Portable Communications Device Coupled to First Network by Way of Second Network

• US 20070087743A1
• Filed: 12/20/2006
• Published: 04/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Charles Link, Greg Griffith
• Original Assignee: Charles Link, Greg Griffith
• Inventors: Griffith, Greg, Link, Charles
• Granted Patent: US 7,567,801 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/426.100
• 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

1-8. -8. (canceled)

9. A system for accessing data applications resident on a first network by way of a second network, comprising:

a device coupled to the first network by way of the second network, the first network including data applications and services for use by the device, the device in radio communication with the first network, the device being coupled to the first network by way of the second network to access the applications when the device is out of radio communication with the first network, wherein the device is operable to send and receive pages.

16. A method for accessing data applications resident on a first network by way of a second network, comprising:

coupling a device to the first network, the first network including data applications and services for use by the device, the device in radio communication with the first network, wherein the device is operable to receive pages;

determining that the device is out of communication with the first network;

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

automatically establishing a network connection between the device and the first network via the second network by a second operational portion of the device; and

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

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the device comprises a video camera.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the second network is a packet switched network.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the device comprises a video screen.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the device comprises a microphone and a speaker.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the device comprises a cellular transceiver whereby the device maintains radio communication with at least one of the first and second network.

22. A computer readable medium containing instructions that perform acts to access data applications resident on a first network by way of a second network, comprising:

coupling a device to the first network, the first network including data applications and services for use by the device, the device in radio communication with the first network, wherein the device is operable to receive pages;

determining that the device is out of communication with the first network;

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

automatically establishing a network connection between the device and the first network via the second network by a second operational portion of the device; and

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

23. The computer readable medium of claim 22, wherein the device comprises a video camera.

24. The computer readable medium of claim 22, wherein the device comprises a still camera.

25. The computer readable medium of claim 22, wherein the device is operable to receive web pages.

26. The computer readable medium of claim 22, wherein the device comprises a microphone and a speaker.

27. The computer readable medium of claim 22, wherein the device comprises a cellular transceiver whereby the device maintains radio communication with at least one of the first and second network.

28. The computer readable medium of claim 22, wherein the first network is a cellular telephone network and the second network is a digital network.