System, method, and computer program product for using a cellular phone as an interface for a VoIP-equipped computer

• US 8,364,081 B1
• Filed: 07/12/2005
• Issued: 01/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: Stragent, LLC (Oso IP, LLC)
• Inventors: Zilka, Kevin J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lim, Steven
• Application Number:
  US11/180,991
• Time in Patent Office: 2,758 Days
• Field of Search: 455 411- 413, 455/569.1
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/406 with more than one transmission mode, e.g. analog and digital modes
• 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 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/733 with a plurality of base stations connected to a plurality of lines for selection in cordless PBX H04W84/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/20 for indoor coverage or short range network deployment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/16 WPBX [Wireless Private Branch Exchange]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A system, method and computer program product are provided. Included is a cellular phone capable of communicating via a long-range cellular network protocol and a short-range protocol. Further included is a computer system capable of communicating via a long-range hard-line network protocol and the short-range protocol. Thus, when the cellular phone is in the proximity of the computer system, the cellular phone communicates with the computer system utilizing the short-range protocol, so that the cellular phone is used to communicate via the long-range hard-line communication network protocol.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a cellular phone capable of communicating via a long-range cellular network protocol and a short-range protocol;

a computer system capable of communicating via a long-range hard-line network protocol and the short-range protocol; and

a cellular phone headset separate from the cellular phone for communicating with the cellular phone via the short-range protocol, and the cellular phone headset which is separate from the cellular phone further comprising logic positioned therein for communicating directly with the computer system via the short-range protocol without having to be channeled through the cellular phone;

wherein, when the cellular phone headset is in proximity of the computer system, the cellular phone headset is capable of communicating with the computer system utilizing the short-range protocol, so that the cellular phone headset is used to communicate via the long-range hard-line network protocol;

wherein the cellular phone headset and the computer system automatically detect each other, and communicate via the short-range protocol upon said detection.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer system includes an interface that is displayed upon said detection.

3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the interface indicates details regarding communication via the long-range hard-line network protocol.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein a single phone number is used, such that calls are received, and:

if the cellular phone headset and the computer system detect each other via the short-range protocol, a ring from the cellular phone headset is initiated via the short-range protocol so that the cellular phone headset is used to communicate via the long-range hard-line network protocol; and

if the cellular phone headset and the computer system do not detect each other via the short-range protocol, the calls are routed to the cellular phone via the long-range cellular network protocol.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein a single phone number is used, such that calls are sent, and:

if the cellular phone headset and the computer system detect each other via the short-range protocol, a call from the cellular phone headset is initiated via the short-range protocol so that the cellular phone headset is used to communicate via the long-range hard-line network protocol by way of the computer system; and

if the cellular phone headset and the computer system do not detect each other via the short-range protocol, the calls are routed via the long-range cellular network protocol.

6. A system, comprising:

a cellular phone capable of communicating via a long-range cellular network protocol and a short-range protocol;

a computer system capable of communicating via a long-range hard-line network protocol and the short-range protocol; and

a cellular phone headset separate from the cellular phone for communicating with the cellular phone via the short-range protocol, and the cellular phone headset which is separate from the cellular phone further comprising logic positioned therein for communicating directly with the computer system via the short-range protocol without having to be channeled through the cellular phone;

wherein, when the cellular phone headset is in proximity of the computer system, the cellular phone headset is capable of communicating with the computer system utilizing the short-range protocol, so that the cellular phone headset is used to communicate via the long-range hard-line network protocol;

wherein the system is operable such that communications using the long-range hard-line network protocol via the computer system are initiated manually.

7. An apparatus, comprising:

a cellular phone headset separate from a cellular phone for communicating with the cellular phone via a short-range protocol, and the cellular phone headset which is separate from the cellular phone further comprising logic positioned therein for communicating with a computer system via the short-range protocol without having to be channeled through the cellular phone, the cellular phone capable of communicating via a long-range cellular network protocol and the short-range protocol, and the computer system capable of communicating via a long-range hard-line network protocol and the short-range protocol;

wherein the cellular phone headset is operable such that, when the cellular phone headset is in proximity of the computer system, the cellular phone headset is capable of communicating with the computer system utilizing the short-range protocol, so that the cellular phone headset is used to communicate via the long-range hard-line network protocol;

wherein the cellular phone headset is operable such that the cellular phone headset and the computer system automatically detect each other, and communicate via the short-range protocol upon said detection.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the long-range cellular network protocol includes a Global System for Mobile (GSM) protocol.

