WO2011101852A2

WO2011101852A2 - System and method for bluetooth communication in a commercial environment

Info

Publication number: WO2011101852A2
Application number: PCT/IL2011/000172
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ariel Cohen; Ariel Arie Shoham; Zohar Sorin Iarchy
Original assignee: Bspot Technologies Ltd
Priority date: 2010-02-19
Filing date: 2011-02-20
Publication date: 2011-08-25
Also published as: WO2011101852A3

Abstract

A system and method for Bluetooth communication in a commercial environment, for providing messages and other information to mobile communication devices that are Bluetooth-enabled. The commercial environment preferably features a Bluetooth-hotspot for supporting such Bluetooth communication.

Description

Title: System and method for Bluetooth communication in a commercial environment

Inventors: Ari Cohen, Ariel Shoham and Zohar Sorin Iarchy

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is of a system and method for providing Bluetooth communication in a commercial environment, and in particular, to such a system and method which enables messages and other information to be provided to users of Bluetooth-enabled devices within the commercial environment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Digitally enabled telephones and other connected devices, including cellular telephones, are all able to be connected to a data network. Unlike simple analog telephones, this ability to communicate with a server increases the variety and type of services which may be offered through such telephones.

Short range wireless communication protocols, such as Bluetooth and infrared (IR) are now available in most mobile devices such as cellular telephones and enable wireless communication, short range communication between mobile devices such as cellular telephone and a computer.

Bluetooth in particular is quite popular, although it has many drawbacks, including the relatively short range of its signal. The range of the Bluetooth signal depends upon the class of transceiver; for example, class 1 transceivers are capable of power up to 100 mW, suitable up to about 100 meters; class 3 transceivers, on the other hand, are only capable of power up to 1 mW, suitable up to about only 1 meter.

Bluetooth uses a radio technology called frequency-hopping spread spectrum. Data to be transmitted is divided into portions or chunks, which may then be transmitted on up to 79 frequencies, within the unlicensed Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) 2.4 GHz short-range radio frequency bandwidth. In its basic mode, the modulation is Gaussian frequency-shift keying (GFSK). It can achieve a gross data rate of 1 Mb/s. Bluetooth provides a way to connect and exchange information between devices such as mobile phones, telephones, laptops, personal computers, printers, Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, digital cameras, and video game consoles. The Bluetooth specifications are developed and licensed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is thus an unmet need for, and it would be highly useful to have, a system and method for Bluetooth communication in a commercial environment. There is also an unmet need for, and it would be highly useful to have, such a system and method for providing messages and other information through

Bluetooth communication in such a commercial environment.

The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the background art by providing a system and method for Bluetooth communication in a commercial environment, for providing messages and other information to mobile

communication devices that are Bluetooth-enabled. By "commercial environment" it is meant any type of physical environment in which sales of goods and/or services occur, for example including but not limited to a store or plurality of stores, a shopping mall, a market or bazaar, or any type of environment featuring commercial activity. Hereinafter, the term "product" includes one or more goods and/or services.

The commercial environment preferably features a Bluetooth-hotspot for supporting such Bluetooth communication. The Bluetooth-hotspot is preferably also in communication with one or more external communication networks, including but not limited to the Internet, a cellular portal such as a WAP gateway for example, or a cellular communication server such as an SMSC (short message service center) for example.

The Bluetooth hotspot is preferably in communication with the one or more external communication networks through a proxy gateway according to at least some embodiments of the present invention. The proxy gateway may optionally act as an interface to such one or more external communication networks, and may optionally comprise separate interfaces to such networks.

According to at least some embodiments of the present invention, the system and method include providing a mini-portal, which comprises a plurality of messages assembled in a package for being viewed through mobile communication device. Optionally, the user may also be able to access further information through the mini-portal, preferably through a connection to the Internet, whether directly or indirectly (for example through the Bluetooth hotspot). Additionally or

alternatively, the Bluetooth hotspot is in communication with a server for providing such additional information. The server may also optionally be in contact with the proxy gateway as described above. The server and proxy gateway may optionally be combined into a single component or interface.

According to at least some embodiments of the present invention, the Bluetooth hotspot is mobile. A mobile hotspot may optionally be implemented through any type of peer-to-peer network for example, optionally and preferably by using mobile/cellular telephones or other devices as cooperating, optionally temporary hotspots, to establish a temporary network based on the network users.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, the Bluetooth hotspot is stationary.

