to identify services such as venders meeting selection cri-
`teria, to Wirelessly exchange select information with other
`users and systems, to restrict and/or monitor the use of the
`device based on user provided parameters, selecting one of
`a plurality networks through which to communicate, trig-
`gering an action based on a change in location and sensed
`data, storing a voice annotation with computer data file,
`determining service providers and associated communica-
`tion parameters, contemporaneously maintaining a Wireless
`voice and data link, and many other functions and services
`that are described herein.
`
`[0016] Further features and advantages of the present
`invention, as well as the structure and operation of various
`
`

`

`US 2003/0065805 A1
`
`Apr. 3, 2003
`
`embodiments and applications of the present invention, are
`described in detail below with reference to the accompany-
`ing drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are incorpo-
`rated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate
`various embodiments of the present invention and, together
`with the description, further serve to explain the principles
`of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the
`pertinent art to make and use the invention. In the drawings,
`like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally
`similar elements.
`
`[0018] Amore complete appreciation of the invention and
`many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily
`obtained as the same becomes better understood by refer-
`ence to the following detailed description when considered
`in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
`
`[0019] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an example
`system, apparatus, and computer program product in accor-
`dance with the present invention.
`
`[0020] FIG. 2 is a schematical representation illustrating
`an example of an area, including a facility, for use with a
`method, system, apparatus, and computer program product
`of the present invention.
`
`representation of an
`a schematical
`[0021] FIG. 3 is
`example vender facility for use with a method, system,
`apparatus, and computer program product of the present
`invention.
`
`[0022] FIG. 4 is a data flow diagram of the method steps
`for implementing an example embodiment of a system,
`method, apparatus, and computer program product of the
`present invention for determining the closest point of inter-
`est.
`
`[0023] FIG. 5 is a data flow diagram of the method steps
`for implementing an example embodiment of a system,
`method, apparatus, and computer program product of the
`present invention for determining a point of interest satis-
`fying criteria.
`
`[0024] FIG. 6 is a data flow diagram of the method steps
`for implementing an example embodiment of a system,
`method, apparatus, and computer program product of the
`present invention for communication with a remote com-
`puter system.
`
`[0025] FIG. 7 is a data flow diagram of the method steps
`for implementing an example embodiment of a system,
`method, apparatus, and computer program product of the
`present invention for providing location based mobile adver-
`tising.
`
`[0026] FIG. 8 is a data flow diagram of the method steps
`for implementing an example embodiment of a system,
`method, apparatus, and computer program product of the
`present invention for providing mobile advertising.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`In the following description, for purposes of expla-
`[0027]
`nation and not limitation, specific details are set forth, such
`as particular networks, communication systems, computers,
`
`terminals, devices, components, techniques, data and net-
`work protocols, formats, software products and systems,
`enterprise applications, operating systems, enterprise tech-
`nologies, middleware, interfaces, hardware, etc. in order to
`provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.
`[0028] However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art
`that the present invention may be practiced in other embodi-
`ments that depart from these specific details. Detailed
`descriptions of well-known networks, communication sys-
`tems, computers,
`terminals, devices, components,
`tech-
`niques, data and network protocols, formats, software prod-
`ucts and systems, enterprise applications, operating systems,
`enterprise technologies, middleware, interfaces, and hard-
`ware are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the
`present invention.
`I. General Design Concepts
`[0029]
`[0030] References to a product is meant to mean any
`product, goods, service, or any other article of commerce
`including, but not limited to, such items as rentals, tickets
`(e.g., entertainment, travel, etc.), reservations (e.g., travel,
`hotel, restaurant, entertainment, etc.), real estate, informa-
`tion, food, and financial products among others.
