Patent ID: 7379709

Claim:
A method for smart mode switching on a wireless device, comprising: when the device is powered on: receiving a command from a user to select either a discoverable mode or a connectable mode relating to a wireless technology of a device; wherein the discoverable mode allows the wireless device to be discovered by other Bluetooth wireless devices that are within range of the wireless device and wherein a partnership may be initiated with the wireless device once the wireless device is discovered and wherein the connectable mode allows only partnered Bluetooth devices to discover the wireless device; determining when the received command indicates a selection of the discoverable mode; and when the received command indicates the selection of the discoverable mode: determining when the device is active and inactive; wherein determining when the device is active and inactive does not include determining when the device is powered on and powered off; determining when to switch the mode based upon the activity of the device; and automatically switching the mode selected from the discoverable mode and a connectable mode based upon the activity of the device; wherein the mode is automatically switched between the discoverable mode and the connectable mode while the device is powered on and when the device can process a user interaction; and determining when the received command indicates a selection of the connectable mode: and when the received command indicates a selection of the connectable mode: maintaining the device in the connectable mode when the device is both active and inactive such that whenever the wireless device is powered on it remains in the connectable mode and does not switch from the connectable mode to the discoverable mode based on the activity of the device.