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the short-range protocol includes a Bluetooth protocol.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the long-range hard-line network protocol includes a voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the short-range protocol includes an 802.11 protocol.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein a dial pad of the cellular phone is used for manually initiating communications using the long-range hard-line network protocol via the computer system.

13. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the long-range hard-line network protocol is used in lieu of the long-range cellular network protocol for cost savings, security, and increasing integrity of communications.

14. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the computer system includes an interface that is displayed upon said detection.

15. The apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein the interface indicates details regarding communication via the long-range hard-line network protocol.

16. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein a single phone number is used, such that calls are received, and:

if the cellular phone headset and the computer system detect each other via the short-range protocol, a ring from the cellular phone headset is initiated via the short-range protocol so that the cellular phone headset is used to communicate via the long-range hard-line network protocol; and

if the cellular phone headset and the computer system do not detect each other via the short-range protocol, the calls are routed to the cellular phone via the long-range cellular network protocol.

17. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein a single phone number is used, such that calls are sent, and:

if the cellular phone headset and the computer system detect each other via the short-range protocol, a call from the cellular phone headset is initiated via the short-range protocol so that the cellular phone headset is used to communicate via the long-range hard-line network protocol by way of the computer system; and

if the cellular phone headset and the computer system do not detect each other via the short-range protocol, the calls are routed via the long-range cellular network protocol.

18. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the computer system.

19. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the computer system, and the communication between the cellular phone headset and the computer system is conditioned on said detection.

20. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the computer system utilizing the short-range protocol, and an incoming call involving the cellular phone headset is capable of being received via the cellular phone and the long-range cellular network protocol, or the computer system and the long-range hard-line network protocol.

21. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the computer system utilizing the short-range protocol, and an outgoing call involving the cellular phone headset is capable of being routed via the cellular phone and the long-range cellular network protocol, or the computer system and the long-range hard-line network protocol.

22. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is capable of communicating with the cellular phone via the short range protocol as well as the computer system via the short range protocol if the cellular phone headset and the computer system detect each other.

23. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is capable of communicating with the cellular phone via the short range protocol as well as and the computer system via the short range protocol if the cellular phone and the computer system detect each other.

24. An apparatus, comprising:

a cellular phone headset separate from a cellular phone for communicating with the cellular phone via a short-range protocol, and the cellular phone headset which is separate from the cellular phone further comprising logic positioned therein for communicating with a computer system via the short-range protocol without having to be channeled through the cellular phone, the cellular phone capable of communicating via a long-range cellular network protocol and the short-range protocol, and the computer system capable of communicating via a long-range hard-line network protocol and the short-range protocol;

wherein the cellular phone headset is operable such that, when the cellular phone headset is in proximity of the computer system, the cellular phone headset is capable of communicating with the computer system utilizing the short-range protocol, so that the cellular phone headset is used to communicate via the long-range hard-line network protocol;

wherein the cellular phone headset is operable such that communications using the long-range hard-line network protocol via the computer system are initiated manually.

25. A system, comprising:

the apparatus of claim 24 and a cellular phone, wherein the apparatus and the cellular phone are configured to communicate via the short-range protocol including a Bluetooth protocol, wherein the cellular phone is also configured to communicate via the long-range cellular network protocol and the short-range protocol.

26. A system, comprising:

the apparatus of claim 24 and a computer system, wherein the logic is capable of communicating directly with the computer system via the short-range protocol, and wherein the computer system is also configured to communicate via the long-range hard-line network protocol and the short-range protocol.

