WO2002102029A2

WO2002102029A2 - Personal communications system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2002102029A2
Application number: PCT/US2002/016571
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joseph P. Vaghi, Iii; Mary Burns Vaghi
Original assignee: Vaghi, Nino R.
Priority date: 2001-06-08
Filing date: 2002-06-07
Publication date: 2002-12-19
Also published as: WO2002102029A3; AU2002314812A1; US7437148B1

Abstract

A personal communications system includes an interface unit (1) which transmits calls received on a mobile wireless phone to one or more hard-wired telephones (12). In one embodiment, the interface unit (1) includes a connector (4) which mates with a voice communications port (10) of a wireless device, which may be a cell phone, web-enabled phone, personal digital assistant adapted for wireless communications, or a so-called pocket PC. When a call is received by the wireless device, a processor (30) automatically sends the call to a hard-wired telephone (12) through the connector (4). In another embodiment, the interface unit (1) is equipped to receive multiple wireless devices, and calls from each device are managed to prevent calls from two or more of the devices from being sent to the hard-wired telephone (12) at the same time. This system thereby advantageously allows a user only one telephone number to satisfy all his personal communications needs.

Description

PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AND METHOD

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1- Field of the Invention.

This invention generally relates to oice communications systems, and more

particularly to a system and method which consolidates personal communications

services by routing telephone calls from a wireless unit to another electronic device,

such as a hard- wired telephone. The invention is also a memory card and method for

using the memory card to store information for configuring a communications device ^'

to perform wireless communications over, for example, a specific telephone number.

The invention is also a communications device which may be programmed to operate

over a specific telephone number:

2. Description of the Related Art.

The last several decades have produced significant advances in personal

communications technology. Mobile phones, fax machines, pagers., and e-mail are

commonplace in the lives of most people.

While consumers have enjoyed the conveniences of these services, they have

not come without a price. Perhaps most significantly, customers are required to have

separate phone numbers in order to meet their personal communications needs. It is

typically the case, for example, that one number is used for land-line voice

communications, another number is used for^" fax communications, and another number for cellular communications. Still other numbers may be required for paging,

long-distance, and internet services. Using separate numbers for these services has

proven to be very expensive. During any given month, consumers may expect to

receive multiple bills each having separate taxes and services fees applied.

The frustrations associated with the state of the telecommunications industry,

in terms of cost and service, was recently recognized by the Wall Street Journal. In

an article entitled, Reform Act Hasn 't Delivered Promises to Customers published

on May 3 , 2001 , the Journal made the following observations;

"If it feels like you're spending more money than ever to use the phone and watch TV, you're right.

Despite the Telecommunications Reform Act's promise to unleash . price-slashing competition in phone and cable-television service, most households today have no choice in either service, and when they open their bills, almost everything is higher. For example:_.

Prices for high-speed Internet access has risen 33% since the act took effect in 1996 - almost three times the rate of inflation.

Local bills are ballooning due to numerous fees the Bells and regulators have slapped on or ratcheted up . . . Subscriber line charges, which cover the cost of the copper line connecting consumers' homes with the network, will go up in July to $5 per line, from the $3.50 level they were at just a year ago as a result of combining old fees. . . . [ jonsumers can find they are masing costly calls when using calling cards or an operator. For example, AT&T charges 45 cents a minute and a $2.99 service charge for those dialing its 1-800- C ALL- ATT service.

On top of all this, many consumers are wincing at increases in the so-called universal-access fee, a government-ordered subsidy for providing phone service and computer connections to rural communities, schools and libraries. The fee rose this year to about 9.9% of a long-distance bill; a year ago, the fee was $1.38.

The result: Total spending on local, long distance, Internet access, wireless and cable TV per household last year rose more than 13% to $167.40 a month from $147.95 per month in 1996 . . . "

The Journal article discussed above captures the discontent most Americans

are feeling with respect to their telecommunications service. The inconvenience of

not only paying for but also having to remember two, three, or even four telephone

numbers to satisfy consumers' personal communications needs is inefficient for

businesses and individuals.

Attempts have been made to reduce the hardware burden on consumers with respect to accessing telecommunications services. Motorola, Inc., for example, has

produced a cordless telephone which converts to cellular service when a user carries

the phone outside the range of a base unit. Such a phone is disclosed in U.S. Patent

Nos.5,260,988, 5,127,042, and 4,989,230. The approach taken in these patents does

not solve the problems which face users in the telecommunications industry today. For example, the Motorola phones are manufactured to handle calls from both a local

exchange carrier and a wireless service provider. Consequently, a consumer who uses these phones is still required to pay for a cellular phone number and a separate

land-line phone number.

In view of the foregoing considerations, it is apparent that there is a need for

a system and method which not only reduces the hardware burden on consumers with

respect to their personal communications needs, but which also reduces the price and

inconveniences associated with obtaining services of this type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one objective of the present invention to provide a system and method .

which streamlines the costs and efficiencies associated with obtaining personal

comrήunications services.

It is another objective of the present invention to achieve the aforementioned

objective by integrating mobile wireless telecommunications services with existing,

land-line-based hardware in a way that only requires the use of a single telephone

number to access each.

It is another objective of the present invention to make the aforementioned

system available at multiple locations (e.g., home, work, hotels, airplanes, etc.) so

that consumers may be reached at any time of day or night through the single

telephone number.

These and other non-limiting objectives of the present invention are achieved

by providing a personal communications system which includes an interface unit

which transmits calls received on a mobile wireless phone to one or more hard- ired telephones. In accordance with a first embodiment, the interface unit includes a

connector which mates a voice communications port of a wireless device, which may

be a cell phone, personal computer, web-en'abled phone, personal digital assistant

adapted for wireless communications, or a so-called pocket PC. The connector of the

interface unit is preferably located at the base of a slot adapted to fit the dimensions

of the wireless device. When a call is received by the wireless device, a processor

automatically sends the call to a hard- ired telephone through the connector. The

processor may be located in the wireless device or in the interface unit. Alternatively,

the interface unit and wireless device may have separate processors which cooperate

with one another for sending the call to the wired telephones.

An interface unit of the foregoing type may be mounted at a user's home and

office. Because all calls to the user are made using, for example, his cellular

telephone number, the user may be reached regardless of his location or time of day.

For ubiquitous appeal, interface units may be located on airplanes, hotel rooms,

restaurants, as well as other public places. For enhanced functionality, the interface

unit may have a port for linking to a personal computer so that the user may access

his e-mail. For security purposes, the interface unit may be equipped with a lock

and/or a smart card reader for reading authorization codes, which, for example, may

be a user's telephone account number.

In order to minimize a user's bills, all calls into a household may be made

through the interface unit of the invention. This will alleviate the need to connect the

user's hard- wired telephones to the public-switched telephone network. As a result, the user may expect to receive a single bill from his wireless service provider

reflecting all of his communications charges. If desired, however, the hard- wired

telephones may also be connected to the public-switched telephone network, and a

control circuit may be then included for coordinating calls received along land-lines

and the wireless provider. A selector may be provided on the interface unit to allow

a user to manually set the connection status with respect to the land-lines.

In accordance with a second embodiment, the interface unit contains multiple

connectors for receiving multiple wireless devices. Each connector preferably

operates in the manner as described above with respect to the first embodiment. A

processor, however, may be included in the interface unit for coordinating calls

received by the w reless devices. For example, when the hard-wired telephone is

handling a call from one wireless device, the processor may alter the activation status

of the connectors connected to the other wireless devices. The processor may also

control the time of activation of the connectors, or may configure the unit so that

each slot operates with a specific hard- ired telephone only. The interface unit may

also be equipped with a selector for allowing a user to manually set activation status

of the connectors. In the foregoing embodiments of the invention, the interface unit

is preferably equipped with a battery re-charger.

Another embodiment of the invention covers a personal communications

system which includes a wireless communications unit, a reader connected to the

wireless communications unit, and a removable recording medium which stores

information (e.g., a user's telephone number) for activating the wireless communications device to receive or place calls through a wireless service provider

and which is adapted for insertion into the reader.

