`
`11111111111111011111111111111111!!0!1,1!1)14111)1)11111111111111111111110111111
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0278448 Al
`Dec. 15, 2005
`Mazor
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PIN-TO-PIN
`NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`
`709/227
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Gadi Mazor, Ramat Efal (IL)
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Correspondence Address:
`PILLSBURY WINTHROP LLP
`P.O. Box 10500
`McLean, VA 22102 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/892,243
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jul. 16, 2004
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/488,005, filed on Jul.
`18, 2003.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. C1.7
`
` GO6F 15/16
`
`A system and method is provided for enabling wireless
`access to a computer network via communication between a
`remote (client) wireless device and a wireless device physi-
`cally linked to the computer network. A bank of one or more
`wireless gateway devices may be cradled and connected to
`a network server. The wireless gateway devices may then act
`as a node on the wireless network, and remote wireless
`devices may send and receive messages to and from the
`wireless gateway devices using PIN-to-PIN messaging. The
`wireless gateway devices, when cradled, may communicate
`with any attached server or other network equipment, and
`may therefore act as a wireless gateway to the server or other
`network equipment.
`
`100
`
`Carrier Gateway
`140
`
`124
`
`Network
`110
`
`Servers or Other
`Network
`
`Equipment
`
`Enterprise
`Gateway
`130
`
`, t
`
`METAmessage
`Server
`
`=, A
`
`i• ,t-1
`
`4
`ift 04, 401:,*-4o;:t ..t
`
`Wireless Network
`150
`
`Remote Wireless
`Devices
`160a-160n
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1017 - Page 1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 15, 2005 Sheet 1 of 3
`
`US 2005/0278448 Al
`
`100
`
`Carrier Gateway
`140
`
`124
`
`Network
`110
`
`Servers or Other
`Network
`411w--
`Equipment
`
`Enterprise
`Gateway
`130
`
`METAmessage
`Server
`
` 111
`A' 4
`1
`
`P'
`t:
`
`IA•4?
`ir 4
`
`Remote Wireless
`Devices
`160a-160n
`
`FIG. 1
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1017 - Page 2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 15, 2005 Sheet 2 of 3
`
`US 2005/0278448 Al
`
`200
`
`Remote Wireless Devices
`160a-160n
`
`Network
`110
`
`META message
`Serf
`r
`
`'MUlt1 p I t
`'Craltak_11
`Device
`
`Wireless Gateway Gateway Devices
`
`170a-170n
`
`PIN to PIN
``,Messages through
`r Wireless Network
`
`150
`
`FIG. 2
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1017 - Page 3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 15, 2005 Sheet 3 of 3
`
`US 2005/0278448 Al
`
`300
`
`Normal Mode
`
`Traditional
`Infrastructure
`Available/
`Desirable
`
`No
`
`Automatically
`Switch to
`PIN-to-PIN
`Communication
`
`308
`
`Yes
`
`Send PIN-to-PIN
`Communication
`Notifying User of
`Necessity/Desirability
`of PIN-to-PIN
`Communication
`
`320
`
`(-*
`
`324
`
`User Elect to
`Use PIN-to-PIN?
`
`Yes
`
`328
`
`IN-to-PI
`for Current
`Communication
`Only?
`
`No
`
`336
`
`User Manually
`Switches the Sending
`Protocol of Software
`on Remote Wireless
`Device to PIN-to-PIN
`Mode
`
`332
`K
`PIN-to-PIN
`for Current Yes
`Communi-
`cation
`
`FIG. 3
`
`312
`
`Send PIN-to-PIN
`Communication
`Notifying Remote
`Wireless Device to
`Switch Over to PIN-to-
`PIN Communication
`Only
`
`316
`K
`
`Automatically Switch
`the Sending Protocol
`of Software on
`Remote Wireless
`Device to PIN-to-PIN
`Mode
`
`PIN-to-PIN Mode
`
`340
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1017 - Page 4
`
`

`

`US 2005/0278448 Al
`
`Dec. 15, 2005
`
`1
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PIN-TO-PIN
`NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
`Patent Application Ser. No. 60/488,055, filed Jul. 18, 2003,
`which is incorporated herein by reference.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] This invention relates to a system and method for
`enabling wireless access to a computer network via com-
`munication between a remote (client) wireless device and a
`wireless device physically linked to the computer network.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0003] Wireless computing devices such as, for example,
`the BlackBerryTM hand-held device by Research in Motion
`Limited, typically provide users with wireless access to
`important enterprise information. System infrastructures (or
`architectures) supporting such devices may generally com-
`prise a wireless network, a carrier gateway, an enterprise
`gateway (e.g., the BlackBerryTM Enterprise Server or
`"BES"), and other back-end servers (e.g., Exchange, DB
`systems, document management systems, etc.), or other
`components.