`[0031]
`In many of the applications of the embodiments,
`payment information is exchanged between the device and
`a computer system. The payment information may be related
`to any type of payment account and therefore may include,
`for example, credit card information, debit card information,
`bank account information, information for billing the prod-
`uct to the telephone or to an Internet Service Provider (IS)
`account used by the device, an email address (e.g., a
`Paypal® payment), brokerage account
`information, elec-
`tronic fund transfer data, and/or any other data that may
`facilitate payment. The payment information will typically
`be different for each type of payment account. For example,
`the payment information for a credit card payment account
`may include a credit card number, expiration date, name of
`the card holder, billing address information, and possibly
`other information. However, the payment information for a
`bank account might include the bank name, bank account
`number, bank account owner’s name, and a routing number.
`[0032] Many of the embodiments described below include
`establishing a communication link or performing some other
`action upon occurrence of an event such as when the user
`with the device of the present invention is within a prede-
`termined distance of a point of sale, a vender, a residence, a
`place for delivery of goods, a place for pick up of goods, or
`some other location. The communication link may be estab—
`lished by the device or the remote computer system depend-
`ing on the design of the system and on which system senses
`the occurrence of the event as will be evident to those skilled
`
`in the art. The “predetermined distance” may be any suitable
`distance for
`implementation of the embodiment of the
`invention, is a design choice for the given application, may
`be different for different venders, different vender types
`(e.g., hotels versus restaurants), different embodiments and
`applications of the present
`invention, points of interest
`and/or different locations, and may be dependent or based on
`the strength of the communication signal. In addition, the
`predetermined distance may be the distance at which a
`communication link can be established or is established.
`
`Thus, the predetermined distance may be different for dif-
`ferent user devices, external systems, times, locations, and
`need not be a fixed distance.
`
`

`

`US 2003/0065805 A1
`
`Apr. 3, 2003
`
`II. Description of the Invention
`[0033]
`[0034] The present invention is a multi-function commu-
`nications device 101 that
`includes conventional mobile
`
`phone and personal digital assistant (PDA) capabilities and
`preferably one or more of the functional modules shown in
`FIG. 1 such as a communications module 105, a location
`module 110, a recorder module 115, a data management
`module 120, an authentication module 125, an image mod-
`ule 130, a commerce module 135, and application modules
`140 (e.g., computer programs), such as those described
`herein, all of which may make use of other modules. As will
`be discussed in more detail below, each module is comprised
`of a combination of hardware and software and may share
`(i.c., may be formed by) hardware and software of other
`modules as is well known in the art.
`
`[0035] The preferred embodiment of the present invention
`is a portable device 101. The device 101 is preferably
`handheld, but may also be worn around the neck, on the hip,
`attached to the arm of the user, or carried in any convenient
`manner. The preferred embodiment of the present invention
`includes a central processing unit (CPU) 150, including a
`processor 155, a memory 160 (including volatile and non-
`volatile), and communicates with various input and output
`devices described below. The software in the preferred
`embodiment of the present invention includes an operating
`system,
`and software for
`implementing the modules
`described above and in FIG. 1 and other functions described
`throughout. The software for implementing the invention is
`stored in memory such as Read Only Memory (ROM),
`EPROM (Erasable ROM),
`EEPROM (Electrically
`EPROM). In addition, the memory 160, some of which is
`preferably upgradeable, may be removably detachable
`memory to allow replacement if and when necessary (e.g.,
`when becoming full). Thus,
`the memory 160 may also
`include one or more other types of storage devices such as
`a SmartMedia® card, a CompactFlash® card, a Memory
`Stick®, a MultiMediaCard®, a DataPlay disc®, and/or a
`SecureDigital® card.
`[0036] The device 101 includes a plurality of user input
`devices 165 such as a microphone, and actuators (e.g., a
`QWERTY keyboard). The preferred means of supplying
`user input
`to the present
`invention is through a voice
`command received by a microphone in a wireless single ear
`headset. However, other means of supplying the user input,
`such as manual input means via a touch pad, keyboard,
`buttons, touch screen, etc. may also be used.
