Satellite communications adapter for cellular handset

• US 5,903,835 A
• Filed: 03/18/1996
• Issued: 05/11/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Original Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Dent, Paul W.
• Primary Examiner(s): CUMMING, WILLIAM D
• Application Number:
  US08/617,239
• Time in Patent Office: 1,149 Days
• Field of Search: 379/58, 379/59, 379/61, 379/63, 455/54.1, 455/77, 455/12.1, 455/427, 455/426, 455/555, 455/552, 370/110.1, 370/29, 370/324, 370/479, 370/280, 370/318, 370/321
• US Class Current: 455/427
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18563 Arrangements for interconnecting multiple systems data switching networks H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18571 for satellites; for fixed or mobile stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/105 PBS [Private Base Station] network H04W84/12 - H04W84/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• 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 dual-mode telephone with a satellite communication adapter is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a cellular-type handportable phone is equipped with a connector for the attachment of accessories. This S connector provide a satellite communications adapter accessory access to the handset'"'"'s signal processing resources which may operate in an alternative mode to process signals received from the satellite and converted by the adapter into a suitable form for processing. The processing translates the satellite signals into voice or data, and vice-versa.

Claims

1. A satellite communications device comprising:

satellite converter circuits for receiving signals from and transmitting signals to an orbiting satellite;

a first loop-disconnect telephone interface for connecting to the public switched telephone network;

a second loop-disconnect telephone interface for connecting to a wireline telephone, wherein calls received from said public switched telephone network are routed to said wireline telephone causing the telephone to ring and calls received via said orbiting satellite are routed to said wireline telephone causing the telephone to ring if the telephone is not already engaged with a call received via the public switched telephone network; and

cellular converter circuits for generating a radio call signal for a cellular phone upon receipt of a call via a satellite network.

2. A satellite communications device according to claim 1, further comprising:

cellular converter circuits for receiving a radio call signal from a cellular phone and depending upon information contained therein translating said call for routing via said public switched telephone network loop-disconnect interface or via said orbiting satellite using said satellite converter circuits.