U.S. patent application number 12/280782 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-05 for systems and methods for multiport communication distribution.
Invention is credited to Fadi Afa Al-Refaee, Nikolai K. Bahram, Stephen N. Haddad, Robert W. Warren.
Application Number | 20090061775 12/280782 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38895314 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090061775 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Warren; Robert W. ; et
al. |
March 5, 2009 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MULTIPORT COMMUNICATION DISTRIBUTION
Abstract
Various systems and methods for distributing multiple Bluetooth
data streams are discussed herein. As one example, a method for
communicably coupling a single point Bluetooth device to multiple
Bluetooth devices is taught. The method includes providing a
multiport Bluetooth distributor that includes two or more Bluetooth
protocol interfaces and a multiport processor. The multiport
processor is operable to communicably couple one of the Bluetooth
protocol interfaces to another Bluetooth protocol interface. The
method further includes identifying at least two Bluetooth devices
within range of the multiport Bluetooth distributor, and assembling
a service offering based on the identified Bluetooth devices. The
service offering includes a plurality of service types including at
least a first service type and a second service type.
Inventors: |
Warren; Robert W.;
(Loveland, CO) ; Haddad; Stephen N.; (Longmont,
CO) ; Al-Refaee; Fadi Afa; (Irvine, CA) ;
Bahram; Nikolai K.; (Scotts Valley, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Hamilton,DeSanctis & Cha (LSI)
8601 W. CROSS DRIVE, F5-301
LITTLETON
CO
80123
US
|
Family ID: |
38895314 |
Appl. No.: |
12/280782 |
Filed: |
June 25, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
June 25, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2007/071991 |
371 Date: |
August 26, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60829007 |
Oct 11, 2006 |
|
|
|
60869453 |
Dec 11, 2006 |
|
|
|
60806610 |
Jul 5, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/41.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02D 70/168 20180101;
Y02D 70/142 20180101; H04M 1/6091 20130101; Y02D 70/146 20180101;
Y02D 30/40 20180101; H04L 67/04 20130101; Y02D 30/70 20200801; H04L
67/12 20130101; Y02D 70/164 20180101; Y02D 30/00 20180101; Y02D
70/144 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/41.2 |
International
Class: |
H04B 7/00 20060101
H04B007/00 |
Claims
1. A storage device, wherein the storage device comprises: a first
Bluetooth protocol interface; a second Bluetooth protocol
interface; a third Bluetooth protocol interface; a multiport
processor, wherein the multiport processor is operable to
communicably couple the first Bluetooth protocol interface to one
or more of the second Bluetooth protocol interface and the third
Bluetooth protocol interface.
2. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the second Bluetooth
protocol interface is electrically coupled to a first FIFO memory,
and wherein the third Bluetooth protocol interface is electrically
coupled to a second FIFO memory.
3. The storage device of claim 1, wherein communicably coupling the
first Bluetooth protocol interface to one or more of the second
Bluetooth protocol interface and the third Bluetooth protocol
interface is done based at least in part on a data type received
via the first Bluetooth interface and a first service type offered
by a first Bluetooth device communicably coupled to the second
Bluetooth protocol interface and a second service type offered by a
second Bluetooth device communicably coupled to the second
Bluetooth protocol interface.
4. The storage device of claim 3, wherein: the first service type
is selected from a group consisting of: an audio player, a video
player, a graphics display, a data storage element, an audio
receiver, and a video receiver; and the second service type is
selected from a group consisting of: an audio player, a video
player, a graphics display, a data storage element, an audio
receiver, and a video receiver.
5. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the storage device
further comprises: a storage medium.
6. A method for communicably coupling a single point Bluetooth
device to multiple Bluetooth devices, the method comprising:
providing a multiport Bluetooth distributor, wherein the multiport
Bluetooth distributor includes: a first Bluetooth protocol
interface; a second Bluetooth protocol interface; and a multiport
processor, wherein the multiport processor is operable to
communicably couple the first Bluetooth protocol interface to the
second Bluetooth protocol interface; identifying at least two
Bluetooth devices within range of the multiport Bluetooth
distributor, wherein each of the identified Bluetooth devices
supports a service type; assembling a service offering based on the
identified Bluetooth devices, wherein the service offering includes
a plurality of service types including at least a first service
type and a second service type; and associating one or more of the
Bluetooth devices to respective ones of the first Bluetooth
protocol interface and the second Bluetooth protocol interface.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the method further comprises:
receiving a transmission from one of the Bluetooth devices, wherein
the transmission includes a data set; identifying the type of
communication received from the one of the Bluetooth devices; and
identifying a recipient device, wherein the recipient device is one
of the identified Bluetooth devices that is capable of receiving
and utilizing the type of communication; and transmitting the data
set to the recipient device.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein a first of the at least two
Bluetooth devices is a wireless headset, and wherein a second of
the at least two Bluetooth devices is a personal digital
assistant.
9. The method of claim 6, wherein a first device of the at least
two Bluetooth devices supports the first service type, wherein a
second device of the at least two Bluetooth devices supports the
first service type, and wherein only one of the first device and
the second device is included in the service offering.
10. The method of claim 6, wherein: the first service type is
selected from a group consisting of: an audio player, a video
player, a graphics display, a data storage device, an audio
receiver, and a video receiver; and the second service type is
selected from a group consisting of: an audio player, a video
player, a graphics display, a data storage element, an audio
receiver, and a video receiver.
11. The method of claim 6, wherein at least one of the identified
Bluetooth devices supports two or more service types.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one of the
identified Bluetooth devices is a cellular telephone, and wherein
the cellular telephone supports the following service types: an
audio player and an audio receiver.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the audio player is a speaker
integrated with the cellular telephone, wherein the audio receiver
is a microphone integrated with the cellular telephone.
14. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one of the
identified Bluetooth devices is a car stereo, and wherein the car
stereo supports the following service types: an audio player and a
graphics display.