The wireless communications unit and reader may be located, for example,

in a car, an appliance, a television, a hard-wired telephone, or a wireless device. If

in a car, television, or appliance, the wireless communications unit may be equipped

with its own speaker and microphone. If in a hard-wired telephone or wireless

device, the speaker and microphones of these devices may be interfaced to the

wireless communications unit. The removable recording medium may be in the form

of a memory stick, memory card, or strip. This embodiment of the invention is

especially advantages because it allows users to receive and place calls over a

wireless service provider without the use of, for example, a cell phone. Instead, users

need only insert the removable recording medium into a reader of an existing device

and the device is automatically configured to receive and/or place calls based on that

user's number.

Another embodiment of the invention covers a personal cornmunications

device (e.g., a cell phone) which automatically adapts to operate in accordance with

a cell phone number entered by a user. The device includes an input unit for

receiving activation information, a memory unit for storing the activation

information, and a processor for automatically establishing communications with a

wireless service provider based on the activation information, and for automatically

de-activating another telephone number to which the processor had been previously

activated. The device may also include a display for automatically prompting a user to input the activation information, a security code, or time-of-activation information

which controls a period within which the phone is activated to a given telephone

number. The device may be integrated into a hard-wired telephone so that, for

example, guests in a hotel room may configure their hard-wired phones to receive calls on the users' cell phone numbers. .. .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a diagram of a first preferred embodiment of the personal communications system of the present invention.

Fig.2 is a diagram of one type of wireless device included within the personal communications system of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is, diagram of an exemplary control circuit located within the wireless

device of the present invention used for connecting calls.

Fig.4 is a diagram of steps included in a preferred embodiment of the method

of the present invention. ••. , • • ' '

Fig. 5 is a diagram of additional steps included in the-preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention..

Fig. 6 is a diagram of a variation of the first preferred embodiment of the personal communications system of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a diagram of one possible configuration of a control circuit used

which may be used in the system of the present invention for blocking calls when the hard-wired telephone is in use.

Fig. 8 is a diagram of another possible configuration of a control circuit used

which may be used in the system of the present invention for-blocking calls when the hard-'wired_telephone is in use.

Fig. 9 is a diagram of another variation of the first preferred embodiment of

the personal communications system of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a diagram of a second preferred embodiment of the personal

communications syste of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a diagram of a control circuit within the personal communications

system of the second preferred embodiment for coordinating calls from the wireless phones." ^'-^' . ^{•'" ' •}■ ^{" ' "}

Fig. 12 is a diagram of another control circuit within the _. ersonal

cόmrnunications system of the second preferred embodiment for coordinating calls

from the wireless phones.

Fig. 13 is a diagram of a graphical user interface included in the second

preferred embodiment of the system of the present invention. -

Fig. 14 is a diagram of a third preferred embodiment of the personal

communications system of the present invention. ^•

Fig. 15 is a diagram of a personal communications system in accordance with

the present invention equipped with a smart card reader. Fig. 16 is a diagram of a personal communications system in accordance with

another embodiment of the present invention, equipped to read activation information

from a removable recording medium which also corresponds to the present invention.

Figs. 17(a)-(d) are diagrams showing exemplary configurations for the removable recording medium of the present invention.

Fig. 18(a) is a diagram of the personal communications system shown in Fig.

16 incorporated within a car, and Fig. 18(b) is a diagram of this personal

comrnunications system incorporated within an appliance.

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a hard- wired telephone equipped with the

personal communications system in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 20 is a diagram showing a manner in which circuits of the hard-wired telephone .shown inFig. 19 may be^'configured. _ . .- ^"

Fig. -21 is a diagram showing a wireless device. equipped with the personal

communications system in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 22 is a diagram of a personal communications device in accordance with

a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 23 is a block diagram showing steps included in a method implemented

by the personal communications device, shown in Fig. 22. . DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a personal communications system and method

which transmits calls received by a wireless phone to one or more hard-wired

telephones in, for example, a home, office, or public setting. For purposes of the

present invention, the following terms are defined as follows.

Definitions

"Hard- wired telephone" corresponds to at least one of: (a) a telephone which

receives calls through a land-line connected to a public-switched telephone network,

more commonly referred to as a telephone company (TELCO) phone system, (b) a

cordless telephone which receives calls from a cordless base station connected to a

public-switched telephone network, (c) a telephone connected to a private branch

exchange (PBX), (d) a phone used on an airplane such as the GTE AirFone, and (e)

any other telephone which is connected by a land-line to a switching network

including so-called "house phones" used, for example, a hotel, restaurant, hospital,

etc.

"Land-line" refers to communicating information over traditional copper

wires as well as optical fibers.

"Wireless phone" corresponds to a telephone which receives and transmits

voice and/or data through a wireless service provider network which operates within

specific frequency bands. Telephones of this type include a mobile cellular phone

(analog or digital) which operates in a frequency band of 824-893 MHz, a mobile phone which operates in the GSM band of 890-960 MHz, a mobile phone which

operates in the Personal Communications Service (PCS) band of 1.8-1.9 GHz, and

mobile phones which operate via satellite. (Those skilled in the art can appreciate

that the specific frequency bands listed above are subject to change by the Federal

Communications Commission and therefore these bands are provided here merely

for illustrative purposes).

First Preferred Embodiment

Referring to Fig. 1, a personal communications system in accordance with a

first preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an interface box 1

having a slot 2 for receiving a wireless phone. The interface box may be styled to

resemble a cradle of the type used to re-charge the battery of a mobile phone. In fact,

it is preferable that the interface box includes a battery charger since the wireless

.phone will essentially be on at all times to sustain communications with a hard- ired

telephone in the manner discussed in greater detail below. As those skilled in the art

can appreciate, the cradle design of the box is merely illustrative of the invention, as

the box may be designed to have virtually any size or shape provided its functional

aspects are preserved.

In order to connect a wireless call, the interface box includes a voice

communications port 4, an internal wire 5, an external jack 6, and a cable 7. The

voice communications port is adapted to mate with a complementary connector 10

on a wireless phone as shown, for example, in Fig. 2. Once installed, the communications port conveys voice signals between a wireless service provider

network to which the wireless phone is linked and a hard- wired telephone 12

connected to the interface box. Preferably, the ends of the cable include removable

connectors for mating with standard phone jacks in the hard- wired phone and the

interface box, respectively. While the communications port is shown as residing

along a bottom of the slot, this is merely illustrative of the invention as the location

of the port may be varied to match the position of the connector on the wireless

phone. In addition to these features, the slot may include a terminal 13 for re¬

charging a battery of the wireless phone. Also, the box itself may be powered by an

internal battery (not shown) or through a standard AC adapter plug 15.

The interface box of the present invention performs at least the following

functions for connecting a call. For incoming calls, the box forwards a ring signal

through the voice communications port to the hard- wired telephone connected to the

box. Preferably, the hard-wired telephone is located proximate the wireless phone

user. Once the ring signal is answered (e.g., as a result of the user picking up the

receiver of the hard- wired telephone, or pushing a button on a cordless phone), voice

communication is established between the hard- wired telephone and the caller via

antenna 25 of the wireless phone.

For outgoing calls, the wireless phone detects a hook-state signal generated,

for example, when the receiver of the hard- wired telephone is lifted. The wireless

phone will, in response, automatically configure itself to receive a telephone number

dialed on the hard- ired phone. When dialing is completed, the wireless phone will automatically place the call through the wireless service provider network and voice

communications will commence through the antenna.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an exemplary control circuit located within the

wireless phone of the present invention used for connecting calls. The control circuit

includes a processor 30, a memory 32, and a buffer 34. The processor executes a

software program which detects and connects calls between the hard- wired telephone

and the wireless service provider. More specifically, the processor is connected to the

connector 10 (see Fig.2) of the wireless phone for receiving a hook-state signal from

the hard- ired telephone and for controlling bi-directional communications between the connector and antenna 25 when a call is connected. The memory may be a type

found in conventional mobile phones which stores, for example, a directory of

telephone numbers, phone settings, and information required to identify and establish

a link with the wireless service provider. The buffer temporarily stores a telephone

number dialed on the hard-wired telephone. The buffer outputs the dialed number to the processor for call connection and, if desired, to the memory for performing re-

dial functions.

