GB2416648A

GB2416648A - A method of mapping a first interface to a second interface

Info

Publication number: GB2416648A
Application number: GB0416470A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Abdol Hamid Aghvami; Paul Anthony Pangalos; Vasilis Athanasios Friderikos; Michael Dohler
Original assignee: Kings College London
Current assignee: Kings College London
Priority date: 2004-07-23
Filing date: 2004-07-23
Publication date: 2006-02-01
Also published as: GB0416470D0

Abstract

A method of mapping a first interface to a second interface both of an electronic data communication device (16), which first interface enables exchange of data with a first electronic data communication network (13) and which second interface enables exchange of data with a second electronic data communication network (12), the method comprising the steps of: <SL> <LI>(1) obtaining an address representative of said first interface; <LI>(2) generating an identifier; <LI>(3) storing said identifier and said address representative of said first interface in a memory with a mapping therebetween; <LI>(4) transmitting said identifier to said address representative of said first interface; <LI>(5) awaiting receipt of data comprising said identifier and an address representative of said second interface from said electronic data communication device (16) via said second electronic data communication network (12); and <LI>(6) if said data is received, said identifier can be used to map said address representative of said first interface to said address representative of said second interface. </SL>

Description

A METHOD OF MAPPING A FIRST INTERFACE TO A SECOND

INTERFACE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method of mapping a first interface to a second interface, to a network node, to a computer program and to a computer program product.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Both first generation mobile and second generation mobile digital terminals were designed primarily to receive a single service i.e. speech. They also have limited capability to accept low data rates over voice channels using conventional modems e.g. Short Messaging Service (SMS) on second generation mobile. By contrast third and fourth generation mobile is expected to support high-quality multimedia over the cellular network.

Mobile devices are increasingly being manufactured with the ability to connect to a wide variety of different networks over a number of interfaces. For example Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and mobile telephones are now provided with a cellular interface (e.g. GSM), possibly a wireless interface (e.g. Wireless LAN) and with a short-range interface (e.g. Bluetooth)). If not actually provided with such interfaces many of the devices are adaptable with network interface cards.

Thus mobile devices have the possibility of communicating wirelessly with many other networks including the cellular network, the Internet and directly with other users by establishing an ad-hoc network (such as a piconet under Bluetooth).

At present all of the interfaces accessible by the different networks are logically and physically distinct from the point of view of the network. Each interface in the mobile device remains autonomous and has its own identifier recognisable by its own network but 'invisible' to others. For example, the cellular network "sees" only cellular interfaces and mobile devices are recognised and addressed by the mobile telephone number and International Subscriber Identity (IMSI) number; WLAN access points see only WLAN interfaces and mobile devices are recognised l - 2 and addressed by the Media Access Control (MAC) address of the wireless network interface card; and a Bluetooth device sees only other Bluetooth) devices and other Bluetooth devices are recognised and addressed with a Bluetooth device address (BD_ADDR), similar to a MAC address. Thus the cellular network has no knowledge of the identity of the wireless and Bluetooth interfaces on the same mobile device. Accordingly, service providers offer their services only in a homogeneous manner i.e. using only one interface on the user's mobile device. For example, ORANGES may offer their customers voice and data (e.g. text messaging, e-mail) services only over the GSM interface. Some Internet services are now available over the cellular interface of a mobile device, such as the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) that uses the GSM interface. Other services launched recently by mobile service providers include multiplayer gaming facilities on mobile phones.

For example the NOKIA N-GAGE) comprises a Bluetooth interface via which users in range may play multiplayer games.

It is expected that future services offered by providers will utilise more than one interface on a mobile device. Such "multimode" will greatly enhance existing services. For example, multiplayer games will be able to be played by users not just in range of other BluetoothtD devices, but by several users in Bluetooth range and several other users participating over the cellular network and/or a WLAN.