`
`[0004] Wireless servers, such as Onset Technology's
`METAmessage server, may be provided to further enhance
`the features and functionality of known wireless systems
`(such as the BlackBerryTM system) by enabling users to
`access and manage information—data from document man-
`agement programs, voicemail, SQL/ODBC databases, and
`CRM/ERP applications, email attachments, network files,
`web pages, contact information, etc.—from their wireless
`device.
`
`In disaster scenarios, such as that of Sep. 11, 2001,
`[0005]
`various components of a system infrastructure necessary to
`access important enterprise information from a wireless
`device may become unavailable. Connectivity to an enter-
`prise may be lost, or back end systems such as BES and
`Exchange may not function. While wireless devices and
`wireless networks (e.g., the pager Mobitex and DataTac
`networks) may operate, as was the case on Sep. 11, 2001,
`they may still be ineffective if other components of the
`system infrastructure do not function.
`
`[0006] Certain wireless devices have a dedicated device
`number or "PIN" which may serve as the device's identifier
`on a network. PIN's also enable wireless devices on a
`network to communicate with one another via PIN-to-PIN
`messaging. This form of communication may occur from
`device to device through the wireless network, and without
`the need for a carrier gateway, enterprise gateway, or other
`system or server. This form of communication may also be
`quite valuable in the event of a disaster or other scenario if
`various components of a system infrastructure are com-
`prised. One drawback associated with PIN-to-PIN messag-
`ing, however, is that a user must typically know the PIN
`address of the wireless device of a user that he or she wishes
`to communicate with. This may be an unlikely occurrence,
`as most users tend to remember e-mail addresses and/or
`telephone numbers for contacts, and not the PIN addresses
`of their wireless devices. These and other drawbacks exist.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0007] The invention solving these and other problems
`relates to a system and method for enabling wireless access
`to a computer network via communication between a remote
`(client) wireless device and a wireless device physically
`linked to the computer network.
`
`[0008] One embodiment of the invention enables users to
`retrieve the PIN addresses of other wireless devices, as well
`as interact with designated database systems, file directories,
`or other back end systems, even if portions of the system
`infrastructure are unavailable.
`
`[0009] According to an embodiment of the invention, a
`bank of one or more wireless devices may be cradled and
`connected to the network, a METAmessage server provided
`by Onset Technology, Inc., or other back-end server. For
`convenience, these cradled devices will be referred to herein
`as "wireless gateway devices." The wireless gateway
`devices may then act as a node on the wireless network, and
`remote wireless devices may send and receive messages to
`and from the wireless gateway devices using PIN-to-PIN
`messaging. The wireless gateway devices, when cradled,
`may communicate with any attached server or other network
`equipment, and may therefore act as a wireless gateway to
`the server or other network equipment. Accordingly, one or
`more components of the system architecture that may be
`unavailable may be bypassed, and a direct link from the
`devices to the network equipment may be provided.
`
`[0010] According to one embodiment, the addresses of the
`wireless gateway devices may be stored in a remote wireless
`device, or may be transmitted in case of emergency to the
`remote wireless device through a PIN-to-PIN message. The
`remote wireless device, which typically communicates with
`the enterprise systems through email or other data channels,
`may switch to PIN-to-PIN messaging either manually,
`through operation of the user, or automatically, in response
`to a received PIN-to-PIN message. The remote wireless
`device may store multiple addresses of wireless gateway
`devices, and may send each communication to more than
`one of those wireless gateway devices, for redundancy
`purposes. According
`to one embodiment, multiple
`METAmessage servers may be provided in different loca-
`tions, to further make the solution redundant. The wireless
`gateway devices may be served by different wireless net-
`works, for further redundancy.
