3383 results about "Wi-Fi" patented technology

Systems and methods are provided that allow inter-working between communication networks for the delivery of service to mobile nodes. A gateway is provided that communicates with a femto cell to extend service to an area that otherwise does not receive coverage from a service provider. The femto cell is a small scale base station used to provide coverage over a small area (such as a home or business), and connect to a home or enterprise network. The femto cell provides service for a mobile node and a gateway permits communication over a broadband network. The gateway integrates the mobile nodes connecting via a femto cell into the service provider's network. The gateway also allows provisioning of services and applications, control of service levels, and provides seamless handoffs to macro base stations and other types of access technologies such as Wi-Fi.

Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed to offload the usage of a cellular network by intelligent selection of broadband network connections such as Wi-Fi access points. A Wi-Fi transceiver on a mobile device is activated when certain conditions are met, such as a time, location, recognition of a radiofrequency (RF) environment, etc. The conditions are correlated with a database of known locations in which a one or more Wi-Fi access points are determined to exist. The Wi-Fi transceiver on the mobile device is activated and commanded to connect to a particular Wi-Fi access point. Dynamic intelligence ensures that the appropriate connection method is used, and minimizes handovers to networks or access points that are unreliable or that are predicted to become inaccessible to the mobile device.

Methods and systems for selecting and providing a relevant subset of Wi-Fi location information to a mobile client device so the client device may estimate its position with efficient utilization of resources.A method of providing a relevant subset of information to a client device is based in part on scanning for Wi-Fi access points within range of the client device, using a Wi-Fi database that covers a large target region to retrieve information about these access points, using this information to estimate the position of the mobile client device, selecting a limited region in the vicinity of the estimated location of the client device, and providing information about Wi-Fi access points within this limited region to the client. For efficient transfer and maintenance of data, the target region may be divided into a hierarchy of fixed geographical tiles.

A system is presented providing content to a plurality of handheld devices (including musical selections). The devices can access a server over the Internet via a Wi-Fi or other similar wireless interconnection and can download songs requested by a user from the server or from other users using, e.g., a P2P protocol. All downloads may be governed by applicable DRM rules. Content and playlists may also be pushed by a server from other sources and means including, e.g., podcasting, based on predetermined rules, favorite preferences of users, and other criteria.

Methods and apparatus for providing synchronous playback of the same piece of time-based media on multiple devices connected over heterogenous channels consisting of varying degrees of delay. The preferred embodiment of the invention is a handheld music player that uses a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth communications link to enable users to share music with similar nearby players and to synchronously play back the same music different players simultaneously. Users of all players tuned into one source hear the same thing at the same time, enabling the feeling of a shared music experience. Users can also use their players to exchange profile information and text messages.

A proximity based social marketing tool / device that is free from a physical location and can be used for matching users and broadcasting messages or data to all or selected users in the proximity. These users can be searched by scanning the selected proximity range and / or by defining various keyword criteria's. And it utilizes one or more or a combination of various short-range or long-range wireless communication technologies such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, NFC, TransferJet, Internet, and others. The X-Path device can locate and store user's location details in the X-path server, which can be retrieved and used by users to broadcast messages to a specific category of an audience. It also makes for a great Social networking tool and takes the concept of Social Networking from the Internet out to the real Physical World.

A computer apparatus such as a mouse, keyboard, or PC headset with additional devices disposed within the apparatus enclosure, which can enhance the functionality of such computer apparatus. In the preferred embodiment, the additional devices are disposed within or along the length of a mouse apparatus. The additional devices typically function independently of the mouse apparatus. However, the additional components may share one or more wired or wireless paths to a host PC and to other devices, or to a network. The additional devices either integrated within the mouse enclosure or removable from the mouse enclosure, include a wireless adapter (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G, GSM, etc. . . . ), RAM, ROM, a mini hard drive, a GPS receiver module, a flash memory, flash memory drive reader, a USB Hub, a Trackpoint™ device, a keyboard or keypad, a fingerprint reader, or a SIM card reader. Also disclosed, are software controls for mapping the mouse velocity to a cursor velocity and for controlling the function and settings of the Trackpoint device. Further disclosed is a method for assigning the mouse's data output to a variety of devices connected to a wired or wireless network.