In order to be able to offer such a service it essential that the various networks know which interfaces belong which user. From the forgoing it is apparent that there is a need for a method of identifying and mapping these interfaces to one another, and more particularly a method that does not require any new hardware and/or software on mobile devices already in widespread use.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a method of mapping a first interface to a second interface both of an electronic data communication device, which first interface enables exchange of data with a first electronic data communication network and which second interface enables exchange of data with a second electronic data communication network, the method comprising the steps of: (1) . obtaining an address representative of said first interface; (2) generating an identifier; (3) storing said identifier and said address representative of said first interface in a memory with a mapping therebetween; (4) transmitting said identifier to said address representative of said first interface; (5) awaiting receipt of data comprising said identifier and an address representative of said second interface from said electronic data communication device via said second electronic data communication network; and (6) if said data is received, said identifier can be used to map said address lo representative of said first interface to said address representative of said second interface. The addresses may be representative of interfaces on the same or different devices. The addresses may be representative of interfaces owned or used by one particular user or a group of users. Each address representative of each interface may be a physical hardware address or a software address such as a telephone number, e mail address or Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) such as a presence address e.g. a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) URI. In one embodiment the address representative of the first interface is a physical address and the address representative of the second interface is a software address. The electronic data communication device may be any mobile device such as a mobile telephone, PDA, etc. One particular advantage of this method is that no hardware or software changes are necessary at the electronic data communication device and therefore the method can be easily deployed by network operators.

Preferably, step (1) comprises the steps of scanning radio frequencies for an indication of the presence of said electronic data communication device. This may be done by transmitting messages for discovering other devices and/or by listening for the devices.

Advantageously, said scanning step is performed substantially continuously.

Preferably, step (1) further comprises the step of transmitting said address representative of said first interface to said memory that is provided on a remote computer processing and storage means. It will be apparent that the functions of invention may be distributed over both the user and provider sides of the network, with different computing means performing different parts of the method and - 4 transmitting results to another computing means. For example it is possible that one computing means (e.g. personal computer) performs steps (1) and (4) above and transmits the address representative of the first interface to another computing means (e.g. remote server) in the cellular network. That other computing means may then s perform steps (2), (3), (5) and (6).

Advantageously, said identifier is generated by a computer processing means and said identifier is unique as between a number of devices reachable over said first electronic data communication network. The identifier only need be unique for the lo number of devices that the computing processing means is handling during any one time period while it awaits the data containing the address representative of the second interface.

In one embodiment said identifier comprises data representing text and/or numerals. Preferably the number of characters is small (e.g. 3-10) and comprises a word and two or three numbers making it easier for the user to remember. The identifier may be text data, picture data, video data, sound data, etc. that may be sent using a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS).

Advantageously, step (4) further comprises the step of providing an indication in a data message comprising said identifier, that said identifier should be transmitted to an address on said second electronic data communication network. Thus the message may be relayed automatically on to the second electronic data communication network. 2s

Preferably, said indication comprises data representing a request to a user of said electronic data communication device to transmit said identifier to said address on said second network. In one embodiment the user must enter the identifier into an SMS text message and send it to a cellular interface where the memory may be accessed to obtain the address representing the first interface. Alternatively the user may send the identifier by e-mail.

Advantageously, step (5) comprises the step of initiating a time period during which said data is expected to be received. 3s - 5

Preferably, step (6) comprises the step of searching said memory for said identifier, and reading said address representative of said first interface from said memory.

Advantageously, the method further comprises the step of mapping a user identity to said address representative of said first interface and to said address representative of said second interface.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of initiating a combined lo data communication service over said first and second electronic data communication networks using said mapping between said first and second interfaces.

Advantageously, said address representative of said first interface is a physical address of said first interface.

In one embodiment said physical address is a Media Access Control (MAC) address of a network interface on said electronic data communication device.

Preferably, said address representative of said second interface comprises a contacting means for contacting a user of the device.

