Handset cradle

• US 20060050866A1
• Filed: 09/08/2004
• Published: 03/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CradlePoint Incorporated (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Original Assignee: CradlePoint Incorporated (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Sewall, Patrick M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,764,784 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/428.20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/06 Hooks; Cradles
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces

Abstract

An embodiment of a handset cradle includes a base component and a handset component configured to couple with the base component. The handset component provides an interface with a particular type of handset selected from a plurality of handset types. This interface enables an exchange of data between the base component and a handset interfacing with the handset component.

Claims

1. A handset cradle, comprising

a base component;

and

a handset component configured to couple with the base component and to provide an interface with a particular type of handset selected from a plurality of handset types enabling an exchange of data between the base component and a handset interfacing with the handset component.

2. The handset cradle of claim 1, wherein the handset component includes a handset interface configured to physically interface with the particular type of handset.

3. The handset cradle of claim 1, wherein the handset component includes:

a handset interface configured to physically interface with the particular type of handset; and

a handset driver operable to translate electronic data between a first format for the base component and a second format for the particular handset type.

4. The handset cradle of claim 1, wherein the handset component is a first handset component and the particular handset type is a first particular handset type and wherein the base component is configured to be selectively coupled with the first handset component or with a second handset component configured to provide an interface with a second type of handset of selected from the plurality of handset types.

5. The handset cradle of claim 1, wherein the base component includes a handset module operable to:

receive an input signal indicative of an action to be performed with respect to a handset interfacing with the handset component; and

send an output signal to the handset component instructing the performance of the action.

6. The handset cradle of claim 5, wherein the handset component includes a handset driver operable to receive the output signal instructing the performance of the action and to initiate the action with respect to the handset interfacing with the handset component.

7. The handset cradle of claim 1, wherein the base component includes:

a local network interface operable to interface with one or more network devices; and

a router operable to route outbound network communications received through the local network interface to be transmitted by a handset interfacing with the handset component.

8. The handset cradle of claim 7, further comprising a limiter operable to limit the routing of network communications.

9. The handset cradle of claim 8, wherein the limiter includes a session limiter operable to prevent the routing of an outbound communication that would cause a number of concurrent outbound network device sessions to exceed a maximum number of concurrent sessions allowed.

10. The handset cradle of claim 9, wherein the session limiter is operable to identify the maximum number of concurrent sessions allowed.

11. The handset cradle of claim 7, wherein the limiter includes a bandwidth limiter operable to limit the bandwidth available for routing network communications according to policy.

12. The handset cradle of claim 11, wherein the bandwidth limiter is operable to selectively limit bandwidth available for routing network communications according to policy based on observed behaviors.

13. The handset cradle of claim 7, wherein the base component includes a connector operable to send a signal for a handset interfacing with the handset component to connect with an external network to which the handset can transmit outbound communications.

14. A handset cradle, comprising

a base component including:

a means for receiving an input signal indicative of an action to be performed with respect to a handset; and

a means for sending an output signal instructing the performance of the action; and

a handset component configured to couple with the base component, the handset component including;

a means for interfacing with a particular type of handset selected from a plurality of handset types; and

a means for receiving the output signal and initiating the performance of the action with respect to the particular type of handset.

15. The handset cradle of claim 14, wherein:

the means for receiving comprises a means for receiving an outbound communication; and

the means for sending comprise a means for sending an electronic signal for causing a handset interfacing with the handset component to establish a connection with an external network to which the outbound communication can be transmitted.

16. The handset cradle of claim 14, wherein the particular type of handset is operable to transmit outbound network communications and wherein the means for receiving a signal comprises a means for receiving an outbound network communication from a network device and the means for sending comprises a means for routing the outbound network communication to be transmitted by a handset interfacing with the handset component.

17. The handset cradle of claim 16, further comprising a means for preventing the routing of an outbound network communication that would cause a number of concurrent outbound network device sessions to exceed a maximum number of concurrent sessions allowed.

18. A handset cradle, comprising:

a handset component that includes;

a handset interface configured to provide an interface with a particular type of handset selected from a plurality of handset types;

a handset driver operable to communicate with the particular type of handset; and

a base coupled to the handset component, the base component including;

a local network interface operable to interface with one or more network devices; and

a router operable to route, via the handset component, outbound network communications received through the local network interface to be transmitted by a handset interfacing with the handset component.

19. The handset cradle of claim 18, wherein the base component includes a connector operable to send, via the handset component, a signal instructing the handset interfacing with the handset component to connect with an external network to which the handset can transmit outbound network communications.

20. The handset cradle of claim 18, wherein the base component includes a limiter operable to limit the routing of network communications.

21. The handset cradle of claim 20, wherein the limiter includes a session limiter operable to prevent the routing of an outbound network communication that would cause a number of concurrent outbound network device sessions to exceed a maximum number of concurrent sessions allowed.

