Portable hybrid communication system and methods
First Claim
1. A portable hybrid communications system comprising:
- (a) entry means for entering a data signal;
(b) public telephone network connection means for accessing a public telephone network in response to public telephone accessing control signals;
(c) modem means for modulating and demodulating data signals;
(d) cellular transceiving means for accessing a cellular network in response to cellular network accessing control signals;
(e) analog switch means connected to the public telephone network connection means, to the cellular transceiving means, and to the modem means;
(f) digital data connecting means for selectively creating a digital data transmission connection with the cellular transceiving means;
(g) central processing means connected with said entry means, said public telephone network connection means, said modem means, said analog switch means, and said digital data connection means for generating public telephone accessing control signals and cellular network accessing control signals and for selectively operably connecting the modem means to either the public telephone network or the cellular network so that the central processing means may transmit or receive information over the public or cellular network.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A laptop device includes a personal computer, a cellular transceiver, a speakerphone, and a hybrid communications control unit. The device has connectors for attaching a headset, cellular control unit, land telephone line, and additional speakers and microphones. The micro-processor-controlled hybrid communications control unit includes a modem, a data access arrangement, and a tone generator as well as digital, analog, and power switches. The hybrid communications control unit switches the communications components and provides, under program control, the proper protocols, level, and impedance matching to connect the modem, speakerphone, headset, speaker/microphone, or cellular control unit to the landline or to the cellular network via the transceiver. Matching and switching operations are automatic and transparent to the user. The unit can also connect two of the terminal devices or connect the cellular and landlines for call relaying. The device is capable of connecting plural calls at the same time. The hybrid communications control unit may be controlled by its internal firmware, by toggle switches, or by commands issued from the personal computer.
55 Citations
55 Claims
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1. A portable hybrid communications system comprising:
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(a) entry means for entering a data signal;
(b) public telephone network connection means for accessing a public telephone network in response to public telephone accessing control signals;
(c) modem means for modulating and demodulating data signals;
(d) cellular transceiving means for accessing a cellular network in response to cellular network accessing control signals;
(e) analog switch means connected to the public telephone network connection means, to the cellular transceiving means, and to the modem means;
(f) digital data connecting means for selectively creating a digital data transmission connection with the cellular transceiving means;
(g) central processing means connected with said entry means, said public telephone network connection means, said modem means, said analog switch means, and said digital data connection means for generating public telephone accessing control signals and cellular network accessing control signals and for selectively operably connecting the modem means to either the public telephone network or the cellular network so that the central processing means may transmit or receive information over the public or cellular network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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- 25. Apparatus for controlling the path of voice and data signals in a communications system which comprises at least a speaker phone, a cellular transmit/receive unit (TRU), a cellular (CU) handset and a computer having at least a communications software program, a keyboard and an I/O port for communications, said apparatus for controlling comprising:
- 32. In combination:
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39. A method of controlling the path of voice signals in a communications system which comprises at least a speaker phone, a cellular transmit/receive unit (TRU) having a telephone number, a cellular (CU) handset, apparatus for controlling the path of voice and data signals having at least a CPU, an analog switching means, a TRU interface means, a landline interface means, a speaker phone interface means, a modem and a cellular interface means and a computer having at least a communications software program, a keyboard and an I/O port for communications, said method comprising the steps of:
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40. A method of controlling the path of voice signals in a communications system which comprises at least a speaker phone, a cellular transmit/receive unit (TRU) having a telephone number, a cellular (CU) handset, apparatus for controlling the path of voice and data signals having at least a CPU, an analog switching means, a TRU interface means, a landline interface means, a speaker phone interface means, a modem and a cellular interface means and a computer having at least a communications software program, a keyboard and an I/O port for communications, said method comprising the steps of:
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41. A method of controlling the path of voice signals in a communications system which comprises at least a speaker phone, a telephone-type headset, a cellular transmit/receive unit (TRU) having a telephone number, apparatus for controlling the path of voice and data signals having at least a CPU, an analog switching means, a TRU interface means, a landline interface means, a speaker phone interface means, a modem and a cellular interface means and a computer having at least a communications software program, a keyboard and an I/O port for communication, said method comprising the steps of:
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42. A method of controlling the path of voice signals in a communications system which comprises at least a speaker phone, a cellular transmit/receive unit (TRU) having a telephone number, a cellular (CU) handset, apparatus for controlling the path of voice and data signals having at least a CPU, an analog switching means, a TRU interface means, a landline interface means, a speaker phone interface means, a modem and a cellular interface means and a computer having at least a communications software program, a keyboard and an I/O port for communications, said method comprising the steps of:
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43. A method of controlling the path of voice signals in a communications system which comprises at least a speaker phone, a telephone-type headset, a cellular transmit/receive unit (TRU) having a telephone number, a cellular (CU) handset, apparatus for controlling the path of voice and data signals having at least a CPU, an analog switching means, a TRU interface means, a landline interface means, a speaker phone interface means, a modem and a cellular interface means and a computer having at least a communications software program, a keyboard and an I/O port for communications, said method comprising the steps of:
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44. A method of controlling the path of data signals in a communications system which comprises at least a speaker phone, a cellular transmit/receive unit (TRU) having a telephone number, apparatus for controlling the path of voice and data signals having at least a CPU, an analog switching means, a TRU interface means, a landline interface means, a speaker phone interface means, a modem and a cellular interface means and a computer having at least a communications software program, a keyboard and an I/O port for communications, said method comprising the steps of:
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45. A method of controlling the path of data signals in a communications systems which comprises at least a speaker phone, a cellular transmit/receive unit (TRU) having a telephone number, a cellular (CU) handset, apparatus for controlling the path of voice and data signals having at least a CPU, an analog switching means, a TRU interface means, a landline interface means, a speaker phone interface means, a modem and a cellular interface means and a computer having at least a communications software program, a keyboard and an I/O port for communications, said method comprising the steps of:
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46. A portable hybrid communications control unit for selectively transmitting and receiving data over different telephone networks including a cellular network using a cellular transceiver, comprising
(a) entry means for entering a data signal; -
(b) public telephone network connection means for accessing a public telephone network in response to public telephone accessing signals;
(c) modem means for modulating and demodulating data signals;
(d) cellular transceiving connection means adapted to be connected with a cellular transceiver for accessing a cellular network in response to cellular network accessing control signals;
(e) analog switch means connected to the public telephone network connection means, to the cellular transceiving connection means, and to the modem means;
(f) digital data connecting means for selectively creating a digital and data transmission connection with the cellular transceiving means; and
(g) central processing means connected with said entry means, said public telephone network connection means, said cellular transceiver connection means, said modem means, said analog switch means, and said digital data connection means for generating public telephone accessing control signals and cellular network accessing control signals and for selectively operably connecting the modem means to either the public telephone network or the cellular network through the cellular transceiver so that the central processing means may transmit or receive information over the public or cellular network. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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Specification