U.S. patent application number 12/292810 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-19 for communication systems and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to XCELIS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC.. Invention is credited to Glenroy J. Alexis.
Application Number | 20090075637 12/292810 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30118082 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090075637 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Alexis; Glenroy J. |
March 19, 2009 |
Communication systems and method
Abstract
Users can make landline, wireless and/or internet calls from a
conventional landline communication device. If the communication
device is on a wireless call, that call may be placed on hold to
answer an incoming call on the landline. Likewise, if the
communication device is on a landline call, that call may be placed
on hold to answer an incoming call on the wireless telephone.
Wireless and landline calls may also be conferenced together.
Inventors: |
Alexis; Glenroy J.;
(Ellicott City, MD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIXON & VANDERHYE, PC
901 NORTH GLEBE ROAD, 11TH FLOOR
ARLINGTON
VA
22203
US
|
Assignee: |
XCELIS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC.
Chalfont
PA
|
Family ID: |
30118082 |
Appl. No.: |
12/292810 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10359277 |
Feb 6, 2003 |
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12292810 |
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60394283 |
Jul 9, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/415 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 2203/1091 20130101;
H04M 1/72502 20130101; H04M 1/2535 20130101; H04M 3/428 20130101;
H04M 1/725 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/415 |
International
Class: |
H04M 3/42 20060101
H04M003/42 |
Claims
1. A system comprising: a caller ID (CID)-enabled communication
device; and interface circuitry connected to a wireless
communication device for a wireless communication network, the
interface circuitry comprising a memory and a processing circuit
for transferring data from the wireless communication device to the
memory, selectively reading out the contents of the memory in
response to inputs from a user requesting display of the contents,
and transferring the read-out memory contents to the communication
device using a CID protocol.
2. The system according to claim 1, the read-out data comprises
names and telephone numbers.
3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the inputs from the
user comprise inputs for reading out next and previous names and
telephone numbers.
4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the inputs from the
user comprise inputs for accessing names beginning with certain
letters.
5. A method of providing display data to a caller ID-enabled
communication device comprising: transferring data to a memory from
a wireless communication device for a wireless communication
network; selectively reading out the contents of the memory in
response to inputs from a user requesting display of the contents;
and transferring the read-out memory contents to the communication
device using a CID protocol.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the read-out data
comprises names and telephone numbers.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the inputs from the
user comprise inputs for reading out next and previous names and
telephone numbers.
8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the inputs from the
user comprise inputs for accessing names beginning with certain
letters.
9. A storage medium storing computer-executable instructions for
performing the steps set forth in claim 5.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional of application Ser. No.
10/359,277, filed Feb. 6, 2003, which claims the benefit under 35
U.S.C. Section 119(e) of provisional Application No. 60/394,283,
filed Jul. 9, 2002. the contents of each of these applications are
incorporated herein in their entirety.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This application generally relates to communication systems
and methods and, more particularly, to such systems and methods in
which communication devices for the conventional Public Switched
Telephone Network (PSTN) may be interfaced with other communication
networks such as wireless communication networks and the
Internet.
[0003] The use of cellular telephones has dramatically increased,
resulting in many individuals having at least two different
telephones: a conventional landline telephone for home use and a
cellular telephone for use away from home or for business. Cellular
service providers (CSPs) now offer low-cost calling plans to
attract new customers and retain current customers. Eventually,
CSPs are likely to offer calling plans (e.g., unlimited nationwide
calling) at rates that cause users to consider whether they have
any need to subscribe to local telephone companies for telephone
services.
[0004] Despite the fact that many cellular phone users can make
unlimited long distance calls on nights and weekends, it is still
an underused feature. In some cases, the under-usage is because
many cellular phone users are unable to receive a signal strong
enough to make cellular phone calls from their homes. In addition,
cellular phones are not designed to maintain long conversations
(e.g., greater than 30-minutes) due to over-heating. The ergonomic
design and limited battery life of cellular phones further
discourages their prolonged use.
[0005] In one example embodiment of the communication systems and
methods described herein, users can make wireless telephone calls
from a conventional landline communication device connected via
interface circuitry to a single ring tip line pair. The
communication device may be any communication device that is
ordinarily configured for communication over a landline such as a
telephone, a computer system, a set-top box, a personal video
recording device, etc. The interface circuitry is also connected to
a wireless communication device. Among other things, the interface
circuitry permits both landline calls and wireless calls to be
placed and received using the landline communication device. Other
communication devices connected to the same landline may be used to
place and receive landline calls even if the landline communication
device is being used to place or receive a wireless call. The
interface circuitry is configured so that if the landline
communication device is on a wireless call, that call may be placed
on hold to answer an incoming landline call. Likewise, if the
landline communication device is on a landline call, that call may
be placed on hold to answer an incoming wireless call. Landline and
wireless calls may also be conference together. In one example
embodiment, the system may be provided with a very sensitive and
powerful wireless transceiver that permits the capture and
transmission of wireless signals. Although such a transceiver is
not required, such a feature if provided extends the communication
range of the wireless communication device that is connected
thereto.
[0006] In an illustrative implementation, upon receipt of an
incoming wireless call, the interface circuitry automatically and
distinctively rings the landline communication device connected
thereto. If the landline communication device is answered, the
interface circuitry establishes an audio path between the wireless
communication device and the landline communication device. If the
user wishes to place a wireless call using the landline
communication device, the user picks up the telephone, dials the
number of the called party, and then enters a predetermined
wireless call code. The interface circuitry provides the number to
the wireless communication device, which then dials the number
(bypassing the local telephone company). To place a landline call,
the user enters a predetermined landline call code that is
recognized by the interface circuitry. The communication device is
connected to the PSTN and the call may then be placed through the
PSTN.
[0007] The system can provide wireless connectivity to personal
computers, facsimile machines, printers and other computer and
electronic devices. Such wireless connectivity allows the system to
take advantage of third generation (3G) cellular networks and
systems. For example, if the system received video information or
text data, the information can be sent to a television screen,
computer monitor, printer, facsimile machine and the like.
[0008] In accordance with another example embodiment of the
communication systems and methods described herein, a communication
system includes a caller ID (CID)-enabled landline communication
device and interface circuitry connected to a ring-tip line pair
and to a wireless communication device. The interface circuitry
includes a memory and a processing circuit for transferring data
from the wireless communication device to the memory, selectively
reading out the contents of the memory in response to inputs from a
user requesting display of the contents, and transferring the
read-out memory contents to the communication device using a CID
protocol. In one illustrative implementation, the read-out data
comprises names and telephone numbers. In this case, the inputs
from the user may be used to dial a displayed number and/or read
out a next or previous name and telephone number. The inputs from
the user may also be used to access names beginning with certain
letters.
[0009] These and other features and advantages provided by the
invention will be better and more completely understood by
referring to the following detailed description of presently
preferred embodiments in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a generalized block diagram of an example
communication system 100;
[0011] FIG. 2A is a circuit block diagram of one example of
interface circuitry 106;
[0012] FIG. 2B is a detailed schematic showing the interconnections
of the various switches in the example interface circuitry 106
shown in FIG. 2A;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a table summarizing the states of the switches in
the example interface circuitry 106 shown in FIG. 2A for various
functions and operations;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a example arrangement for
practically implementing the system discussed with respect to FIG.
1;
[0015] FIGS. 5A-5L are flowcharts showing various example routines
for the interface circuitry 106; FIG. 5A is a flowchart showing an
illustrative Main Loop; FIG. 5B is a flowchart showing an
illustrative Off-Hook routine; FIG. 5C is a flowchart showing an
illustrative Incoming Cell Call routine; FIG. 5D is a flowchart
showing an illustrative Incoming Landline Call routine; FIG. 5E is
a flowchart showing an illustrative Outgoing Call routine; FIG. 5F
is a flowchart showing an illustrative Phone On-Hook Routine; FIG.