15. A multiple device Bluetooth communication system, the system
comprising: a multiport Bluetooth distributor, wherein the
multiport Bluetooth distributor includes: a first Bluetooth
protocol interface; a second Bluetooth protocol interface; a third
Bluetooth protocol interface; and a multiport processor, wherein
the multiport processor is operable to communicably couple the
first Bluetooth protocol interface to at least one of the second
Bluetooth protocol interface and the third Bluetooth protocol
interface a single port Bluetooth device, wherein the single port
Bluetooth device is wirelessly coupled to the first Bluetooth
protocol interface; a first Bluetooth device, wherein the first
Bluetooth device is wirelessly coupled to the second Bluetooth
protocol interface; and a second Bluetooth device, wherein the
second Bluetooth device is wirelessly coupled to the third
Bluetooth protocol interface.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the single port Bluetooth
device is a cellular telephone.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the first Bluetooth device is a
car stereo, and wherein the second Bluetooth device is a
microphone.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the car stereo includes a
graphical display, wherein the graphical display is operable to
display caller identification associated with an incoming call, and
wherein the caller identification is provided to the car stereo
from the cellular telephone via a combination of the first
Bluetooth protocol interface and the second Bluetooth protocol
interface.
19. The system of claim 16, wherein the first Bluetooth device is a
wireless headset, and wherein the second Bluetooth device is a
personal digital assistant.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the personal digital assistant
is operable to provide outgoing call information to the cellular
telephone via a combination of the first Bluetooth protocol
interface and the second Bluetooth protocol interface.
21. The device of claim 1, wherein the first Bluetooth protocol
interface includes a first antenna; wherein the second Bluetooth
protocol interface includes a second antenna; and wherein the third
Bluetooth protocol interface includes a third antenna.
22. The method of claim 6, wherein the first Bluetooth protocol
interface includes a first antenna; and wherein the second
Bluetooth protocol interface includes a second antenna.
23. The device of claim 15, wherein the first Bluetooth protocol
interface includes a first antenna; wherein the second Bluetooth
protocol interface includes a second antenna; and wherein the third
Bluetooth protocol interface includes a third antenna
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to (is a
non-provisional filing of) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/806,610, entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MOBILE DATA STORAGE
AND ACQUISITION" and filed Jul. 5, 2006 by Al-Refaee et al.; U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/829,007, entitled "SYSTEMS
AND METHODS FOR MOBILE DATA STORAGE AND ACQUISITION" and filed Oct.
11, 2006 by Al-Refaee et al.; and U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/869,453, entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR
MOBILE DATA STORAGE AND ACQUISITION" and filed Dec. 11, 2006 by
Al-Refaee et al. Each of the aforementioned applications is
assigned to an entity common hereto and is incorporated herein by
reference for all purposes.
[0002] Further, the present application is related to the following
patent applications filed on a date even herewith: PCT Application
No. ______ (Attorney Reference No. AGERE-001210PCT), entitled
"Systems and Methods for Implementing Hands Free Operational
Environments" and filed by Bahram et al.; PCT Application No.
______ (Attorney Reference No. AGERE-001230PCT), entitled "Systems
and Methods for Power Management in Relation to a Wireless Storage
Device" and filed by Warren et al.; PCT Application No. ______
(Attorney Reference No. AGERE-001240PCT), entitled "Systems and
Methods for Enabling Consumption of Copy-Protected Content Across
Multiple Devices" and filed by Al-Refaee et al.; PCT application
Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Reference No. AGERE-001260PCT), entitled
"Systems and Methods for Multi-user Access to a Wireless Storage
Device" and filed by Al-Refaee et al; and PCT Application No.
______ (Attorney Reference No. AGERE-001270PCT), entitled "Systems
and Methods for Mobile Data Storage and Acquisition" and filed by
Warren et al. All of the aforementioned related applications are
assigned to an entity common hereto and are incorporated herein by
reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention is generally related to devices and
methods for distributing data, and in particular to systems and
methods for distributing data in a wireless mobile environment.
[0004] A variety of wireless communication protocols have been
developed over the years including Bluetooth.TM. and Wi-Fi. Each of
the protocols was developed with an eye toward a particular end
user segment that was to be served. Thus, for example, Wi-Fi uses
radio frequency transmission in a way that provides high bandwidth
transfer rates with a relatively high power consumption and
relatively complex setup requirements. These criteria were selected
to address the current home and office networking requirements. In
contrast, Bluetooth.TM. uses the same radio frequency transmission
approach, but offers lower bandwidth and power consumption.
Further, Bluetooth.TM. offers a very simple setup where a user need
not worry about network addresses, permissions and other
considerations that must be addressed when configuring a Wi-Fi
network. Typically, a user may implement both a Wi-Fi and a
Bluetooth.TM. network and use the two protocols simultaneously to
provide a broad range of networking capability.
[0005] In part because of the simplicity of Bluetooth.TM. networks,
they have found broad acceptance in consumer electronics devices
such as cellular telephones. As one example, many cellular
telephones include a single connection Bluetooth.TM. port that
allows the cellular telephone to communicate with a single
peripheral device such as a wireless headset. Thus, such
Bluetooth.TM. devices provide a low cost, low bandwidth single
point to single point connection. In some cases, however, there is
a desire to have more than a single point to a single point
connection. However, extending Bluetooth.TM. to serve additional
paths would increase the costs of a large number of consumer
electronic devices where the need is limited to only a few of the
consumer electronic devices.
[0006] Hence, for at least the aforementioned reasons, there exists
a need in the art for advanced systems and methods for extending
the utility of the Bluetooth.TM. protocol that does not generally
increase the costs of consumer devices implementing Bluetooth.TM.
functionality.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is generally related to devices and
methods for distributing data, and in particular to systems and
methods for distributing data in a wireless mobile environment.
[0008] Various embodiments of the present invention provide storage
devices that include three or more Bluetooth protocol interfaces
and a multiport processor. The multiport processor is operable to
communicably couple one of the Bluetooth protocol interfaces to one
or more of the other Bluetooth protocol interfaces. In some
instances of the aforementioned embodiments, one or more of the
Bluetooth protocol interfaces include a FIFO memory. Such a FIFO
memory provides an ability to smooth data transfer between
Bluetooth protocol interfaces. In some cases of the aforementioned
embodiments, communicably coupling a Bluetooth protocol interface
to another Bluetooth protocol interface is done based at least in
part on a data type received via the connected Bluetooth protocol
interface and a service type offered by a Bluetooth device
communicably coupled to another of the connected Bluetooth protocol
interface. In one particular case, the aforementioned service type
may be, but is not limited to, an audio player, a video player, a
graphics display, a data storage element, an audio receiver, and a
video receiver. In various instances of the aforementioned
embodiments, the storage device further includes a hard disk
drive.