27. A system, comprising:

the apparatus of claim 24, a cellular phone, wherein the apparatus and cellular phone are configured to communicate via the short-range protocol including a Bluetooth protocol, wherein the cellular phone is also configured to communicate via the long-range cellular network protocol and the short-range protocol, and the computer system, wherein the logic is capable of communicating directly with the computer system via the short-range protocol, and wherein the computer system is also configured to communicate via the long-range hard-line network protocol and the short-range protocol.

28. A system, comprising:

the apparatus of claim 24, a cellular phone and a computer system, wherein the apparatus, the cellular phone, and the computer system are operable such that a dial pad of the cellular phone is capable used for initiating the communications using the long-range hard-line network protocol via the computer system.

29. The apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein the long-range hard-line network protocol is a wired Internet Protocol.

30. The apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein the long-range hard-line network protocol includes a wired Internet Protocol.

31. A system, comprising:

the apparatus of claim 24, a cellular phone and a computer system, wherein the apparatus, the cellular phone, and the computer system are operable such that a speaker and a microphone of the cellular phone headset are used for communicating using the long-range hard-line network protocol via the computer system, thus obviating a need for a separate speaker and a separate microphone with the computer system.

32. The apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the computer system.

33. The apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is operable such that the cellular phone headset and the computer system automatically detect each other, and communicate via the short-range protocol upon said detection, and the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the computer system, and the communication between the cellular phone headset and the computer system is conditioned on said detection.

34. The apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the computer system utilizing the short-range protocol, and an incoming call involving the cellular phone headset is capable of being received via the cellular phone and the long-range cellular network protocol, or the computer system and the long-range hard-line network protocol.

35. The apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the computer system utilizing the short-range protocol, and an outgoing call involving the cellular phone headset is capable of being routed via the cellular phone and the long-range cellular network protocol, or the computer system and the long-range hard-line network protocol.

36. The apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is capable of communicating with the cellular phone via the short range protocol as well as the computer system via the short range protocol if the cellular phone headset and the computer system detect each other.

37. The apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is capable of communicating with the cellular phone via the short range protocol as well as and the computer system via the short range protocol if the cellular phone and the computer system detect each other.

38. A method, comprising:

communicating with a cellular phone via a short-range protocol utilizing a cellular phone headset separate from the cellular phone, the cellular phone headset separate from the cellular phone comprising logic positioned therein for further communicating with a computer system via the short-range protocol without having to be channeled through the cellular phone, the cellular phone capable of communicating via a long-range cellular network protocol and the short-range protocol, and the computer system capable of communicating via a long-range hard-line network protocol and the short-range protocol;

the cellular phone headset operable such that, when the cellular phone headset is in proximity of the computer system, the cellular phone headset is capable of communicating with the computer system utilizing the short-range protocol, so that the cellular phone headset is used to communicate via the long-range hard-line network protocol;

wherein the cellular phone headset and the computer system automatically detect each other, and communicate via the short-range protocol upon said detection.

39. The method as recited in claim 38, wherein the long-range cellular network protocol includes a Global System for Mobile (GSM) protocol.

40. The method as recited in claim 38, wherein the short-range protocol includes a Bluetooth protocol.

41. The method as recited in claim 38, wherein the long-range hard-line network protocol includes a voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

42. The method as recited in claim 38, wherein the short-range protocol includes an 802.11 protocol.

43. The method as recited in claim 38, wherein a dial pad of the cellular phone is used for manually initiating communications using the long-range hard-line network protocol via the computer system.

44. The method as recited in claim 38, wherein the long-range hard-line network protocol is used in lieu of the long-range cellular network protocol for cost savings, security, and increasing integrity of communications.

45. The method as recited in claim 38, wherein the computer system includes an interface that is displayed upon said detection.

46. The method as recited in claim 45, wherein the interface indicates details regarding communication via the long-range hard-line network protocol.

47. The method as recited in claim 38, wherein a single phone number is used, such that calls are received, and:

if the cellular phone headset and the computer system detect each other via the short-range protocol, a ring from the cellular phone headset is initiated via the short-range protocol so that the cellular phone headset is used to communicate via the long-range hard-line network protocol; and

if the cellular phone headset and the computer system do not detect each other via the short-range protocol, the calls are routed to the cellular phone via the long-range cellular network protocol.