In one embodiment said contacting means comprises a telephone number, a Uniform Resource Indicator, or an e-mail address. It may also be a SIP URI or other presence address. The method may also comprise the steps of mapping said first address to said presence address, generating and storing in said memory a presence list of those devices within short range communication (e.g. Bluetooth range) of one another, and transmitting said presence list to those devices.

Advantageously, said first and second electronic data communication networks are substantially logically and/or physically distinct. This distinction may be from the user's perspective i.e. some internetworking may take place, although this may not be immediately apparent to a user.

Preferably, said first electronic data communication network is a shortrange, location based communication protocol. - 6

Advantageously, said second electronic data communication network provides a substantially permanent means of communication via said second interface. A substantially permanent means of communication may include a telephone number or an e-mail address.

Preferably, said first electronic data communication network comprises Bluetooth-enabled devices capable of establishing piconets or other adhoc network amongst one another in accordance with the Bluetooth protocol.

Advantageously, said second electronic data communication network comprises a cellular network.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a network node for use in an electronic data communication network, which network node comprises means for storing and executing computer executable instructions for performing a method as set out above. Such instructions may comprise only some of the steps ofthe method, for example steps (1) and (4).

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a network node for use in an electronic data communications network, which network node comprises means for storing and executing computer executable instructions for performing method steps (2), (3), (5) and (6) above.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable instructions for causing an electronic data communication apparatus to perform the method steps above.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable instructions for causing an electronic data communication apparatus to perform steps (2), (3), (5) and (6) above.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program product storing computer executable instructions as set out above. - 7 -

The computer program product as may be embodied on a record medium, in a computer memory, in a read-only memory, or on an electrical carrier signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For a better understanding of how the invention may be carried out in practice, reference will now be made, by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which: 0 Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of part of an electronic data communication network operating using a method according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an electronic communication apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a electronic data communication device for use in a method according to the present invention; and Fig. 4 is a flowchart of steps of a method in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to Fig. I part of an electronic data communication network generally identified by reference numeral 10 comprises cellular network infrastructure 12, an electronic data communication apparatus 14 and an electronic data communication device 16. The cellular network infrastructure 12 comprises a number of base stations Is (not shown) each of which provides for transmission and reception of data to and from user devices by radio links 17 and a cellular interface over a limited geographical area. The geographical area is typically of the order of several hundred metres up to about several kilometres, depending on the exact location of the base station. The base stations transmit and receive data to and from the cellular network that for the purposes of the present invention it is not necessary to describe in any further detail, other than to say that the cellular network facilitates exchange of data (voice, SMS text, multimedia, etc.) between users and other networks.

The electronic data communication apparatus 14 is owned (or otherwise 3s controlled) by a business and is resident on the premises of that business. The - 8 - apparatus 14 comprises a personal computer (PC) 18 provided with a Bluetooth transceiver 20 (either separate e.g. with a commercially available USB Bluetooth adapter, or integral). The PC 18 is also in communication with a cellular device 22 by means of an interface 24. The interface 24 may be a short range wireless TX/RX s protocol (Bluetooth, WEAN, infra-red, etc.) or wired (USB, phone-to-PC data cable, etc.) Thus the electronic data communication apparatus has two interfaces by which it may communicate with other devices: a cellular interface providing access to the cellular network 12 and a Bluetooth interface for communicating with other Bluetooth-enabled devices that are in range using a Bluetooth network 13.

Referring also to Fig. 2 the PC 18 is shown in more detail. It comprises a memory 26, a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 28, amplifiers 30, a display 32 (and an input means not shown e.g. keyboard, touch-sensitive screen), digital-signal processing (DSP) 34, radio control 36 and an antenna 38. The aforementioned parts are in electronic communication with one another.

The cellular device 22 comprises a memory 40, a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 42, amplifiers 44, a display 46 (and an input means not shown e.g. keyboard, touch-sensitive screen), digital-signal processing (DSP) 48, radio control 50 and an antenna 52. The aforementioned parts are in electronic communication with one another. The cellular device has an identity on the cellular network 12 provided by a telephone number and by an International Mobile Station Identity (IMSI).