[0009] Other embodiments of the present invention provide methods
for communicably coupling a single point Bluetooth device to
multiple Bluetooth devices. Such methods include providing a
multiport Bluetooth distributor that has at least two Bluetooth
protocol interfaces and a multiport processor. The multiport
processor is operable to communicably couple one of the Bluetooth
protocol interfaces to another of the Bluetooth protocol
interfaces. The methods further include identifying at least two
Bluetooth devices within range of the multiport Bluetooth
distributor, and assembling a service offering based on the
identified Bluetooth devices. The service offering includes a
plurality of service types. A Bluetooth device offering one service
is associated with one Bluetooth protocol interface, and another
Bluetooth device offering another service is associated with
another Bluetooth protocol interface.
[0010] In some cases, the methods further include receiving a
transmission from one of the Bluetooth devices. The transmission
includes a data set. The methods further include identifying the
type of communication received from one of the Bluetooth devices;
identifying a recipient device, that is one of the identified
Bluetooth devices that is capable of receiving and utilizing the
type of communication; and transmitting the data set to the
recipient device. In some particular cases, the Bluetooth devices
may be, but are not limited to, an audio player, a video player, a
graphics display, a data storage device, an audio receiver, and a
video receiver.
[0011] Various embodiments of the present invention provide an
intelligent data repository that is capable of binding to a variety
of devices and performing data storage and retrieval in relation to
the bound devices. Such an approach increases the autonomy of the
data repository when compared with the traditional computer
architecture where the data repository is completely governed by a
processor in the local device. Indeed, in some cases, such an
approach eliminates or reduces the need for sophisticated processor
control in various interoperating consumer devices that are bound
to the intelligent data repository. Thus, in contrast to the
standard architecture where a local processor oversees operation,
various embodiments of the present invention provide control from
the central repository directing a processor local to a particular
device.
[0012] In some cases of the aforementioned embodiments,
transmission from the intelligent data repository is accomplished
via a wireless interface allowing for increased interoperability
and user friendliness. In particular instances, a single antenna is
provided such that wireless communication is limited to one
interoperable device at a time. In other instances, multiple
antennae are provided such that interoperability can be performed
in relation to multiple devices at any given time. In yet other
instances, a single antenna is used along with a time division
multiplexer circuit that allows the antenna to operate in relation
to multiple devices in a seemingly simultaneous fashion.
[0013] In various cases of the aforementioned embodiments, the
intelligent data repository is a highly mobile stand alone device
with capability to auto-detect, bind and authorize devices that
come into proximity to the intelligent repository. As such, various
instances of the aforementioned embodiments are deployed as stand
alone devices that may be used in relation to any number of
different interoperable devices. In other cases, an intelligent
repository in accordance with one or more embodiments of the
present invention is deployed in relation to a particular consumer
device. For example, an intelligent repository may be deployed as
part of a cell phone. As such, the ubiquitous nature of a cell
phone is attributed to the intelligent data repository. Based on
the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art
will appreciate a myriad of devices with which an intelligent data
repository in accordance with one or more embodiments of the
present invention may be deployed.
[0014] This summary provides only a general outline of some
embodiments according to the present invention. Many other objects,
features, advantages and other embodiments of the present invention
will become more fully apparent from the following detailed
description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] A further understanding of the various embodiments of the
present invention may be realized by reference to the figures which
are described in remaining portions of the specification. In the
figures, like reference numerals are used throughout several to
refer to similar components. In some instances, a sub-label
consisting of a lower case letter is associated with a reference
numeral to denote one of multiple similar components. When
reference is made to a reference numeral without specification to
an existing sub-label, it is intended to refer to all such multiple
similar components.
[0016] FIG. 1 depict various UMCS devices in accordance with some
embodiments of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary UMCS device in accordance with
some embodiments of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 shows a multiport Bluetooth data distribution system
in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;
[0019] FIGS. 4a-4b show multiport Bluetooth routers in accordance
with various embodiments of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram depicting operation of a multiport
Bluetooth data distribution system in accordance with one or more
embodiments of the present invention;
[0021] FIGS. 6a-6b shows a graphical cross-connect menu that may be
used in relation to various embodiments of the present invention;
and
[0022] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram depicting operation of another
multiport Bluetooth data distribution system in accordance with one
or more embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The present invention is generally related to devices and
methods for distributing data, and in particular to systems and
methods for distributing data in a wireless mobile environment.
[0024] Turning to FIG. 1, a diagram depicts an exemplary content
usage network 100 in accordance with various embodiments of the
present invention. Exemplary content usage network 100 includes a
UMCS 110 at the core thereof. UMCS 110 is able to receive content
from one or more online and wireless content providers as well as
from various self maintained application devices such as, for
example, audio recorders and video recorders. In some cases, UMCS
110 may be intermittently wired to a personal computer 115 via a
cable 117. In such cases, UMCS 110 may be configured via personal
computer 115 using the standard I/O interfaces associated with
personal computer 115.
[0025] Wireless network 120 may be any wireless network known in
the art. Thus, for example, wireless network 120 may be, but is not
limited to, a Bluetooth.TM. network as is known in the art. As
indicated above, the word "Bluetooth" is a trademark of Bluetooth
SIG, Inc. For clarity, later use of the word Bluetooth is done
without the customary trademark designation. It should be noted
that while UMCS 110 may be configured across wireless network 120
using the user interface of another application device, and it may
also be configured using other approaches. Thus, for example, UMCS
110 may be self configuring. In such a case, UMCS 110 is
implemented with enough intelligence to auto detect an available
wireless network as well as devices attached via the wireless
network. As a particular example, UMCS 110 may be implemented such
that when power is applied to the device it automatically scans for
Bluetooth devices that are within range of UMCS 110. Based on the
detected Bluetooth devices, UMCS 110 may form a service offering as
is more fully discussed below.
[0026] UMCS 110 is capable of interacting with various devices and
classes of devices via wireless network 120. For example, in some
cases, UMCS 110 is operable to interact directly with UMCS enabled
application devices via wireless network 120. Such UMCS enabled
application devices include capability to authenticate to UMCS 110
and to accept and transfer information from/to UMCS 110, and to
provide digital rights management whereby content is secured not
only in the transfer between UMCS 110 and the UMCS enabled
application device, but is also maintained secure within the UMCS
enabled application device. In the situation where wireless network
120 is a Bluetooth network, the aforementioned UMCS enabled
application devices would include Bluetooth capability.
