Teledata space and docking station with modular and integrated display

• US 20030059038A1
• Filed: 09/24/2001
• Published: 03/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Teleware Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Teleware Incorporated
• Inventors: Lewis, Calvin E., Meyerson, Robert F., Ross, Rodney A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,912,283 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/428.04
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/56 Unified messaging, e.g. interactions between e-mail, instant messaging or converged IP messaging [CPM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/02 Constructional features of telephone sets
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2473 Telephone terminals interfacing a personal computer, e.g. using an API (Application Programming Interface) details of API H04M7/0021
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2478 Telephone terminals specially adapted for non-voice services, e.g. email, internet access centralized arrangements where telephones services are combined H04M7/0024; for recording text messages H04M3/5322; for accessing Internet H04M3/4938
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 Multimedia conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A desk top telephone includes a network interface circuit for audio session set up and audio session communication with a remote telephone device. A display device docking bay accommodates a simple display screen or a portable computing device such as a portable data device (PDA). Each of a plurality of adapters coupled one of the modular display screens or a PDA to the docking bay. Each of the module display screens and PDAs can have various display sizes, resolutions, and color/gray-scale combinations.

Claims

1. A telephone comprising:

a) a network interface circuit for audio session set-up and audio session communication with a remote telephone system over a network;

b) an audio sub system for receiving a microphone input representing the voice of an operator and presenting audio data to the network interface circuit and for receiving audio data from the network interface circuit and generating a signal for driving a speaker; and

c) a display docking bay configured for operatively coupling a modular display device from a group of a simple display device and a portable computing device to the telephone.

2. The telephone of claim 1, further comprising:

a) a communication controller coupled to the display docking bay for coupling information related to operation of the telephone to a portable computing device if a portable computing device is coupled to the display docking bay; and

b) a display controller coupled to the display docking bay for coupling a video signal to a simple display device if a simple display device is coupled to the display docking bay.

3. The telephone of claim 2, wherein the information related to operation of the telephone includes a data file of tagged data elements.

4. The telephone of claim 3, wherein the information related to operation of the telephone further includes a style sheet for defining the aesthetic display of the tagged data elements on the display on the portable computing device.

5. The telephone of claim 1, further including a device detection circuit coupled to the docking bay for identifying whether the modular display device coupled to the display docking bay is a portable computing device or a simple display device.

6. The telephone of claim 5, further comprising:

a) a communication controller coupled to the display docking bay for coupling information related to operation of the telephone to a portable computing device if a portable computing device is coupled to the display docking bay; and

b) a display controller coupled to the display docking bay for coupling a video signal to a simple display device if a simple display device is coupled to the display docking bay.

7. The telephone of claim 6, wherein the information related to operation of the telephone includes a data file of tagged data elements.

8. The telephone of claim 7, wherein the information related to operation of the telephone further includes a style sheet for defining the aesthetic display of the tagged data elements on the display on the portable computing device.

9. The telephone of claim 1, further comprising a power supply circuit for coupling at least one of operating power and charging power to the docking bay whereby the modular display device may at least one of operate and charge using the power coupled to the docking bay when coupled to the docking bay.

10. The telephone of claim 9, further comprising:

a) a communication controller coupled to the display docking bay for coupling information related to operation of the telephone to a portable computing device if a portable computing device is coupled to the display docking bay; and

b) a display controller coupled to the display docking bay for coupling a video signal to a simple display device if a simple display device is coupled to the display docking bay.

11. The telephone of claim 10, wherein the information related to operation of the telephone includes a data file of tagged data elements.

12. The telephone of claim 11, wherein the information related to operation of the telephone further includes a style sheet for defining the aesthetic display of the tagged data elements on the display on the portable computing device.

13. The telephone of claim 9, further including a device detection circuit coupled to the docking bay for identifying whether the modular display device coupled to the display docking bay is a portable computing device or a simple display device.

14. The telephone of claim 13, further comprising:

a) a communication controller coupled to the display docking bay for coupling information related to operation of the telephone to a portable computing device if a portable computing device is coupled to the display docking bay; and

b) a display controller coupled to the display docking bay for coupling a video signal a simple display device if a simple display device is coupled to the display docking bay.

15. The telephone of claim 14, wherein the information related to operation of the telephone includes a data file of tagged data elements.

16. The telephone of claim 15, wherein the information related to operation of the telephone further includes a style sheet for defining the aesthetic display of the tagged data elements on the display on the portable computing device.

17. A desk top telephone system comprising:

a) a base telephone unit comprising;

i) a network interface circuit for audio session set-up, and audio session communication with a remote telephone system; and

iii) a display docking bay;

b) a simple display module configured for coupling to the display docking bay for receiving a video signal from the base unit and generating a display on a display screen in accordance with the video signal; and

c) a portable computing device configured for coupling to the display docking bay for receiving information related to operation of the base telephone unit and displaying the information related to operation of the telephone on the display screen.

18. The desk top telephone system of claim 17, wherein the base telephone unit further comprises:

a) a communication controller coupled to the display docking bay for coupling information related to operation of the base telephone unit to a portable computing device if a portable computing device is coupled to the display docking bay; and

b) a display controller coupled to the display docking bay for coupling a video signal to a simple display device if a simple display device is coupled to the display docking bay.

