Method and apparatus for connecting wireless transmissions to analog phone lines

• US 6,115,604 A
• Filed: 02/10/1998
• Issued: 09/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens Information And Communication Networks, Inc.
• Inventors: Jreij, Elie Antoun, Beyda, William Joseph, Iglehart, David, Lester, Leland
• Primary Examiner(s): Hudspeth, David R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZEWDU, MELESS NMN
• Application Number:
  US09/021,643
• Time in Patent Office: 938 Days
• Field of Search: 455/422, 455/445, 455/553, 455/557, 455/573, 455/560, 379/210-212
• US Class Current: 455/422.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/006 Call diverting means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/14 WLL [Wireless Local Loop]; RLL [Radio Local Loop]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/021 adapted for Wireless Local Loop operation

Abstract

An apparatus and method for using local wiring (102) with a wireless phone (114) are described. The local wiring is coupled to a local phone network (110). Where the local wiring is not engaged with a current call, transmission of calls from the local phone network to the local wiring is inhibited (112, 218) in response to receipt of a wireless transmission by the wireless phone. A ring signal is transmitted (216) to another device (104, 106) coupled to the local wiring. The wireless transmission is converted (214) for transmission over the local wiring. In response to the other device responding to the ring signal, the converted wireless transmission is transmitted (216) to the other device over the local wiring.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting a wireless transmission received by a wireless phone to a communication device via local wiring, the local wiring being coupled to a local phone network, the method comprising:

where the local wiring is not engaged with a current call, inhibiting transmission of calls from the local phone network to the local wiring in response to receipt of the wireless transmission by the wireless phone;

transmitting a ring signal to the communication device via the local wiring;

converting the wireless transmission to a converted call for transmission over the local wiring; and

in response to the communication device responding to the ring signal, transmitting the converted call to the communication device over the local wiring.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of inhibiting transmission of the wireless transmission on the local wiring where the local wiring is engaged with the current call.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein inhibiting transmission comprises actuating a relay thereby isolating the local wiring from the local phone network.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein actuating the relay comprises transmitting an actuating signal via the air from a remote location.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein actuating the relay comprises transmitting an actuating signal from inhibiting circuitry connected to the relay.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein actuating the relay enables transmission of the ring signal and the converted call on the local wiring.

7. The method of claim 3 further comprising actuating the relay thereby enabling transmission of calls from the local phone network to the local wiring in response to termination of the wireless transmission.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising enabling transmission of calls from the local phone network to the local wiring in response to termination of the wireless transmission.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the communication device is an analog device, converting the wireless transmission comprising converting the wireless transmission to a format which may be processed by the analog device.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the wireless transmission is in a digital format.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the wireless transmission is in an analog format.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising charging batteries in the wireless phone while transmitting the wireless transmission via the local wiring.

13. An apparatus for transmitting a wireless transmission received by a wireless phone to a communication device via local wiring, the local wiring being coupled to a local phone network, the apparatus comprising:

conversion circuitry for coupling to the wireless phone and for converting the wireless transmission to a converted call for transmission over the local wiring;

first inhibiting circuitry for coupling to the wireless phone and the local wiring and for inhibiting transmission of calls from the local phone network to the local wiring in response to receipt of the wireless transmission by the wireless phone; and

transmission circuitry for coupling to the conversion circuitry and the local wiring, for transmitting a ring signal and the converted call to the communication device over the local wiring.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising second inhibiting circuitry coupled to the local wiring and the transmission circuitry for inhibiting transmission of the converted call over the local wiring where the local wiring is engaged with a current call.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the first inhibiting circuitry is operable to enable transmission of calls from the local phone network to the local wiring in response to termination of the wireless transmission.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the first inhibiting circuitry comprises a relay which upon actuation isolates the local wiring from the local phone network.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the relay is remotely located and receives an actuating signal from another portion of the first inhibiting circuitry via the air.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the relay is remotely located and receives an actuating signal from another portion of the first inhibiting circuitry via a power line.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the relay is remotely located and receives an actuating signal from another portion of the first inhibiting circuitry via a second phone line.

20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the relay has a first position and a second position, the first position connecting the local phone network to the local wiring and the second position connecting the transmission circuitry to the local wiring.

21. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the conversion circuitry is operable to convert digital wireless transmissions for transmission over the local wiring.

22. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the conversion circuitry is operable to convert analog wireless transmissions for transmission over the local wiring.

23. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the wireless phone comprises a cellular phone and the conversion circuitry is operable to convert cellular transmissions for transmission over the local wiring.

24. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the wireless phone comprises a digital personal communication device and the conversion circuitry is operable to convert digital transmissions for transmission over the local wiring.

25. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the wireless phone comprises a satellite system phone and the conversion circuitry is operable to convert satellite transmissions for transmission over the local wiring.

26. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising charging circuitry for charging batteries in the wireless phone.