Portable communications device coupled to first network by way of second network

• US 20050124378A1
• Filed: 12/30/2004
• Published: 06/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Link, Charles M. II, Griffith, Greg
• Granted Patent: US 7,209,738 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/552.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/022 One-way selective calling networks, e.g. wide area paging
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

A portable communications device (PCD) is coupled to a first network by way of a second network. The PCD is normally in radio communication with the first network, and is coupled to the first network by way of the second network when the PCD is out of radio communication with the first network. In particular, the PCD is coupled to the second network, and is caused to leave a first network mode and enter a second network mode. A network connection is established with the first network by way of the second network, and communication with the first network is entered into by way of the second network.

Claims

1. A portable communications device (PCD) for being coupled to a first network by way of a second network, the PCD normally in radio communication with the first network, the PCD being coupled to the first network by way of the second network when the PCD is out of radio communication with the first network, the PCD comprising:

a first operational portion automatically sensing coupling of the PCD to the second network and leaving a first network mode and entering a second network mode;

a second operational portion automatically establishing a network connection between the CPD and the first network by way of the second network; and

a third operational portion automatically entering into communication between the PCD and the first network by way of the second network.

2. The PCD of claim 1 comprising a pager device.

3. The PCD of claim 2 comprising a two-way pager device, wherein the third operational portion enters into two-way communication between the pager device and the first network by way of the second network.

4. The PCD of claim 1 further comprising a fourth operational portion automatically sensing decoupling of the PCD from the second network upon ending communication therewith and leaving the second network mode and entering the first network mode.

5. The PCD of claim 4 including a serial port and comprising the first operational portion automatically sensing coupling of the PCD to the second network upon the PCD being placed into a cradle having a serial port connector and a network connector so that the serial port of the pager is coupled with the serial port connector of the cradle.

6. The PCD of claim 1 for being coupled to a first network by way of a second network separate from the first network, the PCD normally in radio communication with the first network, the PCD being coupled to the first network by way of the second network separate from the first network when the PCD is out of radio communication with the first network, the PCD comprising:

the first operational portion automatically sensing coupling of the PCD to the second network separate from the first network and leaving a first network mode and entering a second network mode;

the second operational portion automatically establishing a network connection between the CPD and the first network by way of the second network separate from the first network; and

the third operational portion automatically entering into communication between the PCD and the first network by way of the second network separate from the first network.

7. The PCD of claim 1 for being coupled to a first network by way of a second network, the first network including data applications and services for use by the PCD, the PCD normally in radio communication with the first network, the PCD being coupled to the first network by way of the second network when the PCD is out of radio communication with the first network, the PCD comprising:

the first operational portion automatically sensing coupling of the PCD to the second network and leaving a first network mode and entering a second network mode;

the second operational portion automatically establishing a network connection between the CPD and the first network by way of the second network; and

the third operational portion automatically entering into communication between the PCD and the first network by way of the second network and employing the data applications and services of the first network by way of the second network.

8. The PCD of claim 7 for being coupled to a first network by way of a second network, the first network including message-based data applications and services for use by the PCD, the PCD normally in radio communication with the first network, the PCD being coupled to the first network by way of the second network when the PCD is out of radio communication with the first network, the PCD comprising:

the first operational portion automatically sensing coupling of the PCD to the second network and leaving a first network mode and entering a second network mode;

the second operational portion automatically establishing a network connection between the CPD and the first network by way of the second network; and

the third operational portion automatically entering into communication between the PCD and the first network by way of the second network and employing the message-based data applications and services of the first network by way of the second network.