Bluetooth is everywhere. From your smartphone to your car and even your wireless earbuds, it powers seamless, short-range connectivity. But where did it all begin?
Most people point to US Patent 6,590,928 – the foundational patent for Bluetooth technology, filed by Ericsson in 1997 and granted in 2003. This patent introduced the idea of piconets, frequency hopping, and master-slave device synchronization, the very foundation of Bluetooth’s wireless communication system.
But that got us thinking: What other patents were related to this? Who else was working on similar wireless technologies before or around the same time?
If you’ve ever used Google Patents, Espacenet, or the USPTO database, you know that finding related patents isn’t easy. These search engines let you enter a patent number, but they don’t give you a clear picture of related innovations unless you manually dig through citations.
That’s where Global Patent Search Tool (GPS Tool) comes in. Unlike traditional search engines, GPS Tool allows you to enter a patent number and instantly find related patents even if they aren’t direct citations.
Finding Bluetooth’s Related Patents
We entered US6590928 into Global Patent Search tool and let it do the work. The tool scanned thousands of patents from multiple sources, cross-referencing technologies, inventors, and companies working on similar innovations before and after the foundational Bluetooth patent.
The results? Fascinating.
We discovered five key patents that were either directly related to Bluetooth’s foundation or explored similar wireless communication techniques. Some were filed before US6590928, showing earlier developments in frequency hopping and wireless networking, while others were filed around the same time, proving that multiple companies were racing toward similar breakthroughs.
Below, we break down five related patents, why they matter, and how they compare to US6590928. We also look at which companies were behind them and what role they played in shaping Bluetooth and other wireless communication technologies.
#1. JP2008061256A
This patent, filed by Ericsson, has a priority date of September 17, 1997. It builds upon earlier Bluetooth technology by refining the master-slave communication model in wireless networks. The patent focuses on improving how devices establish synchronization and frequency hopping to maintain secure and interference-free communication.
Source – JP2008061256A
What does it describe?
In simple terms, this patent enhances the way a master device (such as a smartphone or computer) communicates with multiple slave devices (such as wireless earbuds, smartwatches, or IoT sensors). It introduces an improved method for exchanging addresses, clock signals, and hopping sequences, ensuring stable and efficient connections between devices.
How is it related to US6590928?
- Refines Bluetooth’s piconet structure by optimizing how a master device manages multiple slave connections.
- Uses frequency hopping to minimize interference, an essential element of Bluetooth’s wireless communication.
- Enhances synchronization by improving how devices align their internal clocks for more seamless data transfer.
Company behind the Patent:
Ericsson was a key player in the development of Bluetooth technology, with its engineers, including Jaap Haartsen, leading the foundational work. This patent represents a direct continuation of Ericsson’s research, further improving Bluetooth’s ability to manage multiple connected devices efficiently.
#2. US5729680A
This patent, filed by Netwave Technologies on May 11, 1995, introduces methods for initializing wireless local area networks (LANs) through communications between mobile units and access point units, or directly between mobile units to form ad hoc networks.
Source – US5729680A
What does it describe?
In simple terms, this patent outlines procedures for establishing wireless networks without relying on pre-existing infrastructure. It details how devices can detect each other and set up communication channels autonomously, enabling flexible and spontaneous network formation.
How is it related to US6590928?
- Network Initialization: Both patents address methods for initiating wireless networks, with a focus on efficient and reliable connection setups.
- Ad Hoc Networking: They share concepts related to devices forming networks on-the-fly without centralized control, which is fundamental to Bluetooth’s ability to create piconets.
- Frequency Management: While US6590928 emphasizes frequency hopping to minimize interference, US5729680A discusses synchronization mechanisms that can complement such techniques.
Company Behind the Patent: Netwave Technologies was involved in early wireless networking innovations, contributing to the development of protocols and methods that have influenced modern wireless communications, including aspects relevant to Bluetooth technology.
#3. WO199817031A2
This patent, filed by Philips Electronics NV on October 13, 1997, introduces a method for configuring and routing data within a wireless multihop network. It focuses on how individual nodes within a network can efficiently route data packets to their destinations without relying on a centralized infrastructure.
What does it describe?
In simple terms, this patent describes a system where each device (node) in a wireless network can act as both a transmitter and a receiver, allowing data to “hop” from one device to another until it reaches its final destination. This approach enables the creation of flexible and scalable wireless networks, where the network can dynamically adjust to the addition or removal of devices.
How is it related to US6590928?
- Decentralized Networking: While US6590928 focuses on a master-slave architecture, WO9817031A2 explores a decentralized approach where each node has equal responsibility in data transmission. This concept complements Bluetooth’s ability to form ad-hoc networks.