`
`[0011] According to an embodiment of the invention, a
`user of a remote wireless device may have access to any
`information on the METAmessage (or other) server, or on
`any devices connected to it. As one example, a fax server
`provided with (or connected to) the METAmessage server,
`or even just a fax card, may provide the additional func-
`tionality of enabling users to print any of the information to
`any fax machine. This further enhances the solution to
`support lengthy documents that may not be easily read on
`the remote wireless device.
`
`[0012] These and other objects, features, and advantages
`of the invention will be apparent through the detailed
`description of the preferred embodiments and the drawings
`attached hereto. It is also to be understood that both the
`foregoing general description and the following detailed
`description are exemplary and not restrictive of the scope of
`the invention.
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1017 - Page 5
`
`

`

`US 2005/0278448 Al
`
`Dec. 15, 2005
`
`2
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless system infrastructure
`(or architecture) supporting communication from wireless
`devices to an enterprise or other network through carrier and
`enterprise gateways.
`
`[0014] FIG. 2 is an exemplary illustration of a system
`architecture
`for enabling PIN-to-PIN communication
`between remote wireless devices to facilitate continued
`transmission of information during or after a disaster or
`disruptive event, according to an embodiment of the inven-
`tion.
`
`[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of processing accord-
`ing to the invention, in one regard.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0016] With regard to FIG. 1, a system infrastructure 100
`(or architecture) is illustrated for supporting one or more
`remote wireless devices (160a-160n). A remote wireless
`device (160a-160n) may include any device capable of
`sending and receiving information through a wireless net-
`work including, but not limited to, a Blackberry, TM personal
`digital assistant (PDA), pager, laptop, cell phone, or other
`wireless device. System infrastructure 100 may comprise a
`wireless network 150 (e.g., the pager Mobitex or DataTac
`networks, etc.), a carrier gateway 140, an enterprise gateway
`130 (e.g., the BlackBerryTM Enterprise Server), and a com-
`puter network 110 (e.g., a corporate or other network). In
`some embodiments, a firewall 124 may be provided to
`prevent unauthorized access to or from computer network
`110.
`
`[0017] Computer network 110 may further comprise one
`or more "back-end" servers (e.g., a Microsoft Exchange
`server), database systems, document management systems,
`or other servers or components. As an example, a wireless
`server 120, such as Onset Technology's METAmessage
`server, may be provided to enable users to access and
`manage information—data from document management
`programs, voicemail, SQL/ODBC databases, and CRM/ERP
`applications, email attachments, network files, web pages,
`contact information, etc.—from their respective wireless
`device (160a-160n).
`
`In the event that system infrastructure 100 is dis-
`[0018]
`rupted (e.g., there is a loss of ability to communicate with
`"back-end" servers through carrier gateway 140 and/or
`enterprise gateway 130), an embodiment of the invention
`enables remote wireless devices (160a-160n) themselves to
`be used to facilitate communication with back end servers or
`other network equipment.
`
`[0019] According to an embodiment of the invention
`illustrated in FIG. 2, an exemplary illustration of a system
`infrastructure 200 (or architecture) is provided for enabling
`wireless access to computer network 110 via communication
`between remote wireless devices (160a-160n) and one or
`more wireless gateway devices (170a-170n) physically
`linked to computer network 110.
`
`In one implementation, PIN-to-PIN messaging
`[0020]
`may be used to bypass one or more components of system
`infrastructure 200. As recited above, PIN-to-PIN messaging
`refers to the transmission of information from one remote
`
`wireless device (e.g., 160a-160n) to another (e.g., 160a-
`160n-or-170a-170n) over a wireless network 150. This
`communication may be accomplished through the use of
`dedicated PIN identifiers (or addresses) associated with
`wireless devices. PIN identifiers may comprise any indicator
`that serves to identify a particular wireless device on a
`wireless network. Wireless network 150 may comprise any
`known network including, but not limited to, Mobitex, Data
`Tac, or GPRS. Those having skill in the art understand that
`the nature of wireless devices is such that any particular
`wireless device may act as both a transmitter or a receiver.