A location beacon database and server, method of building location beacon database, and location based service using same. Wi-Fi access points are located in a target geographical area to build a reference database of locations of Wi-Fi access points. At least one vehicle is deployed including at least one scanning device having a GPS device and a Wi-Fi radio device and including a Wi-Fi antenna system. The target area is traversed in a programmatic route to avoid arterial bias. The programmatic route includes substantially all drivable streets in the target geographical area and solves an Eulerian cycle problem of a graph represented by said drivable streets. While traversing the target area, periodically receive the GPS coordinates of the GPS device. While traversing the target area, detecting Wi-Fi signals from Wi-Fi access points in range of the Wi-Fi device and recording identity information of the detected Wi-Fi access point in conjunction with GPS location information of the vehicle when the detection of the Wi-Fi access point was made. The location information is used to reverse triangulate the position of the detected Wi-Fi access point; and the position of the detected access point is recorded in a reference database. A user-device having a Wi-Fi radio may be located. A reference database of calculated locations of Wi-Fi access points in a target area is provided. In response to a user application request to determine a location of a user-device having a Wi-Fi radio, the Wi-Fi device is triggered to transmit a request to all Wi-Fi access points within range of the Wi-Fi device. Messages are received from the Wi-Fi access points within range of the Wi-Fi device, each message identifying the Wi-Fi access point sending the message. The signal strength of the messages received by the Wi-Fi access points is calculated. The reference database is accessed to obtain the calculated locations for the identified Wi-Fi access points. Based on the number of Wi-Fi access points identified via received messages, choosing a corresponding location-determination algorithm from a plurality of location-determination algorithms, said chosen algorithm being suited for the number of identified Wi-Fi access points. The calculated locations for the identified Wi-Fi access points and the signal strengths of said received messages and the chosen location-determination algorithm are used to determine the location of the user-device. The database may be modified with newly added position information to improve quality of previously determined positions, and error prone information is avoided.

A method and apparatus for maintaining network connectivity over power lines is disclosed. Such network connectivity is maintained even if various customers are covered by different power line networks or if one or more power lines in a network are unavailable to transmit data. More particularly, in order to bridge a gap in a power line network, one or more messages are extracted from a first node in a power line network and are then transmitted to a second node via free space transmission, illustratively wireless radio frequency (RF) transmission conforming to one or more of the 802.11a, b or g standards. When those messages are received at the second node, the message is injected back into the power line on the other side of a gap in power line coverage. This method of transmission backup will continue until power line connectivity is restore upon which the preferred method will be selected and used.

A system apparatus and method of monitoring in a secured fashion the access, storage and retrieval of information, using a networked modular wireless device. The system may include a network of wireless, Wi-Fi devices (or any other wireless communication mechanism such as GPRS, GSM, iDen), or Nodes, each one of them possibly controlling the access to a medically sensitive object, such as a drawer (or cabinet) or to a medical device, or to another information source, item of equipment, drug, etc as well as tracking via RFid readers the access to the records or information contained in it. In the case of a physical file, each file has an RFid tag on it that is being read when removed or returned to the cabinet. Access to the cabinet and physical records, or to the medical device is monitored by reading the RFiD identity card of personnel accessing the cabinet or medical devices. In addition to controlling the access to the cabinet or medical device by controlling the cabinet lock (or in the case of a small medical device, the lock of an IV, injection device, specimen collection unit, or of a large medical device such as a defibrillator), the node can alert electronically by sending a message to the controlling unit, or by sending a physical alert (such as an alarm signal), when unauthorized personnel is attempting to access the cabinet, the files or devices. The system is useful in the context of monitoring the information contained in physical files, such as medical information, and can be used for access to medical devices, in order to better monitor the authorization rights of personnel participating in processes such as drug delivery or specimen collection. A control unit monitors activity at a plurality of nodes, and assists in storing the list of authorized personnel and files, and can store electronically captured information regarding the physical files (for example, the reason for accessing the file and reasons for changes in it) or medical device. The system can communicate with other information management systems.

