Portable communications device coupled to first network by way of second network

• US 8,160,573 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2009
• Issued: 04/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Griffith, Greg, Link, Charles M. II
• Primary Examiner(s): Milord, Marceau
• Application Number:
  US12/510,714
• Publication Number:
  US 20090286533A1
• Time in Patent Office: 994 Days
• Field of Search: 455/426.1, 455/556.1, 455/557, 455/575.6, 455/556, 455/421
• US Class Current: 455/426.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/022 One-way selective calling networks, e.g. wide area paging
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

A portable communications device (PCD) is coupled to a first network by way of a second network. The PCD is normally in radio communication with the first network, and is coupled to the first network by way of the second network when the PCD is out of radio communication with the first network. In particular, the PCD is coupled to the second network, and is caused to leave a first network mode and enter a second network mode. A network connection is established with the first network by way of the second network, and communication with the first network is entered into by way of the second network.

Claims

1. A portable communications device (PCD) for connecting to a pager network by way of a second network, the PCD normally in radio communication with the pager network, the PCD connecting to the first network by way of the second network, the PCD comprising:

a processor;

a memory in communication with the processor;

a first network communication device in communication with the processor;

a first network connector coupled to the first network communication device, the first network connector for connecting to the second network;

a second network communication device in communication with the first network communication device via the second network;

a second network connector coupled to the second network communication device, the second network connector for communication with the pager network;

wherein the second network communication device relays communication between the first network communication device and the pager network through the second network.

2. The PCD of claim 1, wherein the first network communication device is a cellular transceiver.

3. The PCD of claim 2, wherein the first network communication device maintains radio communication with at least one of the pager and second network.

4. The PCD of claim 1, wherein the second network communication device is a modem.

5. The PCD of claim 4, wherein the second network communication device is in communication with a public switched telephone network.

6. The PCD of claim 1, further comprising a video screen.

7. The PCD of claim 1, further comprising a microphone and a speaker.

8. A system for connecting a portable communications device (PCD) to a pager network by way of a second network, the PCD normally in radio communication with the pager network, the PCD connecting to the pager network by way of the second network, the system comprising:

a portable communications device;

a cradle coupled to the PCD;

a first network connector coupled to the cradle, the first network connector for connecting to the second network;

a second network communication device in communication with the cradle via the second network; and

a second network connector coupled to the second network communication device, the second network connector for communication with the pager network;

wherein the second network communication device relays communication between the PCD and the pager network through the second network.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first network connector is a cellular transceiver.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first network connector maintains radio communication with at least one of the pager and second network.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the second network communication device is a modem.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the second network communication device is in communication with a public switched telephone network.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the PCD is a pager device.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the PCD determines that the PCD is out of communication with the pager network.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein the PCD determines that communication between the PCD and the pager network is degraded.

16. The system of claim 8, wherein the pager network is a cellular telephone network.

17. The system of claim 8, wherein the second network is a digital network.