Apparatus and method for dynamically updating and communicating within flexible networks

Abstract

A software-based application dynamically updates user lists and enables communication between various network communication devices within a wireless network. The software-based application automatically builds and maintains a list of available users associated with the network communication devices in real-time, without reliance on a centralized server for authentication. Various types of communication, between network communication devices of the wireless network including text-based messaging, audio and video communication and file transfer are performed.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A network communication device for establishing and maintaining wireless communication in a local area network comprising:
 an input and a display screen;   a network participation module adapted to enable participation in a wireless network between a plurality of network communication devices in the absence of a centralized server;   a text transfer module adapted to transfer a plurality of text-based messages throughout the network;   an audio transfer module adapted to transfer audio from the network communication device to at least one or one other network communication device within the local area network; and   a video transfer module adapted to transfer video from the network communication device to the at least one other network communication device within the network.   
     
     
         2 . The network communication device of  claim 1 , wherein the network participation module is further adapted to broadcast packets to the other network communication devices within the wireless network at a predetermined interval, wherein the packets comprise a unique user identifier and user capabilities information. 
     
     
         3 . The network communication device of  claim 1 , further comprising a file transfer module for transferring files between the plurality of network communication devices. 
     
     
         4 . The network communication device of  claim 1 , further comprising a panic alert module for sending a panic alert message to be displayed on a single display screen or all the display screens associated with network communication devices within the wireless network. 
     
     
         5 . The network communication device of  claim 1 , further comprising a log of all text-based messages, audio and video communications, and file transfers between network communication devices within the wireless network. 
     
     
         6 . The network communication device of  claim 1 , wherein the text transfer module is adapted to send and receive private text-based messages between three or more users at network communication devices. 
     
     
         7 . The network communication device of  claim 1 , wherein communication between the network communication devices in the wireless network is maintained while the network communication devices are in transit to different locations within the network.