Method, apparatus and communications system for companion information and network appliances
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A method for transmitting data from a portable computer to a telephone comprising:
- connecting the portable computer with the telephone, the telephone having operating capabilities, the telephone connected to network connected devices;
supplying the portable computer with telephone operating parameter data for a communications session between the telephone and one or more of the network connected devices, the communications session including an exchange of messages with the one or more of the network connected devices;
the portable computer exchanging the telephone operating parameter data and the operating capabilities with the telephone; and
the portable computer establishing telephone operating parameters for the communications session based on the telephone operating parameter data and the operating capabilities, the telephone operating parameters providing options and features for the communications session.
8 Assignments
Litigations
1 Petition
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides an information appliance and a network appliance (or telephone) that function independently as well as with each other as companion appliances. The information appliance stores user information corresponding to a particular user. The telephone is linked to network. In some embodiments, the companion appliances are capable of simultaneously exchanging voice and data messages with devices connected to the network. The appliances are connected to each other physically through a communications port, and exchange data link layer formatted data corresponding to user personalized information, commands from the user, and responses including message status information corresponding to action of the network connected devices. The user information enables the telephone to perform network communications according to user specified settings, and enables the telephone to assume the user specific information appliance network identification. The information appliance is typically a portable computer and in some embodiments is a palm-sized computer. In some embodiments, the telephone is an Ethernet telephone. One aspect of the invention provides a method for transmitting data from a portable computer to a telephone. Other aspects of the invention include: a method for exchanging voice and data messages between a telephone and devices connected to a network, a portable computer adapted for connection to a telephone, a telephone adapted for connection to a portable computer, and a communications system including the telephone connected to the portable computer.
381 Citations
75 Claims
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1. A method for transmitting data from a portable computer to a telephone comprising:
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connecting the portable computer with the telephone, the telephone having operating capabilities, the telephone connected to network connected devices; supplying the portable computer with telephone operating parameter data for a communications session between the telephone and one or more of the network connected devices, the communications session including an exchange of messages with the one or more of the network connected devices; the portable computer exchanging the telephone operating parameter data and the operating capabilities with the telephone; and the portable computer establishing telephone operating parameters for the communications session based on the telephone operating parameter data and the operating capabilities, the telephone operating parameters providing options and features for the communications session. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method for exchanging voice and data messages between a telephone and devices connected to a network, the telephone connected to the network, the method comprising:
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connecting the telephone with a portable computer; the portable computer exchanging telephone operating parameter data with the telephone, the operating parameter data providing options for communications between the telephone and the network connected devices; and responsive to a user indication of a desired communication, the portable computer exchanging call data with the telephone, the call data corresponding to the desired communication, the call data formatted according to an application layer protocol, and the underlying transport, network, and data link layer protocols, the application layer protocol having frame formats for telephony functions; the telephone exchanging messages with an addressed network connected device, the messages corresponding to the desired communication, the addressed network connected device having a network address, the message including data corresponding to the address of the addressed network connected device. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A portable computer adapted for connection to a telephone, the portable computer comprising:
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a port for connecting to the telephone, the telephone having capabilities; a memory storing user information corresponding to a user; and processing resources adapted to exchange data with the telephone, the data including the user information and data corresponding to the telephone capabilities; the exchange of the data enabling the portable computer to; discover capabilities of the telephone; provide the user information to the telephone; and establish telephone operating parameters for telephone communications with devices connected to the telephone based on the user information and the telephone capabilities. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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54. A telephone adapted for connection to a portable computer, the telephone comprising:
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a port for connecting to the portable computer, the portable computer having user information corresponding to a user; network communication capabilities including a communication port; portable computer companion capabilities; processing resources adapted to exchange data with the portable computer, the data including; the user information, data corresponding to the network communication capabilities; and the portable computer companion capabilities; the exchange of data enabling the telephone to; discover user information and capabilities of the portable computer; provide the network communication capabilities and the portable computer companion capabilities to the portable computer; and indicate the network communication capabilities to devices connected to the telephone via a network. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64)
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65. A communications system comprising:
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a telephone having capabilities; a portable computer connected to the telephone, the portable computer including; a port for connecting to the telephone; a memory storing user information corresponding to a user; and processing resources adapted to exchange data with the telephone, the data including the user information and data corresponding to the telephone capabilities; the exchange of the data enabling the portable computer to; discover capabilities of the telephone; provide the user information to the telephone; and establish telephone operating parameters for telephone communications with devices connected to the telephone based on the user information and the telephone capabilities; and a network link connecting the telephone to network connected devices. - View Dependent Claims (66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75)
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Specification