`
`[0021] PIN-to-PIN messages are not limited to those sent
`over the BlackBerryTM pager network (e.g., Mobitex and
`DataTec). They may include other types of messages that are
`sent from one device to another device, bypassing the carrier
`to enterprise link. For example, SMS messages used by cell
`phones are also PIN-to-PIN messages.
`
`[0022] According to an embodiment of the invention,
`PIN-to-PIN messaging may be used to bypass traditional
`network infrastructure via one or more wireless gateway
`devices (170a-170n). Similar to remote wireless devices
`(160a-160n), a wireless gateway device (170a-170n) may
`include any device capable of sending and receiving infor-
`mation through a wireless network including, but not limited
`to, a Blackberry,TM personal digital assistant (PDA), pager,
`laptop, cell phone, or other wireless device.
`
`[0023] According to an embodiment, a wireless gateway
`device (170a-170n) may be connected to one or more
`components of computer network 110 via a cradle or other
`similar mechanism. A cradle may comprise any device
`capable of physically connecting the circuitry of one elec-
`tronic device (e.g., a wireless gateway device 170a-170n) to
`the circuitry of another electronic device (e.g., a wireless
`server 120). In one implementation, wireless server 120 may
`be serially connected to one or more cradled wireless
`gateway devices (170a-170n). Wireless server 120 may
`further either host or connect to any number of other servers,
`databases, or information sources such as, for example, a
`contact information database, emergency procedure files, or
`other enterprise applications.
`
`[0024] According to an embodiment of the invention,
`wireless server 120 may comprise a METAmessage server
`provided by Onset Technology, Inc. As recited above, a
`METAmessage server may enhance the features and func-
`tionality of known wireless systems (such as the Black-
`BerryTM system) by enabling users to access and manage
`information—data from document management programs,
`voicemail, SQL/ODBC databases, and CRM/ERP applica-
`tions, email attachments, network files, web pages, contact
`information, etc.—from their wireless device.
`
`[0025] To increase the reliability of PIN-to-PIN messag-
`ing, and/or PIN-to-PIN access to computer network 110 (or
`to another network or enterprise), multiple wireless gateway
`devices (170a-170n) may be cradled and used for transmit-
`ting information to and from remote wireless devices (160a-
`160n) in the event that one or more of the wireless gateway
`devices (170a-170n) becomes inoperable or inaccessible.
`Further, multiple wireless servers 120 (or other servers) with
`accompanying wireless gateway devices may be placed in
`multiple locations to increase the redundancy of the system.
`Redundancy may be yet further increased by using multiple
`wireless networks 150 for the transmission of PIN-to-PIN
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1017 - Page 6
`
`

`

`US 2005/0278448 Al
`
`Dec. 15, 2005
`
`3
`
`messages between remote wireless devices (160a-160n) and
`wireless gateway devices (170a-170n). If the wireless net-
`works of one or more wireless gateway devices become
`inoperable, inaccessible, or otherwise unavailable, for any
`reason, wireless gateway devices operating on other wireless
`networks may take their place.
`
`wireless devices (160a-160n) and wireless gateway devices
`(170a-170n) on the network. The notification module may
`also facilitate notification to remote wireless device users
`that PIN-to-PIN communication is necessary (e.g., if one or
`more components of the system infrastructure becomes
`unavailable).
`
`[0026] Having provided an overview of various embodi-
`ments of system infrastructure 200, a description of the
`various features and functionalities of the invention with
`regard to PIN-to-PIN messaging, and/or PIN-to-PIN access
`to a computer network or networks will now be described.
`It should be understood that wireless server 120, remote
`wireless devices (160a-160n), wireless gateway devices
`(170a-170n), or other servers or components of system
`infrastructure 200 may include various software modules to
`accomplish the functionalities described herein. In other
`embodiments, as would be appreciated, the functionalities
`described herein may be implemented in various combina-
`tions of hardware and/or firmware, in addition to, or instead
`of, software.
`
`[0027] According to an embodiment of the invention,
`users of remote wireless devices (160a-160n) may elect
`whether to use the PIN-to-PIN function of the device for
`either PIN-to-PIN messaging or PIN-to-PIN access to a
`component (e.g., a server) of computer network 110. If this
`function is elected, a user needs to know or should be able
`to conveniently access the PIN address of a target device or
`system component.