[0027] In various cases, UMCS 110 is operable to interact directly
with non-UMCS enabled application devices via wireless network 120.
In such cases, either UMCS 110 includes capability to tailor output
and receive input from the non-UMCS enabled application device, or
the non-UMCS enabled application devices may interact with UMCS 110
via a specialized UMCS converter that is tailored for operation
with a class of devices. Thus, for example, where wireless network
120 is a Bluetooth network, the UMCS converter may be enabled to
receive from and provided information to a non-UMCS enabled
application device via any one of a number of communication
approaches, and to communicate the information to/from UMCS 110
using a Bluetooth protocol. As an example, UMCS 110 may interact
with digital audio devices (e.g., a digital audio player 151 and a
digital audio recorder 152) via a UMCS digital audio converter 150.
As another example, a cellular telephone 161 or personal digital
assistant (not shown) may interact with UMCS 110 either directly or
via a UMCS audio/video converter 160. As yet another example, UMCS
110 may interact with video devices (e.g., a set top box 166, a
video cassette player 167, a digital video recorder 168 and a
television 169) via a UMCS digital video converter 165. As yet a
further example, UMCS 110 may interact with still image devices
such as a digital still camera 171 or a printer (not shown) via a
UMCS digital image converter 170. As yet another example, UMCS 110
may interact with a GPS receiver/display 176 via a UMCS GPS
converter 175.
[0028] In various cases, UMCS 110 is operable to interact directly
with non-UMCS enabled application devices via a UMCS composite
converter 140. UMCS composite converter 140 is operable to provide
for UMCS interaction with multiple classes of recipient devices.
Thus, for example, where wireless network 120 is a Bluetooth
network, UMCS composite converter 140 may be enabled to receive
from and provided information to different classes of non-UMCS
enabled application devices via any one of a number of
communication approaches, and to communicate the information
to/from UMCS 110 using a Bluetooth protocol. As an example, UMCS
composite converter 140 may couple UMCS 110 to, for example, a
digital audio player 141, a digital video recorder 142, a
television 143, a set top box 144, a digital still camera 145, a
video cassette player 146, a digital audio recorder 147, a cellular
telephone 148, and a GPS receiver 149, or some combination of the
aforementioned device classes. In such cases, decoding of content
accessed from a storage medium included in UMCS 110 is done using a
decoder provided in UMCS composite converter 140. Thus, the content
is unwrapped by UMCS 110 and the unwrapped content is provided to
the UMCS composite converter 140 via wireless network 120. UMCS
composite converter 140 decodes the content and provides it to the
appropriate recipient device while at the same time assuring that
any demanded digital rights management is maintained. In some
cases, UMCS composite converter 140 may be implemented as a dongle
associated with one or more recipient devices.
[0029] Further discussion of content usage networks including UMCS
devices is provided in the patent application entitled "Systems and
Methods for Mobile Data Storage and Acquisition" that was
previously incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
[0030] Turning to FIG. 2, an exemplary UMCS 200 in accordance with
some embodiments of the present invention is depicted. As shown,
UMCS 200 includes a storage component 210. Storage component 210
may be, but is not limited to, a hard disk drive, a block of flash
memory, and InPhase Holographic memory, Random Access Memory,
combinations of the aforementioned, and/or the like. Based on the
disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize other memory types that may be utilized in accordance
with various embodiments of the present invention. UMCS 200 further
includes a file system manager 220 that is operable to control
reads from and writes to storage component 210. UMCS 200 includes a
Bluetooth wireless interface. Bluetooth wireless interfaces provide
for short-range communications intended to replace the cables
connecting portable and/or fixed electronic devices. The key
advantages of Bluetooth wireless interfaces are robustness, low
power, and low cost. A typical Bluetooth interface includes an
antenna 290 that operates as an RF transceiver, a baseband protocol
processor 240, and a Bluetooth enhanced data rate PHY 250. A
Bluetooth interface offers services that enable the connection of
Bluetooth enabled devices, and the exchange of a variety of data
classes between the connected devices. The Bluetooth interface
includes one or more Bluetooth ports and software/firmware that
allows UMCS 200 to operate as a hub/router for all connections in
and out of storage component 210, and as more fully described
below, as a hub/router for a variety of connected Bluetooth devices
that may or may not interact with storage component 210. UMCS 200
may also be configured via the above mentioned Bluetooth
interface.
[0031] UMCS 200 also includes a flash or SDRAM cache 230 that may
be used to reduce latency in accessing storage component 210. Where
storage component 210 is implemented in Flash or SDRAM, cache 230
may be eliminated. The combination of storage component 210 and a
flash cache may be used to reduce power consumption by UMCS 200.
Various approaches for reducing power consumption are discussed in
the patent application entitled "Systems and Methods for Power
Management in Relation to a Wireless Storage Device" that was
previously incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Yet
further, UMCS 200 includes a USB port 260 that allows for access to
storage component 210 and/or configuration of UMCS 200. UMCS 200
may also include a power controller 270 and a mobile power source
280. Baseband protocol processor 240 may include ports and
software/firmware that allows it to operate as a hub/router for all
connections in and out of storage component 210.
[0032] In some embodiments of the present invention, UMCS 200 is
augmented to include a multiport Bluetooth router. Such a multiport
Bluetooth router allows for the cross connect of a number of
Bluetooth devices. This can be particularly useful where a number
of single port Bluetooth devices are to be used together in an
overall system. Thus, as just one example, a typical cellular
telephone includes a Bluetooth interface capable of connecting to a
single Bluetooth device at a time. This interface has traditionally
been used to transfer audio data to/from a single a headset. It may
be desirable, however, to not only transfer audio data to/from a
headset, but to also provide an audio output to a car stereo, and
to receive dialing information from a personal digital assistant.