In order to sustain voice communications, the wireless phone is adapted to

receive a mode signal through its voice communications port. The mode signal

informs the processor that the wireless phone is to be converted from a standard

operating mode (e.g., one where the phone operates as a standard cell phone) to an

interface mode, during which time the phone operates as a conduit for establishing

voice communications between a hard-wired telephone and the wireless service provider network. The mode signal may be generated in a variety of ways. For

example, a user may manually push a mode button 35 on the wireless phone to

generate this signal, after which an icon or text message may be displayed on an

LCD 33 of the phone.

Alternatively, the mode signal may be automatically generated in at least one

of two ways. First, the slot of the interface box may be equipped with a stud 40 (Fig.

1) designed to push a function button 42 (Fig. 2) along the bottom surface of the

wireless phone. When the wireless phone is installed in the slot, the stud pushes the

function button, thereby sending the mode signal to the processor. If desired, the

stud-and-function button arrangement may be replaced by electrodes located on the

wireless phone and interface box, respectively. When contact is made between these

electrodes, the mode signal would be sent to the wireless phone processor.

Second, the control circuit of the wireless phone may be configured to have

a detector circuit 38 which detects when the connector 10 of the wireless phone

mates with the voice communications port 4 of the interface box. When a connection

is detected, the mode signal is output to the processor. If desired, the function

performed by the detector circuit may be performed by the processor in the wireless

phone, in order to reduce the number of internal components. In all cases discussed

above, when the mode signal is received by the processor, the microphone and

speaker of the wireless phone may be de-activated for privacy purposes (i.e., to

prevent eavesdroppers from listening to the call) and to save battery energy. Figs.4 and 5 show steps included in a first embodiment of the method of the

present invention for connecting a hard-wired telephone to a wireless service

provider network, which steps may be performed in accordance with the software

program executed by the processor of the wireless phone. The method begins with

the preliminary step of placing the wireless phone in interface mode in response to

the mode signal previously discussed. Interface mode includes at least two states of

operation. Initially, the wireless phone is in a wait state in which incoming calls are

monitored from the wireless service provider network and outgoing calls are

monitored from the hard- wired telephone. The wireless phone automatically converts

to an active (or connect) state when an incoming or outgoing call is detected.

For mco ing calls, as shown in Fig.4, the method includes detecting a signal

from the wireless service provider indicating that someone has called the phone

number of the owner of the wireless phone. (Step 50). This signal is received through

the antenna of the wireless phone. Under standard conditions, the ringer of the

wireless phone would be activated. In interface mode, however, the ringer function

of the phone is preferably de-activated. A ring signal is then output to a hard- ired

telephone through connector 10 and voice communications port 4. (Step 52).

In a next step, the processor of the wireless phone detects a hook-state signal

from the hard- wired phone indicating that someone has picked up the receiver. (Step

54). In response to this signal, the processor automatically connects the call by

linking the hard- wired telephone to the wireless service provider network. (Step 56).

The call is terminated in one of two ways. If the called party hangs up, the wireless phone detects a hook-state signal indicating that the call has been terminated. The

processor of the wireless phone then disconnects the call and the phone is placed

back into the wait state. If the caller hangs up, the processor detects that the wireless

service provider has terminated the call. The processor of the wireless phone then

automatically returns to the wait state. (Step 58).

For outgoing calls, as shown in Fig. 5, the method includes sending a hook- state signal to the wireless phone indicating that a user of the hard-wired telephone

has picked up or otherwise activated the receiver. (Step 60). Detection of this signal

causes the processor to activate the buffer for storing a telephone number dialed on

the hard-wired telephone. (Step 62). When a certain number of digits have been

dialed and stored in the buffer (e.g., 7 numbers for a local call, 10-numbers when an

area code is included, or 11 numbers when a "1" precedes the area code) and a

predetermined amount of time has passed since the last digit was dialed, the

processor concludes that the caller is finished dialing.

In a next step, a determination is made as to whether a valid telephone number has been dialed. (Step 64). This step may be performed based on the number

of digits stored in the buffer. For example, if the number of digits in the buffer equals

7, 10, or 11, the processor may conclude that a valid number has been dialed.

Conversely, if 6 digits have been dialed or any other number which does not

correspond to what is considered to be a valid telephone number, the processor may

conclude that an invalid number has been dialed. Under these circumstances, the

hard- ired telephone may remain unresponsive, indicating to the user that he should hang up and re-dial. Alternatively, the processor of the wireless phone may be

programmed to output an error tone signal to the hard-wired telephone receiver,

informing the user that he should hand up and redial. Detection of a hook-state signal

indicating that the receiver has been placed on the hook returns the wireless phone

to the wait state.

Once a determination has been made that a valid telephone number has been

dialed, the processor of the wireless phone establishes a connection with the wireless

service provider network through the antenna. The number stored in the buffer is then

automatically dialed and the user is connected to the called party through the wireless

provider network. (Step 66). The call may be terminated in a way similar to that

discussed above . If the caller hangs up, the hard-wired telephone detects a hook-state

signal indicating that the call has been terminated, the processor disconnects the call,

and the wireless phone is returned to the wait state for monitoring new calls. If the

called party hangs up, the processor detects that the wireless service provider has

terminated the call, and the wireless phone automatically returns to the wait state.

(Step 68).

The system and method of the present invention represents a significant

improvement in the art for at least several reasons. Perhaps most significantly,

through the present invention, a user may satisfy all his communications needs using

a single telephone number. This may be achieved by connecting the interface box to

at least one hard- wired telephone in the user's house. Under these circumstances, all

calls to the user would be received through his wireless number, thereby alleviating the need to connect the hard- wired telephones in his home to a local exchange carrier

or other public-switched telephone network. Instead of paying two telephone bills at

the end of the month (e.g., one to a Baby Bell and one to a cellular carrier), the user

will therefore be able to consolidate his bill by paying only one wireless charge. As

the cost of wireless services becomes cheaper, it is readily apparent that the invention

will provide an efficient and cost-effective approach for satisfying users' personal

communications needs.

These advantages may be carried over to other areas of the user's life. For

example, the user may connect an interface box at his place of business, hotels and

hospitals may keep interface boxes in their rooms, restaurants may provide interface

boxes at customer tables, and airplanes may install boxes at e ery seat. The interface

box of the invention, thus, provides a way of ensuring that wherever the user goes he

may always be reached by family members, his employer or friends through a single

telephone number. This will prove to be a great convenience to callers who often

must remember multiple phone numbers (e.g., fax, business phone, home phone, etc.)

for the persons they wish to call.

The system and method of the present invention also offers significant

advantages to telephone companies. As the last decade has shown, more and more

users require fax, voice, and data services to meet their personal and business needs.

These services typically require separate telephone numbers. History has shown that

the supply of new telephone numbers quickly becomes exhausted in highly populated

areas because of customers' diverse communications needs, especially in urban areas.. This increased demand has necessitated changes in phone service which have

cost telephone companies literally millions of dollars. One such change involves

requiring customers who live in cities that border two or more states to dial area

codes for local calls. This approach has most recently been taken in the Washington,

D.C. area which is the home of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

The present invention provides an effective solution to this problem. Instead

of using multiple telephone numbers, customers will only need one telephone

number supplied by a wireless provider. By linking their wireless phones to land-line

phones, customers will be available to receive a telephone call regardless of location,

and this is true even in areas where wireless reception is poor or impossible. On a

per-customer basis, therefore, the number of telephone numbers may be significantly

reduced, saving telephone companies significant financial resources.

The interface box of the present invention may be equipped with a number

of optional features. As shown in Fig. 6, the interface box may be connected to a line

62 which connects all the hard- wired telephones in a user's house to a public-

switched telephone network (PSTN) 60. A selector switch 64 may then included on

the box to switch between two service modes. The first mode (e.g., mode "1")

disconnects the hard- wired telephones from the PSTN, thereby configuring the hard¬

wired telephones in the house to receive calls from only the wireless service provider.