According to at least some embodiments of the present invention, NFC (near field communication) is used instead of, or in addition to, Bluetooth communication. NFC is a short-range high frequency wireless communication technology which is an of the ISO/TEC 14443 proximity-card (RFID) standard.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a system and method for providing local IP network addresses to mobile devices operating within a local network, which still enables the mobile devices to move freely within the physical area served by the network while also accessing external networks such as the Internet for example.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The materials, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. Implementation of the method and system of the present invention involves performing or completing certain selected tasks or steps manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. Moreover, according to actual instrumentation and equipment of preferred embodiments of the method and system of the present invention, several selected steps could be implemented by hardware or by software on any operating system of any firmware or a combination thereof. For example, as hardware, selected steps of the invention could be implemented as a chip or a circuit. As software, selected steps of the invention could be implemented as a plurality of software instructions being executed by a computer using any suitable operating system. In any case, selected steps of the method and system of the invention could be described as being performed by a data processor, such as a computing platform for executing a plurality of instructions.

A cellular device as termed herein may be any device that can transfer data through the cellular network or through a wired connection, as well as through a short range wireless connection such as Bluetooth, or through a direct wired connection to a local device or computer.

Although the present invention is described with regard to a "device" on a "wireless network", featuring a "server" and preferably for cellular

communication, it should be noted that optionally any device featuring a data processor and/or the ability to execute one or more instructions with the ability to support at least voice communication may be described as a telephone, including but not limited to any type of telephone enabled computer, a cellular telephone, an IP telephone (software (virtual) device or real (hardware) device), a smart phone, a PDA (personal digital assistant), or a pager. Any two or more of such devices in communication with each other, and/or any computer in communication with a telephone may optionally comprise a "wireless network", which may (for example) optionally be a computer network and/or a cellular network.

A "server" as termed herein may optionally comprise any computer that is connected to an IP network. It should be noted that optionally any device featuring a data processor and/or the ability to execute one or more instructions may be described as a computer, including but not limited to a PC (personal computer), a server, a minicomputer. Any two or more of such devices in communication with each other, and/or any computer in communication with any other computer may optionally comprise a "computer network".

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in order to provide what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary illustrative system for providing Bluetooth communication in a commercial environment;

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary method for communication between the various components of system 100 of Figure 1;

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary method for enabling a user to register his or her BT ID device;

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary, illustrative, non-limiting method for constructing a mini-portal according to at least some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary, illustrative, non-limiting schematic illustration of the resultant mini-portal according to at least some embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 6 shows an exemplary, illustrative, non-limiting method for enabling a user of a mobile communication device that is registered to the system to receive specific information from a particular store or category of stores according to at least some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary, illustrative, non-limiting method for enabling direct communication between a participant in the commercial environment and a mobile communication device according to at least some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows a non-limiting, illustrative system for a plurality of Bluetooth hotspots in the commercial environment;

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary system for providing local IP network addresses to mobile devices operating within a local network, which still enables the mobile devices to move freely within the physical area served by the network while also accessing external networks such as the Internet; and

FIG. 10 provides detailed transaction flow.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is of a system and method for Bluetooth

communication in a commercial environment, for providing messages and other information to mobile communication devices that are Bluetooth-enabled. The commercial environment preferably features a Bluetooth-hotspot for supporting such Bluetooth communication.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows an exemplary illustrative system for providing Bluetooth communication in a commercial environment. As shown, Figure 1 includes a system 100, featuring a Bluetooth hotspot 102 with which a plurality of mobile communication devices 105 are in communication through Bluetooth devices, shown as BT IDs (Bluetooth IDs) 104. Bluetooth hotspot 102 automatically detects all "open" (ie accessible) mobile communication devices 105, such as cellular telephones for example, when such devices 105 are Bluetooth enabled and are in sufficiently close proximity to Bluetooth hotspot 102. Bluetooth hotspot 102 then optionally and preferably initiates contact with mobile communication devices 105 through BT ID 104 upon first detecting BT ID 104, for example by sending a "welcome" message or other message to the device operating the Bluetooth device identified as BT ID 104. If communication is accepted by BT ID 104, then Bluetooth hotspot 102 preferably sends a message containing a link or other indicator or offer for further optional communication.

