Wireless gateway for enabling wireless devices to discover and interact with various short-range services/devices

A communication system comprising:

• a) a gateway providing connectivity and protocol conversion enabling communication between a first wireless network and at least a second wireless network in a bearer-and media format agnostic manner;
• b) service and device discovery software installed in the gateway providing information relating to discovered services and/or devices within the first and the at least second wireless networks to a wireless device coupled to the first network;
• and
• c) a service and content directory displayed in the wireless device for selection of and interaction with the discovered services and/or devices within the first and the at least second wireless networks.

A gateway providing connectivity and media conversion for enabling a wireless device to discover and interact with short range wireless services/devices, comprising:

• a) a first transceiver coupled to a first wireless network;
• b) at least one second transceiver coupled to at least a second wireless network;
• and
• c) a processor including software providing:
• i) connectivity and protocol conversion enabling communication between the first wireless network and the second wireless network, regardless of services/device connectivity and media format;
• ii) service discovery protocol for providing information relating to discovered services and/or devices within the first and the at least second wireless networks in response to requests from a wireless device coupled to the first network;
• and
• iii) a user interface to the wireless device to interact with discovered services and/or devices within the first and the at least second wireless networks, wherein the user interface is tailored for each of the discovered services and/or devices.

A medium, executable in a computer system, for providing interaction between two wireless networks, the medium comprising:

• a) program code for connecting a wireless gateway to a wireless device via a first wireless network;
• b) program code for connecting a service and/or device to the gateway via at least a second wireless network;
• c) program code for executing a service discovery protocol in the gateway for providing information relating services and/or devices within the at least second wireless network in response to requests from the wireless device;
• d) program code for installing in the wireless device a service /device interface for selecting a service and/or device information stored in the gateway;
• and
• e) program code for installing in the wireless device a service specific interface for operating a selected service or device in the second network via the gateway.

A communication method in a two way wireless communication system, comprising:

• a) providing connectivity and protocol conversion enabling communication between a first wireless network and at least a second wireless network via a connection gateway;
• b) providing extended connectivity and protocol conversion to at least a third wireless network via a UMA controller coupled to an information distribution network through the second wireless network;
• c) conducting a service discovery protocol in the gateway for providing information relating to discovered services and/or devices within the first and the at least second or third wireless networks in response to requests from a wireless device coupled to the first network;
• and
• d) providing a user interface to the wireless device to interact with information relating to the discovered services and/or devices within the first and the at least second or third wireless networks.

A gateway in a two way wireless communication system, comprising:

• a) conversion and connectivity means enabling communication between a first wireless network and at least a second wireless network, regardless of services/device connectivity and media format;
• b) extended connectivity and protocol conversion means coupled to a wireless device and to at least a third wireless network;
• an information distribution network and a cellular network via a UMA controller;
• c) a service discovery protocol for providing information relating to discovered services and/or devices within the first and the at least second or third wireless networks in response to requests from a wireless device coupled to the first network;
• and
• d) a user interface provided to the wireless device to interact with information relating to the discovered services and/or devices within the first and the at least second or the at least third wireless network.

A communication system comprising:

• a) a gateway providing connectivity and protocol conversion enabling communication between a first wireless network and at least a second wireless network;
• b) a UMA controller coupled to an information distribution network and to a cellular network, the UMA controller being accessible through the second wireless network;
• c) software installed in the gateway for conducting a service discovery protocol providing information relating to discovered services and/or devices within the first and the at least second or cellular networks in response to requests from a wireless device coupled to the first network;
• and
• d) providing a user interface to the wireless device to interact with information relating to the discovered services and/or devices within the first and the at least second or cellular networks.

A medium, executable in a computer system, for providing interaction between two wireless networks, the medium comprising:

• a) program code for providing connectivity and protocol conversion enabling communication between a first wireless network and at least a second wireless network via a connection gateway;
• b) program code for providing extended connectivity and protocol conversion to at least a third wireless network via a UMA controller coupled to an information distribution network and to a cellular network;
• c) program code for conducting a service discovery protocol in the gateway for providing information relating to discovered services and/or devices within the first and the at least second or cellular networks in response to requests from a wireless device coupled to the first network;
• and
• d) program code for providing a user interface to the wireless device to interact with information relating to the discovered services and/or devices within the first and the at least second or cellular networks.