Stored on the memory 26 of the PC is a set of computer executable instructions that when executed may gain access, via the interface 24, to the operating system and data stored in the memory 40 of the cellular device 22. Such computer executable instructions are commercially available. For example an HTTP-SMS Gateway is available for download from www.ozekisms.com. This software enables the PC 18 to control the cellular device 22, for example to send a text message, retrieve data from the memory 40 (including SMS text messages received by the cellular device 22) , etc. In this way a text message sent to the telephone number of the cellular device 22 may be downloaded and stored in the memory 26 of the PC 18 together with telephone number of the cellular device 22. Thus the electronic data communication apparatus 14 has (1) a substantially permanent means of communication with other devices via the cellular network infrastructure 12 and (2) a - 9 - substantially temporary means of communication with other devices via the Bluetooth communication link. The PC 18 will only be able to communicate with other Bluetooth)-enabled devices that are within range (typically 10- lOOm at a data transmission rate of 721kB so, although this will very much depend on the transmission power of signals and the propagation channel around the transceiver 20) i.e. by means of a location based communication protocol, whereas it will be able to communicate with almost any other device in any location having access to the cellular network i.e. by means of a substantially permanent communication protocol (since the cellular network covers very large areas of many countries at present).

Referring to Fig. 3 the electronic data communication device 16 comprises a multimode device 54 (e.g. mobile telephone, Personal Digital Assistant) having a memory 56, a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 58, amplifiers 60, a display 62 (and an input means not shown e.g. keyboard, touch-sensitive screen), digital-signal processing (DSP) 64, radio control 66, a first antenna 68 and a second antenna 70.

The aforementioned parts are in electronic communication with one another. The first antenna 68 provides for data to be transmitted to and received from the cellular network infrastructure 12, whereas the second antenna 70 is part of a short-range wireless TX/RX protocol (Bluetooth, etc.) device that is either integral with separate from the multimode device 54. A user 23 uses the multimode device 54 and carries it about his person substantially at all times. In doing so the device will come in and out of range of other Bluetooth-enabled devices either as a result of movement of the user 23 or as a result of other users bringing devices within Bluetooth communication range (0- l OOm) of the device 54. The multimode device 54 also has a cellular interface (for example a GSM interface) by means of which it may send and receive data to and from the cellular network 12. The user 23 is identified on the cellular network by the International Mobile Station Identity (IMSI) number which is in turn mapped to the user's telephone number.

Thus the electronic data communication device 16 can communicate with the PC 18 either over a cellular interface (using the cellular network 12 and cellular device 22,) or over the Bluetooth interface.

When a Bluetooth-enabled device (in this case the PC 18) wishes to discover other Bluetooth devices (in this case the multimode device 54) in range it - 10 enters what is known as an inquiry substate. In this state the transceiver 20 broadcasts inquiry packets containing its device address (a 48-bit link layer address known as BD_ADDR). Each inquiry packet commences with an Inquiry Access Code (IAC) that may be one of two types: General Inquiry Access Code (GIAC) and Dedicated Inquiry Access Code (DIAC). A GIAC is used when all devices in range are to be discovered and a DIAC is used when only certain specific devices are to be discovered. Since the PC 18 wishes to discover all devices in range the inquiry packets that it broadcasts should use a GIAC. However, in some scenarios it may be that a user of the PC 18 only wants to discover certain types of device in range. In 0 that case the appropriate DIAC should be used in the broadcast.

During the inquiry substate the PC 18 generates a channel hopping sequence derived from its local clock and the GIAC that hops through 32 channels of the 79 available channels. Once the channel hopping sequence has been generated, the PC 18 broadcasts inquiry packets on each channel defined in the hopping sequence.