5G is a flowchart showing an illustrative Outgoing Landline Call
routine; FIG. 5H is a flowchart showing an illustrative Flash
Button Pressed routine; FIG. 5I is a flowchart showing an
illustrative Outgoing Cell Call routine; FIG. 5J is a flowchart
showing an illustrative Incoming Calls Check routine; FIG. 5K is a
flowchart showing an illustrative Call Waiting routine; and FIG. 5L
is a flowchart showing an illustrative Ten Second Timer
routine;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of an example
implementation of interface circuitry;
[0017] FIGS. 7A-7F are flowcharts illustrating example operations
involving the interface circuitry shown in FIG. 6; FIG. 7A shows
example operations that occur when the telephone goes into the
off-hook state; FIG. 7B shows example operations that occur at the
end of all calls; FIG. 7C shows example operations that occur when
a cell call is received while the user is on a landline call; FIGS.
7D and 7E show example operations that occur when a landline call
is received while the user is on a cell call; and FIG. 7F shows
example operations that occur when there is an incoming call;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a circuit block diagram of another example of
interface circuitry 106; and
[0019] FIG. 9 shows components involved in making an internet
call.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] FIG. 1 is a generalized block diagram of an example
communication system 100. Communication system 100 includes a
communication device 102 connected via interface circuitry 106 to a
ring-tip line pair 104 for landline calls over the PSTN 105. As is
well-known, PSTN 105 includes a hierarchy of telephony switching
offices. For example, individual subscribers are connected to a
nearby telephone exchange, sometimes referred to as an end office
or switching office; the switching office is connected to a local
central office; the local central office is connected to a toll
office; the toll office is connected to a primary telephony center;
and the primary telephony center is connected to a sectional
telephony center. Sectional telephony centers are connected to
regional telephony centers, which typically are the highest level
in the PSTN 105 switching hierarchy. Other communication devices
110 may also be connected to line pair 104. The communication
devices 102, 110 may be any communication devices that are
configured for communication over PSTN 105 such as telephones,
computer systems, facsimile machines, set-top boxes, personal video
recording devices, etc.
[0021] Interface circuitry 106 is also connected to a wireless
communication device 108 for a wireless communication network 107.
Wireless communication network 107 may be for any conventional
wireless service such as analog advanced mobile phone service
(AMPS), digital advanced mobile phone service (D-AMPS), global
system for mobile communications (GSM), personal communication
service (PCS), satellite service (including low earth-orbiting
satellites), specialized mobile radio (SMR), and cellular digital
packet data (CDPD). A cellular communication network, for example,
is made up of cells, each of which includes at least radio
transmitter/receiver with which a cellular communication device can
communicate. Under the control of a switching office, the radio
transmitter/receiver with which the cellular communication device
communicates changes as the cellular communication device moves
from one cell to another. Example cellular communication devices
include cellular telephones and cellular personal digital
assistants (PDAs). In the following description, communication
devices 102 and 108 are sometimes referred to as telephones.
However, use of the term "telephone" in a particular instance is
not intended to exclude the possibility of using other
communication devices.
[0022] Among other things, interface circuitry 106 permits both
landline calls via PSTN 105 and wireless calls via wireless
communication network 107 to be placed and received using
communication device 102. The other communication devices 110
connected to the same landline 104 as communication device 102 may
be used for landline calls even if communication device 102 is
being used to place or receive a wireless call because, during a
wireless call, communication device 102 is physically disconnected
from landline 104 and is connected to the wireless communication
device 108 via interface circuitry 106. As will be discussed in
greater detail below, the interface circuitry is configured so that
if communication device 102 is engaged in a wireless call, that
wireless call may be placed on hold to answer an incoming landline
call via PSTN 105. Likewise, if the communication device 102 is
engaged in a landline call, that landline call may be placed on
hold to answer an incoming wireless call via wireless communication
network 107. Wireless and landline calls can also be conferenced
together.
[0023] Communication system 100 may also include other devices 109
connected to interface circuitry 106. For example, such devices may
be output devices for outputting information received via the
wireless communication system. These devices may include a
television, a monitor, a facsimile machine, a printer and the
like.
[0024] To make a call over PSTN 105 from communication device 102,
a user first inputs a predetermined code (e.g., "#") to the
communication device. For example, if the communication device is a
telephone, the user may press certain buttons on the keypad of the
telephone. Among other things, this code results in interface
circuitry 106 connecting communication device 102 to line pair 104.
Thereafter, the user can simply dial the number of the called
party. To make a call over the wireless communication network from
communication device 102, the user simply dials the number of the
called party and enters a predetermined code (e.g., "#") when
dialing is finished. When the predetermined code is entered at the
end of the called party's number, interface circuitry 106 provides
the dialed number to the wireless communication device which then
dials the number to place the call.
[0025] As an alternative or in addition to determining how to place
a call based on the inputting of predetermined codes, the interface
circuitry may automatically determine whether to place a call from
communication device 102 via PSTN 105 or wireless communication
network 107. For example, if one of the other communication devices
110 is already on a landline call, interface circuitry 106 may
detect this condition and automatically place any call from
communication device 102 over wireless communication network 107
using wireless communication device 108. Interface circuitry 106
may also determine whether to place a particular call from
communication device 102 over PSTN 105 or over wireless
communication network 107. This determination may, by way of
illustration, be based on cost. For example, some monthly cellular
telephone plans provide for low cost long-distance calls at certain
times such as evenings and weekends. If wireless communication
device 108 is a cellular telephone connected to a cellular
telephone network, interface circuitry 106 may therefore be
configured with intelligence (e.g., real time clock to determine
time that a call is placed, a memory storing calling rates, etc.)
to place long distance calls from communication device 102 over the
cellular communication network via the cellular telephone at these
times.
[0026] FIG. 2A is a circuit block diagram of one example of
interface circuitry 106. In FIG. 2A, wireless communication device
108 is a cellular device and wireless network 107 is a cellular
network. It will of course be appreciated that the following
description is applicable to any of the wireless devices and
services mentioned above. Line pair 104 provides DC current (e.g.,
to power electronics of the communication device 102), AC current
to ring the telephone bell, and a full duplex communication path. A
hold circuit 11 is selectively connected via a hold switch 12
across the tip-ring pair to place a call on hold without
disconnecting the call. Hold circuit 11 may, for example, comprise
a 350-ohm resistor. Communication device 102 is connected to line
pair 104 via first and second switches 30, 32.
[0027] The interface circuitry also includes a ringing Subscriber
Line Interface Circuit (SLIC) 20 that performs a variety of
functions. Ringing SLIC 20 detects and decodes Dual Tone
Multi-Frequency (DTMF) codes generated by communication device 102
and communicates these codes to Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 22.
Ringing SLIC 20 creates and generates standard and custom telephone
signals and tones such as busy signals, dial tones, and the like,
and also rings the communication device 102 when there is an
incoming call from PSTN 105 or cellular communication network 107.
Specifically, DAA 36 detects incoming calls via line pair 104 and
provides an incoming landline call signal to DSP 22. In response to
this signal, DSP 22 causes ringing SLIC 20 to ring communication
device 102. Similarly, DSP 22 detects incoming calls to cellular
communication device 108 via its connection thereto over bus 48. In
response to this detection, DSP 22 causes ringing SLIC 20 to ring
communication device 102. Ringing SLIC 20 may provide different
rings to distinguish between incoming cellular and landline calls.
