Communication system for landline and wireless calls

• US 7,565,115 B2
• Filed: 02/06/2003
• Issued: 07/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Xcelis LLC (Empire IP LLC)
• Original Assignee: Xcelis Communications, LLC
• Inventors: Alexis, Glenroy J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cumming, William D.
• Application Number:
  US10/359,277
• Publication Number:
  US 20040008636A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,357 Days
• Field of Search: 455/552.1, 455/552, 455/572, 455/462.1, 455/462, 455/74.1, 455/426.1
• US Class Current: 455/74.1
• 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 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72502 with one base station connected to a single line
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1091 Fixed mobile conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/428 Arrangements for placing incoming calls on hold

Abstract

Users can make landline, wireless and/or internet calls from a conventional landline communication device. If the communication device is on a wireless call, that call may be placed on hold to answer an incoming call on the landline. Likewise, if the communication device is on a landline call, that call may be placed on hold to answer an incoming call on the wireless telephone. Wireless and landline calls may also be conferenced together.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising:

a landline communication device comprising circuitry adapted to place and receive calls over a landline communication network; and

interface circuitry connected to a single ring-tip line pair of a landline communication network and to a wireless communication device for a wireless communication network, wherein the interface circuitry selectively connects the landline communication device to the ring-tip line pair so that calls are placed and received by the landline communication device over the landline communication network and to the wireless communication device so that calls are placed and received by the landline communication device over the wireless communication network via the wireless communication device,

wherein the interface circuitry detects if the ring-tip line pair is in use and, if so, automatically places calls from the landline communication device using the wireless communication device.

14. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the interface circuitry comprises a switching arrangement and a processing circuit for controlling the switching arrangement so as to selectively conference together a landline call and a wireless call.

15. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the interface circuitry comprises a switching arrangement and a processing circuit for controlling the switching arrangement so as to selectively place one of a landline call and a wireless call involving the landline communication device on hold and to connect the landline communication device to the other of a landline call and a wireless call.

16. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the landline communication device comprises a cordless telephone.

2. A communication system comprising:

a landline communication device comprising circuitry adapted to place and receive calls over a landline communication network; and

interface circuitry connected to a single ring-tip line pair of a landline communication network and to a wireless communication device for a wireless communication network, wherein the interface circuitry selectively connects the landline communication device to the ring-tip line pair so that calls are placed and received by the landline communication device over the landline communication network and to the wireless communication device so that calls are placed and received by the landline communication device over the wireless communication network via the wireless communication device,

wherein the interface circuitry comprises signal-boosting circuitry for boosting a signal of the wireless communication device.

17. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the interface circuitry comprises a switching arrangement and a processing circuit for controlling the switching arrangement so as to selectively conference together a landline call and a wireless call.

18. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the interface circuitry comprises a switching arrangement and a processing circuit for controlling the switching arrangement so as to selectively place one of a landline call and a wireless call involving the landline communication device on hold and to connect the landline communication device to the other of a landline call and a wireless call.

19. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the interface circuitry detects if the ring-tip line pair is in use and, if so, automatically places calls from the landline communication device using the wireless communication device.

20. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the landline communication device comprises a cordless telephone.

3. A communication system comprising:

a landline communication device comprising circuitry adapted to place and receive calls over a landline communication network; and

interface circuitry connected to a single ring-tip line pair of a landline communication network and to a wireless communication device for a wireless communication network, wherein the interface circuitry selectively connects the landline communication device to the ring-tip line pair so that calls are placed and received by the landline communication device over the landline communication network and to the wireless communication device so that calls are placed and received by the landline communication device over the wireless communication network via the wireless communication device,

wherein the interface circuitry comprises;

a first switch connected between the landline communication device and the ring-tip line pair;

a second switch connected between the landline communication device and the wireless communication device; and

a processing circuit for controlling the first and second switches.

12. The communication system according to claim 3, wherein the processing circuit controls the first and second switches so as to conference together a landline call and a wireless call.

13. The communication system according to claim 3, wherein the processing circuit controls the first and second switches so as to place one of a landline call and a wireless call involving the landline communication device on hold and to connect the landline communication device to the other of a landline call and a wireless call.

4. A communication system comprising:

a landline communication device comprising circuitry adapted to place and receive calls over a landline communication network; and

interface circuitry connected to a single ring-tip line pair of a landline communication network and to a wireless communication device for a wireless communication network, wherein the interface circuitry selectively connects the landline communication device to the ring-tip line pair so that calls are placed and received by the landline communication device over the landline communication network and to the wireless communication device so that calls are placed and received by the landline communication device over the wireless communication network via the wireless communication device,

wherein the interface circuitry determines whether to place a landline or wireless call in response to a user input.

5. The communication system according to claim 4, wherein the landline communication device comprises a cordless telephone.

6. The communication system according to claim 4, wherein the interface circuitry permits other landline communication devices to use the ring-tip line pair if the landline communication device is used to place or receive a wireless call.

7. The communication system according to claim 4, wherein the wireless communication network comprises a cellular network.

8. The communication system according to claim 4, wherein the landline communication network comprises the public switched telephone network.

9. The communication system according to claim 4, wherein the landline communication device comprises a landline telephone.

10. The communication system according to claim 4, wherein the wireless communication device comprises a cellular telephone.

11. The communication system according to claim 4, wherein the wireless communication device comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA).

21. The communication system according to claim 4, wherein the interface circuitry comprises a switching arrangement and a processing circuit for controlling the switching arrangement so as to selectively conference together a landline call and a wireless call.

22. The communication system according to claim 4, wherein the interface circuitry comprises a switching arrangement and a processing circuit for controlling the switching arrangement so as to selectively place one of a landline call and a wireless call involving the landline communication device on hold and to connect the landline communication device to the other of a landline call and a wireless call.

23. The communication system according to claim 4, wherein the interface circuitry detects if the ring-tip line pair is in use and, if so, automatically places calls from the landline communication device using the wireless communication device.