`[0037] The device 101 also includes a plurality of output
`devices such as an audio output device 170 (e.g., a speaker
`phone, stereo headset jack (and headset), earphone jack (and
`earphone), among others), one or more displays 175,
`LED(s), a vibrator mechanism, and a programmable ringer
`(e.g., which rings differently based on the source of a call,
`on the type of alarm (a page versus a phone call versus an
`alarm clock ring). The display 175 is preferably a high
`resolution color display and dynamic touch screen that
`allows the user to provide manual input for certain functions.
`The display is also capable of displaying a bar code that is
`capable of being read by a barcode reader.
`[0038] The audio output devices, such as the earpiece and
`headset are preferably wirclcssly connected to the device.
`The earpiece and ear portion of the headset are also prefer-
`ably molded to the shape of the user’s ear from rubber or
`other pliable material by means well-known in the art.
`
`[0039] As discussed above, the device 101 includes the
`capability of providing conventional mobile telephone func-
`tions such as providing a wireless voice communication
`link, providing a wireless data communication link (for
`example, for connecting to the Internet, an email server, or
`other computer system), and includes applications some—
`times found in a PDA such as one or more of an email client,
`a web browser (preferably Internet Explorer®), text mes-
`saging software, short message service (SMS) client or
`Unstructured Supplementary Services Data (USSD) client,
`an image viewer, an alarm clock, game software, paging
`software, a calendar, a word processor, a spreadsheet, a
`database, and a clock (with alarm capabilities). The device
`101 also includes one or more of the functional modules
`
`(software and possibly hardware) of a voice recorder (pref-
`erably forming part of the recorder module 115), an audio
`media player, an audio/video player (which may also acts as
`the audio media player), facsimile software (for sending and
`receiving), an image editor, a terminal service client, a voice
`recognition module, and a virtual private network client. As
`will be discussed in more detail below, the specific func-
`tional modules and software applications are a design choice
`based on the external systems, desired functionability, costs,
`co-existing applications,
`and other
`factors. Likewise,
`depending on the modules and software applications
`included, embodiments of the present invention may take
`the form of a laptop or notebook computer, a radio frequency
`tag, a Smart Card, a PDA, a mobile phone, a computer
`integrated into another item such as a vehicle, or another
`suitable configuration.
`[0040] Preferably the audio/video player is compatible
`with the open MPEG-4 (Moving Picture Experts Group)
`standard format and/or the other digital video compression
`standards (such as MPEG-2 and MPEG-1). More preferably,
`the player is RealPlayer Media Player®) and can be used to
`play wav, .avi, .mov, .mpeg, .mp3, .au, and aiff files. While
`MPEG is preferred over competing formats, such as Video
`for Windows®, Indeo® and QuickTime®, one or more of
`these standards could be used instead of, or in addition to,
`software for processing video received in the one or more
`MPEG standards. Preferably, the audio player is an MP3
`player.
`[0041] The operating system of the present invention is
`preferably Windows XP® or, alternately, PocketPC® (for-
`mally known as Windows CE®) or Palm OS®. The power
`supply for the device 101 is preferably a rechargeable
`battery unit such as lithium, nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal
`hydride battery.
`[0042] Communications Module
`[0043] As discussed above, the present invention includes
`a communications module 105, which includes hardware
`and software to allow the CPU 150 to communicate with
`
`external devices and systems. The hardware and software
`used to implement the communications module 105 will be
`driven, at least in part, by the input/output devices with
`which the CPU interfaces as well as the external systems
`with which the device 101 must communicate (receive data
`from and/or transmit data to). Preferably, all or part of the
`communications module 105 is implemented with one or
`more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and
`software stored in memory.
