Multimedia communicator utilized to offer voice services

• US 8,594,636 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2007
• Issued: 11/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 1st Communications Inc.
• Original Assignee: 1st Communications Inc.
• Inventors: Lewis, Scott W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, David Q
• Application Number:
  US11/686,308
• Publication Number:
  US 20080229368A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,449 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1059 End-user terminal functionalities specially adapted for real-time communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4126 The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A multimedia communicator is disclosed. The multimedia communicator comprises a processing unit; and a storage device coupled to the processing unit. The multimedia communicator further includes a plurality of interfaces to allow the multimedia communicator to offer a user a plurality of services. The MMC which includes a microprocessor computing system may be located in a car, for example, or within a handset similar to handsets presently utilized for cell phones. The MMC may be connected to a WiFi Internet connection, a cellular network, a satellite radio or equivalent satellite network, or to other available wireless networks. Additionally, the MMC has the potential to interface with GPS signals as desired.

Claims

1. A multimedia communicator (MMC) comprising:

a processing unit;

a storage device coupled to the processing unit;

a plurality of interfaces coupled to a plurality of databases to allow the MMC to offer voice and data services; and

a hybrid multimedia communicator (MMH) coupled to the processing unit, wherein the MMH includes a network center in communication with the MMC, wherein the MMH includes a hybrid multimedia communicator protocol that includes cost information including subscription rules, quality level connectivity and cost requirements, quality and cost optimization service procedures, and information to determine which WiFi and cellular providers to utilize for a specific area, wherein the cost information is utilized to determine which of the voice and data services should be selected based upon optimal transmission and cost, thereby creating intelligent roaming.

2. The MMC of claim 1, wherein the plurality of databases are internal to the MMC.

3. The MMC of claim 1, wherein the MMC operates as a WiFi telephone when located in a WiFi area.

4. The MMC of claim 1, wherein the MMC is coupled to any of a cell phone and a landline phone.

5. The MMC of claim 1, wherein the MMC operates in a cellular network.

6. The MMC of claim 1, wherein the MMC switches between a cellular network and a WiFi network.

7. The MMC of claim 1, wherein the MMC utilizes Peer to Peer and radio transmitter to radio transmitter (R2R) technology.

8. The MMC of claim 1, wherein the MMC switches between one or a plurality of cellular networks and one or a plurality of WiFi networks.

9. The MMC of claim 1, wherein the MMC provides hybrid roaming.

10. The MMC of claim 1, wherein the MMC implements MMC protocol technology.

11. The MMC of claim 1, wherein the MMC utilizes head-end hybrid function.

12. The MMC of claim 1, wherein the MMC operates alone or in combination with the network center or other MMCs.

13. The MMC of claim 1, wherein the MMC utilizes multiple or redundant networks to allow for continuous coverage/reception and operation.

14. The MMC of claim 1, wherein the MMC is utilized with one of a subset of the functionality of the MMC (MMCjr) network and a R2R network.

15. The MMC of claim 1, wherein the MMC is utilized with one of a MMC network and a R2R network.

16. The MMC of claim 1, wherein the MMC is utilized with multiple or redundant networks.

17. The MMC of claim 1, wherein the MMC is utilized with nomenclature data-based services.

18. The MMC of claim 1, wherein the MMC segments packets of information and is utilized with telephony services received either from WiFi networks, satellite networks, and/or cellular networks, then rejoining the segmented packets of information, thereby overcoming the lack of contiguous signals and providing the user with a continuous playback uninterrupted by service disconnections.

19. The MMC of claim 1, wherein the MMC sends and receives GPS information to provide geographic services to users.

20. The MMC of claim 1, wherein the MMC utilizes multiple or redundant networks and the storage device for real time operation and operation from storage for receiving emails, video, satellite radio programs and voice/data transmissions.

21. The MMC of claim 1, wherein the plurality of databases includes subscription rules for cellular network providers and WiFi network providers and connectivity and cost requirements for providing an optimal transmission and reception cost for the voice and data services.

22. The MMC of claim 1, wherein the plurality of databases is within the storage device.

23. The MMC of claim 1, wherein the plurality of databases is within a network center.