Discoverable devices periodically enter what is known as an inquiry scan substate. In this state the transceiver of each device listens for inquiry packets on its inquiry scan channel. If an inquiry packet is received the device enters what is known as an inquiry response substate in which the device returns an inquiry response (Frequency Hop Synchronisation - FHS) packet containing the BD_ADDR of the device that received the inquiry packet and the clock of that device amongst other things.

Thus in this way the PC 18 can discover the Bluetooth device address BD_ADDR of each discoverable device that is within range. Having done this the notebook 18 does not have to proceed to any of the connection establishment substates as the minimum required information has been gathered from discoverable devices to enable the interfaces to be mapped. More precise details of the discovery procedure are given in "Bluetooth Specification Version 1.2" (presently available to download from www. bluetooth.com) to which reference is made.

Referring to Fig. 4 steps of a method performed by the electronic data communication apparatus 14 is generally identified by reference numeral 80. At step S1 the PC 18 monitors its Bluetooth device for discovery of other Bluetooth - 11 devices, such as the cellular device 16. As explained above this is done by placing the Bluetooth interface into an inquiry substate in which inquiry messages are repeatedly transmitted at different hop frequencies. In between inquiry message transmissions the Bluetooth interface scans for inquiry response messages from any other Bluetooth) device, in this case the multimode device 54.

If the PC 18 does not receive any indication of the presence of another Bluetooth device it repeats the scanning procedure step S 1 substantially continuously. Alternatively there may be a delay between scans.

When the multimode device 54 is found (for example when the user 23 brings it within range of the PC 18 by entering or coming near the business premises) the method proceeds to step S2 where the aforementioned FHS packet is read and the MAC address (BD_ADDR) of the Bluetooth interface of the multimode device 54 is extracted and stored in the memory 26 at step S3. At step S4 the PC generates a unique code word for the user of the multimode device 54 that it maps to the MAC address already stored in the memory 26 at step S5. As the range of Bluetooth communication is short range i.e. less than a radius of about 100m, the code word only needs to be unique for a likely number of Bluetooth) device users within that range. Typically the code word will be alphanumeric such as "BOOKS 123", "COFFEE789" or simply numerical "4567", making it easy to remember. It is possible for the code word to be a number, a text string, a pictogram or any other symbol or series of symbols including video, pictures and/or sound. In general the code word will be associated with the service provided from entities such as hotels, bookstores, restaurants, theatres, etc. The PC 18 then forms a message that contains the code word and the telephone number of the cellular device 22 to which the PC 18 has access. The message also contains an invitation to the user of the multimode device 54 to send the code word by SMS text message (or by other means such as e-mail or by MMS) to the telephone number provided in the message if they would like access to a range of other services. The message is based on the communication protocol when using a short-range wireless transmission method, such as Bluetooth. Examples of the protocol that can be used for the message are Object Exchange (OBEX) and serial port communication. At step S6 the PC 18 transmits the message to the multimode device 54 via the Bluetooth interface. For details of how this may done, reference is made again to the "Specification of the Bluetooth System" version 1.2 in which details for the establishment of the necessary logical and physical channels between the two devices is given in greater detail. s

The multimode device 54 receives the message, stores it in memory 56 and alerts the user 23 that a new message has arrived.