Under these circumstances, the processor of the wireless phone may be programmed

to generate an artificial dial tone which may be heard by users when the receivers of

the hard-wired telephones are lifted or otherwise activated. The second mode (e.g., mode "2") may allow the hard-wired phones to be

connected to both the wireless service provider (vis-a-vis the wireless phone mounted

in the interface box) and the PSTN. Under these circumstances, the interface box

may operate as a logical OR function, passing the first telephone call received from

the PSTN or wireless service provider to the hard- wired telephones. During the call,

the interface box may include a control circuit that blocks the hard- wired telephone

from receiving calls from the other network. If desired, there may be a selectable

third mode of operation in which the hard-wired phone is only connected to the

public-switched telephone network.

One possible configuration of a control circuit for blocking calls when the

hard-wired telephone is in use is shown in Fig. 7. This control circuit 70 includes a

switch 71 and a processor 72. In operation, the processor detects from which network

the call is received. This may be determined, for example, by the switch outputting

information to the processor indicating along which input of the switch the call was

received. If the hard- ired telephones are not in use at that time, the call is connected

in the manner previously described and the processor outputs a signal to the switch

to disconnect the other network. Thus, if a call were first received on the PSTN, the

processor would output a switching signal to switch 71 to disconnect the wireless

phone from accessing the hard-wired telephones.

An alternative embodiment of the control circuit is shown in Fig. 8. This

control circuit includes a processor 75 which is programmed to perform a switching

function similar to switch 71. In operation, the processor detects from which network a call is received: If the call were first received on the PSTN, the processor outputs

a blocking signal to the wireless phone (e.g., through its voice communication port)

to place it in an interrupt mode, which effectively places the phone in an inactive

state. All calls received by the wireless phone at this time would then be forwarded,

for example, to a voice messaging system maintained by the wireless service

provider. When the call on the PSTN is terminated, the processor of the interface box

would detect the termination and output a resume signal to the wireless phone to

place it back in a call-receiving mode, e.g., the wait state previously mentioned.

Many wireless phones store information indicating that the phone owner has

missed a call. If such a phone is inserted into the interface box of the invention and

a call is missed, the wireless phone processor may be programmed to output a

missed-call signal to the processor 75, which in response may generate a ring signal

to the hard-wired phones alerting the owner that he has missed a call. The ring

produced by this signal may be a special ring in terms of its tone and/or its rhythm.

For example, a regular ring may ring three times but a missed-call ring may only ring

twice. When the user picks up the receiver of the hard- wired telephone, processor

75 may output an instruction to the processor of the wireless phone to automatically

connect to the user's voice mail. The interface box may even include a voice

synthesis circuit which outputs an artificial audible message to the hard-wired

telephone receivers informing the user that he has missed a call on the wireless

network. As an alternative, an audible tone may be heard when the receiver is picked

up or otherwise activated. In either case, the processor of the wireless phone may be programmed to automatically connect the hard- wired telephone to^'a voice messaging

system. (The functions of the wireless phone processor described above may instead

be performed by a processor of the interface box, which processor is discussed in

greater detail below.) - -

If the call was first received from the wireless service provider network, the

processor merely switches off the PSTN connection in a manner functionally similar

to switch 71. This connection would be resumed once the processor 75 detected that

the wireless call was terminated. If desired, the interface box may be provided with

an answering machine which could take a message from the caller on the PSTN when

the hard- wired telephones were connected to the wireless caller. An audible message

and automatic connection to the answering machine may then be performed when the

receiver of the hard- wired telephone is activated after the call is. terminated, as.

previously described. _. . .

The embodiments shown in Figs. 7 and 8 are desirable because they ajlow

customers to remain connected to the local exchange carrier„and the wireless provider

at the same time. This may prove beneficial for a number of reasons. For example,

a house guest could place his cellular telephone in the interface box of the present

invention during a visit. In this situation, the owner of the house could still receive

calls along the land-lines and the house guest could receive calls through his cell

phone number. This would allow the guest to recharge his battery in the charger

portion of the interface box without missing a call. These embodiments of the invention may also prove beneficial to family

members. For example, consider the case where the father is the owner of the cell

phone. Under these circumstances, if the hard- wired telephones in the house were

disconnected from the local exchange carrier, the mother and children would not be

able to receive calls while the father was at work, because presumably the father

would have his cell phone with him. Switching the selector of the interface box to

mode 2 would allow the mother and children to receive calls from the local-exchange

carrier during this time.

Fig. 9 shows another optional embodiment of the present invention. In this

embodiment, an interface box 80 is connected to multiple hard-wired telephones 83

through a multiplexer unit 90. A separate jack connection may be used for each

telephone. Alternatively, the multiplexer unit may be included within the interface

box housing and connected to a single line which then splits into different lines

connected to each phone. The interface box may be connected to the wireless phone

only, or an additional connection may be established to the local exchange carrier

(LEC). In a home setting, the hard-wired telephones may include a cordless

telephone including a base unit 85 and a handset unit 86, and/or phone software

implemented on a computer 87. Second Preferred Embodiment

Referring to Fig. 10, a personal communications system in accordance with

a second preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an interface box

100 having slots 102 for receiving multiple wireless phones. Preferably, each slot has

the functional and structural features of the slot shown in Fig. 1, including a

connector 104, a stud 105, and a battery charging terminal 106. Through the multiple

slots of this embodiment, one or more hard- wired telephones may receive calls from

multiple wireless telephone numbers vis-a-vis the interface box. This is especially

advantageous because, for example, guests of the house owner may plug in their

respective cell phones into the slots and receive calls on the hard- wired telephones

during their visit. The connection, call connect, call termination, and other features

for each slot not specifically addressed below may be performed as described with

respect to the first preferred embodiment.

In order to coordinate telephone calls from the wireless phones, the interface

box includes a control circuit as shown in Fig. 11. This circuit includes connectors

104, a switching unit 110, and a processor 115. The switching unit is connected at

one end to the voice data ports of the wireless phones through respective connectors

104, and at another end to the processor. In operation, the processor determines from

which wireless phone a call is received, e.g., based on the input terminal of the

switching unit. The processor then outputs a switching signal to the switch to connect

only that input terminal. The remaining phones are disconnected. When processor

115 detects that the call has been terminated, the control circuit returns to a wait state where all the input terminals (wireless phones) are monitored for calls. To provide

enhanced control, the interface box may be equipped with a selector switch 120 for

allowing a user to manually set which wireless phone slot is active for receiving

calls.

An optional configuration of the control circuit is shown in Fig. 12. In this

circuit, a processor detects from which wireless phone a call is received. Blocking

signals, as previously described, are then output to the remaining wireless phones

during connection of the call. The voice messaging features may be performed with

respect to the inactive phones as also previously described.

As shown in Fig. 13, the interface box may include a number of optional

features. For example, the processor of the box may be configured to output a

different ring signal depending upon which wireless phone received the call. For

example, slot 1 may output a tone ring signal to the hard-wired phones, while slot 2

may output a pulse ring signal. Alternatively, the number of rings per slot may be

varied. Providing a different ring signal for each slot will allow house guests, or even

family members with their own cell phones and cell phone numbers, to immediately

recognize who the intended recipient of an incoming call might be.

Another optional feature may control the time of activation of the wireless

phone slots. This will prove highly desirable if the invention is, for example, used in

a home with multiple teenage children. In accordance with these features, the

processor of the interface box may be programmed so that the daughter's cell phone

slot is activated between 7 and 9 p.m., and the son's cell phone slot is activated between 9 and 11 p.m. At all other times, all the slots may be activated for receiving

calls.

In order to coordinate slot activation and other functions, the interface box

may include a graphical user interface which includes a display 130 and one or more

function buttons 135. The information presented on the display may be controlled by

the internal box processor. For illustrative purposes, the following information is

shown on the display: slot activation status, a menu of selectable system functions

including "change slot activation," "answering machine activation,"

"connect/disconnect to PSTN," and "Caller I.D."The menu items may be selected

with the up and down function buttons and the select button. In lieu of the function buttons, a touch screen display may be used.

The change slot activation option may allow a user to change the

configuration of active slots. Any pattern of the slots may be activated.

The answering machine option may allow a user to activate an answering

machine for a particular slot, even if the owner of the cell phone corresponding to

that slot is home. If desired, a separate answering greeting and mail box may be kept

for each slot. Play back, record, and other standard features of an answering machine

may be controlled through sub-menu selections.