A location beacon database and server, method of building location beacon database, and location based service using same. Wi-Fi access points are located in a target geographical area to build a reference database of locations of Wi-Fi access points. At least one vehicle is deployed including at least one scanning device having a GPS device and a Wi-Fi radio device and including a Wi-Fi antenna system. The target area is traversed in a programmatic route to avoid arterial bias. The programmatic route includes substantially all drivable streets in the target geographical area and solves an Eulerian cycle problem of a graph represented by said drivable streets. While traversing the target area, periodically receive the GPS coordinates of the GPS device. While traversing the target area, detecting Wi-Fi signals from Wi-Fi access points in range of the Wi-Fi device and recording identity information of the detected Wi-Fi access point in conjunction with GPS location information of the vehicle when the detection of the Wi-Fi access point was made. The location information is used to reverse triangulate the position of the detected Wi-Fi access point; and the position of the detected access point is recorded in a reference database. A user-device having a Wi-Fi radio may be located. A reference database of calculated locations of Wi-Fi access points in a target area is provided. In response to a user application request to determine a location of a user-device having a Wi-Fi radio, the Wi-Fi device is triggered to transmit a request to all Wi-Fi access points within range of the Wi-Fi device. Messages are received from the Wi-Fi access points within range of the Wi-Fi device, each message identifying the Wi-Fi access point sending the message. The signal strength of the messages received by the Wi-Fi access points is calculated. The reference database is accessed to obtain the calculated locations for the identified Wi-Fi access points. Based on the number of Wi-Fi access points identified via received messages, choosing a corresponding location-determination algorithm from a plurality of location-determination algorithms, said chosen algorithm being suited for the number of identified Wi-Fi access points. The calculated locations for the identified Wi-Fi access points and the signal strengths of said received messages and the chosen location-determination algorithm are used to determine the location of the user-device. The database may be modified with newly added position information to improve quality of previously determined positions, and error prone information is avoided.

An embodiment of the present invention discloses a Wi-Fi device, including a radio frequency circuit, a signal processor, an application processor, and a Wi-Fi chip. The application processor is configured to preset the work mode of the Wi-Fi chip to a single input single output SISO mode, and is further configured to acquire a value of a parameter of an uplink wireless network, and when the value of the parameter of the uplink wireless network is determined to be greater than or equal to a preset value, set the work mode of the Wi-Fi chip to a multiple-input multiple-output MIMO mode. An embodiment of the present invention further discloses a method for setting a communications mode.

A mobile telephone gateway and communication routing device (MPG) (121) disclosed by the present invention is coupled through an electrical signaling transmission medium with a mobile telephone (100) operative on a first communication network in accordance with a first communication protocol, for adding communication capabilities through at least a second communication network in accordance with a second communication protocol. A mobile communication system (150) is disclosed, comprising MPG (121) placed in-between mobile phone (100) and battery (118) and Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card (117). MPG connects to the SIM interface of mobile phone (100), using which it wraps SIM functionalities and controls call management. It connects to the data / signaling interface of mobile phone (100), using which it communicates with it, while communicating with the second network using another communication means. It may optionally connects to an accessory device interface of mobile phone (100) such as a Terminal Adapter / Terminal Equipment (TA / TE) or a USB OTG interface, thereby enabling communication between the mobile phone and wireless data terminals of the second network. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a MPG is provided for use with a mobile phone operative on a mobile communication network such as GSM, adding communication capabilities through a wireless communication network such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Furthermore, gateway applications are provided to facilitate or support communication through at least the second network in accordance with mobile web protocols and technologies such as Mobile IP, mobile SIP, and mobile VoIP.

A method and apparatus for providing a user input back channel (UIBC) in an audio / video (AV) source device and an AV sink device communicating according to a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) display (WFD) standard is provided. The method includes: setting up an AV control session and an AV data session between the AV source devices according to the WFD standards; enabling the UIBC from the AV sink device to the AV source device by using the AV control session; and transmitting a user input from the AV sink device to the AV source device through the UIBC.