`
`In one embodiment, if PIN-to-PIN messaging is
`[0028]
`desired or needed to bypass unavailable components of
`system infrastructure 200, wireless gateway devices (170a-
`170n) may send initial PIN-to-PIN messages to remote
`wireless devices (160a-160n) to provide the devices with the
`PIN identifiers (or addresses) for one or more of wireless
`gateway devices (170a-170n). The initial PIN-to-PIN mes-
`sages may also be used to alert users of the need (e.g., in case
`of an emergency) to switch to PIN-to-PIN communication.
`PIN addresses of one or more wireless gateway devices
`(170a-170n) needed for access to computer network 110
`may also be stored on the remote wireless devices (160a-
`160n) and may be updated wirelessly from wireless server
`120 (e.g., a METAmessage server) or from another server.
`
`[0029] According to an embodiment of the invention,
`when one or more components of a traditional infrastructure
`(e.g., carrier gateway 140 or enterprise gateway 130 of
`system infrastructure 100 in FIG. 1) becomes unavailable,
`PIN-to-PIN communication may be initiated manually by
`the users of remote wireless devices (160a-160n).
`
`In an alternative embodiment of the invention,
`[0030]
`remote wireless devices (160a-160n) may be automatically
`switched
`to PIN-to-PIN communication
`through, for
`example, a PIN-to-PIN message sent by wireless server 120
`or other server. Client software on remote wireless devices
`(160a-160n) may monitor incoming messages and, when
`such a switching message arrives, switch the sending (or
`other communications) protocol of the device to PIN-to-PIN
`mode.
`
`In some embodiments of the invention, a "notifi-
`[0031]
`cation" module may be located on wireless server 120 or on
`another server of computer network 110. The notification
`module may store the PIN addresses of one or more remote
`
`[0032] The notification module may also facilitate the
`distribution and maintenance of wireless gateway PIN
`addresses to remote wireless devices (160a-160n). Further-
`more, the notification module may facilitate an automatic
`"switch" of remote wireless devices from normal commu-
`nication to a PIN-to-PIN communication mode. The PIN
`addresses of remote wireless devices (160a-160n) and wire-
`less gateway devices (170a-170n) may be changed or
`updated in the event that devices of any kind are added to,
`or removed from, the system. The notification module may
`also facilitate the determination of wireless gateway device
`availability.
`[0033] According to one embodiment, remote wireless
`devices (160a-160n) may enable users to choose the wire-
`less gateway devices (170a-170n) with which to communi-
`cate. Alternatively, the remote wireless devices (160a-160n)
`may automatically select particular wireless gateway
`devices (170a-170n) according to their type and/or avail-
`ability, the type and/or availability of the wireless network
`150, or other criteria. Remote wireless devices (160a-160n)
`may send single communications to an enterprise or other
`network through multiple wireless gateway devices simul-
`taneously, further increasing system redundancy.
`[0034]
`It should be understood from the various embodi-
`ments described above that for either PIN-to-PIN messaging
`or PIN-to-PIN access to a component (e.g., a server) of
`computer network 110, a user should be able to conveniently
`access the PIN address of a target device or system com-
`ponent. As such, in various embodiments, PIN addresses
`may be stored on either one or more of wireless server 120
`(e.g., a METAmessage server) or other servers of computer
`network 110, on one or more of wireless gateway devices
`(170a-170n), or in the address books (or other directory
`files) stored on remote wireless devices (160a-160n). As
`recited above, in those embodiments wherein PIN addresses
`are stored on remote wireless devices (160a-160n), the
`addresses may be updated wirelessly from wireless server
`120 (e.g., a METAmessage server) or from another server,
`from wireless gateway devices (170a-170n), or even from
`other remote wireless devices (160a-160n). Alternative con-
`figurations may be implemented.