- Routing Mechanisms: Both patents address the challenge of data transmission in wireless networks, albeit with different methodologies – Bluetooth uses a centralized control (master device), whereas this patent proposes distributed routing.
- Scalability: The multihop routing described in WO9817031A2 offers insights into scaling wireless networks, which is relevant to expanding Bluetooth networks beyond simple point-to-point connections.
Company Behind the Patent:
Philips Electronics has been a significant contributor to various technological advancements, including wireless communications. Their exploration into multihop wireless networks demonstrates their commitment to developing flexible networking solutions, which have influenced the evolution of technologies like Bluetooth by providing alternative perspectives on network configuration and data routing.
#4. GB2321368A
This patent, filed by Radiant Networks PLC on December 18, 1996, introduces methods for routing signals through a wireless communication system composed of interconnected nodes. It focuses on optimizing data transmission paths within a network to enhance efficiency and reliability.
What does it describe?
In simple terms, this patent describes a system where each device (node) in a wireless network can act as both a transmitter and a receiver, enabling data to hop from one device to another until it reaches its destination. This approach enhances network coverage and reliability without relying on a centralized infrastructure.
How is it related to US6590928?
- Network Topology: While US6590928 focuses on a master-slave architecture, GB2321368A presents a mesh network topology where each node can communicate with multiple other nodes, offering an alternative approach to wireless communication.
- Routing Mechanisms: The patent outlines methods for determining optimal paths for data transmission, which can complement Bluetooth’s strategies for efficient data routing.
- Scalability: By allowing each node to relay data, the system can easily scale, similar to Bluetooth’s capability to connect multiple devices within a network.
Company Behind the Patent:
Radiant Networks PLC specialized in developing wireless communication technologies, particularly focusing on mesh networking solutions. Their innovations have contributed to the evolution of wireless networks by providing scalable and resilient communication systems, influencing technologies like Bluetooth in managing device interconnections.
#5. GB2330732A
This patent, filed by Radiant Networks PLC on December 18, 1997, introduces a method for efficiently routing signals in a wireless communication system that consists of interconnected nodes. The innovation enhances network reliability by dynamically determining optimal transmission paths, allowing seamless data flow without reliance on a centralized controller.
Why This Innovation Shines
This patent describes a mesh-like wireless network, where each node acts as both a transmitter and receiver, forwarding signals to other nodes until the data reaches its destination. The system operates using highly directional antennas and point-to-point links, ensuring efficient communication between nodes. To prevent interference, each link may use different frequencies or time slots for signal transmission and reception.
The routing mechanism is flexible, allowing traffic to be directed based on network congestion, node availability, or pre-determined paths. The system also supports multi-path routing, where information can be duplicated or split across multiple routes to enhance reliability and prevent data loss.
How Is It Related to Other Wireless Communication Systems?
- Mesh Networking vs. Centralized Routing: Unlike traditional wireless networks that rely on a single hub or controller, this system distributes routing across all nodes, improving scalability and fault tolerance.
- Multiple Network Topologies: The patent supports a variety of topologies, including fully interconnected, tree, lattice, and hypercube networks, making it adaptable for different use cases.
- Synchronization and Congestion Control: The method allows for adaptive traffic routing based on network congestion and availability, ensuring efficient communication even in dynamic environments.
Who’s Behind This Innovation?
Radiant Networks PLC is also behind this patent.
Discover Related Patents Instantly with Global Patent Source Tool
Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation; every groundbreaking technology, like Bluetooth, is surrounded by related patents that contribute to its evolution. While US6590928 is widely recognized as the foundational Bluetooth patent, our deep dive using Global Patent Search tool uncovered five significant patents that either built upon, paralleled, or complemented Bluetooth’s development.
Traditional patent search engines require you to manually sift through citations and keyword searches, often leaving you with an incomplete picture. GPS Tool changes the game by allowing you to simply enter a patent number and instantly discover related patents, even if they aren’t direct citations.
But GPS Tool does more than just research. Whether you’re a business, patent attorney, or innovator, it can help you:
- Uncover prior art to strengthen your intellectual property strategy
- Find related technologies to explore new R&D opportunities
- Assist in litigation by identifying relevant patents in disputes
Imagine applying this to any technology. Whether it’s AI, semiconductors, medical devices, or renewable energy, GPS Tool can surface hidden connections that give you a competitive edge.
Want to explore how GPS Tool can help you? Enter any patent number today and uncover the hidden patents shaping the future. Try Global Patent Search tool today.