`[0044] As discussed, the software used to implement the
`communications module 105 is determined, at least in part,
`
`

`

`US 2003/0065805 A1
`
`Apr. 3, 2003
`
`by the systems with which the device 101 must communi-
`cate. In the preferred embodiment, the device 101 is con-
`figured to receive and transmit (and store) conventional
`digital communications, which include mobile telephone
`communications, and other data communications including
`Internet data, mobile videophone communications, and to
`receive digital television signals, and digital radio signals
`(e.g., XM® radio signals). Preferably the device 101 is
`configured to operate with a conventional mobile telephone
`network or wireless wide area network (WWAN), and one or
`more other wireless local area networks (wireless LAN or
`WLAN), wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN), and
`a wireless personal area networks (PAN) (e .g., a Bluetooth®
`network). The preferred embodiment of the present inven-
`tion includes hardware and software for communicating
`with (or through) a mobile telephone network, a WLAN, and
`a wireless PAN. In addition, the device 101 includes hard-
`ware and software for communicating with another device
`101 through a two way radio communication link.
`
`the device 101 may also includes
`In addition,
`[0045]
`software and hardware for receiving AM, FM and televi-
`sions signals. Such analog signals are preferably converted
`to digital signals at the source, or at an intermediate system,
`and transmitted to the device 101 as a digital signal through
`a wireless communication link. At reception, the signals are
`processed and presented to the user (e.g., via RealPlayer
`Media Player®) as is well known to those skilled in the art.
`Thus,
`the device 101 includes software for formatting,
`processing, and providing a representation of the signal to
`the display for presentation to the user. The device 101 may
`also optionally include an analog signal receiver (e.g., tuner,
`amplifier, etc.) for receiving and presenting analog radio
`signals directly.
`
`[0046] The device 101 receives the digital signals from a
`remote receiver (e.g.,
`through a wireless PAN from an
`automobile or in XM transmission), which provides the
`signal
`in digital form to the device 101, for immediate
`presentation or storage (e.g., as an MP3 file or an MPEG-4
`formatted television broadcast). Furthermore,
`the remote
`receiver (e.g., in an automobile) may receive and store the
`data (e.g., in MP3 format) and transmit the stored data to the
`device 101 upon request by the user.
`
`[0047] The following descriptions of various networks,
`standards, formats and protocols are well-known in the art,
`are provided as a matter convenience, and are not meant to
`be interpreted as a limitation on the communications capa-
`bilities of a device of the present invention. As discussed,
`technology for using any mobile phone network, WI .AN, or
`PAN that is suitable for desired application(s) may be used.
`Communication with the wireless networks is accomplished
`through access points that receive and transmit wireless
`signals as is known in the art. Each access point is preferably
`individually addressable by a computer system (e.g., a
`client-server computer system)—which may be a vender
`computer system or facility computer system—with which it
`communicates data.
`
`[0048] Preferably the device 101 includes a short range
`wireless LAN module (a PAN module) for communicating
`via a Bluetooth. network. The Bluetooth® wirclcss spcci-
`fication includes layer and application layer definitions and
`supports data, voice and content-centric applications. As is
`known in the art, devices that comply with the Bluetooth®
`
`wireless specification operate in the unlicensed, 2.4 GHZ
`radio spectrum ensuring communication compatibility
`worldwide. The devices use a spread spectrum, frequency
`hopping, full-duplex signal at up to 1600 hops/sec. The
`signal hops among 79 frequencies at 1 MHZ intervals to give
`a high degree of interference immunity and up to seven
`simultaneous connections can established and maintained.
`
`[0049] The short range wireless LAN module (e.g., the
`Bluetooth® module) or PAN module allows the device 101
`to wireless communicate with printers, wirelessly exchange
`payment information, communicate with automobile com-
`puter systems, building computers systems, facility com-
`puter systems, point of sale (POS) devices, vender computer
`systems, and with other devices employing the present
`invention. In addition,
`the PAN module can be used to
`communicate across a WLAN or WWAN.
`
`[0050] Preferably, the device 101 complies with the Blue-
`tooth® Hands-Free profile and imaging profile specifica-
`tions. The Hands-Free profile enables hands-free use of
`mobile phones in automobiles and the imaging profile
`facilitates transmitting digital images over mobile devices.
