IP appliance connectable with handheld device

• US 20050015516A1
• Filed: 07/14/2003
• Published: 01/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Innomedia Pte Ltd
• Original Assignee: Innomedia Pte Ltd
• Inventors: Ju, Pay-Lun
• Application Number:
  US10/619,788
• Publication Number:
  US 20050015516A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/250
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• 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

Abstract

An Internet Protocol (IP) appliance and a method of using such appliance is disclosed. The IP appliance includes an IP telephone, an IP appliance universal connector and a network connector. A handheld device can be operationally connected to the IP appliance via the IP appliance universal connector to transmit and receive data over an IP network and/or a PSTN network.

Claims

1. An Internet Protocol (IP) appliance, comprising:

an IP telephone including a housing;

an IP appliance connector mounted to the housing and configured to operationally connect with a connector of a handheld device; and

a network connector mounted to the housing and configured to operationally connect to a network;

wherein when the handheld device is operationally connected to the IP appliance connector, the handheld device can transmit and receive data via the network.

2. The IP appliance according to claim 1, wherein the IP appliance connector is a universal connector.

3. The IP appliance according to claim 1, wherein a liquid crystal display of the handheld device can be used to run applications on the IP appliance when the handheld device is operationally connected thereto.

4. The IP appliance according to claim 1, wherein the handheld device can be used to make a VoIP call over a VoIP network through the IP appliance.

5. The IP appliance according to claim 1, wherein the handheld device can be used to make a PSTN call over a PSTN network through the IP appliance.

6. The IP appliance according to claim 1, wherein the handheld device can transmit and receive data from a personal computer connected to the network.

7. The IP appliance according to claim 1, wherein the handheld device can synchronize data between a personal computer connected to the network and the handheld device.

8. The IP appliance according to claim 1, wherein the handheld device is a Personnel Data Assistant (PDA), a cell phone, a pager, an MP3 player or a combination thereof.

9. The IP appliance according to claim 3, wherein the handheld device includes a universal connector.

10. The IP appliance according to claim 1, wherein the network includes:

an IP network configured to allow voice data to be transmitted and received over the IP network; and

a PSTN network configured to complete a call over the PSTN network.

11. The IP appliance according to claim 3, wherein the IP network comprises one or more of a proprietary network, a network of leased facilities, the Internet, an Intranet, a wide-area network (WAN), a local-area network (LAN) and a virtual private network (VPN).

12. A method for using a handheld device connected to an IP appliance, wherein the IP appliance comprises;

an IP telephone including;

an IP appliance connector for connecting with a handheld device;

a connector for connecting to a VoIP network;

a microphone for receiving voice data; and

a speaker for transmitting voice data;

comprising the steps of;

(a) operationally connecting the handheld device to the IP appliance;

(b) operationally connecting to a network via a network connector mounted to an IP appliance housing; and

(c) transmitting and receiving data via the network.

13. The method according to claim 12, further including the step of;

(d) using a liquid crystal display of the handheld device to run applications on the IP appliance when the handheld device is operationally connected thereto.

14. The method according to claim 12, further including the step of;

(e) making a VoIP call over a VoIP network through the IP appliance using the handheld device.

15. The method according to claim 12, further including the step of;

(f) making a PSTN call over a PSTN network through the IP appliance using the handheld device.

16. The method according to claim 12, further including the step of;

(g) transmitting and receiving data between a personal computer connected the network and the handheld device through the IP appliance.

17. The method according to claim 12, further including the step of;

(h) synchronizing data between a personal computer connected to the network and the handheld device through the IP appliance.