Ringing SLIC 20 also generates analog signals used, for example, to
send information such as CID (Caller ID) data to communication
device 102. In addition, because communication device 102 is only
selectively connected to line pair 104, an integrated DC-DC
converter of ringing SLIC 20 is used to power the communication
device. Thus, for example, if the communication device is a
telephone, a user is able to press buttons on the telephone even
though the telephone is not connected to the landline 104. This is
desirable because during a cellular call, the telephone needs an
external power supply. As noted above, such power is provided by
line pair 104 during a landline call. Ringing SLIC 20 also performs
on-hook and off-hook detection and generates on-hook and off-hook
detection signals that are provided to DSP 22 in response to these
detections. On-hook refers to the state in which the communication
device is not being used such as when a telephone handset is placed
on the cradle. Off-hook is the state when the communication device
is in use such as when a telephone handset is removed from the
cradle, releasing the hook switch. Ringing SLIC 20 performs serial
communication by sending data over a bus 44 to DSP 22 using a
standard communication protocol such as 4-wire Serial Peripheral
Interface (SPI) protocol. Bus 44 is used to send status information
(on-hook, off-hook, ringing, etc) to DSP 22, and DSP 22 uses bus 44
to send commands and retrieve information from ringing SLIC 20.
[0028] DSP 22 is the central processor of interface circuitry 106
and controls all the functions thereof. For example, DSP 22 is
connected via bus 48 to the external data connector of the cellular
communication device 108. DSP 22 can control the functions of the
cellular telephone (e.g., dialing, answering incoming calls, ending
calls, power on/off, etc.) via commands sent over bus 48. Software
is programmed into DSP 22 and/or is accessible from memory 42 to
implement the various functions described herein. While a DSP is
used as a control circuit in the example embodiment, it will be
appreciated that various other types of control circuits including
microprocessors, microcontrollers, logic circuits, application
specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable array logic,
etc. and combinations thereof may be used to implement some or all
of the functions described herein.
[0029] DAA 36 is an analog interface to line pair 104 whose primary
function is to monitor the voltage/current of line pair 104 and to
detect incoming landline calls. DAA 36 is connected to DSP 22 via a
bi-directional serial communication line 46 and communicates with
DSP 22 when certain events occur such as an incoming landline call.
DAA 36 detects incoming CID information, functions as a data modem,
and may be provided with protocol stacks for applications such as
internet access (e.g., dial-up) and voice-over-IP. The DAA has
analog-to-digital converters for converting the analog audio signal
from line pair 104 to a digital stream that is sent to DSP 22 and
digital-to-analog converters for converting digital audio from DSP
22 to analog audio signals that are output to line pair 104. DAA 36
complies with the telephone standard of many countries. 2-to-4-wire
(hybrid) converter 40 is a line interface provided between
communication device 102 and cellular communication device 108 for,
among other things, providing line impedance matching and 2-to-4
wire conversion. Converter 40 permits communication device 102 to
send/receive audio to/from cellular communication device 108.
[0030] The example interface circuitry shown in FIG. 2A includes
various switches to connect/disconnect elements from each other.
These switches are controlled by DSP 22. For ease of illustration,
the connections between DSP 22 and the switches are not shown in
FIG. 2A. Although these switches are shown in FIG. 2A as hardware
switches, the switching may in fact be implemented in software as
discussed in detail below with reference to FIG. 8. First switch 30
is used to disconnect communication device 102 from line pair 104
to reduce the possibility of the user hearing noise if the user is
on a cellular call and there is an incoming landline call, or if
someone is on another extension in the home or office. First switch
30 is used in conjunction with third switch 34 to allow calls to be
placed from communication device 102 either via PSTN 105 or
cellular communication network 107. Second switch 32 is used to
selectively connect/disconnect DAA 36 to line pair 104. This
arrangement allows DAA 36 to monitor all activity of line pair 104
(i.e., incoming calls, line voltages, etc). Second switch 32 is
used in conjunction with hold switch 12 to place a landline call on
hold without disconnecting it. Third switch 34 is used to
disconnect communication device 102 from ringing SLIC 20 during a
landline call. This avoids damage to ringing SLIC 20 when the
communication device 102 is being used in landline mode (e.g.,
placing or receiving a landline call). Hold switch 12 selectively
connects a 350-ohm resister of hold circuit 11 across the line pair
104 and permits a call to be placed on hold without the call being
disconnected by the local phone company. Finally, audio switch 38
switches the audio path between cellular communication device 108
and communication device 102 on and off. Audio switch 38 allows the
system to place a cellular call on hold, while the user answers a
landline call during a call-waiting situation. If desired, audio
switch 38 may be omitted and a mute function of converter 40 may be
used to perform functions similar to those of audio switch 38.
[0031] To make a call over PSTN 105, the user first places
communication device 102 in the off-hook state. Ringing SLIC 20
detects this off-hook state and sends an off-hook signal to DSP 22.
In response to the off-hook signal, DSP 22 closes second switch 32
and third switch 34, and opens first switch 30, audio switch 38 and
hold switch 12. The user then presses the # button. Ringing SLIC 20
detects this button press and sends the # button press code to DSP
22. In response to the # button press code, DSP 22 connects
communication device 102 to line pair 104 by controlling the
various switches so that first and second switches 30, 32 are
closed and third switch 34, hold switch 12 and audio switch 38 are
open. The user then dials a telephone number to place a call over
PSTN 105. If the called party answers, communication such as
conversation may begin. If the called party does not answer, the
calling party hangs up and communication device 102 is then in an
on-hook state.
[0032] To make a call over cellular communication network 107 via
cellular communication device 108, the user again places
communication device 102 in the off-hook state. Ringing SLIC 20
detects this off-hook state and sends an off-hook signal to DSP 22.
In response to the off-hook signal, DSP 22 closes second and third
switches 32, 34 and opens first switch 30, audio switch 38 and hold
switch 12. The user then dials the desired telephone number, which
is detected and decoded by ringing SLIC 20 and forwarded to DSP 22.
When the user presses "#" after entering the telephone number, DSP
22 closes audio switch 38 and then communicates the telephone
number over bus 48 to cellular communication device 108, which
thereafter dials the number. DSP 22 may, for example, use RS232
protocol at 9600 baud to communicate over bus 48 with the cellular
telephone, although other protocols may readily be utilized.
Because audio switch 38 is closed, an audio path is provided
between cellular communication device 108 and communication device
102. If the called party answers, communication such as
conversation may begin. If the called party does not answer, the
calling party hangs up and communication device 102 is then in an
on-hook state. Ringing SLIC 20 detects the on-hook state and sends
an on-hook signal to DSP 22. DSP 22 thereafter ends the cellular
call and disconnects communication device 102 from cellular
communication device 108 by opening audio switch 38.
[0033] In the above-described implementation, the interface
circuitry connects the communication device 102 for a PSTN call in
response to the input of a predetermined code before the user
enters a telephone number and connects the communication device for
a wireless network call in response to the input of a predetermined
code after the user enters a telephone number. Of course, it will
be readily appreciated that the interface circuitry may be
configured to connect the communication device for a wireless call
in response to the input of a predetermined code before the user
enters a telephone number and to connect the communication device
for a PSTN call in response to the input of a predetermined code
after the user enters a telephone number.