Such a configuration is not practical as the above mentioned
cellular telephone can only support one single Bluetooth connection
at a time, and changing between devices connected via the single
Bluetooth port is cumbersome. Where the multiport Bluetooth router
is incorporated into UMCS 200, UMCS 200 may be connected to the
cellular telephone via one Bluetooth protocol interface supported
by UMCS 200, and that Bluetooth protocol interface may be cross
connected to one or more other Bluetooth protocol interfaces that
are in turn connected to respective Bluetooth devices. This allows
for practical implementation the above mentioned exemplary
configuration involving the cellular telephone, car stereo and
personal digital assistant. Among other things, such an approach
offers an advantage in a wireless communications market skewing
toward low-priced, basic-featured cellular telephones. Based on the
disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize other applications for multiport Bluetooth routers in
accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.
Further, it should be noted that while multiport Bluetooth routers
in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention may
be incorporated with a UMCS device, other embodiments of the
present invention provide multiport Bluetooth routers that do not
include one or more features of a UMCS device as described
herein.
[0033] Turning to FIG. 3, a multiport Bluetooth router 300 in
accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention is
depicted. As previously discussed, multiport Bluetooth router 300
may be integrated into a UMCS device. Alternatively, multiport
Bluetooth router 300 may be integrated into another electronic
device, or may be developed as a stand alone device. Based on the
disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize a variety of uses and implementations for multiport
Bluetooth router 300. Multiport Bluetooth router 300 includes a
number of Bluetooth pipes 340, 343, 345, 347 that are each coupled
to a multiport processor 330. Each of the Bluetooth pipes includes
a Bluetooth protocol interface that allows for the transfer of data
to/from a connected Bluetooth device. For example, Bluetooth pipe
343 is communicably coupled to a Bluetooth source/destination 313.
As used herein, a "Bluetooth source/destination" is any device that
is capable of transferring data to and/or from another Bluetooth
device. Similarly, Bluetooth pipe 345 is communicably coupled to a
Bluetooth source/destination 315, and Bluetooth pipe 347 is
communicably coupled to a Bluetooth source/destination 317.
Bluetooth pipe 340 is communicably coupled to a single port
Bluetooth device 310. As used herein, a "single port Bluetooth
device" is any device that supports connection with only one other
Bluetooth device at a time. An example of such a single port device
is a low cost cellular telephone that is implemented with only a
single Bluetooth port. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary
skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, low cost single port
Bluetooth devices may be extended to function as multiport
Bluetooth devices where a stand alone multiport Bluetooth
router/hub is used in concert with the single port device. It
should be noted that while multiport Bluetooth router 300 is shown
with four Bluetooth pipes, that other implementations of a
multiport Bluetooth router may be implemented with more than four
or fewer than four Bluetooth pipes in accordance with different
embodiments of the present invention.
[0034] Turning to FIG. 4a, a detailed block diagram of a multiport
Bluetooth router 400 in accordance with various embodiments of the
present invention is shown. Multiport Bluetooth router 400 includes
a multiport processor 450, a random access memory 480, a flash
memory 492 including an enumeration of a preferred service
environment 490, and an enumeration of preferred devices 495, a
number of Bluetooth pipes (respectively outlined by dashed lines)
420, 430, 440, and each electrically coupled to a respective RF
transceiver 409, 410, 411. Bluetooth pipes 420, 430, 440 each offer
a Bluetooth protocol interface that includes status indicators,
FIFOs, and a transceiver. In particular, Bluetooth pipe 420
includes a Bluetooth protocol interface with a Bluetooth receiver
421 and a Bluetooth transmitter 422. A receiver status indicator
423 indicates status from Bluetooth receiver 421 to multiport
processor 450, and a FIFO 424 smoothes data transfer from Bluetooth
receiver 421 to multiport processor 450. A transmitter status
indicator 425 indicates status from multiport processor 450 to
Bluetooth transmitter 422, and indicates status to multiport
processor 450 from Bluetooth transmitter 422. A FIFO 426 smoothes
data transfer from multiport processor 450 to Bluetooth transmitter
422. Similarly, Bluetooth pipe 430 includes a Bluetooth protocol
interface with a Bluetooth receiver 431 and a Bluetooth transmitter
432. A receiver status indicator 433 indicates status from
Bluetooth receiver 431 to multiport processor 450, and a FIFO 434
smoothes data transfer from Bluetooth receiver 431 to multiport
processor 450. A transmitter status indicator 435 indicates status
from multiport processor 450 to Bluetooth transmitter 432, and
indicates status to multiport processor 450 from Bluetooth
transmitter 432. A FIFO 436 smoothes data transfer from multiport
processor 450 to Bluetooth transmitter 432. Bluetooth pipe 440
includes a Bluetooth protocol interface with a Bluetooth receiver
441 and a Bluetooth transmitter 442. A receiver status indicator
443 indicates status from Bluetooth receiver 441 to multiport
processor 450, and a FIFO 444 smoothes data transfer from Bluetooth
receiver 441 to multiport processor 450. A transmitter status
indicator 445 indicates status from multiport processor 450 to
Bluetooth transmitter 442, and indicates status to multiport
processor 450 from Bluetooth transmitter 442. A FIFO 446 smoothes
data transfer from multiport processor 450 to Bluetooth transmitter
442.
[0035] Multiport processor 450 provides for cross-connecting the
above mentioned Bluetooth pipes. In some instances of the
embodiment, multiport processor 450 is a microprocessor that
executes software instructions that cause it to perform the
cross-connect function discussed above. The software instructions
include, but are not limited to, a path multiplexing module 453, a
communication matrix control module 455, and a Bluetooth
registration control module 457. Bluetooth registration control
module 457 includes software instructions executable to scan for
and enumerate Bluetooth devices within communication range of
multiport Bluetooth router 400. Communication matrix control module
455 includes software instructions executable to direct the
transfer of information to/from Bluetooth pipes 420, 430, 440, and
combinations thereof. Path multiplexing module 453 includes
software instructions executable to provide for the appropriate
data transfer between FIFOs and/or Random Access Memory 480. It
should be noted that while multiport Bluetooth router 400 is shown
with three Bluetooth pipes, that other implementations of a
multiport Bluetooth router may be implemented with more than three
or fewer than three Bluetooth pipes in accordance with different
embodiments of the present invention.
