Communication base system and method of using the same

• US 8,041,299 B2
• Filed: 11/16/2007
• Issued: 10/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Embarq Holdings Company LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Geldbach, Erik, Rooks, Kelsyn Donel Sr., Wilmoth, Mark, Smith, Shane M.
• Primary Examiner(s): AJIBADE AKONAI, OLUMIDE
• Application Number:
  US11/985,766
• Publication Number:
  US 20090129569A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,432 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414.1, 455/424, 455/425, 455/41.1, 455/41.2, 455/41.3, 455/507, 455/508, 455/553.1, 455/556.1, 455/556.2, 455/557, 455/561, 455/3.01, 455/3.04, 455/3.05, 455/3.06, 455/550.1, 455/554.2, 455/575.2, 370/338, 370/401, 370/465, 370/466, 370/467, 709/204, 709/206, 709/217, 709/238
• US Class Current: 455/41.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/10 Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/10 adapted for operation in multiple networks, e.g. multi-mode access points

Abstract

In order to enable several wearable devices to communicate with several communication devices over a range of types of networks simultaneously, the illustrative embodiments provide a communication base system and method of using that communication base system. The communication base system includes several network-side transceivers in which each transceiver is configured to communicate with a communication device, a set of user-side transceivers in which each transceiver is configured to communicate with a headset, and a communication path to provide communications between a network-side adapter and a user-side adapter. A processing unit coupled to the communication path is configured to process instructions, where the instructions enable communication between the headset and the communication device without the headset being associated with the communication device.

Claims

1. A communication base system comprising:

a plurality of network-side transceivers, each transceiver in the set of network-side transceivers configured to communicate with a respective communication device;

a set of user-side transceivers, each transceiver in the set of user-side transceivers configured to communicate with a headset;

at least one communication path coupling a network-side transceiver in the plurality of network-side transceivers and a user-side transceiver in the set of user-side transceivers, and being configurable to provide communications between the network-side transceiver and the user-side transceiver; and

a processing unit in communication with the communication path and being configured to process instructions, the instructions configured to enable communication between the headset and the communication device without the headset being associated with the communication device, the instructions further configured to enable simultaneous communication between a plurality of headsets and a plurality of communication devices, to switch a headset in the plurality of headsets from communication with a first communication device in the plurality of communication devices to communication with a second communication device in the plurality of communication devices, and to manage communications with the first and second communication devices.

2. The communication base system of claim 1, wherein the set of network-side transceivers includes one or more of a transceiver configured to communicate with a data network wirelessly, an adapter configured to communicate with a telephone network and a network interface card configured to communicate with a wired data network.

3. The communication base system of claim 1, wherein the set of user-side transceivers includes one or more of a transceiver configured to communicate with a headset over a wireless network, an adapter configured to communicate with a wired headset.

4. The communication base system of claim 1, further comprising:

a data storage configured to store data, the data including one or more of the instructions, data resulting from the processing of the instructions, data received from the headset, and data received from the device; and

a user interface component configured to enable a user to manipulate one of the data, the configuration of a transceiver in the set of network-side transceivers, and the configuration of a transceiver in the set of user-side transceivers.

5. The communication base system of claim 1, configured to enable simultaneous communication between a headset and a plurality of communication devices, wherein the plurality of communication devices includes communication devices on one or more of a common network and distinct networks.

6. The communication base system of claim 1, configured to enable simultaneous communication between a plurality of headsets and a communication device, wherein the plurality of headsets includes headsets on one or more of a common network and distinct networks.