[0034] FIG. 2B is a detailed schematic showing the interconnections
of the various switches in the example interface circuitry 106
shown in FIG. 2A. As discussed above, DSP 22 controls the switches
in order to perform various functions and operations. A first
switch configuration is used when placing or receiving a call via
PSTN 105. In this configuration, first and second switches 30A,
30B, 32A, 32B are closed and third switch 34A, 34B; hold switch
12A, 12B; and audio switch 38A, 38B are open. In this first switch
configuration, communication device 102 is connected via closed
first and second switches 30, 32 to line pair 104. Audio switch 38
is open to disconnect communication device 102 from the cellular
communication device 108. Because communication device 102 receives
power from line pair 104, third switch 34 is also open. A second
switch configuration is used when placing or receiving a call via
cellular communication network 107. In this second configuration,
first switch 30A, 30B and hold switch 12A, 12B are open. Second and
third switches 32A, 32B, 34A, 34B and the audio switch 38A, 38B are
closed. Closing switch 32A, 32B allows DAA 36 to detect incoming
calls via PSTN 105 when the communication device 102 is being used
for a cellular call. A third switch configuration is for the
on-hook state (i.e., when communication device 102 is not being
used to place or receive a landline or a cellular call). In this
third configuration, first switch 30A, 30B; hold switch 12A, 12B;
and audio switch 38A, 38B are open. Second and third switches 32A,
32B, 34A, 34B are closed.
[0035] To place a landline call on hold and connect to a cellular
call, switch 12A, 12B is closed and the second switch configuration
is then utilized. To place a cellular call on hold and connect to
an incoming landline call, the first switch configuration is
utilized. Thus, the user has call waiting between landline and
cellular calls and the user can press the flash button on their
phone to activate this feature (i.e., place the landline call on
hold, and answer incoming cellular call or vice versa) when they
hear the special call waiting tone. If the user does not subscribe
to call waiting, there is a possibility that during a call waiting
event (e.g., the user is on a landline call, and there is an
incoming cellular call), when the user presses the flash button,
the local telephone company will see this flash event and
disconnect the landline call. This is because when the flash button
is pressed the telephone goes in the on-hook state for 300-700 ms
and then goes back into the off-hook state. In short, if the user
does not subscribe to a call waiting service, the phone company may
disconnect the landline call when the flash button is pressed. To
circumvent this problem, the flash button is re-mapped to another
button on the telephone such as the "*` button. In this case,
during a call waiting event (as described above) the user presses
the "*" button instead of the flash button on his/her telephone.
The telephone company will know that the "*" button is pressed, but
this press will be ignored. On the other hand, because the
interface circuitry can detect an incoming call, when it detects
that the "*" button is pressed during a call waiting event, the
system places the landline call on hold, and connects the user to
the cellular call. This flash functionality can also be provided
using a dedicated flash button. Call conferencing between cellular
and landline calls may be accomplished in response to an
appropriate user input by closing audio switch 38 and placing the
other switches in the same configuration as for a landline call
(i.e., the first switch configuration described above).
[0036] FIG. 3 is a table summarizing the states of the switches in
the example interface circuitry 106 shown in FIG. 2A for various
representative functions and operations.
[0037] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example arrangement for
practically implementing the system discussed with respect to FIG.
1. While this example arrangement shows the system components
provided in an integrated manner, the invention is not limited in
this respect. For example, the interface circuitry may be
physically separate from the communication device and connected
between the line pair and the communication device. The arrangement
shown in FIG. 4 includes a telephone handset 202 received in a
cradle 203 of a base unit 204. Base unit 204 is connected (not
shown) to line pair 104 (see FIG. 2A) and to a power outlet (not
shown). Handset 202 and base unit 204 are configured for cordless
communication using antennas 205 and 206 as is well known in the
art. The handset includes a microphone 207, a speaker 208, and a
keypad 209 that can be used, for example, to place and receive
calls. Keypad 209 includes numeric keys 1-9, a "*" key, a "#" key
and three function keys. The function keys may include a flash
button, a mute button, a hold button, an answering machine button,
and the like. Handset 202 may also include a display 210 such as a
liquid crystal display. Various arrangements of keypad 209 and
display 210 may be used and the invention is not limited in this
respect.
[0038] Base unit 204 includes a speaker 211, a microphone 212 and a
keypad 213 that can be used, for example, to place and receive
calls without using the handset. Base unit 204 also includes a
cradle 214 with connector 215, which includes electrical contacts
for electrically connecting the base unit to the data connector of
a cellular telephone 220. Because the electrical connectors of
cellular telephones typically differ from manufacturer to
manufacturer (and even within models from the same manufacturer),
FIG. 4 shows cellular telephone 220 connected to base unit 204 via
an adapter 217 that "adapts" the electrical connector configuration
of the cellular phone to the electrical connector configuration of
base unit 204. Of course, it will be readily apparent that the
systems and methods described herein are not in any way limited to
an arrangement in which an adapter is required to connect the
cellular telephone to the base unit. For example, different base
units may be provided with electrical connectors that are specific
to a particular manufacturer or even a particular model. In this
case, the cellular telephone may be directly inserted into cradle
214. Of course, the advantage of an adapter is that a single base
unit with a universal electrical connector may be used, provided
adapters are used that "adapt" the particular electrical connector
configuration of different cellular telephones to the universal
connector configuration of the base unit.
[0039] Interface circuitry 106 is incorporated within base unit
204. The interface circuitry may include RF circuitry (not shown)
for improving the range of the cellular telephone 220, for example,
by boosting the power of the transmitted cellular signals and by
improving the cellular signal levels that can be detected using an
antenna 218. This RF circuitry may be connected to the cellular
telephone via the cellular telephone's external antenna connector
(not shown).
[0040] As explained above, interface circuitry 106, among other
things, permits both landline calls and cellular calls to be placed
and received using the handset 202. To place a wireless call, the
user takes the handset 202 off-hook, enters the telephone number of
the called party, and enters "#" (or some other code) after
entering the telephone number. If desired, the cellular signals are
communicated via the aforementioned RF circuitry. If the called
party answers, audio is communicated between the user and the
called party via an audio path within the interface circuitry. To
place a PSTN call, the user first enters "#" (or some other code).
The interface circuitry recognizes this code as indicating that the
user wishes to place a PSTN call. The switches within the interface
circuitry are then controlled so that handset 202 is connected to
line pair 104 and the user can then dial the number of a called
party and place the call over the PSTN.
[0041] Because DSP 22 is typically configured (or may be easily
configured) with the appropriate protocol stacks for Internet
access, the user of the systems and methods described herein has
the ability of making three types of calls when communication
device 102 goes off-hook: landline, wireless and internet (IP). The
called party does not have to have the system described herein to
receive such calls. In what follows, the user is assumed to have a
dialup connection, although other connections such as broadband
connections can also be used.
[0042] With reference to FIG. 9, ISP's typically have local
servers/voice gateways 802 located in major cities throughout the
United States and other countries. Interface circuitry 106 connects
to an ISP 804 over a landline 806 of the PSTN. The user's voice is
digitized by the ringing SLIC 20, packetized by DSP 22, and
communication is established over the internet 808 with a local
server/voice gateway 802 that corresponds to the area code and
local exchange of the called party. The local server then places a
local call to the called party's number over the PSTN and, if the
called party answers, a communication link is thereby established
between the interface circuitry 106 and the called party. The voice
gateway converts digital audio from the server and injects it onto
the telephone line to the called party. The voice gateway converts
analog audio from the called party to digital data, encapsulates it
and communicates it to the server, which in turn, forwards the data
to the interface circuitry over the internet. Interface circuitry
106 converts the digital data to an analog signal, which can be
heard by the calling party.
[0043] More specifically, to place a voice-over-IP (VOIP) call, the
user lifts handset, and presses a predetermined internet call code,
which places the interface circuitry into an IP call mode. Under
the control of DSP 22, DAA 36 dials and connects to the user's ISP.
