Dynamic networking modes method and apparatus
AssigneePalm, Inc.
InventorsAlbert H. Ting, Francis James Canova JR.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A portable electronic device is disclosed. The portable electronic device includes a wireless transceiver, a processor coupled to the wireless transceiver, a memory coupled to the processor and a program stored in the memory and running on the processor. The program provides automatic transitioning between a wireless infrastructure communication mode to an ad-hoc communication mode. The infrastructure mode is used when a request from a mobile device is received to access a communications network. The ad-hoc mode is used when a request from the mobile device is received to access resources on the portable electronic device.
Claims22
A portable electronic device, comprising:
- a wireless transceiver;
- a processor coupled to the wireless transceiver;
- a memory coupled to the processor;
- a program stored in the memory and running on the processor, the program providing automatic transitioning between a wireless infrastructure communication mode to an ad-hoc communication mode, the infrastructure mode being used when a request from a mobile device is received to access a communications network, and the ad-hoc mode being used when a request from the mobile device is received to access resources on the portable electronic device.
A method of using a handheld computer for ad-hoc networking, comprising:
- receiving an ad-hoc communications request from a mobile device;
- automatically transitioning the handheld computer from an infrastructure communications mode to an ad-hoc communications mode upon receipt of the request.
A portable device configured as a repeater, comprising:
- means for providing communications between the portable device and a wired network;
- means for automatically putting the portable device in a fixed network communications mode;
- means for receiving a data signal wirelessly;
- and
- means for forwarding the data signal wirelessly to a network user node.
An access point, comprising:
- a handheld computer;
- a transceiver associated with the handheld computer for receiving a wireless transmission;
- and
- a program running on the handheld computer that automatically transitions the handheld computer into an infrastructure mode when the handheld computer is in communication with a communications network and a mobile device requests access to the communications network.
A method of using a handheld computer as a wireless access point, comprising:
- providing a direct communications link between a handheld computer and a communications network;
- transitioning the handheld computer from an ad-hoc network mode to an infrastructure mode when access to the communications network is requested by a mobile device;
- and
- communicating, over a wireless communications channel, data from the mobile device to the handheld computer and to the communications network.
A method of using a handheld computer as a wireless access point, comprising:
- providing a direct communications link between a handheld computer and a communications network;
- transitioning the handheld computer from an ad-hoc network when access to the communications network is provided by a synchronization cradle;
- and
- communicating, over a wireless communications channel, data from the mobile device to the handheld computer and to the communications network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.