An apparatus and technique for allowing wireless electronic badges to
temporarily establish a wireless network (e.g., a piconet network) with a
network security station mounted in a facility of an employer, a gym, a
membership club, etc. The wireless electronic badges automatically
exchange user code with the network security station, and receives
relevant badge information for display and use by that particular secured
facility. In a preferred embodiment, BLUETOOTH technology is used in the
wireless piconet front ends of the electronic wireless badge and the
network security station. The disclosed electronic wireless badge
includes an LCD display, a display controller, an information exchange
module, and a wireless front end (e.g., a wireless piconet network such
as a BLUETOOTH network). The electronic wireless badge includes a unique
user code which is passed to the network security station. The network
security station includes a complementary wireless front end, together
with a database of user codes and badge display information for the
properly authorized user codes. As an individual enters an area requiring
identification, their electronic wireless badge exchanges a security code
with the network security station, and upon proper authorization receives
from the network security station appropriate badge display information
for display. Exemplary display information may include, e.g., a photo of
the authorized user corresponding to the authorization code in the
electronic wireless badge, a name of the authorized user, an
identification number, a company for which the displayed badge
information relates, a membership type, a security level, etc.