The link or other offer for communication may optionally comprise a mini- portal or other detailed message or information. The mini-portal preferably appears as a plurality of web pages or other combination of graphics and text, but is in fact optionally and preferably downloaded to the device operating BT ID 104. The message or mini-portal may optionally comprise Flash, HTML or any other suitable graphical format, but more preferably is not an SMS or MMS message. Instead, the message is preferably adapted for delivery through Bluetooth.

The user of mobile communication device 105 supporting the particular BT ID 104 may then optionally choose to activate the link, or otherwise activate the optional further communication. For example, if the offer of optional further communication is a WAP link, then the user may "click on" or otherwise activate the link. Optionally, such activation is delivered to Bluetooth hotspot 102, which may then relay it to a server 108. Communication between Bluetooth hotspot 102 and server 108 is preferably two-way communication, and may optionally be performed through any type of computer network 110 as shown, such as the Internet for example. Alternatively, server 108 may optionally be connected to Bluetooth hotspot 102 through any type of direct, local connection (not shown).

Server 108 may then optionally at least record such activation, but preferably also returns content to Bluetooth hotspot 102. Bluetooth hotspot 102 may then optionally and preferably return content to mobile communication device 105 through BT ID 104. Such content may optionally be stored at server 108 and/or may optionally, additionally or alternatively, be provided externally from server 108. For example, server 108 may optionally be in communication with a proxy gateway 106, which acts as an interface for communication with one or more external resources. Non-limiting examples of such external resources include Internet 1 12, SMSC 114 (as a non-limiting example of a cellular operator component; optionally other components may be used in addition to, or in place of, SMSC 114), or WAP server 116, or a combination thereof. Proxy gateway 106 may optionally be implemented as a plurality of separate interfaces, one for each component or combination thereof, or alternatively may be implemented as a single interface as shown (as an example only and without wishing to be limited). Proxy gateway 106 may optionally also communicate directly with each such component, for example through a direct local connection, and/or may optionally communicate through a computer network 120 as shown. Communication between proxy gateway 106 and each such component is preferably two-way

communication.

Proxy gateway 106 may optionally be combined with server 108, or alternatively they may be separate components as shown herein. Proxy gateway 106 may optionally communicate with server 108 through any type of computer network 118 as shown, such as the Internet for example, or any type of LAN (local area network), WAN (wide area network) and the like.

Proxy gateway 106 preferably provides content from one or more external resources to server 108, which in turn preferably provides such content to

Bluetooth hotspot 102. Bluetooth hotspot 102 preferably provides such content in turn to mobile communication device 105 through BT ID 104. For example, Bluetooth hotspot 102 could optionally stream web data to the mobile

communication device 105 through BT ID 104.

However, according to some embodiments of the present invention, communication between Bluetooth hotspot 102 and BT ID 104 may optionally be one-way communication in at least some instances, if not for all communication. Therefore, BT ID 104 preferably communicates with Bluetooth hotspot 102 to initiate communication, optionally and preferably including sending the mini- portal as previously described. However, one or more links for communication contained within the message preferably then direct mobile communication device

105 to communicate directly with one or more external resources, for example optionally (and without limitation) through WAP server 116.

WAP server 116 may then optionally serve content directly to mobile communication device 105, for example optionally communicating through a cellular network 122 as shown. Alternatively or additionally, WAP server 116 may support communication with proxy gateway 106 and/or server 108; for the latter, communication preferably proceeds through proxy gateway 106. Also alternatively or additionally, WAP server 116 may support communication with Internet 112. In any case, WAP server 1 16 preferably reports the history of any such

communication, preferably including any actions taken by the user through mobile communication device 105, to proxy gateway 106, optionally for storage (and also optionally for later analysis). Proxy gateway 106 may then optionally report such communication to server 108.

As another non-limiting example, mobile communication device 105 may optionally communicate directly with SMSC 114, for example to receive content as SMS (short message service) messages. By "SMSC" it is meant any type of cellular network messaging service, including without limitation MMS

(Multimedia Messaging Service) and EMS (Enhanced Messaging Service).

Content may optionally be sent from SMSC 1 14 to mobile communication device 105; the user may also optionally make a request to receive further such content by sending the appropriate message to SMSC 114. Again, preferably SMSC 114 reports the history of any such communication, preferably including any actions taken by the user through mobile communication device 105, to proxy gateway 106, optionally for storage (and also optionally for later analysis). Proxy gateway

106 may then optionally report such communication to server 108.

