Interface devices for facilitating communications between devices and communications networks

• US 8,380,879 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2011
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Tischer, Steven, Zellner, Samuel N., Starr, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): AJIBADE AKONAI, OLUMIDE
• Application Number:
  US13/089,577
• Publication Number:
  US 20110255686A1
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414.1, 455/414.4, 455/426.1, 455/426.2, 455/466.7, 455/11.1, 455/74.1, 455/554.1, 455/554.2, 455/557, 455/552.1, 455/553.1, 370/465, 370/466, 370/467, 370/401, 709/230, 709/231, 709/238, 709/242, 709/246, 709/250
• US Class Current: 709/246
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/677 Preventing the dialling or sending of predetermined telephone numbers or selected types of telephone numbers, e.g. long distance numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver

Abstract

Interface devices for facilitating communications between devices and communications networks are provided. According to one aspect, a destination interface device for providing communications between a first device and a second device comprises one or more inputs, one or more outputs, and logic. The one or more inputs of the destination interface device receive data in a first format from a source interface device. The logic translates the data to a second format compatible with the second device. The translated data is then transmitted to the second device via the one or more outputs. The destination interface device may subscribe to the source interface device for access to enhanced features as well as for access to data associated with communications networks and devices.

Claims

1. A destination interface device for providing communications between a first device and a second device, comprising:

an input for receiving data in a first format from the first device via a source interface device;

a processor;

memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising

determining that the data cannot be received directly from the first device,

in response to determining that the data cannot be received directly from the first device, detecting the source interface device configured for transmitting the data to the input,

determining whether the data can be received from the first device via the source interface device,

if the data can be received from the first device via the source interface device,

establishing a peer-to-peer network with the source interface device,

sending a request for the data from the source interface device,

receiving the data at the input,

if the data cannot be received from the first device via the source interface device, then

detecting a substitute source interface device for receiving the data from the first device, and

receiving the data from the first device via the substitute source interface device at the input,

identifying the second device for receiving the data,

identifying a second format compatible with the second device, and

translating the data to the second format to create translated data; and

an output for transmitting the translated data to the second device.

2. The destination interface device of claim 1, wherein the second format is based on a user profile.

3. An interface device for providing communications between a first device and a second device, comprising:

an input for receiving data in a first format from the first device;

a processor;

memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising

determining whether the data can be received from the first device,

if the data can be received from the first device, receiving the data at the input,

if the data cannot be received from the first device, then

detecting a source interface device configured for transmitting the data to the input,

sending a request for the data from the source interface device, the request comprising an instruction to transmit the data to the interface device in the first format, and

receiving the data at the input,

identifying the second device for receiving the data,

identifying a second format compatible with the second device, and

translating the data to the second format; and

an output for transmitting the translated data to the second device.

4. The interface device of claim 3, wherein the second format is based on a user profile.

5. The interface device of claim 3, wherein detecting a source interface device configured for transmitting the data to the input comprises detecting a signal from the source interface device and establishing a communications link with the source interface device.

6. The interface device of claim 5, wherein establishing the communications link with the source interface device is based on signal characteristics.

7. The interface device of claim 5, wherein establishing the communications link with the source interface device is based on access rights of the interface device.

8. An interface device for providing communications between a first device and a second device, comprising:

an input for receiving data in a first format from the first device;

a processor;

memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising

determining whether the data can be received from the first device,

if the data can be received from the first device, receiving the data at the input,

if the data cannot be received from the first device, then

detecting a signal from a source interface device and establishing a communications link with the source interface device based on access rights of the interface device,

sending a request for the data from the source interface device, and

receiving the data at the input,

identifying the second device for receiving the data,

identifying a second format compatible with the second device, and

translating the data to the second format; and

an output for transmitting the translated data to the second device.