48. The method as recited in claim 38, wherein a single phone number is used, such that calls are sent, and:

if the cellular phone headset and the computer system detect each other via the short-range protocol, a call from the cellular phone headset is initiated via the short-range protocol so that the cellular phone headset is used to communicate via the long-range hard-line network protocol by way of the computer system; and

if the cellular phone headset and the computer system do not detect each other via the short-range protocol, the calls are routed via the long-range cellular network protocol.

49. The method as recited in claim 38, wherein the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the computer system.

50. The method as recited in claim 38, wherein the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the computer system, and the communication between the cellular phone headset and the computer system is conditioned on said detection.

51. The method as recited in claim 38, wherein the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the computer system utilizing the short-range protocol, and an incoming call involving the cellular phone headset is capable of being received via the cellular phone and the long-range cellular network protocol, or the computer system and the long-range hard-line network protocol.

52. The method as recited in claim 38, wherein the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the computer system utilizing the short-range protocol, and an outgoing call involving the cellular phone headset is capable of being routed via the cellular phone and the long-range cellular network protocol, or the computer system and the long-range hard-line network protocol.

53. The method as recited in claim 38, wherein the cellular phone headset is capable of communicating with the cellular phone via the short range protocol as well as the computer system via the short range protocol if the cellular phone headset and the computer system detect each other.

54. The method as recited in claim 38, wherein the cellular phone headset is capable of communicating with the cellular phone via the short range protocol as well as and the computer system via the short range protocol if the cellular phone and the computer system detect each other.

55. A method, comprising:

communicating with a cellular phone via a short-range protocol utilizing a cellular phone headset separate from the cellular phone, the cellular phone headset separate from the cellular phone comprising logic positioned therein for further communicating with a computer system via the short-range protocol without having to be channeled through the cellular phone, the cellular phone capable of communicating via a long-range cellular network protocol and the short-range protocol, and the computer system capable of communicating via a long-range hard-line network protocol and the short-range protocol;

wherein the cellular phone headset is operable such that, when the cellular phone headset is in proximity of the computer system, the cellular phone headset is capable of communicating with the computer system utilizing the short-range protocol, so that the cellular phone headset is used to communicate via the long-range hard-line network protocol;

wherein communications using the long-range hard-line network protocol via the computer system are initiated manually.

56. The method as recited in claim 55, wherein the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the computer system.

57. The method as recited in claim 55, wherein the cellular phone headset is operable such that the cellular phone headset and the computer system automatically detect each other, and communicate via the short-range protocol upon said detection, and the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the computer system, and the communication between the cellular phone headset and the computer system is conditioned on said detection.

58. The method as recited in claim 55, wherein the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the computer system utilizing the short-range protocol, and an incoming call involving the cellular phone headset is capable of being received via the cellular phone and the long-range cellular network protocol, or the computer system and the long-range hard-line network protocol.

59. The method as recited in claim 55, wherein the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the computer system utilizing the short-range protocol, and an outgoing call involving the cellular phone headset is capable of being routed via the cellular phone and the long-range cellular network protocol, or the computer system and the long-range hard-line network protocol.

60. The method as recited in claim 55, wherein the cellular phone headset is capable of communicating with the cellular phone via the short range protocol as well as the computer system via the short range protocol if the cellular phone headset and the computer system detect each other.

61. The method as recited in claim 55, wherein the cellular phone headset is capable of communicating with the cellular phone via the short range protocol as well as and the computer system via the short range protocol if the cellular phone and the computer system detect each other.

62. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising:

computer code for controlling a cellular phone headset separate from a cellular phone for communicating with the cellular phone via a short-range protocol, and the cellular phone headset which is separate from the cellular phone further comprising logic positioned therein for communicating with a computer system via the short-range protocol without having to be channeled through the cellular phone, the cellular phone capable of communicating via a long-range cellular network protocol and the short-range protocol, and the computer system capable of communicating via a long-range hard-line network protocol and the short-range protocol; and

computer code for controlling the cellular phone headset such that, when the cellular phone headset is in proximity of the computer system, the cellular phone headset is capable of communicating with the computer system utilizing the short-range protocol, so that the cellular phone headset is used to communicate via the long-range hard-line network protocol;

wherein the computer program product is operable such that;

the cellular phone headset and the computer system automatically detect each other and communicate via the short-range protocol after said detection, communications using the long-range hard-line network protocol via the computer system are capable of being controlled manually utilizing the cellular phone headset, and an indicator is displayed after said detection.

63. The computer program product as recited in claim 62, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the computer system.

64. The computer program product as recited in claim 62, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the computer system, and the communication between the cellular phone headset and the computer system is conditioned on said detection.

65. The computer program product as recited in claim 62, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the computer system utilizing the short-range protocol, and an incoming call involving the cellular phone headset is capable of being received via the cellular phone and the long-range cellular network protocol, or the computer system and the long-range hard-line network protocol.

66. The computer program product as recited in claim 62, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the computer system utilizing the short-range protocol, and an outgoing call involving the cellular phone headset is capable of being routed via the cellular phone and the long-range cellular network protocol, or the computer system and the long-range hard-line network protocol.

67. The computer program product as recited in claim 62, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the cellular phone headset is capable of communicating with the cellular phone via the short range protocol as well as the computer system via the short range protocol if the cellular phone headset and the computer system detect each other.

68. The computer program product as recited in claim 62, wherein the computer program product is operable such that the cellular phone headset is capable of communicating with the cellular phone via the short range protocol as well as and the computer system via the short range protocol if the cellular phone and the computer system detect each other.

69. An apparatus, comprising:

a cellular phone headset separate from a cellular phone for communicating with the cellular phone via a short-range protocol including a Bluetooth protocol, and the cellular phone headset which is separate from the cellular phone further comprising logic positioned therein for communicating with a system via the short-range protocol without having to be channeled through the cellular phone, the cellular phone capable of communicating via a long-range cellular network protocol and the short-range protocol, and the system capable of communicating via a long-range hard-line network protocol and the short-range protocol;

the cellular phone headset operable such that, when the cellular phone headset is in proximity of the system, the cellular phone headset is capable of communicating with the system utilizing the short-range protocol, so that the cellular phone headset is used to communicate via the long-range hard-line network protocol; and

an indicator that is displayed upon the cellular phone headset automatically detecting the system.

70. The apparatus as recited in claim 69, wherein the indicator includes an interface.

71. The apparatus as recited in claim 70, wherein the interface indicates details regarding communication via the long-range hard-line network protocol.

72. The apparatus as recited in claim 69, wherein the indicator is connected to the system.

73. The apparatus as recited in claim 69, wherein the cellular phone headset communicates via the short-range protocol upon said detection.

74. The apparatus as recited in claim 69, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the system.

75. The apparatus as recited in claim 69, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the system, and the communication between the cellular phone headset and the system is conditioned on said detection.

76. The apparatus as recited in claim 69, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the system utilizing the short-range protocol, and an incoming call involving the cellular phone headset is capable of being received via the cellular phone and the long-range cellular network protocol, or the system and the long-range hard-line network protocol.

77. The apparatus as recited in claim 69, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the system utilizing the short-range protocol, and an outgoing call involving the cellular phone headset is capable of being routed via the cellular phone and the long-range cellular network protocol, or the system and the long-range hard-line network protocol.

78. The apparatus as recited in claim 69, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is capable of communicating with the cellular phone via the short range protocol as well as the system via the short range protocol if the cellular phone headset and the system detect each other.

79. The apparatus as recited in claim 69, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is capable of communicating with the cellular phone via the short range protocol as well as and the system via the short range protocol if the cellular phone and the system detect each other.