`[0035] According to one embodiment, a PIN look-up
`feature may be provided enabling users to automatically
`update the address books of their remote wireless device
`with PIN addresses. A user may send a request with a partial
`name or initials (or other information) for a contact for
`which information is desired, and either wireless server 120,
`wireless gateway devices (170a-170n), or other system
`servers or components may then reply with the desired
`contact information, and/or an option to update the user's
`handheld address book. Multiple matches may be accom-
`modated by enabling a user to choose from a list of possible
`matches. If an identified contact has a PIN registered on the
`network, the PIN may be included with the contact infor-
`mation. In various implementations, access to contact infor-
`mation may be dependent upon on a user's network access
`rights, or subject to a security protocol.
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1017 - Page 7
`
`

`

`US 2005/0278448 Al
`
`Dec. 15, 2005
`
`4
`
`[0036] According to an embodiment of the invention, a
`PIN update feature may be enabled. With Automatic PIN
`Updating, a user may request PIN's for every user on the
`network. An administrator may configure wireless server
`120 (or other server) to either update only existing address
`book entries for a user, or to update existing entries and add
`entries that exist on the network but that are not yet in the
`user's address book.
`
`[0037] According to an embodiment of the invention,
`PIN-to-PIN archiving functionality may be provided. As an
`example, administrators in sensitive sectors often disable
`PIN-to-PIN messaging due to regulations requiring that all
`messages such as e-mail be recorded or archived. In such
`instances, handheld wireless devices may be left unused in
`an emergency if the email server or other network infra-
`structure were down. According to an embodiment, wireless
`server 120 (or another system component) may enable
`administrators to archive PIN-to-PIN messages as a default
`protocol under normal conditions such that, in an emer-
`gency, the feature is enabled and handhelds are available for
`emergency communications. Upon sending a PIN message,
`content including "To:, CC:, and BCC:" information may be
`copied and sent via e-mail to a pre-determined address
`selected by an administrator or other individual. The mes-
`sage may then be processed with whatever method or tool
`that is configured by the administrator.
`
`[0038] According to an embodiment of the invention, a
`"message blast" feature may be enabled. In an emergency,
`messages often have to go out to special categories of
`workers. As an example, one notification may be transmitted
`to all office managers, while another message may be sent to
`field personnel, etc. Since these individuals may utilize a
`variety of devices (e.g., BlackBerry handhelds using email
`or PIN-to-PIN messaging, pocket PC's, cell phones, desktop
`PC's, even fax machines), wireless server 120 (e.g., a
`METAmessage server) may enable, for example, a Black-
`Berry user to send one message to many addressees regard-
`less of their device. The user may have access to three types
`of groups: a group of addresses created by an administrator;
`an existing BlackBerry Address Book group; and, a manu-
`ally entered group. After selecting a group, a user may
`compose and send a message.
`
`[0039] According to an embodiment of the invention, an
`"instant conference call" feature may be enabled for those
`users whose remote wireless device (160a-160n) is voice-
`enabled. This feature may enable a user to quickly set up a
`conference call by choosing from a list of pre-defined groups
`on, for example, their BlackBerry handheld, by selecting
`participants from the address book, or by entering new
`numbers. Working with either a local or hosted voice gate-
`way, wireless server 120 may call and connects the intended
`participants, including the initiating user.
`
`In addition to the foregoing description, FIG. 3
`[0040]
`illustrates a flowchart of processing according to the inven-
`tion, in one regard. The following operations may be accom-
`plished using all or some of the of the system components
`described in detail above, and may incorporate all of the
`features and functionality of the invention as set forth in the
`foregoing description and accompanying drawing figures.
`
`In an operation 300, a wireless system infrastruc-
`[0041]
`ture (or architecture) supporting communication from wire-
`
`less devices to an enterprise or other network through carrier
`and enterprise gateways, for example, may be functioning
`normally.
`
`In an operation 304, a determination may be made
`[0042]
`as to whether the wireless system infrastructure (or archi-
`tecture) is available and functioning properly. If the system
`is functioning properly, it may be said to be in a "normal
`mode." If, however, it is determined in operation 304 that an
`emergency or other event (or series of events) has resulted
`in one or more components of the wireless system infra-
`structure (or architecture) becoming unavailable, or if use of
`the wireless system infrastructure is undesirable, a determi-
`nation may be made, in an operation 308, as to whether
`remote wireless devices may be automatically switched to
`PIN-to-PIN communication.