[0036] Turning to FIG. 4b, a detailed block diagram of a multiport
Bluetooth router 401 in accordance with various other embodiments
of the present invention is shown. Multiport Bluetooth router 401
is similar to Bluetooth router 400, except that a single antenna is
used to support multiple Bluetooth pipes that are time division
multiplexed by a time division multiplexed Bluetooth
receiver/transmitter 452. In the case of Bluetooth router 401,
three Bluetooth pipes 428, 438, 448 each using a common time
division multiplexed Bluetooth receiver/transmitter 452 and a
common antenna 412. Bluetooth pipes 428, 438, 448 each offer a
Bluetooth protocol interface that includes status indicators,
FIFOs, and a multiplexed transceiver. In operation, the
transmission stream to/from antenna 412 is organized as packets or
time slices. As is known in the art, time division multiplexed
Bluetooth receiver/transmitter 452 organizes data received and
transmitted using antenna 412 into a sequence of data packages. The
incoming data packages are directed to the input FIFO 424, 434, 444
of the appropriate Bluetooth pipe, and updates the status indicator
for the same Bluetooth pipe. On the other side, data from the
output FIFOs 426, 436, 446 are inserted into the appropriate
packets by time division multiplexed Bluetooth receiver/transmitter
452 and passed to antenna 412 where the data is transmitted. Again,
it should be noted that while multiport Bluetooth router 401 is
shown with three Bluetooth pipes, that other implementations of a
multiport Bluetooth router may be implemented with more than three
or fewer than three Bluetooth pipes in accordance with different
embodiments of the present invention.
[0037] As communications are ongoing, one or more Bluetooth devices
share a physical radio frequency supported by antenna 412, and are
synchronized to a common clock and frequency hopping pattern as is
more fully discussed in the Bluetooth specification(s). The
Bluetooth device providing the frequency hopping reference is
referred to as the master device, and all other Bluetooth devices
are referred to as slave devices. A group of Bluetooth devices
synchronized to the same clock may be referred to as a piconet.
Within the piconet, data is transferred between devices via
multiport Bluetooth router 401 as detailed in the Bluetooth
specification(s).
[0038] The overall operation of both multiport Bluetooth router 400
and multiport Bluetooth router 401 is discussed with specific
reference to multiport Bluetooth router 400. It should be noted
that from an operational standpoint, the only difference is the use
of multiple independent Bluetooth pipes of multiport Bluetooth
router 400 compared with the time division multiplexed Bluetooth
pipes of multiport Bluetooth router 401. Thus, based on an
operational discussion of multiport Bluetooth router 400, one of
ordinary skill will appreciate the operation of multiport Bluetooth
router 401.
[0039] In operation, multiport Bluetooth router 400 scans for
Bluetooth devices that are in communication range. Once a device is
identified, an inquiry is issued to request identification
information about the identified Bluetooth devices. In response to
the inquiries, the identified Bluetooth devices provide
identification and status information. This identification and
status information is assembled into a list by Bluetooth
registration control module 457. The identification and status
information may include, but is not limited to, the Device Name,
the Device Class, List of Services supported by the device, and
Technical Information about the device. The technical information
may include, but is not limited to, device features, manufacturer,
Bluetooth specification compliance, and clock offset.
[0040] The services offered by the various devices are considered
by communication matrix control module 455 to assemble a service
offering. In some cases, a preferred service offering or
environment is programmed into flash memory 490, and where possible
that service offering is assembled from the identified Bluetooth
devices. Thus, for example, where a number of audio output devices
are identified as available, one of the multiple identified devices
that provides the particular service is selected. In some cases, a
list of preferred devices maintained in flash memory 495 is used to
select between multiple available devices.
[0041] In some cases, the preferred service offering may identify a
particular set of Bluetooth profiles that would be desirable. Such
Bluetooth profiles are known in the art and are used to define the
applications available through use of a particular Bluetooth
application device. Bluetooth profiles are general behaviors
through which Bluetooth enabled devices communicate with other
Bluetooth application devices. Bluetooth technology defines a wide
range of profiles that describe many different types of use cases.
Such Bluetooth profiles define, for example, dependencies on other
profiles, suggested user interface formats, and specific parts of
the Bluetooth protocol stack used by the profile.
[0042] Some examples of Bluetooth profiles include Advanced Audio
Distribution Profile (A2DP), Audio/Video Control Transport Protocol
(AVCTP), Audio/Video Distribution Transport Protocol (AVDTP),
Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP), Basic Imaging Profile
(BIP), Basic Printing Profile (BPP), Common ISDN Access Profile
(CIP), Cordless Telephony Profile (CTP), Dial-up Networking Profile
(DUN), Extended Service Discovery Profile (ESDP), Fax Profile
(FAX), File Transfer Profile (FTP), Generic Access Profile (GAP),
General Audio/Video Distribution Profile (GAVDP), Generic Object
Exchange Profile (GOEP), Hands-Free Profile (HFP), Hard Copy Cable
Replacement Profile (HCRP), Headset Profile (HSP), Human Interface
Device Profile (HID), Intercom Profile (ICP), Object Exchange
(OBEX), Object Push Profile (OPP), Personal Area Networking Profile
(PAN), RFCOMM, Service Discovery Protocol (SDP), Service Discovery
Application Profile (SDAP), SIM Access Profile (SAP), Serial Port
Profile (SPP), Synchronization Profile (SYNC), Telephony Control
Specification (TCS-Binary or TCP), Video Distribution Profile
(VDP), WAP Over Bluetooth Profile (WAP). Other Bluetooth profiles
exist, and yet others will be developed. Such additional Bluetooth
profiles may also be used in accordance with the various
embodiments of the present invention.
[0043] Once the preferred device is selected, it is paired with one
of the Bluetooth pipes (i.e., Bluetooth protocol interfaces).
Pairing between the Bluetooth device and the selected Bluetooth
protocol interface may be accomplished by sharing a passkey (either
automatically or by user input) between the paired devices. In some
cases, encrypted or non-encrypted data transfer between the paired
devices may be selected. In addition to pairing or binding the
selected Bluetooth device to multiport Bluetooth router 400, a
"recipient" (i.e., a device supporting one or more services of the
selected device) may be identified by communication matrix control
module 455 to transfer information to/from the selected device.
Together, the selected devices provide a service offering (i.e., a
collection of devices providing a cross section of desired
services). This service offering will then be used to perform the
functions that are to occur in a particular communication system.