One or more outdoor lights may operate independently with sensing and control processes mainly on-pole, or may communicate as a networked array of poles, wherein a master / coordinating pole / node transmits signals from the networked array to a control station, and receive signals from the control station for the networked array, via call phone and / or satellite. Independent poles and / or the networked array of poles may be adapted for energy-saving processes; cooperation with the grid; renewable power production and storage by means of solar panels and associated batteries; and / or to provide Wi-Fi hot-spots, public safety alarms, information or data-analysis to the public or customers. An energy-saving active control system controls charging of the batteries and distribution of energy from the solar panel and / or the batteries, so that the batteries remain undamaged, and the light(s) remain operation even during the winter or other long periods of clouds and diffuse light. The active control of energy distribution by a load controller function may include dimming during the night, except when sensors detect motion, and, in extreme cloudy or diffuse-light periods, increasing increments of dimming and / or load shedding, to preserve the batteries and operability.

A method of handing off between a cellular network and a Wi-Fi network is disclosed. A cellular base station of the cellular network is caused to collect information related to the cellular network. A Wi-Fi access point of the Wi-Fi network is caused to collect information related to the Wi-Fi network, wherein the cellular base station and the Wi-Fi access point are co-located. The information related to the cellular network and the information related to the Wi-Fi network are used collectively for determining whether to handoff traffic of a user equipment from a cellular air interface of the cellular network to a Wi-Fi air interface of the Wi-Fi network, or vice versa.

A telephony network for enabling the origination and termination of telephone calls between one or more subscriber terminals connected to a public packet network with an open addressing protocol and one or more non-subscriber terminals connected to a PSTN network. Subscribers to the telephony network have E.164 numbers mapped to their current IP address and published by a mapping server so other subscribers and non-subscribers can call the subscriber. The mapped information is published on either a HTML or XML page for direct use over the Internet by other subscribers or for use by a gateway device. The gateway device enables non-subscribers on the PSTN to directly call subscribers. Calls between subscribers completely by-pass the PSTN or the cellular network if BlueTooth or Wi-Fi enabled terminals are used. Subscribers can also call anyone with a phone number whether they are a subscriber or not.

The invention is a portable vital signs measurement instrument, systems and methods that provide a variety of measurement capabilities, including blood pressure, temperature, pulse oximetry, and other indications of patient status. The instrument, systems and methods include the ability to communicate wirelessly, for example using Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11B), with a server, so that information can be entered easily, securely and reliably into a medical database system accessible by way of the server. The systems and methods provide for the instrument to initiate a communication session by attempting to discover a server access point in its vicinity.

A system and method is disclosed herein that provides a multi-device, multi-screen experience where original content, other content, and associated data can interact and flow between a primary display device and one or more secondary devices. More particularly, the system and method disclosed herein provides for the delivery and management of digital media content to an end user by providing the multi-device, multi-screen experience where original content, other content, and associated data can interact and flow between devices. The system and method enables an individual to create a virtually universal home commerce and monitoring ecosystem by integrating a device into their home Wi-Fi and content consumption systems.

The present invention provides improved devices, components, and conduit assemblies for delivery of a breathable / inhalable fluid stream containing a solvation-enhancing atomized liquid, the fluid stream carrying a functional liquid component. In one aspect, devices of the invention incorporate an exchangeable fluid-permeable body, such as a cartridge comprising a fluid-permeable packing material, containing the functional liquid. In another aspect, devices of the invention incorporate an electronic control system configured to detect and store physical states, settings, modes / configurations, and / or usage of the device over time. Optionally, the detected states may be exported to a separate electronic device via a Wi-Fi or other suitable remote connection. In other embodiments, the electronic control system provides passcode authorization for actuating an atomizing element and / or toggling the device between locked and unlocked states.

Techniques for facilitating the exchange of information and transactions between two entities associated with two wireless devices when the devices are in close proximity to each other. A first device uses a first short range wireless capability to detect an identifier transmitted from a second device in proximity, ideally using existing radio capabilities such as Bluetooth (IEEE802.15.1-2002) or Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11). The detected identifier, being associated with the device, is also associated with an entity. Rather than directly exchanging application data flow between the two devices using the short range wireless capability, a second wireless capability allows for one or more of the devices to communicate with a central server via the internet, and perform the exchange of application data flow. By using a central server to draw on stored information and content associated with the entities the server can broker the exchange of information between the entities and the devices.