Network-intelligent scanner

摘要

A piconet communications system (e.g. Bluetooth®) is used to distribute information to mobile user devices 1 which advertise (10) that they require the information available. In a reversal of the conventional information provision protocols, the information provider 2 scans for user devices receptive to such data (21), and transmit the required data (27), only to such devices that require it. The information provider 2 also has provision to ensure that it transmits the information to each user device only once (step 26). By having the information provider performing the scanning, and only transmitting data to user devices that have indicated they will accept it, and have not already received it, the power consumption of the mobile devices is minimized as they do not need to perform any scanning or information-filtering operations, these being performed by the fixed information provider terminal.

主权项

1. A method of operating a wireless communications system wherein:
at least one device of a first type generates a transmittable request for a specified data type, at least one device of a second type generates and transmits a scanning signal indicative that the device seeks devices of the first type requiring information, and on detection of the scanning signal, a device of the first type transmits the request to the device of the second type specifying the data required, and on receiving the request, the device of the second type determines whether it has data of the type specified in the request and, if it has such data, transmits it to the device of the first type.