At step S7 the PC starts a timer of 180s duration in which it awaits a response 0 from the user of the multimode device 54 (the timer may be any value between a few minutes and a few hours). If the user desires to receive other services or information about other services for example, he composes an SMS text message containing the code word and sends it to the number provided in the earlier message. The SMS text message is routed over the cellular network 12 and is transmitted to the cellular device 22. If received on the cellular device 22 before the timer has expired the SMS text message is immediately passed on the PC 18 by means of the OZEKISMS software mentioned above, where it is stored in the memory 26. If the timer has expired the SMS text message is discarded. Since the SMS text message contains both the code word and the telephone number of multimode device 54, the PC 18 can use the code word to map the telephone number of the multimode device 54 to the MAC address of the Bluetooth interface of the same device. At step S8 the PC 18 searches the memory 26 for the code word contained in the text message. When found, at step S9 the code word is used to map the MAC address to the telephone number of the multimode device 54. The memory 26 of the PC 18 then stores for each cellular device which short-range transmission interface (Bluetooth)) of devices around the PC 18 corresponds to the cellular interface (telephone number) of each device. It is now possible for a combined service to provide to the user using both interfaces for example. If the code word is not found in the memory 26 the PC 18 discards the text message at step S10 and may also send the user a message over the Bluetooth interface upon expiry of the timer informing him that any attempt to send the code word has been unsuccessful. The message may also include a new code word inviting the user to try again.

The PC 18 may now inform the cellular network infrastructure 12 of the 3s MAC address and matching telephone number if desired. - 13

The benefits of the method are numerous. Businesses will be able to map the interface of a merely temporary or location (i.e. geographically limited) based communication means (e.g. Bluetooth) with the interface of a substantially permanent communication means (cellular or other interface e.g. IP address). Thus businesses will be able to communicate with customers long after they have left the premises for example to provide details of promotions, details of events, etc. A simple example to aid understanding is as follows: cellular devices may be 0 provided with a service whereby the user is invited to complete a profile containing fields such as age, sex, interests, what characteristics they are looking for in a partner, etc. The mobile telephone number is also stored in a field in the profile. Each user's profile is stored on their mobile phone, PDA, etc. The PC 18 may be located in a nightclub for example. Whilst the nightclub is open the PC 18 may scan for IS BluetoothE)-enabled devices within range. On finding a device, the PC 18 performs the steps shown in Fig. 4 in an attempt to map the Bluetooth) device address to the mobile telephone number of the device. At step S6 the user may be sent a message using Bluetooth such as "Would you like to know if there are any matches for you here in the club? If so text MATCHMEl23 to 84448". When the user texts the code word MATCHME123 to the cellular device 22,

the PC can retrieve the message and then map the telephone number of the user to the Bluetooth device address of that user. The user's profile may then be sent from the cellular device 22 either over the cellular network to the PC 18 or over the 2s Bluetooth interface. The PC 18 stores the user's profile in memory 26. Thus after some time the memory 26 will contain a database of profiles of some or all of the users in the club. The PC 18 can then use one profile to search for matching data in other fields of the other user profiles stored in memory. If a match is found the PC may contact (over the Bluetooth link) both users of the matching profiles to inform them that a match has been found and to check that each user is happy for his/her profile to be sent to the other user. Each user is then sent the profile of the other user that may or may not contain the mobile telephone number depending on user preferences for example. The two users now have a substantially permanent means of contact with one another, even once they have left the club. Since the range of 3s Bluetooth may be up to a radius of about 100m the PC 18 may be located in an - 14 entertainment district of a town or city so that users not in the same bar, club, etc. may be put in contact with one another.

It will be apparent that the steps performed by computer executable s instructions stored on the electronic communication apparatus 14 need not be performed at the same physical location. For example, the electronic communication apparatus 14 may simply play the role of a dumb terminal that gathers and exchanges data with an entity on the cellular network infrastructure 12. For example, the PC 18 may gather Bluetooth device MAC addresses and send them by text message using lo the cellular device 22 to the cellular network infrastructure 12 where a suitable computing means will store this data in memory. This computing means may also perform steps S4, S5, S8 and S9 of the method shown in Fig. 4. Thus a cellular network operator may do the necessary computing. Alternatively the PC 18 may gather Bluetooth device MAC addresses and send them (by any suitable means IS such as over the Internet) to a remote computer where they may be processed as described above and the results stored in memory for later access. The remote computer may be a server accessible by computers in a network (e.g. intranet) used employees of a company for example.