`More specifically, the Hands-l-‘ree profile allows automatic
`establishment of a connection between the automobile’s
`
`hands-free system and a mobile device the user brings into
`the automobile. The Imaging profile allows digital images to
`be shared among mobile devices. For example, a digital
`camera can share content with a mobile phone, personal
`computer or other handheld or be sent directly to a printer
`equipped with Bluetooth® wireless technology.
`
`[0051] As is known in the art, Bluetooth® enabled devices
`include a link controller that identifies other Bluetooth®
`devices, coordinates a connection with such devices, and
`facilitates sending and receiving data from such devices. In
`establishing a connection with another Bluetooth® enabled
`device (e.g., a printer, computer, another device, etc.) the
`two devices first exchange a unique global identification
`code (global ID), which indicates the devices” profiles and
`capabilities. If the device profiles match, a connection is
`made. If the device profiles do not match, the devices ignore
`each other. The profiles include sets of protocols and pro-
`cedures that define device functionality and identity such as
`headset, printer, PDA, cell phone, pager, etc.
`
`[0052] After two devices establish a connection, one is set
`as the master and the other becomes a slave. The connection
`of two or more Bluetooth enabled devices is creates a PAN
`
`called a piconet in which all the devices in the same piconet
`are synchronized to the same hopping scheme determined by
`the master. As is known in the art, a Bluetooth® piconet can
`include up to 255 parked slaves (devices that are not actively
`receiving or sending data), which can be unparked by the
`master as needed. Devices in range of the piconet, but not
`connect to the piconet, are referred to as being in a stand by
`mode.
`
`[0053] Bluetooth® compatible devices can be designed to
`have varying distances of communication capability. Con-
`scqucntly, Bluetooth. access points, which form part of a
`larger WLAN, a WAN, or other network can be strategically
`positioned so that communication is limited to devices
`within a predetermined and/or sclcctcd distance and/or
`direction. The Bluetooth® Specification v.l.l, including the
`Core Specification (Volume I) and Profile Definitions (Vol-
`ume II), is hereby incorporated by reference.
`
`

`

`US 2003/0065805 A1
`
`Apr. 3, 2003
`
`[0054] As an alternate or in addition to Bluetooth tech-
`nology, the device 101 may include hardware and software
`for communicating via the Echnonet standard.
`
`[0055] The device 101 preferably also includes a WLAN
`module for communicating via a wireless local area network
`(WLAN), which are commonly used for corporate or Inter-
`net communications on campuses or enterprises. More pref—
`erably,
`the WLAN module is Wi-Fi (short for wireless
`fidelity) compatible, which means that is compliant with the
`IEEE 802.11b specification, which is DSSS—(direct
`sequence spread spectrum) compatible and has a communi-
`cation range of approximately 1,000 feet in open areas and
`250 to 400 feet in closed areas. Specifications for WLAN in
`Europe include HiperLAN2 (High Performance Radio
`LAN), which may alternately be used.
`
`[0056] As discussed, the device 101 may also include a
`WWAN module. WWANs are commonly is used to link
`cities, states or large enterprises. One common protocol for
`this type of network is 802.11a. The IEEE (Institute for
`Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 standard
`(802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11b) is hereby incorpo-
`rated by reference.
`
`[0057] Preferably, the device 101 includes hardware and
`software for communicating with, or through, a third gen-
`eration (3G) network, which is embodies some, or all, of the
`in IMT—2000 standard established by the International Tele-
`communications Union (ITU) or Universal Mobile Telecom-
`munication System (UMTS). The preferred 3G network
`standard requires support for data packet networking (i.e.,
`packet switched networking) and includes “always on”
`connection capabilities connection (or in other words an
`instant connection) and which allows the device 101 to
`receive incoming transmissions as they are sent. Networks
`employing at least some of the 3G standard include CDMA—
`2000 based services (e.g., CDMA 1XRTT, CDMA 2000
`1XEV) (CDMA refers to Code-Division Multiple Access),
`FOMA (Freedom of Mobile Multimedia Access), and Wide-
`band CDMA.
`
`[0058] Alternately, or in addition, the device 101 of the
`present invention is