The connect/disconnect to PSTN option allows a user to disconnect the

interface box to the local exchange carrier. If the user desires to only have wireless

phone service, the house may be entirely disconnected from this carrier. The caller I.D. function may be automatically performed when a call is

received. For example, the display may display the number of an incoming telephone

call, or this information may be sent to the hard-wired phone if, for example, the

hard- ired phone itself has a display. Many cordless phone handsets on the market

today have such a display. If the caller is not home, the processor of the interface

box may record all missed calls in addition to sending the calls to the appropriate

answering machine mail box. When a user comes home, he or she may then scroll

through the caller I.D. numbers on the display.

Those skilled in the art can appreciate that the foregoing graphical user

interface functions are provided merely by way of illustration, and that if desired

other functions may also be included. For example, the display may have a

selectable "menu" and "settings" icons which allows a user to access an expanded

set of system features. The date and time may also be displayed. Further, if desired

the graphical user interface may be programmed to operate as a so-called Internet

Appliance, e.g., a device which is connected to the internet to allow users to access

e-mail, web sites, and perform browser functions. Under these circumstances, the

interface box would be connected to an internet server wirelessly, via cable modem,

or conventional land-line modem. Third Preferred Embodiment

Referring to Fig. 14, a personal communications system in accordance with

a third preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an interface box 200

having a slot 202 adapted to receive an electronic device 204 in the form of a

personal digital assistant, a pocket PC, a web phone, or any other form of hand-held

device which performs processing functions and which has been adapted to perform

wireless phone operations. The PDA and pocket PCs may include a wireless modem

card for this purpose. Examples include the AirCard 300 and AirCard 510 sold by

Sierra Wireless and the Merlin card sold by Novatel Wireless.

Functionally, interface box 200 operates in a manner similar to the previous

embodiments. For example, in order to communicate in-coming and out-going calls

between a hard-wired telephone and a wireless service provider network the box

includes a connector 206 adapted to mate with a port on the electronic device. This

port may be any type of port conventionally used including a USB port found in

many wireless devices today. Although one slot is shown, the interface box of this

embodiment may have multiple slots for receiving PDAs which may be selectively

activated, as described above. A battery re-charging terminal 208 may also be

included. Additional Optional Features

The foregoing embodiments of the present invention may include one or more

of the following optional features.

PC Connectivity. The interface box may be linked to a personal computer for

allowing a user to remotely program the functions (e.g., slot activation stams) of the

box. The link may be established through a cable or wirelessly in accordance with,

for example, the so-called Bluetooth protocol or another digital wireless standard.

Infrared may also be used for this purpose if the box is wifiiin a line-of-sight of the

personal computer. Through this PC connection, the functions/settings of the box

may even be remotely programmed through the internet.

Improved Reception. The interface box may be connected to a booster

antenna to improve the reliability of the receiving calls within the system. The

antenna may be local to the box or remote such as, for example, on the roof of a

house.

Security. The interface box may be equipped with a lock which either de¬

activates the box or makes its settings unchangeable. The lock may be in the form

of a key-lock or a program stored in a memory of the interface box which limits

access to only those persons with a combination code. (The box may include a set

of buttons used for entering the combination.)

Regional Control. For the multiple-slot embodiments, the interface box may

be programmed, via its internal processor, so that certain slots only ring certain hard¬

wired telephones. For example, the wireless phone in slot 1 would only ring the hard- wired telephone in the kitchen, the phone in slot 2 would only ring the telephones in

the basement and kitchen, and the phone in slot 3 would only ring the bedroom

telephones. As an alternative to programming, selective ringing may be performed

by directly wiring the telephones to the slots in the box.

Smart Card Activation. When the interface box is used in a non-domestic

setting (e.g., hotel rooms, hospitals, airplanes, etc.), the box may be equipped with

a card reader for reading information on a smart card. This information may include a user code which may be compared to authorized codes stored in a memory of the

box or in a remote server connected to the box. In operation, a user inserts his smart

card into the reader, and after a code comparison is performed a display or light indicator informs the user whether he is authorized to use the box. The smart card

may store the user code on a magnetic stripe, in a storage chip, or within any other

type of storage medium conventional known. Fig. 15 shows an exemplary

embodiment of this box, which includes a card reader 300 and a display 302 for

displaying authorization verification information.

Interface Box Location. The interface box of the invention may be integrated

into any one of a variety of existing units, including a television, a hard-wired

telephone, an appliance, and an airplane seat to name a few. Fourth Preferred Embodiment

Referring to Fig. 16, a personal communications system in accordance with

a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a wireless

communications unit 500, a reader 502, a speaker 504, amicrophone 506, an optional

display 508 with a memory unit 510, and an antenna 512. The wireless

communications unit includes a processor, a memory, a transceiver, and other features necessary for performing wireless communications over a service provider

network. The memory of this device stores a program for controlling the processor

to perform, for example, all the operations of a conventional wireless phone.

The reader is connected to the wireless communications unit and is adapted

to receive a removable recording medium 520, which stores information for activating unit 510 so that wireless communications may be performed. This

activation information may include a telephone number of a user as well as other

information required to activate and/or initialize a phone for facilitating wireless

communications. This other information may include serial numbers, location

information, and/or data which a wireless provider or even a local exchange carrier

may need in order to activate operation of a wireless phone. Activation information

of this type is well known. See, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 4,486,624 and

5,386,455. The display may perform the normal functions of a cellular phone,

including notification of a called telephone number, missed call information, date,

time, etc. The removable recording medium may take virtually any form. For example,

as shown in Fig. 17(a), the medium may be located within a card-shaped housing

equipped with a window having a slidable cover 525, like in a floppy diskette. In this

situation, when inseπed into the reader the cover would retract to allow a reader head

to read a user's telephone number from the medium inside. Alternatively, as shown

in Fig. 17(b), the card-shaped housing may be equipped with input/output data ports

530 of the type, for example, which commonly appear on flash memory cards used

to store images taken by a digital camcorders and cameras. The medium may also be

in the form of a memory stick which resembles the type used in MP3 players and

other electronic devices. As respectively shown in Figs. 17(c) and (d), this stick may

have a rectangular shape, a cylindrical shape, or virtually any other shape. The

medium may also be in the shape of a rectangular strip. Of course, the reader of the

invention will be adapted to accommodate the shape and type of the removable

recording medium.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the wireless communications

unit is in a fixed location. The unit may be incorporated, for example, within a

kitchen appliance such as a refrigerator door, a television, a hard-wired telephone,

a seat or other structure of an airplane, or even an interface box in accordance with

any of the foregoing embodiments of the invention. Under these circumstances, all

activation information but the user' s telephone number may be stored beforehand in

the memory of the wireless communications unit. The only function performed by

the reader would then be to input the telephone number stored on the recording medium into the wireless communication unit. The processor of the unit would then

establish communications with a central office or base station of the wireless service

provider (e.g., perform initialization and registration operations) to notify the

provider that the telephone number is no available for receiving and or placing calls

through the antenna.

The removable recording medium described above is an especially

advantageous feature of the invention because it enables users to receive wireless

calls without having to carry a phone. Instead, users need only carry the medium

itself, which, for example, may be small enough to fit into a shirt pocket, on a key

chain, or in a wallet or purse.

Fig. 18(a) shows an exemplary application of the invention. In this figure,

the communications unit is integrated into the dash 550, radio 560, and/or steering

wheel 570 of a car, and the reader includes an input slot 580 situated in a similar

location. In operation, users receive and place calls hands-free using speakers and a

microphone mounted in the car. Calls may be answered or placed using a keypad

590. Also, if desired, the car radio display 595 may be used to display information

typically shown on cell phones, and the car stereo may be used as the speakers. The

antenna may be mounted on the rear window or at a non- visible location in the car.

Equipped with these features of the invention, the car will advantageously be

configured to receive and/or place calls using the telephone phone number of any

user provided that user's telephone number is stored on the memory card inserted

into the input slot of the reader. Fig. 18(b) shows another exemplary application wherein the communications

unit of the present invention is integrated into the door of a refrigerator. This

embodiment is equipped with similar features, including a reader input slot 600, a

keypad 602, a display 604, a microphone 606, and a speaker 608. The antenna may

be integrated into the door with the communications unit.