When this connection is established, the user is provided with a
confirmation tone, which indicates that a call may now be placed.
The user then dials the number he/she wishes to call (e.g.,
410-555-5555). When interface circuitry 106 detects the DTMF button
presses, it decodes the area code (in this case, the area code for
Maryland) and decodes the local exchange "555" which will be
assumed to be for Columbia, Md. Then, interface circuitry 106 sends
signal via ISP 804 to a local server/voice gateway that is located
in that local exchange (i.e., Columbia, Md.). When communication is
established with the local server/voice gateway, an instruction is
sent which instructs the local server to dial the following number
of the called party (i.e., 410-555-5555). The voice (PSTN) gateway
of the local server places the call to called party's number. When
the call is answered, the gateway acts as the interface between the
PSTN call and the IP call. Incoming internet calls to interface
circuitry 106 would be the same as receiving a normal landline call
because the call would be placed by a local server/voice
gateway.
[0044] DSP 22 of interface circuitry 106 executes software stored
in internal memory and/or in an external memory accessible thereto
(such as memory 42). This memory may be read-only memory,
read/write memory or some combination thereof and may be volatile
and/or non-volatile. Generally speaking, the operations described
below may be implemented in hardware, firmware and/or software. In
the example embodiment of interface circuitry 106 shown in FIG. 2A,
the operations are implemented using software. The data and
instructions for this software are stored in a storage medium such
as memory 42 that is accessible to DSP 22. DSP 22 executes these
instructions in response to various signals supplied thereto such
as on-hook signals, off-signals, and the like. For purposes of the
FIG. 5 discussion below, communication device 102 is a telephone.
However, as noted above, the invention is not limited in this
respect.
[0045] FIGS. 5A-5L are flowcharts showing various example routines
for the interface circuitry 106. The program including these
routines may be implemented, for example, using an event-driven
state machine. After an event is handled, the state machine enters
a "do-nothing" state until another event occurs. At the end of a
routine, control generally returns to the calling routine. For
example, if routine A calls routine B, control returns to routine A
when routine B ends.
[0046] FIG. 5A is a flowchart showing an illustrative Main Loop. At
ST, 1150, a check is made for incoming landline and cell calls. At
ST 1151, a check of hook switch status is made and at ST 1152 a
check is made for DTMF keypresses. The routine then returns to ST
1150.
[0047] FIG. 5B is a flowchart showing an illustrative Off-Hook
routine. This routine is initiated when communication device 102
goes into the off-hook state. For example, the off-hook state may
precede the placing or answering of a call or going to a call on
hold. The off-hook state is detected by ringing SLIC 20, which
provides an off-hook signal to DSP 22. In response to the off-hook
signal, DSP 22 executes the Off-Hook routine. At ST 1001, the
routine determines whether there is an incoming cell call. If so,
the Incoming Cell Call routine (see FIG. 5C) is entered at ST 1002.
If not, the routine proceeds to ST 1003 where a determination is
made as to whether there is an incoming landline call. If there is
an incoming landline call, the Incoming Landline Call routine (see
FIG. 5D) is entered at ST 1004. If there is no incoming landline
call, the routine continues to ST 1005 where a determination is
made as to whether the user is on a call. If the user is not on a
call, the Outgoing Call routine (see FIG. 5E) is entered at ST
1007. If the user is on a call, the routine determines at ST 1006
whether a touchtone button is pressed. If no touchtone button is
pressed, the Off-Hook routine ends. If a determination is made at
ST 1006 that a touchtone button has been pressed, the routine
determines at ST 1008 whether the flash button is pressed. If the
flash button has been pressed, the Flash Button Pressed routine
(see FIG. 5H) is entered at ST 1009. If not, the Off-Hook routine
ends.
[0048] FIG. 5C is a flowchart showing an illustrative Incoming Cell
Call routine. This routine is accessed, for example, from the
Off-Hook routine of FIG. 5B (i.e., the user has picked up the
telephone) when a determination is made that there is an incoming
cell call. At ST 1010, the ringing of telephone 102 generated in
response to the incoming cell call is stopped. An answer call
command is sent to cellular telephone 108 (ST 1011) and an on
cell-call flag is set (ST 1012). Thereafter, the routine ends.
[0049] FIG. 5D is a flowchart showing an illustrative Incoming
Landline Call routine. This routine is accessed, for example, from
the Off-Hook routine of FIG. 5B (i.e., the user has picked up the
telephone) when a determination is made that there is an incoming
landline call. At ST 1020, the ringing of telephone 102 generated
in response to the incoming landline call is stopped. Next, at ST
1021, third switch 34 and the audio switch 38 are opened, and first
switch 30 is closed. An on landline call flag is then set at ST
1022. Thereafter, the routine ends.
[0050] FIG. 5E is a flowchart showing an illustrative Outgoing Call
routine. This routine is accessed, for example, from the Off-Hook
routine of FIG. 5B (i.e., the user has picked up the telephone)
when determinations are made that there is no incoming landline or
cellular call and that the user is not currently on a call. At ST
1030, second and third switches 32, 34 are closed and first switch
30, audio switch 38 and hold switch 12 are opened. A determination
is made at ST 1031 (which is also the entry point of the DTMF
button press check routine) as to whether the phone on-hook flag is
set. If so, the routine proceeds to ST 1032 where the Phone On-Hook
(see FIG. 5F) routine is carried out. If not, a determination is
made at ST 1033 as to whether a touchtone button has been pressed.
If no touchtone button has been pressed, the routine ends. If a
touchtone button has been pressed, the routine proceeds to ST 1034
where a determination is made as to whether a predetermined key has
been pressed. For purposes of the discussion herein, the
predetermined key will be the "#" key, although the invention is
not limited in this respect. If the "#" key has not been pressed,
the routine continues to ST 1035 where the key that was pressed is
stored in memory. The routine then ends. If the "#" key has been
pressed, the routine continues to ST 1036 where a determination is
made as to whether the "#" key is the first key pressed. If the "#"
key is not the first key pressed, the Outgoing Cell Call routine
(see FIG. 5I) is entered at ST 1037. If the "#" key is the first
key pressed, the Outgoing Landline routine is entered at ST 1038.
In short, if the "#" key is pressed before the user enters a
telephone number, the communication device is connected to line
pair 104 and the user can thereafter enter a telephone number to
make a landline call. If the "#" key is pressed after the user
enters a telephone number, an outgoing cell call is initiated via
cellular communication device 108 using the entered telephone
number.
[0051] FIG. 5F is a flowchart showing an illustrative Phone On-Hook
routine. At ST 1040, a determination is made as to whether the user
was just on a cell call. If not, the routine continues to ST 1042.
If so, an "End Call" command is sent to the cellular telephone at
ST 1041 and the routine thereafter proceeds to ST 1042. At ST 1042,
all flags except the "cell call on hold" and "landline call on
hold" flags are cleared and then first switch 30 is opened and
second switch 32 is closed at ST 1043. The routine then continues
to ST 1044 and ST 1045 at which audio switch 38 is opened and third
switch 34 is closed, respectively. The routine then checks for
incoming calls at ST 1046. A determination is made at ST 1047 as to
whether the cell call on hold flag is set and, if not, a
determination is made at ST 1048 as to whether the landline call on
hold flag is set. If the cell call on hold flag is set, the
incoming cell call flag is set at ST 1049 and incoming calls are
checked at ST 1050. If the landline call on hold flag is set at ST
1048, the incoming landline call flag is set at ST 1051 and
incoming calls are checked at ST 1050. If the landline call on hold
flag is determined not to be set at ST 1048, the routine ends.
