A method and system for controlling the rate of acknowledgment of communication packets is provided in which a sender determines whether or not an acknowledgment is required from a receiver, and if an acknowledgment is required, transmits a packet that is marked to indicate that an acknowledgment is required. There are many different ways in which a packet may be marked, including generating the packet so that it is shorter than a standard length, inserting an optional field, or inserting a value into the packet header. When TCP is being used for communication, the TCP segments may be marked by clearing the ACK bit of the TCP header. Two or more computers that are engaged in or about to engage in packet-based communication may also inform one another of their respective abilities to send and receive marked packets by transmitting capability packets to one another.

Described is a system and method in a wireless (Wi-Fi) network comprising a server, clients and various mechanisms that compute lists of other clients and resources that are physically nearby. Clients report Wi-Fi access points' signal strengths to a server, which uses that data to compute the proximity of resources to one another, including an estimate the distance between resources. The data may be returned to the client as a list of resources within short range proximity, or resources within long-range proximity, with an approximate time to that resource based on previous clients' reporting. Because proximity is used rather than absolute location, only minimal setup is needed. As the number of clients and resources that use the system increases, the server knowledge also increases with respect to the number of resources that can be found and in the physical range over which other people and places can be found.

A wireless handset is provided with enhanced features and capabilities. The wireless handset may be embodied as a full-featured handset that is capable of operating either within a wireless network (such as a cellular or PCS network) or in a direct handset-to-handset communication mode that is independent of the wireless network. Alternatively, the wireless handset may be embodied as a special purpose handset, that is capable of simply operating in a direct handset-to-handset communication mode. The wireless handset may additionally include features for supporting and enhancing direct communication between handsets. Such features may include a find feature that permits a user to determine which objects, including other wireless handset users, are located within a predetermined operating range of the wireless handset. A memorize feature may also be provided to permit handsets and other objects exchange information by wireless transmission.

A wireless handset is provided with enhanced features and capabilities. The wireless handset may be embodied as a full-featured handset that is capable of operating either within a wireless network (such as a cellular or PCS network) or in a direct handset-to-handset communication mode that is independent of the wireless network. Alternatively, the wireless handset may be embodied as a special purpose handset, that is capable of simply operating in a direct handset-to-handset communication mode. The wireless handset may additionally include features for supporting and enhancing direct communication between handsets. Such features may include a find feature that permits a user to determine which objects, including other wireless handset users, are located within a predetermined operating range of the wireless handset. A memorize feature may also be provided to permit handsets and other objects exchange information by wireless transmission.

A personal multimedia communication system and network for emergency services personnel includes a plurality of personal communication systems linked together and to a base station in a network. Each personal communication system includes a PDA device mounted on a PASS control console, a video camera mounted on the PDA device, a GPS unit, a microphone, and other electronic devices. The various electronic devices are all communicatively connected to the PDA device. Data from the various devices may be collected in the PDA device and wirelessly transmitted to any other node or device in the network, including other personal communication devices. Each personal communication device may serve as a repeater, thus providing a wireless communications link between a device located out of range of the base station.