As yet another non-limiting example of a type of communication within system 100, optionally mobile communication devices 105 could communicate through peer-to-peer interactions, for example through BT IDs 104. For yet another non-limiting, exemplary embodiment of the present invention with regard to the system of Figure 1 , optionally and preferably the MAC (Media Access Control) address of each BT ID 104 is identified, more preferably with "opt-in" or other acquiescence of the user controlling a particular BT ID 104. Appropriate information is embedded in the mini portal, to enable detection of requests for external information by the associated mobile communication device 105. As a non-limiting example, assuming the associated mobile communication device 105 has WIFI capability and therefore accesses an external URL through the WIFI infrastructure according to the information embedded in the mini portal, such access can be traced and a logical link between the MAC address of BT ID 104 and the WIFI MAC address can be derived. By "WIFI" it is meant wireless local area network communication based on the IEEE 802.11 standards.

This information can be used to offer personalized content to the user on WIFI networks, by recognizing the WIFI MAC address, for example by server 108.

Figure 2 shows an exemplary method for communication between the various components of system 100 of Figure 1. As shown, the process starts with BT ID, which acknowledges communication with the Bluetooth hotspot (stage 1). Next, the Bluetooth hotspot preferably sends an offer of further communication, such as a WAP link, in stage 2. In stage 3, BT ID optionally and preferably communicates with proxy gateway, whether through the Bluetooth hotspot or else through the Internet or other computer network.

In stage 4, proxy gateway preferably sends a message, such as a mini-portal as described above, to the BT ID. Preferably the proxy gateway sends an initial landing page with an offer of more information. In stage 5, the user would like to receive more information and so initiates communication with the Internet, for example through WAP based communication with the device operating BT ID. In stage 6, communication is optionally and preferably received directly from the Internet to the device operating BT ID. At this stage, the above described mini- portal may also optionally be delivered, featuring information of interest to the user. Also at this stage and/or at a later repetition of this stage, the device operating BT ID may optionally receive a coupon, which is preferably a requested coupon, as requested by the user. Alternatively or additionally, such content (whether the mini-portal, a coupon and so forth) may optionally be sent from the Bluetooth hotspot directly to the device operating BT ID.

In stage 7, a history of the user's browsing is preferably sent to the proxy gateway. Such a history preferably also includes any items about which the user requested further information.

Figure 3 shows an exemplary method for enabling a user to register his or her BT ID device. As shown, in stage 1A the user optionally and preferably pre- registers through the Internet. Such a registration preferably includes the user's name (which may for example be a username rather than the user' s legal or actual name), cellular telephone number (or other identifier for the BT ID), and optionally any other information of interest to the operator. The user then preferably receives a username in stage IB, which may optionally be the same as a name entered by the user.

In any case, whether the user pre-registers, then in stage 2, the Bluetooth hotspot sends a welcome message to the BT ID, indicating that the user has the option to register the BT ID device. If the user has pre-registered, then the user causes the BT ID device to send the username (and optionally a password) in stage 3A. The Bluetooth hotspot cannot recognize BT ID device as being registered, since users generally do not know their BT ID for their device, and so this information is not necessarily given in advance. Thus, preferably the user completes the process by providing a username, even if the user has pre-registered.

Otherwise, in stage 3B, the user performs a registration process through the BT ID device. Alternatively, if the user does not wish to register, or has registered but does not wish to receive further communications, in stage 3C, an opt-out message is sent from the BT ID device to the proxy gateway through the Bluetooth hotspot. In stage 4, the proxy gateway saves this information so that the BT ID device is preferably not contacted again upon being detected by the Bluetooth hotspot.

Figure 4 shows an exemplary, illustrative, non-limiting method for constructing a mini-portal according to at least some embodiments of the present invention. As shown, in stage 1, a template is optionally and preferably constructed for the commercial environment. The template may optionally be specific for a particular type of commercial environment, for a specific location (such as a shopping mall or shopping district for example), for a specific group of stores or even for a specific store. However, preferably the template is used for all mini-portal messages being sent from a particular Bluetooth hotspot.

In stage 2, each participant in the commercial environment preferably adds information of interest to the template, for example including but not limited to one or more of an image or images, text, audio, video or a combination thereof, and optionally including one or more links to external resources. By "external resources" it is meant information outside of the mini-portal itself; such information may optionally be obtained through the Bluetooth hotspot, for example in communication with a server or other interface as described above. Additionally or alternatively, such information may be obtained directly through an Internet and/or cellular network connection, for example.