Furthermore, the application of the method is not limited to mapping Bluetooth device addresses to cellular interfaces. Any short-range, location limited transmission protocol interface (e.g. Zigbee - see www. zigbee.org) may be mapped to any substantially permanent means of communication (e.g. e-mail, presence address) that is not dependent on the location of the device. Typical communication 2s ranges for Zigbee are between about lOm and lOOm at 250kbs-. Alternatively, the short-range communication protocol may be a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) with communication provided under IEEE802. l l, and the permanent means of communication may be an e-mail address. The transceiver may be in the form of a separate Access Point that communicates with the PC 18 either over a wired or wireless interface. Typical ranges of WLAN are: about lOOm radius at l lMB so and 300m radius at 1MB so. In this case it would be possible by means of the WLAN to map the MAC address of the wireless Network Interface Card (NIC) of a notebook computer to an e-mail address of the user. Since various users may log on to one computer the method provides a means of mapping one interface to different communication means for users. - 15

Other interfaces may be mapped to any of the interfaces mentioned herein by a method according to the invention. Such interfaces include as Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) interfaces and Infrared (IrDA). Furthermore the method may be s used to map more than one interface to another interface e.g. two Bluetooth interfaces of two different devices (or two interfaces of one device) of one user may be mapped to one cellular interface.

Accordingly instead of the cellular device 22, the PC 18 may use any device 0 or software application that can be contacted by the device of the user 23. For example, the PC 18 may use modem to receive the code word over a wired network (e.g. PSTN). The user 23 might have a PDA with an e-mail application. The user 23 might be asked over the Bluetooth network to e-mail a code word to an e-mail address accessible by the PC 18. The PDA might use GPRS to send the e-mail via the cellular network to the Internet. From there the code word message would be routed over the Internet to a server handling an e-mail account accessible by an e-mail application on the PC 18. By periodically polling the e-mail account, the PC 18 will be able to pick up the code word and download it to memory. Thus it will be apparent that there are a large number of ways of dividing the functionality of the invention over computers on the same and/or different networks.

Another address that might be used to represent one or more interface is a presence address. The meaning of "presence" in the computer sense can be defined as the ability to detect whether other users are online (not necessarily over the Internet) and whether they are available. Presence services are commonly provided through applications like Finger and instant messaging clients, although there are products in other areas that leverage presence, such as VoIP. A signalling protocol such as SIP can be used for instant messaging between two users. A SIP address (one example of a presence address) enables SIP servers to exchange the necessary information to establish communication between users over an IF network.

Currently users with presence-enabled devices (e.g. MSN or AOL Messenger) are able to keep in touch with their friends whilst on the move using instant messaging for example. A permanent "buddy list" on each device shows the status of each buddy such as "online", "busy", "offline", etc. When a user moves within range of the transceiver 20 of the PC 18, it is possible to map by the method described above the Bluetooth BD_ADDR of the user's device to the presence address used by that user. Having done this for a number of users within range of the transceiver 20 it is possible to generate and store a database comprising a temporary (i.e. Iocation-based) buddy list of users present within range of the transceiver 20. In this way all users within range of the transceiver 20 running compatible presence clients will be able to "see" one another be means of the temporary buddy list.

As used in the appended claims the word "map" may mean "providing a logical connection between".

Although the embodiments of the invention described with reference to the Is drawings comprise computer apparatus and methods performed in computer apparatus, the invention also extends to computer programs, particularly computer programs on or in a carrier, adapted for putting the invention into practice. The program may be in the form of source code, object code, a code intermediate source and object code such as in partially compiled form, or in any other form suitable for use in the implementation of the methods according to the invention. The carrier may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program.

For example, the carrier may comprise a storage medium, such as a ROM, for example a CD ROM or a semiconductor ROM, or a magnetic recording medium, for example a floppy disc or hard disk. Further, the carrier may be a transmissible carrier such as an electrical or optical signal that may be conveyed via electrical or optical cable or by radio or other means.

