Concurrent wireless/landline interface

• US 7,089,034 B1
• Filed: 06/03/1999
• Issued: 08/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Telular Corporation (Ametek Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Telular Corporation (Ametek Incorporated)
• Inventors: Heitschel, Carl T., Anter, Nuri G., Beneditz, Neil, Kinder, Jay, Schornack, Louis W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): SOBUTKA, PHILIP
• Application Number:
  US09/325,087
• Time in Patent Office: 2,623 Days
• Field of Search: 455/74.1, 455/557, 455/554, 455/404, 219/506, 379/402, 379/21
• US Class Current: 455/554.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/715 using two or more extensions per line cordless telephones H04M1/725
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1091 Fixed mobile conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/428 Arrangements for placing incoming calls on hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4283 Call holding circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/14 WLL [Wireless Local Loop]; RLL [Radio Local Loop]

Abstract

An apparatus for interfacing at least one landline telephone service, at least one wireless cellular-type telephone service, at least one cellular-type wireless telephone and at least one standard telephonic type communication device through standard building interior telephone cable.

Claims

1. In a cellular or cellular-like interface apparatus for coupling a landline telephone instrument to a cellular or cellular-like radio transceiver associated with a cellular or cellular-like radio network, said cellular or cellular-like interface apparatus comprising cellular or cellular-like interface means comprising computer means for coupling a landline telephone instrument to the cellular or cellular-like radio transceiver associated, the improvement comprising:

Initial installation testing means for testing the presence of line voltages on a landline telephone communication path capable of being connected to a public switched telephone network, said initial testing means comprising operational-line voltage detecting means for detecting operational line voltage on the landline communication path indicating the landline communication path operative connection to a public switched telephone network, whereby if no such voltage is detected, said testing means indicates that said interface means may be coupled to the landline communication path;

said testing means further comprising indicating means for indicating the lack of detection of said operational line voltage detecting means, whereby upon lack of such voltage being detected, said indicating means indicates that said interface means may be operatively installed with said landline telephone communication path, in order to prevent damage to said cellular or cellular-like apparatus.

2. The interface apparatus for coupling a landline telephone instrument to a cellular or cellular-like radio transceiver associated with a cellular or cellular-like radio network, according to claim 1, in combination with a landline telephone communication path capable of being connected to a public switched telephone network;

said operational-line voltage detecting means comprising an operational line-voltage sensing circuit placed across the tip and ring terminals of said landline telephone communication path.

3. A cellular or cellular-like interface apparatus for coupling a landline telephone instrument to a cellular or cellular-like radio transceiver associated with a cellular or cellular-like radio network, said cellular or cellular-like interface apparatus comprising cellular or cellular-like interface means comprising computer means for coupling a landline telephone instrument to the cellular of cellular-like radio transceiver associated, in combination with a landline telephone communication path disconnected from a public switched telephone network;

said cellular or cellular-like interface apparatus comprising;

initial installation using means for testing for the lack of presence of line voltages on said landline telephone communication path;

said initial, installation testing means comprising operational-line voltage detecting means for detecting operational line voltage on said landline communication path indicating the landline communication path'"'"'s operative connection to a public switched telephone network; and

sensing means operatively coupled to said operational-line voltage detecting means for sensing the lack of detection of said operational line voltage on said landline communication path by said operational-line voltage detecting means;

said testing means further comprising indicating means for indicating the lack of detection of said operational-line voltage detecting means, whereby upon lack of such voltage being detected, as sensed by said sensing means, said testing means indicates that said interface means may be operatively installed with said landline communication path, in order to prevent damage to said cellular or cellular-like interface apparatus.

4. In a cellular or cellular-like interface apparatus for coupling a landline telephone instrument to a cellular or cellular-like radio transceiver associated with a cellular or cellular-like radio network, said cellular or cellular-like interface apparatus comprising cellular or cellular-like interface means comprising means for coupling a landline telephone instrument to the cellular or cellular-like radio transceiver associated, the improvement comprising:

initial installation testing means for testing for the lack of presence of line voltages on said landline telephone communication path;

said initial, installation testing means comprising operational-line voltage detecting means for detecting operational line voltage on said landline communication path indicating the landline communication path'"'"'s operative connection to a public switched telephone network; and

sensing means operatively coupled to said operational-line voltage detecting means for sensing the lack of detection of said operational line voltage on said landline communication path by said operational-line voltage detecting means;

said testing means further comprising indicating means for indicating the lack of detection of said operational-line voltage detecting means, whereby upon lack of such voltage being detected, as sensed by said sensing means, said testing means indicates that said interface means may be operatively installed with said landline communication path, in order to prevent damage to said cellular of cellular-like interface apparatus.