Each participant in the commercial environment may optionally comprise a store, a group of stores, a category of stores, or any other type of merchant or combination of merchants, a shopping mall or district, a market or bazaar, and so forth, or a combination thereof.

In stage 3, the information from the participant(s) is arranged within the template. For example, each participant may optionally have its information provided as a separate tab for ease of display. Also optionally, yet another tab may optionally be provided for the commercial environment as a whole (for example, for the entire shopping mall).

In stage 4, optionally information from the participants is adjusted according to one or more user preferences. For example, the user may optionally indicate an interest only in clothing stores, or only in bookstores, and so forth. The user may also optionally also indicate an interest in a plurality of specific categories and/or may wish to receive all available information.

In stage 5, the mini-portal is preferably packaged for transfer to the mobile communication device through the Bluetooth hotspot, for example for

compatibility with any necessary Bluetooth protocols and/or desired encryption.

Figure 5 shows an exemplary, illustrative, non-limiting schematic illustration of the resultant mini-portal according to at least some embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 6 shows an exemplary, illustrative, non-limiting method for enabling a user of a mobile communication device that is registered to the system to receive specific information from a particular store or category of stores according to at least some embodiments of the present invention.

In stage 1, the user registers as described above, optionally through the Internet or through the Bluetooth hotspot, or a combination thereof.

In stage 2, the user indicates one or more categories and/or stores of interest, for example by providing answers to one or more questions. The questions may optionally relate directly to one or more stores or categories of stores, or alternatively (or additionally) may relate to one or more general interests or characteristics of the user, including but not limited to age, gender, familial status, salary or salary range, hobbies, other interests and so forth. Stage 2 may optionally be performed with stage 1 or at a separate time.

In stage 3, the user activates a link on the mini portal or other message to receive more information. Optionally one or more other interactions may be performed by the user through the Bluetooth hotspot or other link.

In stage 4, the one or more actions of the user are analyzed to assist in determining one or more interests of the user.

Figure 7 shows an exemplary, illustrative, non-limiting method for enabling direct communication between a participant in the commercial environment and a mobile communication device according to at least some embodiments of the present invention.

In stage 1, the user of a mobile communication device indicates an interest in contacting a particular store or category of store directly and/or for purchasing a particular product or category of product.

If a specific store is requested by name, the method preferably continues at stage 5.

In stage 2, for all queries except for contacting a specific store by name, an analysis is performed to determine which store is to be contacted. Preferably, if a category of product or product is selected, then a category of store is first determined.

In stage 3, once the category of store is determined, if a specific product is selected, then all stores within the category having that product are preferably determined. If it is not known whether the specific product is sold by a particular store, that store is preferably contacted.

In stage 4, a specific store or plurality of stores within the category are selected, for example according to the successful completion of stage 2 (and optionally stage 3 if necessary), and also optionally according to other business criteria (for example, a store could optionally pay more money to be the sole store provided in answer to one or more specific user queries or types of queries).

In stage 5, the answer is to the user's query is preferably provided to the mobile communication device, more preferably through the Bluetooth hotspot.

Figure 8 shows a non-limiting, illustrative system for a plurality of

Bluetooth hotspots in the commercial environment. As shown, a system 800 preferably features a plurality of Bluetooth hotspots 802 connected through a network 804, which may optionally be a computer network for example.

Preferably the computer network comprises a wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi network for example.

Each Bluetooth hotspot 802 optionally and preferably features a

computational device 806, which may optionally be integrally formed with Bluetooth hotspot 802 or alternatively which may be a separate device.

Computational device 806 preferably features a network interface 808 for interacting with network 804, such as a Wi-Fi modem for example.

Computational device 806 also preferably communicates with server 108, to optionally transfer requests from each BT ID 104 and also optionally to transfer information from server 108 to BT ID 104, in both cases preferably through Bluetooth hotspot 802. Optionally, different Bluetooth hotspots 802 could be used to transmit different types of information, for example fashion information through a particular Bluetooth hotspot 802 identified as "fashion channel" and so forth.

System 800 may also optionally be used to determine the location of any particular BT ID 104, for example optionally through triangulation (in which case there are preferably at least three Bluetooth hotspots 802 as shown). Signal strength of each Bluetooth hotspot 802 at BT ID 104 is preferably determined, followed by determination of the relative location of BT ID 104. Optionally each store or other entity at the commercial location has a Bluetooth hotspot 802, in which case the absolute location of BT ID 104 may optionally be determined. If each store or other entity at the commercial location has a Bluetooth hotspot 802, preferably the commercial location has at least one stronger Bluetooth hotspot 802 for example to transmit an overall landing page (initial welcome message) for the commercial location.