[0052] FIG. 5G is a flowchart showing an illustrative Outgoing
Landline Call routine. This routine is accessed, for example, from
the Outgoing Call routine of FIG. 5E if a determination is made
that a landline call is to be made. At ST 1060, the routine closes
first and second switches 30, 32 and opens third switch 34. The
routine then continues to ST 1061 at which the landline call flag
is set. At this point, the communication device is connected to
line pair 104 and the user places a landline call in the normal
way. Thereafter, the routine ends. While on a landline call,
keypresses by the user are ignored.
[0053] FIG. 5H is a flowchart showing an illustrative Flash Button
Pressed routine. At ST 1070, the routine determines whether the
user is on a landline call. If so, the routine proceeds to ST 1071
where a determination is made as to whether the incoming cell call
flag or the cell call on hold flag is set. If so, the routine
proceeds to put the landline call on hold and connect to the cell
call (ST 1072) by closing hold switch 12 (ST 1073), opening first
switch 30 (ST 1074) and closing third switch 34 and audio switch 38
(ST 1075). The routine then proceeds to the Incoming Cell Call (see
FIG. 5C) at ST 1076. If the incoming cell call flag and the cell
call on hold flags are not set at ST 1071, the routine then
performs a landline flash (ST 1077) by opening second switch 32 (ST
1078), waiting 400 milliseconds (ST 1079) and then closing second
switch 32 (ST 1080). If the routine determines at ST 1070 that the
user is not on a landline call, the routine proceeds to ST 1081
where a determination is made as to whether the incoming landline
call flag or the landline call on hold flag is set. If so, the
routine proceeds to put the cell call on hold and connect to the
landline call (ST 1082) and then goes to the Incoming Landline Call
routine (see FIG. 5D) at ST 1083. If the incoming landline call
flag and the landline call on hold flags are not set at ST 1081,
the routine does a cell phone flash (ST 1084) by sending an answer
key command to the cellular telephone (ST 1085).
[0054] FIG. 5I is a flowchart showing an illustrative Outgoing Cell
Call routine. This routine is accessed, for example, from the
Outgoing Call routine of FIG. 5E if a determination is made that a
cell call is to be made. At ST 1090, the routine closes third
switch 34 and audio switch 38. First switch 30 is opened and second
switch 32 is closed at ST 1091. The routine then dials the numbers
stored at ST 1035 in FIG. 5E on the cell phone at ST 1092. If
dialing is not finished at ST 1093, a determination is made at ST
1094 as to whether the phone on-hook flag is set. If not, the
routine returns to ST 1092 to continue dialing the numbers on the
cell phone. If the on-hook flag is set, the Phone On-Hook routine
(see FIG. 5F) is entered at ST 1095. If the dialing is finished at
ST 1093, the on cell call flag is set (ST 1096) and the routine
ends.
[0055] FIG. 5J is a flowchart showing an illustrative Incoming
Calls Check routine. At ST 1100, the routine determines whether
there is an incoming landline call or whether the incoming landline
call flag is set. The determination of whether there is an incoming
landline call is made by checking the hardware (e.g., the voltages
on line pair 104). If either condition is satisfied at ST 1100, the
routine proceeds to ST 1101 where a determination is made as to
whether the user is on a cell call. If so, the Call Waiting routine
(see FIG. 5K) is entered (ST 1102). If the user is not on a cell
call, the routine rings the telephone normally, opens first switch
30 and closes third switch 34 (ST 1102). The incoming landline call
flag is then set at ST 1103 and the routine proceeds to ST 1109. If
neither condition is satisfied at ST 1100, the routine determines
whether there is an incoming cell call or whether the incoming cell
call flag is set at ST 1104. To determine whether there is an
incoming cell call, the signal level on the audio pin of the
cellular telephone's data connector may be compared to a
predetermined level. If the signal level exceeds this predetermined
level, an incoming cell call is determined to be present. In an
alternative implementation, DSP 22 may be responsive to an incoming
cell call signal provided via telephone's data connector over bus
48. If the determination at ST 1104 is "NO", the routine ends. If
the determination at ST 1104 is "YES", the routine proceeds to ST
1105 where a determination is made as to whether the user is on a
landline call. If so, the Call Waiting routine (see FIG. 5K) is
entered at ST 1106. If not, the routine rings the telephone, opens
first switch 30 and closes third switch 34 (ST 1107). Preferably,
the ring at ST 1107 is different than the ring for an incoming
landline call. This enables the user to know before answering that
the incoming call is a cell call. At ST 1108, the incoming cell
call flag is set and the routine then proceeds to ST 1109. At ST
1109, the routine continuously checks whether the incoming call is
stopped. If so, the ringing of the telephone is stopped at ST 1110
and the cell call on hold flag, the landline on hold flag, the
incoming landline call flag or the incoming cell call flag is
cleared at ST 1111.
[0056] FIG. 5K is a flowchart showing an illustrative Call Waiting
routine. At ST 1120, the routine checks whether the user is on a
cell call. If so, the routine generates a special call waiting tone
(ST 1121), enables the Ten Second Timer routine (ST 1122), and sets
a call waiting flag (ST 1123). Thereafter, the routine ends. The
normal call waiting tone is 440 Hz. In order to allow the user to
determine the type of call waiting while he/she is on the
telephone, the user will hear a 1500 Hz tone. Hearing this tone,
which is significantly different than the normal call waiting tone,
will tell the user that another type of call is waiting. If the
user is not on a cell call, the routine closes the hold switch 12
at ST 1124 and then opens first switch 30 and closes third switch
34 at ST 1125. A special call waiting tone is generated at ST 1126
and the Ten Second Timer routine is enabled at ST 1127. First
switch 30 is then closed at ST 1128 and hold switch 12 and third
switch 34 are opened at ST 1129. The call waiting flag is set at ST
1130 and thereafter the routine ends.
[0057] FIG. 5L is a flowchart showing an illustrative Ten Second
Timer routine. The routine first checks whether ten seconds have
passed at ST 1140. If not, the routine determines whether the call
waiting flag is set at ST 1141. If so, the routine returns to ST
1140 to determine whether ten seconds have passed. If not, the
routine proceeds to ST 1143. If the routine determines at ST 1140
that ten seconds have passed, a check is made as to whether the
call waiting flag is set at ST 1142. If not, the routine ends. If
so, the routine proceeds to ST 1143 where the timer is disabled and
to ST 1144 where the Call Waiting routine is entered.
[0058] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of an example
implementation of interface circuitry. In this example, the
interface circuitry is configured to connect the communication
device for a wireless call in response to the input of a
predetermined code (e.g., *32) and otherwise connect the
communication device for a PSTN call. Communication device 102 is
an ordinary cord or cordless telephone that may be located in a
home or office. Switch 502 is an electronic switch for connecting
and disconnecting the telephone from the PSTN. Tri-state 503 is an
electronic switch that places the phone line in a high impedance
state. Wall jack 504 is a standard RJ11 wall jack found in homes
and offices. Network interface 505 is circuitry that interfaces the
system to the PSTN. This interface complies with all FCC
regulations for attaching electronic equipment to the PSTN. When
the communication device 102 is in use by the user, the network
interface 505 places the proper voltages, resistances and
impedances on the telephone line of the PSTN. This keeps the
telephone available for incoming and outgoing calls. Ring detector
506 detects incoming calls from the PSTN and provides an incoming
call detection signal to the microcontroller 507. Ring generator
508 rings the communication device 102 when an incoming cellular
call is detected. Microcontroller 507 provides the overall control
of the interface circuitry. On/off-hook circuit 509 detects when
the communication device 102 is on-hook (i.e., not in use) and
off-hook (i.e., in use). This circuit sends on-hook and off-hook
signals to microcontroller 507 as appropriate. DTMF circuit 510
detects and decodes the buttons pressed by the user on
communication device 102 and provides this information to
microcontroller 507. Audio interface 511 selectively provides an
audio path between the cellular phone and communication device 102.
