Pervasive voice handset system

• US 6,603,965 B1
• Filed: 05/11/2000
• Issued: 08/05/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Dinkin, Sam
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Vivian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Afshar, Kamran
• Application Number:
  US09/569,307
• Time in Patent Office: 1,181 Days
• Field of Search: 455/416, 455/417, 455/519, 455/445, 455/414, 455/422, 455/433, 455/560, 455/439, 455/74.1, 455/557, 455/575, 379/112, 379/203, 379/204, 379/207, 379/242, 379/230, 379/93.14, 370/264, 370/524, 370/261, 370/294
• US Class Current: 455/416
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/19 Connection re-establishment

Abstract

A system (and method) for linking wireless and land line communications media, includes a connector for connecting a communications media, and an indicator for alerting a user of the state of a connection. The connector automatically initiates a continuous reestablishment operation after the indicator announces a state of disconnection and in which the system provides a conferencing capability using the Internet. A handset to be used in voice communications includes a housing including a receiver and transmitter for connecting to a computer network, a plurality of wireless protocols for use with the transmitter, and a universal telephone port coupled to the housing for connecting to a universal telephone jack.

Claims

1. A system for linking periodically connected communications devices, comprising:

a connector for connecting a communications medium to a second continually connected communications medium; and

an indicator unit for determining the state of a connection,

wherein said connector automatically initiates a continuous reestablishment operation after said indicator unit announces a state of disconnection, and

wherein with a plurality of users in common communication, said indicator unit comprises a distinctive signal associated with each of said users such that users are alerted to which of said users have been dropped from a communication.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communications medium and said second communications medium include at least one of a land line network, a cellular telephone network, an Internet protocol network, a satellite telephone network, a blue tooth network, a radio network, an optical network, and a sonar network.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connector maintains a communications link when one of a plurality of users is disconnected.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said distinctive signal comprises a distinctive sound associated with each of said users,

wherein said indicator unit indicates a time of dropping of said user.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two users are connected via one of an Internet connection, a wireless device and a computer network connection, a wireless and a wired communication line, and a wired communication line and a computer network connection.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communications persist even if one of a plurality of parties to the communication is temporarily disconnected.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reestablishment operation is performed automatically without any user input.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for automatic three-way calling to a single party.

9. A system for linking periodically connected communications devices, comprising:

means for connecting a communications medium to a second continually connected communications medium; and

means for determining the state of a connection,

wherein said means for connecting automatically initiates a continuous reestablishment operation after said means for determining announces a state of disconnection, and

wherein with a plurality of users in common communication, said determining means comprises a distinctive signal associated with each of said users such that users are alerted to which of said users have been dropped from a communication.

10. The system as claimed in claim 9, further comprising means for automatic three-way calling to a single party.

11. The system as claimed in claim 9, further comprising means for reestablishing a redundant link.

12. The system as claimed in claim 9, further comprising means for establishing a multi-protocol three-way call.

13. A handset for use in voice communications, comprising:

a housing including a receiver and an alarm;

at least two of a transmitter coupled to said housing for connecting to a computer network;

at least two of a plurality of wireless protocols for use with said transmitter; and

at least two of a universal telephone port coupled to said housing for connecting to a universal telephone jack,

wherein said alarm notifies a user of a party disconnected from a communication channel and a time of said disconnection.

14. The handset according to claim 13, wherein said computer network comprises a Dynamic Host Communication Protocol over Ethernet.

15. The handset according to claim 13, further comprising means for receiving Internet communications.

16. The handset according to claim 13, further comprising an alarm for notifying a user of an incoming communication.

17. The handset according to claim 13, wherein said transmitter is programmed with at least one pre-set dialing number.

18. The handset according to claim 13, wherein one of a wireless and Ethernet, analog and wireless, wireless and wireless, wireless and Ethernet and analog, voice over Internet protocol and voice over Internet protocol, is used.

19. The handset of claim 13, wherein said handset comprises a cellular telephone capable of send-only communication.

20. The handset of claim 13, wherein said handset comprises a cellular telephone capable of receive-only communication.

21. A method for linking periodically connected communications devices, comprising:

connecting a communications medium to a second continually connected communications medium;

determining the state of a connection; and

automatically initiating a continuous reestablishment operation after a state of disconnection has been determined,

wherein with a plurality of users in common communication, said determining comprises providing a distinctive signal associated with each of said users such that users are alerted to which of said users have been dropped from a communication.

22. A signal-bearing medium tangibly embodying a program of machine readable instructions executable by a digital precessing apparatus to perform a method for linking periodically connected communications devices, said method comprising:

connecting a communications medium to a second continually connected communications medium;

determining the state of a connection; and

automatically initiating a continuous reestablishment operation after a state of disconnection has been determined,

wherein with a plurality of users in common communication, said determining comprises providing a distinctive signal associated with each of said users such that users are alerted to which of said users have been dropped from a communication.