`
`If it is determined in operation 308 that remote
`[0043]
`wireless devices should automatically be switched to PIN-
`to-PIN communication, a PIN-to-PIN communication may
`be sent by a server, wireless gateway device, or other server
`or device to a user's remote wireless device in an operation
`312. Client software on the remote wireless device may
`monitor incoming messages and, when such a switching
`message arrives, switch the sending (or other communica-
`tions) protocol of the device to PIN-to-PIN mode (340) in an
`operation 316.
`
`[0044] By contrast, if it is determined in operation 308 that
`an automatic switch to PIN-to-PIN mode may not be
`required, a PIN-to-PIN communication may be sent by a
`server, wireless gateway device, or other server or device to
`a user's remote wireless device, in an operation 320, noti-
`fying the user of the necessity or desirability of enabling
`PIN-to-PIN messaging or PIN-to-PIN access to a component
`(e.g., a server) of computer network.
`
`In an operation 324, a determination may be made
`[0045]
`by a user as to whether to initiate PIN-to-PIN communica-
`tion. If a user elects to initiate PIN-to-PIN communication,
`a determination may be made in an operation 328 as to
`whether PIN-to-PIN messaging or other PIN-to-PIN com-
`munication may be used only for a current communication
`(e.g., a user needs to send one e-mail message).
`
`If it is determined, in operation 328, that PIN-to-
`[0046]
`PIN messaging or other PIN-to-PIN communication is to be
`used only for a current communication, then such a com-
`munication may occur in an operation 332. By contrast, if it
`is determined that PIN-to-PIN communication should be
`enabled for a longer period of time, PIN-to-PIN communi-
`cation may be initiated manually by a user in an operation
`336.
`
`[0047] Other embodiments, uses and advantages of the
`invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from
`consideration of the specification and practice of the inven-
`tion disclosed herein. The specification should be considered
`exemplary only, and the scope of the invention is accord-
`ingly intended to be limited only by the following claims.
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. A method for communicating between a wireless
`device and a computer network that bypasses one or more
`components of a traditional wireless communication infra-
`structure, the method comprising:
`
`Apple Inc.
`Ex. 1017 - Page 8
`
`

`

`US 2005/0278448 Al
`
`Dec. 15, 2005
`
`5
`
`cradling one or more wireless gateway devices to one or
`more servers or other pieces of equipment on a com-
`puter network;
`
`sending information between the computer network and a
`remote wireless device via a wireless communication
`between one or more cradled wireless gateway devices
`and the remote wireless device.
`2. A system for communicating between a wireless device
`and a computer network that bypasses one or more compo-
`nents of a traditional wireless communication infrastructure,
`the system comprising:
`
`a remote wireless device; and
`
`a cradled wireless gateway device in wireless communi-
`cation with said remote wireless device, and coupled to
`the computer network, wherein said remote wireless
`device transmits info to and receives info from the
`computer network via the cradled wireless gateway
`device.
`3. A method for enabling wireless access to a computer
`network by a remote wireless terminal device by enabling
`communication between the remote wireless terminal device
`and a wireless gateway client device that is physically
`connected to the computer network, the method comprising:
`
`physically connecting one or more wireless gateway
`client devices to the computer network;
`
`sending information from the computer network to the
`remote wireless terminal device via a wireless commu-
`nication link between the one or more wireless gateway
`client devices and the remote wireless terminal device.
`4. The method of claim 3, wherein the remote wireless
`device has a PIN and each of the wireless gateway client
`devices has a PIN, and upon the occurrence of predeter-
`mined events, one or more wireless gateway client devices
`communicates its PIN to the remote wireless terminal device
`to enable subsequent communication between the devices
`via the PINs.
`5. The method of claim 3, wherein the remote wireless
`terminal device can access resources on the computer net-
`work via the wireless gateway client device.
`6. The method of claim 5, wherein the resources include
`one or more of database systems and file directories.
`7. The method of claim 3, wherein the wireless gateway
`client devices, when physically connected to the computer
`network, act as a node on the network, and remote wireless
`terminal devices may send and receive messages to and from
`the wireless gateway devices using PIN-to-PIN messaging.
`
`8. The method of claim 3, wherein the wireless gateway
`client devices act as a node