Alternatively, the relative location of BT ID 104 may optionally be determined through measuring one or more other signal strengths of other wireless transmitters, including but not limited to Wi-Fi and the like or a combination thereof.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a system and method for providing local IP network addresses to mobile devices operating within a local network, which still enables the mobile devices to move freely within the physical area served by the network while also accessing external networks such as the Internet for example. Figure 9 shows an exemplary system while Figure 10 shows an exemplary method for operating the system of Figure 9.

For a system 900, shown in Figure 9, a mobile communication device 902 accesses a wireless network 904 (including but not limited to any type of cellular telephone network, WIFI, cellular 3G, WiMax, Bluetooth etc ..) located in a known geographical location. Within the system 900, a logical network is created by using predefined network address groups that share a defined internet address range. These network groups use the addresses for application to application communication and application to server communication.

This network within a defined location may be termed a "walled garden" 906 as shown. In order to connect with the external "world", such as for example an external computer network 908 such as the Internet (and/or to locate content through the Internet, for example through the World Wide Web), the system 900 uses a Global IP address to the "walled garden" provided also through common DHCP protocol. The communication between mobile communication devices 902 within the walled garden 906 uses the local IP addresses and communication outside the walled garden 906, between the mobile devices 902 and external nodes (such as through external computer network 908) uses the Global IP address.

Content relevant to the physical or geographical location of the walled garden 906 may be provided to the mobile device 902 from nodes, such as content provider 910, residing on external networks such as external computer network 908 , therefore knowledge of the specific IP address of the mobile device 902 is essential in order to identify the mobile device 902 in the walled garden 906, to content provider 910 or other nodes.

System 900 features a mechanism to store the IP information in a hash table 912 that contains the relevant values (external IP and internal IP, MAC Identifier of communication element of the mobile device 902 and specific location information, Geo Location coordinates and/or address of the site). The mechanism is performed by the Proxy Server 914. Location information may be renewed if the user, and hence mobile device 902, changes location significantly.

While the mobile communication device 902 performs content browsing every transaction contains information on the origin IP (the global IP as source IP). This information may be accessible to the content provider 910, when the client operated by the mobile communication device 902 requests content.

The content provider 910 communicates with the server 901 with source IP of the transaction and the server 901 provide the necessary location information (Site ID, Geo Location or Address), as received from proxy server 914. Such a configuration is optional but enables server 901 to interface to the external world, while proxy server 914 is optionally and preferably internal only, within system 900. This enables the Content provider 910 to adapt the content displayed to the mobile communication device 902 with information relevant to the location of mobile communication device 902 within the walled garden 906, providing essential pinpoint information.

Figure 10 provides detailed transaction flow, for the IP allocation and storage (messages 1-3) and for IP information provision (messages 4-7).

The wireless client is a client software interface operated by the mobile communication device. The mobile communication device requests an IP for internal use (1). The Proxy Server allocates an IP and send it to the mobile device (2). The Proxy server sends the information about the mobile device: local IP, mac address, location information and global information to the Server (3). Assuming the mobile device accesses (4) an external content provider in the external computer network such as the Internet for example, the content provider can send a message to the Server (5) to request location information using only the IP of the mobile device as discovered from message (5). The server provides location information (address, or Geo Coordinates) (6). The Content Provider can adapt the information provided to the mobile device (7) according to its location.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method for supporting Bluetooth communication in a commercial environment, comprising providing one or more of messages and/or other information to mobile communication devices in the commercial environment that are Bluetooth-enabled.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said providing said one or more of messages and/or other information comprises broadcasting through a Bluetooth hotspot.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said broadcasting is two-way.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said broadcasting is one-way from said Bluetooth hotspot to said mobile communication devices.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said mobile communication devices receive further information from an external resource, through a communication network other than said Bluetooth hotspot.

6. The method of any of the above claims, wherein said Bluetooth

hotspot is mobile or stationary.

7. A method for supporting mobile device access to content through an external network, comprising: providing a local network; assigning a local IP address to the mobile device within said local network;

assigning a global IP address to the local network; and upon accessing the content from the external network, transmitting specific location based content to the mobile device by using both the local and global IP addresses to detect the mobile device location