Method for establishing voice communications using a mobile handset

• US 20080069069A1
• Filed: 09/20/2006
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Schessel, Larry, Walker, Jennifer Kay, Hague, Sam, Booth, Paul Norwood
• Granted Patent: US 7,711,370 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/342
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1053 IP private branch exchange [PBX] functionality entities or arrangements circuit switched PBXs H04M3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1095 Inter-network session transfer or sharing
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/737 Characterised by transmission of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. infrared waves
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/43 Billing software details
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1091 Fixed mobile conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/06 including a wireless LAN interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42246 where the subscriber uses a multi-mode terminal which moves and accesses different networks with at least one network having a wireline access including cordless PBX

Abstract

A mobile handset transmits a radio frequency (RF) signal. The mobile handset determines when it is in close proximity to a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) capable device. If the mobile handset is in close proximity to a VoIP capable device, then the RF signal to the base station is disabled and a communications link is established with the VoIP capable device such that a call can be made by the mobile handset and routed as VoIP packets through the VoIP capable device.

Claims

1. A method for establishing voice communications using a mobile handset comprising:

transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal from said mobile handset to a base station to provide said voice communications;

determining when said mobile handset is in close proximity to a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) capable device, wherein if said mobile handset is placed in close proximity to said VoIP capable device;

disabling said RF signal to said base station;

establishing a communications link between said mobile handset and said VoIP capable device, wherein a call to a party can be made by said mobile handset and routed as VoIP packets through said VoIP capable device.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said VoIP capable device is communicatively coupled with a telephone switching device via a network.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said VoIP packets are further routed though a telephone switching device selected from the group consisting of:

Internet Protocol Private Branch exchange (IPPBX), Private Branch exchange (PBX), and Wireless Private Branch exchange (WPBX).

4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said call includes transmitting video data.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said call can be made by said mobile handset to a device selected from the group of devices consisting of:

cellular phone, satellite phone, desktop phone, softphone, personal digital assistant, and pager.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said communications link is selected from the group of communication standards consisting of:

Bluetooth, 802.11, infrared, and personal wireless USB.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said mobile handset is a mobile phone.

8. A method of establishing a voice communication using a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) capable device, said method comprising:

detecting a mobile handset in close proximity, wherein said mobile handset is capable of transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal to a base transceiver station to provide said voice communication;

generating a communications link with said mobile handset, wherein if said communications link between said VoIP capable device and said mobile handset is generated, then said mobile handset terminates said RF signal to said base transceiver station, and wherein a call to a party from said mobile handset can be routed as VoIP packets through said VoIP device.

9. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said VoIP capable device is communicatively coupled with a telephone switching device via a network.

10. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said VoIP packets are further routed though a telephone switching device selected from the group consisting of:

Internet Protocol Private Branch exchange (IPPBX), Private Branch exchange (PBX), and Wireless Private Branch exchange (WPBX).

11. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said call includes transmitting video data.

12. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said call can be made by said mobile handset to a device selected from the group of devices consisting of:

cellular phone, satellite phone, desktop phone, softphone, personal digital assistant, and pager.

13. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said communications link is selected from the group of communication standards consisting of:

Bluetooth, 802.11, infrared, and personal wireless USB.

14. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said mobile handset is a mobile phone.

15. A system of utilizing a mobile handset for multi-mode wireless communication, said system comprising:

a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) capable device;

a mobile handset communicatively coupled to said VoIP capable device, said mobile handset capable of transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal to a base station, wherein if said mobile handset is placed in close proximity to said VoIP capable device, then a communications link between said VoIP capable device and said mobile handset is established, and wherein said communications link enables a call to be made from said mobile handset to be routed as VoIP packets through said VoIP capable device.

16. The system as recited in claim 15 wherein said VoIP capable device is communicatively coupled with a telephone switching device via a network.

17. The system as recited in claim 15 wherein said VoIP packets are further routed though a telephone switching device selected from the group consisting of:

Internet Protocol Private Branch exchange (IPPBX), Private Branch exchange (PBX), and Wireless Private Branch exchange (WPBX).

18. The system as recited in claim 15 wherein said call includes transmitting video data.

19. The system as recited in claim 15 wherein said call can be made by said mobile handset to a device selected from the group of devices consisting of:

cellular phone, satellite phone, desktop phone, softphone, personal digital assistant, and pager.

20. The system as recited in claim 15 wherein said communications link is selected from the group of communication standards consisting of:

Bluetooth, 802.11, infrared, and personal wireless USB.

21. The system as recited in claim 15 wherein said mobile handset is a mobile phone.

22. A system of establishing voice communication using a mobile handset comprising:

means for transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal from said mobile handset to a base station to provide said voice communications;

means for determining when said mobile handset is in close proximity to a VoIP capable device, wherein if said mobile handset is placed in close proximity to said VoIP capable device;

means for disabling said RF signal to said base station;

means for forming a communications link between said mobile handset and said VoIP capable device, wherein a call to a party can be made by said mobile handset and routed as VoIP packets through said VoIP capable device.