7. A method for using a communication base system, the method comprising:

receiving a first communication from a first communication device;

directing the first communication to a first headset such that the first headset and the first communication device are in communication with each other;

receiving a second communication from a second communication device;

directing the second communication to the first headset such that the first headset and the second communication device are in communication with each other; and

processing the first communication by disconnecting the first communication or by placing the first communication on hold, wherein the first headset is in communication with the first and second communication devices without being associated with the first and second communication devices.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein directing the second communication occurs in response to a command from the first headset.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

directing the second communication to a second headset instead of the first headset or in addition to the first headset.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

enabling at least one headset to operate with the communication base system; and

enabling at least one communication device to operate with the communication base system.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

receiving a command from the first headset; and

performing an operation corresponding to the command, wherein the operation is configured in the communication base system.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

providing a response to the first headset responsive to the command.

13. A computer usable program product in a non-transitory tangible computer readable medium storing computer executable instructions for using a communication base system that, when executed, cause the communication base system to:

receive a first communication from a first communication device;

direct the first communication to a first headset such that the first headset and the first communication device are in communication with each other;

receive a second communication from a second communication device;

direct the second communication to the first headset such that the first headset and the second communication device are in communication with each other; and

process the first communication by disconnecting the first communication or by placing the first communication on hold, wherein the instructions cause the first headset to be in communication with the first and second communication devices without being associated with the first and second communication devices.

14. The computer usable program product of claim 13, wherein the instructions cause the directing of the second communication to occur in response to a command from the first headset.

15. The computer usable program product of claim 13, further including instructions that when executed cause the communication base system to:

direct the second communication to a second headset instead of the first headset or in addition to the first headset.

16. The computer usable program product of claim 13, further including instructions that when executed cause the communication base system to:

receive a command from the first headset;

perform an operation corresponding to the command, wherein the operation is configured in the communication base system; and

provide a response to the first headset responsive to the command.

17. A communication base system comprising:

a plurality of network-side transceivers, each transceiver in the set of network-side transceivers configured to communicate with a respective communication device;

a set of user-side transceivers, each transceiver in the set of user-side transceivers configured to communicate with a headset;

at least one communication path coupling a network-side transceiver in the plurality of network-side transceivers and a user-side transceiver in the set of user-side transceivers, and being configurable to provide communications between the network-side transceiver and the user-side transceiver;

a processing unit in communication with the communication path and being configured to process instructions, the instructions configured to enable communication between the headset and the communication device without the headset being associated with the communication device;

a data storage configured to store data, the data including one or more of the instructions, data resulting from the processing of the instructions, data received from the headset, and data received from the device; and

a user interface component configured to enable a user to manipulate one of the data, the configuration of a transceiver in the set of network-side transceivers, and the configuration of a transceiver in the set of user-side transceivers.

18. A communication base system comprising:

a plurality of network-side transceivers, each transceiver in the set of network-side transceivers configured to communicate with a respective communication device;

a set of user-side transceivers, each transceiver in the set of user-side transceivers configured to communicate with a headset;

at least one communication path coupling a network-side transceiver in the plurality of network-side transceivers and a user-side transceiver in the set of user-side transceivers, and being configurable to provide communications between the network-side transceiver and the user-side transceiver; and

a processing unit in communication with the communication path and being configured to process instructions, the instructions configured to enable communication between the headset and the communication device without the headset being associated with the communication device, and to enable simultaneous communication between a headset and a plurality of communication devices, wherein the plurality of communication devices includes communication devices on one or more of a common network and distinct networks.

19. A communication base system comprising:

a plurality of network-side transceivers, each transceiver in the set of network-side transceivers configured to communicate with a respective communication device;

a set of user-side transceivers, each transceiver in the set of user-side transceivers configured to communicate with a headset;

at least one communication path coupling a network-side transceiver in the plurality of network-side transceivers and a user-side transceiver in the set of user-side transceivers, and being configurable to provide communications between the network-side transceiver and the user-side transceiver; and

a processing unit in communication with the communication path and being configured to process instructions, the instructions configured to enable communication between the headset and the communication device without the headset being associated with the communication device, and to enable simultaneous communication between a plurality of headsets and a communication device, wherein the plurality of headsets includes headsets on one or more of a common network and distinct networks.