System for switching, controlling, programming and operating communication devices

• US 7,953,437 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2003
• Issued: 05/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/04/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Unify GmbH & Co. KG (Atos SE)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Enterprise Communications GmbH and Co KG (Mitel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Neuhaus, Ralf
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Nay
• Assistant Examiner(s): PEREZ, ANGELICA
• Application Number:
  US10/748,584
• Publication Number:
  US 20040162110A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,709 Days
• Field of Search: 455/557, 455/556.1, 455/567, 455/457, 455/415, 348/14.01, 348/14.02, 348/14.03, 348/14.04, 348/14.07
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2805 Home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2814 Exchanging control software or macros for controlling appliance services in a home automation network arrangements for maintenance or administration involving configuration of the network and network elements H04L41/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/576 associated with a pictorial or graphical representation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4112 having fewer capabilities than the client, e.g. thin client having less processing power or no tuning capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43632 involving a wired protocol, e.g. IEEE 1394 high-speed IEEE 1394 serial bus H04L12/40052
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/443 OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/00 Interfaces specially adapted for wireless communication networks

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for switching, controlling, programming and operating communications devices, particularly communications terminals or communications systems. According to the invention, the at least one communications device (TE1, TE2, MOF, SYS) can be connected to at least one entertainment terminal (FER) via at least one interface (IEE), and the communications device TE1, TE2, MOF, SYS) and the at least one entertainment terminal (FER) are configured for exchanging signals and/or data via the at least one interface (IEE). The communication device is configured to switch from a first mode to an administrative mode to search for an active entertainment terminal. The entertainment terminal (FER) advantageously has at least one display (ANZ) and at least one input (BED). The entertainment terminal is, for example, a television set (FER).

Claims

1. A system for switching, controlling, programming and operating at least one communication device, comprising:

at least one communication device; and

at least one entertainment terminal, the at least one entertainment terminal connectable to the at least one communication device via at least one interface, the at least one entertainment terminal comprised of a display, the at least one communication device and at least one entertainment terminal configured to interchange at least one of signals and data via the at least one interface, the at least one entertainment terminal comprised of an active entertainment terminal;

the at least one communication device configured to automatically search for the active entertainment terminal when an administrative mode of the at least one communication device is selected such that the at least one communication device is connectable to the active entertainment terminal so that a selection menu is displayable on the display of the active entertainment terminal after the active entertainment terminal is detected.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the at least one communication device and at least one entertainment terminal is also comprised of a memory device that has a database, the database having insert symbols corresponding to state-dependent information that is displayable on the display of the at least one entertainment terminal

3. The system of claim 2 wherein at least one of the at least one communication device and the at least one entertainment terminal is also comprised of memory that has a database, the database having insert symbols associated with at least one caller, each symbol being displayable on the display of the active entertainment terminal.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one communication device is configured to switch to the administration mode upon receiving an incoming call to set up a connection to the active entertainment terminal.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one entertainment terminal is a television.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one communication device is comprised of at least one telephone.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one communication device is comprised of at least one mobile radio.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one interface is a wireless interface, a radio interface or a high speed interface.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one interface is configured to transmit and receive data based on a Firewire standard.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one communication device is also configured to transmit state dependent data to the active entertainment terminal.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising a memory device or memory service that is connected to the at least one communication device.

12. The system of claim 1 further comprising a memory device or memory service that is connected to the at least one entertainment terminal.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one entertainment terminal is also comprised of at least one input facility.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one input facility is a remote control.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one communication device is configured to switch from a first mode to the administrative mode, the first mode and the administrative mode both requiring the at least one communication device to be powered for operation such that the administrative mode and the first mode are not operational when the at least one communication device is deactivated.

16. A system for switching, controlling, programming and operating at least one communication device, comprising:

at least one communication device; and

at least one entertainment terminal, the at least one entertainment terminal connectable to the at least one communication device via at least one interface, the at least one entertainment terminal comprised of a display, the at least one communication device and at least one entertainment terminal configured to interchange at least one of signals and data via the at least one interface, the at least one entertainment terminal comprised of an active entertainment terminal;

the at least one communication device configured to switch from a first mode to an administrative mode, the first mode and administrative mode both requiring the at least one communication device to be powered for operation, the at least one communication device configured to automatically search for the active entertainment terminal when the administrative mode is selected such that a selection menu is displayable on the display of the active entertainment terminal after the active entertainment terminal is detected, the display of the active entertainment terminal also configured to receive input comprised of at least one of text and call administration data that is transmittable via touching the display, the display configured to transmit the input received by the display to the at least one communication device to effect administration of a call.