Communication systems and methods

• US 20040008636A1
• Filed: 02/06/2003
• Published: 01/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xcelis LLC (Empire IP LLC)
• Original Assignee: Xcelis Communications, LLC
• Inventors: Alexis, Glenroy J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,565,115 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/260
• 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 1/725 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 2203/1091 Fixed mobile conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/428 Arrangements for placing incoming calls on hold

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.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising:

a communication device; and

interface circuitry connected to a single ring-tip line pair of a landline communication network and to a wireless communication device for a wireless communication network, wherein the interface circuitry selectively connects the communication device to the ring-tip line pair for landline calls and to the wireless communication device for wireless calls.

2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the communication device comprises a cordless telephone.

3. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the interface circuitry is responsive to a user input for placing a wireless call on hold when an incoming landline call is received.

4. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the interface circuitry is responsive to a user input for placing a landline call on hold when an incoming wireless call is received.

5. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the interface circuitry is responsive to a user input for conferencing wireless and landline calls.

6. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the interface circuitry permits other communication devices to use the ring-tip line pair if the communication device is used to place or receive a wireless call.

7. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the interface circuitry detects if the ring-tip line pair is in use and, if so, automatically places calls from the communication device using the wireless communication device.

8. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the interface circuitry automatically determines whether to place a landline call or a wireless call based on the associated cost.

9. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the interface circuitry automatically determines whether to place a landline call or a wireless call based on time of day.

10. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the interface circuitry comprises signal-boosting circuitry for boosting a signal of the wireless communication device.

11. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the interface circuitry comprises:

a first switch connected between the communication device and the ring-tip line pair;

a second switch connected between the communication device and the wireless communication device; and

a processing circuit for controlling the first and second switches.

12. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the interface circuitry determines whether to place a landline or wireless call in response to a user input.

13. A communication system comprising:

a communication device; and

interface circuitry connected to a single ring-tip line pair of a landline communication network and to a wireless communication device for a wireless communication network, wherein the interface circuitry selectively connects the communication device to the ring-tip line pair for landline and internet calls and to the wireless communication device for wireless calls.

14. The communication system according to claim 13, wherein the interface circuitry determines whether to place a landline, internet or wireless call in response to a user input.

15. A method comprising:

connecting a communication device to a single ring-tip line pair of a landline communication network and to a wireless communication device for a wireless communication network; and

selectively connecting the communication device to the ring-tip line pair for landline calls and to the wireless communication device for wireless calls.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:

detecting an incoming landline call while the user is engaged in a wireless call using the communication device; and

connecting the communication device to the incoming landline call and placing the wireless call on hold in response to a user input to the communication device.

17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:

detecting an incoming wireless call while the user is engaged in a landline call using the communication device; and

connecting the communication device to the incoming wireless call and placing the landline call on hold in response to a user input to the communication device.

18. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:

conferencing a wireless and a landline call in response to a user input.

19. 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.

20. The system according to claim 19, the read-out data comprises names and telephone numbers.

21. The system according to claim 20, wherein the inputs from the user comprise inputs for reading out next and previous names and telephone numbers.

22. The system according to claim 20, wherein the inputs from the user comprise inputs for accessing names beginning with certain letters.

23. 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.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the read-out data comprises names and telephone numbers.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the inputs from the user comprise inputs for reading out next and previous names and telephone numbers.

26. The method according to claim 24, wherein the inputs from the user comprise inputs for accessing names beginning with certain letters.

27. A storage medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing the steps set forth in claim 23.

28. A communication system comprising:

a communication device having a display; and

interface circuitry connected to a ring-tip line pair of a landline telephone network and to a wireless communication device for a wireless communication network, the interface circuitry selectively connecting the communication device to the ring-tip line pair for landline calls and to the wireless communication device for wireless calls,

wherein the display of the communication device displays indicia indicative of whether the communication device is currently engaged in landline or wireless call.

29. The communication system according to claim 28, wherein the display further displays user instructions.

30. The communication system according to claim 28, wherein the display further displays call status indicia.

31. A method comprising:

selectively connecting a communication device to a ring-tip line pair of a landline communication network for landline calls and to a wireless communication device for a wireless communication network for wireless calls; and

displaying indicia to the user indicative of whether the communication device is currently engaged in landline or wireless call.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the indicia is displayed on a display of the communication device.

33. A storage medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing the steps set forth in claim 31.