19. The desk top telephone system of claim 18, wherein the information related to operation of the base telephone unit includes a data file of tagged data elements.

20. The desk top telephone system of claim 19, wherein the information related to operation of the base telephone unit further includes a style sheet for defining the aesthetic display of the tagged data elements on the display on the portable computing device.

21. The desk top telephone system of claim 17, wherein the base telephone unit further comprises a device detection circuit coupled to the display docking bay for identifying whether a modular display device coupled to the display docking bay is a portable computing device or a simple display device.

22. The desk top telephone system of claim 21, wherein the base telephone unit further comprises:

a) a communication controller coupled to the display docking bay for coupling information related to operation of the base telephone unit to a portable computing device if a portable computing device is coupled to the display docking bay; and

b) a display controller coupled to the display docking bay for coupling a video signal to a simple display device if a simple display device is coupled to the display docking bay.

23. The desk top telephone system of claim 22, wherein the information related to operation of the base telephone unit includes a data file of tagged data elements.

24. The desk top telephone system of claim 23, wherein the information related to operation of the base telephone unit further includes a style sheet for defining the aesthetic display of the tagged data elements on the display on the portable computing device.

25. The desk top telephone system of claim 17, wherein the base telephone unit further comprises a power supply circuit for coupling at least one of operating power and charging power to the display docking bay whereby the simple display device and the portable data device may at least one of operate and charge using the power coupled to the display docking bay when coupled to the display docking bay.

26. The desk top telephone of claim 25, wherein the base telephone unit further comprises:

a) a communication controller coupled to the display docking bay for coupling information related to operation of the base telephone unit to a portable computing device if a portable computing device is coupled to the display docking bay; and

b) a display controller coupled to the display docking bay for coupling a video signal to a simple display device if a simple display device is coupled to the display docking bay.

27. The desk top telephone system of claim 26, wherein the information related to operation of the base telephone unit includes a data file of tagged data elements.

28. The desk top telephone system of claim 27, wherein the information related to operation of the base telephone unit further includes a style sheet for defining the aesthetic display of the tagged data elements on the display on the portable computing device.

29. The desk top telephone system of claim 25, wherein the base telephone unit further comprises a device detection circuit coupled to the display docking bay for identifying whether the device coupled to the display docking bay is a portable computing device or a simple display device.

30. The desk top telephone system claim 29, wherein the base telephone unit further comprises:

a) a communication controller coupled to the display docking bay for coupling information related to operation of the base telephone unit to a portable computing device if a portable computing device is coupled to the display docking bay; and

b) a display controller coupled to the display docking bay for coupling a video signal to a simple display device if a simple display device is coupled to the display docking bay.

31. The desk top telephone system of claim 30, wherein the information related to operation of the base telephone unit includes a data file of tagged data elements.

32. The desk top telephone system of claim 31, wherein the information related to operation of the base telephone unit further includes a style sheet for defining the aesthetic display of the tagged data elements on the display on the portable computing device.

34. The desk top telephone system of claim 18, wherein the information related to operation of the base telephone unit includes a data file of tagged data elements.

35. The desk top telephone system of claim 19, wherein the information related to operation of the base telephone unit further includes a style sheet for defining the aesthetic display of the tagged data elements on the display on the portable computing device.

33. A desk top telephone system comprising:

a) a base telephone unit comprising;

i) a network interface circuit for audio session set-up, and audio session communication with a remote telephone system;

iii) a display docking bay;

iv) a display control system for coupling both a video signal representing the content of a display screen and display information related to operation of the base telephone unit to the display docking bay; and

b) a plurality of docking bay adapters, each configured to operatively couple one of a plurality of modular display devices to the display docking bay, and the modular display devices include at least one of simple display modules operative for displaying information in accordance with the video signal and portable computing devices operative for displaying information in accordance with the information related to operation of the base telephone unit.

36. The desk top telephone system of claim 33, wherein the base unit further comprises a power supply circuit for coupling at least one of operating power and charging power to the display docking bay whereby the simple display device and the portable computing device may at least one of operate and charge using the power coupled to the display docking bay when coupled to the display docking bay.

37. The desk top telephone system of claim 36, wherein the information related to operation of the base telephone unit includes a data file of tagged data elements.

38. The desk top telephone system of claim 37, wherein the information related to operation of the base telephone unit further includes a style sheet for defining the aesthetic display of the tagged data elements on the display on the portable computing device.

39. A method of operating a telephone, the method comprising:

a) detecting whether a modular display device coupled to a display docking bay is a simple display device or a portable computing device;

b) coupling a video signal to the display docking bay if the modular display device is detected to be a simple display device; and

c) coupling information related to operation of the telephone to the display docking bay if the modular display device is detected to be a portable computing device.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the information related to operation of the telephone includes a data file of tagged data elements.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the information related to operation of the telephone further includes a style sheet for defining the aesthetic display of the tagged data elements on the display on the portable computing device.