Fig. 19 shows another exemplary application wherein the communications

unit of the present invention is integrated into a hard- wired telephone 650. Here, the

keypad 655 of the hard-wired telephone and the receiver and transmitter of its

handset 660 are used to place and receive calls. The communications unit 665 and

reader 670 of the present invention are preferably incorporated within the housing of

the hard- wired telephone. In operation, a user inserts a removable recording medium

(e.g., a memory card) 675 into the reader slot. Activation information (e.g., a

telephone number of the user) is then downloaded to the communications unit to

configure the unit to receive telephone calls from a wireless service provider once

conventional initialization and registration operations are performed.

Preferably, the- control circuits of the hard- wired telephone are interfaced to

the wireless communications unit of the present invention to enable handset 660 to

be the receiver and transmitter for the wireless unit. As shown in Fig. 20, the

interface between the hard-wired telephone circuits 678 and the wireless

communications unit 690 may include signal lines 688 for bidirectionally

communicating voice data therebetween. The processor of the communications unit

may output a control signal to the hard- ired telephone circuits to prevent the hard- wired telephone from receiving other calls, e.g., from a public-switched telephone

network. These calls may, for example, be forwarded to a voice messaging system.

The antenna for the wireless communications unit may be located within the hard¬

wired telephone or the antenna may be a higher-power antenna external to this phone.

This latter antenna is preferable, for example, when the invention is used in hotel

rooms and the antenna is mounted on the roof.

Fig. 21 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this

embodiment, the communications unit of the present invention is integrated into a

wireless device. For illustrative purposes, the wireless device is shown as a cellular

phone 700, which includes a reader slot 705 along one surface for receiving a

removable recording medium 710 containing activation information. When inserted into the slot, the cell phone is automatically activated to perform wireless

communications with a cellular provider in the manner previously described. This

embodiment is particularly advantageous because, once the telephone number is read from medium 710, the cell phone is automatically configured to operate using that

number. This embodiment is extremely versatile in that use of the cell phone is not

limited to any one number, as is the case with conventional cell phones in use today.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 21 may be equipped with several optional

features. For example, operation of the cell phone may be predicated on whether or

not a removable recording medium is inserted into the reader slot. Under these

circumstances, for example, when the medium is removed a processor of the cell

phone may switch to a disabled or monitoring state only, i.e., no calls can be received. Conversely, the processor may be programmed to receive cεάls even when

the removable recording medium is inserted into another device equipped with the

communications unit of the present invention. Under these circumstances, a call

placed to the user's telephone number may ring on both the user's cell phone (if, for

example, his wife has the phone for the day) and, for example, a hard-wired

telephone such as shown in Fig. 19 located at the user's work and into which a

removable medium has been inserted.

Fifth Preferred Embodiment

Referring to Fig. 22, a personal communications system in accordance with

a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention operates in a manner similar

to the fourth preferred embodiment, except that instead of a reader the fifth

embodiment allows a user to enter activation information using a system input

device, such as a keypad. More specifically, this system includes a wireless unit 600,

a memory unit 602, an input device 604, a display 606, and an antenna 608. The

wireless unit is equipped with a processor and other conventional features necessary

for performing wireless communications over a service provider network. The

memory unit stores a program for controlling the processor to perform wireless

communications in this manner and to automatically perform activation in the

manner described below. Unlike conventional cellular phones, where a salesman enters activation

information into the phone for the user, the personal communications system of the

present invention may automatically be configured, and then re-configured, to allow

any user to use the system with his own phone number, without the assistance of a

salesman or technician. Preferably, this is accomplished through control software

stored in the system memory which, when in program mode, receives activation

information from the user which includes a telephone number on a wireless service

provider network. The activation information may be entered via the key pad of the

system. The phone may automatically be placed in program mode at start up or may

be initiated through a mode button on the system keypad.

Fig. 23 is a flow diagram showing steps included in this embodiment of the

method of the present invention. An initial step, the system is placed in program

mode (Block 700) and then activation information including a user's telephone

number is entered into the system memory through the keypad (Block 710). In a

next step, the system processor automatically transmits a signal to the wireless

service provider to provide notification that the telephone number is now available

for receiving calls. (Block 720). In response, the provider transmits confirmation

information and/or other data of a conventional type back to the system, which is

then automatically placed into a call monitoring mode by the processor. (Block 730).

The phone number may be changed to allow a different user to use the system

by pressing a mode button on the keypad or at start-up. (Block 740). After the new

user enters his telephone number in the manner indicated above, the processor of the wireless communications unit overwrites the old number with the new number or a

plurality of new numbers in memory. As a result of this overwriting process, the

system is automatically de-activated with respect to the old number. (Block 750).

The processor then automatically transmits a message to the wireless service provider

indicating that the telephone number is no longer available for receiving calls. (Block

760). The provider then adjusts its system accordingly and any future calls to the old

number would, for example, be forwarded to a voice messaging system or the

original personal communications device (e.g., a user's cell phone).

Those skilled in the art can appreciate that the wireless service provider may

maintain a computer at, for example, a base station or central office which is

configured to interact with the control software in the system of the present

invention. This interaction may involve the central office computer transmitting all

the conventional information required to activate the system so that it is ready to

receive calls from or place calls to the provider.

The system of the present invention may include a number of optional

features which enhance both its functionality and convenience of use. To provide a

level of security, the activation information may include a personal identification

number (PIN) or other identification code. The system processor may then compare

the code to a set of authorized codes in memory in order to prevent an unauthorized

user from gaining access to the system. Alternatively, the PIN number may be

transmitted to the wireless service provider where the comparison may be made. In

either case, if there is no match the user will be denied use of the system. In addition to a telephone number and/or a PIN number, the system may be

configured to receive time-of-activation information. According to this feature, the

user would enter a period of time (e.g., 10 minutes, 2 hours, 1 day, three weeks, etc.)

using the keypad which would then be used to program the system processor. In call

monitoring mode, the processor would count down the period of time entered and

then automatically de-activate the telephone number when that period expires. The

internal system clock may be used to perform the comparison.

Preferably, the system includes a graphical user interface which displays an

interactive screen when in program mode. This screen may include a prompt

instructing the user into enter a new phone number for configuring the system, a

prompt for instructing the user to enter a PIN number, and still another prompt to

allow a user to enter time-of-activation information as discussed above. Also,

remaining time of activation information may be displayed.

The system of the present invention may advantageously be incorporated as

a wireless communications unit in a > hard-wired telephone. Under these

circumstances, the unit may be connected to an antenna located within or remotely

from the hard-wired telephone.. Further, the processor of the unit may be configured

to receive activation information from the keypad of the hard- wired telephone. To

guide the user, a display may be included to prompt the user in the manner

previously mentioned. Thus, for example, in operation a user may pick up the

receiver of the hard-wired telephone and the display may prompt the user to enter a

cell phone number. When the numbered is entered using the keypad, the wireless unit communicates with the wireless service provider to provide notification that the calls may be received from or transmitted to that number. As a result, the user will be able

to receive phone calls on that telephone, which, for example, may be located in a

hotel, hospital, or a guest's house.

Alternatively, the wireless communications unit may be connected to the hard-wired telephone by a network. In this embodiment, a user may push a function

button on the hard- wired phone to activate the wireless communications unit which, for example, may be kept at the hotel managers desk. When prompted, the user may

then use the keypad of the hard- wired telephone to enter activation information into

the memory of the wireless unit, thereby enabling the user to receive calls on his cell phone number using the hard-wired telephone in his hotel room. Another exemplary

application of this embodiment include connecting the wireless communications unit to telephones (e.g. GTE AirFone) in an airplane.

