Enhanced wireless handset, including direct handset-to-handset communication mode

Abstract

A wireless handset is provided with enhanced features and capabilities. The wireless handset may be embodied as a full-featured handset that is capable of operating either within a wireless network (such as a cellular or PCS network) or in a direct handset-to-handset communication mode that is independent of the wireless network. Alternatively, the wireless handset may be embodied as a special purpose handset, that is capable of simply operating in a direct handset-to-handset communication mode. The wireless handset may additionally include features for supporting and enhancing direct communication between handsets. Such features may include a find feature that permits a user to determine which objects, including other wireless handset users, are located within a predetermined operating range of the wireless handset. A memorize feature may also be provided to permit handsets and other objects exchange information by wireless transmission.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 968,856 filed on Oct. 3, 2001 which is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 094,600 filed on Jun. 15, 1998 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,027), the contents of both of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0002] The present invention generally relates to the field of communications and the use of wireless handsets. More particularly, the present invention relates to wireless handsets with enhanced functionality, including the ability to operate within a wireless network and in a direct handset-to-handset communication mode. Acronyms [0003] The written description provided herein contains acronyms which refer to, for example, various communication services, components and techniques, as well as features relating to the present invention. Although some of these acronyms are known, use of these...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0054] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a wireless handset with enhanced features, such as a find feature that assists a handset operator in determining what objects, including other handset users, are located within the handset's operating range.

[0055] Another object of the invention is to provide a wireless handset that includes a memorize

Problems solved by technology

Although some of these acronyms are known, use of th

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