Multi-purpose mobile cordless phone system

• US 20010031645A1
• Filed: 01/22/2001
• Published: 10/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Phillip Jarrett
• Original Assignee: Phillip Jarrett
• Inventors: Jarrett, Phillip
• Granted Patent: US 6,950,674 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/552.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/006 Call diverting means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/08 home cordless telephone systems using the DECT standard
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A cordless phone 1 is able to communicate signals 3 via antenna 2 and 3 with transponder unit 5. When the transponder 5 is physically connected (as shown) via multi-way connector 12 to base station 19, the system communicates via PSTN interface 9 and cable 10 connected to local-loop socket 11 within a fixed telephone network. When the transponder 5 is disconnected (not shown) from base station 19, the system communicates via external antenna 6 by radio link with a local base station within a cellular phone network. The base station 19 provides means to recharge the batteries (not shown) of cordless phone 1 via connectors 13 and transponder unit 5 via connectors 14, with dc supply being provided by power plug 16 via cable 17. The transponder unit may include a display screen and PDA electronics (not shown), or, be incorporated within a portable computer (not shown).

Claims

1. A multi-purpose mobile cordless phone system capable of communicating voice/sound, data and/or visual image signals selectively either with a local base station within a cellular phone network or with a local-loop connection within a fixed telephone network;

the system comprising a cordless phone which may communicate with one or more mobile transponder units having the same cellular network phone number, only one transponder unit being active at a given time;

all signals are communicated via the active mobile transponder unit, communication with a local-loop being enabled when the active mobile transponder unit is physically connected to the latter.

2. A multi-purpose mobile cordless phone system according to

claim 1

, wherein a base station containing a suitable fixed network interface may be connected to a local-loop, the base station incorporating a docking station to allow the active mobile transponder unit to be physically connected.

3. A multi-purpose mobile cordless phone system according to

claim 1

, wherein the active mobile transponder unit contains a suitable fixed network interface and may be physically connected to a local-loop, either via a docking station within a suitable base station or via a direct cable link.

4. A multi-purpose mobile cordless phone system according to

claim 2

or

claim 3

, wherein the base station incorporates means for re-charging the battery pack of the mobile transponder unit and/or the cordless phone.

5. A multi-purpose mobile cordless phone system according to

claim 1

, wherein the active mobile transponder unit incorporates means to automatically detect whether it is physically connected to a local-loop connection within a fixed telephone network and, if so, outgoing calls may be routed via the local-loop.

6. A multi-purpose mobile cordless phone system according to

claim 5

, wherein when the active mobile transponder unit detects it is connected to a fixed telephone network, it automatically advises the Cellular Network Control Centre to divert any incoming calls made to the cellular phone number of the mobile transponder unit via the fixed network telephone number of the local-loop connection.

7. A multi-purpose mobile cordless phone system according to

claim 6

, wherein if the mobile transponder unit has been inserted into a base station, the latter automatically provides a signal to the mobile transponder unit advising the fixed network telephone number of the local-loop.

8. A multi-purpose mobile cordless phone system according to

claim 1

, wherein a base station incorporates means to automatically detect whether the active mobile transponder unit has been inserted.

9. A multi-purpose mobile cordless phone system according to

claim 8

, wherein during periods when a mobile transponder unit has not been inserted into the base station or if the inserted transponder unit is not active, the base station automatically diverts any incoming calls made to the fixed network number of the connected local-loop via the cellular network phone number of the mobile transponder unit.

10. A multi-purpose mobile cordless phone system according to

claim 9

, wherein when the mobile transponder unit has been inserted into the base station, the transponder unit automatically provides a signal to the base station advising the cellular network phone number of the mobile transponder unit.

11. A multi-purpose mobile cordless phone system according to

claim 1

, wherein the cordless phone incorporates a QWERTY keyboard.

12. A multi-purpose mobile cordless phone system according to

claim 11

, wherein the QWERTY keyboard has a hinged split along a longitudinal line, which may be divide the keyboard symmetrically or asymmetrically.

13. A multi-purpose mobile cordless phone system according to

claim 12

, wherein all the cordless phone keys are fully recessed within a main body component of the cordless phone allowing the QWERTY keyboard to be laid flat during use.

14. A multi-purpose mobile cordless phone system according to

claim 1

, wherein a mobile transponder unit incorporates an image display screen.

15. A multi-purpose mobile cordless phone system according to

claim 14

, wherein the mobile transponder unit incorporates a touch sensitive QWERTY keyboard visual display.

16. A multi-purpose mobile cordless phone system according to

claim 1

, wherein the mobile transponder unit incorporates PDA electronics.

17. A multi-purpose mobile cordless phone system according to

claim 16

, wherein a base station having a docking station for the mobile transponder unit incorporates a PDA/PC interface for data synchronization.

18. A multi-purpose mobile cordless phone system according to

claim 16

, wherein a base station having a docking station for the mobile transponder unit incorporates a suitable interface for accessing a LAN.

19. A multi-purpose mobile cordless phone system according to

claim 1

, wherein a mobile transponder unit is incorporated within a portable computer having means to be physically connected to a local-loop.

20. A multi-purpose mobile cordless phone system according to

claim 19

, wherein the mobile transponder unit is an optional accessory item for the portable computer.