METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING ASSOCIATIONS AND COMMUNICATING BETWEEN DEVICES

摘要

The present invention relates to the field of proximity communications and especially methods for establishing associations, transferring power and communicating data between devices. Devices are proposed to interact with each other, initially by being brought into close proximity to initiate transfer of data that enables the device to communicate with other devices similarly brought together. The devices can be used as a controller or an appliance or both. There is also provided a power transfer mechanism for controller and appliance devices which do not have locally available power at the time the initial proximity action is taking place, so that the processes associated with the data transfer can take place regardless. There is also described a two part device, one part of which provides the proximity communications capability the other part does not have.

主权项

1. An arrangement for managing communication between a first, second and third devices the arrangement including;
a first device having a proximity sensor for detecting the proximity of another device, one or more communication mechanisms, one of which is a proximity communication mechanism; a second device having a proximity sensor for detecting the proximity of another device, one or more communication mechanisms, one of which is a proximity communication mechanism; and a third device having a proximity sensor for detecting the proximity of another device, one or more communication mechanisms, one of which is a proximity communication mechanism, wherein the third and the first devices are brought together such that at least one of the respective proximity sensors confirms the proximity of the other device after which the respective devices communicate to exchange data and the third and the second devices are brought together such that at least one of the respective proximity sensors confirms the proximity of the other device after which the respective devices communicate to exchange data; wherein the data transferred between the proximity communication mechanisms of the first device, second device and third device enables communications to be established between the first and second devices using one or more communication mechanisms.