80. An apparatus, comprising:

a cellular phone headset separate from a cellular phone for communicating with the cellular phone via a short-range protocol including a Bluetooth protocol, and the cellular phone headset which is separate from the cellular phone further comprising logic positioned therein for communicating with a system via the short-range protocol without having to be channeled through the cellular phone, the cellular phone capable of communicating via a long-range cellular network protocol and the short-range protocol, and the system capable of communicating via a long-range hard-line network protocol and the short-range protocol;

wherein the cellular phone headset is operable such that, when the cellular phone headset is in proximity of the system, the cellular phone headset is capable of communicating with the system utilizing the short-range protocol, so that the cellular phone headset is used to communicate via the long-range hard-line network protocol;

wherein the cellular phone headset is operable such that communications using the long-range hard-line network protocol via the system are controlled manually, utilizing the cellular phone headset.

81. The apparatus as recited in claim 80, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the system.

82. The apparatus as recited in claim 80, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is operable such that the cellular phone headset and the system automatically detect each other, and communicate via the short-range protocol upon said detection, and the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the system, and the communication between the cellular phone headset and the system is conditioned on said detection.

83. The apparatus as recited in claim 80, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the system utilizing the short-range protocol, and an incoming call involving the cellular phone headset is capable of being received via the cellular phone and the long-range cellular network protocol, or the system and the long-range hard-line network protocol.

84. The apparatus as recited in claim 80, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the system utilizing the short-range protocol, and an outgoing call involving the cellular phone headset is capable of being routed via the cellular phone and the long-range cellular network protocol, or the system and the long-range hard-line network protocol.

85. The apparatus as recited in claim 80, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is capable of communicating with the cellular phone via the short range protocol as well as the system via the short range protocol if the cellular phone headset and the system detect each other.

86. The apparatus as recited in claim 80, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is capable of communicating with the cellular phone via the short range protocol as well as and the system via the short range protocol if the cellular phone and the system detect each other.

87. An apparatus, comprising:

a cellular phone headset separate from a cellular phone for communicating with the cellular phone via a short-range protocol including a Bluetooth protocol, and the cellular phone headset which is separate from the cellular phone further comprising logic positioned therein for communicating with a system via the short-range protocol without having to be channeled through the cellular phone, the cellular phone capable of communicating via a long-range cellular network protocol and the short-range protocol, and the system capable of communicating via a long-range hard-line network protocol and the short-range protocol;

the cellular phone headset including control logic for controlling the communication with the system such that, when the cellular phone headset is in proximity of the system, the cellular phone headset is capable of communicating with the system utilizing the short-range protocol, so that the cellular phone headset is used to communicate via the long-range hard-line network protocol; and

an indicator connected to the system, the indicator being displayed upon the cellular phone headset automatically detecting the system.

88. The apparatus as recited in claim 87, wherein the indicator includes an interface.

89. The apparatus as recited in claim 87, wherein the cellular phone headset communicates via the short-range protocol upon said detection.

90. The apparatus as recited in claim 87, wherein communications using the long-range hard-line network protocol via the system are controlled manually, utilizing the cellular phone headset.

91. The apparatus as recited in claim 87, wherein the long-range hard-line network protocol includes a voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

92. The apparatus as recited in claim 87, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the system.

93. The apparatus as recited in claim 87, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both with the cellular phone and the system, and the communication between the cellular phone headset and the system is conditioned on said detection.

94. The apparatus as recited in claim 87, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the system utilizing the short-range protocol, and an incoming call involving the cellular phone headset is capable of being received via the cellular phone and the long-range cellular network protocol, or the system and the long-range hard-line network protocol.

95. The apparatus as recited in claim 87, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is configured to communicate with both the cellular phone and the system utilizing the short-range protocol, and an outgoing call involving the cellular phone headset is capable of being routed via the cellular phone and the long-range cellular network protocol, or the system and the long-range hard-line network protocol.

96. The apparatus as recited in claim 87, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is capable of communicating with the cellular phone via the short range protocol as well as the system via the short range protocol if the cellular phone headset and the system detect each other.

97. The apparatus as recited in claim 87, wherein the apparatus is operable such that the cellular phone headset is capable of communicating with the cellular phone via the short range protocol as well as and the system via the short range protocol if the cellular phone and the system detect each other.