Wireless multipurpose communication system

• US 20040259538A1
• Filed: 05/12/2004
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Victor Agbegnenou
• Original Assignee: Victor Agbegnenou
• Inventors: Agbegnenou, Victor
• Application Number:
  US10/492,361
• Publication Number:
  US 20040259538A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/422.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/085 specially adapted for interworking of IP-based networks with other networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
• 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 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/02 Hierarchically pre-organised networks, e.g. paging networks, cellular networks, WLAN [Wireless Local Area Network] or WLL [Wireless Local Loop]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

The system comprises a multiple outlet terminal (100), individual connection modules (200), and independent out-stations (300). The terminal (100) is connected to a plurality of telecommunications lines (102) and comprises line interface means, a plurality of individual outlets (104), and distributor means. Each module (200) can be separably mounted on any one of the outlets and comprises means for interfacing with the distributor means of the terminal, wireless transceiver means, and control means suitable for converting the signals coming from a line and delivered by the terminal into radio signals, and for converting received radio signals into signals for delivering to the same line. Each out-station (300) comprises wireless transceiver means suitable for establishing a both-way communications channel, and means for interfacing with transducers (310, 312, 314) for picking up and/or playing back audio, video, and/or digital data signals.

Claims

1. A versatile wireless communications system, characterized in that it comprises in combination:

a multiple outlet terminal (100) connected to a plurality of telecommunications lines (102) and comprising;

means (106, 108, 110) for interfacing with said plurality of lines;

a plurality of individual outlets (104); and

distributor means (114, 116) suitable for selectively coupling said plurality of outlets to said plurality of lines;

at least one individual connection module (200) suitable for being separably mounted on one of said outlets, and comprising;

interface means (202) for interfacing with said distributor means of the terminal;

wireless transceiver means (204, 206); and

control means (208, 210) for controlling the interface means and the transceiver means, being suitable for converting signals delivered by the distributor means of the terminal and coming from a line into radio signals for transmission, and for converting received radio signals into signals that are delivered to the distributor means of the terminal for application to the same line; and

for each individual connection module, at least one independent out-station (300) comprising;

wireless transceiver means (302, 304) suitable for establishing a both-way call with an individual connection module associated with said out-station; and

interface means (306, 308) for interfacing with transducers (310, 312, 314) for picking up and/or playing back audio, video, and/or digital data signals.

2. The system of claim 1, in which the number of lines is smaller than the number of outlets, the terminal including multiplexer means suitable for selecting the module that is allocated to a given user in the event of an incoming call on a line destined for that user, or vice versa for selecting an available line in the event of a call coming from a user.

3. The system of claim 1, in which the terminal further comprises relay transceiver means (120) co-operating with the transceiver means of the modules so as to receive the radio signals transmitted by said modules and retransmit them, after amplification, to the out-stations.

4. The system of claim 1, in which the interface means of the terminal include means for interfacing with one or more networks of the PSTN, VSAT, ADSL, radio station, local wire loop, or radiotelephone network type.

5. The system of claim 1, in which the terminal further comprises electrical power supply means (122), and the outlets include terminals for electrically powering individual modules and/or recharging individual power supplies belonging to the individual modules.

6. The system of claim 1, in which each out-station is allocated statically and into one-to-one correspondence with a single given module.

7. The system of claim 1, in which the number of out-stations is greater than the number of modules, with each out-station being allocated to a given module in dynamic and variable manner.

8. The system of claim 7, in which the modules include means for:

receiving a connection request issued by an out-station;

sending to the terminal control means a request for access authorization and line allocation;

receiving from the terminal a signal authorizing access and connection to a network line, together with a radio channel identifier; and

setting up a call with said out-station over the channel as identified in this way.

9. The system of claim 1, in which the modules comprise:

means (216, 218) for coupling to audio, video, and/or digital data signal sources; and

means (210, 220) forming a local server, suitable for controlling in independent manner the exchange of signals between said sources and said transceiver means destined for and/or coming from the out-station associated with the module.

10. The system of claim 1, in which:

the independent out-station (300) comprises an earpiece (310), a microphone (312), and a keypad (314) that are physically independent and that are provided with associated wireless transceiver means;

the earpiece is implemented in the form of a headset to which there may be plugged i) a second earpiece having no transceiver means, and/or ii) said microphone (312); and

the keypad is integrated in a distinct object, to which the said microphone (312) may also be plugged.

11. The system of claim 10, in which the microphone (312) is a transducer lacking its own transceiver means and co-operating with the transceiver means of the element to which it is connected, i.e. the earpiece (310) or the keypad (314), as the case may be.