Apparatus for conducting a conference call between a wireless line and a land line using customer premise equipment

• US 20030157929A1
• Filed: 01/06/2003
• Published: 08/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VTech Telecommunications Limited (VTech Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: VTech Telecommunications Limited (VTech Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Janssen, Holger, Kropp, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 6,937,854 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/416
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72502 with one base station connected to a single line
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/62 user interface aspects of conference calls
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/16 for PBS [Private Base Station] arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold

Abstract

An apparatus and method for conducting a conference call between a wireless line and a land line using customer premise equipment, where a cordless telephone device connected to the PSTN includes a wireless telephone cradle for receiving a cellular telephone. Interface circuitry residing in the cordless telephone controls operation of the cordless telephone handset and the cellular handset when positioned in the cradle and connects a first call between a user and a first party via the PSTN and a second call between the user and a second party via the wireless telephone network toward establishing a conference call among the user, the first party and the second party. Echo cancellation and suppression is provided to minimize objectionable echo between the two far end parties.

Claims

1. An apparatus for conducting a conference call between a wireless line and a land line using customer premise equipment comprising:

a cordless telephone handset;

a base unit connected to the public switched telephone network, the base unit further being operable to communicate with the cordless handset via radio signals toward permitting a user to make and receive telephone calls using the cordless handset;

the base unit further including a wireless telephone cradle for receiving and establishing electrical connection with a wireless telephone capable of making and receiving calls over a wireless telephone network;

interface circuitry residing in the base unit for controlling operation of the cordless telephone handset and the wireless telephone handset when positioned in the cradle;

the interface circuitry further capable of connecting a first call between a user and a first party via the public switched telephone network and a second call between the user and a second party via the wireless telephone network toward establishing a conference call among the user, the first party and the second party.

2. The interface according to claim 1 further providing echo cancellation to minimize objectionable audible echo during a conference call established among the public switched telephone network and a wireless telephone network.

3. The interface according to claim 1 further providing echo suppression to minimize objectionable audible echo during a conference call established among the public switched telephone network and a wireless telephone network.

4. A method of conducting a conference call among multiple parties via both the public switched telephone network and a wireless telephone network using an integrated telecommunication device including a cordless telephone handset, a base unit connected to the public switched telephone network, and having a cradle for receiving and connecting to a wireless telephone handset and interface circuitry for controlling operation of the cordless telephone handset and the wireless telephone handset when positioned in the cradle, the method comprising the steps of:

establishing a first telephone call between a user and a first party via the public switched telephone network;

establishing a second telephone call between a user and a second party via a wireless telephone network; and

connecting the first telephone call and the second telephone call whereby the user, the first party and the second party can each speak to and hear one another.