Other modifications and variations to the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing disclosure. Thus, while only certain

embodiments of the invention have been specifically described herein, it will be

apparent that numerous modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

We claim:

1. A method for communicating voice information, comprising:

receiving a call on a wireless phone; and

sending the call from the wireless phone to a hard- wired telephone.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

connecting the hard- wired telephone to only receive calls through the

wireless phone.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

generating an artificial dial tone when a receiver of the hard-wired

telephone is activated.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

connecting the hard-wired telephone to receive calls through the

wireless phone and through a public-switched telephone network.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said sending step includes:

sending a ring signal to the hard- wired telephone when the call is

received by the wireless phone.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

detecting a hook-state signal indicating that a receiver of the hard¬

wired telephone has been activated;

connecting the call to the hard- wired telephone based on detection of the hook-state signal.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

detecting termination of the call based on a hook-state signal

indicating that the receiver of the hard- wired telephone has been de-activated.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

dialing a telephone number on the hard-wired telephone; and performing the following steps in said wireless phone:

(a) detecting the dialed telephone number,

(b) confirming validity of the dialed telephone number, and

(c) automatically connecting the call through a wireless service provider if the dialed telephone number is valid.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein step (b) includes determining whether

a number of digits in the dialed telephone number equals a predetermined number of

digits corresponding to a valid telephone number.

10. The method of c laim 1 , further comprising :

automatically de-activating a microphone and speaker of the wireless

phone when the call is connected.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein said sending step is performed based

on authorization information stored on a smart card.

12. A method for communicating voice information, comprising:

connecting a wireless phone to a hard- wired telephone;

connecting the hard- ired telephone to a public-switched telephone

network;

detecting a first call from one of the public-switched telephone

network and a wireless service provider to which the wireless phone is connected;

and

blocking a second call from the other of the public-switched telephone

network and a wireless service provider from reaching the hard-wired telephone

during the first call.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

automatically sending the second call to voice messaging system.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

outputting a missed-call signal indicating that the second call was

received during the first call.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said missed-call signal causes the

hard-wired telephone to activate a predetermined ring indicative of a missed call.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising :

detecting activation of a receiver of the hard-wired telephone in

response to said predetermined ring; and

automatically connecting the hard-wired telephone to a voice

messaging system based on said detecting step.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

detecting activation of a receiver of the hard-wired telephone in

response to said predetermined ring; and

outputting audible information indicating that the second call was

missed.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said audible information includes

one of a tone and a voice-synthesized message.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

automatically connecting the hard-wired telephone to a voice

messaging system after said outputting step.

20. A method for communicating voice information, comprising:

receiving a call on one of a plurality of a wireless phones connected

to a hard- ired telephone;

sending the call from said one wireless phone to the hard-wired

telephone; and

blocking calls received on the other of said plurality of wireless

phones from being forwarded to the hard- wired telephone.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

generating an alert signal indicating that one of the other of said

plurality of wireless phones received a call during the call forwarded to the hard¬

wired telephone.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein said blocking step includes

disconnecting the other of said plurality of wireless phones from the hard- ired

telephone.

23. A method for communicating voice information, comprising:

monitoring a plurality of wireless phones;

detecting when one of said wireless phones has received a call; and

sending the call from said one of said wireless phones to a hard-wired

telephone.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

generating a signal for preventing calls received by the other of said

plurality of wireless phones from being forwarded to the hard- wired telephone during

the call forwarded to the hard- wired telephone.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

generating a different ring signal for the hard- ired telephone for each

of said plurality of said plurality wireless phones.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

controlling a time of activation of at least one of said plurality of

wireless phones during which calls are forwarded to the hard-wired telephone.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

controlling times of activation of said plurality of wireless phones, wherein a time of activation of a first one of said wireless phones is

different from a time of activation of a second one of said wireless phones.

28. The method of claim 23 , further comprising:

providing an interface unit having a plurality of connectors, each of

said connectors mating with a voice communications port of a respective one of said

wireless phones, said interface unit including a processor which controls activation states of said connectors for connecting to the hard-wired telephone.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

re-charging batteries of said wireless phones when attached to said

connectors.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein said interface unit includes a display, and wherein said method further comprises:

displaying, on said interface unit, information indicative of the

activation states for said connectors.

31. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

displaying, on said display, information indicative of at least one of:

a menu of selectable system functions, answering machine activation state, caller

identification, and connection/disconnection to a public-switched telephone network.

32. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

connecting the interface unit to an antenna.

33. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

providing a lock for controlling activation of said interface unit.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein said lock is one of a key-type lock

and an electronic e ymbination code.

35. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

connecting at least two of said connectors to different hard-wired

telephones.

36. The method of claim 28, wherein said interface unit includes a card

reader and wherein said method further comprises:

inserting a card containing authorization information into the card

reader; and

activating one of said connectors based the authorization information

stored on the card.

37. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

connecting the processor of the interface unit to a communications

link;

downloading programming information along the communications

link to the processor; and

prograrnming the processor based on said programming information.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the communications link includes

a connection to a network server.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein said communications link is one of

a wireless link, a cable modem link, or a land-line link.

40. A method for communicating voice information, comprising:

receiving a call on a wireless device; and

sending the call from the wireless device to a hard- wired telephone.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the wireless device is one of a

personal digital assistant, web-enabled phone, mobile phone, and a pocket PC.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein the wireless device is connected to

the hard- wired telephone by a wireless connection.

43. An interface unit, comprising:

a connector for mating with a voice communications port of a wireless

device, said connector linked to a hard- wired telephone for sending a call received

by the wireless device to the hard- wired telephone.

44. The interface unit of claim 43 , wherein said wireless device is one of

a wireless phone, web-enabled phone, personal digital assistant, and pocket PC.

45. The interface unit of claim 43 , wherein the connector is linked to the

hard- ired telephone by one of a cable, an optical fiber, and a wireless link.

46. The interface unit of claim 43 , further comprising:

a battery charger for charging a battery of the wireless device.

47. The interface unit of claim 43, further comprising:

means for changing the wireless device from a standard operating

mode to an interface mode, wherein in said interface mode the wireless device is

configured to output a call to the hard-wired telephone through the connector.

48. The interface unit of claim 47, wherein said mode-changing means

includes a stud included in a housing of the interface unit, said stud being located at

a position which coincides with a mode-changing button on the wireless device, said stud pushing the mode-changing button on the wireless device when the voice

communications port of the wireless device is mated to the connector.

49. The interface unit of claim 47, wherein said mode-changing means

includes a first electrode exposed along a surface of a housing of the interface unit,

said first electrode located at a position which coincides with a second electrode on

the wireless device, wherein contact between said first electrode and said second

electrode converts the wireless device to said interface mode.

50. The interface unit of claim 43 , further comprising :

a processor which outputs an artificial dial tone signal to the hard¬

wired telephone when a receiver of the hard- wired telephone is activated.

51. The interface unit of claim 43 , further comprising:

an input port for receiving a communications line from a public-

switched telephone network; and

a control unit which coordinates connection of calls from the wireless

device and the public-switched telephone network to the hard-wired telephone

through the connector.

52. The interface unit of claim 51 , wherein when a first call is received

from one of the wireless device and public-switched telephone network, the control unit prevents the other of the wireless device and public-switched telephone network

from sending a second call to the connector during the first call.

53. The interface unit of claim 43 , further comprising:

an input port for receiving a communications line from a public-

switched telephone network; and

a selector which allows a user to manually select when calls from the

public-switched telephone network and the wireless device are to be sent to the hard¬

wired telephone through the connector.

54. The interface unit of claim 53 , wherein when the selector is set to one

of the public-switched telephone network and the wireless device, the selector

prevents the other of the public-switched telephone network and the wireless device

from sending calls to the hard-wired telephone through the connector.

55. The interface unit of claim 43, further comprising:

a reader which reads authorization information from a smart card; and

a processor which controls activation of the connector based on

whether the authorization information read by the reader is valid.

56. The interface unit of claim 43, further comprising:

a housing having a slot sized to substantially correspond to

dimensions of the wireless device, said connector being mounted within said slot.

57. The interface unit of claim 43 , further comprising:

a connection point for a high-power antenna, said high-power antenna

boosting reception by the wireless device.

58. The method of claim 43 , further comprising:

a lock for controlling activation of said interface unit.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein said lock is one of a key-type lock

and a combination code.

60. An interface unit, comprising:

a plurality of connectors each mating with a voice communications

port of a respective wireless device and each linked to at least one hard-wired

telephone for sending a call received by said respective wireless device to the hard¬

wired telephone.

61. The interface unit of claim 60, further comprising:

a selector which selects an activation status of each of said connectors.

