Network adapter

• US 20070189270A1
• Filed: 02/15/2006
• Published: 08/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Daniel Borislow, Gregory Wood
• Original Assignee: Daniel Borislow, Gregory Wood
• Inventors: Borislow, Daniel, Wood, Gregory
• Application Number:
  US11/353,958
• Publication Number:
  US 20070189270A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport

Abstract

The claimed invention consists of integrating a wireless client with a network adapter in a single device which allows a telephone to connect to a network access point for the purpose of establishing Voice over IP (VoIP) calls. The user can attach his telephone to the network adapter and place it anywhere within range of a wireless network and not be required to connect to a wired network via a cable. This allows the end user to place the network adapter and phone in a place without the restrictions of wires. Also, the network adapter could be used to transmit voice data over a broadband link and to transmit emergency calls over a cellular network.

Claims

1. A network adapter for connecting a device to a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) compatible communications network comprising:

a processor;

a relay device, coupled to the processor, for connecting a telephone device to the network adapter; and

a wireless network card, coupled to the processor, for wirelessly communicating voice data.

2. A method for providing wireless access to a network access point coupled to a packet switched network comprising the steps of:

detecting an OFF hook signal;

determining which of a plurality of networks, including a wireless network, a voice signal is to be applied to;

connecting to said wireless network; and

transmitting voice signal data via the wireless network.

3. A system for transmitting voice signals over a packet switched network comprising:

a network adapter having a wireless transceiver which can access a wireless network;

a network device, for receiving voice signal data transmitted from the network adapter; and

a server device, coupled to the network device, for transmitting received voice signal data over a packet switched network.

4. A method for transmitting voice signals over a packet switched network comprising the steps of:

transmitting a digitized voice signal over a wireless network;

receiving the digitized voice signal, at a portal to a packet switched network; and

communicating with a server, such that the digitized voice signal is transmitted over the packet switched network via the server.

5. A computer-usable storage medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon for execution by a processor to perform a method comprising the steps of:

detecting an OFF hook signal;

determining which of a plurality of networks, including a wireless network, a voice signal is to be applied to;

connecting to said wireless network; and

transmitting voice signal data via the wireless network.

6. A network adapter for connecting a user employing a VoIP service to a public safety answering point, comprising:

a central processing unit;

a relay device, coupled to the central processing unit, for connecting a telephone device to the network adapter; and

a wireless network interface device, coupled to the central processing unit, for accessing a cellular network and transmitting call data to a public safety answering point via the cellular network.

7. A method for providing access to a public safety answering point for a user of a VoIP service:

detecting an off-hook signal at a network adapter coupled to a plurality of different types of networks;

determining that the call is an emergency call; and

routing the emergency call to a network coupled to said network adapter other than said wireless network, which is capable of transmitting calling party location information.

8. A computer-usable storage medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon for execution by a processor to perform a method comprising:

detecting an off-hook signal at a network adapter coupled to a plurality of different types of networks;

determining that the call is an emergency call; and

routing the emergency call to a network coupled to said network adapter other than said wireless network, which is capable of transmitting calling party location information.

9. A system for transmitting voice signals over a broadband cellular network comprising:

a network adapter having a plurality of different types of network interfaces, including a cellular network interface which can access a broadband cellular network;

wherein said network adapter is capable of receiving voice signal data from a telephone device and communicating said data to a cellular link coupled to said broadband cellular network.