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

• US 8,521,154 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2012
• Issued: 08/27/2013
• 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:
  US13/448,219
• Publication Number:
  US 20120202486A1
• Time in Patent Office: 498 Days
• Field of Search: 455/426.1, 455/556, 455/557, 455/575.6, 455/556.1, 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 device for establishing a connection between a portable communication device and a pager network through a second network when a radio communication between the portable communication device and the pager network cannot be established, the device comprising:

a serial port connector coupled to a serial connector of the portable communication device;

a network communication device interfaced with the serial port connector, the network communication device facilitating an exchange of data between the portable communication device and the second network when the radio communication between the portable communication device and the pager network cannot be established;

a network connector also interfaced with the network communication device, the network connector coupling the device to the second network; and

a power source, the power source for providing a power boost to the portable communication device through the serial port connector.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the network connector is coupled to a base station, the base station being a portal between the second network and the pager network.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the base station includes a server programmed to emulate two-way functions of the base station.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein base station also includes a plurality of network communication devices in order to connect to multiple portable communication devices.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the second network is a public switched telephone network.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the network connector is a telephone connector.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the second network is a mobile switching network.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the network communication device is a modem.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the portable communication device is a pager.

10. A system for establishing a connection between a portable communication device and a pager network through a second network when a radio communication between the portable communication device and the pager network cannot be established, the system comprising:

a portable communication device having a serial connector; and

a cradle coupled to the serial connector of the portable communication device, the cradle comprising

a serial port connector used for coupling the cradle to the serial connector of the portable communication device,

a network communication device interfaced with the serial port connector, the network communication device facilitating an exchange of data between the portable communication device and the second network when the radio communication between the portable communication device and the pager network cannot be established,

a network connector also interfaced with the network communication device, the network connector coupling the cradle and the second network, and

a power source, the power source providing a power boost to the portable communication device through the serial port connector.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the network connector is coupled to a base station, the base station being a portal between the second network and the pager network.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the base station includes a server programmed to emulate two-way functions of the base station.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the second network is a public switched telephone network.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the network connector is a telephone connector.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the network communication device is a modem.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the portable communication device is a pager.

17. A method for establishing a connection between a portable communication device and a pager network through a second network when a radio communication between the portable communication device and the pager network cannot be established, the method comprising:

receiving an input connection from the portable communication device; and

facilitating an exchange of data between the portable communication device and the second network when the radio communication between the portable communication device and the pager network cannot be established, the second network being connected to the pager network via a base station, wherein the input connection is received by inserting the portable communication device into a second device, the second device having a serial port connector, a network communication device, a network connector, and a power source, the power source providing a power boost to the portable communication device through the serial port connector.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising coupling the second device and the second network via the network connector.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the network communication device and the network connector are incorporated into the portable communication device.