22. The handset cradle of claim 21, wherein the session limiter is operable to identify the maximum number of concurrent sessions allowed.

23. The handset cradle of claim 20, wherein the limiter includes a bandwidth limiter operable to limit the bandwidth available for routing network communications according to policy.

24. The handset cradle of claim 23, wherein the bandwidth limiter is operable to selectively limit bandwidth available for routing network communications according to policy based on observed behaviors.

25. The handset cradle of claim 18, wherein the handset driver is operable to translate signals between a first format compatible with the base component and a second format compatible with the particular handset type.

26. The handset cradle of claim 18, wherein the handset component is a first handset component and wherein the base component is configured to be selectively coupled with the first handset component or with a second handset component configured to provide an interface with a second type of handset of selected from the plurality of handset types.

27. A handset cradle, comprising:

a handset component that includes;

a handset interface a means for interfacing with a first type of handset; and

a handset driver operable to communicate with the particular type of handset; and

a base coupled to the handset component, the base component including;

a local network interface operable to receive outbound network communications from one or more network devices;

a connector operable to send, via the handset component, a connection signal instructing a handset interfacing with the handset component to connect with an external network to which the handset can transmit outbound network communications;

a router operable to route, via the handset component, outbound network communications to be transmitted by the handset interfacing with the handset component;

a session limiter operable to prevent the routing of an outbound network communication that would cause a number of concurrent outbound network device sessions to exceed a maximum number of concurrent sessions allowed; and

a bandwidth limiter operable to limit the bandwidth available for routing network communications according to policy.

28. The handset cradle of claim 27, wherein the connector is operable to determine if a connection has been made to the external network and, if not, to send the connection signal upon an outbound network communication from a network device being received by the local network interface.

29. The handset cradle of claim 28, wherein the maximum number of concurrent sessions allowed is one and wherein the session limiter is operable to prevent the routing of an outbound network communication from a network device other than the network device that sends an outbound network communication resulting in a connection signal being sent.

30. The handset cradle of claim 27, wherein the session limiter, upon the handset establishing of a connection with the external network, is operable to obtain, from the external network, data identifying the maximum number of concurrent sessions allowed.

31. A handset cradle, comprising:

a handset component that includes;

a means for interfacing with a first type of handset; and

a means providing the first type of handset with outbound network communications to be transmitted; and

a base component that includes;

a means for interfacing with the handset component;

a means for receiving outbound network communications from one or more network devices;

a means for means for sending, via the handset component, a signal instructing the handset interfacing with the handset component to connect with an external network to which the handset can transmit outbound network communications;

a means for routing, via the handset component, outbound network communications to be transmitted by a handset interfacing with the handset component;

a means for preventing the routing of an outbound network communication that would cause a number of concurrent outbound network device sessions to exceed a maximum number of concurrent sessions allowed; and

a means for limiting bandwidth available for routing network communications according to policy.

32. The handset cradle of claim 31, wherein the means for interfacing with the handset component also serves as a means for interfacing with a second handset component that includes a means for interfacing with a second type of handset and a means for providing the second type of handset with outbound network communications to be transmitted.

33. A method comprising:

receiving an outbound network communication from a first network device;

determining if routing the outbound network communication would cause a number of concurrent outbound network device sessions to exceed a maximum number of concurrent sessions allowed; and

if the maximum number will not be exceeded, routing the outbound network communication to be transmitted by a handset.

34. The method of claim 33, comprising receiving data identifying the maximum number from an external network with which the handset has established a connection.

35. The method of claim 33, further comprising sending a signal causing the handset to establish a connection with an external network.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein sending comprises sending a signal causing the handset to establish a connection with an external network upon receiving the outbound network communication.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein the maximum number of concurrent sessions allowed is one, the method further comprising preventing the routing of an outbound network communication received from a second network device.

38. The method of claim 33, wherein the handset is of a first type selected from a plurality of handset types and wherein the steps of receiving, determining and routing are performed by a base component, the method further comprising providing a handset component to act as an interface between the base component and the handset.

39. A computer readable medium, having instructions for:

receiving an outbound network communication from a first network device;

determining if routing the outbound network communication would cause a number of concurrent outbound network device sessions to exceed a maximum number of concurrent sessions allowed; and

if the maximum number will not be exceeded, routing the outbound network communication to be transmitted by a handset.

40. The medium of claim 39, having further instructions for receiving data identifying the maximum number from an external network with which the handset has established a connection.

41. The medium of claim 39, having further instructions for sending a signal causing the handset to establish a connection with an external network.

42. The medium of claim 41, wherein the instructions for sending include instructions for sending a signal causing the handset to establish a connection with an external network upon receiving the outbound network communication.

43. The medium of claim 39, wherein the maximum number of concurrent sessions allowed is one, and wherein the instructions for routing include instructions for preventing the routing of an outbound network communication received from a second network device.