RF interface 512 contains a very sensitive RF antenna that is
capable of detecting and capturing very weak cellular signals. RF
interface 512 increases the sensitivity/signal range of the
cellular telephone that is connected to the system. Cell phone
interface 513 connects the cellular telephone to the interface
circuitry so that calls, data, audio, etc. can be sent to and
received from the cellular telephone. Power distribution system 514
connects to all the elements shown in FIG. 6. The power
distribution system controls, regulates and distributes power to
these elements.
[0059] FIGS. 7A-7F are flowcharts illustrating example operations
involving the interface circuitry shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 7A shows
example operations that occur when the telephone goes into the
off-hook state. FIG. 7B shows example operations that occur at the
end of all calls. FIG. 7C shows example operations that occur when
a cell call is received while the user is on a landline call. FIGS.
7D and 7E show example operations that occur when a landline call
is received while the user is on a cell call. FIG. 7F shows example
operations that occur when there is an incoming call. Additional
description of these flowcharts is provided in Application No.
60/394,283, filed Jul. 9, 2002, the contents of which are
incorporated herein in their entirety.
[0060] FIG. 8 is a circuit block diagram of another example of
interface circuitry 106. In this example, interface circuitry 106
does not use hardware switches and the switching is done in
software by compressed digital audio as opposed to the raw analog
audio signal. The functionality of the FIG. 8 interface circuitry
is the same as that of the FIG. 2 interface circuitry; however, the
FIG. 8 interface circuitry provides more robustness. For example,
the FIG. 8 interface circuitry converts all audio to a digital
format, which allows the audio signals to be enhanced using
conventional digital signal processing techniques. For example, if
the audio to/from line pair 104, communication device 102, and/or
the cellular phone 108 is unclear or noisy, DSP 122 can remove this
unwanted noise from the audio signal. The audio from line pair 104
can be digitized by DAA 136, and the audio from communication
device 102 and cellular telephone 108 can be digitized by ringing
SLIC 120. In the following description, communication device 102 is
assumed to be a telephone, although, as noted above, the invention
is not limited in this respect.
[0061] The user makes a landline call as follows. First, the user
picks up the telephone (i.e., places the telephone in an off-hook
state) and enters a predetermined code for a landline call. The
user then dials the telephone number of the called party. Ringing
SLIC 120 detects the numbers being dialed and sends this
information to DSP 122. DSP 122 instructs DAA 136 to go off hook,
and DAA 136 dials the telephone number of the called party. If the
called party answers, DAA 136 captures, digitizes and compresses
the audio from the called party that is communicated over landline
104. This compressed digital data is communicated DSP 122. DSP 122
can optionally process the compressed digital data using digital
audio techniques such as audio quality enhancement. DSP 122 sends
the digital audio to ringing SLIC 120 via a digital audio data bus
45 (e.g., a PCM serial bus). Although busses 44 and 45 are shown
separately, they may be provided as a single bus in another
implementation. Ringing SLIC 120 decompresses the audio and
converts the digital signal back into analog audio signals, which
are then supplied to the telephone so that the user can hear
them.
[0062] Analog audio from the calling party is supplied to ringing
SLIC 120, which digitizes and compresses the audio and communicates
the digital audio signal to DSP 122 over the digital audio path.
DSP 122 can optionally utilize digital audio processing techniques
on the digital audio to, for example, provide audio enhancement.
The digital audio signal output from DSP 122 is supplied to DAA
136, which decompresses the audio and converts the digital signal
to an analog signal that is then transmitted to the called party
via line pair 104.
[0063] To make a cellular call from the telephone, the user follows
the steps discussed above with respect to the interface circuitry
of FIG. 2A. Call conferencing between cellular and landline calls
may be accomplished by connecting both DAA 136 and cellular phone
108 to ringing SLIC 120 simultaneously.
[0064] The above-described arrangements also advantageously permit
data other than audio data to be sent from wireless communication
device 108 to communication device 102. For example, the names and
associated telephone numbers that are stored in a cellular
telephone phonebook may be stored into memory (such as memory 42)
each time a cellular telephone is connected to the interface
circuitry (e.g., by being placed in cradle 214 in FIG. 4). These
names and telephone numbers may be stored using the Caller ID (CID)
protocol and forwarded to a CID-enabled communication device 102
for viewing. This protocol is described in documents such as
Calling Identity Delivery On Call-Waiting, TR-NWT-000575; Caller
Identification With Call Waiting: Request for Information From
Customer Premises Equipment Suppliers, RFI 91-03; SPCS Customer
Premises Equipment Data Interface, TR-TSY-000030, Bellcore, Issue
1, November 1988; Call Waiting LSSGR, Feature Specific Document
(FSD) 01-02-1201, TR-TSY-000522, Issue 2, July 1987, CLASS Calling
Name Delivery and Related Features Generic Requirements,
TA-NWT-001188, Issue 1, Bellcore, March 1991; and CLASS Feature:
Calling Number Delivery, TR-TSY-000031, Bellcore, Issue 3, January
1990; and Caller Identification With Call Waiting: Request for
INformation From Customer Premises Equipment Suppliers, RFI-91-03,
April 1991. Each of these documents is incorporated herein by
reference. Briefly, caller ID uses the time interval between the
first two rings of the called-party telephone to transmit
information to that telephone. The information is FSK-modulated and
includes a preamble followed by data including a message type, a
data count, and data such as month, day, hour, minute, phone
number, name, etc. Many new home and office telephones have
built-in CID receivers and LCD screens. As described below, by
using the CID transmission protocol, the systems and methods
described herein provide for sending information such as e-mail,
text, messages, cellular telephone directories and the like to
communication device 102. Thus, by using the CID type I and/or CID
type 2 (CIDCW) protocols, the communication systems and methods
described herein can send information to the communication device
102.
[0065] By way of illustration, stored telephone numbers in a
cellular telephone's phonebook may be displayed on communication
devices such as telephones that have built-in caller-ID LCD
screens. This is advantageous because it enables users of standard
landline telephones to retrieve names and telephone numbers stored
within their cellular telephones and then place a cellular or
landline call from the standard landline telephone using these
names and telephone numbers. This feature may be implemented as
follows.
[0066] Each time a cellular telephone is connected to the interface
circuitry, the names and telephone numbers stored in the memory of
the cellular telephone are synchronized with the names and
telephone numbers stored in memory 42. Specifically, DSP 22 (122)
detects the presence of a connection to a cellular telephone and
sends a command to the cellular telephone to transfer the contents
of its phonebook. DSP 22 (122) updates the phonebook contents in
memory 42 (142) based on the contents transferred from the cellular
telephone. These steps are performed each time the cellular
telephone is connected to the interface circuitry.
[0067] To view names and/or telephone numbers that are stored in
the cellular telephone's phonebook, the user picks up the standard
landline telephone. At this point, the user can do one of four
things: (1) make a landline telephone call as described above; (2)
make a cellular telephone call as described above; (3) make a
voice-over-IP call as described above, or (4) enter a predetermined
code to view the contents (names and telephone numbers) of the
cellular telephone's phonebook. By way of example, the
predetermined code for view the phonebook contents may be "*7",
although it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited
in this respect.