The service offering is dynamically modified as one or more
Bluetooth devices may come in and out of range of multiport
Bluetooth router 400. Once the service offering is complete, path
multiplexing module 453 then directs transfer of data received from
one Bluetooth device in the service offering to a paired Bluetooth
device in the service offering.
[0044] Turning to FIG. 5, a flow diagram 500 shows a method for
preparing a service offering and establishing a cross-connect
between devices included in the service offering. Following flow
diagram 500, a multiport Bluetooth router 400 scans for devices
that are within communication range (block 510). The scan process
is performed using the Bluetooth device discovery procedures known
in the art. Such device discovery procedures may include multiport
Bluetooth router 400 transmitting inquiry messages and listening
for responses in order to discover the other Bluetooth enabled
devices within the coverage area. As each Bluetooth device responds
to the inquiry, it is assembled in a list of available devices
(block 520). The list of devices not only identifies the device,
but may also include the services supported by the device. In some
cases, the device is also identified by one or more profiles that
it supports. Thus, for example, the supported profiles may be one
or more of Some examples of: (1) Advanced Audio Distribution
Profile (A2DP), (2) Audio/Video Control Transport Protocol (AVCTP),
(3) Audio/Video Distribution Transport Protocol (AVDTP), (4)
Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP), (5) Basic Imaging
Profile (BIP), (6) Basic Printing Profile (BPP), (7) Common ISDN
Access Profile (CIP), (8) Cordless Telephony Profile (CTP), (9)
Dial-up Networking Profile (DUN), (10) Extended Service Discovery
Profile (ESDP), (11) Fax Profile (FAX), (12) File Transfer Profile
(FTP), (13) Generic Access Profile (GAP), (14) General Audio/Video
Distribution Profile (GAVDP), (15) Generic Object Exchange Profile
(GOEP), (16) Hands-Free Profile (HFP), (17) Hard Copy Cable
Replacement Profile (HCRP), (18) Headset Profile (HSP), (19) Human
Interface Device Profile (HID), (20) Intercom Profile (ICP), (21)
Object Exchange (OBEX), (22) Object Push Profile (OPP), (23)
Personal Area Networking Profile (PAN), (24) RFCOMM, Service
Discovery Protocol (SDP), (25) Service Discovery Application
Profile (SDAP), (26) SIM Access Profile (SAP), (27) Serial Port
Profile (SPP), (28) Synchronization Profile (SYNC), (29) Telephony
Control Specification (TCS-Binary or TCP), (30) Video Distribution
Profile (VDP), (31) WAP Over Bluetooth Profile (WAP). Other
Bluetooth profiles exist, and yet others will be developed. Such
additional Bluetooth profiles may also be used in accordance with
the various embodiments of the present invention.
[0045] The following Table 1 is an exemplary list of devices
identified in an inquiry performed by multiport Bluetooth router
400.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 List of Identified Devices Device Number
Name Profile(s) Services Supported 1 Cellular GAP Voice
Transmission (Cell Network) Phone GAVDP Audio Input (Microphone)
Audio Output (Speaker) Graphical Output (Display) 2 Car Stereo
GAVDP Audio Output (Speaker) Graphical Output (Display) 3 PDA GAP
Graphical Output (Display) GAVDP Audio Input (Microphone) A2DP Data
Storage (Memory) AVRCP Voice Recognition Number Selector AVDTP
AVCTP 4 GPS GAP Location Data Output 5 Headset HSP Audio Input
(Microphone) GAVDP Audio Output (Speaker) 6 MP3 Player GAVDP Audio
Input (Microphone) Audio Output (Speaker)
It should be noted that the enumerated profiles and device names
are merely exemplary. Based on the disclosure provided herein, one
of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety of device
names and/or profiles that may be utilized in accordance with one
or more embodiments of the present invention.
[0046] The list of offered services is used to determine devices
that will be communicably coupled to multiport Bluetooth router 400
in an effort to offer a broad range of services (block 530). In
some cases, a user of multiport Bluetooth router 400 has programmed
it to include a preferred service environment (e.g., flash memory
490). Where such is available, devices providing the services
identified in the preferred services environment are selected for
inclusion. Further, in some cases, a user programs multiport
Bluetooth router 400 to include a list of preferred devices (e.g.,
flash memory 495). Thus, for example, the cellular telephone and
the car stereo may be included in the preferred device list. Where
available, the preferred device list is used to select devices for
connection to multiport Bluetooth router 400. As an example, where
the preferred services environment enumerates an Audio Input
service, an Audio Output service, a Voice Transmission service, a
Data Storage Service and a Voice Recognition Number Selector
service, devices offering those services are selected. At the
outset, the preferred devices are selected. This provides the
cellular telephone and the car stereo together providing the
desired Audio Input service, Audio Output service, and Voice
Transmission service. In addition, the PDA is selected as it offers
the desired Data Storage Service and a Voice Recognition Number
Selector service. The assembled services constitute the service
offering. Each of the selected devices (in this case, the cellular
telephone, the car stereo and the PDA) are selected to be
communicably coupled to respective Bluetooth protocol interfaces of
multiport Bluetooth router 400 (block 540). With this in place, a
programmed option relying on the configured communication system
can be executed effectively.
[0047] The programmed option first causes the communication matrix
to be established (block 550). This includes selecting the service
from the appropriate devices to act as a supplier of certain data
types and/or a recipient device for other data types. Once this is
done, appropriate cross connection using multiport processor 450
can be implemented. Thus, for example, where the programmed option
is an in car telephone system, the following available services may
be utilized: the Voice Transmission Service of the cellular
telephone, the Audio Output service of the car stereo, and the
Audio Input service and Voice Recognition Number Selector service
of the PDA. Thus, communication matrix control module 455
establishes that Audio Output data received by multiport Bluetooth
router 400 is routed to the car stereo, all audio input data is
routed to the cellular telephone, and telephone number data is
routed to the cellular telephone. With this system design, the
selected devices are bound or paired to the respective Bluetooth
protocol interfaces of multiport Bluetooth router 400 (block 560).
With this in place, the communication is established to receive and
initiate telephone calls in the car environment. It should be noted
that the preceding environment is merely exemplary and that based
on the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art
will recognize a myriad of communication environments and/or
applications that may be developed which rely on multiport
Bluetooth router 400 to establish a communication network.