When the program is embodied in a signal that may be conveyed directly by a cable or other device or means, the carrier may be constituted by such cable or other device or means.

Alternatively, the carrier may be an integrated circuit in which the program is embedded, the integrated circuit being adapted for performing, or for use in the performance of, the relevant methods. - 17

Claims

1. A method of mapping a first interface to a second interface both of an electronic data communication device, which first interface enables exchange of data with a first electronic data communication network and which second interface enables exchange of data with a second electronic data communication network, the method comprising the steps of: (1) obtaining an address representative of said first interface; (2) generating an identifier; lo (3) storing said identifier and said address representative of said first interface in a memory with a mapping therebetween; (4) transmitting said identifier to said address representative of said first interface; (5) awaiting receipt of data comprising said identifier and an address representative of said second interface from said electronic data communication device via said second electronic data communication network; and (6) if said data is received, said identifier can be used to map said address representative of said first interface to said address representative of said second interface.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (1) comprises the steps of scanning radio frequencies for an indication of the presence of said electronic data communication device.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said scanning step is performed substantially continuously.

4. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein step (1) further comprises the step of transmitting said address representative of said first interface to said memory that is provided on a remote computer processing and storage means.

5. A method according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein said identifier is generated by a computer processing means and said identifier is unique as between a number of devices reachable over said first electronic data communication network. - 18

6. A method according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein said identifier comprises data representing text characters and/or numeric characters.

7. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein step (4) further comprises the step of providing an indication in a data message comprising said identifier, that said identifier should be transmitted to an address on said second electronic data communication network.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein said indication comprises data lo representing a request to a user of said electronic data communication device to transmit said identifier to said address on said second network

9. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein step (5) comprises the step of initiating a time period during which said data is expected to be received.

10. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein step (6) comprises the step of searching said memory for said identifier, and reading said address representative of said first interface from said memory.

11. A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising the step of mapping a user identity to said address representative of said first interface and to said address representative of said second interface.

12. A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising the step of initiating a combined data communication service over said first and second electronic data communication networks using said mapping between said first and second interfaces.

13. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said address representative of said first interface is a physical address of said first interface.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein said physical address is a Media Access Control (MAC) address of a network interface on said electronic data communication device. - 19

15. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said address representative of said second interface comprises a contacting means for contacting a user of the device.

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16. A method according to claim 15, wherein said contacting means comprises a telephone number, a Uniform Resource Indicator, or an e-mail address.

17. A method according to claim 15, wherein said contacting means comprises a presence address, the method further comprising the steps of mapping said first lo address to said presence address, generating and storing in said memory a presence list of those devices within short range communication of one another, and transmitting said presence list to those devices.

18. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said first and second electronic data communication networks are substantially logically and/or physically distinct.

19. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said first electronic data communication network is a short-range, location based communication protocol.

20. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said second electronic data communication network provides a substantially permanent means of communication via said second interface.

21. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said first electronic data communication network comprises Bluetooth(-enabled devices capable of establishing piconets or other ad-hoc network amongst themselves in accordance with the Bluetooth protocol.

22. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said second electronic data communication network comprises a cellular network.

23. A network node for use in an electronic data communication network, which network node comprises means for storing and executing computer executable 3s instructions for performing a method according to any preceding claim.

24. A network node for use in an electronic data communication network, which network node comprises means for storing and executing computer executable instructions for performing method steps (2), (3), (5) and (6) of any preceding claim. s

25. A computer program comprising computer executable instructions for causing an electronic data communication apparatus to perform the method steps of any of claims 1 to 22.

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26. A computer program comprising computer executable instructions for causing an electronic data communication apparatus to perform method steps (2), (3), (5) and (6) of any of claims 1 to 22

27. A computer program product storing computer executable instructions in accordance with claim 25 or 26.

28. A computer program product as claimed in claim 27, embodied on a record medium, in a computer memory, in a read-only memory, or on an electrical carrier signal.