62. The interface unit of claim 60, further comprising:

a switch which prevents ones of said connectors which have not been

selected by said selector from sending calls to the hard- ired telephone.

63. The interface unit of claim 60, aprocessor which prevents unselected

connectors from sending calls to the hard-wired telephone.

64. The interface unit of claim 63 , wherein the processor outputs blocking

signals to the unselected connectors for de-activating the wireless devices connected

to the unselected connector.

65. The interface unit of claim 61 , further comprising:

a display;

aprocessor for outputting information to the display, said information

including at least one of information indicative of the activation status of the

connectors, a menu of selectable system functions, answering machine activation

state, caller identification, and connection/disconnection to a public-switched

telephone network.

66. The interface unit of claim 60, further comprising:

an answering machine; and a processor which connects a call received by one of said wireless

devices to the answering machine when a call from another one of said wireless

devices is connected to the hard-wired telephone.

67. The interface unit of claim 60, further comprising:

a processor which controls a time of activation of said connectors.

68. The interface unit of claim 60, wherein at least two of the connectors

are connected to different hard-wired telephones.

69. The interface unit of claim 60, wherein said connectors are connected

to multiple hard- wired telephones, and wherein said interface unit comprises:

a processor which controls connection between said connectors and

said hard- wired telephones based on a location of said hard- wired telephones.

70. A personal communications system, comprising:

a wireless device including a voice communications port; and

an interface unit including a connector which mates with the voice

communications port of the wireless device, said connector linked to a hard- wired

telephone for conveying a call received by the wireless device to the hard-wired

telephone.

71. The personal communications system of claim 70, wherein the

wireless device is one of a wireless phone, a web-enabled phone, a personal digital

assistant, and a pocket PC.

72. The personal communications system of claim 70, further comprising:

means for determining when the connector of the interface unit mates

with the voice communications port of the wireless device.

73. The personal communications system of claim 70, wherein the

wireless device includes:

a processor which detects a hook-state signal indicating that a receiver

of the hard- wired telephone has been activated, and connects the call to the hard¬

wired telephone based on detection of the hook-state signal.

74. The personal communications system of claim 73, wherein the

processor detects terrnination of the call based on a hook-state signal indicating that

the receiver of the hard- wired telephone has been de-activated.

75. The personal communications system of claim 70, wherein the

wireless device includes:

a buffer which stores a telephone number dialed on the hard-wired

telephone; and a processor which determines whether the telephone number stored

in the buffer is valid, and if valid, automatically connects the call to a wireless

service provider.

76. The personal communications system of claim 75, wherein the

processor determines whether the telephone number is valid by comparing whether

a number of digits in the dialed telephone number stored in the buffer equals a predetermined number of digits corresponding to a valid telephone number.

77. The personal communications system of claim 70, wherein the

wireless device includes a processor which automatically de-activates at least one of

a microphone and speaker of the wireless device, when the call is sent to the hard¬

wired telephone through the connector or when the hard- ired telephone sends a call

to a wireless service provider through the connector.

78. The personal communications system of claim 70, wherein the

interface unit is connected to the hard-wired telephone so that the hard-wired

telephone only receives calls through the wireless device.

79. The personal communications system of claim 70, wherein the

interface unit includes a battery re-charger for the wireless device.

80. The personal communications system of claim 70, wherein the

connector of the interface unit is connected to a plurality of hard- wired telephones,

and wherein a processor of the interface unit controls to which of said hard- wired

telephones the call is to be sent.

81. The personal communications system of claim 70, wherein the

interface unit includes a plurality of connectors which mates with the voice

communications ports of a respective plurality of wireless devices, each of said

connectors linked to at least one hard- wired telephone for conveying call received by

the wireless devices to the at least one hard-wired telephone.

82. The personal communications system of claim 81 , the interface unit

includes:

a processor which controls activation states of the connectors,

wherein when a call is sent to the hard- wired telephone through one

of the connectors, the processor controls activation states of the other connectors to

block calls from being conveyed to the hard-wired telephone through the other

connectors.

83. The personal communications system of claim 82, wherein when a

call received by one of the wireless devices is blocked by the processor, the processor sends a missed-call signal to the hard- wired telephone when the call sent to the hard¬

wired telephone is terminated.

84. The personal communications system of claim 81, wherein the

interface unit includes a processor which controls a time of activation of the

connectors.

85. The personal communications system of claim 81, wherein the

interface unit includes a selector which allows a user to manually control an

activation state of at least one of the connectors.

86. The personal communications system of claim 81, wherein the

interface unit includes a graphical interface unit.

87. The personal communications system of claim 86, wherein the

graphical interface unit displays information indicative of activation status of the

connectors and includes means for allowing a user to change said activation status.

88. The personal communications system of claim 70, wherein the

interface unit includes:

a reader which reads authorization information from a smart card; and a processor which controls activation of the connector based on

whether the authorization information read by the reader is valid.

89. The personal communications system of claim 70, wherein the

interface unit includes a lock.

90. A removable storage device, comprising:

a recording medium which stores information for activating a wireless

communications device to receive or place calls through a wireless service provider.

91. The removable storage device of claim 90, wherein said information

includes identification information for identifying a user within a system maintained

by the wireless service provider.

92. The removable storage device of claim 91, wherein said identification

information includes a telephone number of a user.

93. The removable storage device of claim 90, further comprising:

a housing adapted for insertion into a reader of the wireless

communications unit.

94. The removable storage device of claim 93 , wherein the housing is in

a shape of a card, stick, or strip.

95. A personal communications system, comprising:

a wireless communications unit;

a reader connected to the wireless communications unit; and

a removable recording medium which stores information for

activating the wireless communications device to receive or place calls through a

wireless service provider, said removable recording medium adapted for insertion

into the reader.

96. The personal communications system of claim 95, wherein the

wireless communications unit and reader are located in one of a car, an appliance, a

television, a hard- wired telephone, and a wireless device.

97. The personal communications system of claim 96, wherein the

wireless communications unit is connected to a handset of the hard- wired telephone.

98. The personal communications system of claim 97, wherein the

wireless communications unit includes a processor which outputs a signal to a

processor of the hard- wired telephone for disabling the hard- wired telephone when

the removable recording medium is inserted into the reader.

99. A wireless communications unit, comprising:

a processor unit for processing calls; and

a reader which reads information from a recordmg medium which

stores information for activating the processor to receive or place calls through a

wireless service provider.

100. The wireless communication unit of claim 99, wherein the processor

and reader are incorporated within one of a car, an appliance, a television, a hard¬

wired telephone, and a wireless device.

101. A personal communications device, comprising:

an input unit for receiving activation information;

a memory unit for storing the activation information; and

a processor for automatically establishing communications with a

wireless service provider based on said activation information, said processor

automatically de-activating another telephone number to which said processor had

been previously activated.

102. The personal communications device of claim 101, further

comprising:

a display, wherein said processor automatically prompts a user to enter said

activation information upon start-up of said device.

103. The personal communications device of claim 101, wherein said

processor automatically de-activates said another telephone number by transmitting

a signal to the wireless service provider indicating that the another telephone number

is no longer available to receive calls.

104. The personal communication device of claim 101, wherein said

activation information includes a telephone number on the wireless service provider

network.

105. The personal communications device of claim 104, wherein said

activation information further includes security information, said processor or a

processor at a wireless service provider comparing said security information with

stored information to determine authorized use of said unit.

106. The personal communications device of claim 101, wherein said input

unit receives time-of-activation information, and said processor controls a period of communications based on said time-of-activation information.

107. A hard-wired telephone, comprising:

a keypad;

a transceiver; and

a wireless communications unit which includes:

(a) a memory unit for storing activation information input

through said keypad, and

(b) a processor for automatically establishing communications

with a wireless service provider based on said activation

information, said processor forwarding in-coming calls to the

transceiver.

108. A communications system, comprising :

a hard- wired telephone including a keypad and a transceiver; and

a wireless communications unit remotely located from said hard- wired telephone, said wireless communications unit having:

(a) a memory unit for storing activation information input

through said keypad, and

(b) a processor for automatically establishing communications

with a wireless service provider based on said activation

information, said processor forwarding in-coming calls to the

transceiver.