[0048] In other embodiments of the present invention, a simplified
like profile to like profile connection can be established. In such
a case, Bluetooth router 400 supports a number of different
profiles. Thus, Bluetooth router 400 is able to bind itself to the
various devices identified in Table 1 above. Once bound,
cross-connections can then be established. Where only two of each
profiles are identified to Bluetooth router 400, a logical
connection can be automatically made. Alternatively, where more
than two of the same profiles exist, a preferred cross-connect can
be applied based on pre-programmed desires of a user. This is the
case in the example of Table 1 where a simple cross-connect between
GAVDP and GAVDP would lead to a confusion of cross connected
devices. As yet another alternative, where more than two common
profiles are identified, a user may be presented a graphical
cross-connect via a graphical user interface of another device
wirelessly connected to Bluetooth router 400. This may be done
using one or more approaches set forth in the patent application
entitled "Systems and Methods for Mobile Data Storage and
Acquisition" that was previously incorporated herein by reference
for all purposes. A similar graphical approach may also be done
using a graphical user interface integrated into Bluetooth router
400 where such a graphical user interface is available. One example
of such a graphical cross-connect is shown in FIGS. 6a-6b.
[0049] Turning to FIG. 6a, a cross connect menu 700 is shown that
includes all of the possible devices (cellular phone 711, car
stereo 712, PDA 713, GPS 714, headset 715, MP3 player 716) as both
possible sources 710 and destinations 720. Further, a cross connect
network 730 includes a number of possible connections (shown as
dashed lines) based on common supported profiles between the source
device and destination device. Thus, for example, cellular
telephone 711 can provide data to car stereo 712 using GAVDP, to
PDA 713 via either GAP or GAVDP, to GPS 714 via GAP, to headset 715
via GAVDP, and to MP3 player 716 via GAVDP. As shown in FIG. 6b, a
completed connection map 750 is shown where the possible
interconnects are resolved to define the cross-connect of Bluetooth
router 400. In particular, the audio output of cellular telephone
711 is directed to car stereo 712 as shown by a line 751. A data
output of PDA 713 is directed to cellular telephone 711 as
indicated by a line 752. A data output from GPS 714 is provided to
PDA 713 as shown by a line 753. An audio output of headset 715 is
provided to cellular telephone 711 as shown by a line 754. In
addition, the audio output from headset 715 is provided to PDA 713
as shown by a line 755. The audio output of MP3 player 716 is
provided to car stereo 712 as shown by a line 756. After this
manual cross-connect has been developed, a command reflecting the
desired cross connect is provided to Bluetooth router 400 where it
is used to establish the cross-connect.
[0050] Turning to FIG. 7, a flow diagram 600 shows a method in
accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention for
distributing data using multiport Bluetooth router 400 once the
overall communication system including Bluetooth devices has been
established (i.e., the processes of FIG. 5 have been completed).
Following flow diagram 600, data transmission from one of the
communicably coupled Bluetooth devices is received by multiport
Bluetooth router 400 via an associated Bluetooth protocol interface
(block 605). The received data is stored to memory (block 610).
This may include passing the received data through a FIFO and then
into a larger memory associated with multiport Bluetooth router
400. Using a particular example, when data is received via
Bluetooth pipe 420, the received data is passed from Bluetooth
receiver 421 to FIFO 424. In addition, receiver status indicator
423 signals multiport processor 450 that data is being received and
the number of words stored to FIFO 424. Based on this input,
multiport processor 450 transfers the data from FIFO 424 to Random
Access Memory 480. As it transfers the data, it identifies the data
type that has been received (block 615). In addition, multiport
processor 450 determines if a recipient device for the received
data has been established (block 620). This is done by querying
communication matrix control module 455.
[0051] Where a recipient device has already been established using
the processes discussed in relation to FIG. 5 above (block 620),
the data that was received is accessed from Random Access Memory
480 (block 650). This data is routed to the Bluetooth pipe that the
recipient device is coupled to, and the data is transmitted to the
device (block 655). Thus, for example, where the recipient device
is coupled to Bluetooth pipe 430, the previously received data is
transferred from Random Access Memory 480 to FIFO 436. Further,
multiport processor 450 indicates to transmitter status indicator
435 the number of words transferred to FIFO 436. In turn, Bluetooth
transmitter 432 transmits the data to the connected Bluetooth
device via antenna 410. In this way, the received data is
transferred from a sending device communicably coupled to one
Bluetooth protocol interface to a recipient device communicably
coupled to another Bluetooth Protocol interface.
[0052] Alternatively, where a recipient device either has not yet
been established or has moved out of range of multiport Bluetooth
router 400 (block 620), a scan is performed to identify a Bluetooth
device within range that provides a service capable of receiving
and utilizing the received data (block 625). Where an appropriate
device is not found (block 630), the data is simply maintained in
Random Access Memory (block 660) for a period while the scan
process occasionally updates to determine if an appropriate
recipient device is within range (block 665). Alternatively, where
an appropriate recipient device is detected (block 630), the
detected device is associated with an available Bluetooth protocol
interface (block 635) and the communication matrix control module
is updated to reflect the new recipient device (block 640). With
this done, the received data is accessed from the memory (block
650) and transmitted to the newly identified device (block 655) as
previously discussed.
[0053] As a more concrete example, the preceding exemplary system
for receiving and initiating telephone calls in a car environment
is continued. However, it should be noted that the example is just
that, exemplary. Again, based on the disclosure provided herein,
one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a myriad of
communications systems and execution thereof that may be
implemented using multiport Bluetooth router 400 in accordance with
a variety of embodiments of the present invention. Following the
example, a telephone call may be received by the cellular telephone
resulting in call status information being received. This status
information is transferred to the PDA where it is displayed. The
user seated in the car may verbally request that the call be
answered. In this case, the voice recognition system of the PDA
receives the request to answer the call and a corresponding request
to answer the call is transferred from the PDA via multiport
Bluetooth router 400.
[0054] In conclusion, the present invention provides novel systems,
devices, methods and arrangements for mobile data storage and
acquisition. While detailed descriptions of one or more embodiments
of the invention have been given above, various alternatives,
modifications, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in
the art without varying from the spirit of the invention.
Therefore, the above description should not be taken as limiting
the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended
claims.
* * * * *