How Bluetooth Creates Wireless Networks with Unique Addresses
This 2003 patent describes how Bluetooth devices use a master device's address and clock to create a unique, hopping radio channel for communication and build a network map.
Original patent title: “Frequency hopping piconets in an uncoordinated wireless multi-user system”
This 2003 patent describes how Bluetooth devices use a master device's address and clock to create a unique, hopping radio channel for communication and build a network map. Granted to Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB in 2003 with 33 claims and 131 forward citations, and it is now in the public domain.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent details a system for wireless devices, like early Bluetooth gadgets, to form a network. A 'master' device sends its unique address and a clock signal to 'slave' devices. This information dictates how the radio channel will 'hop' between frequencies, making it unique and secure for that specific network. The master then asks the slaves for their own addresses and who they can talk to (topology information). It uses this data to build a 'configuration tree,' which is like a map of the network, helping it figure out the best way to send messages between devices. For example, a master phone could use this to connect to headphones and a keyboard, understanding how they relate to each other in the network.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Wireless networks where the hopping pattern isn't based on a master device's unique address.
- Systems that don't use a clock signal from the master to control the timing of the frequency hops.
- Methods for building a network map that don't involve collecting addresses and 'first order' connection lists from slave devices.
- Forming a configuration tree that doesn't follow specific rules about how 'rings' of connections can include or exclude devices.
- Directly controlling a device's power settings or data transmission rates.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The innovation lies in using the master device's unique address and clock to deterministically generate a shared, pseudo-random frequency hopping sequence. This allows devices to synchronize and communicate securely without needing a central, pre-established coordination channel for the hopping itself.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Early Bluetooth headsets
Bluetooth keyboards and mice
Original Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones
Bluetooth connectivity in laptops
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent is foundational to the early development and standardization of Bluetooth technology. It describes the core mechanism for establishing piconets (small, personal area networks) and managing device discovery and network topology, which are essential for the widespread adoption of Bluetooth in countless consumer electronics.
Filed
September 17, 1997
Granted
July 8, 2003
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Qualcomm, Intel, and Broadcom, major chip manufacturers for wireless communication, have built extensively on the principles of frequency hopping and piconet formation described in this patent for their Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chipsets. Ericsson, as the assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →, also continues to be a significant player in wireless infrastructure and technology.
Market impact
This patent's claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more → were crucial for enabling the creation of ad-hoc wireless personal area networks, forming the basis for the Bluetooth standard. It helped establish a competitive landscape where devices from different manufacturers could reliably connect and form small networks, driving the proliferation of wireless peripherals and accessories.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent details a system for wireless devices, like early Bluetooth gadgets, to form a network. A 'master' device sends its unique address and a clock signal to 'slave' devices. This information dictates how the radio channel will 'hop' between frequencies, making it unique and secure for that specific network. The master then asks the slaves for their own addresses and who they can talk to (topology information). It uses this data to build a 'configuration tree,' which is like a map of the network, helping it figure out the best way to send messages between devices. For example, a master phone could use this to connect to headphones and a keyboard, understanding how they relate to each other in the network.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in using the master device's unique address and clock to deterministically generate a shared, pseudo-random frequency hopping sequence. This allows devices to synchronize and communicate securely without needing a central, pre-established coordination channel for the hopping itself.
What it does not cover
- Wireless networks where the hopping pattern isn't based on a master device's unique address.
- Systems that don't use a clock signal from the master to control the timing of the frequency hops.
- Methods for building a network map that don't involve collecting addresses and 'first order' connection lists from slave devices.
- Forming a configuration tree that doesn't follow specific rules about how 'rings' of connections can include or exclude devices.
- Directly controlling a device's power settings or data transmission rates.
Patent Journey
From filing to expiry
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
High impact
Citation count
40/40
Highly cited
Claim breadth
20/20
Very broad protection
Recency
0/20
Older than 20 years
Assignee scale
20/20
Major company or institution
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$101K – $323K
Midpoint $202K · expired or expiring · industry ×1.4
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
33 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Haartsen, J. C. (2003). How Bluetooth Creates Wireless Networks with Unique Addresses (U.S. Patent No. 6,590,928). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/6590928/bluetooth-frequency-hopping
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How Bluetooth Creates Wireless Networks with Unique Addresses cover?
This 2003 patent describes how Bluetooth devices use a master device's address and clock to create a unique, hopping radio channel for communication and build a network map.
Who owns patent US 6590928?
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB owns this patent, granted in 2003.
When does this patent expire?
This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.
What is patent US 6590928 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 131 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent is foundational to the early development and standardization of Bluetooth technology. It describes the core mechanism for establishing piconets (small, personal area networks) and managing device discovery and network topology, which are essential for the widespread adoption of Bluetooth in countless consumer electronics.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Wireless networks where the hopping pattern isn't based on a master device's unique address.
Patent monitoring