[0068] Ringing SLIC 20 (12) detects the user's inputs and forwards
the inputs to DSP 22 (122). If the DSP determines that the user has
input the predetermined code for accessing the phonebook, the DSP
retrieves the first name and telephone number from the phonebook
stored in memory 42 (142) and encodes the name and telephone number
using the CID protocol. DSP 22 (122) then instructs ringing SLIC 20
(120) to send an alert tone to the CID receiver within the user's
communication device 102. Upon receiving an acknowledge tone from
the CID receiver via ringing SLIC 20 (120), DSP 22 (122) forwards
the CID packet (name and telephone number) to ringing SLIC 20
(120). Ringing SLIC 20 (120) then transmits the CID information to
the CID-enabled communication device 102, which then displays the
name and telephone number on display 210. At this point, the user
has a number of options. First, the user can press a predetermined
code to dial the telephone number that is displayed. While in the
cellular phonebook mode, the user can press one predetermined code
(e.g., "*") to place the call via cellular phone 108 or another
predetermined code (e.g., "#") to place the call using the
landline. Second, the user can press a predetermined code to end
the phonebook mode. Third, the user can press a predetermined code
to go to the next name in the phonebook. Fourth, the user can press
a predetermined code to go to the previous name in the phonebook.
Fifth, the user can press one of the numbers 2 through 9 to jump to
the first name that begins with the first letter corresponding to
the number. For example, pressing "6" would jump to the first name
beginning with "M" in the phonebook. Pressing "6" again would
result in the display of the first name beginning with "N", while
pressing "6" yet again would result in the display of the first
name beginning with "0".
[0069] By utilizing the CID protocol, text messages from any source
can be transmitted to a CID enabled home telephone. An example of
this is as follows. Because the system has the capability to
retrieve data from the internet, a user may retrieve stock quotes
via the internet to their CID enabled telephone. To enable the
stock quote system, the user presses a predetermined code (e.g.,
"*78") and the corresponding key which represents the ticket symbol
for the stock they are interested in. DSP 22 and DAA 36 are
configured to access a web site having the desired information. For
example if the user wants to get a quote for America Online (AOL).
The user will press the "2" button once (which represents the
letter A), and the "6" button three times (which represents 0), and
finally the "5" button 3 times (which represents L). The user then
presses the # button. Although the user will see the letters "AOL"
on the screen, internally DSP 22 (122) will recognize the following
number sequence (i.e., 2666777#). The system will retrieve the
stock quote from the internet and transmit the quote to the
telephone using the CID protocol.
[0070] While a user is on a call, communication device 102 may
display indicia indicating the call type (e.g., whether the user is
currently on a landline call or on a wireless call). In one example
implementation, DSP 22 may forward text to the communication device
using the CID protocol. If the user is on a landline call, the text
may be "landline" or "PSTN" or some other text for informing a user
that he or she is currently on a landline call. If the user is on a
wireless call, the text may be "cell" or "wireless" or some other
text for informing the user that he or she is currently on a
wireless call. In addition, communication device 102 may display
indicia indicating call status (e.g., dialing, connecting, busy,
etc.). Like the call type indicia, the call status indicia may be
provided to communication device 102 as text from DSP 22 using the
CID protocol. Still further, user instructions may be provided on
the display of communication device 102. For example, when the
communication device goes off-hook, instructions like "press # to
make a landline call" and/or "enter number followed by # to make
wireless call" may be displayed to guide the user. When the user is
on a call and there is an incoming call, an instruction like "press
flash to connect to incoming call" may be displayed. It will be
readily apparent that more sophisticated indicia such as images or
graphics are possible. For example, communication device 102 (e.g.,
handset 202) may be provided with on-board memory for storing
images, graphics and even audio and video for displaying call type
data, call status data and/or user instructions. The appropriate
data may be read out from the memory in response to instructions
from DSP 22.
[0071] In another example embodiment, base unit 204 of FIG. 4 may
be provided with its own display (not shown). The display may be
used to provide the call type data, call status data and/or user
instructions discussed above (in textual, graphic, image, and/or
video form, for example). These displays may be based on data
stored in memory 42. In addition, the display may be used to
display any other data (including video, images, and graphics)
stored in memory 42 or obtained from the landline or the wireless
communication network. Audio corresponding to the video may be
output via the base unit's speaker.
[0072] In still further arrangements, DSP 22 (122) may be
programmed to recognize the wireless communication device that is
placed in the cradle using, for example, an identifier associated
with the device. Alternatively, the owner of the device may input a
predetermined code using a keypad of the device to identify the
device. In this case, DSP 22 (122) may maintain data for that
device in an area of memory 42 (142). Thus, for each of a plurality
of different devices, memory 42 (142) may contain, for example, a
telephone directory (names and numbers) for that device. Thus, a
user of the communication device 102 may be provided a display of
telephone numbers that correspond to the device currently in the
cradle. In addition, the user may input names and telephone numbers
for the directory using communication device 102. Memory 42 (142)
may also maintain preferences for each different wireless device
connected to the cradle. For example, each wireless communication
device may have a list of do not accept call numbers or restricted
calling times.
[0073] The above-described example embodiments enable cellular
phone-users to receive and place cellular phone calls using their
standard home and/or office telephones and bypass the local
telephone company. In addition, a high-gain (e.g., 6 dB)
directional wireless antenna may be provided that allows users to
place and make their wireless calls in areas where the wireless
reception is very weak such as homes and offices. This high-gain
cellular antenna permits is particularly advantageous to those
wireless users who are not able to use their wireless devices at
home during the times when long distance calls are promised to be
free or at reduced rates (i.e., nights and weekends).
[0074] The above-described embodiments do not require users to have
multiple line telephones installed in their homes and/or offices
and communication devices that are connected to the interface
circuitry can still be used to place and receive regular land-line
calls. These embodiments also provide built-in call waiting for
both wireless and regular landline calls. While users are on a
regular landline call, any incoming wireless call will produce a
call waiting tone and the reverse is true when a user is on a
wireless call. The embodiments allow users to receive and/or place
all calls through both wireless and landline telephones that are
connected to the interface circuitry. The wireless telephone
charges while in the cradle.
[0075] The above example embodiments show a landline communication
device connected via interface circuitry to a single cellular
telephone. However, the invention is not limited in this respect
and the landline communication device may be connected to two or
more devices that provide access to different communication
networks. For example, the arrangement shown in FIG. 4 may be
modified to provide cradles for both a cellular telephone and a
satellite telephone. In this case the interface circuitry may be
configured to permit cellular calls to be made by entering one
predetermined code into the landline communication device and to
permit satellite calls to be made by entering another different
predetermined code into the landline communication device. The FIG.
4 arrangement may also be modified to provide cradles for two or
more cellular telephones and/or two or more satellite telephones.
This may be useful for households or offices having two or more
persons each of whom has his/her own cellular or satellite
telephone. Each person may be assigned a different predetermined
code so that the interface circuitry can access his/her cellular
telephone to place calls.
[0076] The systems and methods described herein can even be used in
the event that the interface circuitry is not connected to a line
pair for the PSTN. This might be the case, for example, in areas or
regions where there is no access to the PSTN. In such areas and
regions, wireless communication over a cellular network, for
example, may be the primary method for telecommunication. If the
interface circuitry described herein is used in this situation,
users may still place and receive cellular calls using a
conventional landline telephone, even though the interface
circuitry is not connected to a line pair for the PSTN. Because of
the limited talking time on wireless telephones due to limited
battery life, heating up of the device, or poor ergonomics, the
systems and methods described herein allow the user to extend
his/her talking time.
[0077] While the invention has been described in connection with
certain embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is
not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary,
is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent
arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended
claims.
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